Islamist gunmen stage multiple attacks on security forces in the Sinai Peninsula with one soldier and five policemen reported dead.(Reuters)
The death toll from clashes between supporters and opponents of former President Mohammed Morsi rises to 52 with another 2,500 people injured, after over 30 people are reported dead after clashes at the Cairo university. The Egyptian Army clashes with protesters supporting Morsi. (Egypt Independent)
The African Union has announced that it has suspended Egypt’s membership. (CNN)
Syrian civil war:
The Syrian opposition calls for immediate humanitarian aid to Homs after the Syrian army and Hezbollah step up their siege of the city with increased artillery shelling and incendiary bombs. (USA Today)
Iraqi insurgency (post-U.S. withdrawal):
15 people die in a suicide bomb attack targeting a Shia mosque in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. (BBC)
Arts and culture
The Vatican declares Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII canonized as saints. (The Telegraph)
Business and economy
Samsung Electronics announces its second quarter results, missing its forecasts and disappointing investors. (Reuters)
The European Central Bank and the European Commission release a joint report on the banking system in Spain, indicating that system is solvent and will not require “further program disbursements.” (Reuters)
Disasters and accidents
39 people are injured due to malfunctioning fireworks at a 4th of July event in Simi Valley, California. (AP via SFGate) (FOX News)
In three states—Wisconsin, Minnesota (where an elderly person’s death was reported), and Illinois—in the United States, Whole Foods Market Inc. is recalling three types of the Crave Brothers (based in Waterloo, Wisconsin) Les Freres cheese, sold in 30 states and in Washington, D.C., due to concerns that it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which causes listeriosis, dangerous especially to the immunocompromised and pregnant women. (NBC)
International relations
The People’s Republic of China and Russia begin joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan. (BBC)
NSA spying scandal
Bolivian president Evo Morales calls the Eurozone for a violation of international law and threatens to close down the U.S. embassy in Boliviaafter the episode of having his official airplane being refused to land en route to Vienna, amid suspicions of having former NSA employeeEdward Snowden on board. Ambassadors of France, Italy, Spain and Portugal are summoned to give full explanations.(The Guardian)
Venezuela and Nicaragua offer Snowden asylum. (AP via USA today)
Law and crime
A New Zealand court orders Pike River Coal to pay $3 million in compensation for the 29 victims of the Pike River Mine disaster. (ABC News Australian)
Politics and elections
Portuguese political crisis, 2013
Minister of Foreign Affairs Paulo Portas reportedly gives an ultimatum to the Prime Minister asking to exonerate the Minister of FinanceMaria LuÃs Albuquerque in order to keep the first in the Government, as the President Cavaco Silva has demanded.
The Portuguese Parliament votes down a motion to apologize to the Government of Bolivia for not allowing the plane carrying President Evo Morales to land and fly over Portuguese national airspace.
Zimbabwe’s top court rules that the general election should be held on July 31 despite an appeal by President Robert Mugabe and his main rivalPrime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. (AFP via Sydney Morning Herald)
