Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Saturday 4 July
Secretary of State Rubio blocks planned US troop cuts in Europe
Secretary of State Marco Rubio intervened to prevent Defense Secretary Hegseth from announcing additional US troop reductions in Europe, revealing internal divisions within the administration regarding military presence abroad.
Ukrainian drones strike Russian energy and logistics hubs
Ukraine launched a fresh wave of drone attacks against oil refineries, fuel depots, and logistics nodes in Krasnodar, Rostov, and Tatarstan regions, with some strikes reaching over 1,000 kilometers from the front line.
Friday 3 July
Iran warns vessels on Strait of Hormuz route rules
Iran's military warned vessels that deviations from approved routes in the Strait of Hormuz would meet a 'decisive response,' emphasizing its control over the strategic waterway following the recent reopening.
Swiss glaciers lose protective snow cover early
Snow on Swiss glaciers melted away weeks earlier than usual under the ongoing European heatwave, leaving bare ice exposed. This early melt drastically increases melt rates, raising concerns for 2026.
UN reports continued Gaza violence after ceasefire
The UN OCHA reported 23 Palestinians were killed in Gaza in the preceding week, bringing the reported death toll since the ceasefire to 1,053 and injuries to 3,406, indicating ongoing instability.
Trump attacks NATO allies ahead of Ankara summit
President Trump renewed criticism of European defense spending, calling the relationship 'one-way' days before the July 7-8 NATO summit in Ankara, prompting allies to scramble for unity.
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces report 1,150% increase in deep strikes
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces reported a 1,150% increase in successful deep strikes inside Russian-held territory since the start of 2026, conducting 2,359 missions in June alone.
Iran warns vessels to follow designated routes in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's military command issued a warning that any oil tanker or commercial vessel deviating from its designated routes in the Strait of Hormuz will face an 'immediate and forceful response,' escalating tensions over the critical energy chokepoint.
Hungary lifts scrutiny reserve on Ukraine/Moldova accession cluster
Hungary lifted its "scrutiny reserve" on 3 July, allowing the formal opening of Cluster 6 (external relations/foreign policy and security) for Ukraine and Moldova's EU accession talks. This decision enables the next step in their integration process.
Trump criticizes German defence spending as 'ridiculous'
President Trump publicly called German defence spending 'ridiculous' on social media, renewing pressure on allies ahead of the NATO summit. This criticism underscores the administration's transactional approach to alliance commitments.
Russia begins systematic attacks on Ukrainian fuel infrastructure
Russian forces initiated concerted strikes on Ukrainian fuel infrastructure, particularly gas stations across Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Sumy oblasts. This mirrors Ukraine’s strategy to complicate local fuel distribution and degrade the energy grid.
Google and Amazon report increased carbon emissions
Google's carbon emissions rose 18% and Amazon's 16% last year, as the rapid expansion of AI data centers consumed more electricity, complicating their net-zero targets for 2030 and 2040.
OPEC output surges as Strait of Hormuz reopens
OPEC production rose by 2.34 million barrels per day in June as tankers returned to the Strait of Hormuz after a near four-month blockade, indicating a significant resumption of oil exports through the critical chokepoint.
UN warns El Niño will strengthen to high intensity by September
The World Meteorological Organization announced that the ongoing El Niño is projected to reach level 3 out of 4 intensity between July and September, increasing the global probability of extreme weather events.
Swiss glaciers experience early snow melt exposing bare ice
Protective snow cover on Swiss glaciers disappeared weeks earlier than usual, leaving bare ice exposed to intense solar radiation during the current European heatwave.
President Trump criticizes NATO burden-sharing, calls US role “ridiculous”
President Trump publicly described the current level of US support for NATO as “ridiculous,” signaling further pressure on allies just days before the Ankara summit.
Supreme Court rulings entrench presidential latitude in foreign policy
Supreme Court decisions on executive power continue to reinforce President Trump's authority in foreign and security policy, further solidifying his ability to implement unilateral actions and transactional approaches.
Trump transforms US 250th anniversary into personal carnival
President Trump has transformed Washington's National Mall for the US 250th anniversary with a mini Arc de Triomphe and a 'Great American State Fair,' drawing criticism for hijacking the national story for personal glory.
European NATO members and Canada pledge €140 billion military aid to Ukraine
European NATO allies and Canada confirmed they will provide 70 billion euros in military assistance to Ukraine for both 2026 and 2027, ahead of the alliance summit in Ankara. This commitment aims to ensure continued support for Ukraine's defense.
France unveils new cultural funding tools for local journalism
The French government introduced a package of measures to support local and regional media, including a pilot "pluralism fund" and new tax incentives for philanthropic support of investigative journalism.
German Chancellor Merz defends defence spending target
Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended Germany's defence spending, stating Berlin aims to reach 3.5% of GDP by 2029, ahead of NATO's 2035 target. His remarks came in response to President Trump's recent criticism.
Google and Amazon report increased carbon emissions
Google's carbon emissions rose 18% and Amazon's 16% last year, as the expansion of AI data centers consumes more electricity, making their net-zero targets harder to reach.
Israelis mark 1,000 days since October 7 attack with protests
Protesters gathered across Israel to mark 1,000 days since the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, demanding a state commission of inquiry into the security failures.
Iran proposes conditional nuclear limits for sanctions relief
Iran has privately offered to cap uranium enrichment at 60% and accept enhanced IAEA monitoring in exchange for access to frozen assets and a schedule for easing oil export restrictions, according to diplomatic sources.
Poland's National Security Bureau chief confirms US troop rotation and discusses permanent base
Bartosz Grodecki, head of Poland's National Security Bureau, stated that the suspended rotation of a US armored brigade to Poland will be completed, and discussions are ongoing for a permanent base and Nuclear Sharing.
Trump renews NATO spending attack ahead of Ankara summit
Days before the NATO meeting in Turkey, Donald Trump posted a table of defense spending on Truth Social, accusing allies of not paying enough and calling the situation 'ridiculous'. This reiterates his transactional approach to alliance commitments.
Thursday 2 July
Patriots for Europe secures formal group status in European Parliament
The 'Patriots for Europe' alliance, led by Hungary’s Fidesz and France’s National Rally, was formally recognized as a political group. This grants it access to funding, committee posts, and speaking time, but excludes it from top leadership roles.
Russia launches massive missile and drone strike on Kyiv
Russian forces launched one of the largest air assaults on Kyiv in months, striking the Ukrainian capital with missiles and drones. Poland scrambled fighter jets in a preemptive security response.
Russia begins importing gasoline from India
Moscow has turned to seaborne gasoline imports from India after Ukrainian drone attacks crippled nearly 30% of its refining capacity, causing acute fuel shortages and rationing at stations across the country.
EU anti-fraud authorities conduct raids linked to far-right MEPs
Coordinated searches of offices and private residences linked to far-right MEPs and staff occurred in at least three EU member states.
Russia conducts deadliest attack on Kyiv this year
Russia launched hundreds of Shahed-type drones and dozens of missiles at Kyiv, killing at least 30 people and damaging about 130 buildings in the capital's deadliest strike of the year. Residential blocks, a hotel, and civilian infrastructure were hit.
OpenAI proposes 5% stake to US government
OpenAI has discussed offering a 5% stake, valued at nearly $50 billion, to the US government. This proposal aims to improve strained relations with the Trump administration and secure political backing for the company.
NATO summit concludes with European concessions on defence spending plans
The NATO summit in Warsaw ended with allies committing to present updated, front-loaded spending plans by early 2027 and to allocate at least 20% of defence budgets to investment, following sustained pressure from President Trump regarding US security guarantees.
Hungary revokes refugee status for former Polish justice minister
Hungary revoked the refugee status of former Polish justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, his wife, and ex-deputy minister Marcin Romanowski. This action was confirmed by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, closing a cross-border legal matter.
German Chancellor Merz unveils €10bn tax cut and pension reform package
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a 34-point reform package, including €10 billion in annual tax relief and a higher retirement age, aimed at boosting the economy and countering the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany.
US signs executive order directing agencies to apply "maximum leverage" in foreign negotiations
President Trump signed an executive order instructing US departments to treat major aid, trade, and security decisions as "integrated bargaining packages," explicitly linking tariffs, basing rights, arms sales, and migration cooperation in dealings with partners.
Spain's migrant amnesty receives 1.2 million applications
Spain's migrant regularization program received 1,174,978 applications, more than double the government's projected 500,000. Over 600,000 applicants have already been granted temporary work permits.
German government announces economic reform package
Germany's governing coalition announced a "Programme for Revival and Employment" on July 2, including €10 billion in annual tax relief from January 2027, aiming to address voter discontent and counter the far-right AfD's momentum.
Fed Chair Warsh pledges independence and inflation fight at Sintra forum
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh used his first international speech to double down on the 2% inflation target, reject political pressure, and outline plans to overhaul the Fed's data and decision-making. This signals a commitment to monetary policy stability.
US announces new tariffs on EU industrial and agricultural imports
The Trump administration announced a new round of tariffs targeting EU industrial and agricultural imports. This action follows the stalling of "fair trade" negotiations between the US and the European Union.