International News Bulletin — July 5, 2026

Politics

Trump to meet Zelenskyy and Syria’s al-Sharaa at NATO summit – President Donald Trump plans to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa during the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. He will also hold talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as Kyiv tries to refocus Washington’s attention on the war with Moscow.
Iran pauses diplomacy for Khamenei’s funeral – Iran held the first day of public ceremonies honoring the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with negotiators leaving Doha as Tehran paused talks with the United States. Qatar, mediating alongside Pakistan, said discussions between the two sides had made positive progress before the pause.
Russia strikes Kyiv in ‘retaliatory’ attacks – Russian strikes on Ukraine’s capital killed several people in what Moscow described as retaliatory attacks. Separately, a Ukrainian attack on Russian-occupied Crimea killed one person, according to Moscow-installed officials.
Xi Jinping shakes up China’s military leadership – A sweeping shake-up in China’s military is believed to be an effort to ensure the armed forces’ loyalty to the Communist Party and to Xi Jinping personally. Analysts see the purge as consolidating the leader’s grip on the People’s Liberation Army.

US job growth slows sharply in June – The US economy added just 57,000 jobs in June, well below estimates of around 110,000 and the softest reading since February. Figures for prior months were also revised lower, adding to signs of a cooling labor market.
Global growth forecast to hit post-pandemic low – The World Bank projects global growth slowing from 2.9% in 2025 to 2.5% in 2026, the lowest rate since the COVID-19 pandemic. Goldman Sachs is more optimistic, expecting 2.8% on the back of the continuing AI investment cycle.
Eurozone inflation eases to 2.8% – Consumer price inflation in the eurozone fell to 2.8% in June from 3.2% in May. Price growth slowed in the region’s biggest economies, including Germany, France and Italy.
Oil markets steady despite Middle East war – The Iran conflict has caused the largest-ever supply disruption of the global oil market, hitting natural gas, fertilizer, aviation and tourism. Lower oil prices over the past month have nonetheless raised hopes that the economic fallout on growth and inflation may be more benign than feared.

Hope fades for thousands missing after Venezuela earthquakes – More than a week after twin earthquakes struck Venezuela, thousands of people remain missing. Rescue operations are increasingly shifting from searching for survivors to recovering remains.
Extreme weather batters China and southern Europe – Heavy rains killed five people in northern China while a tropical storm toppled trees and submerged cars in the south. Meanwhile, hundreds of firefighters are battling wildfires in Portugal, Spain and Greece.
DRC Ebola outbreak may be worst ever, Africa CDC warns – The Africa CDC warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo could become the worst on record. Health authorities are racing to contain the virus’s spread.
Vatican declares Society of St. Pius X in schism – The Vatican formally declared the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X in schism and excommunicated its bishops and priests. The move came after the society consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent.
Mbappé draws level with Messi at World Cup 2026 – Kylian Mbappé moved level with Lionel Messi on seven goals at the 2026 World Cup as France beat Paraguay 1-0 in the last 16. The French captain’s strike sent Les Bleus into the quarter-finals.

Bulletin automatically generated on July 5, 2026.