**Summary:** Saudi and US armed forces executed targeted strikes against Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq, citing self-defense after recent drone attacks on Saudi petroleum facilities.

**Key points:**
- Saudi Defense Ministry spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki stated the operation was based on the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
- The US Central Command confirmed joint precision strikes in Iraq on July 28 targeting Iran-aligned groups directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- Iraqi security sources reported explosions and targeted sites in areas including Wasit and Basra provinces.

**Why it matters:** This military action marks a significant escalation involving cross-border strikes by Saudi Arabia and the United States against Iran-backed groups in Iraq in response to attacks on energy infrastructure.

jordanzad.com - السعودية تعلن تنفيذ ضربات داخل العراق بالتعاون مع الولايات المتحدة

khabaronline.ir - بیانیه وزارت دفاع عربستان در حمله به مقاومت عراق

yjc.ir - حمله مشترک آمریکا و عربستان به پایگاه‌های مقاومت در عراق

Saudi Arabia and US Carry Out Joint Strikes in Iraq

**Summary:** The US Senate voted 86-12 to advance a sanctions bill targeting Russia and Iran, featuring measures against Russian energy buyers and support for Ukraine.

**Key points:**
- The legislative initiative was originally developed by the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
- The measure allows the US president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with American senators in Washington to discuss the bill and the use of frozen Russian assets.
- Provisions regarding Iran include extending the sanctions regime against Tehran through 2031.

**Why it matters:** The proposed legislation represents a significant escalation in Western economic pressure against Russia and Iran, while providing crucial diplomatic and strategic support to Ukraine.

pravda.com.ua - Сенат США на процедурному голосуванні підтримав законопроєкт про санкції проти РФ

tsn.ua - Сенат США наблизив ухвалення "пекельних санкцій" проти Росії: як проголосували

tsn.ua - У Сенаті США готують нові санкції проти Росії: Зеленський розповів про важливий сигнал для Європи

US Senate Advances Bipartisan Sanctions Bill Targeting Russia and Iran

**Summary:** The United States Central Command stated that its forces successfully intercepted multiple ballistic missiles launched by Iran at U.S. troops in the Middle East. The surprise attack ended a brief period of calm amidst ongoing regional tensions and maritime blockades.

**Key points:**
- The United States Central Command reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched the ballistic missiles at 5:45 p.m. Eastern Time.
- The U.S. military confirmed that all incoming projectiles were intercepted successfully, resulting in no impacts, injuries, or material damage.
- U.S. forces in the region remain on high alert and maintain a heightened state of military readiness.
- The incident follows recent U.S. naval operations that have involved blockading commercial vessels from reaching Iranian ports.

**Why it matters:** This failed missile strike escalates ongoing military hostilities between the United States and Iran, threatening recent diplomatic efforts and regional stability in the Middle East.

latercera.com - Irán lanza misiles contra fuerzas de EE.UU. en Medio Oriente

huffingtonpost.es - EEUU asegura haber frustrado un ataque sorpresa de Irán con misiles balísticos contra sus tropas

elcomercio.pe - Estados Unidos asegura haber frustrado un ataque sorpresa lanzado por Irán con misiles balísticos

U.S. Intercepts Ballistic Missiles Launched by Iran in the Middle East

**Summary:** Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met in Ankara to discuss energy cooperation, with Turkey aiming to sign a comprehensive deal and Iraq offering 1 million barrels of oil.

**Key points:**
- Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat stated that Ankara and Baghdad aim to increase bilateral trade to $30 billion over the medium term.
- The two leaders discussed operating the Kirkuk-Ceyhan crude oil pipeline and potential operations by Turkey's state-owned TPAO in Kirkuk oil fields.
- Ankara and Baghdad also signed three new agreements covering education, youth and sports, and industrial property.

**Why it matters:** The high-level talks and proposed energy agreements mark a significant strengthening of economic, trade, and strategic ties between Turkey and Iraq.

shorouknews.com - تركيا والعراق تستهدفان رفع التبادل التجاري إلى 30 مليار دولار

cyprus-mail.com - Erdogan says Turkey aims to sign energy cooperation deal with Iraq

star.com.tr - Türkiye'ye öncelik verdiler! Hedefleri tam 30 milyar dolar

star.com.tr - Türkiye ile Irak arasında yeni dönem! 3 anlaşma için imzalar atıldı

mynet.com - Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan 'tarihi adım' olarak niteledi! Irak'la günde 1 milyon varil petrol anlaşması

Turkey and Iraq Target $30B Trade and Discuss Energy Cooperation

**Summary:** Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected Argentine President Javier Milei's allegations that her government financed an anti-Argentine campaign during the 2026 World Cup, calling the claims false.

**Key points:**
- Javier Milei claimed that 25% of the resources for the alleged anti-Argentine campaign came from the Brazilian government, with additional funding from Mexico and the U.S. Democratic Party.
- Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico's foreign policy is guided by principles of non-intervention and self-determination.
- Sheinbaum stated that her own administration faces orchestrated campaigns from various sources but avoids interfering with other nations.

**Why it matters:** The exchange highlights ongoing diplomatic friction and differing political perspectives between Latin American leaders following international events.

cadena3.com - Sheinbaum desmiente a Milei sobre supuesta campaña antiargentina financiada por México

confirmado.com.ve - Sheinbaum niega que exista una campaña de México « contra Argentina » tras las acusaciones de Milei por el Mundial

Mexican President Sheinbaum Rejects Milei's Claims of an Anti-Argentine Campaign

**Summary:** Mexico's government announced a public consultation regarding new guidelines for radio, television, and regulated platforms concerning audience rights and media responsibilities.

**Key points:**
- The consultation period runs from July 27 through August 21 via the CRT portal.
- President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected claims that the new regulations constitute media censorship, framing them as a self-regulation process.
- Proposed guidelines mandate that media outlets establish codes of ethics and appoint an audience defender to handle complaints within 20 days.

**Why it matters:** The proposed guidelines establish formal mechanisms for citizens to demand factual corrections, separate news from advertising, and ensure media accountability in Mexico's telecommunications sector.

elfinanciero.com.mx - Sheinbaum explica de qué trata la consulta sobre derechos de las audiencias: ‘No es censura’

elmanana.com.mx - Sheinbaum anuncia consulta para nuevos lineamientos de medios ; esto cambiaría para las audiencias

Mexico opens public consultation on media audience rights and regulations

**Summary:** Wildfires in Europe continue to cause devastation, as the death toll in southern Spain's Almería region rises to 14 following a severe burn injury, while French authorities implement economic support for affected businesses in Gironde.

**Key points:**
- A severely burned victim from the July 9 wildfire in Andalusia died at a Seville hospital, pushing the death toll to 14, mostly foreign nationals.
- The Almería blaze is noted as the deadliest wildfire in southern Spain in two decades.
- In Gironde, France, the government announced partial unemployment measures for employees affected by over 13,000 evacuated businesses.
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the country is beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel as evacuation orders are lifted around Madrid.

**Why it matters:** These devastating European wildfires underscore the increasing vulnerability of regions to severe heatwaves driven by climate change, posing heavy human tolls and economic disruptions.

rtbf.be - Direct – Incendies en Europe : le feu toujours stabilisé en Gironde, le bilan monte à 14 morts dans le sud de l’Espagne

sudouest.fr - Incendie meurtrier dans le sud de l’Espagne : une femme meurt de ses blessures, le bilan monte à 14 morts

ladepeche.fr - Incendies en Gironde : plus de 13 000 entreprises évacuées, les salariés touchés pourront avoir droit au chômage partiel

Death toll rises in southern Spain wildfires as France aids Gironde businesses

**Summary:** Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss Patriot interceptor production licenses and diplomatic efforts.

**Key points:**
- The meeting at the White House lasted slightly over an hour and was held behind closed doors.
- Ukrainian attendees included presidential office head Kyrylo Budanov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and other officials.
- US participants included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed condolences to US President Donald Trump regarding the death of Lindsey Graham.

**Why it matters:** This high-level meeting addresses critical defense manufacturing capabilities and international diplomatic strategies concerning the ongoing war in Ukraine.

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