Axios

A U.S. diplomatic offensive to counter China's growing clout in the Pacific Islands appears to be paying dividends, with three agreements sealed within 48 hours.

The big picture: The Biden administration has focused far more attention on the Pacific islands — new embassies, more aid, several high-level visits — since a security pact between China and the Solomon Islands spooked Washington last year.

Major household brands are positioning their products for discount shelves, as dollar stores continue to pop up around the nation.

The big picture: America's dollar-store chain storefronts steadily increased between 2019-2023, with more than 34,000 in the U.S. last year — exceeding the total of all McDonalds, Starbucks, Target and Walmart locations in the country combined, per a recent study.

China's government told operators of "critical information infrastructure" to stop buying Micron Technology's products Sunday and claimed the U.S. chipmaker threatened national security.

Driving the news: The Cyberspace Administration of China's claims, which a U.S. Commerce Department spokesperson in a statement to media Sunday evening said had "no basis in fact," followed a security review of the Idaho-based firm.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday rejected Russia's claim that it had fully captured the eastern Ukrainian city of Bahkmut.

Why it matters: Western officials and others have said Bakhmut offers little strategic importance, but the city — and who controls it — has taken on symbolic meaning after nearly a year of fighting and heavy losses on both sides. The city has also been largely destroyed.