Trump and Musk Fallout; New Drone Campaign in Ukraine; Syria's Uncertain Future

Good Morning,

The high-profile alliance between President Trump and Elon Musk has deteriorated into public conflict, with a disagreement over a new bill at the forefront of the fallout. The Trump administration has meanwhile implemented new travel restrictions targeting Chad, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and six other African nations. In the Middle East, Syria continues navigating its future after Assad's departure, while ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks have wounded at least three people in Ukraine. On the technology front, Japan's ispace company is preparing for its second lunar landing attempt this Friday. Meanwhile, Argentina's president has denied allegations that new intelligence legislation could enable government surveillance of journalists and politicians.

Top Stories

• 5 takeaways from the explosive Trump-Musk divorce - The Hill

• Trump travel ban hits Chad, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia and six other African nations - BBC

• After Assad: The Future of Syria - CSIS

• Japan's ispace counts down to second moon-landing attempt on Friday - Reuters

• Argentina’s president denies new intelligence plan could enable surveillance of journalists and politicians - CNN

• Ukraine under ongoing Russian missile and drone attack that has wounded at least 3 - Associated Press

United States

• 5 takeaways from the explosive Trump-Musk divorce - The Hill

• Judge in Diddy trial warns he may be removed from courtroom after jury interactions - NBC

• Trump reinstates US travel ban, bars citizens of 12 countries - CBS

• Rubio imposes sanctions on four ICC judges for ‘targeting’ US and Israel - The Guardian

• Investor nightmare: How the Trump-Musk fallout is crushing Tesla stock - Fox Business

Africa

• Zambia’s former president Lungu dies at 68 - New York Times

• Trump travel ban hits Chad, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia and six other African nations - BBC

• World Bank to resume Uganda funding after halt over anti-LGBT law - Barron’s

• Mali says two more army posts attacked as jihadist violence escalates - Jerusalem Post

• Ghana endorses Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara - Reuters

Middle East

• After Assad: The Future of Syria - CSIS

• US group distributing aid in Gaza reopens sites after deadly shootings - NBC

• Chicago private equity firm has stake in logistics company involved in Gaza aid effort - Times of Israel

• Hamas chief says group did not reject US ceasefire proposal for Gaza, sought changes - Reuters

• Israel attacks suburbs of Beirut, targeting alleged Hezbollah ‘drone factories’ - CNN

Indo-Pacific

• China scientists put direct quantum communications tech to test in space flight - SCMP

• Japan's ispace counts down to second moon-landing attempt on Friday - Reuters

• South Korean conservatives looking for rebirth after election loss - Asia One

• Australia PM rules out relaxing biosecurity rules ahead of Trump meeting - US News & World Report

• North Korea says it has raised a capsized destroyer upright as it continues repair - Associated Press

Europe

• NATO to propose upping members' defence spending to 5% in line with Trump demand - France24

• Trump, Germany's Merz build ties in friendly meeting on Ukraine and trade - Reuters

• Ukraine under ongoing Russian missile and drone attack that has wounded at least 3 - Associated Press

• Sweden reaches 'historic' deal with Estonia to rent prison cells to tackle overcrowding - Euro News

• Europe Wants to Banish Russian Gas. The U.S. May Have Other Plans - New York Times

Latin America

• Nearly Half of the Protected Land Around the Nazca Lines of Peru Is Now Open to Miners - Smithsonian 

• Chile abortion bill could shape Boric legacy as Latin American neighbors look on - Reuters

• UN food agency appeals for $46 million to help 2 million Haitians facing severe hunger - Associated Press

• Argentina’s president denies new intelligence plan could enable surveillance of journalists and politicians - CNN

• Supreme Court tosses Mexico’s $10B lawsuit claiming US gunmakers have fueled cartel violence - Associated Press

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