Browsing: Today’s International Lead

Donald Trump has publicly suggested he would “take a look” at deporting Elon Musk, despite the Tesla and SpaceX CEO being a naturalised US citizen.

In the first half of 2025, the US dollar has suffered its worst decline since 1973, plunging roughly 10.8% against a basket of major currencies.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have fled eastern Gaza City after the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) issued warnings on social media about a “major offensive” extending into the city centre to dismantle Hamas military capacities.

Israel has closed the Zikim crossing, the primary aid route into northern Gaza, halting the most direct deliveries to the region most in need.

In May, Chinese exports to the UK surged by 16.1% compared with the previous year, marking the highest monthly level since February 2022.

An early U.S. Defence Intelligence Agency assessment, according to American media CNN, indicates the weekend strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, failed to destroy the core nuclear infrastructure.

A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran was announced by Donald Trump after 12 days of intense conflict involving strikes on Iranian nuclear sites (Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan) and Iranian missile attacks, including one on a U.S. base in Qatar.

Oil prices surged to their highest in five months, Brent crude briefly topped $81 a barrel, after the US joined Israel in striking key Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

Iran and European diplomats have begun urgent nuclear talks in Geneva, as Israel ramps up airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites.

The Israel–Iran conflict has escalated sharply after five days of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear, military, and energy infrastructure, reportedly killing at least 224 Iranians and wounding around 1,400.

President Trump has rejected an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—a proposal reportedly vetoed after he asked, “Have the Iranians killed an American yet?”.

Elon Musk publicly acknowledged on X early 11 June that he “regret[s] some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far,” following a heated public feud sparked by his criticism of Trump’s sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill” and allegations tying Trump to Jeffrey Epstein’s withheld files.

Protests in Los Angeles triggered by intensified ICE immigration raids have entered their fifth day, prompting President Trump to deploy around 700 active-duty Marines alongside 4,000 National Guard troops—despite California officials condemning the move as “illegal” and “authoritarian”.

Tensions soared in Los Angeles after President Trump deployed around 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines—federalising forces without California’s consent—to crack down on protests sparked by recent ICE immigration raids.

Downtown Los Angeles saw chaos as protests against Trump’s immigration crackdown escalated. With over 300 National Guard troops deployed—without the governor’s request—clashes broke out, self-driving cars were torched, and police used rubber bullets and tear gas.

A public fallout between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has erupted after Musk slammed the president’s flagship tax-and-spend bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination”.

Donald Trump has signed a sweeping new executive order banning entry into the US from 12 countries, citing national security and immigration concerns in the wake of a recent attack in Colorado.

Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted early on Monday morning, sending plumes of ash and smoke into the air above Sicily.

Eight people were injured in Colorado, USA, after a man shouting “Free Palestine” attacked a pro-Israel demonstration with Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower. The incident occurred on Saturday at the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, around 30 miles from Denver.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a fierce attack on Sir Keir Starmer, along with the leaders of France and Canada, accusing them of effectively siding with Hamas by criticising Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Two Israeli embassy staffers, a young couple on the verge of getting engaged, were shot dead in Washington, DC on Wednesday night.

Donald Trump has announced plans to move forward with developing a major new missile defence system, known as the “Golden Dome”.

Israel has permitted five UN lorries carrying food, including baby supplies, into Gaza — the first aid delivery in 11 weeks. Prime Minister Netanyahu said the decision followed pressure from US senators concerned about a looming famine.

Former U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones. His medical team reported a Gleason score of 9, indicating a high-grade cancer. Despite the severity, the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which may allow for effective treatment options. 

At least 80 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza as violence intensified and ceasefire talks stalled. Some local sources put the toll at over 120. The renewed assault follows Donald Trump’s regional tour, where he proposed turning Gaza into a “freedom zone” managed by the US — a revival of an earlier controversial plan that implied permanent displacement of Gaza’s population.