Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Tuesday 7 July
WHO Director-General reports over 1,300 excess deaths in Europe
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on social media that more than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded in Europe since June 21, linked to high temperatures. This highlights the severe public health impact of the ongoing heatwaves.
Ukraine's presidential chief accuses Poland of preparing escalation
Kyryło Budanow, head of President Zelensky's office, stated that Poland is readying escalatory steps tied to the July 11 Volhynia massacres anniversary, warning against ultimatums.
Paris court reduces Marine Le Pen's public office ban
A Paris appeals court upheld Marine Le Pen's conviction for misusing EU funds but shortened her ban on holding public office, potentially allowing her to contest the 2027 presidential election.
US envoy announces formal launch of Gaza peace plan phase two
US envoy Steve Witkoff declared the start of phase two of President Trump’s Gaza peace plan, shifting the framework from ceasefire management to demilitarisation and reconstruction.
NATO allies sign pact for European Patriot missile servicing hub
Poland, the US, and three other NATO allies sign an agreement to establish a European Patriot missile servicing center. The pact was finalized at the NATO Defence Industry Forum in Ankara to increase production and maintenance capacity for PAC-3 interceptors.
Germany records national temperature high of 41.7°C
Germany reached a national record temperature of 41.7°C during the recent heatwave, demonstrating the widespread and intense nature of the extreme weather across the continent. This event underscores the need for enhanced national adaptation strategies.
ECB Executive Board member warns on fragile eurozone outlook
Fabio Panetta, an ECB Executive Board member, warned the eurozone outlook "remains fragile" and urged stress-testing monetary decisions against multiple scenarios, given profound global shifts. This underscores ongoing internal ECB debate on rate hikes.
EU governments and Parliament agree to delay AI Act enforcement deadlines
EU governments and European Parliament negotiators reached a provisional deal to amend and delay key enforcement deadlines under the AI Act, pushing back rules for high-risk AI systems to December 2027.
China considers restricting overseas access to leading AI models
Chinese regulators met with major tech companies to discuss potential restrictions on overseas access to their most advanced AI models.
China considers restricting overseas access to frontier AI models
Chinese authorities have held meetings with domestic AI firms to discuss plans for curbing foreign access to their most advanced models, including unreleased systems. This move is framed in terms of national security and control over rapidly improving models.
British and Norwegian PMs meet at NATO summit, exchange jerseys
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met in Ankara, wearing their national football team shirts. Starmer also commented on his relationship with Trump and received a personalized gun from Erdoğan.
Marine Le Pen launches 2027 presidential bid
Marine Le Pen formally launched her campaign for the 2027 French presidential election, following the Paris Court of Appeal's decision to reduce her public office ban, which has now expired. Her immediate appeal to the Cour de Cassation suspends her sentence.
NATO showcased large arms contracts and investment plans ahead of summit
Reuters reported NATO showcased large arms contracts and investment plans, demonstrating responsiveness to US demands for greater defence effort. European members and Canada spent about $90 billion more on defence in 2025 than in 2024.
President Trump orders airstrikes on Iran
President Trump ordered airstrikes on Iran during the NATO summit in Ankara, escalating tensions in the Middle East and overshadowing alliance discussions on defence spending.
Oil tanker struck by projectile near Strait of Hormuz
An oil tanker was hit by an unknown projectile while sailing southbound near the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire but no casualties, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations. This incident raises concerns about maritime security in the critical shipping lane.
NATO summit opens in Ankara
The 39th NATO summit opened in Ankara, with allies expected to endorse a shift towards greater European responsibility for conventional defense, while the US pressures members to meet higher spending targets.
Iran strikes two ships in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired at least two missiles at civilian ships in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such attacks since late June and endangering a temporary US-Iran de-escalation deal.
Iran strikes two ships in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired at least two missiles at civilian ships in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such attack since late June. This incident endangers a temporary de-escalation deal and has already pushed oil prices higher.
Iran fires missiles at commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guards fired at least two missiles at commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, damaging two ships but causing no casualties. This action tests a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
Paris appeals court upholds Le Pen conviction, reduces public office ban
A Paris appeals court upheld Marine Le Pen’s conviction for misusing European Parliament funds but reduced her ban from public office, making her eligible to run in the 2027 presidential election. The court maintained a three-year prison sentence, with two years suspended.
NATO approves $40 billion counter-drone initiative
At the Ankara summit, NATO allies agreed to a five-year, $40 billion package to expand counter-drone defenses, unmanned systems procurement, and operator training. This responds to operational lessons and US demands for greater European investment in concrete capabilities.
Nine EU states and Ukraine launch anti-ballistic missile coalition
Leaders from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine announced a joint defence initiative in Paris. This coalition will focus on ballistic missile interception capabilities, aiming to enhance regional security.
Polish presidential aide added to Ukraine's 'enemies list'
Zbigniew Bogucki, head of President Karol Nawrocki's chancellery, was placed on the Ukrainian NGO Myrotvorets' list of 'enemies of Ukraine' after referring to western Ukrainian territories as 'Małopolska Wschodnia' (Eastern Lesser Poland).
Trump announces lifting of Turkey sanctions at NATO summit
At the NATO summit in Ankara, President Trump announced the US will lift sanctions on Turkey and said a decision on selling F-35 jets is forthcoming. This reverses a policy he imposed in 2020 and exemplifies the administration's transactional bilateral bargaining approach.
NATO summit opens in Ankara
The 39th NATO summit has convened in Ankara, with US President Donald Trump attending despite previous threats to withdraw from the alliance and ongoing criticism of European allies' defence spending.
US launches airstrikes against Iran after Strait of Hormuz tanker attacks
The US military began a series of airstrikes against Iran on Tuesday evening, hours after three commercial tankers were hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz. This action follows renewed tensions in the critical waterway.
European NATO members and Canada pledge €70 billion in military aid for Ukraine
European NATO members and Canada committed to providing €70 billion in military aid for Ukraine for 2026 and equivalent levels in 2027, aiming to assume long-term financing of Ukraine’s war effort.
Poll finds 56% of Poles attribute blame to Zelensky for Polish-Ukrainian crisis
A new poll reveals that 56% of Polish respondents believe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is primarily responsible for the recent diplomatic crisis between Warsaw and Kyiv, stemming from his decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
China considers curbing overseas access to its frontier AI models
Chinese regulators are considering new rules to restrict foreign access to top Chinese AI models like DeepSeek's R1, citing national security and data leakage concerns, which could impact global AI competition and EU procurement.
Nine EU states and Ukraine launch anti-ballistic missile coalition
Leaders from nine EU states and Ukraine announced a joint defense initiative in Paris focused on ballistic missile interception capabilities. This coalition aims to enhance Ukraine's air defense against Russian missile threats and integrate European defense efforts.
Poland's Foreign Minister warns of Russian false-flag provocation
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated Moscow may stage a drone attack under a false flag to test NATO's resolve, drawing a direct parallel to Kremlin denials before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Walmart cuts prices on various goods
Walmart announced price reductions on ground beef, cherries, Coca-Cola, and seasonal products, with President Trump claiming the cuts were made at his administration's request for the 250th anniversary.
Monday 6 July
EU pledges to resolve airport queues caused by new Entry/Exit System
The European Union has promised to step up efforts to resolve long queues at airports, which have been caused by its new Entry/Exit System. Airlines and airports reported wait times reaching five hours at peak periods.
Russia conducts largest air attacks in months, killing 22
Russia launched waves of missiles and drones, killing at least 22 people and striking urban areas and critical infrastructure. All ballistic missiles hit their targets, exposing gaps in Ukraine’s air defenses and deepening damage to the energy grid.
France enters second prolonged heatwave with temperatures up to 42°C
France entered a second prolonged heatwave from July 6, with Météo-France warning of a 10-12 day episode and peaks up to 42°C in the southwest. This follows a late June heatwave that caused approximately 1,000 excess deaths.
Google Maps in Warsaw displays offensive name changes
Users of Google Maps in Warsaw discovered landmarks, including the Presidential Palace, had been renamed with vulgar and provocative labels on Sunday evening. This incident affected multiple locations across the city.
Ukraine launches deepest drone strike on Russia's Omsk refinery
Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s Omsk oil refinery, the country’s largest, located over 2,500 km from the Ukrainian border. Kyiv described this as one of its longest-range attacks, part of a broader effort to disrupt Russian fuel supplies.
Russian missiles wound eight in Kyiv
Russian strikes on Kyiv wounded at least eight people early Monday, damaging a residential complex, while Ukraine rejected a proposed six-hour ceasefire and its drone campaign against Russian oil infrastructure reached a record intensity.
European media and IT firms announce AI-related layoffs
Several major European media and IT-services firms announced AI-related restructuring and layoffs, citing automation and "AI-augmented workflows" as reasons for cutting back-office and junior production roles.
Egypt-Qatar Gaza monitoring mechanism upgraded with EU liaison roles
The Egypt-Qatar joint monitoring mechanism for Gaza ceasefire compliance was upgraded, with EU envoys formally embedded to liaise on border management, aid flows, and migration concerns at Rafah and Kerem Shalom.