Pakistani, Qatari, and Egyptian negotiators held new mediatory talks with the US and Iran over the weekend. This comes after the US launched new strikes on Iran and the IRGC claimed to destroy US facilities in Kuwait, despite a prior ceasefire agreement.
A group of EU countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain, are pushing the European Commission to propose limiting trade with illegal Israeli settlements. This move faces opposition from the Commission and countries like Germany, creating a standoff over EU Middle East policy.
Myanmar's foreign minister informed ASEAN's special envoy that detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi is in good health and will be cared for. Suu Kyi, 81, is serving a sentence following a 2021 military coup. ASEAN foreign ministers met with their Myanmar counterpart to revive a stalled peace initiative.
Burundi is seeking Russian technical assistance for the construction of small nuclear power plants. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Burundi has signed a memorandum with Rosatom, and training for Burundian nationals is already underway in Russia.
Germany's Bundestag approved a healthcare reform package aimed at saving €16.3 billion. Measures include higher patient co-payments for medications, stricter co-insurance rules for spouses, and reduced coverage for certain treatments. The bill now moves to the Bundesrat, with protests anticipated.
Germany's Bundestag approved a cost-cutting healthcare reform package aimed at saving €16.3 billion. The bill, facing expected protests, now moves to the Bundesrat. Separately, new liability rules for e-scooter companies passed, and inflation dropped to 2.3% in June.
EU foreign ministers are set to meet on July 13 to discuss Gaza and the West Bank, including settlement trade and potential sanctions. However, past inaction, often masked by a "lack of consensus," suggests meaningful action against Israel is unlikely, despite legal grounds and international court rulings.
Germany's Bundestag is poised to vote on a healthcare savings package impacting doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and the pharma industry from 2027. Measures include higher co-payments and tighter co-insurance rules. Attempts to delay the vote via the Constitutional Court were rejected.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow no longer believes the West is genuinely interested in negotiating an end to the Ukraine conflict. He accused the West of "imitating a willingness to negotiate while openly issuing ultimatums to Russia."
Mozambican Foreign Minister Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas announced that Russia and Mozambique will convene an intergovernmental commission meeting in September, focusing on economic, technical, and scientific cooperation. The minister also expressed gratitude for Russia's assistance following floods and support during Mozambique's UN Security Council term.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia has lost all trust in the West's willingness to achieve a negotiated solution for Ukraine, citing past broken agreements and the West's alleged undermining of a 2022 deal. He thanked Mozambique for its balanced stance at the UN.
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Maputo to discuss economic modernization and bilateral cooperation. Lavrov highlighted African nations' desire to process natural resources locally and agreed to consider Mozambique's reform plans for future economic commission meetings.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Mozambique for a working visit, marking the third stop on his African tour after Ethiopia and Niger. He is scheduled to meet with Mozambican leadership and hold talks with Foreign Minister Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to US President Donald Trump's 'scum' and 'violent people' remarks, calling them 'vulgarity.' Trump stated the ceasefire with Iran was 'over' and called its leadership 'sick' and 'vicious.' The US conducted strikes in Iran following attacks on commercial ships.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that African countries are undergoing a 'second awakening,' seeking to manage their own natural resources and ensure added value is realized on the continent, not exported. He noted this follows political independence gained after the UN's 1960 decolonization declaration.
Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tchiani met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Niamey. The meeting followed four-party talks involving Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. Lavrov's visit aims to attend the Russia-Alliance of Sahel States ministerial meeting.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Niger for a meeting with the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS), focusing on regional security and counter-terrorism. This visit follows Niger's withdrawal from ECOWAS and the formation of a confederation with Mali and Burkina Faso, aiming for greater sovereignty and independent resource utilization.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi in Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday. They discussed bolstering bilateral ties and trilateral cooperation with the U.S., including denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and SMR deployments in the Indo-Pacific.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that a US attack on Iran violates clauses 1 and 2 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, as reported by Fars agency. CENTCOM had previously announced strikes against Iran in response to alleged attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned the "ruthless" US embargo at the UN General Assembly, citing record damages of $8 billion and "collective punishment." Most regional blocs supported Cuba, while the US faced diplomatic pressure to prevent the debate.
Poland has supplied Ukraine with $4.5 billion worth of weapons since 2022, including Patriot missile systems, according to top defense official Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. Meanwhile, Russia claims it controls over 50% of a buffer zone in Ukraine's Sumy and Kharkov regions, and Moscow recorded its largest drone attack in two years.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla stated at a UN session that Cuba maintains domestic stability despite a US energy blockade. He noted that power outages are increasing, affecting daily life and essential services like gas and water supply.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the European economy, including Germany's, is in a dire state, with social benefits being cut and businesses relocating to more favorable conditions in the US. He noted that budget funds infused into arms production are currently sustaining the economy.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced Moscow will share Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) investigations with African partners to counter Western misinformation. He cited past accusations against Russia, including the Litvinenko and Skripal cases, and the 2022 Bucha events, for which he claims no names of victims were provided by the BBC.
