Cliff Notes – White House cuts WSJ from Scotland trip over Epstein story The White House excluded The Wall Street Journal from the press pool accompanying President Trump to Scotland due to allegations of “fake and defamatory conduct” linked to a report about a birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s lawsuit against the WSJ seeks $10 billion in damages, claiming the publication has caused significant financial and reputational harm through its allegations. This incident marks…
Cliff Notes – Ex-officer sentenced to prison over Breonna Taylor raid A former Kentucky police officer was sentenced to 33 months for violating Breonna Taylor’s rights during a deadly raid in March 2020, which used a controversial no-knock warrant. Taylor’s family welcomed the sentence but expressed disappointment that it did not reflect the full severity of her death; they noted it was more than what the Department of Justice had sought. The judge expressed concern…
Cliff Notes – Japan’s Ishiba vows to stay on after election defeat Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s coalition lost its majority in the upper house, securing only 46 of the 125 contested seats amid rising public discontent. Despite the electoral setback, Ishiba pledges to remain in office to navigate critical trade negotiations with the United States, emphasising the importance of these talks. The anti-immigration Sanseito party emerged as a significant force, gaining traction particularly among…
Cliff Notes – Police arrest suspect in honour killing video A suspect has been arrested in Pakistan after a viral video depicted a man and woman being shot for marrying against familial wishes, highlighting the issue of “honour killings.” The killings were reportedly ordered by a local tribe council in Balochistan, where similar cases are common to restore family reputation and social standing. Despite some legal reforms, around 1,000 women are killed annually in Pakistan…
Cliff Notes – Trump sues Wall Street Journal, Murdoch over Epstein report Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and others over a report about a suggestive letter he allegedly wrote to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. The article detailed Trump’s letter, which reportedly included a provocative sketch and birthday wishes for Epstein, raising questions about Trump’s past associations with Epstein. Amid ongoing scrutiny, the US Justice Department is…
Cliff Notes – Earthquake strikes off Alaska, triggering tsunami advisory A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska at 12:37 PM local time, with its epicentre located 54 miles south of Sand Point. Initially, a tsunami warning was issued but was later downgraded and ultimately withdrawn, with only a minor tsunami recorded at Sand Point. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said. The earthquake took…
Cliff Notes – International Court of Justice (ICJ) latest The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the UN, tasked with settling disputes between states and providing advisory opinions on legal matters referred by the UN. Jurisdiction of the ICJ requires either a declaration of submission from involved parties or consent to bring disputes before the court; rulings are legally binding but lack enforcement mechanisms. The court contributes significantly to the development and interpretation of…
Cliff Notes – Trump revokes funds for California’s high-speed rail project US President Donald Trump has announced the withdrawal of $4 billion in federal funding for California’s high-speed rail, branding it an unnecessary “scam” and a waste of taxpayer money. California officials have condemned the move as unlawful, asserting the state will explore all legal options to contest the funding cancellation. Despite the setback, California High-Speed Rail Authority claims the project is advancing, with 171…
Cliff Notes: ICJ upholds Kosovo war crimes conviction for Pjeter Shala Pjeter Shala’s sentence was reduced from 18 to 13 years by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers tribunal, which upheld his conviction for war crimes committed during the 1998-99 Kosovo uprising. The tribunal noted that the original sentencing was disproportionate compared to similar cases, and Shala’s lack of commanding role in some charges was considered. Judges described Shala’s acts of torture as “of particular cruelty,” with…
Cliff Notes – Trump urges MAGA supporters to forget about Epstein files. Trump defended his administration and attempted to quell frustration among MAGA supporters over the withholding of Epstein case files by the Justice Department and FBI. He suggested that energy should be redirected towards investigating the 2020 election claims, rather than focusing on Epstein, who he claims is of little interest. Trump’s handling of the Epstein files is a betrayal for QAnon as it…
Donald Trump announces 30% tariff on imports from EU, after a failed push to get Ursula von der Leyen removed form the UE commission.
His tariffs wil ignite a trade war.
Cliff Notes – Trump visits Texas flood sites amid search for missing President Trump visits Texas a week after the devastating floods, where over 120 people have died due to severe flash floods, with 170 still missing. He faced scrutiny over the federal response and expressed anger about questions regarding the timing of evacuation warnings. People question why did he take so long to visit the ‘Red State’, surely he would have wanted to show…
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen survived a no-confidence motion in the European Parliament on 10 July, with only 175 MEPs in support, compared to 360 against and 18 abstaining.
The US Supreme Court lifted a lower court injunction, allowing the Trump administration to proceed with federal job cuts, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of employees while legal proceedings continue.
Budapest police announced they will not pursue legal actions against participants of the Pride parade, despite the event being officially prohibited.
Aleksandra Chrzanowska, a human rights activist, provides essential aid to refugees in Bialowieza National Park, Europe’s last primeval forest, amidst a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by Poland’s stringent border policies.
The passage of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ signals a significant legislative achievement for Trump, fulfilling many of his campaign promises, particularly around immigration and military spending.
A federal judge ruled that President Trump’s asylum ban at the US-Mexico border overstepped his legal authority and bypassed established processes for asylum seekers.
The European Parliament will hold a no-confidence vote against President Ursula von der Leyen, emphasising rising discontent in Brussels following controversial decisions.
Elon Musk has signalled intentions to create a new political party, the “America Party,” in response to dissatisfaction with the current US tax and spending bill, indicating potential opposition to Republican lawmakers.
Azerbaijani police raided the offices of Sputnik, citing illegal financing despite the agency’s accreditation being revoked in February 2025.
Clashes erupted in Belgrade as police used pepper spray to disperse anti-government protesters demanding early elections and an end to President Vucic’s rule.
Tens of thousands attended the Budapest Pride march, with estimates ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 participants, despite a police ban imposed by Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government.
Cliff Notes – Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez marry in Venice. Jeff Bezos married Lauren Sanchez in a lavish ceremony on San Giorgio Maggiore island, Venice, featuring high-profile guests like Kim Kardashian and Oprah Winfrey. Amidst celebrations, protesters highlighted issues like taxes, affordable housing, and the environmental impact of the event, coining the slogan “No space for Bezos.” The wedding festivities, lasting three days and featuring around 27 outfits for Sanchez, reportedly cost between €40…
Cliff Notes – Scorching heat grips the European continent How Athens is preparing for wildfires — Focus on Europe Extreme heat is being felt across Europe with more in store over the coming days. Though the Wimbledon tennis tournament says, it is bracing for its hottest-ever start with temperatures expected to be around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), southern countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece look set to see temperatures far higher still. In…
