Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Friday 17 July
US expands Iran airstrikes to critical infrastructure
The US air campaign against Iran widened to include bridges, energy sites, and a key port tower, explicitly framed by President Trump as an escalation to force Tehran to ease its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz.
France and Germany issue joint declaration on Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program
France and Germany issued a joint declaration demanding the restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and vowing to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. This aligns the two EU heavyweights on stricter non-proliferation and maritime security goals.
European Commission proposes sweeping ETS overhaul
The European Commission presented a comprehensive redesign of the EU Emissions Trading System, accelerating the cap tightening while embedding new flexibilities and linking free allowances to decarbonisation investment plans.
EU Commission proposes diluting carbon market rules for heavy industry
The European Commission will propose softening parts of the EU Emissions Trading System, extending free CO₂ allowances for sectors like steel and cement until 2037 to ease cost pressures on manufacturing.
Franco-German Ministerial Council pledges to cut EU red tape
France and Germany agreed at their Ministerial Council to jointly press Brussels for reduced EU-level bureaucracy and to support the automotive sector's competitiveness during the green transition.
Germany and France deepen defense and technology cooperation
Germany will participate in a French nuclear exercise for the first time, as both nations committed to building a European sovereign digital backbone and countering Chinese trade practices.
Two US service members killed in Jordan during Iranian attacks
Two US service members were killed and one went missing during defensive operations against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks in Jordan. Four others were injured, marking the first combat deaths in this phase of hostilities.
Germany revises renewable subsidy cuts
Germany's Economy Minister Katherina Reiche revised draft energy laws, introducing a three-year transition payment for small rooftop solar and scaling back planned compensation cuts for wind farms in grid-constrained areas. This softens impacts on renewable energy producers.
German government agrees pension and tax reforms to boost economy
Germany's governing coalition agreed on pension and tax changes, including €10 billion in income tax relief and bureaucracy cuts, to revive the sluggish economy and address demographic and cost pressures. The package is framed as a competitiveness agenda.
Moonshot unveils 2.8-trillion-parameter open-weight model Kimi K3
Moonshot unveiled Kimi K3, a 2.8-trillion-parameter open-weight model, which it states narrows the capability gap with top US frontier systems, designed for advanced reasoning and coding.
Trump administration tightens US visa rules for foreign journalists and scholars
The US Department of Homeland Security introduced stricter visa regulations for foreign journalists, students, and exchange scholars, shortening permitted stays and requiring more frequent renewals. This extends the administration's hardline immigration and security posture.
Germany to join French nuclear drill for first time
German forces will participate in a French nuclear exercise before year-end, marking a first for the two nations. This move follows pledges by German Chancellor Merz and French President Macron for deeper defence cooperation and a European sovereign digital backbone.
Germany and France deepen cooperation on AI safety
Germany and France agreed to increase collaboration between their national AI safety institutes, pooling expertise on frontier-model evaluation and systemic-risk analysis. This move aims to complement the EU AI Office's central role and address enforcement gaps.
Polish President Nawrocki vetoes nearest-person bill
President Karol Nawrocki vetoed a government bill on the status of a nearest person, arguing it created a quasi-marriage institution, a decision Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized as an ideological attack on citizens in informal relationships.
EU Commission proposes major ETS overhaul
The European Commission tabled a significant reform of the EU Emissions Trading System, which would slow the decline of the emissions cap from 2031 and extend free allowances for heavy industries until 2038.
US military delegation arrives in Beirut for Israel-Lebanon pilot zones
A US military delegation began meetings with Lebanon's army command in Beirut to discuss implementing Israel's withdrawal from the first designated pilot zone and deploying Lebanese forces, with the first zone expected to launch in days.
EU Commission proposes ETS reform extending free allowances for industry
The European Commission proposed a reform of the EU Emissions Trading System, extending free allowances for industrial installations to 2038, provided companies commit to decarbonisation investments. This aims to ease costs for energy-intensive industries.
European Commission proposes ETS reform
The European Commission tabled a proposal to reform the EU Emissions Trading System, requiring member states to dedicate at least 50% of auction revenues to decarbonisation investments. This aims to deepen Brussels’ role in steering economic and industrial transformation.
European Commission unveils Electrification Action Plan
The European Commission presented an Electrification Action Plan, setting an indicative 46% electrification target by 2040 to accelerate industrial decarbonisation and improve long-term competitiveness in the EU.
Commission publishes 2026 Rule of Law Report
The European Commission published its 2026 Rule of Law Report, linking internal EU oversight to the enlargement agenda and addressing media-freedom concerns across member states and candidate countries.
Elon Musk endorses Marine Le Pen for French presidency
Elon Musk used his social media platform X to describe Marine Le Pen as the “last hope of France,” marking his first explicit backing of her 2027 presidential bid and sparking debate over foreign interference.
President Trump unveils report alleging China stole US voter data
President Trump released a new report accusing China of stealing US voter data and meddling in American elections, despite prior intelligence community assessments. This renews election fraud claims and fuels domestic legal battles over executive power.
Ukraine claims destruction of Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber at Engels airbase
President Zelensky stated Ukraine destroyed a Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber at Engels airbase, 800 km from the border, using drones. This deep-strike achievement targets Russia's strategic aviation assets used for cruise-missile attacks on Ukraine.
US Department of Homeland Security limits foreign visas
The Department of Homeland Security announced a final rule replacing the 'duration of status' system with fixed time limits for F, J, and I visa holders, impacting foreign students and accredited journalists.
Polish President vetoes nearest-person bill
President Karol Nawrocki vetoed a government bill on the status of a nearest person, arguing it created a quasi-marriage institution. This decision drew sharp criticism from Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who called it an ideological attack.
European Commission proposes ETS reforms to extend free allowances
The European Commission unveiled reforms to the EU Emissions Trading System, proposing to extend free allowances for energy-intensive companies until 2038, a four-year extension from the previous 2034 deadline. This aims to reduce compliance costs for industry.
Iran launches missile and drone attacks on Gulf infrastructure
Iran launched missile and drone attacks on US-linked and Gulf infrastructure, including a power generation and desalination plant in Kuwait, in retaliation for US airstrikes, widening the regional footprint of the confrontation.
EU Commission formally charges Meta over addictive design features
The European Commission formally charged Meta Platforms, alleging that Facebook and Instagram deploy engagement-focused design choices like autoplay videos and infinite scroll without adequate safeguards, breaching the Digital Services Act.
China's President Xi Jinping calls for global AI cooperation
President Xi Jinping called for AI to be developed and governed as a global effort during a Shanghai summit, pushing back against US restrictions on the technology. He also announced China would offer 5,000 AI training opportunities to developing countries.
Polish Sejm elects Sylwia Gregorczyk-Abram as Ombudsman
The Polish Sejm voted to appoint human rights lawyer Sylwia Gregorczyk-Abram as the next Commissioner for Human Rights, with the nomination now proceeding to the Senate for final approval.
Multiple European nations issue heat warnings
National meteorological and civil protection agencies in Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, and parts of Central Europe issued red or orange heat warnings, as temperatures surpassed 40°C under a persistent heat dome in late June and early July 2026.
European Commission sets new electricity consumption benchmark
The European Commission set a new benchmark to double the share of electricity in final energy consumption from 23% to 46% by 2040. This is part of the Electrification Action Plan aimed at cutting fossil fuel import costs and lowering energy prices.
Iran launches new missile and drone attacks on Gulf states
Iran launched missile and drone attacks against Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar in the early hours of July 17, with regional authorities attributing them to Iranian forces, marking a widening of the regional security crisis.
EU Commission proposes allowing international carbon credits from 2036
The European Commission's proposed ETS reform includes allowing the use of international carbon credits from 2036. This measure aims to finance projects outside the EU and offers additional flexibility for compliance.
UK nationalises Chinese-owned British Steel
The UK government nationalised British Steel, owned by China's Jingye Group, citing national security, protection of critical industrial capacity, and safeguarding jobs. This action is viewed as an escalation in de-risking from China.
Germany and France press China on "distorted" competition and renminbi
At a Franco-German ministerial council meeting, German CDU leader Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron presented a unified stance on China’s industrial overcapacity and exchange-rate policy, urging dialogue or a more flexible exchange rate.
US eases export controls for advanced AI chips to UAE
The US Commerce Department removed the United Arab Emirates from two restricted country groups, allowing license-free exports of advanced AI chips and military items, signaling a relaxation of controls for a key regional AI hub.
European Commission proposes ETS overhaul with prolonged free allowances
The European Commission proposed an overhaul of the Emissions Trading System (ETS), including prolonged free allowances for carbon-intensive sectors until 2038. This move responds to industry pressure and member state lobbying to protect EU firms' global competitiveness.
Brazil unveils credit package to counter US tariffs
Brazil announced a 9 billion reais credit package to support rural sectors, responding to the US decision to impose 25% tariffs on a wide range of Brazilian imports starting July 22.
Moonshot unveils Kimi K3 AI model
Beijing startup Moonshot unveiled its Kimi K3, a 2.8-trillion-parameter open AI model, which the company claims narrows the performance gap with top-tier US models on coding and complex tasks.