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- Europe must re-engage with President Putin – Macron
- Three Dead as BMW Crashes off A46; Woman Taken into Custody | UK News
- 25-Year-Old Woman Dies After Being Trapped in Bedroom During Hampshire Fire
- Historic 140-Year-Old Railway Bridge Beloved by Walkers Falls into River Spey
- Wales Set for Expecting Heavy Rain and Flooding: Prepare for Severe Weather
- Severe Rain and Flood Alerts: UK Braces for Major Weather Events
- New Specialist Teams for Sexual Offenses to Launch Across England and Wales
- Video: Hearts Gain Big VAR Advantage, Extend Lead Over Celtic by Six Points
🇺🇸 USA Brief | Top Stories so far …
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💧 Texas floods toll rises – Tragically, at least 82 people have died following flash floods in central Texas, including 27 summer-camp children. Rescue teams continue their search amid questions over emergency preparedness.
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📜 Trump’s tariff plans cause market jitters – As the July 9 deadline looms, President Trump has signalled new tariffs with letters set to hit trade partners soon—even as the Commerce Secretary clarifies they don’t take effect until August 1. Markets remain unsettled.
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🏛️ Trump signs “big, beautiful” budget bill – Congress has green-lit Trump’s major tax and spending package. While critics warn it inflates the deficit, the White House labels it a political feather in his cap.
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🛢️ EPA climate funding slashed – The Guardian reports the Trump administration has cancelled over US $2.7 billion in climate grants, including a crucial $20 million project in an Alaska village threatened by flood-driven erosion.
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🔧 Farm-worker activist detained – ICE has arrested Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez Zeferino, a prominent farm-worker organiser in Washington state, in what’s being called a politically motivated action amid a broader crackdown.
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🏛️ Musk launches “America Party” – Elon Musk has officially filed to form the America Party, positioning it as a fiscally conservative alternative targeting key congressional seats. Former ally Donald Trump has slammed the move as “ridiculous,” and markets are nervously watching whether this marks a permanent political departure for the billionaire.
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📉 Tesla shares dive – Following Musk’s political announcement, Tesla stock dropped almost 7% in pre-market trading, erasing about $70 billion in market value as investors worry the CEO’s focus is being diverted.
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⚽ USMNT lose Gold Cup final – The United States Men’s National Team were edged out 2–1 by Mexico in Houston, with Edson Álvarez scoring the winner, a tough defeat and key learning curve for coach Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
📅 Key Cultural & Business Events – This Week
WWE Evolution – 13 July, Atlanta, GA
American Control Conference – 8–10 July, Denver
AEW All In – 12 July, Arlington, TX
✍️ Thought of the day
Try to smile more today – even when alone. It lifts your mood and those around you.
🌼 Flower of the Week
Wild Marjoram (Origanum vulgare)
More than just a kitchen herb, wild marjoram bursts into purple-pink flowers in summer and is a magnet for butterflies and bees.
🐦 Bird of the Week
Green Woodpecker
With its laughing call and bright green plumage, this shy bird loves to feast on ants — often seen hopping on lawns rather than pecking trees.
Trump imposes 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, escalating trade tensions
President Donald Trump has confirmed a 35% tariff on Canadian imports, set to take effect on 1 August, citing Canada’s failure to curb fentanyl smuggling and persistent trade imbalances. This represents an increase from the 25% tariffs earlier introduced on autos, steel and aluminium. Trump has warned of further tariff hikes if Canada retaliates, and hinted at broader increases on all US trading partners.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to defend Canadian workers and continue negotiations, while exploring financial support for domestic aluminium producers. The move threatens long‑standing trade cooperation under USMCA, with a legal appeal to Trump’s tariff powers due in court on 31 July.
Reactions:
- President Trump (Truth Social): “Canada must help on fentanyl or face higher tariffs, and those made in the US won’t be hit.”
- Mark Carney: “We will defend Canadian jobs and keep negotiating.”
- Financial analyst (via Reuters): > “These tariffs disrupt North American supply chains and may lead to retaliatory measures.”
Media Bias & Framing:
- Guardian/AP/Reuters/Euronews emphasise the sharp tariff rise, the fentanyl justification, and legal uncertainty over Trump’s authority.
- Financial Times/Wall Street Journal focus on trade‑war escalation, USMCA risks, and market jitters (evidenced by the falling pound and rising gold and mining stocks).
- Economist voices and Canadian media portray Washington’s action as aggressive “bullying”, spurring a Canadian consumer boycott and surging nationalism.
Sentiment: Neutral–negative.
31 construction workers rescued after partial tunnel collapse in Los Angeles
During construction on a subterranean industrial tunnel in Wilmington, Los Angeles, a section collapsed roughly 400 feet underground, trapping 31 workers approximately 5–6 miles from the sole entrance. They navigated over a 12–15 ft mound of loose soil to safety, and were lifted out via crane-mounted cage by around 10 pm. Despite the severity of the incident, no serious injuries were reported. Emergency teams, over 100 personnel, responded swiftly; the project will remain paused pending a safety investigation. Residents and officials, including Mayor Karen Bass, praised both workers’ composure and first responders’ rapid action.
Reactions:
- Mayor Karen Bass (X): “Thank goodness—it could have been a tragedy. L.A.’s heroes acted fast.”
- Councilmember Tim McOsker: “Their calm under pressure illustrates professional training in action.”
- LAFD Interim Chief Ronnie Villanueva: > “Tonight, we were lucky” – highlighting the swift outcome of a high‑risk rescue.
Media Bias & Framing:
- AP/Reuters/CNN provide factual, measured reporting – detailing the collapse, rescue logistics, and lack of serious injuries without dramatisation .
- People/Business Insider emphasise the human element—workers’ bravery, municipal teamwork, and the scale of the submerged safety operation (People).
- The Sun/NY Post focus on dramatic rescue imagery, technical specifics, and comparisons with past tunnel disasters, underscoring disaster avoidance (The Sun).
📊 Sentiment: Neutral–positive. A potential catastrophe was averted, showcasing effective crisis response and worker resilience. Investigations into structural safety and project oversight will be essential before tunnelling resumes.
Tesla stock dives amid Musk’s America Party announcement and worsening feud with Trump
Tesla shares plunged around 7 per cent in pre-market trading after Elon Musk announced the launch of a new U.S. political party, dubbed the “America Party”, and reignited a public feud with former President Donald Trump. This follows Trump’s criticism of Musk’s move and the recent passage of his “One Big Beautiful Bill”, which eliminates a $7,500 EV tax credit and reduces Tesla’s credit‑sales revenue. A downgrade by analysts at William Blair, citing weakened profitability, and investor backlash over Musk’s political distraction during a critical phase for AI and autonomous vehicle projects, intensified the stock sell-off. Tesla shares remain down about 21 per cent year‑to‑date despite earlier rebounds. Analyst Dan Ives (Wedbush) urges Musk to refocus on business, warning that escalating tensions with Trump could create regulatory and financial headwinds.
🔁 Reactions:
- Donald Trump: “It’s ridiculous – third parties never work. Musk has gone ‘off the rails.’”
- Dan Ives (Wedbush): “Investors want him focused on Tesla’s AI future, not politics.”
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent: > “Boards will want Musk focusing on his companies, not political ventures.” (marketwatch.com)
📰 Media Bias & Framing:
- MarketWatch/Bloomberg/CNN note the sharp drop and attribute it to Musk’s political pivot and tax-credit loss.
- Reuters/Wall Street Journal highlight the tension between Musk’s political ambitions and investor expectations during a transformative phase for Tesla’s AI and robotaxi plans.
- Financial Times contextualises within broader U.S. political volatility, Musk’s feud with Trump, the third-party announcement, and investor uncertainty.
📊 Sentiment: Negative–neutral. The reaction reflects investor unease and mounting pressure. Though Tesla’s long-term AI and EV strategy still retains confidence, Musk’s political distraction is seen as a potential drag on momentum and stock value.
Texas flash floods kill dozens at summer camp as emergency efforts intensify
Devastating flash floods along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas, have claimed at least 82 lives, including 27 campers and counsellors from Camp Mystic – a girls’ summer camp – and left more than 40 people missing as of Monday. The floodwaters surged about 26 ft in 45 minutes, overwhelming cabins and triggering a search-and-rescue operation that has now shifted into recovery mode amid ongoing flash flood warnings. Authorities report over 800 rescues by first responders and volunteers, including Coast Guard helicopters.
Survivors and local residents have criticised the lack of early warning, citing the absence of sirens in the flood-prone region, with potential failures at the National Weather Service under scrutiny due to past staffing cuts. The camp’s owner, Dick Eastland, died during the crisis after reportedly attempting to save campers.
🔁 Reactions:
- President Trump (via announcement): “I’m declaring a major disaster for Kerr County and will visit.”
- Pope Leo XIV: > “We pray for the victims and their families” (theguardian.com)
- Camp Mystic nurse Devon Paige: > “We sang hymns as we evacuated … it kept us calm.” (people.com)
📰 Media Bias & Framing:
- The Guardian/AP/Reuters emphasise the human toll, rescue efforts, and questions over emergency preparedness (theguardian.com).
- People/NY Post provides emotional and personal angles-singing campers, celebrity solidarity, and family tragedies.
- Business Insider/WSJ include meteorological context, extraordinary rainfall volumes, alongside assessments of federal response and infrastructure resilience.
📊 Sentiment: Negative–neutral. The event is a horrific human tragedy exposing gaps in early-warning systems and flash flood responses. Rescue successes offer hope, yet ongoing uncertainty, scrutiny of preparedness, and further storm risks cast a long shadow.
Trump imposes steep tariffs on Brunei, Moldova, Libya and others, with Brazil hit hardest
President Trump has issued new tariff letters, announcing duties effective 1 August on exports from seven smaller nations, Brunei (25%), Moldova (25%), the Philippines (20%), Algeria (30%), Iraq (30%), Libya (30%), and Sri Lanka (30%), despite their relatively small trade volumes with the U.S. Additionally, Brazil faces a 50% tariff, justified by Trump as retaliation for its legal treatment of former President Bolsonaro and digital regulations he deems hostile. These moves follow his earlier “Liberation Day” tariffs and a delayed 90‑day implementation window.
While Trump insists these tariffs reflect “common sense” and reciprocity, analysts criticise the approach as ad hoc and likely to raise U.S. import prices. With trade gaps largely with larger economies like China, Japan and South Korea, targeting small nations raises questions about coherence and global economic impact. The Fed is reportedly cautious, closely monitoring market reaction.
Implementation details:
• Tariffs start 1 August after a three‑week extension.
• Letters set baseline and country-specific duties; rates may adjust depending on negotiations.
• Brazil’s 50% tariff stems from political tensions rather than trade deficits.
🔁 Reactions:
- People’s Daily (China) labelled the tariffs “bullying” and warned of tough retaliation.
- Marco Rubio is touring Asia to calm allies worried the tariff push could undercut US–ASEAN ties.
- Phil Luck (CSIS): > “It’s unclear how three more weeks’ delay changes that dynamic. It appears ad hoc.”
📰 Media Bias & Framing:
- Washington Post/Reuters/AP report the full rollout and timing, emphasising scale and evolving targets. (Time)
- Time/Politico perceive the strategy as unilateral and disruptive, noting market confusion and diplomatic ripple effects.
- WSJ/ET provide concise tariff breakdowns with early investor caution on inflation and supply chain risks.
📊 Sentiment: Negative–neutral. The tariff blitz signals Trump’s aggressive trade posture, but its haphazard targeting of small economies raises worries over inflation, diplomatic strain and strategic coherence in U.S. trade policy.
Trump delays tariff implementation to 1 August amid global trade deal push
President Trump has postponed the roll-out of planned tariffs, originally scheduled by July 9, to take effect on August 1 instead. He will send letters this week to around 100 countries, designating new tariff rates (a baseline of 10%, with potential hikes up to 50% and an additional 10% for BRICS-aligned nations). The delays aim to buy time as negotiations, especially with the EU, UK, India, Japan and Vietnam, enter their final stages. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said letters would be sent by 9 July, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed implementation on 1 August.
🔁 Reactions:
- Donald Trump: “Tariffs go in effect August 1 but letters/deals by July 9.”
- Scott Bessent: “Progress is good with the EU, UK and others – letters coming Monday.” (tbsnews.net)
- EU trade spokesperson: “Time is money – we want a deal by Wednesday.”
📰 Media Bias & Framing:
- The Guardian, Reuters and AP present the shift as a strategic pause to continue trade talks and clarify policy details. (theguardian.com)
- Politico/FT note leader frustration, especially in Europe, and frame it as a “moveable feast” causing global market jitter.
- The Daily Beast (insider report) casts the delay as partly performative, calling tariffs “more stunt than substance”. (thedailybeast.com)
📊 Sentiment: Neutral–negative. The delay offers breathing space for negotiations, but growing confusion over timing and tariff scope has unsettled markets and allies, raising concerns about unpredictability in U.S. trade policy.
A round up of what the Politicians have been doing.
*Denotes wanted for war crimes.
The prime minister welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron for a three-day state visit where the PM is set to push for a deal between the UK and France on the
Tracking Trump’s presidency Live:
Trump made an angry start to the week displaying his frustration at Israel.
On Tuesday he headed to NATO to secure billions of spending for
Israel’s Netanyahu is visiting the US, with a ceasefire in Gaza at the top of the agenda. Trump has also confirmed the US will be sending more weapons to Ukraine.
Tracking Trump’s presidency Live:
Trump made an angry start to the week displaying his frustration at Israel.
On Tuesday he headed to NATO to secure billions of spending for
- Syrian Leader
Tracking Trump’s presidency Live:
Trump made an angry start to the week displaying his frustration at Israel.
On Tuesday he headed to NATO to secure billions of spending for
On Monday, the European Commissioner was fighting for her political career as she appeared before MEPs ahead of her facing a no-confidence vote on Thursday.
Tracking Trump’s presidency Live:
Trump made an angry start to the week displaying his frustration at Israel.
On Tuesday he headed to NATO to secure billions of spending for
Tracking Trump’s presidency Live:
Trump made an angry start to the week displaying his frustration at Israel.
On Tuesday he headed to NATO to secure billions of spending for
Tracking Trump’s presidency Live:
Trump made an angry start to the week displaying his frustration at Israel.
On Tuesday he headed to NATO to secure billions of spending for
✍️ Quote of the Week
“History is a set of lies agreed upon.” — Napoleon Bonaparte
This week’s news shows how narratives — whether political, digital, or economic — can be engineered, exposed, or reimagined. The truth, as ever, lies between the lines, but there is no doubt, that history belongs to the victor.
🕵️ No, Macron did not hide cocaine on a train to Ukraine
A viral video claiming French President Emmanuel Macron was “caught red-handed” hiding a cocaine bag on a train to Ukraine has been thoroughly debunked by France 24’s fact-checking team. The footage, which showed Macron holding a white pouch before tucking it into his coat, was deceptively edited. The object was a known brand of French facial tissue.
The clip gained traction on platforms like X and TikTok, fuelled by conspiracy influencers. AI analysis of the video confirmed digital tampering.
This story reflects the increasing use of manipulated media to undermine political figures — particularly during periods of tension like Macron’s current Green rebellion.
Key takeaway: In an age of digital warfare, viral misinformation can move faster than diplomacy.
This weeks global cultural & business events provides a round up of the highlights key events taking place around the world. You don’t need a private jet to get around, some are virtual as well.
🌍 Global Cultural & Business Events This Week
- 🇮🇹 La Biennale di Venezia – Venice
- 🇺🇸 G7 Finance Ministers Summit – New York
- 🇺🇳 UN Digital Inclusion Forum – Geneva
- 🇩🇪 Berlin Design Week – Berlin
- 🇺🇸 SXSW EDU Europe – London
🏛️ Political events to keep your eyes on
- NATO: Turkey requests joint monitoring of PKK disbandment
- IMF: Revises 2025 global growth forecast to 3.2%
- UNESCO: Adds Gaza’s Old Port to watchlist of threatened heritage sites
- WHO: Issues early warning for rising dengue clusters in Asia
- World Bank: Launches climate adaptation bond for Sahel nations
FEATURED EVENT – International Summit – Tirana, Albania
Meeting of the European Political Community, 16 May 2025
The sixth meeting of the European Political Community will bring together leaders from across the continent in Tirana, Albania under the theme ‘New Europe in a new world: unity – cooperation – joint action’.
The EU will be represented by the President of the European Council, António Costa, who will co-chair the meeting along with the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama.
🖼️ Art/Culture Highlight – Kunsthaus Zurich: “Surveillance and the Self”
An exhibition tracing the history. A Future for the Past
The exhibition focuses on various – also contradictory – perspectives on the historical context in which the arms manufacturer and patron Emil G. Bührle built up his collection: it highlights the biographies of former owners of individual works, whose sale took place under questionable circumstances, and the question of how a differentiated approach to history can succeed in the immediate present.
The Bührle Collection: art, context, war and conflict.
✍️ Thought of the day
We’ve delveoped this need to move on to the ‘next thing’ standing in one place seems to make one anxious. That may be because of the way we are being engineered, the thirst for more. But the negative impact of that is, we rarely get to enjoy the moment.
When enjoying a meal, a walk in nature, or any other activity, pay attention to the details and fully experience it, just stand still (figuratively) and process what you have done, The next, more is not always better.
“We’re not debating tax policy — we’re debating the soul of America.”
— Senator Elizabeth Warren, responding to Trump’s new tax bill and its effect on working-class families.
Iowa Becomes First US State to Strip Trans Civil Rights Protection
Iowa has become the first U.S. state to strip gender identity from its civil rights code, meaning trans and non‑binary people are no longer protected from discrimination in housing, employment, education or public spaces, and are now barred from changing gender markers on birth certificates—this comes into effect on 1 July 2025 under Senate File 418, which also enshrines a strict binary definition of sex and removes Medicaid coverage for gender‑affirming care
Lots of sporting action is taking place across the USA this week, as American footballers prepare to return ahead of a new season. There’s the final of the Club World Cup to look forward to on Sunday. Superstar Beyoncé is on tour, and there are some big business events too!
USA Events Guide: 7–13 July 2025
📅 Key Events Snapshot
- Major League Cricket – Ongoing (Finals: 14 July)
- WWE Evolution – 13 July, Atlanta, GA
- AEW All In – 12 July, Arlington, TX
- DigiMarCon East & TECHSPO – 7–8 July, New York
- American Control Conference – 8–10 July, Denver
- National Dental Association Convention – 10–13 July, Kansas City
🏅 Sports & Entertainment
Major League Cricket (MLC)
America’s flagship T20 cricket league is reaching its climax, with playoffs beginning this week and the final on 14 July. Featuring international stars, it’s a milestone in US cricket growth.
WWE Evolution – 13 July (Atlanta, GA)
WWE’s all-women’s pay-per-view returns, hosted at the State Farm Arena. Expect headline bouts and global streaming via Peacock and Netflix.
AEW All In – 12 July (Arlington, TX)
Massive wrestling event at Globe Life Field featuring top AEW talent, fan expos, and global coverage.
Big 12 Football Media Days – 8–9 July (Frisco, TX)
Preseason gathering of coaches and players, with press conferences ahead of the 2025 college football season.
🎤 Culture & Music
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour – Ongoing
The global superstar’s country-infused stadium tour continues with key dates in the southern US this week, drawing massive crowds and global media attention.
💼 Business & Industry
DigiMarCon East & TECHSPO New York – 7–8 July (Brooklyn)
Two flagship conferences for digital marketing, martech, and emerging technologies. Speakers from Google, Meta, and top startups.
American Control Conference – 8–10 July (Denver)
Leading engineers and academics gather to discuss cutting-edge systems theory, robotics, and AI in control engineering.
National Dental Association Convention – 10–13 July (Kansas City)
Major professional conference for Black dental professionals featuring workshops, networking, and public health outreach.
UNITED Education Summit – 11–13 July (Seattle)
National conference for school leaders, focused on equity, innovation, and public education reform.
Lessons in leading through crisis from Jacinda Ardern
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shares insights and lessons in leading through crisis, reflecting on the challenges of leadership at the highest levels.
She shares how her empathetic leadership style, shaped by self-doubt, that drove her with the power of transparent communication and leading with trust, not ego, allowed her to move forward decisively.
Here are the Key Takeaways from her interview on Leadership:
1 – Imposter Syndrome Can Be a Leadership Asset
2 – Trust Is Built Through Honesty, Not Perfection
3 – Empathy and Resilience Aren’t Mutually Exclusive
4 – Crisis Is an Opportunity to Advance Policy Goals
5 – Sustainable Leadership Requires Self-Awareness
A bit of travel inspiration from some of our favourite places and best deals.
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