Trump Replaces BLS Head; US, China Extend Tariff Pause; US-Brazil Meeting Canceled

Good Morning,

President Trump nominated E.J. Antoni, a critic of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to lead the agency after firing the previous commissioner over disputed jobs data. On the trade front, the US and China agreed to extend their tariff truce for another 90 days, preventing a surge in duties between the world's two largest economies. Meanwhile, international tensions flared as Iran seized a foreign tanker for alleged fuel smuggling, and Chinese miners continue dangerous gold extraction operations across Africa despite safety concerns. Environmental challenges also made headlines, with jellyfish swarms forcing France's largest nuclear plant offline and Brazil canceling high-level US meetings over ongoing tariff disputes that threaten bilateral economic cooperation.

Top Stories

• Trump nominates Bureau of Labor Statistics critic to replace fired agency head - Washington Post

• ‘Extremely daring’: Chinese miners putting gold over their own lives in Africa - SCMP

• Iran seizes foreign tanker accused of smuggling fuel - Al Arabiya

• US and China agree to critical extension, preventing tariff surge on the world’s two largest economies - CNN 

• Jellyfish swarm forces France's largest nuclear plant to shut down - France24

• Brazil-US meeting canceled amid tariff dispute, says finance minister - Reuters

United States

• US and China agree to critical extension, preventing tariff surge on the world’s two largest economies - CNN

• China and the US Clash at the UN Over the Panama Canal, a Focus of Trump's Attention - US News & World Report

• What to know about DC Home Rule Act as Trump puts DC police under federal control - ABC

• It's 'dangerously hot' as extreme temps scorch these parts of the US - USA Today

• Trump nominates Bureau of Labor Statistics critic to replace fired agency head - Washington Post

Africa

• South African coalition party says US trade deal may hinge on race policies - Reuters

• Growing pains: can rice production in Africa keep up with demand? - The Guardian

• Cocoa Futures Surge on Worries About Weaker Crops in West Africa - Bloomberg

• ‘Extremely daring’: Chinese miners putting gold over their own lives in Africa - SCMP

• African nations hopeful to re-negotiate Trump tariffs, fear economic fallout - Africa News

Middle East

• India has sent 20,000 workers to Israel to replace Palestinians since Gaza war began - Middle East Eye

• Gaza takeover necessary for victory — Netanyahu - DW

• Iran seizes foreign tanker accused of smuggling fuel - Al Arabiya

• Qatar Gas $1 Billion Loan Adds to Middle East Funding Frenzy - Bloomberg

• Security Council voices deep concern over deadly escalation in Syria’s Sweida region - UN News 

Indo-Pacific

• US and China agree to critical extension, preventing tariff surge on the world’s two largest economies - CNN 

• China and the US Clash at the UN Over the Panama Canal, a Focus of Trump's Attention - US News & World Report 

• ‘Extremely daring’: Chinese miners putting gold over their own lives in Africa - SCMP

• India has sent 20,000 workers to Israel to replace Palestinians since Gaza war began - Middle East Eye

• Chinese vessels collide while pursuing Philippine boat in South China Sea - HKFP

Europe

• Zelensky could still attend Trump-Putin meeting, but rest of Europe is shut out - BBC

• Europe and Ukraine leaders seek talks with Trump to defend their interests ahead of US-Russia summit - Associated Press

• Jellyfish swarm forces France's largest nuclear plant to shut down - France24

• What Europeans ask of the EU: The Strangest Citizens’ Initiatives - Euro News

• Parts of UK forecast to hit 34C during fourth summer heatwave - The Independent

Latin America

• Brazil-US meeting canceled amid tariff dispute, says finance minister - Reuters

• US is planning new sanctions on Brazil, says Jair Bolsonaro’s son - FT

• What Happens When Politicians Meddle With Economic Data: Argentina’s Example - Wall Street Journal

• The village in Peru that lives in the dark next to a massive solar plant - BBC

• Sheinbaum plans trilateral meeting with Guatemala and Belize leaders - Mexico News Daily

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