Good morning, everyone!
Today marks the second anniversary of Everything Briefing. It’s hard to believe how time flies.
Without exception, it has been my express goal to inform you to the fullest extent possible each and every day, whether it be on the day’s developments, important historical moments, or just an interesting tidbit of information.
Because of your support, this publication has grown to nearly 8,000 readers and hundreds of paid subscribers. I couldn’t be more thankful. As we enter a third year, my commitment remains unchanged: to provide you with a comprehensive snapshot of the world each day, giving you everything you need to stay fully informed.
If you haven’t already, be sure to upgrade to a paid subscription to ensure you never miss a briefing and to gain access to other exclusive benefits—as we continue to learn together in this turbulent world.
Today, we will look at the status of President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy bill, political developments in Thailand, and other news spanning each continent.
Let’s get to it.
Africa
-South Africa’s trade ministry said yesterday that it would seek an extension from the United States on its planned tariffs set to take effect on July 9.
In April, President Donald Trump announced a 31% duty on products from South Africa before pausing its application for 90 days to allow for trade negotiations.
-The African Development Bank said it would grant South Africa a $474.6 million loan to support the country’s transportation and energy infrastructure.
Last month, the World Bank approved a $1.5 billion loan package to South Africa to be used for similar projects.
-The World Food Program warned that aid for Sudanese refugees in four neighboring countries could end within months without renewed funding.
-Egypt’s economy expanded by 4.77% in the third quarter of 2024-2025, according to the government’s planning ministry.
-Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ghana and Namibia today.
Other Links:
Liberian president killed in coup gets state funeral after 45 years - BBC
Alliance of Sahel States puts on show of unity through inaugural games - Africa News
Algerian court upholds five-year jail term for French-Algerian writer - Reuters
Zambia launches 100 megawatt solar plant supplying First Quantum Minerals - Reuters
Standard Bank CEO raises concerns on African credit ratings, geopolitical headwinds - Semafor
Americas and the Caribbean
-President Donald Trump on Monday issued a memorandum that reimposes Washington’s hardline policy toward Cuba and reverses a slew of actions taken by former President Joe Biden.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez scorned the move, saying it “punishes the entire Cuban people.”
-Economic activity in Chile rose 3.2% in May as the country’s mining sector posted strong growth.
The Andean nation is the world’s largest copper producer.
-Remittances sent to Mexico dropped by 4.6% in May compared with a year earlier, according to the Bank of Mexico.
-Consumer inflation in Peru increased by 0.13% in June, led by growth in alcohol and tobacco prices.
-The Mercosur leaders’ summit will kick off in Buenos Aires, Argentina, today.
Other Links:
Canada, Europeans and Brazil, not US, issue statement backing LGBT rights - Reuters
Brazil to reopen National Museum destroyed by fire in 2018 - ABC
Colombia boosting troop footprint in renewed offensive against armed groups, admiral says - Reuters
Hurricane Flossie could become a major hurricane off the Pacific coast of Mexico - AP
Mexican banks face cascading consequences following US sanctions - AP
Asia/Indo-Pacific
-Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty as a case seeking her dismissal proceeds. The ruling comes amid an escalating border standoff between Cambodia and Thailand.
The order was initiated after 36 senators filed a petition with the high court, accusing Shinawatra of dishonesty and violating ethical standards after a phone call was leaked between her and Cambodia’s influential former leader Hun Sen. In the call, Shinawatra is critical of a Thai military commander.
After audio of the call was leaked, a major party exited Shinawatra’s coalition government, leaving her with a slim majority in parliament. Thousands of protesters gathered in Bangkok on Sunday to call for her ouster.
Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will now serve in a caretaker capacity.
Shinawatra assumed the premiership last year after her predecessor and ally, Srettha Thavisin, was dismissed by the top court. She is the fourth member of her family to serve as head of government.
-U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted his counterparts from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue in Washington, D.C., yesterday.
-U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington was close to clinching a trade deal with India.
-Record rainfall rocked central China yesterday.
-Yesterday marked 28 years since Hong Kong was returned to China after more than a century of British rule.
For years thereafter, the city maintained a semi-autonomous status, with an independent judiciary and civil liberties not present in mainland China—a framework known as “One Country, Two Systems.”
In 2020, the Chinese government moved to crack down on the city’s institutions, implementing a national security law that resulted in the mass detention of protesters and the shuttering of independent media.
Other Links:
US Senate, passing Trump bill, bars energy tax credits for China-linked firms - South China Morning Post
China Vows to Rein In Intense Competition, Build Unified Market - Bloomberg
China's Huawei must face US criminal charges, judge rules - Reuters
China sanctions former Philippine senator on maritime claims - Reuters
Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as investors assess gains on Wall Street and Trump's tariff plans - CNBC
Europe
-French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian leader Vladimir Putin spoke by phone on Tuesday—the first interaction between the two leaders since September 2022.
Macron’s office said the exchange lasted two hours and that he had called on Putin to cease fighting in Ukraine and start negotiations to end the three-year-long conflict.
The leaders also discussed the recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran.
-A spokesman for Putin denied claims by a U.S. official that Moscow was stalling in peace talks with Ukraine.
-A Ukrainian drone targeted a factory in the Russian city of Izhevsk on Tuesday. A Ukrainian official said the facility manufactures drones and air defense systems.
Three people were reported killed.
Last month, Moscow launched a record number of drone attacks on Ukraine.
-The French government has closed schools, and Italy has limited outdoor work in some regions as sweltering heat has swept across the European continent.
-European Union foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas will host her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Brussels, Belgium, today.
Separately, the Green Growth and Sustainable Development Forum will kick off in Paris, France.
Other Links:
Starmer’s attempt at welfare reform roils his party, capping a troubled first year in office - AP
Russia’s ex-deputy defense minister handed 13-year sentence on corruption charges - AP
Danish women to face conscription by lottery - BBC
Bulgaria abuses its position to block our EU membership: North Macedonia's Deputy PM Nikoloski - France 24
Poland to start controls on borders with Germany, Lithuania over migration - Reuters
Middle East
-President Donald Trump said Israel agreed to a 60-day ceasefire against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In a post on his Truth social account, Trump said he would work “with all parties” to end the conflict.
The announcement came after Israeli officials arrived in Washington, D.C., yesterday for cessation talks. In recent days, Trump has ramped up his calls on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pause fighting in the besieged coastal enclave.
Trump announced on Monday that he would host Netanyahu at the White House on Monday to discuss the nearly two-year-long war. The meeting will mark Netanyahu’s third visit to Washington, D.C., since Trump returned to office in January.
-The Israeli military said it intercepted a missile launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The Iran-backed group has launched attacks on Israel since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023 following Hamas’ deadly surprise attack on Israel.
-Kuwaiti lawmakers are advancing an anti-money laundering bill.
Other Links:
International charities and NGOs call for end to controversial Israeli-backed aid group in Gaza - AP
Iran-linked hackers threaten to release Trump aides' emails - Reuters
Turkey says PKK disarmament could start 'within days', says AK Party spokesman - Reuters
Turkish police detain 3 more employees of satirical magazine over prophet cartoon controversy - AP
Erdogan says cartoon depicting prophets is 'vile provocation' - Reuters
United States
-The Senate passed President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy bill in a 51-50 vote yesterday, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The vote followed a marathon, day-long stretch of amendment votes—a process known as vote-a-rama.
Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Rand Paul of Kentucky broke with their party to join all Democrats to vote against the measure.
The legislation then returned to the House of Representatives, which narrowly passed the bill in May. Shortly after the Senate action, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer said in a statement that the chamber would vote on the bill today, in line with Trump’s desired deadline of July 4.
View a breakdown of nearly every component of the behemoth legislation here.
-Trump said yesterday that he would “have to take a look” at deporting billionaire Elon Musk. In recent days, the tycoon has ramped up his criticism of Trump’s domestic policy bill and has said he would back challengers to lawmakers who support it.
-New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani officially won last week’s Democratic primary after ranked-choice votes were tallied.
In the second and final round of voting, Mamdani—a 33-year-old state legislator—secured 56% of the vote to former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 44%.
On Sunday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to endorse Mamdani on ABC’s This Week.
-Former Congressman Colin Allred launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Texas yesterday. Allred—a former linebacker for the Tennessee Titans—lost to Senator Ted Cruz in 2024.
Incumbent Senator John Cornyn, who is in his fourth term, has trailed behind the state’s attorney general, Ken Paxton, in the Republican primary race.
-Congressman Dusty Johnson announced his bid for governor of South Dakota this week.
-A federal judge ruled that worker layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Resources were likely unlawful and ordered the agency to halt plans for further terminations.
-Today marks 61 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law.
Separately, on this day in 1776, the Continental Congress unanimously voted for independence from Britain.
Other Links:
Trump threatens to arrest Mamdani if he doesn't cooperate with ICE - Axios
Trump says migrants would need to know 'how to run away from an alligator' to flee Florida facility - AP
Mayors, doctor groups sue over Trump’s efforts to restrict Obamacare enrollment - AP
Poll: Most feel democracy is threatened and political violence is a major problem - NPR
Gunman started Idaho blaze and then fatally shot 2 firefighters in ambush attack, officials say - AP
That’s all for today. See you tomorrow.
Notes:
https://scowcroft.substack.com/p/tsg-weekly-calendar-june-30-july
Well, happy anniversary then … you hardly show your age.
Happy Anniversary! I'm glad to be a subscriber to support your mission. Having lived around the world, I like being able to keep up with what's going on in the world (despite having to watch what America has turned into).