Trump's AI Push, Iranian-US Naval Standoff, Cybersecurity Threats, and Deadly Clash Breaks Out Between Thailand & Cambodia.

Good Morning,

President Trump has unveiled an "AI Action Plan" aimed at accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence tools and enhancing infrastructure to maintain global competitiveness. Meanwhile, international tensions are highlighted by an Iranian helicopter confronting a US warship near its territorial waters, and an analysis of Trump's potential second-term approach to war-making suggests a more aggressive stance. Cybersecurity concerns are rising as malware is detected on South Africa's Treasury Infrastructure Portal, reflecting growing threats in the digital landscape. Thailand & Cambodia have now entered into deadly border conflict.

Top Stories

● White House Unveils America’s AI Action Plan- White House

● Iranian helicopter confronts US warship approaching territorial waters - aljazeera.com 

● Analysis: ‘Bomb first’ – Trump’s approach to war-making in his second term - aljazeera.com

● Thailand launches airstrikes on Cambodia as border clashes leave at least 14 dead - AP News

United States

●Trump and Powell bicker over Fed building renovations as president ratchets up pressure campaign (AP News)

● Promoting the export of the American AI Technology Stack- The White House

● US Justice Department official to meet Epstein associate Maxwell again on Friday - (Reuters)

● Trade deal on US tariffs within reach, says EU, as 1 August deadline nears - BBC

● Toyota welcomes U.S.-Japan trade deal, calls for further tariff cuts - CBT News

Africa

● Malware Detected on South Africa’s Treasury Infrastructure Portal Amid Growing Cybersecurity Risks - (TechAfricaNews)

● UNICEF Warns Climate Crisis Is Threatening Millions of Kenyan Children - (CapitalFM)

● Tanzania’s INEC chair warns staff over leaks, data security through use of informal WhatsApp groups - (news.google.com)

● The impact of political appointments on the leadership crisis in the South African Police - IOL (news.google.com)

● Meet Aimee, The Artificial Intelligence Ally Taking On South Africa’s HIV Crisis - Managed Healthcare Executive (news.google.com)

● Kenya: Murkomen Defends Solitary Confinement for Radical Suspects, Cites National Security - (Allafrica.com)

● Central African Republic rebels found guilty of war crimes by International Criminal Court - Queen City News

Middle East

● Syria is secretly reshaping its economy. The president’s brother is in charge - Reuters

● Iran/Israel: Iranian forces’ use of cluster munitions in ‘12 Day War’ violated international humanitarian law - Amnesty International

● US defense official reacts to Iran's claims about encounter with warship - Fox News

● Iran warns U.S. warship approaching territorial waters - Foundation for Defense of Democracies

● US and Israel urgently need to replenish weapons stockpiles after 12-day war, defense analysts warn - Fox News

● Greece warns Turkey over EU defense scheme - Al Arabiya English

● Iran Ready For War With Israel, Will Not Stop Nuclear Program: President Pezeshkian IFP News

Indo-Pacific

● Trade minister to warn Trump’s tariff wars could see Australia ‘suffer’ for generations - The Guardian

● Cambodian PM calls for urgent UN Security Council action over Thai military aggression - Nation Thailand

● F-16 jets, airstrikes and temple dispute: Why are Thailand and Cambodia on the brink of war? Hindustan Times 

● Trump tariffs live updates: Trump lifts tariff baseline rate, warns countries face 15-50% range - Yahoo Finance

● Chinese Hackers Are Exploiting Flaws in Widely Used Software, Microsoft Says - The New York Times

● India To Benefit From UK Trade Deal With 99% Tariff Elimination On Exports - NDTV

● RBA wary of cutting rates until it has more evidence on inflation, Bullock says - The Guardian

Europe

● The United Kingdom welcomes the efforts of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to strengthen its role in conflict prevention: UK statement at the UN Security Council - GOV.UK (news.google.com)

● Greece warns Turkey over EU defense scheme - Al Arabiya English

● India-UK FTA: Trade deal to cut tariffs on UK goods from 15% to 3%; make imports affordable for Indian co - The Times of India

● Greece Unveils Sweeping Defense Reforms: Conscription, Military Command Changes - GreekReporter.com

● Prime Minister secures thousands of British jobs and £6 billion in investment and export wins as historic trade deal with India signed - GOV.UK

● Key wins from UK-India trade deal - investments, jobs, exports - Reuters

Latin America

● Brazil’s top court rules out Bolsonaro arrest, for now - Reuters

● Lula says the US has ignored Brazil’s attempts to negotiate Trump’s announced tariff - AP News

● Spain signs six agreements with Uruguay in the fields of cooperation, security, culture and gender equality - La Moncloa 

● Control of businesses, threats, and overpricing of up to 144%: La Familia Michoacana’s extortion network in State of Mexico - EL PAÍS English

● Peru: President leads new Council of Ministers session - Agencia Peruana de Noticias | ANDINA

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