AnewZ Morning Brief - 2nd July, 2025

Anewz

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 2nd July, covering the latest developments you need to know.

U.S. Senate approves divisive Trump spending Bill

The Republican-led U.S. Senate approved President Donald Trump’s mammoth domestic policy Bill on 1 July by the narrowest of margins, despite misgivings over delivering deep welfare cuts and another U.S. $3 trillion in national debt.

Republican leaders had struggled to corral support during a record 24-hour 'vote-a-rama' amendment session on the Senate floor, as Democrats offered dozens of challenges to the most divisive aspects of the package.

But Senate Majority Leader John Thune was able to turn around wavering moderates to deliver a 50-50 vote, with Vice-President JD Vance breaking the tie.

Macron urges Ukraine ceasefire in first talks with Putin since 2022

French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin on 1 July spoke by telephone for the first time in over two-and-a-half years, with the French president urging a ceasefire in Ukraine but the Russian leader hitting back that the West was to blame for the conflict.

Trump says Israel has agreed to conditions to finalize 60-day Gaza ceasefire

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Israel had agreed "to the necessary conditions to finalize" a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza during which efforts will be made to end the U.S. ally's war in Gaza.

"Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War," Trump said on social media.

Europe launches next-generation weather satellite MTG-S1

The Meteosat Third Generation-Sounder 1 (MTG-S1), a state-of-the-art weather satellite of the new generation, was successfully deployed from Cape Canaveral. Developed through a collaborative effort involving thirty countries, including Türkiye, Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, MTG-S1 is designed to enhance real-time weather prediction capabilities, early warning systems, and preparedness for climate-related emergencies.

Utilizing hyperspectral infrared technology, the satellite will monitor convective storms by detecting atmospheric instability before cloud formations occur. MTG-S1 represents the second satellite within the Meteosat Third Generation program and will be operated by EUMETSAT. The program aims to deploy a total of six satellites over a period of twenty years.

Russian nationals held over Iran drug transit remanded for 4 months

A court in Baku has ordered four months of pre-trial detention for eight Russian citizens accused of involvement in an international drug trafficking scheme, according to Azerbaijani authorities.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Internal Affairs said the group is suspected of transporting narcotics from Iran into Azerbaijan, distributing them via online platforms, and committing cyber-related crimes linked to the illegal drug trade.

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