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Russia Recognizes Taliban Government; North Korean Crosses Into South Korea; MS-13 Leader Sentenced to 68 Years

July 4, 2025

Author

Daniel Murrah
July 4th, 2025

Good Morning, and Happy Independence Day! 🦅

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered a marathon 8.5-hour speech opposing Trump's tax legislation, while international developments reshaped diplomatic landscapes across multiple continents. Mali's military leadership consolidated power with a renewable five-year mandate, Russia became the first nation to formally recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan, and South Korea detained a North Korean border crosser amid ongoing border tensions. Meanwhile, the EU expanded its skilled worker visa program through Blue Card reforms, and U.S. law enforcement secured a significant victory against transnational crime with the 68-year sentencing of an MS-13 leader connected to eight murders.

An American crossed the heavily fortified border from South Korea into North Korea, the American-led U.N. Command overseeing the area said Tuesday, July 18, 2023, amid heightened tensions over North Korea's nuclear program. Photo - Jung Yeon-Je/Pool Photo via AP, File

Top Stories

  • Hakeem Jeffries sets record with 8-1/2-hour speech before vote on Trump tax bill - Reuters

  • Mali junta chief granted five-year term in power, renewable 'as many times as necessary' - France24

  • Russia the first to recognise Taliban government in Afghanistan - BBC

  • South Korea detains North Korean border crosser - DW

  • EU Blue Card: Where are skilled workers most welcome in Europe? - Euro News

  • Leader of MS-13 Clique in New York Linked to 8 Murders Sentenced to 68 Years in Prison - Latin Times

United States

  • Trump takes ‘big, beautiful bill’ victory lap in Iowa: 5 takeaways - The Hill

  • US dollar is off to its worst start in 50 years. Here's why that matters for you. - ABC

  • Trump administration quietly tries to find a solution for migrant workers amid industry concerns - CNN

  • Hakeem Jeffries sets record with 8-1/2-hour speech before vote on Trump tax bill - Reuters

  • US expands militarized zones to 1/3 of southern border - Associated Press

Africa  

  • Supreme Court clears way for deportation to South Sudan of several immigrants with no ties there - Associated Press

  • Mali junta chief granted five-year term in power, renewable 'as many times as necessary' - France24

  • Ethiopia's mega-dam on the Nile is "now complete", Prime Minister says - Africa News

  • Zimbabwean Editor Zaba Arrested for Allegedly Insulting Mnangagwa - All Africa

  • Major Rwandan coltan exporter bought smuggled Congolese minerals, UN report says - Reuters

Middle East

  • Iran won't retaliate against U.S. — but will keep enriching uranium, top official says - NBC

  • US issues first wave of Iran sanctions after ceasefire in 12-day war - Al Jazeera

  • Israel and Syria in U.S.-Brokered Talks to End Border Conflict, Trump Envoy Says - New York Times

  • Iran committed to Non-Proliferation Treaty, foreign minister says - Reuters

  • Russia the first to recognise Taliban government in Afghanistan - BBC

Indo-Pacific

  • Why does South Korea need the Ministry of Unification? - Asia News Network

  • US-Vietnam Trade Deal Provides Hints On Southeast Asia Tariff Rates - WWD

  • South Korea detains North Korean border crosser - DW

  • Japan seeks 8th round of tariff talks next week in U.S. - Japan Today

  • China's foreign minister tells EU that Beijing cannot afford Russia to lose in Ukraine, media reports - Kyiv Independent

Europe

  • EU Blue Card: Where are skilled workers most welcome in Europe? - Euro News

  • Young Europeans losing faith in democracy, poll finds - The Guardian

  • Ukraine's European backers mull their options after the US pauses weapons shipments - Washington Post

  • Explainer: Will the EU delay enforcing its AI Act? - Reuters

  • More than 1,500 flights cancelled as French strike disrupts summer getaways - France24

Latin America  

  • Leader of MS-13 Clique in New York Linked to 8 Murders Sentenced to 68 Years in Prison - Latin Times

  • Who is Julio César Chávez Jr., the Mexican boxer facing deportation from the US? - Associated Press

  • Brazil’s Lula visits former Argentine President Cristina Kirchner in house arrest - Reuters

  • Peru's president doubles her salary despite record low approval rating - BBC

  • US Recalls Top Colombia Diplomat as Once-Warm Relations Sour - Bloomberg

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