**Summary:** The U.S. military announced it repelled Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting regional bases and allies, responding with strikes on an Iranian island. This escalation occurs amid stalled negotiations following a previous ceasefire.

**Key points:**
- U.S. forces intercepted missiles aimed at Bahrain and drones targeting civilian vessels.
- The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) conducted defensive strikes on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Tensions remain high as both nations accuse each other of violating an April 8 ceasefire agreement.
- Japan has approved a $19 billion budget to mitigate economic impacts caused by the ongoing conflict.

**Why it matters:** The direct military engagement between the U.S. and Iran in the Gulf threatens regional stability and global energy prices, complicating ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

lalibre.be - DIRECT - Guerre au Moyen-Orient : l'armée américaine affirme avoir repoussé des attaques de missiles iraniens dans le Golfe

sudouest.fr - DIRECT. Guerre au Moyen-Orient : les États-Unis affirment avoir repoussé des attaques de missiles et drones iraniens dans le Golfe... Suivez le fil de la journée

US Military Reports Intercepting Iranian Attacks in the Gulf

**Summary:** Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi has criticized President William Ruto's administration for relying on political slogans, while the President accused the opposition of lacking a clear development agenda.

**Key points:**
- Jimi Wanjigi proposed replacing the 16% Value Added Tax with a 5% sales tax and providing free secondary and vocational education.
- President William Ruto stated that his administration remains focused on economic reforms and development projects.
- Jimi Wanjigi expressed support for the opposition's goal of making President William Ruto a one-term president but questioned their long-term policy plans.

**Why it matters:** The exchange highlights the intensifying political discourse in Kenya as leaders debate the effectiveness of current economic policies ahead of future electoral cycles.

nairobiwire.com - Jimi Wanjigi Backs One-Term Push But Warns Kenyans: Replacing Ruto With a Copy Solves Nothing

standardmedia.co.ke - Ruto tells opposition it lacks vision , development agenda

Jimi Wanjigi and President William Ruto Clash Over Political Vision and Development Agenda

**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.

Quarte Bot