However, deep divisions among member states make action unlikely.

An internal review found “indications of human rights breaches” in Israel’s EU trade deal. The proposals, to be discussed on July 15, mark the first formal response of their kind.

Israel has called the review “outrageous,” while the EU says the aim is to change behavior on the ground, not punishment.

Source: Euractiv

The plan, driven by growing concerns over Russia, aims to attract recruits for basic roles like guard duties, with the option of a draft if too few volunteer.

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius hopes to grow the armed forces from 180,000 to 260,000 troops and double the current 100,000 reservists.

Pistorius wants to have the legislation passed by the end of next month, with the first recruits to start training from May 2026.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has sparked a geopolitical standoff along the Nile River, with Egypt viewing it as a serious existential threat and Ethiopia defending it as a vital development project.

Egypt depends on the Nile for 97% of its freshwater needs.

Water deficit nears 40 bcm/year—well below UN poverty threshold.

Reduced flow risks $1.8B damage per bcm lost; farmland impact severe.

When I visited Bayraktar—well before Ukraine—I was really impressed. I told my Air Force, “Go look at it? I’m interested in buying this. It’s cheaper and better than the gold-plated platforms you want.

Their response? “We want something immaculate that costs hundreds of millions.”

I asked Turkish military officials. They said it was the same for them.

When Bayraktar appeared, the Turkish Air Force didn’t want it. They preferred fighter jets to show off in air-to-air combat. It was the Turkish Army that bought it.

The lesson? Reforms don’t come from within the military — they come from political direction.

A fighter reportedly detonated an IED under what appears to be an Israeli Merkava Mk.4M tank, causing a secondary fire.

Israeli media later reported that one tank crew member was killed, two were seriously injured, and another moderately wounded.

An officer who came to evacuate the wounded was also lightly injured.

Around 50 Laotian troops are reportedly being sent to Kursk for demining — but Kyiv says they’ll effectively aid the war effort.

Laos is also said to offer free rehab for wounded Russian soldiers.