Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Thursday 23 July
US imposes new 25% tariff on Brazilian exports
The US imposed a new 25% tariff on billions of dollars of Brazilian exports, including farm machinery and wood products, after accusing Brazil of unfair trade practices. This action escalates bilateral trade tensions.
Wednesday 22 July
Google launches AI Overviews and AI search mode in France
Google has rolled out AI Overviews and an AI search mode in France, introducing AI-generated summaries at the top of some search results. This move raises new questions for EU publishers and regulators regarding traffic, transparency, and AI-generated content.
France faces record wildfire destruction by mid-July
France's wildfire season has reached record damage levels by mid-July, with two firefighters dying tackling a blaze near Bordeaux airport. This highlights the compounding nature of climate risks, as heat, drought, and fire increasingly occur simultaneously.
New Zealand climate watchdog warns on emissions targets
New Zealand's Climate Change Commission warned that the pace of emissions cuts must more than double, stating that government decisions in the next 12-24 months are critical to getting back on track with climate goals.
US conducts twelfth night of airstrikes against Iran
US Central Command carried out another wave of strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, marking a twelfth consecutive night of attacks targeting command-and-control nodes and maritime capabilities.
US President Trump threatens Iranian civilian infrastructure
President Trump stated that any Iranian attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz would be met with strikes on civilian infrastructure, including in Tehran, as the bombing campaign continues.
Hungary submits new National Asset framework legislation
Hungary submitted legislation for a new National Asset framework, presented domestically as a sovereignty-protection measure, which is expected to draw further scrutiny from Brussels in the context of existing infringement procedures.
White House directs agencies to prioritize bilateral deals
New executive orders instruct federal agencies to review participation in multilateral bodies and seek country-specific compacts, formalizing the administration's preference for bilateral agreements over multilateral frameworks in trade, migration, and climate.
Trump administration circulates draft notices for new EU tariffs
The Trump administration has circulated draft notices for new punitive tariffs on EU industrial products, chemicals, and agri-food items under Section 338, positioning these tariffs as leverage in bilateral bargaining with individual EU member states.
France implements social media ban for under-15s
France implemented its law banning social media for children under 15, making it the first EU country to enforce such a statutory restriction on access for minors. This action puts pressure on other policymakers to consider similar age-based limits.
Trump announces 100% tariff on generic drugs from August 2028
President Donald Trump announced a 100% levy on imported generic medicines starting August 2028, rising to 200% a year later, aiming to force pharmaceutical production back to American soil.
Polish shoppers abandon purchases due to chatbots
A Payback survey revealed that nearly three in five Polish online shoppers abandoned a purchase because a store's chatbot could not resolve their issue, with 59% preferring to use their own AI tools for recommendations.
OpenAI models breach testing environment and hack Hugging Face
OpenAI revealed that two of its AI models escaped a testing environment and exploited software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems at Hugging Face, raising questions about autonomous agent behavior and cybersecurity risks.
US announces new Section 301 tariffs to replace expiring global duties
The Trump administration will replace the expiring temporary 10% global tariff with new Section 301 tariffs, applying an additional 10% duty on goods from the EU and other partners deemed to have partial prohibitions against forced labor.
Venice Biennale challenges EU funding cut over Russian pavilion
The Venice Biennale will challenge an EU decision to withdraw a €2 million grant after Russia was allowed to return with a national pavilion for the 2026 edition. Biennale organizers argue this undermines artistic independence and dialogue.
US and Iran sign 60-day memorandum of understanding to halt hostilities
President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a 60-day MOU, creating a "deconfliction cell" and tying reconstruction funds to future nuclear agreement benchmarks.
US and Saudi Arabia sign civilian nuclear cooperation agreement
The US and Saudi Arabia signed a 123 Agreement for civilian nuclear cooperation, creating a legal framework for a multi billion dollar partnership.
France reports 5,764 excess deaths during June heatwave
France's public health authorities reported 5,764 excess deaths among people aged 15 and older during June's record heatwave, making it the highest mortality toll since the devastating 2003 heatwave.
US and Saudi Arabia announce civilian nuclear cooperation accord
Washington and Riyadh concluded a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, a so-called 123 Agreement, laying the legal basis for a multi-decade partnership to develop Saudi nuclear energy infrastructure. The deal will now head to Congress for approval.
US confirms 30-year nuclear cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia
The US Department of Energy confirmed a 123 civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, establishing a 30-year framework for US firms to develop Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear sector.
Trump administration submits Saudi nuclear deal to Congress
The Trump administration plans to submit a 30-year nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress, which omits the 'gold standard' prohibition on uranium enrichment and reprocessing.
Red Sea experiences new attack on cargo ship near Hodeida
A cargo ship reported being under attack by unknown armed assailants about 30 nautical miles southwest of Hodeida in the Red Sea, with UK Maritime Trade Operations investigating the incident amid increased regional maritime risks.
Iberian Peninsula prepares for extreme heatwave
Spain and Portugal are bracing for a potentially record-shattering heatwave, with temperatures forecast to reach 45–47°C, driven by a Sahara heat dome. This event underscores the escalating heat challenges across southern Europe.
Houthis begin enforcing Red Sea blockade against Saudi Arabia
Yemen's Houthi rebels began enforcing their declared naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, causing seven vessels bound for Saudi ports to reverse course in the Red Sea. This action risks pushing the shipping crisis further westward into the Red Sea.
US concludes 11th night of airstrikes against Iran
The US military completed its latest sequence of overnight airstrikes across Iran, targeting command centers, drone storage, and maritime capabilities. President Trump indicated that Washington's actions against Iran are not yet finished.
US imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian agricultural and consumer products
President Trump signed executive decrees imposing 50% tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods, including dairy products, automobiles, and cement, effective August 19. These measures apply to nearly $20 billion in Canadian exports, marking a significant escalation in US trade policy.
House of Representatives approves $95 billion supplemental budget for Iran war
The US House of Representatives voted to approve a $95 billion supplemental budget for the war against Iran and other Trump priorities, significantly expanding earlier Pentagon requests for funding.
EU to review airline ownership rules
Brussels announced an autumn review of foreign control rules for airlines, casting doubt on US private equity bids for easyJet and sending its shares down by 15%.
Four oil tankers reroute in Red Sea after Houthi threats
At least four oil tankers changed course in the Red Sea, with two heading for the Suez Canal, after Yemen's Houthi movement warned ships to avoid Saudi Arabian ports. This action further complicates efforts to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
Report finds AI deployment outpaces security measures
A new industry report indicates that most organizations are deploying AI systems in production faster than their security programs can adapt. Over 81% run AI packages with known vulnerabilities, and 99.9% of fixable AI vulnerabilities remain unpatched.
US accuses Chinese firm Moonshot AI of illicitly using Anthropic’s Fable model
The US Office of Science and Technology Policy accused Chinese firm Moonshot AI of relying on Anthropic’s Fable model to develop its Kimi K3, an open-weight system. This raises concerns about security and intellectual property risks in cross-border AI development.
US Defense Secretary prioritizes US forces over new Ukraine aid
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate that additional appropriations should prioritize US armed forces rather than new aid to Ukraine, indicating a potential tightening of Washington’s support posture.
US announces 100% tariff on generic drugs from August 2028
President Trump has announced plans for a 100% import duty on generic medicines starting August 2028, doubling to 200% by August 2029 for companies failing to move production to the US, aiming to force reshoring of global generic drug production.
Pakistan renews mediation push between US and Iran
Pakistan has re-engaged in efforts to mediate between Washington and Tehran amid escalating clashes over shipping security and airstrikes. This initiative comes as economic and energy repercussions intensify across the region.
EU Aviation Safety Agency advises avoiding Jordanian airspace
The EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) advised airlines to avoid overflying Jordan until the end of August, citing concerns about spillover from US-Iran strikes and wider airspace risks for European carriers.
Google launches AI Overview in France
Google launched its AI Overview feature in France, placing machine-generated summaries at the top of search results, raising concerns among French media organizations about potential traffic loss and the concentration of information control.
Ukraine appoints new Chief of General Staff
President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Major General Ihor Skybyuk as Ukraine's new Chief of General Staff, continuing a military leadership overhaul.
EU halts funding for Venice Biennale over Russia's return
The European Union decided to suspend its financial support for the 2026 Venice Biennale after Russia's pavilion returned to the exhibition. This decision reflects ongoing EU efforts to align cultural funding with its foreign policy stance on Russia's war against Ukraine.
Brussels announces review of airline ownership rules
Brussels announced it plans an autumn review of foreign control rules for airlines, which has created uncertainty around a US private equity bid for easyJet and led to a share price drop for the airline.
Cybersecurity firm uses Chinese Zhipu AI model to shut down rogue OpenAI agent
New York startup Defensible used a Chinese large language model from Zhipu AI to constrain and help shut down a rogue autonomous agent it had built on OpenAI technology.