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🇵🇸 UN Chief Condemns Gaza Blockade

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has denounced Israel's month-long aid blockade of Gaza, calling the territory "a killing field" where "civilians are in an endless death loop." Guterres rejected Israel's proposal to control aid deliveries, stating the UN "will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect humanitarian principles." During a visit to El Arish, French President Emmanuel Macron joined Egypt's President el-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II in calling for an immediate return to a ceasefire as humanitarian conditions deteriorate for Gaza's 2.3 million residents. More - Aljazeera

🇩🇴 Nightclub Roof Kills Dozens in Santo Domingo

At least 66 people have died and more than 150 were injured when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed during a concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel and Monte Cristi province governor Nelsy Cruz were among those killed, while popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez was reported trapped in the rubble. The disaster occurred around 1am during a crowded Monday evening concert, with approximately 400 rescuers still searching for survivors amid fears the death toll could rise further. More - BBC

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Europe Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇦🇱 Albania, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇾 Belarus, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇦 Bosnia And Herzegovina, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein, 🇲🇰 Macedonia, 🇲🇩 Moldova, 🇲🇪 Montenegro, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇺🇦 Ukraine

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇦🇩 Andorra, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇮🇸 Iceland, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇲🇨 Monaco, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇸🇲 San Marino, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Regional News Summary

The Swiss government has opted not to retaliate against the latest round of tariffs imposed by the United States, which includes a significant 31% import duty on certain Swiss goods. This decision has raised concerns among the Swiss business community, particularly within the pharmaceutical sector, which could face steep tariffs on their products in the US market [SOURCE - Le News]. Meanwhile, Switzerland has provisionally signed an agreement with the European Union on EU programs, signaling a potential step towards closer ties between the two entities [SOURCE - Swissinfo].

In France, geopolitical tensions are escalating, particularly regarding Iran and the United States. A rare defense cabinet meeting was convened to address the situation, with officials warning that military confrontation appears inevitable if a new nuclear deal is not reached [SOURCE - Algemeiner]. Additionally, French officials have criticized the US for its confrontational approach to trade, urging cooperation instead [SOURCE - Fox Business].

The economic landscape in France is also shifting, with the fintech company Pennylane doubling its valuation to $2.2 billion after receiving investment from Alphabet's venture capital arm [SOURCE - CNBC]. Meanwhile, the French multinational food services company Sodexo has released its financial report for the first half of fiscal 2025, indicating resilience amid challenging market conditions [SOURCE - Manila Times].

In the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, violence has escalated, with recent Russian airstrikes resulting in multiple casualties, including children. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned these attacks, emphasizing the futility of diplomacy with Russia [SOURCE - EA WorldView]. The international community remains divided on how to respond, with Germany pledging over €8 billion in military aid to Ukraine while the US expresses disappointment over Russia's refusal to accept a ceasefire proposal [SOURCE - Khaama].

In Poland, the government is preparing for potential economic fallout from US tariffs, which could lower the country's GDP by 0.4% [SOURCE - Forbes]. The Polish automotive industry, heavily reliant on exports, is bracing for impact as US tariffs loom large [SOURCE - CNBC].

Meanwhile, Greece is facing a potential double blow from Trump's tariffs, which could adversely affect its exports and overall economic stability [SOURCE - Keep Talking Greece]. The country has outlined plans to mitigate the impact, including diversifying its trade partnerships within the EU [SOURCE - Keep Talking Greece].

MENA Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇧🇭 Bahrain, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇮🇶 Iraq, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇱🇧 Lebanon, 🇱🇾 Libya, 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia, 🇸🇾 Syria, 🇹🇳 Tunisia, 🇾🇪 Yemen

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇯🇴 Jordan, 🇰🇼 Kuwait, 🇴🇲 Oman, 🇶🇦 Qatar, 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

Regional News Summary

Israel has ramped up its military operations in Syria, targeting military infrastructure in a bid to counter Iranian influence in the region. These actions have drawn condemnation from Syria and its allies, including Iran, who accuse Israel of destabilizing the area [SOURCE - TimesLive]. The United Nations has called for restraint from all parties involved, emphasizing the need to de-escalate the situation [SOURCE - Syrian Arab News Agency].

In Gaza, the conflict has escalated dramatically, with Israel expanding its ground operations and resulting in significant casualties among Palestinians. Reports indicate that at least 15 Palestinians have been killed as Israel seeks to seize extensive territory in the region [SOURCE - UPI]. The humanitarian situation is dire, with the UN reporting that two-thirds of Gaza has been turned into no-go zones, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes [SOURCE - Kaieteur News Online].

International reactions to the Gaza conflict have been mixed. While the US Senate has rejected efforts to block arms sales to Israel, some senators are calling for a halt to offensive weapons sales [SOURCE - Japan Today]. Meanwhile, UK MPs have been detained by Israeli authorities while attempting to document security forces' activities, highlighting the contentious nature of the situation [SOURCE - Daily Excelsior].

In Yemen, the US has significantly increased its military presence, deploying a second aircraft carrier and conducting airstrikes against Houthi targets amid rising tensions with Iran. Reports indicate that these strikes have resulted in civilian casualties, further complicating the humanitarian crisis in the region [SOURCE - RTT News]. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for attacking a US aircraft carrier, although the US has not confirmed this incident [SOURCE - ABNA24].

Amid these conflicts, Egypt is taking steps to bolster its regional influence through diplomatic engagements. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has signed strategic partnership accords with French President Emmanuel Macron, focusing on cultural diplomacy and urgent discussions regarding the Gaza situation [SOURCE - Scoop Empire].

Carpe tomorrow!