Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Monday 6 July
UK and Italian navies adjust deployments near Bab el-Mandeb
The UK and Italian navies have adjusted their deployments around Bab el-Mandeb, contributing to a broader EU-Gulf effort aimed at safeguarding energy flows through the critical waterway.
German Foreign Minister Wadephul calls for Iran to fund Strait of Hormuz mine-clearing
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated Iran should bear the cost of a European mine-clearing mission in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the mining of the key oil transit route 'illegal'. This follows Iran's announcement of shipping fees in the Strait.
Irish tech sector experiences AI-linked job cuts
Companies including Meta and TikTok announced job cuts in Ireland, with the government warning the country could be among the first to experience broad AI-driven labor-market upheaval. Employment in ICT for workers under 30 fell by almost one-third between 2023 and 2025.
Ukraine conducts deepest drone strike on Russia, hitting Omsk oil refinery
Ukrainian forces struck Russia’s Omsk oil refinery, over 2,500 km from Ukrainian territory, in what is assessed as the deepest drone strike of the war. This attack extends Kyiv’s campaign against Russia’s energy infrastructure.
Hamas dissolves Gaza governing committee, head resigns
Hamas announced the dissolution of its emergency governing committee in Gaza and the resignation of its head Mohammed al-Farra. This move is presented as a gesture to advance the US-brokered ceasefire and facilitate a technocratic transition.
Ukraine strikes Russia's Omsk Oil Refinery
Ukrainian forces conducted their deepest drone strike of the war on the Omsk Oil Refinery, over 2,500 km from the Ukrainian border, causing a fire at Russia’s largest refinery. This action is part of a broader effort to degrade Russian logistical capacity.
Ukraine launches new long-range drone salvos against Russian targets
Ukrainian forces carried out fresh long-range drone attacks against oil facilities and transport infrastructure in several Russian regions, including near the Volga and in the south, causing fires at an oil depot and disruptions near a rail hub.
French National Rally emerges as largest bloc in snap legislative elections
Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National (RN) achieved its best-ever result in the June 2026 two-round legislative contest, winning the largest share of seats in the Assemblée Nationale but falling short of an outright majority, shattering the traditional cordon sanitaire.
Ukrainian drones strike Russia’s largest oil refinery in Omsk
Ukrainian long-range drones struck Russia’s largest oil refinery at Omsk in southwestern Siberia, one of Kyiv’s deepest attacks to date. The operation also targeted Baltic oil export terminals and sites in the Kaluga and Yaroslavl regions.
UN Secretary-General urges global AI governance
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance that artificial intelligence is outpacing regulation, calling for harmonised global rules to protect children and prevent a 'vibe-coded' future.
German AfD doubles vote share in federal elections
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) finished second nationally in recent federal elections, roughly doubling its vote share compared with the previous cycle, intensifying debates within traditional parties on how to respond.
Iran fires missiles at commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guards fired at least two missiles at commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, damaging two ships but causing no casualties, according to US officials. This action tests a fragile ceasefire with Washington.
US to press NATO allies on 5% defence spending target
The United States will press NATO allies to accelerate their defence spending towards the 5% GDP target previously agreed upon in The Hague.
Russia conducts largest drone assault on Ukraine
Russia carried out its biggest drone assault to date, launching 355 drones in a single attack as part of a weekend campaign involving about 900 drones. The bombardment targeted cities and infrastructure across Ukraine, further damaging the energy grid.
US troop rotation to Poland resumes after May suspension
Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed the resumption of US troop rotation, which had been suspended in May. This development is seen as a positive signal for regional security and will be completed within weeks.
Ukrainian drones strike Russia's largest oil refinery in Omsk
Ukrainian forces attacked the Omsk refinery, Russia's largest, in one of the longest-range strikes of the war. The facility caught fire and the city's airport was closed.
European news organizations push for global AI rules
An expanded coalition of European and international media groups renewed calls for binding global and EU-level rules on generative AI. They seek to safeguard copyright, require training-data transparency, and ensure clear labelling of synthetic content.
EU border states agree to develop joint return hubs and detention facilities
Interior ministers from Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Cyprus agreed to jointly develop a network of "return hubs" and expanded detention facilities at external borders, aiming to speed up processing and deportation of rejected asylum seekers.
Hamas dissolves Gaza government for UN-backed committee
Hamas agreed to transfer administrative power in Gaza to a transitional committee, a step towards implementing the ceasefire's second phase, though wider issues like disarmament remain stalled.
President Trump to meet Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at NATO summit
US President Donald Trump will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara to discuss the ongoing war with Russia.
Polish Defence Minister announces resumption of US troop rotation
Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed that the US troop rotation, suspended in May, will resume and be completed within weeks. He described this development as an "extremely positive signal."
EU sets Q2 2026 CBAM reference price
The European Commission set the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) reference price for Q2 2026 at €75.28 per tonne of CO₂, signaling the ongoing operationalization of the mechanism amid broader ETS reforms.
Ukraine strikes Russia's Omsk refinery in deepest attack of the war
Ukrainian forces hit Russia's largest refinery in Omsk, located over 2,500 km from the border, as part of an expanded deep-strike campaign against energy infrastructure.
US to deploy 5,000 additional troops to Poland
The US will send 5,000 additional troops to Poland within three months, with negotiations ongoing for a permanent base decision expected within six to twelve months. This deployment is part of broader bilateral security arrangements.
Wildfire in French Pyrenees forces 10,000 evacuations
A major wildfire in France's Pyrenees has burned over 4,500 hectares and forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 people from nearly 30 towns and villages, highlighting pressure on civil protection and firefighting capacity.
Russia kills at least 10 in overnight missile and drone barrage on Kyiv
Russia launched a massive air assault on Kyiv and the surrounding region overnight, using ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, killing at least 10 people and wounding dozens. Poland scrambled fighter jets in response.
European Commission pledges to improve automated border checks
The European Commission pledged to redouble efforts to resolve problems with its new automated border control system after airports and airlines reported wait times of up to nine hours at peak periods.
Ukraine strikes Crimea power grid, causing peninsula-wide outage
Ukrainian forces attacked electrical substations across Russian-occupied Crimea overnight, causing a peninsula-wide power outage. The governor of Sevastopol confirmed the city was without electricity following the strikes.
Sunday 5 July
Poland, Hungary, and Romania report excess mortality due to heatwaves
National health institutes in Poland, Hungary, and Romania reported sharp rises in heat-related deaths during early-season heatwaves in May and June, particularly among elderly and low-income urban residents. This highlights gaps in building standards and public warning systems.
Italy extends seasonal work quotas and reinforces border operations
Italy approved an increase in its annual quotas for non-EU seasonal and low-skilled workers, citing labour shortages, and simultaneously authorized additional funding for joint EU border operations in the central Mediterranean.
NATO leaders gather in Ankara for summit
NATO leaders are meeting in Ankara to discuss collective security, aiming to cement the 5% GDP defense spending goal. The summit addresses concerns regarding the US commitment to the alliance.
Ukraine expands deep-strike drone and missile campaign on Russian energy infrastructure
Ukrainian forces stepped up long-range drone and missile strikes against Russian oil refineries and energy facilities in Krasnodar, Volgograd, and Belgorod regions, causing fires and production disruptions. This campaign aims to degrade Russia’s fuel production.
Putin and Trump discuss Ukraine settlement ahead of NATO summit
The Kremlin announced that Russian President Putin and former US President Trump discussed a settlement in Ukraine during an 85-minute phone call, with Trump expressing a readiness to push for a quick end to fighting.
Google Maps landmarks renamed offensively in Warsaw
Users of Google Maps in Warsaw found several landmarks, including the Presidential Palace, renamed with vulgar and provocative labels on Sunday evening. This incident highlights vulnerabilities in digital mapping services.
Trump posts meme mocking Italian Prime Minister Meloni
US President Donald Trump posted a meme on Truth Social depicting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with the caption 'restraining order needed', on the eve of a NATO summit in Ankara. This public action adds to diplomatic tensions.
Gotland authorities urge tourists to conserve water
Authorities on the Swedish island of Gotland have asked visitors to skip showers and wash in the Baltic Sea. This request follows low rainfall and limestone mining, which have severely depleted the island's water supplies.
Iran begins funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
Funeral ceremonies for Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who died in a US attack in February, began in Tehran, marking a significant transition for the country's leadership.
OPEC+ agrees to increase oil output for August
The OPEC+ alliance agreed to increase production targets by 188,000 barrels per day from August, marking the fifth consecutive monthly rise as the Strait of Hormuz gradually reopens.
Mourners at Khamenei's funeral call for Trump's death
During the funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a poet urged a crowd of hundreds of thousands to assassinate President Donald Trump, underscoring continued anti-US sentiment.
Gotland authorities ask tourists to bathe in Baltic Sea
Authorities on the Swedish island of Gotland have requested tourists use the Baltic Sea for bathing instead of showers, following low rainfall and limestone extraction that have depleted water resources.