Truce negotiations continue between Israel and Hamas amidst UN expert calls for companies to cease business with Israel, as US-brokered talks between Israel and Syria aim to resolve border conflicts, and cultural events like Gaza musicians performing in Sydney highlight the broader impact of the region's turmoil, tragically punctuated by the killing of a Gaza hospital director in an Israeli strike and ongoing reports of firms profiting from the conflict.

• Where Do Israel-Hamas Truce Negotiations Stand? — New York Times World -
• Trump confirms Putin call to take place today as Zelenskyy says they don’t ‘have a lot of common ideas’ to discuss – Europe live — The Guardian -
• UN expert calls for companies to stop doing business with Israel — BBC World -

• ‘A plea for connection’: Gaza musicians bring the Levant to Sydney Opera House — The Guardian -
• UN expert asks states to cut trade ties with Israel over ‘genocidal campaign’ in Gaza – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Four remanded in custody after aircraft damaged at RAF Brize Norton — The Guardian -
• Israel and Syria in U.S.-Brokered Talks to End Border Conflict, Trump Envoy Says — New York Times World -
• Gaza hospital director killed in Israeli strike, relative says — BBC World -
• Global firms ‘profiting from genocide’ in Gaza, says UN rapporteur — The Guardian -
• Thursday Briefing — New York Times World -
• The truth about Iran’s nuclear programme – podcast — The Guardian -

The Trump administration's agenda drives headlines, with debates over a major tax and welfare bill passing procedural steps in the House, strong job growth reported amidst a trade war, and critical comments from Obama regarding Biden's re-election campaign surfacing, alongside controversial EPA program cuts and calls for the central bank head to resign, while the US also warms ties with Syria and pursues trade deals with the EU to avoid new tariffs.

• Trump confirms Putin call to take place today as Zelenskyy says they don’t ‘have a lot of common ideas’ to discuss – Europe live — The Guardian -
• New book details how Obama slammed Biden’s re-election bid: ‘Your campaign is a mess’ — The Guardian -
• EU closing in on ‘framework’ trade deal with US to avoid Trump’s 50% tariffs — The Guardian -

• US adds 147,000 jobs in June, surpassing expectations amid Trump trade war — The Guardian -
• US tax-and-spending bill debated in House – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Trump’s bill of tax and welfare cuts passes step in House | First Thing — The Guardian -
• ‘It’s harsh. It’s mean, brutal’: Trump bill to cause most harm to America’s poorest — The Guardian -
• EPA to launch program that lets people adopt its lab animals amid Trump cuts — The Guardian -
• Scientists warn US will lose a generation of talent because of Trump cuts — The Guardian -
• Trump’s tax-and-spending bill passes step in House, paving way for legislation — The Guardian -
• Trump's mega-bill heads for final vote in overnight US House session — BBC World -
• As U.S. Warms Ties With Syria, What Does It Expect? — New York Times World -
• Trump calls on US central bank head to quit immediately — BBC World -

Key policy discussions and political events shape the UK agenda, including Rachel Reeves's emotional response at PMQs and her reassurance about her role as Chancellor, Starmer's ambitious 10-year plan for the NHS, and Jeremy Corbyn's hint at forming a new leftwing party, while smaller firms are set to escape burdensome Companies House filing rules, **P&O Ferries' boss receives a controversial pay rise after mass dismissals, and the rail regulator rejects Virgin's bid for the west coast mainline**.

• Smaller firms to escape ‘burdensome’ Companies House filing rules — The Guardian -
• P&O Ferries boss got pay rise of at least 55% after firing almost 800 workers — The Guardian -
• ‘Clearly I was upset,’ says Reeves as she responds to questions about tears at PMQs – UK politics live — The Guardian -

• Farms in England could be taken out of food production to boost nature, says Labour — The Guardian -
• Rachel Reeves says she is ‘cracking on with the job’ after Commons tears — The Guardian -
• Starmer outlines 10-year plan to change NHS ‘from sickness service to health service’ — The Guardian -
• Jeremy Corbyn hints at launch of new party as leftwing alternative to Labour — The Guardian -
• UK rail regulator rejects Virgin’s bid for west coast mainline route — The Guardian -
• Currys boss urges government not to raise taxes on retailers — The Guardian -
• Wes Streeting: ‘half my colleagues’ in Commons using weight loss drugs — The Guardian -
• PM shoulders blame for welfare fiasco and says No 10 ‘didn’t get process right’ — The Guardian -
• Nearly 1,000 Britons will keep shorter working week after trial — The Guardian -

The world faces severe environmental challenges, including wildfires forcing evacuations in Greece and Crete amidst an ongoing European heatwave, and extreme pollen levels triggering widespread allergies, while a deadly ferry sinking near Bali highlights maritime safety issues, and Japan experiences over 900 earthquakes in two weeks, alongside a fatal bear attack in Romania, and calls to ban 'forever chemicals' in school uniforms.

• Crete wildfire forces 1,500 to evacuate as Europe heatwave continues — The Guardian -
• Bear kills motorcyclist in Romanian mountains — BBC World -
• What to Know About the Heat Wave in Europe — New York Times World -

• Greece Wildfire Forces Evacuation of 1,500 People From Island of Crete — New York Times World -
• Don’t Like Eating Insects? Your Pet Might. — New York Times World -
• Rescuers racing to find survivors after ferry bound for Bali carrying 65 people sinks — The Guardian -
• 5 Dead and 29 Missing After Ferry Sinks Near Bali — New York Times World -
• Wildfire forces evacuation of thousands on Greek island of Crete — BBC World -
• Europe’s extreme pollen triggered symptoms in those not known to have allergies, data shows — The Guardian -
• Six dead, dozens missing after ferry sinks off Bali — BBC World -
• ‘Gives everyone a bit more hope’: NSW grateful for wild weather reprieve but many face damage worth thousands — The Guardian -
• Beachgoers look on as wildfires burn in Greece — BBC World -
• Japan islanders sleepless after 900 earthquakes in two weeks — BBC World -
• ‘Forever chemicals’ in school uniforms could be banned under proposed law — The Guardian -
• Japan’s Tokara islands hit by 900 earthquakes in two weeks — The Guardian -
• Flood threat ongoing for parts of NSW and Victoria as east coast weather system subsides — The Guardian -

The tragic death of Liverpool and Portugal footballer Diogo Jota in a car crash prompts widespread grief and tributes from fans and prominent figures like Jürgen Klopp and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Angélique Kidjo receives a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, Oasis prepares for a reunion tour opening night in Cardiff, Sean "Diddy" Combs is found guilty of prostitution-related counts, and the BBC decides to drop "high risk" live performances after a controversial Glastonbury set.

• Diogo Jota, Liverpool Soccer Star, Dies in Car Crash at 28 — New York Times World -
• Angélique Kidjo first black African to get Hollywood Walk of Fame star — BBC World -
• 'A symbol of hope & inspiration - Jota was a Portuguese hero' — BBC World -

• Will it be rowdier than the rugby? Cardiff gears up for Oasis reunion opening night — The Guardian -
• Skirting the issue: Designer dress goes missing from Bezos-Sánchez wedding — The Guardian -
• ‘Truly awful’: rival fans united in grief at Anfield after death of Diogo Jota — The Guardian -
• ‘I’m heartbroken’: Jürgen Klopp leads tributes after Diogo Jota dies aged 28 — The Guardian -
• BBC to drop ‘high risk’ live performances after Bob Vylan Glastonbury set — The Guardian -
• JD Twitch of Scottish DJ duo Optimo diagnosed with untreatable brain tumour — The Guardian -
• Diogo Jota, Liverpool and Portugal footballer, dies aged 28 in car crash — The Guardian -
• Federal government throws support behind LNP’s controversial new Olympic Games venue at Brisbane’s Victoria Park — The Guardian -
• Creative Australia apologises to Khaled Sabsabi for ‘hurt and pain’ after Venice Biennale reinstatement — The Guardian -
• Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs found guilty on two of five counts as lawyers call verdict ‘great victory’ — The Guardian -
• Watch: What to know about the Diddy verdict - and what comes next — BBC World -

Significant legal and human rights cases are unfolding globally, with Kilmar Ábrego García alleging torture in an El Salvador prison, the US Supreme Court agreeing to review bans on transgender athletes in female sports, Tommy Robinson denying harassment charges against journalists, and a deadly shooting incident at a Chicago party, alongside a former criminology student admitting to the Idaho student murders, and the Met Police facing accusations of curtailing protest rights.

• Kilmar Ábrego García alleges torture and abuse in El Salvador prison — BBC World -
• US Supreme Court to review bans on trans athletes in female sports — BBC World -
• US supreme court to weigh transgender student sports bans in key rights case — The Guardian -

• Top Atlanta cop consulted for tech firm providing surveillance software to city — The Guardian -
• Tommy Robinson denies harassing two MailOnline journalists — The Guardian -
• Four dead and 14 injured in shooting at Chicago party for rapper Mello Buckzz — The Guardian -
• WA police who shot dead Aboriginal woman did not make meaningful attempts to de-escalate, coroner finds — The Guardian -
• Met police accused of ‘assault on right to protest’ after tenfold rise in nuisance law arrests — The Guardian -
• Man admits murders of four Idaho students in deal to avoid death penalty — BBC World -

Political shifts and social debates are prominent across the Asia-Pacific, including discussions within Australia's Liberal party on gender imbalance and new legislation to fast-track childcare safety after alarming allegations, while North Korea's new beach resort opens without foreigners, South Korea's new president adopts a relaxed style after a martial law crisis, and Indonesia grapples with the affordability of a free school lunch program.

• Frontbencher proposes alternative to quotas as Liberal party agonises over gender imbalance — The Guardian -
• ​North Korea Beach Resort Opens With Fanfare but No Foreigners — New York Times World -
• Royal Prince Alfred hospital management pauses cuts across women and babies unit after protests — The Guardian -

• Relaxed style and no mention of Yoon: key takeaways from two hours with South Korea’s new president — The Guardian -
• Federal government to fast-track childcare safety legislation as Victoria appoints Jay Weatherill to conduct snap review of sector — The Guardian -
• In the wake of childcare allegations, how should I talk to my kids about body safety? — The Guardian -
• Concerns Melbourne childcare worker charged with sexual abuse offences had wider work history than initially disclosed — The Guardian -
• South Korea revises martial law rules after political crisis — BBC World -
• Weatherill to lead Victorian childcare review – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Australian consumer watchdog issues public warning about ‘ghost stores’ and urges Meta and Shopify to crack down — The Guardian -
• Indian state defends Zumba lessons for students amid protests — BBC World -
• Can Indonesia Afford Prabowo’s Free School Lunch Program? — New York Times World -
• Lovebugs Swarm South Korea’s Capital, Drawing Residents’ Ire — New York Times World -
• North Korean Tech Workers Infiltrating Companies Around World, U.S. Says — New York Times World -
• Dalai Lama Tightens Grip on Reins of Succession in the Face of Chinese Pressure — New York Times World -

Major military and political developments impact global stability, as a deputy commander of the Russian navy is killed near the Ukraine frontline, and Chechnya's strongman, Ramzan Kadyrov, is visibly ailing, sparking speculation about succession in the region.

• Deputy commander of Russian navy killed in strike near Ukraine frontline — The Guardian -
• Chechnya’s Strongman Is Visibly Ailing. The Russian Region Is Bracing for Succession. — New York Times World -

Diverse international stories highlight various societal and political trends, including a significant shake-up in Nigerian politics, Trinidad and Tobago's controversial decision to honor Indian PM Modi, Austrian far-right MPs facing criticism for lucrative side jobs, South Africa's coalition government maintaining its rocky alliance, and Oman introducing the first income tax in the Persian Gulf, alongside the Pope's summer return to Castel Gandolfo and the opening of the Jonestown Massacre site to tourists.

• Sandy Gall, War Correspondent Without Swagger, Dies at 97 — New York Times World -
• Big shake-up in Nigerian politics as heavyweights join forces — BBC World -
• Scientists spot mystery object believed to come from beyond solar system — The Guardian -

• Trinidad and Tobago’s move to honor Indian PM Modi divides opinion — The Guardian -
• The Pope Returns to Castel Gandolfo for Summer. And There Will Be Tennis. — New York Times World -
• The Site of the Jonestown Massacre Is Opening to Tourists — New York Times World -
• South Africa's political marriage of convenience avoids divorce - just — BBC World -
• ‘Preaching water, drinking wine’: Austrians mock far-right MPs for lucrative side jobs — The Guardian -
• The First Income Tax in the Persian Gulf Signals a Changing Economic Reality — New York Times World -