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Colombia
(UN News) As Colombia awaits the inauguration of its newly elected president, pockets of insecurity remain a challenge for a nation that has overcome decades of conflict, the head of the UN verification team there told the Security Council on Wednesday. “The high voter turnout on 21 June is a sign of the strong desire of Colombians to make their voices heard within a vibrant democracy,” said Miroslav Jenča, the UN chief’s Special Representative for Colombia and head of the UN Verification Mission, which monitors the 2016 Peace Agreement that ended deadly clashes between the Government and FARC-EP rebel group. Voting in both rounds was conducted in “a peaceful and orderly fashion”, with security forces deployed to protect the process while national and international election observers provided independent oversight, he said, noting that this will be the third administration elected since the signing of the historic 2016 agreement. – Colombia: Pockets of insecurity challenge ‘vibrant democracy’, Security Council told | UN News
Europe
(Max Griera – Politico) EU lawmakers are heading into recess with a stack of political homework: whether the Socialists should challenge Roberta Metsola, what her political family is prepared to offer to keep her in office, and how each group can protect its share of Parliament’s top jobs. The answers will start coming due when lawmakers return on Aug. 31, and negotiations intensify over the chamber’s midterm reshuffle. The presidency, 14 vice-presidencies, 26 committee chairmanships, 78 vice-chairmanships and influential coordinator posts will all be up for grabs. The contest will test the alliances that have shaped Parliament since the 2024 election and help determine whether right-wing and far-right groups gain a larger role in running the institution. – 5 midterm reshuffle headaches MEPs can’t escape this summer – POLITICO
(Jon Stone – Politico) The European Union’s new digital border system was meant to bring travel into the 21st century. Unfortunately, it gets confused by identical twins. It’s the latest in a litany of problems for the troubled new Entry-Exit System, which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this month admitted had unresolved “technical problems” and needed “quite a lot of work”. The scheme, which is meant to replace physical passport stamps with an EU-wide database backed by biometric data, went live on April 10 following four years of project delays. Since then, its passengers have been facing delays as they wait in line to have their faces scanned and fingerprints taken. – The EU’s new border system gets confused by identical twins – POLITICO
Europe – Catalan Separatists – Spain
(Aitor Hernández-Morales – Politico) The EU’s top court ruled that the controversial amnesty of Catalan separatists does not violate key provisions of the bloc’s law, bringing pro-independence leader Carles Puigdemont a step closer to returning to Spain after years on the run. The Court of Justice of the European Union’s decisions are also major legal and political wins for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who agreed to pardon the Catalan separatist in exchange for the parliamentary support he needed to remain prime minister following the 2023 national elections. The measure sparked fierce opposition in Spain, but the court’s judgments reinforce the government’s long-standing argument that the law complies with EU legislation. – Big win for Sánchez and Puigdemont as top EU court backs Catalan amnesty law – POLITICO
Europe – Russia
(Koen Verhelst – Politico) EU countries failed for a third consecutive day on Wednesday to agree on a new package of sanctions against Russia, forcing them to temporarily freeze the bloc’s price cap on Russian crude for another week. Ambassadors deferred further discussions to July 22 while agreeing to temporarily maintain the oil price cap at $44.10 per barrel until July 23, two EU diplomats familiar with the matter said. Ireland, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, scheduled a new meeting of EU ambassadors on July 22. – EU fails to strike Russia sanctions deal after 3 days of talks – POLITICO
France
(Giorgio Leali and Tiphaine Saliou – Politico) French public media will cease to exist if the far-right National Rally follows through on its pledge to privatize it, warned the head of France Télévisions as Marine Le Pen edges closer to power. “In France there is a political party that has clearly said what it plans to do with public broadcasting: privatize it, which in reality means eliminating it,” said France TV CEO Delphine Ernotte in an exclusive interview. Le Pen and her allies have long accused the French state of using taxpayer money to fund news coverage and cultural content that promotes a progressive agenda. And with polls showing her well-placed to win next year’s presidential election, the National Rally’s pledge to privatize or dismantle state-funded media has never been closer to becoming reality. – Far right wants to gut public media, France TV boss says – POLITICO
France – Ukraine
(Amos Chapple – RFE/RL) If France honors a pledge made on July 14 that Rafale fighter jets will be delivered to Ukraine in the near future, Kyiv’s air force will soon operate eight different models of fighter jet, designed in four different countries. Paris announced on July 14 that the first four of 16 Dassault Rafale jets will be delivered to Ukraine as soon as the country’s pilots and maintenance crews are trained on the French aircraft. That training could begin “as early as 2026,” according to a joint statement from France and Ukraine. – French Rafales Mark Ukraine’s Shift Away From Soviet Fighter Jets, Analysts Say
Germany – US
(Nette Nöstlinger – Politico) German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday pushed back against a new, million-dollar funding scheme from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to support “free speech and religious liberty” in Europe. The funding comes against the backdrop of the U.S.’s efforts to support nationalist parties in Europe as part of its National Security Strategy and burgeoning links between the Trump administration and Europe’s far right, including the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. “We do not interfere in American elections; we’ve always stuck to that,” Merz said in Berlin in response to a reporter’s question on whether he deemed the initiative to be valid advocacy or political interference. “Conversely, I don’t want the American government or government-affiliated institutions to interfere in German elections,” he added. – Merz to MAGA: Butt out of Europe’s elections – POLITICO
Iran
(RFE/RL’s Radio Farda) Not much is known about Judge Mohammad Reza Tavakoli, except his penchant for handing out harsh punishments. Honored by the Iranian judiciary as an “exemplary judge,” he may be about to add 12 men to the dozens of political prisoners already executed in recent months. On July 5, the country’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentences imposed by Tavakoli on the men for their alleged role in killing special forces officers during protests in Isfahan, in central Iran, on January 8. A recent tally by Amnesty International said there had been 44 “politically motivated executions” under cover of what the authorities call “wartime conditions” since US and Israeli air strikes on Iran began on February 28. There was another on July 15, with the execution of Mohammad Amini Dehaqani for his role in nationwide protests in January. Judge Tavakoli is now set to become responsible for a huge share of the total death sentences carried out. Given his previous record, this should come as no surprise. – The Shadowy Iranian Judge Sending Protesters To Their Death
Iraq – US
(Barak Ravid – Axios) Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi attended the funeral procession of Iran’s supreme leader. This week, he shook hands in the Oval Office with the man who had him killed. Like every Iraqi prime minister in the last two decades, Zaidi has to conduct a delicate balancing act between strategic relations with Washington and Tehran. When both sides are shooting at each other, it’s much harder. Zaidi’s meeting Tuesday with President Trump was seen by the White House as a big win for the administration. U.S. envoy to Iraq Tom Barrack had been working to secure Zaidi’s visit for several weeks as a signal that the new Iraqi government is moving toward the U.S. and distancing itself from Iran. The 40-year-old businessman-turned-politician took office in May after a lengthy political deadlock in Iraq. – Trump welcomes Iraq’s Zaidi after Khamenei funeral
Russia – Ukraine
(AFP/Al Arabiya) Russian and Ukrainian strikes killed five people on both sides of the war border, officials said Thursday. The attacks came as Ukraine has stepped up drone barrages against Russia in what it calls retribution for Moscow’s invasion, now in its fifth year. – Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill five
Sudan
(UN News) Alongside gold, the little-known Sudanese commodity gum arabic – used in soft drinks, food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals – continues to fuel the war. In an alert on Wednesday, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, highlighted how the country’s warring parties have looted gum arabic and redrawn trading routes so that they can use the proceeds to perpetuate the conflict. “Sudan’s vast wealth of natural resources should benefit its people. Distressingly, what we are seeing today is anything but that,” said OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. “This wealth is only serving to undermine human rights and drive conflict, bringing pain and suffering on an enormous scale.” – Looted gold and gum arabic are bankrolling Sudan’s war, UN warns | UN News
Ukraine
(Alex Raufoglu and RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service – RFE/RL) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Mykhalo Fedorov as defense minister following a meeting with military leadership amid a cabinet reshuffle that has also seen Yulia Svyrydenko pushed out as prime minister. Fedorov, a youngish, whiz-kid bureaucrat who has spearheaded digital transformation efforts across the government and embraced drone innovation as an important weapon in the war, confirmed he had been relieved of his post on July 15. During his six-month tenure as minister, Ukraine has seen a dramatic improvement in its position on the battlefield, repeatedly hitting Russian oil refineries, creating fuel shortages in Russia and embarrassing President Vladimir Putin. – Ukrainian Defense Minister Fedorov Sacked As Zelenskyy Continue Cabinet Shuffle
US
(Brittany Gibson, Alex Isenstadt – Axios) Late Tuesday at the White House, a livid President Trump complained to advisers about the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to pause the type of vehicle stops by ICE agents that had led to two fatal shootings in the past two weeks. The department’s idea seemed to be that agents would get more training. But by Wednesday morning, Trump had sent a Truth Social post reversing the pause, leaving DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and border czar Tom Homan to try to explain.
The episode showed how the latest ICE shootings have revived a tense debate within the administration over how to balance increasing public pressure to stop the violence with Trump’s desire for tough enforcement and more deportations. Trump’s post came roughly 12 hours after Homan described the reasoning for the pause by telling reporters that ICE’s “training curriculum for vehicle stops” was “quite extensive.” – How a fuming Trump reversed ICE’s pause on vehicle stops
(Russell Contreras – Axios) President Trump’s deportation campaign has expanded far beyond ICE, turning federal agents, state troopers, local police and even wildlife officers into a massive 50,000-person internal enforcement force, a new ACLU report says. The aggressive expansion is blurring the lines between local public safety and federal immigration enforcement, fundamentally changing U.S. law enforcement — and raising civil rights concerns, the report says. Neighborhood streets, roads, schools, worksites, hospitals, courts and wildlife areas have turned into enforcement zones, officials say. – Trump’s deportation push is rewiring U.S. policing, ACLU report says
(Reuters/Al Arabiya) President Donald Trump urged top defense executives on Wednesday to accelerate weapons production and expand manufacturing capacity as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East strain US stockpiles and expose bottlenecks in the nation’s industrial base. Speaking at Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick’s Defense and Innovation Summit, Trump exhorted armsmakers, “We have the best quality in the world, but we need a little more speed.” – Trump presses defense executives to boost weapons production
US – Brazil
(Courtenay Brown – Axios) The Trump administration said Wednesday it will impose an additional 25% tariff on many Brazilian goods, escalating a trade fight it says is rooted in Brazil’s treatment of U.S. companies. The new policy includes exemptions for key consumer staples like coffee and beef, suggesting the White House is trying to minimize the inflationary impact on American shoppers even as it steps up pressure on Brazil over disputes involving U.S. tech firms, ethanol and more. A senior administration official says the tariffs are in response to Brazil’s unfair barriers against U.S. technology and payment companies. – Trump imposes 25% tariffs on Brazilian goods
US – Iran – Middle East – Gulf
(Al Arabiya) Saudi Arabia on Thursday condemned Iran’s repeated attacks on countries in the Arabian Gulf and Jordan. In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry expressed “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation and rejection in the strongest terms of Iran’s continuation of its unjustified attacks on the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.” – Saudi Arabia denounces Iran’s attacks on Gulf, Jordan
(Al Arabiya) Iran has asked Yemen’s Houthi movement to stand ready to close the Red Sea oil route if the United States strikes Iranian power infrastructure, three sources told Reuters on Thursday, posing a potent new threat to global energy supplies. The idea has been discussed within the Islamic Republic’s leadership, and the message has been conveyed to Iran’s Houthi allies, two senior Iranian sources and a regional source familiar with the matter said, speaking on condition of anonymity. – Iran tells Houthis to close Red Sea gateway if US hits power network, sources say
(Reuters/Al Arabiya) Syria’s interior ministry said on Thursday that a weapons shipment busted on Iraq’s border was destined for Lebanon’s “terrorist Hezbollah militia.” – Syria says busted weapons shipment destined for Lebanon’s ‘terrorist Hezbollah militia’
(Al Arabiya) Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi condemned a “drone attack” that violated the airspace of Erbil in the northern Kurdistan region, his office said Thursday, after several drones were shot down. “We have directed the relevant security agencies… in coordination with the Region’s security forces, to take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such attacks and to thwart anyone attempting to harm the security of our noble Iraqi society, wherever they may be,” he said, without identifying the source of the drones. – Iraq PM condemns ‘drone attack’ over Erbil: Statement
(Al Arabiya) The United States struck Iran and Tehran hit back at Gulf states on Thursday, as the foes battled over the vital Strait of Hormuz in the renewed Middle East war. The key oil and gas artery, which Iran insists it controls, is central to the rekindled fighting that has entered its sixth day despite the foes’ preliminary deal in June aiming to end the war. US forces hit Iranian military targets in multiple locations including coastal Bandar Abbas to “degrade Iran’s ability to threaten innocent mariners” in the Strait of Hormuz, Central Command (CENTCOM) said. – US, Iran exchange blows in rekindled Mideast war
(Al Arabiya) The US military said in a statement on Thursday that it completed its latest wave of strikes on Iran that it carried out at President Donald Trump’s direction, with targets including Bandar Abbas, Iran’s principal port city on the Strait of Hormuz. “US forces struck Iranian command centers, air defense sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities,” the US Central Command said on X. – US military says it completed latest strikes on Iran, targets included Bandar Abbas
(UN News) UN Secretary-General António Guterres voiced deep concern on Wednesday over the continuing military escalation in the Middle East amid ongoing strikes by the United States and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz. The fighting has broken an interim truce established under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two countries in June. The deal sought to end hostilities that erupted in late February following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and counter attacks by Tehran across the Gulf region. – Gulf crisis: Guterres calls for de-escalation, warns against return to full-on war | UN News
US – Israel
(Reuters/Al Arabiya) US Vice President JD Vance said some members of the Israeli government had tried to influence US public opinion to oppose a deal by the US to end the war with Iran, in a podcast episode with host Joe Rogan posted on Wednesday. The comments echoed earlier criticism of Israeli government policy by Vance, whom many view as a potential future presidential candidate, in a widening public rift between the two countries. – Vance says some in Israeli government sought to sway US on Iran deal
Tech World, Cybersecurity, and Surveillance
(Pierluigi Paganini – Security Affairs) The US and allied governments warn that Russian state-sponsored APT groups are scanning and exploiting poorly secured network devices, especially routers, to access critical infrastructure. Groups linked to FSB Center 16, including Berserk Bear, Energetic Bear, Ghost Blizzard, Crouching Yeti, Dragonfly, and Static Tundra, have targeted organizations in communications, defense, energy, finance, government, and healthcare sectors. “Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Center 16 cyber actors continue to exploit poorly configured and vulnerable networking devices worldwide, opportunistically compromising multiple critical infrastructure sector networks.” reads the joint advisory”. Russian FSB Center 16 actors mainly target poorly configured network devices, especially routers, by scanning the internet for exposed SNMP services with weak or default credentials. – US and allied Governments’ Recommendations: Securing Network Devices Against Russian APT Groups
(DigWatch) The European Union and India have strengthened their strategic partnership at the third meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Brussels, agreeing to deepen cooperation on advanced technologies, trade and resilient supply chains. Both sides reaffirmed the TTC as their main platform for cooperation on technology, economic security and innovation, while agreeing to upgrade the framework by the end of 2026 under the Joint EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda. The meeting produced several concrete initiatives. – EU and India strengthen technology partnership through TTC | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWatch) The Government of Canada has announced nearly CAD 13.9 million (approximately €8.8 million) in funding for 63 AI projects across Quebec under the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII), aiming to accelerate AI adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The funding will support projects focused on both developing AI technologies and integrating AI into existing business operations. The government said the initiative will help SMEs improve productivity, develop innovative solutions and strengthen regional economic growth. – Canada invests CAD 13.9 million in Quebec AI projects | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWorld) AI is becoming an increasingly important tool in physics, helping researchers analyse large datasets, accelerate simulations and identify patterns that may be difficult to detect through conventional methods. A Physics World feature examines how machine learning is already embedded in particle physics, including work at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, where researchers have used AI techniques in Higgs boson analyses and searches for new physics. Newer approaches are also being used to detect unexpected anomalies in collider data, potentially helping physicists look beyond predictions based on existing theories. – AI is reshaping physics but raising new questions | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWatch) Enterprise AI adoption is moving beyond questions of which model to use towards deeper concerns about infrastructure, governance and ownership. A Forbes Technology Council article argues that companies entering production with AI need to ask whether systems can operate securely inside their own environments and who controls the intelligence those systems generate over time. It frames enterprise AI as requiring a new trust layer across the stack. – Companies face new questions over AI control and governance | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWatch) The UK government has published the terms of reference for a new ministerial group created to coordinate digital inclusion policy across departments, aiming to improve access to digital services, technologies and skills. The Ministerial Group for Digital Inclusion will set the government’s strategic direction, agree a shared vision and identify priorities for improving digital inclusion across the UK. Its work will focus on embedding digital inclusion into policy design, public service delivery and existing government governance structures. The group will also monitor progress across departments with support from official-level bodies. – UK establishes ministerial group to coordinate digital inclusion | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWatch) The Australian government has announced plans for a national AI framework centred on new Australian AI Standards, enforceable rules for large AI data centres and stronger protections for creative works. The framework aims to support AI investment while addressing its impact on energy infrastructure, water resources, local communities, national sovereignty and intellectual property. Under the proposed standards, large AI data centres would be legally required to underwrite their additional power supply and pay the full cost of connecting to the electricity network. The government said this would prevent AI infrastructure expansion from increasing household energy bills. – Australia unveils AI framework for data centres, copyright and infrastructure | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWatch) Spain’s National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) has highlighted its free and confidential 017 helpline, which provides specialist advice on digital security issues for citizens, businesses, professionals and educational institutions. The helpline provides guidance on scams, phishing, identity theft, compromised accounts, social media privacy, cyberbullying, device security and protecting personal information. It also advises on parental controls, online child safety, digital identity management and the safe use of apps and social media platforms. – Spain promotes national cybersecurity support helpline | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWatch) South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT has announced plans to launch the ‘AI for Everyone’ project this year, providing a homegrown AI service that anyone in the country can use free of charge without usage limits. The ministry will select participating companies through an open call for proposals. A beta version is scheduled for late September, followed by the launch of a general-purpose AI chatbot and an AI agent to help users search for and apply for public services. – South Korea to launch free national AI service | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWatch) The UK Home Office has announced major reforms to criminal evidence disclosure that will introduce AI tools to automatically review and summarise police evidence, modernising procedures that have remained largely unchanged since 1996. The reforms respond to the growing volume of digital evidence in criminal investigations. According to the Home Office, a single fraud case can now involve more than four million documents, while some investigations contain digital material equivalent to 500,000 e-books. Existing guidance often requires officers to manually review and summarise potentially relevant material before prosecutors determine whether it is needed. – UK to introduce AI for police evidence disclosure | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWatch) The European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) has expanded the use of an AI assistant to support staff across its headquarters and delegations in more than 100 countries. Launched in March 2026 and developed with Accenture, the AI assistant is tailored to DG INTPA’s internal procedures, terminology and policy work. According to Accenture, the platform has more than 2,000 regular users and has processed over 400,000 queries. – European Commission expands AI assistant across global DG INTPA network | Digital Watch Observatory
(Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen Axios) The three men racing hardest to build superhuman AI — Demis Hassabis, Sam Altman and Dario Amodei — all agree the frontier needs to be regulated ASAP. For the first time, the CEOs of Google DeepMind, OpenAI and Anthropic are on the record, in writing, converging on the same diagnosis and remarkably similar prescriptions. The three rivals each published a detailed distillation of their views in the past five weeks — the same extraordinary stretch in which Washington twice intervened to restrict or delay access to frontier models. We hear Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg is working on his own memo, too. Hassabis’ proposal, published Tuesday, drew rare public praise across the bitterly competitive AI industry, including from Altman, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and even longtime rival Elon Musk. – Behind the Curtain: AI godfathers converge on regulations
(Amy Harder – Axios) Electricity demand is becoming the clearest measure of the AI industry’s extraordinary expansion — and a test of how long that pace can last. The industry’s pursuit of ever-larger models is fueling debate over whether they will deliver enough value to justify mounting environmental and financial costs. Google, Microsoft and Amazon all highlighted improved energy and water efficiency in sustainability reports released in recent weeks. But those gains are being overwhelmed by overall growth. Google’s electricity consumption rose more than 140% between 2021 and 2025 — already exceeding the outer bounds of projected growth modeled in a 2023 paper by Alex de Vries-Gao, a researcher at VU Amsterdam and founder of online platform Digiconomist. – The AI boom tests the limits of growth
