Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Tuesday 14 July
US attacks Iran's Bandar Abbas base with kamikaze drone boats
Three Corsair unmanned surface vessels struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility at Iran's Bandar Abbas naval base, marking the inaugural combat deployment of US naval drones, CENTCOM said.
Senate Democrats block consideration of defense budget
Senate Democrats voted as a bloc to prevent consideration of Trump's proposed National Defense Authorization Act. This action temporarily halts the administration's effort to use a sharply expanded Pentagon budget as a bargaining chip in alliance negotiations.
Ukrainian drones strike Russian refineries in Bashkortostan and Krasnodar
Long-range Ukrainian drones struck the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat complex in Bashkortostan and the Afipsky oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai, targeting critical processing units hundreds of kilometers from the front.
New York State imposes moratorium on large data centers
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order blocking environmental permits for data centers using 50 megawatts or more. This decision cites threats to utility bills, water supplies, and grid stability, impacting future AI infrastructure development in the state.
EU Commission to issue non-binding recommendations on methane penalties
The European Commission plans to adopt non-binding recommendations next week, urging member states to temporarily not apply penalties for oil and gas imports breaching the EU methane regulation, aiming to ease supply concerns.
US Commerce Department signals new AI export controls
A senior US Commerce Department official stated that new actions regulating artificial intelligence and semiconductors are forthcoming. This suggests further tightening of controls on advanced chips and potentially AI model exports.
Trump scraps Hormuz fee, pursues Gulf trade deals
President Trump abandoned a planned 20 percent levy on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, replacing it with bilateral investment agreements with Gulf states. This shift occurred hours after US airstrikes hit targets near Iran's nuclear plant.
China's exports jump 27% in June, car shipments top 1 million units
Chinese outbound shipments jumped 27% in dollar terms while imports climbed 36%, both exceeding analyst estimates. Auto exports crossed 1 million units for the first time, and AI-related chip demand lifted trade across Asia.
Bulgaria withdraws from 'Coalition of the Willing'
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that Bulgaria will cease participation in the "coalition of volunteers" supporting Ukraine. This move signals a divergence from the prevailing stance among most EU member states.
Nvidia cuts approved Asia buyer list
Nvidia removed dozens of entities in Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan from its 'whitelist' of customers for advanced chips, following stricter internal compliance checks linked to US export control reforms targeting China.
Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority declares Hormuz closed
Iran's newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority announced the Strait of Hormuz is closed "until further notice," citing "illegal movements of the United States military forces" and warning ships against unauthorized passage.
US President Trump scraps 20% Hormuz transit fee
US President Donald Trump abandoned a planned 20 percent levy on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, replacing it with bilateral investment agreements with Gulf states.
EU ministers open new accession cluster for Ukraine and Moldova
EU ministers formally opened Cluster 6 (external relations/foreign policy and security) for Ukraine and Moldova's accession talks. This advances their integration paths, following the opening of Cluster 1 (Fundamentals) on 15 June.
Houthis strike Saudi airport with missiles and drones
Yemen's Houthi rebels launched ballistic missiles and drones at Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia, hours after the Yemeni government struck Sanaa airport's runway to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing.
EU foreign ministers stall on new Russia sanctions
EU foreign ministers failed to agree on a new round of sanctions against Russia, with divisions emerging over concerns that an oil price cap increase could exacerbate energy costs for European industry and consumers.
CBA detains former Polish National Foundation board members
Two former members of the Polish National Foundation board, Maciej Świrski and Cezary Jurkiewicz, were arrested by the CBA. The investigation concerns alleged abuse of powers in financing a 2017 media campaign, causing a loss of at least PLN 8.4 million.
European Parliament committee adopts report on child safety online
The European Parliament's Culture and Education Committee adopted a report calling for tougher enforcement of EU rules to protect children online, urging bans on harmful design practices and a "youth mode" for minors.
France and Italy approve major air-defense and deep-strike package for Ukraine
Ukraine will acquire 16 French Rafale fighter jets and four Franco-Italian SAMP/T-NG air defense systems, with licensed production of interceptors and missiles. This deal aims to enhance Ukraine's air defense and long-range strike capabilities.
Trump demands immediate moves towards 5% GDP defence spending at Ankara summit
President Trump pressed NATO allies at the Ankara summit to move rapidly toward the agreed target of 5% of GDP on defence and security by 2035, characterizing current burden-sharing as “one-sided.” This reiterates his administration's focus on transactional alliances.
US reimposes naval blockade on Iranian ports
The United States formally reimposed a blockade of Iranian ports, ending a temporary truce. This action marks a return to open military escalation in the US-Iran confrontation around Hormuz.
Trump reverses Strait of Hormuz transit fee
President Trump reversed the 20% levy on all freight passing the Strait of Hormuz, citing calls from leaders and potential US investments, one day after its proclamation. This decision followed a spike in oil prices and new Iranian strikes.
European Commission projects EU population decline below 400 million by 2100
The European Commission's latest demographic report projects the EU population will fall to approximately 398.8 million by 2100. This decline is driven by a fertility rate of 1.34 children per woman in 2024, significantly below the replacement rate.
European Commission approves German state aid for semiconductor plants
The European Commission cleared €659 million in state aid for four first-of-a-kind semiconductor facilities in Germany, aiming to strengthen the EU’s technological sovereignty and supply-chain resilience under the Chips Act strategy.
Gibraltar treaty provisionally applies, enabling passport-free movement
A treaty governing Gibraltar’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU provisionally applies from midnight on 14 July 2026. This allows passport-free movement at the Gibraltar–Spain border and effectively brings Gibraltar into the Schengen travel area.
US Senate introduces revised Russia sanctions and tariff bill
A bipartisan group of senators introduced the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, a reworked package designed to squeeze Moscow’s war finances. The bill authorizes tariffs up to 100% on top buyers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India.
French authorities battle major wildfires near Paris
French authorities are battling major wildfires near Paris, with approximately 2,050 hectares of the Fontainebleau forest burned amid a prolonged heatwave. These fires underscore the expanding geographic scope of wildfire risks in France.
Nvidia halves authorized AI chip buyer list in Asia
Nvidia halved its authorized buyer list across Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan, introducing a new compliance white list. This aims to reduce the risk of advanced AI accelerators being transshipped to Chinese entities via third countries.
Dubai plans new port to bypass Strait of Hormuz
DP World is negotiating a multi-purpose port and container terminal on the UAE's Gulf of Oman coast, aiming to route cargo around the Iranian-blockaded Strait of Hormuz after traffic at Jebel Ali collapsed by 90-95 percent.
US launches third night of strikes on Iran
The US military bombed targets across Iran for a third consecutive night, following Tehran's strike on two UAE tankers in the Strait of Hormuz that killed one Indian sailor.
Polish fighters intercept Russian reconnaissance plane near coast
A pair of Polish fighters forced a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance plane to turn back after it approached Poland's coast near Ustka. Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak stated it was Russia's first close aerial probe in a long time and warned of hybrid war tactics.
Iran re-launches formal plan to close Strait of Hormuz
Iran formally re-launched its plan to close the Strait of Hormuz, including laying at least 100 naval mines and deploying swarms of fast-attack boats. This escalates its response to US strikes and the reactivated blockade.
US tightens AI chip export controls with new restrictions
The outgoing Biden administration introduced a new round of export restrictions on advanced AI chips, tightening licensing requirements for exports and in-country transfers.
US forces use one-way attack sea drones against Iranian naval installation
US forces deployed one-way attack sea drones operationally against an Iranian naval installation at Bandar Abbas. This marks a new phase in maritime warfare, aiming to reduce Iran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
US airstrikes target Iranian ports and energy facilities
US forces struck targets in Bushehr, Bandar-e Abbas, Abadan, and Mahshahr for the third consecutive night. These operations aim to impose a high cost on Iran and degrade its ability to target shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
EU and UK sign Gibraltar treaty in Brussels
The EU and UK signed a long-negotiated treaty on Gibraltar, clearing the way for provisional implementation and the removal of immigration controls at the Gibraltar–Spain land border. This agreement embeds Gibraltar into selected EU legal and operational regimes.
EU publishes conditions for Ukraine's External Relations cluster closure
The EU released its common position setting out criteria for Ukraine to provisionally close the External Relations cluster in accession talks. Kyiv must align laws with EU regulations on export controls, investment screening, and sanctions.
Ukraine assures EU integration remains priority despite leadership change
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European integration stated that the government change, including the dismissal of Prime Minister Svyrydenko, will not affect the country's EU accession drive, reiterating reforms are an unconditional priority.
Trump abandons Strait of Hormuz transit fee
President Trump announced on Truth Social that he was abandoning his plan to impose a 20% 'United States Reimbursement Fee' on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Ukraine drones halt operations at Russian petrochemical complex
Russia's major Salavat petrochemical complex in the Urals halted operations after a Ukrainian drone attack, with the regional governor confirming the strike.
US reinstates naval blockade on Iranian ports
The US Central Command announced the reinstatement of a naval blockade on all maritime traffic entering or exiting Iranian ports, effective from July 14, maintaining economic and maritime pressure.