Europe to Negotiate With Iran; China's Central Asian Influence Grows; Trump Considers Middle East Strikes

Good Morning,

South Africa has declared a state of disaster amid devastating weather conditions, while diplomatic efforts intensify with Europe scheduling critical talks with Iran on Friday. The Trump administration is ramping up surveillance of potential Iran-backed cells domestically as military action remains under consideration, raising concerns about economic disruption from potential conflict. Meanwhile, China's expanding influence in Central Asia poses new challenges to Russia's regional dominance, and California faces pressure to reassess its Amazon oil partnerships following appeals from Ecuadorian Indigenous communities.

Top Stories

• South Africa declares state of disaster following severe weather - Africa News

• China’s influence is growing in Central Asia. What does that mean for Russia? - SCMP

• Europe to Hold Talks With Iran on Friday - New York Times

• California is to examine its Amazon oil ties following pleas from Indigenous leaders from Ecuador - Associated Press

• Trump administration boosts monitoring of possible Iran-backed cells in U.S., as Trump weighs strikes, sources say - CBS

• America’s economy could face a war shock - CNN

United States

• Trump administration can't require states to cooperate with ICE to get transportation funding, judge says - CBS

• America’s economy could face a war shock - CNN

• America could be hit with 'high-impact' cyberattack targeting energy grid, fmr WH tech chief says - Fox

• As Trump pledges mass deportation, he’s creating more undocumented people - NBC

• Muslim NY mayoral candidate reports threats; Jewish Ohio lawmaker was threatened separately - Reuters

Africa

• South Africa declares state of disaster following severe weather - Africa News

• Niger to nationalize Somair uranium venture operated by France's Orano - Reuters

• Congo and Rwanda will sign a peace deal on June 27, a major step in ending fighting in eastern Congo - Associated Press

• Armed attack in Niger kills 34 soldiers near Mali border - France24

• Zimbabwe Govt’s $400M Medical Equipment Bid Sparks Public Outrage - All Africa

Middle East

• Tulsi Gabbard sidelined in Trump administration discussions on Israel and Iran - NBC

• Live Updates: Israel Vows to Intensify Attacks After Iranian Missile Hits Hospital - New York Times

• Trump administration boosts monitoring of possible Iran-backed cells in U.S., as Trump weighs strikes, sources say - CBS

• Syria’s Al-Sharaa sparks outcry for promoting militia leaders accused of rights abuses - Jerusalem Post

• Erdogan vows fully independent defence industry amid Israel-Iran conflict - Middle East Eye

Indo-Pacific

• At OANA, Asia-Pacific news agencies seek cooperation to tackle global changes, tech challenges - Global Times

• China’s influence is growing in Central Asia. What does that mean for Russia? - SCMP

• Taiwan on alert over China's military activities in Pacific - Reuters

• South Korea's Lee touts ‘inseparable’ Japan ties after Ishiba meeting - Japan Times

• North Korea launches more than a dozen rockets, South Korea says - ABC

Europe

• Europe to Hold Talks With Iran on Friday - New York Times

• Switzerland enters era of zero interest rates - CNBC

• Council of Europe alarmed by free speech curbs in Germany - Euro News 

• Russia and Ukraine carry out another POW exchange - France24

• Russia’s economy minister says the country is on ‘the brink of recession’ - Associated Press

Latin America

• California is to examine its Amazon oil ties following pleas from Indigenous leaders from Ecuador - Associated Press

• Nicaraguan ex-military officer killed in exile in Costa Rica - Reuters

• Erick makes landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, the strongest to hit Mexico so early in the year - CNN

• Lawyer who defended drug lord 'El Chapo' elected as judge - BBC

• Chile's vital underwater forests face threats from mining, warming seas - Reuters

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