Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell has stated that Australia's trading partners are diverse, regardless of US actions. This comes ahead of a potential meeting between former US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese next week.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/donald-trump-tariffs-update-trade-minister-don-farrell-on-us-and-europe-deals-before-g7-in-canada/6807670d-79de-470a-88cd-d7037b8ac6f7Cambodia has referred border disputes with Thailand to the International Court of Justice, citing four disputed areas. Prime Minister Hun Sen's son is Cambodia's prime minister, while Thaksin Shinawatra's daughter holds office in Thailand. Phumtham, a Thai official, stated that Thailand does not recognize the court's jurisdiction and prefers bilateral negotiations to resolve boundary issues.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/06/09/world/asia-oceania/thailand-cambodia-reinforce-troops-on-border/2129422China has approved some rare earth export applications and is willing to deepen dialogue on export controls, following growing global demand for medium and heavy rare earths in civilian sectors such as robotics and new energy vehicles. The Ministry of Commerce stated that China considers itself a "responsible major power" and has taken into account the legitimate needs of other countries, approving qualified exports in line with the law. China is ready to enhance communication and dialogue on export controls to facilitate compliant trade, amid the ongoing US-China trade negotiations over strategic minerals like rare earths.
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3313533/china-signals-readiness-rare-earth-talks-approves-more-exports?module=top_story&pgtype=section#commentsU.N. officials face challenges in their efforts to alleviate the crisis in Gaza due to Israeli military restrictions and lawlessness. The blockade and ongoing military campaign have raised concerns of a famine, with experts warning that Israel's actions will continue until all hostages are released and Hamas is defeated or disarmed. Talks mediated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar have stalled. The Israeli military has accused a Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson, Mahmoud Bassal, of being an active Hamas member, although this claim has not been independently verified. The conflict has resulted in over 54,000 Palestinian deaths, with Israel claiming to have killed over 20,000 militants, while the Health Ministry reports that women and children make up most of the dead.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/israel-military-gaza-palestinians-killed-at-aid-site-june-8-2025/article69671197.eceA humanitarian aid boat, The Madleen, carrying symbolic quantities of aid including rice and baby formula, is attempting to reach Gaza despite Israel's naval blockade. The crew, led by Greta Thunberg, includes French Parliamentarian Rima Hassan, and is currently 160 nautical miles from Gaza. Israel plans to intercept the yacht before it reaches Gaza, escorting it to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where the crew would be deported. This move comes after a similar incident in 2010 when Israeli commandos killed 10 people on a Turkish ship, the Mavi Marmara, that was part of a flotilla towards Gaza.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/israel-orders-military-to-stop-gaza-bound-yacht-carrying-greta-thunberg-8618644#pfrom=home-ndtv_topstoriesIsrael's Defence Minister Israel Katz has instructed the army to block the arrival of the "Freedom Flotilla" vessel, which is carrying humanitarian aid and activists including climate activist Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian politician Rima Hassan, from entering Gaza. The flotilla plans to raise awareness about the dire situation in Gaza, where Israel has imposed a naval blockade since 2007. The move comes after previous instances of Israeli forces preventing activists from approaching Gaza by sea, including the 2010 incident where nine activists were killed.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2025/06/08/israel-gaza-freedom-flotilla-greta-thunberg/Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza since Hamas took power in 2007, which critics say amounts to collective punishment for the territory's 2 million Palestinians. The blockade was tightened in March after Israel ended a ceasefire with Hamas, but allowed some basic aid into Gaza last month. However, humanitarian workers warn that the blockade must be lifted and Israel's military offensive ended to prevent famine. The conflict has resulted in over 54,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly civilians, and destroyed vast areas of Gaza, displacing 90% of the population, who are now almost completely dependent on international aid.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/nation-world/israel-hamas-conflict/israel-gaza-aid-boat-greta-thunberg-activists/507-fecdf2f0-9558-4db6-b161-5529e26d39a2Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf stated that a recent US proposal for a deal on Tehran's nuclear program does not include the lifting of economic sanctions, calling the US behavior "contradictory and dishonest". The talks, mediated by Oman, have stalled since April. Iran had announced receiving elements of the US proposal last week, but is demanding sanctions relief in exchange for guarantees that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/977147-tehran-americans-want-peace-deal-but-not-sanctions-reliefThailand and Cambodia are locked in a border dispute, with Thailand's army preparing for a "high-level operation" to counter any violations of Thai sovereignty. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that his country will not initiate conflict but defend itself, while also planning to file a complaint with the International Court of Justice over the issue. Despite easing tensions following last month's killing, Cambodia has refused to withdraw its troops from the disputed area, defying Bangkok's request.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/new-storm-brewing-in-asia-thailand-closes-border-to-tourists-amid-clashes-with-cambodia-13895367.html