Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Monday 20 July
Houthis email shipping firms about Saudi port embargo
An email sent by the Houthis instructed shipping firms not to load or discharge cargo at any Saudi Arabian port, warning that violators "may be targeted in any location." This formalizes the group’s announced "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia.
US imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian goods
President Trump announced punitive 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion of Canadian imports, including wine, cement, and clothing, citing alleged discriminatory treatment of US products. These measures, set to take effect on August 19, escalate trade tensions.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard declares Strait of Hormuz unsafe for oil transit
Iran's Revolutionary Guard declared the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for the transit of any oil following explosions on two tankers in the southern passage. This statement escalates Tehran's maritime posture as US airstrikes continue for a ninth night.
Sunday 19 July
Israeli airstrikes kill nine in Gaza City
Israeli airstrikes on residential neighborhoods in Gaza City killed at least nine Palestinians, including three children, despite a ceasefire in place since October 2025, raising concerns about the stability of the truce.
US expands prosecutions for alleged noncitizen voting
Federal prosecutors have charged 129 individuals under the 1996 "voting by aliens" statute, with over two-thirds of these cases filed during Trump's tenure, indicating an escalated focus on alleged noncitizen voting.
Canadian wildfires send smoke across 18 US states
Nearly 900 wildfires in Canada have sent toxic smoke across 18 US states, affecting over 100 million people and forcing event cancellations. President Trump threatened to add pollution costs to Canadian tariffs, while New York braces for Sunday's World Cup final under hazy skies.
Russia launches massive ballistic missile and drone attack on Kyiv
Russia launched one of its largest combined ballistic missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, firing 41 missiles and 120-125 drones, resulting in one fatality and 16 injuries, and underscoring the strain on Ukraine's air defenses.
Russia launches one of largest ballistic missile barrages on Kyiv
Russia fired 41 missiles and 125 drones in a combined assault largely focused on Kyiv, resulting in at least one fatality and over a dozen injuries. Ukrainian air defenses reported shooting down 18 missiles and 108 drones.
US Department of Homeland Security implements new visa rules
The US Department of Homeland Security has abolished the traditional "duration of status" framework for F, J, and I visas, replacing it with fixed time limits.
Hungary's public broadcaster M1 suspends news programming
Hungary's state broadcaster M1 has suspended all news programming, announcing a temporary relaunch focused on films.
US Treasury freezes $130 million in Iranian crypto wallets
The US Treasury froze over $130 million in cryptocurrency wallets linked to Iran's central bank, targeting alleged illicit financial activities. This move aims to further degrade Iran's financial capacity amid escalating hostilities.
Iran strikes Kuwaiti power and desalination plant
Iranian missiles struck a power and desalination plant in Kuwait, wounding military personnel and suspending flights. This action follows continued US strikes on Iranian coastal targets and signals an expansion of the conflict.
Israeli shelling kills 7-12 Palestinians in Gaza
Israeli shelling in Gaza City and central Gaza killed between 7 and 12 Palestinians, including mourners at a funeral in Nuseirat, and wounded more than 20. These actions are described as ongoing violations of the ceasefire.
Ukraine expands deep-strike drone attacks on Russian infrastructure
Ukrainian forces conducted coordinated overnight strikes on two Russia-linked oil tankers in the Black Sea, three oil depots in Russia’s Stavropol region, and multiple energy substations in occupied Crimea, demonstrating an increasingly mature strike doctrine.
Hungary's parliament passes constitutional amendment expanding power over presidency
Hungary’s National Assembly approved the 17th amendment to the Fundamental Law, allowing parliament to remove the president if they refuse to promulgate a constitutional amendment.
Israeli forces conduct new strikes in Gaza
Israeli artillery and airstrikes in Gaza killed at least two Palestinians and injured others, marking ongoing violations of the ceasefire. These incidents occurred in Gaza City and central Gaza, complicating efforts to stabilize the truce.
Israel and Jordan intercept Iranian missile near Aqaba
Israeli and Jordanian forces jointly intercepted a missile fired toward the Jordanian port city of Aqaba, prompting Israel to warn of forceful retaliation for any direct Iranian attack.
Ukrainian drones hit Russian warehouses and an oil depot
Ukrainian drones set ablaze two large warehouses belonging to Wildberries in Tambov region and near Moscow, struck an oil depot in Noginsk, and damaged a residential building in Vladimir region, killing at least seven people.
EU implements eco-design rules for textiles
The EU's new eco-design rules for textiles entered into force, banning large companies from destroying unsold or returned clothing and shoes.
Romania's Social Democrats propose parliamentary crisis committee
Romania’s governing Social Democrats called for a parliamentary “crisis committee” to break the political deadlock, aiming to draft amendments to unblock government operations.
Israel and Jordan intercept Iranian missile near Aqaba
Israeli and Jordanian forces jointly intercepted an Iranian missile targeting the Jordanian port city of Aqaba, adjacent to Israel’s Eilat on the Red Sea. This marks a direct Iranian strike attempt against a key Red Sea logistics hub.
Ukraine strikes Russian oil tankers and energy infrastructure
Ukraine's military reported striking two oil tankers in the Black Sea, a floating crane in the Sea of Azov, and several Russian energy nodes and oil depots, hitting 59 targets overnight.
US soldiers killed in Jordan, Trump orders eighth night of strikes
Two American soldiers were killed and a third is missing after an Iranian strike on a base in Jordan on Friday, bringing total US military deaths in the conflict to 16. The US has responded with an eighth consecutive night of airstrikes on Iranian targets.
EU donors pledge $1 billion for Gaza recovery
EU donors pledged $1 billion for Gaza's "early recovery" efforts, signaling continued international support for the region amidst ongoing Israeli strikes and the broader conflict dynamics.
President Trump attends World Cup final, demands immediate re-hosting
President Trump attended the World Cup final in New York and used a pre-match interview to demand the United States host the event again immediately. This demand comes despite FIFA rules making 2038 the earliest possible return for the US.
Over half of Poles say government failed on PiS accountability
A SW Research survey for Rzeczpospolita found 53.3% of Polish respondents believe the Tusk government has not met expectations regarding accountability for the previous administration. This follows Prime Minister Donald Tusk's apology for overpromising swift justice.
Global Meta platforms experience widespread outage
Users worldwide, including in Poland, reported login failures and inaccessible feeds on Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram. Nearly 4,000 complaints were logged on DownDetector by 10:00 a.m. local time.
Russia launches one of its largest ballistic and drone barrages on Kyiv
Russia launched 41 missiles and 125 drones across Ukraine, with Kyiv experiencing one of the largest ballistic assaults since the full-scale invasion began, killing at least one person and injuring more than a dozen. Ukraine's air force intercepted 18 missiles and 108 drones.
Canadian wildfires cause widespread smoke across 18 US states
Nearly 900 wildfires in Canada have sent toxic smoke across 18 US states, affecting over 100 million people and forcing event cancellations. This environmental event has prompted a US presidential response regarding potential tariffs.
Russia fires 40 ballistic missiles at Kyiv, killing at least one
Russia launched approximately 40 ballistic missiles at the Ukrainian capital overnight, causing fires across five districts and leaving at least one person dead. This barrage marks the most intense such attack since the full-scale invasion began.
US airstrikes target Iranian civilian infrastructure
US forces struck bridges and power stations in southern Iran, expanding their air campaign beyond military and port targets. These attacks are part of President Trump's strategy to pressure Tehran into negotiations over Strait of Hormuz shipping security.
President Trump threatens Canada with tariffs over wildfire smoke
President Trump threatened to add pollution costs to Canadian tariffs, citing the impact of wildfire smoke from Canada across 18 US states. This move is part of his administration's transactional approach to international relations.
Denmark pushes to suspend Hungary's EU voting rights
Denmark's European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre announced a formal initiative to move Article 7 sanctions against Hungary to the stage of suspending its voting rights in the Council, citing persistent breaches of EU core values.
China reinforces oversight of technology and data transactions
Chinese regulators significantly reinforced oversight of overseas transactions involving Chinese technology and data, giving Beijing broad powers to unwind completed deals and scrutinise foreign investments.
Ukrainian drones paralyze Kerch ferry crossing to Crimea
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) announced they have almost completely paralyzed the Kerch ferry crossing through a series of successful drone attacks, targeting a key route for Russian supplies to occupied Crimea.
Lebanon seeks White House meeting on Hezbollah and Israeli withdrawal
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will visit the White House to present a plan for disarming Iran-backed Hezbollah and securing Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory, aiming to leverage Trump's bilateral negotiation style.
Russia intensifies missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and ports
Russian forces maintained and intensified missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian urban centers and port infrastructure, killing at least five to six civilians and injuring dozens in southeastern Ukraine and Odesa.
Saturday 18 July
Germany's CDU floor leader Jens Spahn resigns
Jens Spahn, the parliamentary leader of Germany's ruling CDU/CSU bloc, resigned amid a dispute over his decision to have a child via surrogacy. His departure weakens a key figure in the governing center-right party as anti-establishment forces gain ground.
Hungary's PM proposes lowering voting age to 16
Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced a proposal to lower the voting age to 16 as part of a constitutional overhaul. This initiative is linked to a broader constitutional referendum planned for next summer, potentially impacting youth political participation.
France and Germany agree to develop joint EU roadmap on China trade imbalances
France and Germany announced they will develop a joint "roadmap" by September to address China's trade practices and export surpluses. The plan aims to strengthen the European Commission's mandate for market investigations and trade defence instruments.