State in North Africa facing energy, security and political volatility
The Italian coastguard has recovered bodies after a boat packed with refugees capsized near Malta. A fishing boat has rescued about 48 people, with the vessel believed to have departed from Libya. EU talks on asylum returns and new rules are unfolding as rescue operations continue amid ongoing crossings that have claimed many lives this year.
Hundreds have protested around UNHCR in Tripoli, amid accusations Libyans want migrants to leave. Protests have escalated recently, with UN agencies warning against misinformation and vandalism. UNHCR says it does not run a resettlement program in Libya and seeks solutions outside the country.
EU member states have approved a migration pact that empowers deportation hubs in third countries and tighter border controls; critics warn this could undermine asylum rights while proponents say it will speed removals and deter irregular migration.
Bozizé is facing trial in Bangui in absentia for crimes by his security forces tied to Bossembele abuses; three former officers are in pre-trial detention. The Special Criminal Court is pursuing allegations of murder, torture and rape linked to the presidential guard and other security forces.
The United States has presented a memorandum of understanding to end the US-Israeli war with Iran, while questions remain about terms and regional reactions. President Vance defends the plan amid criticism from Democrats and Israel hawks as negotiations are set to begin, with sanctions relief and a focus on nuclear and strategic issues.
Libya’s government has banned entry through all ports for citizens of Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, with exemptions for diplomats and health/education workers. The move follows ongoing tensions over refugee resettlement and a history of migrants crossing Libyan routes to Europe. Reports detail detentions, abuses in detention centers, and deaths among migrants and refugees.
Amnesty International has accused the EU of cooperating with a xenophobic, racist regime as Europe tightens borders under the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The Libyan coast guard faces ongoing scrutiny after Amnesty links to mass arrests, evictions and deportations. EU leaders defend engagement as a lifesaving, border-management effort.
The Times of Israel and Independent report hints at renewed tensions around Gazan emigration plans and internal clashes between Trump and Netanyahu, with a new book revealing sharp exchanges and stalled mediation efforts.
NATO leaders have met in Ankara after months of U.S. threats to scale back forces in Europe and repeated U.S. demands that allies raise defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. Tensions over the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and U.S. troop reviews have strained transatlantic ties, while European governments are increasing procurement and planning to assume more conventional defence responsibilities.
Italy has reframed NATO chief Mark Rutte’s remarks on US flights from Italian bases, saying authorisation covered only technical and logistical support for Epic Fury. Ministers say Italy complied with existing treaties and rejected broad characterisations of Italy’s role, as tensions with the US and the EU grow.
Nigeria is becoming central to a new model of counterterrorism. AFRICOM says security outcomes depend on intelligence sharing and coordinated action, with Nigeria at the heart of operations against ISIS and other groups. US forces have withdrawn most personnel, but partnerships continue through intelligence and joint actions.
Cape Verde reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, then fell 3-2 to Argentina in a dramatic Round of 32. Vozinha starred with seven saves against Spain, while diaspora players and Cape Verdeans abroad celebrated the underdog story and the nation’s rising football profile.
Lebanon has faced years of crises including financial collapse and war, yet official suicide data likely undercounts the true scale. The National Lifeline reports rising call volumes and more people seeking help, signaling a growing mental health crisis and expanded care amid ongoing upheaval.
Pope Leo XIV has visited Lampedusa on 4 July to honor migrants and urge Europe to implement a comprehensive plan to receive, protect and integrate migrants while calling on the United States to uphold immigrant rights on its independence anniversary. He also highlighted the ongoing migrant tragedy in the central Mediterranean, where thousands have died or gone missing this year.
President Donald Trump has overridden the NATO agenda at a summit in Ankara by pressing allies to boost defence spending, threatening trade with Spain, and floating withdrawal of US troops from Europe. He has also signalled he will lift sanctions on Turkey and is considering selling F‑35 jets and engines to Ankara, prompting Israeli and European alarm.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at 74, Qatar's Amiri Diwan has announced. He has been credited with transforming Qatar into an energy and diplomatic power by expanding LNG production, founding Al Jazeera, building sovereign investment vehicles and stepping down voluntarily in 2013 to hand power to his son.
A raft of new data shows a record-breaking group of migrants crossing the English Channel in a single dinghy, while authorities warn that overcrowding and dangerous routes persist. Across multiple reports, the total number of arrivals so far this year remains lower than last year, but per-boat capacity is increasing and enforcement efforts are expanding.
A cross-border cocaine trafficking operation involving Liberia, Spain and the UK has been revealed. Liberia’s case centers on a 237.6-kilogram seizure linked to Paul King and Global Logistics Services, with prosecutors alleging a web of false documentation and warehousing. Spain’s investigation ties a 13-ton haul to a money-laundering network connected to a California SPAC founders. San Diego’s gang sweep uncovers a retail-to-wholesale cocaine market, with 20 pounds seizing weekly. Authorities warn of Liberia as a transit hub and Europe-bound shipments.
The Social Security retirement fund is projected to exhaust its reserves by 2032. A bipartisan push seeks solutions to extend solvency, with proposals including PROMISE and Social Security 2100 Act. COLA trends show adjustments for 2027 and beyond amid inflation.
Three years after the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding, rights groups say the pact has intensified border controls and serious human rights violations, amid calls to suspend the agreement and reassess safeguards. Reports detail intercepted departures, abuses, and restricted asylum access, with EU funding tied to Tunisian authorities.
Los Angeles prosecutors have presented texts, photos and forensic evidence at a preliminary hearing accusing singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, of murdering and sexually abusing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Evidence shown has included long-running messages, indications of a pregnancy and abortion, purchases of tools and a body bag, and DNA matches tying blood in Burke’s garage and a Tesla to the victim.
The Justice Department has filed the first-ever petition to the dormant Alien Terrorist Removal Court in 1996 to deport an unidentified individual linked to terrorism; a hearing has been held and additional information is requested as the court considers its path forward.
UNHCR reports that 387 migrants were rescued from three Mauritania-disembarkations between July 14–18, with 143 dead or missing. A vessel carrying 160 from The Gambia ran out of fuel, drifting 25 days to Nouadhibou, where 38 survived and two children lost their families. Arrivals to the Canary Islands have fallen this year, while deaths at sea remain high.
Benjamin Netanyahu has met President Donald Trump in a closed-door Oval Office meeting during a Washington visit for Senator Lindsey Graham's memorial. The leaders have discussed Iran, coordination on regional security and the Abraham Accords; White House officials have declined to release a readout while both sides have stressed continued cooperation despite recent tensions.
The Defense Casualty Analysis System has reclassified casualties from the Iran conflict, adding an overseas operations category and moving four soldiers and hundreds of injuries into a new tally. The change follows ongoing data disruptions and a shift in how casualties are counted as fighting continues, drawing political and public scrutiny.
Protests across western Libya intensify as heatwaves push outages to new highs. Demonstrators demand accountability and the dissolution of fractured authorities after massive power cuts disrupt daily life and energy supplies.
Netanyahu has met with Trump in Washington to review three approaches to Iran: a diplomatic deal, sustained economic pressure with a blockade, or a renewed military campaign. The discussions, conducted without public detail, aim to determine the path that best prevents a nuclear Iran while considering global energy impacts.
GDP growth has slowed to 1.5% in Q2, down from 2.1% in Q1, as a trade deficit widens and petrol prices spike. Consumer spending remains resilient, while AI investment continues to push capital formation and imports, dampening net exports. Fed kept rates unchanged amid inflation concerns, with midterm elections approaching.
Uganda’s army chief has unveiled a statue of Yonatan Netanyahu in Entebbe to commemorate the raid’s courage and the enduring ties between Uganda and Israel. Attendees included Israeli and Ugandan officials; the event follows the 1976 Entebbe rescue and signals evolving diplomatic relations.
The Sudanese conflict persists as fighting between the army and RSF continues to upheave daily life. Civilians confront displacement, blocked routes, and humanitarian struggles, while international voices call for action.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye have signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, offering mutual-attack deterrence and deeper military cooperation. Officials say negotiations anticipate expansion to more partners, with Egypt flagged as a natural partner; the pact mirrors NATO-style defence but remains non-binding if a signatory is not attacked.
A drone attack has hit Libya’s Zawiya refinery, triggering a large fire and prompting the NOC to declare a state of emergency. The incident follows multiple strikes on oil facilities amid a protracted split between rival administrations. Officials warn of potential force majeure if attacks continue.
Warfare in Blue Nile State has escalated as RSF fighters and allied SPLM-N forces seize Kurmuk while the army withdraws. Drones and artillery have battered the town, causing new displacements as the conflict widens along border routes with Ethiopia.
Drones have targeted Zawiya’s water and power infrastructure, destroying a substation and a fuel tank as clashes rise in western Libya. No group has claimed responsibility, while officials warn the attacks threaten GNU stability and fuel supplies.
The solar eclipse has triggered a surge in travel demand across Europe as destinations within the path of totality experience record room rates and bookings. Reykjavik, A Coruño, Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela report sharp price increases, while authorities warn of heat and fire risks and a spike in road traffic. NASA and local observatories will live-stream the event to millions.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement binds Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan to mutual defence and deterrence. Signed August 7, it marks a shift toward regional security coordination as US involvement in the Middle East becomes more constrained, with analysts noting the pact may empower regional partners without fully replacing Washington’s role.
State Senator Aisha Wahab has won the special election to serve the remainder of Eric Swalwell’s term in California’s 14th district. She will take the seat through January and will face Melissa Hernandez again in November for a full term. Outside groups tied to AIPAC spent millions supporting Hernandez; Wahab called the spending an attempt to buy the seat.
The UN Security Council has conducted a straw poll for the next secretary-general, with Rodrigues-Birkett leading the field, followed by Grynspan and Grossi. Several other contenders remain, and a formal vote in the General Assembly will determine the outcome. The process involves nine votes in the Council and potential vetoes by the five permanent members.
A boat carrying around 15 migrants has sank off Zarzis, Tunisia. One survivor has been rescued, with authorities saying three bodies were recovered and multiple others remain missing as search efforts continue. The incident adds to a pattern of deadly crossings from Tunisia amid EU-Tunisia cooperation on migration.
European and NATO forces face shortages of Patriot interceptors as US stocks have shifted to the Middle East. Officials warn that gaps could leave NATO vulnerable to ballistic missile attacks, with Ukraine bearing the brunt and allies racing to rebound stockpiles by 2030. The issue follows recent moves by Kyiv to secure more air defense and discussions around SCALP missile support from France and the UK.
The Lockerbie bombing case remains unsettled as U.S. prosecutors disclose new evidence prompting defense to request additional review; jury selection in the Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi case is postponed with a January start date expected, while Scottish authorities reaffirm commitment to pursuing justice.
UNRWA’s Qalandiya Training Centre, which trains about 340 Palestinian refugees each year, has been raided and closed by Israeli forces. Staff have been expelled, and materials are being removed as the site is eyed for a new educational complex by Jerusalem authorities. UNRWA says the move deprives students of vital vocational training and worsens a broader funding and legal fight surrounding the agency.
The king of Tooro has died at 34. The government has announced that his heir will be revealed later, and tributes have been issued as Ugandans come to terms with his death. The Tooro Kingdom remains a cultural guardian with no political authority.