Middle East Negotiations: U.S.-mediated talks in Rome between Lebanon and Israel ended Tuesday in a “positive atmosphere,” with both sides aiming to restart talks July 15 and focus first on Israel’s phased withdrawal from two southern “pilot zones.” Strait of Hormuz Tensions: As the U.S. moves to reimpose a blockade and charge ships for passage, experts warn Iran’s asymmetric capabilities make a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz unlikely without a much larger U.S. military posture. Ukraine War Support Debate: Bulgaria’s PM Rumen Radev said Sofia will not join the “Coalition of the Willing” backing Ukraine, arguing diplomacy should drive any lasting peace—sparking opposition criticism. Israel Draft Exemption Law: Israel’s parliament approved measures freezing ultra-Orthodox draft evader arrests and enshrining religious studies as a “foundational value,” a major political concession ahead of fall elections. U.S. Grants and Politics: Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek urged the Trump administration to withdraw a federal rule she says would inject politics into grant funding, warning of bureaucracy and service disruption. Tech and Child Safety: Sen. Andy Kim is circulating a kids’ online safety bill that would require OS providers to collect users’ ages for app developers, without mandating independent verification. South China Sea Lawfare: International law experts in Hong Kong again denounced the “South China Sea Arbitration Award” as politically manipulated and legally void. South Asia Party Moves: Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari agreed to coordinate on national and regional issues, including AJK, while Bilawal condemned boycotts of AJK elections. Malaysia State Politics: In Melaka, PH announced it is withdrawing support from the BN-led state government over a 2026 amendment allowing nominated assemblymen, with PH assemblymen relinquishing posts.