Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Thursday 11 June
Parliament backs diluted 2040 climate pathway and slower carbon pricing expansion
The European Parliament endorsed the EU's 2040 climate framework, keeping the 90% net emissions reduction target but allowing up to 5% of the cuts to be met using international carbon credits.
Iran closes Strait of Hormuz after second day of US strikes
Iran's military declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to all tankers and commercial ships, threatening to fire on any vessel attempting passage, after the US launched a second consecutive day of strikes against Iranian targets. This action caused oil prices to jump by $2.
Saudi Arabia maintains normalization freeze, links it to Gaza outcome
Saudi officials have reiterated that US-mediated normalization talks with Israel remain formally frozen. Riyadh is actively refining a package that would trade recognition and security ties for an irreversible path to Palestinian statehood.
EU environment ministers approve bloc-wide climate adaptation strategy.
Ministers backed a new strategy framing the need for Europe to build resilience to inevitable climate impacts through 2050, marking a stronger policy turn toward managing fires, heatwaves, droughts, and storms.
Trump orders government-wide review to align tools with bilateral goals
A new presidential directive instructs US foreign policy agencies, including State, Defense, and Treasury, to conduct a 90-day review.
EU opens DSA probe into TikTok over AI political deepfakes
The European Commission opened a formal Digital Services Act investigation into TikTok's 'Symphony' AI toolkit, examining its role in enabling political deepfakes and algorithmic amplification ahead of elections.
Belgian court narrows platform liability for algorithmic hate speech
A Belgian appellate court ruled that a social media platform can be held partially liable for hate speech amplified by its recommendation algorithms, narrowing the liability shield under EU law.
Ukrainian deep strikes reach up to 800 km into Russia
An analysis of open-source data found that the average range of Ukrainian long-range attacks on Russian territory doubled year-on-year in May, now reaching approximately 800 km. These strikes target oil infrastructure and military-industrial nodes.
Mediators reconvene in Cairo with revised Gaza ceasefire plan
US, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators have returned to Cairo with updated proposals aimed at breaking the deadlock over a multi-phase ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange.
US and Iran exchange strikes, Tehran closes Strait of Hormuz
The United States and Iran exchanged a fresh wave of attacks, leading Tehran to announce the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels after US strikes targeted military sites across Iran.
Next EU budget talks open with focus on defence and sovereignty limits
Informal European Commission consultations on the post-2027 budget begin, centring on funding for defence and enlargement.
White House directs federal agencies to align foreign policy with bilateral goals
The White House issued an executive directive requiring all federal departments to align aid, trade, export controls, and security cooperation with country-by-country bargaining objectives, institutionalising a transactional approach to diplomacy.
Iran closes Strait of Hormuz after US airstrikes, escalating conflict
Following a second wave of US airstrikes on Iranian military targets, Tehran has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to all shipping and launched retaliatory attacks on American bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
EU finalises law to boost domestic green tech manufacturing
Legislators agreed on a law to strengthen EU-based production of clean technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, and certain nuclear technologies.
EU Migration and Asylum Pact formally enters into force
The European Union's Migration and Asylum Pact formally began to enter into force, initiating a two-year period for member states to transpose new rules on screening, border procedures, and burden-sharing into national law.
EU Parliament approves fast-track asylum rejection and return rules
EU lawmakers approved measures to fast-track the rejection and return of certain asylum seekers, tightening procedures ahead of the Migration and Asylum Pact’s full entry into force.
German insurers stop offering new flood policies in highest-risk areas.
Following a string of billion-euro loss events, several companies have halted new comprehensive flood cover in zones along the Ahr and Danube, raising pressure for a state-backed disaster insurance scheme and upgraded defenses.
Gulf states draft conditional Gaza reconstruction packages
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are working on updated multi-billion-dollar reconstruction proposals for Gaza. These packages are conditional on a sustained ceasefire and a governance arrangement that sidelines Hamas in favor of a reformed Palestinian Authority.
Commission pushes 'water efficiency first' principle amid southern drought
The European Commission has circulated a draft recommendation urging member states to apply a 'water efficiency first' principle across high-consumption sectors like agriculture and industry.
Executive order hardwires transactional 'America First' into federal machinery
President Trump signed a sweeping executive order instructing all federal departments involved in foreign, security, trade, and development policy to align their instruments with bilateral bargaining objectives.
US expands steel tariffs, links waivers to defence commitments
The US Commerce Department has formally implemented new tariffs and quotas on EU steel and aluminum, initiating a case-by-case waiver process linked to defence spending and support for US trade positions.
Ukraine unveils new mobile air-defence concept
President Zelenskyy announced a new air-defence methodology, relying on small, mobile fire teams using interceptor drones and short-range systems to counter large Russian missile and drone barrages.
Ukraine fields new AI-guided long-range drones
Kyiv unveils new long-range AI-guided strike drone systems, part of a broadening deep-strike toolkit aimed at Russian logistics and command nodes up to 300 km behind the front.
US imposes new sectoral tariffs on EU steel, EVs, and agriculture
The Trump administration announced a fresh package of tariffs targeting European Union exports, including higher duties on steel and new levies on electric vehicles and selected agricultural goods.
European Parliament's rightward shift complicates legislative majorities
Following the 2024 elections, far-right and populist groups strengthened their position in the European Parliament.
US strike on Palau-flagged tanker off Oman kills three Indian sailors
Three Indian crew members died when US forces fired on the MT Settebello's engine room, prompting India to summon the American chargé d'affaires and lodge a strong protest. This incident escalates maritime tensions in the region.
Saudi Arabia reaffirms conditional path to normalization with Israel
Senior Saudi officials state that Riyadh remains interested in a strategic package involving US security guarantees and normalization with Israel, but only if it includes a credible pathway toward Palestinian statehood.
Gaza ceasefire talks resume with focus on sequencing and governance
US, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators have restarted intensive negotiations with Israeli and Hamas officials. The main obstacles remain the order of hostage releases, Israeli troop withdrawals, and the structure of interim governance.
EU summit tasks next Commission with Draghi-style investment push
EU leaders conclude their June summit by endorsing the broad thrust of Mario Draghi's competitiveness report.
Anti-foreign sanctions law rules expand sectors for potential retaliation
Implementation rules for China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, effective from 23 March, specify concrete counter-actions like asset freezes and entry bans. They notably extend potential restrictions into sectors including education, technology, legal services, and culture.
Poland and Czechia expand circular work schemes for Asian and Eastern European migrants
Poland and the Czech Republic extended their circular migration programmes with Ukraine, Georgia, and several Asian countries, focusing on short-term contracts in manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture.
ECB cuts growth forecasts, flags ageing and productivity as core drags
The European Central Bank holds its key interest rates steady while cutting its growth forecasts for the eurozone.
Finance ministers debate Draghi follow-up, divided on joint borrowing
Euro area finance ministers discuss follow-up to the Draghi report at a Eurogroup meeting. While endorsing the need for deeper capital markets, divisions persist over large-scale joint borrowing to fund the estimated €800 billion annual investment gap.
US Supreme Court rulings broaden presidential power over trade and immigration
The US Supreme Court issued rulings that significantly expand presidential discretion over tariffs, sanctions, and immigration controls. One decision upheld the administration's expansive use of emergency powers to impose tariffs without explicit congressional approval.
Spanish regions activate permanent heat-health plans weeks early.
Andalusia, Madrid, and Catalonia rolled out reinforced protocols after an early-season heatwave pushed emergency admissions above average, with hospitals expanding cooled spaces and targeting outreach to vulnerable groups.
Baltic states propose joint EU talent visa for green and digital skills
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania proposed a joint 'Baltic Talent' visa to attract highly skilled workers in green tech, cybersecurity, and digital services, citing shrinking working-age populations as a threat to their green and digital transitions.
Cross-border fire resumes between Israel and Hezbollah
Artillery and rocket exchanges have flared along the Israel-Lebanon border after a period of relative calm. The violence occurs as French and EU diplomats work on a buffer zone proposal, acknowledging that any durable de-escalation is tied to progress in Gaza ceasefire talks.
EU reaches provisional deal on AI Act, mandating watermarking for synthetic media
EU governments and Parliament negotiators have reached a tentative deal to simplify some AI Act provisions while adding stricter rules on synthetic content, including compulsory watermarking for AI-generated content and an EU-wide ban on sexually explicit deepfakes.
EU drafts retaliatory tariff list amid fears of fragmentation
The European Commission has prepared a draft list of counter-tariffs targeting iconic US consumer and agricultural products. Diplomats report pressure to respond firmly while avoiding fragmentation, as some member states with large export exposure prefer negotiation.
US advances framework for Saudi-Israel normalization tied to Palestinian statehood
Washington is advancing a comprehensive framework where Saudi Arabia would normalize relations with Israel in exchange for substantial, concrete moves toward recognizing a Palestinian state, alongside US security guarantees for Riyadh.