Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Monday 29 June
Poland and Sweden sign deal for three A26 submarines
Poland and Sweden signed a contract in Gdynia for three A26 Blekinge-class submarines, with the first vessel scheduled for delivery in 2030. This Orka programme, valued at up to 20 billion PLN, represents one of Poland's largest defense purchases.
China expands use of counter-extraterritoriality rules
Chinese regulators instructed a major industrial supplier not to cooperate with an EU anti-dumping probe and challenged clauses requiring EU export control compliance in contracts, creating "compliance collisions" for multinationals.
Spain, Portugal, and Cyprus tighten water use amid worsening drought
Multi-year drought in the Iberian Peninsula has led to reservoirs falling to historic lows, extending irrigation cuts into the summer. Regional governments are accelerating investment in desalination, wastewater reuse, and new storage infrastructure as urgent adaptation measures.
Spain expands 'Care Talent' program for foreign workers
Spain's government expanded its 'Care Talent' program from a pilot to a multi-year recruitment scheme for foreign care workers, embedding it in the country's long-term care reform agenda and demographic planning.
Spain's Supreme Court questions legality of migrant regularization
Spain's Supreme Court has given parties five days to argue whether the government's mass regularization of migrants violates European Union law, as the application deadline closed with over 1.2 million requests.
US and Iran agree to peace talks in Qatar after weekend flare-up
The United States and Iran have agreed to cease hostilities and resume negotiations in Qatar this week, following a weekend of tit-for-tat attacks in the Persian Gulf. This development aims to de-escalate tensions and restart diplomatic efforts.
Supreme Court widens presidential control over foreign policy tools
Newly reported Supreme Court rulings have strengthened the president's power over sanctions, tariffs, and certain immigration measures. This includes upholding broad executive authority to impose national-security tariffs without detailed congressional approval.
Iranian officials deny any scheduled meeting with US
Iranian officials immediately denied President Trump's claim that a meeting was scheduled for Tuesday in Doha. This denial casts significant uncertainty over the possibility of resuming diplomatic talks between the two nations.
Japan targets 1% real growth in new economic blueprint
Japan's government released a draft long-term economic blueprint aiming for over 1% real growth, more than double its current pace. The plan also calls for 370 trillion yen in combined investment and closer coordination with the Bank of Japan.
Trump administration threatens new tariffs on EU autos and agriculture
The Trump administration is drafting a new tariff package targeting EU car exports and selected agri-food products, explicitly linking tariff relief to EU concessions on industrial subsidies and defence spending.
Iran warns France against 'provocations' after Strait of Hormuz statement
Iran's deputy foreign minister issued a warning to France against 'provocations' following the joint statement by President Macron and Oman's Sultan regarding free passage and mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump announces Iran requested Doha talks, Iran denies
President Trump announced that Iran had requested a meeting for Tuesday in Doha, but Iranian officials immediately denied any meeting was scheduled, casting uncertainty on the resumption of talks.
South Korea unveils $590bn chip and AI mega-projects
President Lee Jae Myung announced three 'mega-projects' to build chip plants, AI data centres, and robotics hubs, with Samsung and SK Hynix committing to massive investments. This initiative aims to bolster the country's position in the global AI and semiconductor industries.
Macron and Oman's Sultan demand free passage in Strait of Hormuz
French President Emmanuel Macron and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman issued a joint call for unrestricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and agreed to conduct joint mine-clearing operations, emphasizing international maritime law.
US Supreme Court expands presidential control over independent agencies
The Supreme Court ruled that statutory 'for-cause' removal protections for commissioners of multi-member independent agencies are unconstitutional, significantly strengthening the executive's hand over regulatory and economic policy.
ECB warns on structural competitiveness as eurozone PMI surveys show slowdown
The European Central Bank issued a warning on structural competitiveness, citing recent eurozone Purchasing Managers' Index surveys that indicate a renewed slowdown in economic activity.
President Trump announces Iran requested talks in Doha
President Trump stated that Iran had requested a meeting for Tuesday in Doha. This announcement came amidst heightened tensions following recent clashes in the Strait of Hormuz, indicating a potential diplomatic channel.
China blacklists 20 Japanese entities over dual-use exports
Beijing imposed immediate export restrictions on 20 Japanese entities, including Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, accusing Tokyo of pursuing a 'new type of militarism'. This action signals China's readiness to use trade tools in response to perceived security threats.
China blacklists 20 Japanese entities, citing remilitarisation push
China expanded its export controls on dual-use items to Japan, blacklisting 20 additional companies and research bodies. This action drew a sharp protest from Tokyo, as Beijing cited a "remilitarisation push" for the measure.
US and Iran sign memorandum of understanding
The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding, setting parameters for a post-war security architecture. This agreement outlines the framework for future discussions on regional stability and sanctions relief.
Italy unveils tighter water rationing and drought fund
Italy's government unveiled tighter water rationing rules and a national 'drought emergency' fund after spring and early summer river flows fell below norms. The decree co-finances desalination pilots and modernizes irrigation canals.
Southern European governments expand water security measures
Southern European governments are expanding emergency water security measures, moving from temporary drought decrees to longer-term programs. This includes accelerated investments in reuse, desalination, and leakage reduction to address deepening multi-year drought.
Latvian intelligence warns of Russian provocations on NATO's eastern flank
Latvian intelligence issued a warning that Russia may stage provocations on NATO's eastern flank to test alliance cohesion. This assessment comes amid heightened concerns about Russian hybrid attacks in the region.
Russia states readiness to resume Ukraine talks with US envoys
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia is prepared to continue discussions on Ukraine and anticipates US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to visit Moscow once the conflict with Iran de-escalates.
Heatwave kills over 1,300 people across Europe
A searing heatwave, which scientists state was virtually impossible without climate change, has killed more than 1,300 people across Europe. This event shattered temperature records from Denmark to the Czech Republic, prompting urgent calls for enhanced adaptation measures.
Sunday 28 June
Iran warns of halting diplomatic negotiations with US
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned that diplomatic negotiations with Washington would be halted entirely, indicating a severe setback for de-escalation efforts. This statement follows recent military actions and could impact future peace talks.
Germany unveils draft law for EU Migration and Asylum Pact
Germany's interior ministry circulated a draft bill to transpose key elements of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, including wider use of accelerated border procedures and expanded pre-removal detention.
Spain begins recruiting foreign healthcare workers
Spain's Health Ministry reached an agreement with several Latin American countries to streamline qualification recognition and offer multi-year work permits for foreign medical and nursing professionals, targeting understaffed regions and elder-care facilities.
Google limits Meta's Gemini AI model access
Google restricted Meta's use of its Gemini AI models, disrupting internal projects and forcing Meta to conserve AI tokens. This action highlights the industry's deep compute shortage.
Zelensky proposes National Pantheon law
Ukraine's President Zelensky submitted legislation to create a National Pantheon honoring those who fought for the country.
Romania's centrist governing coalition collapses
Romania's centrist governing coalition collapsed in late June, leading President Nicușor Dan to signal his intent to nominate a new prime minister. This development creates political instability and could open space for nationalist or Eurosceptic forces.
Poland enters new phase of talks for permanent US military base
Negotiations for a permanent American military base in Poland have advanced to a Pentagon force review, following a positive response from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Szczecin is being considered as a possible site.
Ukraine strikes two Russian refineries, igniting fire at one of Russia's largest oil processing plants
Ukrainian drones struck two oil refineries in Russia overnight, setting one of the country's largest plants ablaze in the Krasnodar region. President Zelensky confirmed the strikes, stating the goal is to weaken Russia's war capability.
Poland begins talks for permanent US military base
Negotiations for a permanent American military base in Poland have moved to a Pentagon force review, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced. This follows a positive response from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with Szczecin as a possible site.
France's 10-day heatwave ends, revives calls for urban cooling networks
After ten scorching days, rain finally arrived over France, but the relief is fleeting, rekindling debate on district cooling and the unfinished lessons of the deadly 2003 heatwave.
Netherlands reports 480 excess deaths during late-June heatwave
The Netherlands reported around 480 excess deaths during the late-June heatwave, mainly among people over 80, as temperatures approached 40°C. This highlights the need for targeted protections and urban adaptation measures like cooling centers.
Ukraine strikes Russian rocket plant in Volgograd with Flamingo missiles
Ukrainian forces hit the Titan-Barrikady defense plant in Volgograd with domestically produced FP-5 Flamingo missiles overnight, as confirmed by President Zelensky. This strike expands Ukraine's long-range sanctions campaign against Russian military targets.
EU Commission sends follow-up DSA questionnaires to Meta and TikTok
The European Commission has sent new legally binding questionnaires to Meta and TikTok, deepening its Digital Services Act scrutiny. These requests focus on how the platforms detect, label, and demote AI-generated and deepfake political content ahead of upcoming elections.
France submits new immigration and integration bill to parliament
The French government has submitted a new immigration and integration bill to parliament, aiming to streamline work permits for sectors with labour shortages while tightening deportation rules for rejected asylum seekers.
Europe heatwave causes 1,300 excess deaths
The World Health Organization reported 1,300 excess deaths across Europe since June 21, with France alone accounting for approximately 1,000 additional fatalities in the past week due to the ongoing heatwave.