**Summary:** The Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) of China announced that the 18th Straits Forum will convene in Xiamen on June 13, featuring 58 distinct activities aimed at fostering cross-strait exchanges.

**Key points:**
- The forum will invite representatives from various Taiwanese political parties, as well as figures from youth, women, agricultural, and business sectors.
- TAO spokesperson Zhu Fenglein stated that the event will continue to focus on grassroots and civilian-level integration.
- Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has historically labeled the forum a platform for United Front work and prohibits government officials from participating.

**Why it matters:** The Straits Forum serves as a significant annual platform for Beijing to engage with Taiwanese political and social groups, reflecting the ongoing tensions and differing approaches to cross-strait relations.

cna.com.tw:443 - 國台辦宣布 ： 海峽論壇大會6 / 13召開

ettoday.net - 鄭麗文開啟訪美行程　國台辦：按一中原則處理台灣對外交往

China Announces 18th Straits Forum to be Held in Xiamen on June 13

**Summary:** Bolivian Minister of Defense Marcelo Salinas and Minister of Education Beatriz García have resigned from President Rodrigo Paz's cabinet. Their departures occur during a month-long period of intense social unrest and nationwide blockades.

**Key points:**
- Marcelo Salinas and Beatriz García were appointed to their positions on November 9, 2025, with a commitment to full-time service.
- The resignations follow the May 21 departure of the Minister of Labor, Edgar Morales, amid pressure from the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) labor union.
- Protesters are demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz as blockades continue to disrupt the country, causing shortages of essential goods and medical supplies.

**Why it matters:** The resignation of two key cabinet members signals a deepening political crisis in Bolivia, as the government struggles to manage widespread civil unrest and labor-led protests demanding the president's departure.

La Razón - Renuncia la ministra García; es la segunda en dejar el gabinete de Paz

opinion.com.bo - Dos ministros renunciaron al gabinete de Paz, Marcelo Salinas y Beatriz García

Bolivian Ministers of Defense and Education Resign Amid Social Crisis

**Summary:** Mexico and Canada are seeking to secure a 16-year extension for the T-MEC, the North American trade agreement, amid ongoing political tensions involving former U.S. President Donald Trump.

**Key points:**
- The proposal aims to provide long-term stability for the trade pact, known in English as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
- The initiative reflects efforts by both nations to insulate the agreement from potential shifts in U.S. trade policy.

**Why it matters:** Securing the trade agreement for an extended period is critical for maintaining economic stability and supply chain integration across North America.

mexicostar.com - Canada proposes 16 - year extension of North America free trade agreement

24-horas.mx - México y Canadá buscan blindar el T-MEC por 16 años en medio de tensiones con Trump

Mexico and Canada Propose 16-Year Extension for T-MEC

**Summary:** The Crédit Rural de Guinée (CRG) has formally rejected social media allegations of fund embezzlement, currency speculation, and the financing of fictitious companies.

**Key points:**
- The CRG stated that it has facilitated 153.7 billion GNF in credits for over 7,600 entrepreneurs and producers.
- The institution clarified that repayments from the Fonds de Garantie des Prêts aux Entreprises total approximately 1 billion GNF.
- The partnership with the guarantee fund was established with technical support from the World Bank.

**Why it matters:** The denial addresses public concerns regarding the integrity of a major financial institution involved in inclusive finance and its partnership with state-backed guarantee mechanisms.

guineenews.org - Mise en cause infondée : Le Crédit Rural de Guinée rétablit la vérité et réaffirme son intégrité

guineematin.com - Communiqué du Crédit Rural de Guinée

Crédit Rural de Guinée Denies Allegations of Financial Misconduct

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump has dismissed reports that diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran have been suspended, asserting that discussions have continued on a daily basis.

**Key points:**
- Reports from Iranian news agencies Fars and Tasnim had suggested that communication regarding a ceasefire had ceased.
- A regional official stated that Iran had not communicated on Tuesday, citing a requirement for a ceasefire in Lebanon for talks to proceed.
- Trump characterized the reports of a suspension as false and erroneous in a post on his Truth Social platform.

**Why it matters:** The status of diplomatic engagement between the United States and Iran is critical to managing regional stability and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Trend.Az - Trump denies reports of suspension of US-Iran talks

Global News - Trump denies reports Iran stopped talking to mediators, says talks ongoing

Cyprus Mail - Trump rejects reports of pause in US-Iran talks

Trump Rejects Claims of Halted US-Iran Negotiations

**Summary:** Spanish Minister of Economy, Commerce and Enterprise Carlos Cuerpo and Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard have announced an ambitious goal to double bilateral trade and investment between their two nations by 2030.

**Key points:**
- The initiative aims to create a stable, long-term framework to provide predictability for businesses operating in both countries.
- Current bilateral investment between Spain and Mexico is estimated at approximately 100,000 million euros.
- The two governments plan to develop a joint roadmap in the coming months to identify new investment opportunities and resolve administrative bottlenecks.

**Why it matters:** This initiative seeks to strengthen economic ties and provide regulatory stability amid global geopolitical tensions and rising protectionism.

eldia.es - España y México se marcan como objetivo duplicar su comercio bilateral antes de 2030

cronicadecantabria.com - Cuerpo propone a México duplicar el comercio entre ambos países hasta 2030

elpais.com - España propone a México duplicar el comercio bilateral para 2030

Spain and Mexico Propose Doubling Bilateral Trade by 2030

**Summary:** The United States has proposed a 25% tariff on Brazilian imports following an investigation into trade practices, including the Pix payment system. The move has sparked a domestic political dispute in Brazil over the role of opposition leaders.

**Key points:**
- The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) concluded an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, citing concerns over Brazil's Pix system, intellectual property, and environmental policies.
- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva accused opposition politicians Flávio and Eduardo Bolsonaro of lobbying for the tariffs during their recent visit to the White House.
- Opposition figures deny the allegations, arguing that the tariffs are a consequence of the current administration's foreign policy and judicial decisions regarding social media.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Brazil is currently excluded from the coalition of countries considered friendly to Washington, citing Brazil's ongoing election cycle.

**Why it matters:** The proposed tariffs and the diplomatic friction between the U.S. and Brazil significantly impact bilateral trade relations and are central to the ongoing political discourse ahead of the 2026 Brazilian elections.

revistaforum.com.br - Governo Trump ; Marco Rubio classficia Brasil como não amigável

revistaforum.com.br - Trump elogia Flávio Bolsonaro no mesmo dia em que declara guerra ao Pix

veja.abril.com.br - Após tarifas , Trump posta foto de encontro com Flávio Bolsonaro na Casa Branca

estadao.com.br - PT fala em Tariflávio , enquanto oposio tenta se desassociar de tarifas de Trump

US Proposes 25% Tariffs on Brazilian Goods Amid Political Tensions

**Summary:** Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned of a potential massive Russian strike following a significant attack on June 2, citing intelligence reports and critical shortages in air defense capabilities.

**Key points:**
- President Zelenskyy reported that the June 2 attack involved over 70 missiles and 650 drones, resulting in 22 deaths and 130 injuries.
- The Ukrainian government identified domestic companies developing missile technologies as priority targets for Russian strikes.
- Zelenskyy emphasized that Russian military production relies on thousands of foreign components, calling for stricter enforcement of international sanctions.
- Reports from Kyiv indicate that civilians are facing severe overcrowding and disputes over shelter space in subway stations during air raids.

**Why it matters:** The ongoing degradation of Ukraine's air defense capacity and the targeting of its domestic missile production facilities represent a critical escalation in the conflict's security landscape.

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