Headlines: 6-12 July 2026

Sunday, 12 July 2026

UNDP launches Stellar-based digital aid payments in 17 countries: five live pilots in Haiti, Syria, Kenya, Guatemala, and Gambia use instant digital payments (LINK) — 12 July 2026

Saturday, 11 July 2026

UAE investor who bought half of Trump crypto firm gets green light to buy US AI chips as critics slam 'corrupt deal': expert warned of 'massive national security risk' because China could steal the technology (LINK) — 11 July 2026

Friday, 10 July 2026

One million women lose aid access due to funding cuts, UN Women says (ground news LINK) — 10 July 2026

— Surveying 855 organizations, the report found 60% are reaching fewer women and girls than before January 2025, while 40% face temporary or permanent closure within the next year. Some 120 million women and girls require humanitarian assistance worldwide.

World oil demand set for first annual decline since 2020, IEA says, citing lingering security disruptions (ground news LINK) — 10 July 2026

— Global oil production is projected to rebound by around 7.5 million barrels per day to 110.1 million barrels per day in 2027, potentially tipping the market into surplus if transit volumes through the Strait of Hormuz continue to recover.

Martha Ann Lillard, the last U.S. polio patient who used an iron lung to survive, has died at age 78, after the machine started to break down and they couldn't find anyone to repair it (LINK) — 10 July 2026

The Verge: "I spent a week using the Trump phone — it sucks: The T1 is a marketing stunt, not a serious phone" (LINK) — 10 July 2026

Alternet: Study confirms what many suspected: the 2024 U.S. election was rigged: (LINK) — 10 July 2026

— Nature report: Candidate Trump's official TikTok videos were pushed to Democratic-leaning users 27 percent of the time, while Kamala Harris's videos only reached Republican-leaning users just 15.3 percent of the time. Leading up to the 2024 election, TikTok was working overtime to expose Democrats and lefties to MAGA's most persuasive messaging, all while shielding rightwingers, independents, and Republican voters from Harris's voice. Roughly half of TikTok users under 30 say they use the app to keep up with politics and news, and that TikTok-engaged demographic shifted a mind-boggling full 10 percentage points toward Trump between 2020 and 2024 following this exposure.

Bayeux Tapestry arrives in UK for first time in 900 years under police guard chaperoned from a secret location in northern France: British Museum will put it on display in September (LINK) — 10 July 2026

— To ensure it travelled safely — and without damage — its folding stand, which the tapestry has been kept on since it was taken down from display in Bayeux last year, was put inside a crate, with temperature and humidity regulation. That crate was then placed into an outer cage, in which metal springs acted as shock absorbers to protect it from bumps in the road.

9 months into a ceasefire, Israel now controls nearly 70% of Gaza (LINK) — 10 July 2026

Trump-appointed judge dismisses seditious conspiracy case against Proud Boys (LINK) — 10 July 2026

Twelve dead and 23 missing in Spain wildfire as man describes 'surreal' view as blaze approached (LINK) — 10 July 2026

Foreign gangs, particularly French, behind robberies at Swiss gun shops: 23 cases of burglaries or attempted burglaries at gun shops since the start of the year alone (LINK) — 10 July 2026

— Alongside gun thefts, thefts of luxury cars from garages have also been on the rise since 2025, according to Fedpol. A rise in "home-jackings" — burglaries carried out whilst the occupant is present — has also been observed, whether attempt ed or successful, particularly in the Geneva region. According to Fedpol, these various offences form part of the 'crime-as-a-service' phenomenon, a method increasingly used by French groups. Since January, "around 300 to 350 cases in Switzerland" can be attributed to this phenomenon. The perpetrators are "mostly minors or inexperienced young adults with no direct links to a criminal organization".

SportsMole: Argentina's Lionel Messi walks more than any other outfield player at the tournament and covers the least ground among the leading names at the 2026 World Cup (LINK) — 10 July 2026

— Across five matches, Messi has covered just 35.87 kilometres — an average of 6.88km per game. Of the 6.88km covered per match, 4.41km happen at walking pace. No other player at the tournament comes close to that volume of low-intensity movement. That figure is well below the standard recorded by most midfielders and attackers at the elite level. In the overall tournament distance rankings, Messi sits 186th. France's Michael Olise — another creative midfielder — is second, having covered more than 64 kilometres. Harry Kane, a centre-forward, has covered 53 kilometres.

Rolling Stones 'Foreign Tongues': Little in surprises but boasts gas in the tank (LINK) — 10 July 2026

Thursday, 9 July 2026

Ukraine says 35 shadow fleet ships struck in 4 days after another 14 struck overnight (LINK) — 9 July 2026

Ukraine opens criminal probe after crowds attack army conscription vehicle in Lviv (LINK) — 9 July 2026

Ukrainian spy accused of killing Monaco bombing suspect retracts confession, blames his co-defendant, a former law enforcement officer (LINK) — 9 July 2026

— Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said earlier this week investigators had focused on the two men after discovering they had repeatedly transferred cryptocurrency and money through bank accounts to Anastasiia Berezovska, a 39-year-old Ukrainian citizen wanted by Interpol for the June 29 bomb attack, found near Kyiv with gunshot wounds to the head and pistol cartridges nearby.

US strikes around 90 targets in Iran, which threatens 'grave consequences' (LINK) — 9 July 2026

US and Iran trade strikes for second day after Trump said ceasefire is 'over' (LINK) — 9 July 2026

— The US military said it hit 90 targets along Iran's coastline. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they targeted US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in response.

Brazil warns of U.S. military intervention risk after terror designation (ground news LINK) — 9 July 2026

Four die in Delhi building collapse as rains batter India, trigger landslides (ground news LINK) — 9 July 2026

U.S.: Michigan hits nearly 1,000 cases of diarrhoea-causing parasite, as more people are infected across several states (LINK) — 9 July 2026

ITU: WSIS Prizes honour top tech solutions for digital development: projects from 15 countries and 3 international organizations (LINK) — 9 July 2026

US Supreme Court ruling safeguards women's and girls' sports by concluding that neither Title IX nor the Constitution requires schools to dismantle sex-based sporting categories, says UN expert (LINK) — 9 July 2026

Wednesday, 8 July 2026

UN maritime head urges 'restraint' as 6,000 Gulf seafarers stranded (ground news LINK) — 8 July 2026

Five key takeaways from the NATO summit in Ankara: pledges to expand defence budgets and Ukraine support (LINK) — 8 July 2026

Heather Cox Richardson: Trump in Ankara at Nato Summit (LINK) — 8 July 2026

CNN; Trump's false claims at his NATO press conference (LINK) — 8 July 2026

• Trump falsely claimed $19.2 trillion invested in one year, while White House data shows $10.6 trillion in pledges.
• He claimed record-breaking plant construction, but federal data shows US manufacturing construction spending declined during his term, down ~28% from May 2024.
• Trump repeated false claims about winning three elections, Venezuela releasing prisoners, and 25 million migrants under Biden, all of which are factually incorrect.

Cancer cases expected to soar worldwide, WHO report finds: will touch 92% of people globally (LINK) — 8 July 2026

— One person in five will develop cancer, according to WHO estimates, and the disease will touch 92% of people, either through their own diagnosis or that of a close family member. There are an estimated 20.6m cases, and 10m deaths, from cancer every year. Figures are projected to rise to nearly 35m cases by 2050. In richer countries, 85% of those diagnosed with breast or childhood cancers will survive at least five years but the figure drops to less than 30% in poorer countries. In low- and lower-middle income countries, between 9% and 54% of the WHO's top-20 priority cancer drugs are available, compared with between 68% and 94% in high-income countries, the report found. In 23 countries there are no radiation facilities.

U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher in Caracas: U.N. $627 million funding gap: Venezuela appeal has received $300 million, $296 million required to reach 1.3 million to meet socioeconomic needs right now, over six months (LINK) — 8 July 2026

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil: Death toll has reached more than 3,600, and that about 18,000 people have lost their homes

European Parliament condemns Zelenskyy for naming military unit after UPA heroes: "unnecessary and unprovoked escalation" (LINK) — 8 July 2026

UN probe says mass killings, rapes, abductions, starvation by Sudan force RSF amount to genocide (ground news LINK) — 8 July 2026

South Korea's Supreme Court upholds lower court ruling and 7-year-sentence in ex-president Yoon's obstruction case (ground news LINK) — 8 July 2026

World Cup drives Google Search to a record queries per second: "Google Search broke all prior usage records and saw its highest usage in history right after Argentina scored their winning goal in yesterday's match" (LINK) — 8 July 2026

78th primetime Emmy acting nominees (LINK) — 8 July 2026

Co-founder Eric Trump says 'stacking continues' as American Bitcoin amasses 8,000 BTC in its corporate treasury holdings: 52% mining profit margin in the first quarter (LINK) — 8 July 2026

U.S.: Photo of compromised NYC building reveals temporary supports in place as Mamdani says it's no longer shifting (LINK) — 8 July 2026

Trump says US ceasefire with Iran is 'over' after strikes: called Iran 'dirty players' for targeting commercial vessels (ground news LINK) — 8 July 2026

Iran targets sites in Bahrain, Kuwait after wave of US strikes (LINK) — 8 July 2026

U.S. hits dozens of Iranian targets in retaliatory strikes after ship attacks in Strait of Hormuz (LINK) — 8 July 2026

UNIFIL: Update on the South of Lebanon: "The level of violence has been reduced, but we continue to record a number of violations of Resolution 1701 on a daily basis" (LINK) — 8 July 2026

— According to UNIFIL, Israeli forces continue to operate in areas north of the Blue Line, where peacekeepers monitor military activity and continue to urge all parties to preserve recent stability gains. On the issue of the Israeli military's "Yellow Line" buffer zone which is located some five to 10 kilometres north of the Blue Line, UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel described it as a self-declared military boundary established by the Israel Defense Forces which is not recognized by the United Nations.

Afghanistan faces unprecedented refugee returnee influx: UNDP and UNHCR chiefs urge sustained investment (LINK) — 8 July 2026

Israel must release ailing Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and all Palestinian medical personnel arbitrarily detained and adhere to international law, UN Commission of Inquiry says (LINK) — 8 July 2026

U.N. Human Rights Council concludes sixty-second regular session after adopting 28 resolutions: roundup (LINK) — 8 July 2026

UK airline Jet2 turns fuel price surge into $500 million windfall through hedging: announced a £250 million share buyback, expanded its Gatwick operation, and said booking momentum has improved as geopolitical uncertainty has eased (LINK) — 8 July 2026

ITU's Partner2Connect surpasses USD 100 billion in commitments to connect the world (LINK) — 8 July 2026

Donald Trump loses Kennedy Center fight, ordered to pay millions as flops continue with no end in sight (LINK) — 8 July 2026

— The D.C. Circuit said his team never proved the building would suffer without his branding, according to CNN. The center had argued Trump's name was worth a fortune to future fundraising, and the judges weren't buying it.

Judge orders $5 million Trump judgment be released to E. Jean Carroll (LINK) — 8 July 2026

U.S.: Democrat Graham Platner suspends campaign for key US Senate race after assault allegation (LINK) — 8 July 2026

The Tour de France's infernal present: the hottest day of racing in the recorded history of the Tour. NBC measured the pavement temperature north of 140F (60C) (LINK) — 8 July 2026

Salesforce to invest USD 1 billion in Switzerland's AI transformation (LINK) — 8 July 2026

Tuesday, 7 July 2026

Russian missiles strike Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, for third time in a week (LINK) — 7 July 2026

Ukraine hits electronics and explosives manufacturers for Russia's defence industry (LINK) — 7 July 2026

Russia's biggest oil refinery just went dark after a Ukrainian drone struck it deep in Siberia — and kilometre-long gas lines followed (LINK) — 7 July 2026

Ukraine signs drone deals with Estonia, Netherlands (LINK) — 7 July 2026

Ukraine hits 10 Russian fuel tankers in one day (LINK) — 7 July 2026

Ukraine hits 10 Russian fuel tankers in one day (LINK) — 7 July 2026

Monaco bomb attack suspect found dead in Ukraine near Kyiv. Police said they had detained two individuals suspected of murdering her (LINK) — 7 July 2026

Iran says final deal talks won't start while US threats continue (LINK) — 7 July 2026

Oil prices jump as Iran attacks vessels in Hormuz strait, US revokes license allowing Iran to sell oil (LINK) — 7 July 2026

China sentences eastern city official to death for taking $325m in bribes over 30 years (LINK) — 7 July 2026

— The 69-year-old exploited his roles to help others secure engineering contracts, land transfers and financing, in exchange for money and valuables, said state media. Youlin Yang was investigated as part of President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption crackdown which has cut through military ranks and high-level banking, among other sectors.

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong set for September sentencing in second national security case (ground news LINK) — 7 July 2026

France: Proposed presumption of lawful police shootings could fuel impunity, Morris Tidball-Binz, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (LINK) — 7 July 2026

South Korean law targeting 'fake news' takes effect as journalists' groups raise concerns: platforms with more than 1 million daily users must remove content or suspend accounts upon reports of false information (ground news LINK) — 7 July 2026

Prince Harry's 'crushing' court loss: he and six other high-profile claimants had lost their $63 million privacy claim against the Daily Mail: could devastate his and Meghan Markle's finances (LINK) — 7 July 2026

— The judge dismissed every one of the 97 allegations of illegal news gathering made by Harry and the other claimants, including Sir Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley. Mr. Justice Nicklin ruled that Harry and the other claimants had often relied on "inference" to prove claims of phone hacking and blagged private medical records, adding that "suspicion, even where understandable, was not enough".

Trump ally and hard-right leader Nigel Farage triggers re-election vote, in bid to clear name amid financial scandals (LINK) — 7 July 2026

Zimbabwe's 83-year-old President Signs law to delay elections and extend his own term (ground news LINK) — 7 July 2026

Ugandan farmers sue in U.K. to block $5 billion East Africa oil pipeline (ground news LINK) — 7 July 2026

Colombia's De La Espriella suspends Presidential transition amid tensions with President Petro (ground news LINK) — 7 July 2026

Engineering teams are installing temporary shoring to stabilize Midtown Manhattan building evacuated after columns found buckling at high-rise construction site (LINK) — 7 July 2026

Instagram creator sues Trump Administration over exclusion from Vance events after satirical online content mocking V.P. (ground news LINK) — 7 July 2026

After his gold blunder, Robert Kiyosaki issues a surprising recommendation that is neither Bitcoin nor commodities: read a book about a coming systemic financial collapse: "The Entropy Trap" by Mickey M. Maini (LINK) — 7 July 2026

— Kiyosaki admitted he misjudged gold's short-term crash but kept his $35,000 long-term target.

Monday, 6 July 2026

Almost every Russian region hit by fuel crisis, as Ukraine escalates drone attacks (LINK) — 6 July 2026

Zelenskyy renewed his calls for more Patriot missiles after Russian strikes kill 12 in Kyiv (LINK) — 6 July 2026

Ukraine reportedly strikes Russian oil refinery in Yaroslavl, 250km northeast of Moscow (LINK) — 6 July 2026

Morocco says it foiled IS-linked attack plot: arrested 10 suspects during coordinated raids in cities including Casablanca and Agadir, (LINK) — 6 July 2026

Hamas dissolves Gaza governing body, offers power to UN-backed panel (ground news LINK) — 6 July 2026

Israel kills 4, including school principal, in south Lebanon, health ministry says (ground news LINK) — 6 July 2026

Landslides in Bangladesh kill at least 8 Rohingya refugees while monsoon rains batter India (ground news LINK) — 6 July 2026

Super Typhoon Bavi makes landfall on US Pacific islands with huge wind gusts (LINK) — 6 July 2026

Trump officially launches Trump Accounts for kids, ringing Wall Street opening bell from the Oval Office (LINK) — 6 July 2026

— The Oval Office event was promoting the launch of Trump Accounts, which were created as a vehicle for children to have investments in stock indexes as part of Republicans' big 2025 tax and spending cuts bill.

— Michael Dell, the founder of Dell Technologies, and his wife, Susan, appeared by Trump on Monday as they have pledged $6.25 billion for the accounts, while there have been separate pledges by billionaires including investor Ray Dalio and SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, who said Monday that she would donate stock in the Elon Musk-led company to the accounts.

Benzinga: Trump Says First 500,000 'Trump Accounts' are funded as economist warns there is 'nothing to celebrate' as kids will also inherit the debt — (LINK)

— Economist Peter Schiff argued on X that the federal government's $1,000 contribution is financed through additional borrowing. "There is nothing to celebrate," Schiff wrote, adding that while children receive the investment today, they will also "inherit the debt". He argued that reducing government spending would be a better approach than funding the accounts through increased federal borrowing.

More than 6 million children have enrolled in Trump Accounts. They could become "tax-free millionaires" (LINK) — 6 July 2026

Trump plugs Dell at first-ever White House opening bell, sending shares soaring (LINK) — 6 July 2026

Ex-Syrian intelligence chief found guilty of torture and sexual abuse by Austrian court: sentenced to eight years in prison (LINK) — 6 July 2026

— A second Syrian official, the former police chief in Raqqa, was also found guilty of abusing political opponents. Also sentenced to 8 years. BBC: The case in Vienna was a relatively rare example of a European country claiming jurisdiction for crimes committed by agents of Assad's government.

Wildfire in southern France forces evacuation of 10,000 people in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, near the border with Spain (LINK) — 6 July 2026

— The fire, located in Trévillach near Perpignan, has burned at least 4,600 hectares (11,366 acres). Tour de France spectators were urged to stay away from the conclusion of the third stage of the cycling race on Monday to allow access for emergency vehicles to the area. The fires have also affected neighbouring Spain where more than 2,200 hectares in the natural reserve of Les Gavarres have been destroyed. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU would send four aircraft based in Cyprus and Sweden to help with emergency efforts.

Fox News: Walmart, Sam's Club slash prices on thousands of products as Trump says move came at his request (LINK) — 6 July 2026

— Fresh corn drops to $0.25 and ground beef falls nearly 15% as the retailers target backyard barbecue staples

The UN Is Looking at AI from the wrong side: the "demand side" of the technology and not on the supply side, where the UN should be providing oversight and evaluation of AI's use in the multilateral arena (LINK) — 6 July 2026

UN PGA Annalena Baerbock: Statement for the Opening Ceremony of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance: "The UN was built for moments like this" (LINK) — 6 July 2026

— "Something with such power, with such profound implications for our economies, our social systems, our defence and therefore our peace and security — but especially, even in our homes, our food and our children's bedrooms-can only be meaningfully and safely managed together."

— "sinister uses of AI, such as deepfakes, [...] disproportionately target women and girls-with a reported 99% of deepfakes being sexual in nature, and 96% targeting women and girls."

— "Yet, there is good news as well… the potential of AI is a boon for the SDGs."

• In Bangladesh, [...] families receive early warnings of floods and storms from AI-powered systems delivered instantly to their smartphones. AI can save lives.
• In Kenya, [...] farmers receive detailed maps showing where and when to plant seeds to maximize their harvests.

— "Imagine if we used this power together, imagine the UN leveraging these tools."

• Imagine UNICEF reaching children in crisis with personalized learning.
• Imagine WHO detecting outbreaks before they become pandemics.
• Imagine, during this technological revolution… that this time, no country is left behind.

Philippine Senate opens the politically volatile impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte (LINK) — 6 July 2026

UN PGA Annalena Baerbock: Statement for the Opening Ceremony of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance: "The UN was built for moments like this" (LINK) — 6 July 2026

— "Something with such power, with such profound implications for our economies, our social systems, our defence and therefore our peace and security — but especially, even in our homes, our food and our children's bedrooms-can only be meaningfully and safely managed together."

— "sinister uses of AI, such as deepfakes, [...] disproportionately target women and girls-with a reported 99% of deepfakes being sexual in nature, and 96% targeting women and girls."

— "Yet, there is good news as well… the potential of AI is a boon for the SDGs."

• In Bangladesh, [...] families receive early warnings of floods and storms from AI-powered systems delivered instantly to their smartphones. AI can save lives.
• In Kenya, [...] farmers receive detailed maps showing where and when to plant seeds to maximize their harvests.

— "Imagine if we used this power together, imagine the UN leveraging these tools."

• Imagine UNICEF reaching children in crisis with personalized learning.
• Imagine WHO detecting outbreaks before they become pandemics.
• Imagine, during this technological revolution… that this time, no country is left behind.

Trump crypto profits hit $1b as Bitcoin crashes 50% from its ATH (LINK) — 6 July 2026

From more than a billion Coca-Cola bottles with collectible Panini stickers to Budweiser cans and personalized footballs, World Cup 2026 has become a showcase for digital printing, and much of it is powered by Israel's HP Indigo in Ness Ziona (LINK) — 6 July 2026

— With 7,500 digital printing presses around the world, the company holds about 66% of the digital printing market. In flexible packaging, the colorful crinkly bags everyone knows, it holds about 92% of the market, meaning that nine out of every 10 such packaging products worldwide are printed on its machines. In label printing, it has crossed the mark of 3,000 digital presses sold.

Microsoft cuts 4,800 across Xbox, sales divisions, redeploys hundreds more (LINK) — 6 July 2026