Macron says Europe's freedom faces greatest threat since WW2: French president has called for his country's defence spending to rise by €3.5bn in 2026 and pledged to double France's military budget by 2027, three years earlier than originally planned (LINK) 13 July 2025

Macron calls on EU to 'defend European interests resolutely' from Trump tariffs: French president says bloc should be ready for trade war after 30% tariff threat but other EU leaders call for calm (LINK) 13 July 2025

— The bloc declared a pause on €21bn of retaliatory tariffs until 1 August, dovetailing with the US president’s new deal deadline. At the same time, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Indonesian president, Prabowo Subianto, announced a "political agreement" on a free trade deal on Sunday, ending nine years of negotiations.

Catchup: Phillips P. OBrien on The bombardment of Ukrainian cities — how Trump has already helped Russia: there will be no new US sanctions on Putin until at least September (LINK) 13 July 2025

— "The era of direct US military aid for Ukraine is over. Now the US will treat Ukraine as a source of profit."

U.S: ICE may deport migrants to countries other than their own with just six hours notice, as long as the person has been provided the chance to speak with an attorney, memo says (LINK) 13 July 2025

— The Supreme Court in June lifted a lower court's order limiting such deportations without a screening for fear of persecution in the destination country. Following the high court's ruling and a subsequent order from the justices, the Trump administration sent eight migrants from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Sudan and Vietnam to South Sudan. The administration last week pressed officials from five African nations — Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Gabon — to accept deportees from elsewhere, Reuters reported.

Overtime pay now tax-deductible in U.S.: Details on Trump's new tax break (LINK) 13 July 2025

Two Russian agents killed after intelligence officer shot dead, says Ukraine (LINK) 13 July 2025

Cyril Ramaphosa suspends South African police minister over crime syndicate allegations (LINK) 13 July 2025

Putin's friend Gergiev set to conduct orchestra in Campagnia's Un'Estate da RE festival later this month as Italy breaks ban on pro-Kremlin artists (LINK) 13 July 2025

Man escapes prison in France by hiding in luggage of fellow cellmate as he's released (LINK) 13 July 2025

U.S. Senate report details "preventable failures" surrounding Butler assassination attempt against Trump (LINK) 13 July 2025

— The Secret Service denied requests for additional security resources during Trump's campaign, a report found: a "disturbing pattern of communications failures and negligence" that led to the death of a rally-goer. The report, citing USSS documents, said the agency's headquarters denied or left unfulfilled at least 10 requests from "the Donald Trump Division" for resources during his campaign, including for counter-unmanned aerial system assets and counter-sniper personnel. Six USSS agents were suspended in connection with their conduct on the day of the attempted assassination, and the agency has implemented numerous reforms in the wake of the shooting.

Jannik Sinner's Wimbledon win was a victory for nerve, stamina and very effective lawyers (LINK) 13 July 2025

— Both the gentlemen's and ladies' singles champions this year (Sinner and Iga Swiatek) were served drugs bans within the past 12 months.

Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto, if he exists, is the world's 11th richest person, overtaking Michael Dell (LINK) 13 July 2025

UN agencies warn fuel shortage in Gaza reaches critical levels (LINK) 12 July 2025

— "Fuel is the backbone of survival in Gaza. It powers hospitals, water systems, sanitation networks, ambulances, and every aspect of humanitarian operations. Fuel supplies are needed to move the fleet used for transporting essential goods across the Strip and to operate a network of bakeries producing fresh bread for the affected population. Without fuel, these lifelines will vanish for 2.1 million people. For the first time in 130 days, a small amount of fuel entered Gaza this week. This is a welcome development, but it is a small fraction of what is needed each day to keep daily life and critical aid operations running."

Trump announces new tariffs of 30% on Mexico and the European Union (LINK) 12 July 2025

The EU and Mexico criticise Donald Trump for proposed 30% tariff — (LINK)

Trade war explainer: check full list — (LINK)

Florida lawmakers allowed into 'Alligator Alcatraz' after lawsuit say detainees packed into cages and makeshift tents: sweltering heat, bug infestations and meagre meals (LINK) 12 July 2025

— Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials defend [facility] as offering higher detention standards than many US prisons.

Islamic State-aligned rebels kill 66 civilians in eastern Congo (LINK) — ground.news: 19 media reports (LINK) 12 July 2025

Hundreds of Myanmar troops and civilians flee across Thai border after an assault by ethnic fighters on a military base (LINK) — ground.news: 14 media reports (LINK) 12 July 2025

Haiti gang violence claims 5,000 lives in less than a year, UNOCHR report (LINK) — ground.news: 20 media reports (LINK) 12 July 2025

France announces 'historic' deal creating New Caledonia state that stays French (LINK) 12 July 2025

UN's food agency limits aid operations in West and Central Africa due to funding cuts (LINK) — ground.news: 16 media reports (LINK) 11 July 2025

U.S. State Department began firing more than 1,300 people on Friday as part of a dramatic overhaul of the agency: the firings will affect 1,107 civil service and 246 foreign service officers in Washington, DC (LINK) 11 July 2025

Politico backgrounder — (LINK)

Israeli officials signal they want UN to remain key Gaza aid channel, says senior WFP official (LINK) — ground.news: 9 media reports (LINK) 11 July 2025

UNESCO adds Diy-Gid-Biy (Cameroon), Mount Mulanje (Malawi) sites to heritage list (LINK) — ground.news: 21 media reports (LINK) 11 July 2025

— UNESCO seeks to boost Africa's representation in the heritage list, as highlighted by Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

UN, Netherlands cancel LGBTQ event in Senegal after government warning (LINK) — ground.news: 7 media reports (LINK) 11 July 2025

AI for Good Global Summit 2025: Statement from the AI Governance Dialogue Co-Chairs (LINK PDF) 11 July 2025

— "2025 AI Governance Dialogue in Geneva, convened on 10 July as part of the AI for Good Global Summit and organized by ITU with 53 UN entities. Ministers and high-level government representatives joined more than 10,000 stakeholders—representing around 170 countries across governments, industry, academia, the technical community, and civil society—to chart pathways for responsible and impactful AI."

France opens criminal probe into X over alleged algorithm manipulation (LINK) — ground.news: 106 media reports (LINK) 11 July 2025

9th United Nations Conference on Competition and Consumer Protection: Key moves to watch for in next five years (LINK) 11 July 2025

— Over the past week, over 500 participants — government ministers, diplomats and civil society leaders — from more than 100 countries convened in Geneva. Delegates endorsed a draft resolution proposing the first-ever United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety, driven by UN Trade and Development's long-standing work and consensus-building under its Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy. The resolution will move on to the UN General Assembly for formal adoption, with the potential to define global standards for safer products across borders.

Son of El Chapo pleads guilty in U.S. trial in connection with running Sinaloa Cartel (LINK) — ground.news: 208 media reports (LINK) 11 July 2025

Forensic analysis finds DOJ's Epstein death video was edited (LINK) — ground.news: 25 media reports (LINK) 11 July 2025

Bahamas: "Popular tourist destination on the brink of collapse" from climate change (LINK) 11 July 2025

Sand and dust storms affect about 330 million people in over 150 countries, WMO says (LINK) — ground.news: 21 media reports (LINK) 10 July 2025

Tighter borders and aid cuts could risk greater instability, IOM chief warns (LINK) — ground.news: 18 media reports (LINK) 10 July 2025

Mali junta chief Assimi Goïta grants his own unlimited Presidential mandate (LINK) — ground.news: 20 media reports (LINK) 10 July 2025

WEF: Innovation Prize 2025: 12 next-generation projects shaping a better future (LINK) 10 July 2025

— Each year, 10,000 young leaders in 500 city-based hubs around the world are invited to apply for support to accelerate their transformative ideas. The prize offers more than just funding; it provides training, mentorship, visibility and a global platform to amplify the most promising youth-led solutions. This approach turns urgent local needs into replicable, scalable models for global impact. 3 projects:

• In Nigeria's capital, where plastic pollution remains a pressing challenge, they are turning waste into opportunity — literally — by collecting and recycling more than 2,000 kg of plastic bottles to fund school scholarships for displaced children in Abuja's New Kuchingoro IDP camp.
• . In Brazil’s vulnerable Cerrado region, many families and small businesses struggle with expensive and unreliable electricity.This project brings affordable solar power to these communities while training local professionals and educating residents about clean energy.
• In Bahrain, Budaiya Hub is transforming citizen science into climate action through Find Us at the Park. The project empowers young residents to map more than 150 public spaces and collect environmental data to influence climate adaptation policies.

Senior citizens in Switzerland were 42 times more likely to take their own lives in 2023 than people in other age groups, according to Swiss public broadcaster, RTS. (LINK) 10 July 2025

— In contrast, the suicide rate among the younger population has fallen by around 30% in the past two decades. And the numbers are increasing: in the past 25 years, the proportion of over 85-year-olds in Switzerland who decide to take their life has quadrupled. Among 65- to 84-year-olds, this proportion has doubled. The main reason for this is euthanasia.

ICC issues sealed arrest warrants for Taliban Supreme Leader and Chief Justice for persecuting women and girls as a crime against humanity (LINK) — ground.news: 226 media reports (LINK) 9 July 2025

US 'will sanction' UN official over political 'warfare' against Israel (LINK) — ground.news: 167 media reports (LINK) 9 July 2025

Ukraine suffers heaviest attack as Trump criticises Putin: the US president reverses a suspension of weapons shipments to Kyiv and heavily criticises Russia's Putin (LINK) 9 July 2025

Trump announces 50% tariff on Brazil in retaliation for Bolsonaro trial, trade deficit (LINK) — ground.news: 218 media reports (LINK) 9coffee to the United States, providing about one-third of imports, and also contributes over 80% of the orange juice consumed in the U.S., with both commodities facing environmental challenges that affect their availability.

Brazil's Lula pledges reciprocity after Trump tariff announcement — (LINK)

Trump issues up to 30% tariff letters to six more countries: Algeria, Brunei, Iraq, Libya, Moldova, Philippines (LINK) 9 July 2025

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Massachusetts Bill filed to ban ICE agents from wearing masks (LINK) — ground.news: ?? media reports (LINK) 9 July 2025

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Linda Yaccarino steps down as CEO of Elon Musk’s X (LINK) — ground.news: 457 media reports (LINK) 9 July 2025

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The death toll from the July 4th weekend flooding in Central Texas has climbed to 118. Across the state, more than 170 people are considered missing (LINK) 9 July 2025

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