Two high-ranking officials from France’s far-right National Rally, Jordan Bardella and Sébastien Chenu, suggested ousting Prime Minister François Bayrou, citing his failure to address their legislative priorities. This comes after Marine Le Pen’s embezzlement conviction and subsequent ban from running for president. The party frames the case as a judicial witch hunt against Le Pen, a leading presidential candidate. The National Rally, crucial in the French National Assembly, has not yet supported no-confidence motions against Bayrou but may use legislative priorities as a pretext to challenge his government. Noah Prescott 07/04/2025 2:30 pm
A Palestinian-American teenager, Omar Mohammed Saada Rabea, 14, was killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank near Turmus Ayya. Two other 14-year-olds were injured. The Israeli military claimed they fired at “terrorists” throwing stones at a highway. The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the act as an “extrajudicial killing.” Violence has surged in the West Bank following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The incident occurred as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was set to meet President Trump to discuss regional issues. Noah Prescott 07/04/2025 2:30 pm
Asian markets plunged as US futures indicated significant Wall Street losses due to Trump’s tariffs. Trump denied engineering a selloff, insisting on resolving trade deficits before making deals. Despite seeking compromise, he claimed countries were eager to negotiate. China retaliated with tariffs, escalating the trade war and causing Asian stocks to drop sharply. US oil prices fell below $60 a barrel. Israeli PM Netanyahu planned talks with Trump, while UK PM Starmer highlighted the need for new alliances. Over 50 countries expressed interest in negotiations, according to the White House. Penelope Kingsley 07/04/2025 2:30 pm
Asian shares plummeted on Monday following Wall Street’s decline due to U.S. President Trump’s tariff hikes and China’s response. U.S. futures indicated further losses, with the S&P 500 down 2.5%, Dow Jones down 2.1%, and Nasdaq down 3.1%. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 dropped nearly 8% at opening, settling at a 6% loss by midday. A circuit breaker temporarily halted Topix futures trading after a sharp decline. Noah Prescott 07/04/2025 2:30 pm
Israeli troops created a “kill zone” in Gaza by flattening farmland and residential areas, according to a report by Breaking the Silence. The buffer zone, initially 800-1,500 meters wide, was expanded to prevent attacks like the October 7, 2023, assault by Hamas, which killed 1,200 people. Soldiers described using bulldozers and explosives to destroy 3,500 buildings and 35% of Gaza’s farmland. The Israeli military did not comment on the report, which highlights the harsh methods used during the operation. Penelope Kingsley 07/04/2025 2:30 pm
Several Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq are ready to disarm to prevent conflict with the U.S. Trump administration. This decision follows U.S. warnings to Iraq to disband militias or face airstrikes. Discussions between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and militia leaders are advanced, with groups like Kataib Hezbollah inclined to comply. Militia commanders acknowledge the risk of U.S. targeting and aim to avoid escalation. Penelope Kingsley 07/04/2025 11:00 am
Marine Le Pen, convicted of embezzling public funds and banned from office, addressed supporters in Paris, asserting her fight against injustice. Thousands gathered at Place Vauban for what appeared to be a campaign rally, despite being billed as a protest. The National Rally, Le Pen’s party, organized the event, claiming her conviction was politically motivated. Jordan Bardella, party president, criticized France’s judiciary, accusing them of silencing opposition. Supporters displayed signs against judicial interference, signaling defiance against France’s institutions and rallying for Le Pen’s future candidacy. Ava Sinclair 07/04/2025 11:00 am
The US Commerce Secretary defended tariffs on the uninhabited Heard and McDonald islands to close loopholes and prevent transshipment to the US. Australia was surprised by the tariffs, calling them a mistake. The US aims to stop countries from exploiting trade routes. The tariffs come amid a stock market drop and concerns over transshipment, which can obscure trade data. Despite minimal exports from the islands, the US imported $1.4 million in machinery and electrical products from there in 2022. Ava Sinclair 07/04/2025 11:00 am
Israel has expanded its control over more than 50% of the Gaza Strip, creating a large military buffer zone by demolishing Palestinian homes and infrastructure. This expansion aims to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages but raises concerns about long-term control. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel will maintain security control in Gaza even after defeating Hamas. Soldiers report systematic destruction to prevent Palestinians from returning, as documented by Breaking The Silence, an anti-occupation veterans group. Noah Prescott 07/04/2025 11:00 am
Several Iranian-backed militias in Iraq are ready to disarm to avoid conflict with the US, following warnings from the Trump administration. Discussions between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and militia leaders are advanced, with groups inclined to comply. The militias, part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, have Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ approval to avoid conflict. Some have already reduced their presence in major cities. The Iraqi government aims to ensure all weapons are under state control through dialogue. Ava Sinclair 07/04/2025 7:30 am
