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On July 23, 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is expected to release a highly anticipated advisory opinion on states’ legal obligations regarding climate change. The decision could influence how countries are held accountable for carbon emissions and environmental harm.

The ICJ has heard arguments from over 60 countries. Small island nations and developing economies have urged the court to declare that high-emitting states have a legal duty to reduce emissions and support vulnerable nations financially. More industrialized nations have argued for interpretations consistent with existing treaties like the Paris Agreement.

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Summer 2025 has brought severe heatwaves and widespread wildfires across Europe and the Mediterranean, with record temperatures disrupting life from Greece to Spain and southern France.

In Greece, June was the second-hottest month in recorded history. Temperatures exceeded 40 °C in multiple regions, forcing the government to implement mandatory work stoppages between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to protect outdoor laborers. The iconic Acropolis in Athens was temporarily closed due to extreme heat.

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Scientists have observed a curious astronomical event in the summer of 2025: Earth’s rotation has slightly accelerated, making days a few milliseconds shorter than normal. On July 9 and again on July 22 and 23, the planet completed its rotation roughly 1.4 milliseconds faster than the standard 86,400 seconds.

Though imperceptible to humans, the change holds significance for scientists, GPS operators, and high-frequency data networks that rely on precise timekeeping. If this trend continues, global time authorities may soon have to consider implementing a “negative leap second”—a move never before taken in history.

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Between July 4 and 7, Central Texas was devastated by unprecedented flash flooding, triggered by torrential rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry. The disaster is now considered one of the deadliest inland floods in U.S. history, with over 120 confirmed dead and more than 170 missing.

The hardest-hit area was Kerr County, where entire communities were swept away by rising waters. Some towns received over 20 inches of rain in less than 48 hours, overwhelming rivers, breaching dams, and destroying infrastructure. A summer camp near Hunt lost contact with over 20 children, sparking a massive emergency response.

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On July 10, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports, effective August 1. Trump argued that Brazil’s judiciary is conducting a political “witch-hunt” against his ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently on trial for an alleged coup plot.

The move shocked markets and sparked a diplomatic backlash. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva dismissed Trump’s claims as manipulative, while Brazil’s Vice President stressed that the U.S. maintains a trade surplus with Brazil, and that any interference in Brazil’s internal justice is unacceptable.

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