World News: U.S. vetoes UN Security Council resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire

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The United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution that called for an immediate "unconditional and permanent" ceasefire in Gaza.

On Wednesday, the U.S. exercised its veto power to block a UN Security Council resolution that demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid to the region.

All 14 other security council members supported the draft resolution.

Acting U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, defended the veto, stating that the resolution failed to condemn Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, did not call for the group's disarmament, nor its withdrawal from Gaza.

She said, "We would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza."

The U.S. also vetoed the last Security Council resolution on Gaza in November.

Russia said on Wednesday that its Crimean Bridge remains fully operational with no damage.

This comes after Ukraine detonated explosives on the strategically significant bridge.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Ukraine's Security Service said it conducted a coordinated underwater attack on the Crimean Bridge, deploying explosives equivalent to 1,100 kilograms of TNT.

The SBU released footage showing a blast beneath the bridge, claiming severe damage.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the explosion, but stated, "Nothing was damaged. The bridge is working," dismissing Ukraine's claims of structural harm.

This was Ukraine's third attack on the bridge since Russia's full-scale war began in 2022.

The bridge is considered a significant military supply route for Russian forces in Crimea.

Bulgaria will become the 21st nation to adopt the euro at the start of next year, after receiving approval from the European Central Bank and the European Commission on Wednesday.

The decision follows Bulgaria's fulfillment of all convergence criteria, including inflation control, fiscal stability, and exchange rate alignment.

Bulgaria's prime minister hailed the approval as a milestone, emphasizing its potential to bolster foreign investment and deepen Bulgaria's integration into the European Union.

However, pro-Russian groups protested, expressing concerns over national sovereignty and potential worsening poverty and inflation.

Finally, Nintendo's highly anticipated Switch 2 gaming console is poised to exceed initial sales forecasts as it prepares for its global release on June 5.

The company projects sales of 15 million units by March 2026, but analysts suggest the number will exceed that.

Pre-orders have sold out rapidly worldwide, with Japan alone receiving over 2.2 million applications.

Despite the 449.99 U.S. dollar price point, consumers are enthusiastic about the Switch 2's enhanced features,

including a larger LCD screen and improved processing power.

Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.