Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Monday 27 July
US and Iran pause attacks after 13 nights of airstrikes
After 13 consecutive nights of US airstrikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks on American allies, both sides have held fire for two days, allowing diplomatic efforts to proceed.
US and Iran sign 60-day memorandum
The United States and Iran signed a 60-day memorandum of understanding, tying sanctions relief to nuclear concessions, which embeds transactional logic into the diplomatic process and highlights the administration's bargaining approach.
Iran accuses Ukraine of Caspian Sea vessel attack
Iran's foreign ministry stated a Ukrainian drone struck an Iranian merchant vessel in the Caspian Sea, killing one sailor and injuring another. Tehran linked the attack to Ukraine's broader use of drones.
Iran threatens retaliation after Ukrainian drone kills sailor on Caspian Sea vessel
Tehran stated that a Ukrainian drone strike on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea killed one sailor and wounded another. Iran called the attack a violation of the UN Charter and vowed self-defense.
Spanish authorities allow residents to return home
Spanish authorities let residents of 13 municipalities return home after wildfire threats subsided, though a new heatwave is expected to arrive.
Poland files extradition request for former justice minister from US
The Polish prosecutor's office has sent an extradition request for former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro to the United States, where he has been staying since May, following a court-approved detention order and 26 charges related to the Justice Fund scandal.
Ukrainian drones strike targets deep inside Russia
Ukrainian drones hit a Siberian oil refinery and the city of Yekaterinburg, intensifying pressure on Moscow’s logistics and aiming to weaken Russia’s war machine. These strikes occurred amid escalating long-range attacks from both sides.
Iran blocks six ships in Strait of Hormuz for unauthorized passage
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy blocked six ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz via routes not authorized by Iranian authorities, reinforcing Tehran's expanded control measures over the critical waterway.
Russian-installed authorities report 11 killed in Ukrainian strike
Russian-appointed officials in southern Ukraine reported that a Ukrainian strike on a "tourist camp" in an Azov Sea town killed 11 people, including four children, amidst rising civilian casualties from long-range exchanges.
Saudi Arabia intercepts drones launched from Iraq
Saudi Arabia's defense ministry reported destroying several drones launched from Iraqi territory by "Iran-backed terrorist militias" targeting oil installations. This incident highlights Iraq's increasing role as a launchpad for regional proxy activities.
US delegation walks out of UN Security Council session
A US delegation abruptly left a UN Security Council meeting after France criticized Washington's vote against renewing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, deepening a rift between the two NATO allies.
China warns US of countermeasures over potential AI firm probes
China's commerce ministry accused the United States of "AI hegemonism" and threatened unspecified countermeasures following signals from US officials about potential investigations and sanctions against Chinese AI companies over alleged technology theft.
Traction failure delays Intercity trains in Poland
A traction network failure at the Warszawa Olszynka Grochowska stabling point disrupted several PKP Intercity services, causing delays for domestic routes and international connections to Germany and Ukraine.
Iran and Oman advance talks on Strait of Hormuz transit rules
Iran and Oman reported progress on "common principles and operational mechanisms" for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, including discussions on imposing service fees for transit. This marks a diplomatic effort to formalize control over the critical waterway.
Iran halts retaliatory attacks on US allies in the region
Iran announced a pause in retaliatory attacks on US allies in the region, conditioning this restraint on the US not resuming bombardments, mirroring a halt in US airstrikes. This development indicates a potential de-escalation in direct hostilities between the two sides.
Sunday 26 July
Trump threatens new tariffs on the EU over fines on US tech companies
President Trump vowed additional tariffs on the European Union and a Section 301 investigation into its trade practices, in response to heavy European fines on US technology companies.
Iran halts attacks on Gulf neighbors for two nights
Iran announced a two-night halt to attacks on Persian Gulf states, responding to a US pause in bombing. This reciprocal halt, confirmed by an Iranian military spokesman, marks the first break in nearly two weeks of nightly exchanges.
Ukrainian attacks reportedly kill 12 in occupied Zaporizhzhia
Moscow-installed authorities in occupied Zaporizhzhia reported that Ukrainian attacks on holiday camps killed 12 people, including four children, framing the incident as deliberate strikes on civilian recreation facilities.
Shein posts $99 million Q1 loss, seeks Hong Kong IPO
Shein recorded a $99 million first-quarter loss, as slowing revenue growth and the removal of US and EU duty exemptions on low-value parcels impact its planned Hong Kong listing, according to a draft prospectus.
Israeli settlers set fire to two mosques in West Bank
Israeli settlers set fire to two mosques in the village of Qusra in the West Bank, leaving graffiti, following a deadly clash on Friday that killed four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers.
US and Iranian forces exchange fire in Strait of Hormuz
US and Iranian forces traded fire in the Strait of Hormuz, indicating a breakdown of the recent understanding to secure shipping in the volatile waterway. This follows reports of new tanker incidents in the area.
Moonshot AI signals open-weight release of Kimi K3 model
China's Moonshot AI plans to release its Kimi K3 frontier model as an open-weight system, allowing global developers to freely download and modify it. This move could erode the commercial edge of closed systems and raises new security concerns.
Russian ballistic missiles target Kyiv overnight
Russian ballistic missiles targeted Kyiv overnight, sparking fires in at least three districts, including a residential high-rise in the city center, with no casualties reported so far.
Brazil denies visas to US officials
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry denied visas to two US State Department officials who planned to visit Brasília next week to discuss election integrity, calling the move an attempt to sway the October presidential vote.
Trump administration implements new targeted forced-labor tariffs
The Trump administration implemented targeted 10-12.5% tariffs on imports from 60 countries, including EU members, replacing previous global duties.
Russia declares state of emergency in Crimea due to disruptions
Pro-Russian authorities in occupied Crimea declared a state of emergency due to fuel, electricity, and transport disruptions, attributing them to successive Ukrainian strikes on infrastructure.
Chinese chipmaker plans record Asian fundraising
A Chinese semiconductor manufacturer is preparing a 66.5 billion yuan (about €9.8 billion) capital raise on Shanghai’s Star Market, which would be Asia’s largest fundraising to date, driven by surging demand for AI-related chips.
Trump administration threatens new tariffs on EU, Japan, and South Korea
The Trump administration is examining "excess industrial capacity" in the European Union, Japan, and South Korea as a basis for potential new tariffs, with internal discussions suggesting a 15% cap for these economies.
Romania shoots down third Russian drone, summons ambassador
Romania's defense ministry reported its forces downed a Russian drone over national territory, the third incident in as many days, and the foreign ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to protest airspace infringements.
Russia extends gasoline export ban until year-end
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced Russia will extend its gasoline export ban through December, with a diesel export ban to be lifted once the market recovers, as Ukrainian drone attacks continue to disrupt refining capacity.
US launches new wave of strikes against Iranian targets
US forces launched a new wave of air and missile strikes against over 80 targets across Iran, following renewed Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This action marks a resumption of hostilities after a brief pause.
Trump signs executive order to intensify customs enforcement with AI
President Trump signed an executive order directing US customs and border agencies to intensify enforcement of tariff rules and import declarations, expanding the use of artificial intelligence and data-analytics tools.
US suspends strikes on Iran after 13 days of bombardment
President Trump suspended strikes on Iran this weekend after advisers warned of dwindling missile stocks, creating a deliberate opening for negotiations following 13 nights of escalating bombardments.
France adopts under-15 social media ban; CNIL to oversee age verification
France became the first EU country to adopt a blanket social media ban for children under 15, approved by parliament on 21 July.
Russian forces launch large drone and missile barrage on Ukrainian cities
Russian forces attacked Ukraine overnight and into Sunday with seven ballistic missiles and 136 strike drones, striking a residential building in Kyiv.
Ukrainian strike kills eight civilians in occupied Zaporizhzhia
Russian-installed authorities in occupied Zaporizhzhia reported that eight people, including two children, were killed by a Ukrainian attack, underscoring rising civilian casualties as both sides intensify strikes on rear-area targets.
Iran halts retaliatory attacks against US allies
Iranian officials announced a halt to retaliatory attacks against US allies in the Middle East, explicitly linking their decision to the US pause in airstrikes against Iran. This move signals a potential de-escalation in the immediate military confrontation.
Israel launches large-scale operation in West Bank
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a large-scale counterterrorism operation in the northern West Bank following deadly clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, adding a new destabilizing element.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard halts four ships in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps halted four ships in the Strait of Hormuz after firing warning shots, further reducing commercial traffic and challenging US claims of open transit.
Saturday 25 July
Iran retaliates with strikes on US bases in Kuwait and Iraq
Iranian drones and missiles hit US positions in Kuwait and Iraq hours after US forces fired on an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating regional tensions.