Iran faces mounting international pressure over nuclear activities as France warns of sanctions and Russia signs power plant deal.

Good Morning,

In a week marked by significant geopolitical developments, French unions have intensified protests to pressure the new prime minister, while President Macron has issued a warning to Iran about impending UN nuclear sanctions. Amidst this tension, Russia and Iran have signed a deal to construct nuclear power plants, as Iran's president seeks to avoid further sanctions at the United Nations. Meanwhile, New Zealand has appointed a Swedish economist to lead its central bank as it grapples with a potential double-dip recession. In the Middle East, a drone attack in Yemen has injured twenty people, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has announced a combined military-diplomatic effort to counter Hamas and secure the release of hostages. Additionally, the US has implemented an EU trade deal with retroactive auto tariffs, reflecting ongoing international economic negotiations.

Top Stories

• ● French unions call more protests to put pressure on new prime minister (Reuters)

• ● Iran has hours to act or face UN nuclear sanctions snapback, says Macron (The Guardian)

• ● Russia, Iran sign nuclear power plants deal as sanctions loom (Al Jazeera)

• ● New Zealand appoints Swede to lead central bank as economy faces ‘double-dip recession’ (Financial Times)

• ● Iran’s President Arrives at U.N. Seeking to Avoid More Sanctions (The New York Times)

United States

● Lithium Americas’ stock surges amid possible US government stake (Al Jazeera)

● Trump Administration Bars Some Giant Brand Bicycles, Citing Forced Labor (The New York Times)

● Newly appointed US attorney will attempt to charge James Comey despite prosecutors finding no probable cause: Sources - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos (Abc News Breaking News, Latest News And Videos)

● 'Anti-ICE' message on ammunition at Dallas shooting that killed immigration detainee (BBC)

● Trump plans 'America First' foreign aid funding shift, document shows (Reuters)

● Group planning United States’ 250th birthday fires White House-appointed executive director - WTOP (Wtop)

● Trump White House wants investigation into stopped escalator at UN - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos (Abc News Breaking News, Latest News And Videos)

● Trump admin reports 2 million illegal aliens 'removed or self-deported' from US in first 8 months (Fox News)

Africa

● Full list of Nigeria constitutional review: National assembly review 86 bills inside Nigerian constitution (BBC)

● Wantam: Chakwera, Malawi president with Kenya connection, concedes election defeat (Daily Nation)

● The high stakes of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission’s leadership transition ahead of the 2027 elections - International IDEA (International Idea)

● Nigeria's overnight lending rate falls 100 bps on excess liquidity, policy shift (Reuters)

● Egypt warns peace treaty with Israel could collapse over Gaza war (Middle East Monitor)

● Egypt’s Parliament Should Open New Era of Consultation (Human Rights Watch)

● CapeWine 2025: 'Our warmest welcome' delivers a triumphant showcase of South African wine - wine.co.za (Wine Co Za)

● News: Asamaka Industries Nigeria Awarded Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate by NCDMB - A3 Association for Advancing Automation (A3 Association For Advancing Automation)

● IMF staff to visit Kenya for talks on potential support programme (Reuters)

● Christian genocide feared in Nigeria (The Catholic Register)

Middle East

● Fearing another war with Israel, Iran begins rebuilding missile sites, but key component is missing - AP News (Ap News)

● Twenty injured in Yemen drone attack on Israel, rescuers and military say (BBC)

● Iran, U.S. signal possible easing in nuclear tensions (Reuters)

● Israeli Strike Kills Gazans Sheltering in Warehouse, Local Reports Say (The New York Times)

● Israel’s Netanyahu says combined military-diplomatic effort underway to defeat Hamas, bring back hostages (Reuters)

Indo-Pacific

● China, world’s largest carbon polluting nation, announces new climate goal (Al Jazeera)

● A US fascism expert’s warning to Australia: ‘You guys are probably next’ (The Guardian)

● Gen Z uprising in Asia shows social media is a double-edged sword (BBC)

● China makes landmark pledge to cut its climate emissions (BBC)

● LDP presidential hopefuls failing to stand out on policy (The Japan Times)

● News live: Albanese welcomes China’s climate target; Von der Leyen ‘inspired’ by Australia’s social media ban (The Guardian)

● Antoinette Lattouf awarded $150,000 over unlawful Gaza sacking (BBC)

● South Korean investment in the US is now in peril (Financial Times)

● Australia’s horrifying climate future in four charts – and how we can avoid the worst (The Guardian)

● Protests seeking statehood in India’s Ladakh turn deadly (Al Jazeera)

● Russian Nuclear Ballistic Missile Sub Spotted Near Japan for the First Time - USNI News (Usni News)

Europe

● US implements EU trade deal, 15% autos tariffs retroactive to Aug 1 (Reuters)

● Spain's PM says he will send warship to protect Gaza aid flotilla (Reuters)

● UK arrest over cyberattack that hit Heathrow and European airports (The Guardian)

● Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez discusses immigration, the war in Gaza, and free speech during World Leaders Forum visit (Columbia Daily Spectator)

● ‘Ukraine is only the first’, Zelenskyy warns UN as he highlights global threats – as it happened (The Guardian)

● Gaza-bound flotilla says it was attacked by drones, as Italy and Spain send help - AP News (Ap News)

● Despite Trump, the World Isn’t Slowing on Climate, E.U. Official Says (The New York Times)

● Urgent review ordered into asylum seeker taxi costs (BBC)

● UK-Ireland Joint Framework is an important step towards addressing the human rights legacy of the Troubles – Türk - ohchr (Ohchr)

● AWS and SAP Expand Collaboration to Advance Digital Sovereignty Across Europe - SAP News Center (Sap News Center)

● UK drug price rises 'necessary', says Lord Patrick Vallance (BBC)

Latin America

• Argentina president Milei praises Trump, slams left at UNGA (AJ)

• Colombia’s resident blasts Israel and allies over Gaza atrocities (AJ)

• Chile’s president makes Gaza rallying cry (AJ)

• Brazilian police expand illegal gold mining operations (Reuters)

• Mexico studies more actions to contain screwworm outbreak next to US border (Reuters)

• Lula & Zelensky discuss Russia conflict on UN sidelines (Reuters)

• 23 miners rescued after 43 hours trapped in Colombian gold mine (AP)

• Indigenous groups criticize Ecuador’s $47 billion oil expansion plan in Amazon (AP)

• 6.2 magnitude earthquake hits Venezuela (AP)

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