International
France takes major step toward legalizing assisted dying for terminal patients

The lower house of France’s Parliament approved a bill on Tuesday that would allow adults with incurable illnesses to take lethal medication, amid growing public demands across Europe for legal end-of-life options.
The vote in the National Assembly marks a key legislative step in this long-debated issue.
“I’m thinking of all the patients and their loved ones. There are days, you know, that you never forget. I will never forget this day,” said Olivier Falorni, the bill’s general rapporteur, as he was met with applause from fellow lawmakers.
The bill passed with 305 votes in favor and 199 against. It now heads to the Senate for further debate. A final vote could take months to be scheduled due to France’s lengthy and complex legislative process. Ultimately, the National Assembly has the final say over the Senate.
Meanwhile, a separate palliative care bill—intended to strengthen measures to relieve pain and preserve patients’ dignity—was also unanimously approved on Tuesday.
The proposed measure on lethal medication defines assisted dying as allowing individuals to use the medication under specific conditions and administer it themselves. Only those physically unable to do so would be eligible to receive assistance from a doctor or nurse.
Central America
Peru’s ambassador highlights “historic bonds” with El Salvador on Independence Day

The Ambassador of Peru to El Salvador, Jorge Rosado La Torre, reaffirmed on Monday evening—during Peru’s Independence Day celebration—that Peru “maintains historic ties of friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect with El Salvador” and acknowledged “its firm willingness to continue deepening our bilateral relations.”
Rosado La Torre highlighted the strong relations between El Salvador and Peru at the ceremony held at the Palacio Tecleño de la Cultura y las Artes to mark the 204th Anniversary of Peru’s Independence, proclaimed on July 28, 1821.
“El Salvador and Peru share fundamental principles: respect for the rule of law, the promotion of human rights, multilateralism, and the defense of peace and democracy,” the diplomat said during the event, which was attended by diplomatic authorities, Salvadoran officials, members of the Peruvian community, and friends of Peru.
The ambassador also emphasized that Peru and El Salvador “are also united by cultural, social, and human bonds, which grow stronger every day through joint work and the connection between our societies.”
Rosado La Torre noted that Peru’s Independence Day “not only allows us to celebrate a national milestone but also to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and cooperation between our peoples.”
International
U.S. and China push for extension of tariff truce after “constructive” talks in Sweden

The United States and China “will continue working” to secure an extension of their tariff truce, China’s international trade representative Li Chenggang said Tuesday, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Li’s comments followed negotiations in Sweden with a U.S. delegation led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, describing the talks as “frank, in-depth, and constructive,” Xinhua reported.
The discussions aimed to prolong the 90-day pause negotiated in Geneva in May—set to expire on August 12—which temporarily ended the mutual retaliatory measures that had triggered punitive tariffs. The truce lowered customs duties on U.S. and Chinese goods from 125% and 145% respectively, to a more moderate 10% and 30%, on top of existing tariffs, ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year.
The U.S. and Chinese delegations—led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice Premier He Lifeng—also exchanged views on key economic and trade issues and pledged to maintain close communication, Li added.
The talks in Sweden came at the start of a crucial week for Trump’s trade policy, as tariffs on most of the United States’ main trading partners are set for a sharp increase on August 1.
International
Trump administration opens civil rights probe into duke university over alleged bias

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump launched a formal investigation on Monday into Duke Universityand its law journal over alleged “discriminatory practices.”
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened the probe following complaints that Duke’s law review selection process allegedly awarded extra points to applicants who “referenced their race or ethnicity in their personal statements,” according to a statement from the department.
Based in North Carolina, Duke is the latest academic institution to come under scrutiny from the Republican administration, which has escalated an ideological battle against universities.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that higher education institutions have been “captured by the far left” and has taken action to sanction and ban Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs aimed at addressing social inequities in admissions and faculty hiring.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sent a joint letter to Duke’s leadership expressing concerns about the use of “racial criteria in hiring, admissions, and scholarship awards,” particularly within the university’s health system.
“I’m proud to partner with Secretary Kennedy to ensure Duke commits to excellence, integrity, and respect for the law in shaping the nation’s future leaders,” McMahon said.
“Granting illegal preferential treatment based on immutable characteristics is an affront not only to civil rights laws but also to the meritocratic nature of academic excellence,” she added.
The decision to investigate Duke comes just days after Columbia University agreed to pay a $200 million fine to settle accusations by the Trump administration of alleged antisemitism.
-
International5 days ago
Chevron cleared to pump oil in Venezuela again, but Maduro won’t see the profits
-
International5 days ago
Claudia Sheinbaum condemns Gaza famine and urges peace between Israel and Palestine
-
International1 day ago
Four dead, thousands flee as floodwaters ravage Northern China
-
International4 days ago
Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez accuses government of sidelining her role
-
International4 days ago
Mexico launches electronic visa system to modernize and speed up immigration procedures
-
International1 day ago
Multiple fatalities reported in Nevada Resort shooting as Police detain gunman
-
International2 days ago
Mexico City becomes ‘forced waiting point’ as migrant crisis deepens
-
International1 day ago
Five security guards killed in mass shooting at Bangkok Market
-
International1 day ago
Netanyahu cites historic success against Iran as he pledges relentless Gaza campaign
-
International2 days ago
Opposition still rejects Maduro’s Victory as anniversary of 2024 vote nears
-
International1 day ago
Zelensky praises Trump’s ‘clear stance’ on Russia as ultimatum deadline tightens
-
International1 day ago
Vatican reports $72M profit in 2024, boosted by real estate and investments
-
International12 hours ago
Medvedev warns Trump after new Ukraine ultimatum: ‘Russia is neither Israel nor Iran’
-
International1 day ago
Peru’s president under fire as she promises crackdown on organized crime
-
International1 day ago
Hepatitis D declared carcinogenic as WHO urges action to end global crisis
-
International12 hours ago
U.S. and China push for extension of tariff truce after “constructive” talks in Sweden
-
Central America12 hours ago
Peru’s ambassador highlights “historic bonds” with El Salvador on Independence Day
-
International12 hours ago
Argentina requests reentry into U.S. Visa Waiver Program during DHS chief’s visit
-
International12 hours ago
Trump administration opens civil rights probe into duke university over alleged bias
-
International12 hours ago
Petro accuses Marco Rubio of undermining colombia’s sovereignty over Uribe comments