02.06.2025 – WEEKLY BRIEFING

Reymonta
6–9 minutes
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  • Macron plays down apparent shove from wife in Vietnam – 27.05.2025

French President Emmanuel Macron downplayed a viral video showing his wife, Brigitte Macron, appearing to push him in the face as they arrived in Vietnam for a Southeast Asia tour, calling it a light-hearted moment between the couple. The incident, captured as they descended from the presidential plane, sparked online speculation, which Macron dismissed as misinterpretation, likening it to a recent video falsely suggesting he handled drugs—an item he clarified was a tissue. The Elysee described the scene as a moment of intimacy and laughter. Macron’s Vietnam visit, the first by a French president in nearly a decade, aims to strengthen France’s ties with the country amid broader geopolitical trade tensions, as Vietnam seeks to balance relations with the U.S. and Europe, particularly following recent U.S. tariff threats against the EU.

  • US court blocks Trump from imposing the bulk of his tariffs – 28.05.2025

A U.S. federal court ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing broad tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), halting most of the tariffs he introduced on countries like China, Mexico, and Canada—though tariffs on sectors like automobiles, steel, and aluminum remain unaffected, as they were implemented under a different law. The court sided with lawsuits brought by small businesses and Democratic-led states, finding that IEEPA does not grant the president the power to impose tariffs and that the declared economic emergency was insufficient. While the Trump administration has appealed the ruling in an effort to defend the tariffs, the decision could offer financial relief for small businesses and is likely to escalate to the Supreme Court.

  • The Swiss village wiped off the map by a glacier – 31.05.2025

The village of Blatten in Switzerland was suddenly destroyed by a massive rock and ice collapse from the Nesthorn mountain. Residents and livestock had been evacuated due to the danger, but instead of a gradual landslide, a sudden and devastating event occurred. The incident highlights how climate change, through thawing permafrost and shrinking glaciers, is reducing mountain stability. While most lives were saved, the majority of buildings were severely damaged and living areas became unusable. This disaster has raised concerns about increasing similar risks in the Alpine region due to global warming.

  • At least 150 killed as deadly floods hit Nigerian town – 31.05.2025

Authorities in Nigeria’s northern Niger state reported that at least 150 people have died after heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in the market town of Mokwa. Emergency officials recovered 151 bodies, including many children, with over 3,000 people displaced and the death toll expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. Residents described devastating losses of family members and belongings. The floods hit overnight in the Kpege neighborhood, submerging buildings and communities. Northern Nigeria frequently experiences deadly annual floods, with recent years seeing hundreds of deaths and widespread displacement due to extreme flooding events.

  • Hamas seeks changes to Gaza ceasefire proposal but US envoy calls it ‘unacceptable’ – 01.06.2025

Hamas is requesting amendments to the latest U.S. ceasefire proposal for Gaza, while U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has called this request “unacceptable.” Hamas’s demands include U.S. guarantees, the release timing of hostages, delivery of aid, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. Israel and the U.S. are trying to agree on a temporary 60-day ceasefire with partial release of hostages. Due to the ongoing blockade in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis is worsening, with the UN and aid organizations facing obstacles in delivering food and supplies amid growing hunger and security concerns. At least 60 people were reported killed in Israeli airstrikes over the past 24 hours. The conflict began in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in thousands of deaths and ongoing violence.

  • Poland goes to the polls in second round of close-fought presidential election – 01.06.2025

As Poles head to the polls for the second round of the presidential election, the race between pro-European Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski and conservative historian Karol Nawrocki, backed by the PiS party, remains neck and neck. Although the presidency is largely ceremonial, it holds influence over foreign and defense policy and has the power to veto legislation. If Nawrocki wins, it is expected to become more difficult for the government to implement reforms, prolonging the current political deadlock. Throughout the campaign, both candidates focused on appealing to voters of the eliminated first-round contenders. The outcome is expected to be decided by a very narrow margin. Trzaskowski has presented himself as a reliable partner to cooperate with the government in advancing reforms, while Nawrocki, a newcomer to politics, has emerged as a fresh face. However, his past has sparked controversy, and his anti-Ukrainian remarks have drawn attention. With electoral silence now in effect, polls will close at 9:00 p.m. local time, but due to the closeness of the race, official results are expected to come in gradually throughout the night.

  • Russian railway bridges collapse in 2 regions bordering Ukraine, officials say – 01.06.2025

A passenger train derailment in Russia’s Bryansk region, which injured at least one person, has sparked conflicting claims, with Russian officials blaming Ukraine for sabotaging the railway bridge, calling it a terrorist act, while Ukrainian officials denied involvement and linked the accusations to a potential attempt by Moscow to derail upcoming peace talks in Istanbul. Although Ukraine’s intelligence services have previously acknowledged attacks targeting Russian military logistics, they did not claim responsibility for this incident. The derailment comes amid ongoing Ukrainian strikes in Russian border areas like Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod, and continued sabotage efforts aimed at disrupting Russia’s military operations, particularly around occupied Crimea and Zaporizhzhia.

  • Europe bristles at US proposals at Asian gathering, India-Pakistan hostility on show – 01.06.2025

The Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore highlighted not only ongoing U.S.-China tensions but also emerging disagreements between the U.S. and Europe over security priorities in Asia. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged European allies to focus on their own continent, while European officials stressed the interconnection between European and Indo-Pacific security, citing China’s support for Russia. France and Britain reiterated their long-term regional military presence and independent Indo-Pacific engagement strategies. Meanwhile, growing European defense industry ties in Asia continue amid rising regional military spending. The absence of China’s defense minister and the rare presence of both Indian and Pakistani top military officials also marked the event.

  • 31 killed in Israeli tank fire near Gaza aid centre, health ministry says – 01.06.2025

At least 31 people were reported killed and over 150 injured near an aid distribution center in Rafah, southern Gaza, following alleged Israeli tank fire and gunfire, according to the Hamas-run health ministry and medical sources, though the Israel Defence Forces stated they were unaware of any such incident and said it is under review. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates the aid site, denied the reports as false and blamed Hamas for spreading misinformation, asserting that aid was distributed without incident. Eyewitnesses, local journalists, and medical staff, including those from British charity Medical Aid for Palestinians, described scenes of gunshot injuries and bodies transported by donkey carts to overwhelmed hospitals due to restricted access. The incident reflects worsening humanitarian conditions amid ongoing Israeli operations and efforts by the US to broker a ceasefire deal, which Hamas has conditionally responded to, renewing demands not currently included in the proposed agreement.

  • Elon Musk on DOGE and why he doesn’t want to “take responsibility for everything the administration’s doing – 01.06.2025

In 2025, Elon Musk took on a key role in Donald Trump’s administration through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he led drastic cuts to federal bureaucracy—firing or buying out 250,000 public employees and slashing funding to agencies like the EPA and NOAA. These actions drew intense backlash, including legal challenges, threats, and public outrage, while Tesla’s profits fell by 71% and Musk’s net worth dropped by $100 billion. In a CBS News interview, Musk defended DOGE, claiming it unfairly became a scapegoat and reaffirmed his belief in smaller government. He also criticized Trump’s new $3.8 trillion spending bill, calling it a step backward for DOGE’s goals. Shortly after his comments aired, Musk officially stepped down from his advisory role, though Trump suggested their collaboration might continue informally. Musk stated his focus would now return to his companies—Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink, X, xAI, Neuralink, Optimus, and the Boring Company—while maintaining that DOGE would live on “as a way of life.” After the interview, Musk witnessed the ninth test launch of Starship, which ultimately failed re-entry, symbolizing both the ambition and risk behind his ventures.

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