Hook News Brief | 06.06.25
Trump & Musk’s bromance implodes
US President Donald Trump threatened to cut off government contracts with former Special Government Employee and billionaire Elon Musk's companies, while Musk suggested Trump should be impeached.
Their very public bromance is now imploding, again in full public view, as both targeted the other via their respective social media platforms.
Germany’s Merz meets Trump at White House
Moving on, Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz met Trump at the White House for talks on Ukraine and Russia, tariffs and defence spending.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Merz told Trump "We are on Ukraine's side" in Kyiv's war with Russia, while the US president says the conflict is like "two children fighting in a park".
Trump dials Xi Jinping, will visit China
Moving on, Trump has said he will visit China after speaking to its leader Xi Jinping over the phone. Trump wrote on social media that the hour-and-a-half long conversation was primarily focused on trade and had "resulted in a very positive conclusion for both countries".
The US president added that he had reciprocated with an invite to the White House during the "very good talk" - though such a trip has not been confirmed by either side.
Chinese state media reported that the call happened at the White House's request.
Trump administration sanctions ICC judges
In other news, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced his department will impose sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court for "illegitimate" targeting of Israel and the US. The sanctions are in response to the ICC issuing arrest warrants for top Israeli officials, including Benjamin Netanyahu, and its investigation into alleged US war crimes in Afghanistan.
The ICC has responded in a statement, saying it "deplores" the sanctions which are "a clear attempt to undermine" its independence.
On eve of Eid, Israel launches air strikes on Beirut
To the latest from the Middle East - Israel has carried out several air strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, saying it was targeting Hezbollah's drone production. The attack came on the eve of Eid Al Adha, one of the most important celebrations in Islam, and followed evacuation warnings for several buildings in the area.
This is the fourth time Israel has attacked the Lebanese capital since the November ceasefire with Hezbollah.
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