Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Tuesday 21 July
Trump signs executive order to harden US defense supply chains
President Trump signed an executive directive instructing the Department of War to expand regulatory mapping of critical defense supply chains and prioritize US and selected "partner nation" suppliers, reshaping procurement practices.
French National Assembly adopts agricultural emergency bill
The French National Assembly adopted the government’s agricultural emergency bill by 296 votes to 224. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally supported the legislation, which includes provisions easing certain environmental rules.
Sakana AI launches Fugu-Cyber, claiming top cybersecurity benchmarks
Tokyo-based Sakana AI released Fugu-Cyber, a cybersecurity-focused endpoint built on its multi-agent platform, claiming benchmark results that, if validated, would place it ahead of leading US frontier systems on public security tests.
Trump administration prepares new global tariff wave targeting dozens of countries
The Trump administration is poised to announce a new package of tariffs on approximately 60 countries this week, as a temporary 10% global tariff imposed under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act expires on Friday.
Monday 20 July
Russia conducts one of its largest ballistic missile and drone attacks on Kyiv
Russia carried out one of its largest ballistic missile attacks of the war, firing 41 missiles and 125 drones across Ukraine, with Kyiv as the main target, killing at least six people.
Iran declares Strait of Hormuz unsafe for oil passage
Iran's Revolutionary Guard declared the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for any oil passage after two tankers exploded on the southern passage, signaling a direct escalation in the conflict.
Russia launches 58 drones against Ukraine
Russian forces launched 58 drones of various types against Ukraine overnight, with Ukrainian air defenses reporting 46 were shot down across northern, southern, and eastern regions, indicating continued pressure on Ukrainian air defense systems.
President Trump announces Air Force One upgrades
President Trump stated the Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8 serving as Air Force One will undergo upgrades in about a month to 'max out' its defensive capabilities, acknowledging current limitations.
European Commission fines AliExpress €550 million for illegal products
The European Commission fined Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress €550 million for violating the Digital Services Act. The platform failed to address illegal and dangerous products sold through its service, marking a significant DSA enforcement action.
Ukraine launches largest drone barrage on Moscow region
Ukraine launched approximately 400 drones toward the Moscow region overnight, targeting oil facilities and logistics warehouses, in what Russian officials described as the largest such attack of the war to date.
US dispatches F-16s and F-35s to Middle East
The US dispatched F-16s from Germany and F-35s from the UK to the Middle East, alongside additional aerial refuelling tankers, in response to escalating tensions in the region. This deployment aims to reinforce US military presence and capabilities.
UK government to appoint first Cabinet-level AI minister
Britain's incoming government plans to create the country's first Cabinet-level AI minister, signaling a political recognition that AI regulation, infrastructure, and workplace impact require centralized, high-level coordination within the UK.
Iran launches missiles and drones at US-linked targets in Syria, Kuwait, and Jordan
Iran launched missiles and drones at targets linked to US forces in Syria, Kuwait, and Jordan, prompting air raid sirens and air-defense activity in Bahrain and Kuwait. This comes amid escalating US-Iran hostilities.
Ukrainian drones hit Caspian Pipeline Consortium tanker
Ukrainian drones struck a Caspian Pipeline Consortium tanker, forcing the renewed suspension of oil loadings from the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, impacting Kazakh crude exports.
European Commission fines AliExpress €550 million for illegal product sales
The European Commission fined Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress €550 million for repeatedly selling illegal products to EU consumers and failing to provide effective detection and removal mechanisms, marking one of the largest DSA penalties.
Russia launched one of its largest ballistic missile and drone attacks on Kyiv
Russia fired 41 missiles and 125 drones at Ukraine overnight, with Ukrainian air defenses shooting down or neutralizing 18 missiles and 108 drones; 23 missiles and 10 drones still hit 20 sites, killing at least one person and injuring 17.
French National Assembly adopts emergency farm bill
France's Assemblée Nationale voted 296-224 to adopt an emergency agricultural law, including a clause that permits the health agency ANSES to authorize two banned pesticides under derogation for struggling sectors.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard intercepts two oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced the interception of two oil tankers, claiming they were attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz "unauthorized." This action follows Iran's declaration that the strait is closed to commercial navigation.
Yemen's Houthis declare maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia
Yemen's Houthi forces announced a "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia, stating they would impose a sea blockade on Saudi ports. This action is presented as retaliation for a 12-year Saudi "siege" and resource plunder, widening the regional conflict.
US dispatches F-16s and F-35s to Middle East
The United States dispatched F-16s from Germany and F-35s from the UK to the Middle East, along with additional aerial refuelling tankers. This move increases military presence amid escalating regional tensions.
EU fined AliExpress €550 million
The European Commission fined Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress for failing to tackle sales of illegal, unsafe, and counterfeit goods under the Digital Services Act, deepening Brussels' willingness to use regulatory tools against major Chinese firms.
Iran suspends Islamabad memorandum after Jordan base strike
Iran declared it is no longer bound by the 14-point Islamabad memorandum signed in June, following a deadly strike on a US base in Jordan. This suspension further undermines the fragile accord aimed at de-escalation.
European Commission fines AliExpress €550 million for DSA violations
The European Commission imposed a €550 million fine on AliExpress for failing to adequately assess and mitigate systemic risks related to the sale of illegal, counterfeit, and dangerous goods, marking the largest DSA penalty to date.
US redeploys European-based aircraft to Middle East
The Trump administration is redeploying F-16s from Germany and F-35s from the UK to the Middle East, preparing to expand operations against Iran and unsettling EU partners.
Brent crude tops $90 as US-Iran strikes choke Hormuz traffic
Brent crude jumped 3% to cross $90 a barrel for the first time since mid-June after the US launched a ninth straight night of attacks on Iran, with Tehran retaliating across the region.
Ukraine launches over 400 drones toward Moscow region
Ukraine fired more than 400 drones toward Moscow and the wider region from late Sunday to early Monday, in one of its largest deep-strike operations against the Russian capital to date, targeting energy and logistics infrastructure.
US finalizes new visa regulations for students and journalists
The US Department of Homeland Security finalized new regulations limiting student visas to four years and foreign-journalist stays to 240 days, with shorter terms for Chinese nationals, as part of a broader clampdown on legal immigration pathways.
US imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian goods
President Trump signed orders imposing 50% tariffs on various Canadian goods, including wine, hockey sticks, and cement, citing "discriminatory treatment" by Ottawa.
Trump administration imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian goods
President Trump signed three proclamations to impose additional 50% tariffs on a broad range of Canadian goods, including dairy products, wine, and wood, effective August 19, covering an estimated $20 billion in imports.
Trump announces new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods
President Trump announced new 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods, including dairy and hockey equipment, slated for August 19. These measures will also target some previously exempt CUSMA-covered items, escalating trade pressure on a key treaty partner.
Hamas elects Khalil al-Hayya as new political chief
Khalil al-Hayya, the group's chief negotiator during the Gaza war, was elected to head its political bureau, filling a role vacant since Israel killed Yahya Sinwar in October 2024.
Ukraine launches over 400 drones at Moscow region and maritime targets
Ukraine launched its largest single drone assault, with over 400 drones targeting an oil depot and logistics facilities in the Moscow region, as well as two tankers and four cargo ships from Russia’s "shadow fleet."
Iran suspends Islamabad memorandum after deadly strike
Iran declared it is no longer bound by the 14-point Islamabad memorandum, signed in June, following a deadly strike on a Jordan base. This suspension indicates a hardening of Iran's stance amid the ongoing conflict.
French National Assembly adopts emergency farm bill reintroducing banned pesticides
France's National Assembly voted 296 to 224 to approve an emergency agricultural law, including a Senate-introduced clause that allows two banned pesticides back under strict conditions for struggling sectors.
EU implements ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear
A new EU ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear came into effect for large companies, requiring them to find alternative outlets such as discount sales or donations. This measure, part of the Ecodesign regulation, aims to promote circular economy principles.
Kuwaiti desalination plant hit by Iranian attack for second day
Kuwait's government stated that a desalination plant was hit for the second day in a row, causing fires and being described as a direct strike on vital civilian infrastructure.
French Parliament advances bill to ban social media for under-15s
French lawmakers reached a compromise on a bill to ban social media access for children under 15, requiring age-verification and parental consent. This national initiative positions France at the forefront of restrictive approaches to youth social media use.
US dollar strengthens, oil prices rise amid US-Iran conflict
The US dollar modestly strengthened against major currencies and Brent crude rose to around $90 per barrel, as investors reacted to the escalating confrontation between the US and Iran.
Ukraine launches unprecedented 400-drone barrage on Moscow region
Ukrainian forces launched more than 400 drones towards Moscow and surrounding regions, in one of the largest cross-border attacks of the war, hitting an oil depot and logistics facilities.
Russia launches largest ballistic missile strike on Kyiv
Russia carried out its most powerful combined ballistic and cruise missile attack on Kyiv since the 2022 full-scale invasion, firing around 40 ballistic missiles, causing at least one death and several injuries.