Iran protests Ukraine after merchant ship attack in Caspian Sea
Tehran summoned Ukraine's chargé d'affaires and said the incident could widen the Russia-Ukraine war.
Series: Iran · Ukraine Vessel Attack Dispute · 2 chapters since Jul 26Subject
#European Union
Trump tariffs of 10% to 12.5% hit imports from 60 trade partners
Why it matters: The levies cover about 99% of U.S. imports, raising the risk of higher consumer prices as inflation stays elevated.
BBC News (US & Canada), The Straits Times +2
Trump threatens EU tariffs after Google gets €890 million fine
What's next: Washington plans a Section 301 trade probe, opening the door to retaliatory duties against the bloc.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times +2
China Rejects 12.5% New U.S. Tariff on Forced-Labor Imports
The levy adds to existing duties on Chinese goods, while Beijing has not announced any retaliation.
Antara News, Republika
2 US firms sue over Trump’s new 10% to 12.5% trade tariffs
What's new: The suit argues Trump misused Section 301 by applying countrywide tariffs tied to forced-labor claims.
The New York Times, The Straits Times +1
Spain declares 1st wildfire emergency as France evacuates 63,000
Why it matters: Spain and France both sought EU help as heat-driven fires spread across tourist areas and towns near Madrid.
US readies tariffs on imports from 60 economies as Friday deadline nears
What's next: The current 10% Section 122 tariffs expire Friday, and proposed Section 301 duties could reach 12.5% on goods tied to forced labor concerns.
Bloomberg, CNBC +1
Ukraine parliament accepts PM Svyrydenko's resignation
What's next: Lawmakers are expected to vote Thursday on a successor as Kyiv braces for winter attacks on its power grid.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times +2
Gibraltar, Spain scrap 118-year border controls after Brexit deal
Why it matters: The change eases daily crossings for about 15,500 workers and ties Gibraltar to Schengen travel rules.
BBC News (World), The Straits Times +1
Paramount targets Sept. close for WBD deal as states seek halt
What's next: A court fight over a temporary restraining order could delay the merger and trigger a $650 million quarterly ticking fee after Sept. 30.
EU and donors launch 883.6 million euro fund for Gaza
The initial funding will clear rubble and restore water, sanitation, health, energy, agriculture and food services.
The Straits Times, Republika +1
China June exports jump 27%, imports surge 36% on AI demand
Why it matters: Strong chip and data-center demand is cushioning China’s weak consumer economy ahead of new US tariff risks.
Bloomberg, CNBC
Le Pen opens 15-point lead in French 2027 election poll
What's new: The National Rally candidate gained 3 points after an appeals court cut her election ban to 15 months, already served.
Germany condemns Israel’s de facto annexation in West Bank
Berlin also left open the option of additional EU sanctions if violence by Israeli settlers continues.
Sandu picks financier Vasile Tofan as Moldova prime minister
What's next: Tofan has 15 days to form a cabinet, and parliament is expected to approve him because PAS holds 55 of 101 seats.
Trump threatens Spain trade cutoff in NATO spending clash
Why it matters: Spain is in the EU customs bloc, so any U.S. move against Spanish trade would trigger wider legal and diplomatic fallout.
Bloomberg, CNBC +4
EU clears US tariff pact before Trump’s July 4 deadline
What’s new: The deal adds EU safeguards, including a suspension option and a sunset clause at the end of 2029.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
10 years after Brexit vote, Britain still wrestles with economic fallout
Why it matters: Economists estimate the U.K. economy is 4% to 8% smaller than it would have been inside the EU.
The New York Times, The Straits Times +4
US, Qatar press EU to ease methane rules over gas import risks
What's next: EU energy ministers are set to weigh the rules this week as some governments push to delay fines and loosen compliance.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
Italy rules out April 2027 election as devolution bill advances
Why it matters: A later vote would keep parliament focused on regional autonomy plans and avoid a budget-season power vacuum.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
Romania PM nominee seeks confidence vote with no clear majority
Why it matters: A failed vote could deepen the crisis, threaten EU funding access and add pressure on Romania's investment-grade rating.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
European Union opens direct diplomatic channel to Russia on Ukraine
New: Brussels rejects a mediator role, while the direct-contact plan exposes divisions among EU leaders.
Republika, Antara News
Poland revoked Zelensky’s top honor over WWII army-name dispute
Why it matters: The clash strains one of Kyiv’s key wartime alliances as Ukraine pushes for EU membership talks.
BBC News (World), The Straits Times
Russia rejects EU ultimatums as bloc tests new Kremlin contacts
What's new: European Council President Antonio Costa's office opened diplomatic channels, exposing splits among EU leaders over talks.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
Israel cuts ties with EU foreign policy chief over apartheid row
What's new: The dispute centers on a report that Kaja Kallas likened Israel's treatment of Palestinians to apartheid-era South Africa.
Bloomberg, Republika +1
EU weighs tariffs and new trade tools as China deficit tops €1 billion a day
What's next: EU leaders meeting June 18 in Brussels are set to map out trade talks with Beijing and supply-chain moves in critical sectors.
Poland, Germany sign new defense pact without mutual guarantees
The deal adds cyber work, a joint Baltic command and military mobility, including German engineering support on Poland's eastern border.
EU opens back channel to Kremlin as bloc weighs Russia talks
What's new: Giorgia Meloni pushed for a single EU envoy, warning rival European tracks could muddy any Ukraine diplomacy.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
Binance faces EU shutdown as Greece moves to reject MiCA license
What's next: Without approval by the end of June, the crypto exchange could lose access to EU clients starting in July.
Series: Binance · EU Mica License Rejection · 2 chapters since Jun 16Binance faces EU cutoff as Greece moves to reject MiCA license
What's next: Without approval by the end of June, the crypto exchange could lose access to EU clients from July.
Series: Binance · EU Mica License Rejection · 2 chapters since Jun 16EU links Chinese military training to Russian troops in Ukraine war
What's new: The bloc also sanctioned 2 mainland Chinese manufacturers and 2 Hong Kong shipping firms over support for Russia.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
Romania PM nominee refuses to quit despite party revolt
Why it matters: The deadlock threatens deficit-cutting, EU funding access and efforts to keep Romania’s far right from power.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
Swiss voters face June 15 referendum on 10 million population cap
Why it matters: If approved, the measure could force tighter immigration rules by about 2031 and put Switzerland’s EU free-movement pact at risk.
Bloomberg, BBC News (World) +4
Swiss holds referendum on 10 million population cap
If approved, the move could force Switzerland to scrap its free movement agreement with the European Union.
Ukraine opens first EU membership talks cluster in Luxembourg
What's next: Kyiv now faces reforms on courts, democratic institutions and public procurement under the opening "fundamentals" chapter.
Bloomberg, The New York Times +1
DOJ clears Paramount’s $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery
What’s next: Paramount said it plans to close the deal soon, while California and EU antitrust scrutiny remains in play.
Prabowo calls Dutch PM on I-EU CEPA, Hormuz Strait
The call also touched on Middle East tensions as Indonesia pushes to finalize its trade pact with the European Union.
Europe’s top carmakers push EU for 70% local-content rule
Why it matters: Volkswagen, Stellantis and Renault want incentives tied to regional production as EV demand stays weak and imports take 26% of the market.
Infineon to open 5 billion euro Dresden chip fab on July 2
Why it matters: The EU-backed plant adds power-chip capacity for AI data centers after other European chip projects stalled.
Albania presses ahead with $1.6 billion Kushner resort amid protests
Why it matters: Demonstrators say the project threatens the Vjosa-Narta wetland, home to flamingos, seals and sea turtle nesting sites.
Series: Albania · Kushner Resort Protests · 2 chapters since Jun 6US presses Europe for Ebola travel curbs before World Cup
What's new: Washington warned that weaker European controls could trigger tighter US rules on trans-Atlantic travel.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times +1
Russia presses Armenia to decide soon on CSTO and trade bloc
Why it matters: Yerevan's EU push could force a break with Russia-led alliances and deepen its shift toward Brussels and Washington.
Apple rolls out Siri AI revamp at WWDC, with EU launch delayed
What's next: A beta reaches supported English-language devices later this year, but Apple said it will not ship in the EU yet.
Series: Apple · Wwdc Siri AI Overhaul · 3 chapters since Jun 5Poll finds 52% of Britons now back rejoining the EU
What's new: In a hypothetical new referendum, 33% would vote to stay out, while nearly 1 in 10 remain undecided.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
Kosovo votes in third snap election in 18 months amid deadlock
Why it matters: The winner will still need cross-party backing to elect a president and restore a functioning government.
Indonesia targets completion of IEU-CEPA ratification in H2 2026
The pact is projected to scrap tariffs on about 98 percent of tariff lines and take effect in early 2027.
Antara News, CNBC Indonesia
Armenia votes as Pashinyan seeks new term under Russian pressure
Why it matters: The result will shape Armenia’s EU drive, its economic ties with Russia and a divisive peace track with Azerbaijan.
BBC News (World), Bloomberg +2
Ireland bars Ben Gvir and Smotrich from entering country
Dublin is pushing for EU-level sanctions, saying the two ministers helped fuel the Gaza crisis.
Antara News, Republika +1
Italy pushes 40-nation European defense bloc beyond EU and NATO
Why it matters: The proposal reflects growing alarm over Russia and doubts about whether the US will keep guaranteeing Europe’s security.
The New York Times, The Straits Times
US moves toward tariffs up to 12.5% on 60 economies over forced labor
What's next: Public comments run through July 6, with hearings on July 7 as China and the EU push back on the plan.
The New York Times, Bloomberg +3
WHO chief visits Congo Ebola epicenter as cases top 900
WHO's director-general visited Bunia as Congo's Ebola outbreak reached 906 suspected cases and aid groups warned the response is lagging.
The New York Times, BBC News (World) +2