While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, June 1, 2025
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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth speaking at this year's Shangri-la Dialogue on May 31.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
China says US ‘should not play with fire’ on Taiwan
China on June 1 warned the United States it “should not play with fire” over Taiwan and said it had lodged “representations” with Washington over comments made by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth at a summit in Singapore.
The US Secretary of Defence used his speech at an annual security forum on May 31 to warn that China was “credibly preparing” to use military force to upend the balance of power in Asia.
He added that the Chinese military was building the capabilities to invade Taiwan and “rehearsing for the real deal”.
In a statement released just after midnight, China’s foreign ministry said it had “lodged solemn representations with the US side” over Mr Hegseth’s comments, adding that it “strongly deplores” his remarks.
Europe rejects Pentagon chief’s call to limit role in Asia
Europe’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas has rejected calls from the United States that the continent should limit its role in Asia, saying that the security theatres of the Indo-Pacific and Europe are intimately connected.
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth had suggested at the Shangri-La Dialogue that allies in Europe focus on security in Europe, so that Washington could focus on Asia.
Speaking to The Straits Times on May 31 hours after the Pentagon chief’s speech, Ms Kallas pushes back against this notion.
Hamas seeks ‘unacceptable’ changes to US Gaza proposal
Hamas said on May 31 it was seeking amendments to a US-backed proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Israel in Gaza, but President Donald Trump’s envoy rejected the group’s response as “totally unacceptable.”
The Palestinian militant group said it was willing to release 10 living hostages and hand over the bodies of 18 dead in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. But Hamas reiterated demands for an end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza - conditions Israel has rejected.
A Hamas official described the group’s response to the proposals from Mr Trump’s special Middle East envoy, Mr Steve Witkoff, as “positive” but said it was seeking some amendments.
Musk denies ketamine use following New York Times report
Billionaire Elon Musk said that he is not using the drug ketamine, disputing a report by the New York Times that alleged extensive use of that and other drugs.
“I tried *prescription* ketamine a few years ago and said so on X, so this not even news. It helps for getting out of dark mental holes, but haven’t taken it since then,” Mr Musk posted on X, adding that the newspaper was “lying.”
Mr Musk, who had been working as a close adviser to President Donald Trump in his efforts to cut government spending, stepped away from that role on May 30.
Brilliant PSG win first Champions League title
Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League for the first time in their history, as Luis Enrique’s brilliant young side outclassed Inter Milan on May 31 in the most one-sided final ever as teenager Desire Doue scored twice in an astonishing 5-0 victory.
Achraf Hakimi, playing against his former club, gave PSG an early lead and Doue went from provider to finisher as his deflected shot doubled their advantage in the 20th minute.
Doue scored again just after the hour mark, ending any doubt about the outcome before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ran away to get the fourth and substitute Senny Mayulu made it five.
