☕ Is the U.S. negotiating a ceasefire?

Good morning.

Countries have begun to evacuate citizens from Israel, with the Czech Republic becoming the first known nation to complete a repatriation mission from Tel Aviv. Poland, Lithuania, Cyprus, Slovakia and China are amongst those expected to carry out flights today.

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Some headlines from this morning:

Shockwaves from Iranian missiles damaged the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv on Monday as Iran and Israel continue to trade missile strikes. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee reported that the damage to the building was minor and no personnel had been injured. On Sunday, President Trump warned Iran of a full US response if U.S. targets were attacked. As the conflict entered its fourth day on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel was "close to eliminating" Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities, while Tehran threatened expanded strikes.

G7 leaders provisionally agreed to coordinate the supply of rare earth minerals on Tuesday, responding to China's dominance of materials essential for electronics and weapons manufacturing. China controls 34% of global rare earth reserves and has restricted exports to the U.S. amid ongoing trade tensions, threatening American tech and defense industries. The draft agreement, seen by Reuters, calls for joint efforts to diversify supply chains and stockpile critical minerals. President Trump, who left the summit early, citing Middle East tensions, must still approve the deal alongside other G7 leaders.

A doctor who supplied ‘Friends’ actor Matthew Perry with ketamine is set to plead guilty to drug charges over his death. Perry died of an overdose in a hot tub at his home in October 2023, aged 54. He had been prescribed ketamine to treat depression, but had taken more than he was prescribed in the days leading up to his death. Following an autopsy, medical examiners ruled Perry accidentally died due to “acute effects of ketamine”, finding he had as much ketamine in his body as an anaesthetist would use to put someone under for surgery. Authorities allege a group of people in Perry’s life, including the doctor and his assistant, worked to supply him with ketamine to profit off his addiction. Four other members of the group have pleaded guilty to a range of offences over the death.

The man charged with killing Minnesota Democrat Melissa Hortman visited three additional lawmakers' homes on the night of the murders, prosecutors revealed Monday. Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested after Minnesota Democrat Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed on Monday. Another lawmaker, Yvette Hoffman, and her partner, John Hoffman, were also shot multiple times but are expected to make a full recovery. He continued to the other lawmakers' homes after these shootings, ringing the doorbell at one residence. Boelter appeared in court on Monday and has been charged with murder, second-degree murder, and stalking. His next court date is 27 June.

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California lawmakers have proposed making it a misdemeanor for law enforcement officers to wear masks while on duty, responding to reports of masked ICE agents conducting immigration raids.

State Senators Scott Wiener and Jesse Arreguin introduced the "No Secret Police Bill" on Monday as protests against immigration raids continue across Los Angeles and other cities. The legislation would require all officers to display identifying information including name tags and badge numbers.

What the bill would do

The proposed law would apply to local, state, and federal law enforcement operating in California.

Officers who cover their faces during official duties could face misdemeanor charges. All officers would be required to wear visible identification including name tags and badge numbers.

Exemptions include SWAT teams, military personnel, and officers wearing medical face masks.

Why now?

The bill comes as the Trump administration intensifies immigration enforcement nationwide.

"We are seeing more and more law enforcement officers, particularly at the federal level, covering their faces entirely, not identifying themselves at all," Senator Wiener said at a press conference.

White House advisor Stephen Miller told reporters in late May that President Trump had increased ICE's daily deportation target to 3,000 people.

"If we want the public to trust law enforcement, we cannot allow them to behave like secret police in an authoritarian state," Wiener said.

"Secret police behavior tanks trust & must end," Wiener posted on X.

The Senators say increasing raids have coincided with more officers covering their faces and name tags.

What happens next?

The bill now moves to committee hearings in the California legislature.

Federal law enforcement agencies have not responded to requests for comment about masking policies.

Immigration advocates support the measure, while law enforcement unions are expected to oppose it citing officer safety concerns.

I’ve got 2 minutes

President Trump has left the G7 summit just one day after it began, citing escalating tensions between Israel and Iran following a week of military strikes.

Meanwhile, world leaders at the G7 have called for Israel and Iran to de-escalate their ongoing conflict.

Here’s some background and the latest news on U.S. involvement.

Background

Last week, Israel launched a wave of strikes across Iran, targeting military and nuclear facilities, including residences of military officials in Tehran apartment buildings.

Iran responded with retaliatory missile attacks on Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv.

The latest death toll from Iran’s health ministry is at 224 people, both military and civilians. Israeli officials said 24 people have been killed since the attacks began, all civilians.

Photos and videos show buildings reduced to rubble in both countries.

Israel cited Iran’s recent progression towards developing a nuclear bomb for launching a series of strikes. It struck a nuclear facility in its first wave of attacks.

Last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, warned Iran had repeatedly failed to show its “nuclear material was not being diverted for... military use”.

The U.S. and Iran

The current tensions connect to Iran's nuclear program, which has been a flashpoint for decades.

In 2015, Iran signed a treaty agreeing to develop nuclear technology for “peaceful” uses such as energy. In return, countries, including the U.S., would incrementally lift their sanctions.

President Trump withdrew the U.S. from that deal during his first term. Since returning to office, his administration has resumed discussions with Iran about its nuclear program.

Is the U.S. trying to negotiate a ceasefire?

President Trump has denied attempting to negotiate a ceasefire.

However, Axios reports the White House is discussing a possible meeting with Iranian officials involving a nuclear deal and ending hostilities between Israel and Iran.

This follows mixed signals coming from the White House this week.

On Tuesday, Trump posted on Truth Social: “Iran should have signed the “deal” I told them to sign... IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON... Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”

President Trump told reporters that when leaving the G7, "I have to be back early for obvious reasons."

However, he later refuted that he was working on a ceasefire deal, saying he was working on something “Much bigger than that.”

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