Stories for July 2026

Friday, July 24th 2026 - 07:05 UTC
Uruguay faces a 12.5% US tariff as its foreign ministry weighs the implications

Uruguay was placed in the highest band of the new US tariff scheme, with an additional 12.5% levy on its exports to the United States, for not having an explicit ban on the import of goods produced with forced labor. The measure, which took effect on Friday, raises the rate that had applied to the country since February, of 10%.
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Friday, July 24th 2026 - 07:00 UTC
Six candidates to lead the UN debate in the General Assembly with no clear front-runner

The six contenders to succeed António Guterres at the head of the United Nations set out their proposals on Thursday in a debate held in the General Assembly Hall, a week before the formal start of the selection process. For nearly two hours they answered questions from diplomats, UN staff, and civil society representatives, in a publicly broadcast session.
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Friday, July 24th 2026 - 06:48 UTC
Family of murdered journalist urges Paraguay to comply with Inter-American Court ruling

The widow and children of Paraguayan journalist Santiago Leguizamón, murdered in 1991, have called on the state to fully comply with the ruling in which the Inter-American Court of Human Rights found Paraguay responsible for failing to properly investigate the crime. The demand was voiced on Monday at a ceremony beside the monument honoring the broadcaster in Pedro Juan Caballero, on the border with Brazil, convened by the family, the Paraguayan Journalists' Union, and the Human Rights Coordinating Body, with backing from the International Federation of Journalists.
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Thursday, July 23rd 2026 - 22:37 UTC
World Bank estimates $19.6 billion in earthquake damage in Venezuela

The twin earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on June 24 caused an estimated $19.6 billion in direct physical damage, according to a preliminary assessment published on Thursday by the World Bank. The figure is equivalent to about 18% of the country's gross domestic product, based on International Monetary Fund data.
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Thursday, July 23rd 2026 - 22:33 UTC
US rebuilds its tariff wall with forced-labor levies on 60 economies

The United States imposed tariffs of between 10% and 12.5% on 60 trading partners, which together account for about 99% of its imports, over what the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) described as their failure to adopt and effectively enforce bans on the import of goods produced with forced labor. The measures, announced on Thursday, took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, at the same moment the 10% universal tariff in place since February expired.
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Thursday, July 23rd 2026 - 07:34 UTC
New York judge sets June 2027 for the start of Maduro and Cilia Flores's trial

Federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein set June 1, 2027, as the preliminary start date for the trial of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in the narcoterrorism case they face in the United States. The decision came on Wednesday during the case's third hearing before the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, which lasted only a few minutes.
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Thursday, July 23rd 2026 - 07:34 UTC
Wes Streeting appointed UK Defence Secretary; ‘disappointment’ with removal of Dan Jarvis, responsible for DIP

Former Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has been appointed by Prime Minister Andy Burnham as the new UK Defense Secretary, replacing Dan Jarvis who has taken the job when John Healey resigned last June.
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Thursday, July 23rd 2026 - 02:00 UTC
Stephen Doughty confirmed as Minister of State for Overseas Territories

Stephen Doughty MP has been confirmed at Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Until 21 July 2026 and from 8 July 2024 he was previously Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories in the FCDO.
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Thursday, July 23rd 2026 - 01:57 UTC
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, no friend of “Trumpism”, White House

Reports from the United States indicate the White House has raised concerns about UK Premier Andy Burnham’s decision to appoint Ed Miliband as foreign secretary, amid warnings from the Donald Trump administration that he could create tensions in the UK-US relationship, according to reports Tuesday.
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Wednesday, July 22nd 2026 - 22:26 UTC
Report says Trump is pushing Infantino to lead the UN

US President Donald Trump is promoting FIFA President Gianni Infantino as a candidate to succeed António Guterres at the head of the United Nations, according to the New York Post, which cited anonymous sources close to the White House. The information has not been officially confirmed by the US government or FIFA, and Infantino himself has not commented publicly.
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