US Rare Earths Strengthened; Trump Signs Trade Deals; EU Proposes Record-Breaking Budget

July 17, 2025

Good Morning,

The U.S. strengthens strategic partnerships and supply chains as America's sole rare earth producer secures major contracts with Apple and the Pentagon, while Washington expands nuclear cooperation with Bahrain and explores a potential trade deal with China reminiscent of Trump's first-term approach. Meanwhile, international scrutiny intensifies with a damning report on Uganda's military control over civilian institutions, the EU proposes its largest-ever two trillion euro budget, and Argentina faces renewed questions about its historical Nazi connections following the discovery of a significant document collection.

President Donald Trump and Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Wednesday after the two nations signed an agreement regarding civil use of nuclear energy. Photo - Aaron Schwartz/UPI

Top Stories

  • America's Only Rare Earth Producer Gets a Boost From Apple and Pentagon Agreements - US News & World Report

  • New Report Exposes Ugandan Military's Grip On Politics, Economy, and Society - All Africa

  • U.S., Bahrain sign nuclear cooperation agreement - UPI

  • US-China trade deal may resemble phase 1 pact from Trump’s first term: ex-official - SCMP

  • EU proposes 'most ambitious ever' budget of two trillion euros - France24

  • A Nazi document trove raises questions for Argentina - Reuters

United States

  • Faced with geopolitics and trade war, US companies in China report record-low new investment plans - ABC

  • U.S., Bahrain sign nuclear cooperation agreement - UPI

  • Foreign aid food will be destroyed after Trump's USAID cuts. Here's why - USA Today

  • America's Only Rare Earth Producer Gets a Boost From Apple and Pentagon Agreements - US News & World Report

  • Trump to visit Pakistan in September, TV channels report - Reuters

Africa

  • SSA's alarming warning: Threats to South Africa's National Security unveiled - IOL

  • Ghana Election Observers Condemn Violence, Vote-Buying in Parliamentary Re-Run - JURIST

  • New Report Exposes Ugandan Military's Grip On Politics, Economy, and Society - All Africa

  • Tshepo Lipholo charged after accusing king of selling Lesotho to South Africa - BBC

  • Mali's former PM Moussa Mara called in for second day of questioning - Africa News

Middle East

  • U.S., Bahrain sign nuclear cooperation agreement - UPI

  • Khamenei says Israel launched war to ‘overthrow system’ in Iran - Times of Israel

  • Israel Bombs Damascus, Warns Syria of ‘Painful Blows’ as Footage Shows Hit on Defense Ministry - TIME

  • Another Netanyahu ally quits governing coalition, leaving Israeli leader with minority in parliament - PBS

  • Syria withdraws army from Sweida after Israel bombs Damascus - France24

Indo-Pacific

  • US-China trade deal may resemble phase 1 pact from Trump’s first term: ex-official - SCMP

  • Faced with geopolitics and trade war, US companies in China report record-low new investment plans - ABC

  • Japan a target of foreign election interference online, gov't says - Kyodo News

  • Japan’s $6.8 Trillion Stock Market Faces Reckoning in Elections - Bloomberg

  • South Korea lashed by heavy rain, two dead and more than 1,000 evacuated - Reuters

Europe

  • What MEPs and Parliament’s parties want from the EU budget - Euro News

  • EU proposes 'most ambitious ever' budget of two trillion euros - France24

  • Merz visits UK as Europe closes ranks in face of threats - Reuters

  • Unions: French government plan to cut two public holidays would have limited impact on growth - Le Monde

  • UK Labour Party suspends four MPs after welfare cuts rebellion - BBC

Latin America

  • A Nazi document trove raises questions for Argentina - Reuters

  • US deports 'barbaric' Jamaican and Cuban migrants to Eswatini - BBC

  • Ecuador’s capital rocked by water shortage crisis upending daily life - CNN

  • President of the CNBV Mexico fines US-sanctioned banks US $10M for compliance failures - Mexico News Daily

  • Mexico plans stronger trade collaboration with Canada after Trump tariff threats - Reuters

If you’re a legacy subscriber, and would like more info on how to manage your membership, please reach out to [email protected]

Interested in more from Atlas?

🌐Atlas Technologies: We are building world class OSINT technology that unifies the intelligence cycle by automating data collection, intelligence production and delivery to key stakeholders, all aligned with your priority intelligence requirements (PIRs). If you want to learn more, check out our website.

🛒Merch Store: Visit our merch store to shop our latest gear.

📰Newsletters: Check out our other publications to stay on top of the news and get insights from intelligence professionals.

If you'd like to get involved with Atlas, please contact us with your experience or ideas. If you're a solid fit, we'll be in touch.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2025 Atlas.1A

Reply

or to participate.