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EDITORIAL NOTE | In recognition of this weekend's Independence Day holiday here in the United States, and barring any extraordinary news developments, we will not be publishing an edition of the Daily Brief tomorrow, July 3. We look forward to resuming service on Monday, July 6.

U.S., ISRAEL, IRAN WAR | Day 125.

• Following separate meetings with U.S. and Iranian negotiators yesterday, Qatari mediators say "positive progress" was made and that both sides agreed to continue discussions on reaching an agreement to fully end the Middle East war. [more]
• Iranian military officials warned today against oil tankers using routes not approved by Iran to transit the Strait of Hormuz, saying non-compliant ships would face a "forceful response." [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1,587 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here is your update:

• At least 17 people were killed, and dozens of others were injured, in overnight Russian drone and missile attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Russia’s Defense Ministry said the strikes were in response to recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities and other civilian infrastructure. [more]

U.S. EMPLOYMENT | Non-farm payrolls in the U.S. increased by a lower-than-expected 57,000 jobs in June, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.2%, according to Labor Department data released this morning. [full report] [more]

U.S. GUN RIGHTS | Citing Second Amendment rights, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Justice Department lawsuits yesterday against California and Virginia, seeking to block the states' new laws that restrict the sales of some semiautomatic weapons. Attorneys general in both states vowed to defend their gun laws. [DOJ press releases on California and Virginia] [more]

NEW JERSEY | Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a measure this week aimed at imposing fees on companies whose workers have Medicaid health insurance coverage instead of being covered by employer-based health plans. The fees, which will be charged to companies with at least 50 workers, will range from $325 to $725 per person and are expected to bring in about $145 million this year. [more]

U.S. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | AI giant Anthropic says the U.S. Commerce Department has lifted its restrictions on the company's most advanced artificial intelligence models, which were put in place over security concerns. Reports note that while the company's Fable 5 model is now widely available, its Mythos 5 model will remain restricted, for now, to a select group of U.S.-based organizations approved by the federal government. [more]

RUSSIA AND EUROPE | A report published today by the International Institute of Strategic Studies think tank suggests that Russia has carried out an extensive campaign of drone flights across Europe between 2024 and 2026 with the aim of disrupting civilian aviation, monitoring military and other critical sites, mapping vulnerabilities, and normalizing low-level airspace violations below the threshold of triggering a direct NATO military response. The report documents at least 144 suspected Russian drone flights over a dozen European countries, including NATO members Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the U.K., and Denmark. [press release] [full report] [more]

ISRAEL AND GAZA | Palestinian health officials say that, as of today – the 1,000th day since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel – a total of 73,066 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including 1,053 killed since a cease-fire was implemented last October. [more]

VENEZUELA | As search, rescue, and recovery efforts continue in Venezuela, authorities say the death toll from last week's dual earthquakes has exceeded 2,200, with more than 11,000 injuries reported and tens of thousands of people still considered missing. [more]

NORD STREAM PIPELINES | Federal prosecutors in Germany have charged a former Ukrainian army officer with multiple crimes related to the September 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Germany and Russia. Authorities allege the suspect used explosives to damage the pipelines to disrupt gas deliveries and prevent Russia from using revenue from natural gas sales to finance its military operations. [more]

JAPAN AND INDIA | Following talks today in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced series of agreement to strengthen cooperation between their countries in areas including communications systems, economic and maritime security, energy, and technology. [more]

GERMANY | Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his governing coalition partners announced a comprehensive economic reform package today aimed at restoring Germany's sluggish economy. Among the 34 measures in the package are tax cuts for low- and middle-income families, an overhaul of the country's pension system, tougher rules for employees’ sick leave, and a reduction in bureaucracy. [more]

SOUTH AFRICA | Authorities at South Africa's Road Traffic Management Corporation say at least 16 people were killed, and 20 others were injured, early today when a bus traveling to the country's Eastern Cape province overturned. The cause of the incident remains under investigation. [more]

U.K. | Prime Minister Keir Starmer formally apologized today for the British state's role in separating an estimated 185,000 babies from their unmarried mothers in England and Wales between 1949 and 1976 and placing them for adoption. [more]

CATHOLIC CHURCH | The Vatican declared the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X in schism with the Catholic Church yesterday following the Society's consecration of four new bishops in direct defiance of Pope Leo XIV. [more]

WORLD CUP | In yesterday's Round of 32 World Cup matches: England beat Congo, Belgium beat Senegal, and United States beat Bosnia and Herzegovina to advance to the Round of 16. Today's matches include Spain vs. Austria, Portugal vs. Croatia, and Switzerland vs. Algeria. [full bracket] [more]

CELEBRITY WATCH | The Associated Press cites New York City law enforcement sources briefed on the matter as saying pop superstar Taylor Swift and professional football player Travis Kelce will be married tomorrow evening at the city's Madison Square Garden venue. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1964, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law, prohibiting discrimination and segregation based on race, color, sex, religion, or national origin. The Act is considered among the most important U.S. laws on civil rights since Reconstruction and a hallmark of the American civil rights movement. [more history]