News Updates

*International - Developments in the military escalation between the United States and Iran, particularly mutual attacks on vital facilities, Washington's reactivation of the naval blockade on Iran, and the decline in navigation traffic through the Strait of Hormuz amid fears of a regional expansion of the confrontation. - The second day of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, continuing until July 20, and follow-up on initiatives announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the opening.

* Palestine - Developments in Israeli violations of the ceasefire in Gaza, following the Government Media Office's announcement of more than 25 civilians killed in 72 hours, along with attacks by the army and settlers in the West Bank.

* Lebanon - Israeli violations of the ceasefire, which resulted in 4,324 killed and 12,224 wounded since March 2, 2026, according to the Ministry of Health. - Expected steps to implement the understandings of the 'two pilot zones' in southern Lebanon, following the conclusion of the sixth round of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations under US mediation in Rome, amid differences over the mechanism of Israeli withdrawal and its linkage to the disarmament of Hezbollah. - Repercussions of the Lebanese Education Minister's announcement that the Israeli army looted the contents of three schools in the south before completely destroying them.

* Syria - Details of the Iraq-Syria memorandum of understanding to rehabilitate the oil pipeline extending from the city of Haditha in western Iraq to the Syrian port of Baniyas, implementation mechanisms, and the role of the US company Chevron in the project.

* Iraq - Follow-up on the details of 50 agreements and memoranda of understanding between Iraq and the US side with a total value of $60 billion, and the sectors and companies involved.

* Algeria - The Constitutional Court announces the final results of the National People's Assembly elections.

* Morocco - A planned rally in Tangier in support of Palestine, called for by Moroccan civil society organizations, and follow-up on similar events in Agadir. - Developments in forest fires in the provinces of Al Haouz and Taroudant, following authorities' announcement that the fire in the Ounaïn community in Taroudant was extinguished without casualties.

* Tunisia - Repercussions of the ongoing heatwave, with expectations it will continue until the beginning of next week, increasing pressure on the electricity and water networks.

* Sudan - Developments in the fighting in the city of El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan State, following the army's announcement that it destroyed 205 military vehicles and shot down 4 drones of the Rapid Support Forces during its operations between July 1 and 15.

* Yemen - Developments in the escalation between the Yemeni government and the Houthi group, following demonstrations organized by the group in Sanaa and several provinces calling for permanent mobilization.

** Special Reports * Middle East 1- Syrian Homs: The Covered Ottoman Market Revives After Years of War (Report) The report monitors the return of commercial activity and traditional crafts to the covered Ottoman market in Homs after its restoration, reviewing its history, architectural style, and importance in the city's social memory. Hazza Muhammad Abd al-Hamid al-Jundi, a descendant of the market's founder Uthman Agha al-Jundi, says that the return of merchants and craftsmen represents a step toward restoring normal life and preserving Homs' historical heritage. (Omar Qubaran / Homs / Video and Photos / about 700 words) 2- UN Official: Life in Gaza is Hell, and Israel Systematically Kills Children (Interview) The interview conducted by Anadolu with the head of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Srinivasan Muraleedharan, addresses the humanitarian situation and Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip. He says that about 700 people share one toilet in some areas, and that Israel obstructs the exit of patients despite the readiness of Jordan, Egypt, and neighboring countries to receive them, describing what is happening as an ongoing, systematic, and planned genocide. (Muhammad Iqbal Arsalan / Geneva / Video / about 870 words)