International relations

Representatives of New Caledonia sign an accord with the French government to become the "State of New Caledonia" within the French Republic, subject to a referendum. The new state would immediately gain control of some foreign affairs, and would have the option of gaining further powers, subject to further referenda. (Al Jazeera) (The New York Times)

• https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/12/new-caledonia-declared-a-state-in-autonomy-deal-but-will-stay-french
• https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/13/world/asia/france-new-caledonia-agreement.html

Law and crime

Five men are lynched after being accused of robbing damaged homes in the Mw 5.7 earthquake in Santa María de Jesús, Guatemala, earlier this week. (Al Jazeera)

• https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/12/five-men-lynched-in-guatemala-after-allegations-of-theft-after-quake