EU fines Google €890 million for favouring its own services in Search and restricting app developers on Play Store
The European Commission fined Google €890 million for self-preferencing its own services in Search results and restricting app developers on Play Store, giving the company 60 days to comply. The decision drew immediate criticism from Washington.
Trump conditions Saudi nuclear deal on Abraham Accords, throwing agreement into doubt a day after signing
A day after announcing a civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, President Trump said it is 'totally subject' to Riyadh joining the Abraham Accords and normalizing ties with Israel, a step the kingdom has resisted without a Palestinian state pathway.
Trump ally Laura Loomer meets Zelenskyy after abandoning anti-Ukraine stance
Far-right activist Laura Loomer, a close confidante of US President Donald Trump, held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Mariyinsky Palace in Kyiv on Thursday, capping a week-long visit that saw her publicly recant years of Kremlin-friendly narratives.
Two French diplomats beaten in Tehran return to Paris; France evaluates 'all options' for response
Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot says the two embassy staff were detained for nearly four hours on Sunday, one beaten, and calls the incident a 'premeditated aggression' that 'cannot remain without consequence'.
Rubio and Lavrov hold 35-minute Manila meeting; US says Anchorage peace framework has failed
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that the peace framework discussed at the 2025 Trump-Putin summit in Anchorage is no longer viable, after a brief meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Manila.
Poland proposes trilateral Patriot missile production with US and Ukraine, reports progress on permanent US base
Deputy Defence Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, during Washington talks, also reported progress on a permanent US military base, with teams formed on both sides.
Pedro Sánchez nominates Yolanda Díaz to lead UN labour agency; election in November with $173,000 base salary
The Spanish government has put forward labour minister Yolanda Díaz for the director-general post of the International Labour Organization, triggering praise, union backing and sharp attacks from Vox and Podemos.
Trump demands Saudi Arabia recognize Israel to activate nuclear deal, sparking arms race fears in Middle East
The White House says the signed agreement will be canceled unless Riyadh normalizes ties with Israel, while Israeli opposition figures warn of a regional nuclear arms race.
Romania and India reset ties as President Murmu visits Bucharest for first time in 32 years
Romanian President Nicușor Dan welcomed Indian President Droupadi Murmu to Cotroceni Palace on Thursday, marking the first visit by an Indian head of state to Romania in 32 years. Talks focused on deepening economic ties, with a proposed direct air link and new academic agreements.
Trump guarantees Netanyahu will not be arrested in US after NYC mayor threatens to enforce ICC warrant
President Trump's Truth Social post on Monday came after New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was exploring legal options to detain the Israeli prime minister during September's UN General Assembly, citing an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Trump confronts Carney at World Cup over wildfire smoke, threatens tariffs; Ontario premier calls it 'rubbish'
US President Donald Trump confronted Canadian PM Mark Carney at the World Cup Final, demanding action on wildfires and threatening tariffs. Ontario Premier Doug Ford dismissed the threats as 'rubbish' and urged cooperation.
Rubio rejects Lavrov's demand to halt arms to Ukraine at ASEAN summit in Manila
At a half-hour meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Manila, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that Washington's military support for Kyiv will not change, despite Moscow's call to halt the 'unacceptable' arming of Ukraine.
Lebanon's president to meet Trump as US announces pilot zones for Israeli withdrawal
President Joseph Aoun seeks US backing for reconstruction and security as three southern villages become test cases for the US-mediated framework with Israel.
Trump grounds Qatari-gifted Air Force One for month-long security upgrade after Iran scare
President Trump announced the Qatari-donated Boeing 747 will be sent for a month of upgrades after switching planes mid-trip on July 8 amid Iran tensions, raising questions about its missile defenses.
US Senate panel advances bill that could ban Mercedes sales over Chinese ownership ties
The Senate Commerce Committee approved bipartisan legislation that would bar connected vehicles from manufacturers with more than 15% Chinese ownership, putting Mercedes-Benz in the crosshairs due to stakes held by BAIC and Geely's founder.
Germany to join French nuclear drill for first time as Merz and Macron pledge deeper defence and tech cooperation
German forces will take part in a French nuclear exercise before year-end, a first, as the two governments also pledged to build a European sovereign digital backbone and counter Chinese trade practices.
Trump booed at World Cup final, then lingers on podium with Spain's champions
The US president attended only one match of the 104-game tournament, then refused to leave the trophy presentation despite efforts by FIFA's Gianni Infantino and Spain's captain to usher him off.
Clashes in Venice as protesters confront US ambassador's superyacht on 'Freedom 250' tour
Several hundred demonstrators scuffled with police on Friday as US Ambassador Tilman Fertitta's 117-metre yacht Boardwalk berthed at Riva dei Sette Martiri, part of a two-month 'Freedom 250' coastal diplomacy tour marking the 250th anniversary of US independence.
Trump signs 50% tariffs on Canadian goods from hockey sticks to cement, citing 'discriminatory treatment' of US products
The White House says the move responds to Canada's 'discriminatory treatment' of American autos, alcohol, and dairy, and will hit goods from hockey sticks to cement.
New York Times asks court to quash subpoenas served on reporters over Air Force One security stories
The New York Times filed a sealed motion Wednesday in Manhattan federal court to block grand jury subpoenas served on its journalists last week, arguing the demands are a bad-faith retaliation for reporting on security gaps in the Qatari-donated presidential aircraft.
Spain and Britain dismantle Gibraltar border fence, ending 116 years of land controls and opening Schengen access
The metal barrier known as 'la verja,' in place since 1909, was lifted by crane at midnight on 15 July 2026, hours after Brussels and London signed a treaty aligning the British Overseas Territory with the Schengen zone six years post-Brexit.
Azerbaijan's president confirms secret German-Russian talks in Baku, says territory used without consent
Ilham Aliyev said flight records show former German and Russian officials met in Baku on 12–14 July, but neither Berlin nor Moscow informed his government.
Musk endorses Le Pen as 'France's last hope', drawing accusations of foreign interference
The X owner called the far-right leader 'France's last hope' on Wednesday, prompting the French foreign minister to urge him to reconsider and lawmakers to demand scrutiny of platform algorithms.
Nicaragua breaks diplomatic ties with Italy over extradition of Red Brigades member convicted in Aldo Moro murder
The move follows Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani's condemnation of Managua for sheltering Alessio Casimirri, a former Red Brigades militant sentenced to six life terms for the 1978 kidnapping and murder of former prime minister Aldo Moro.
Rubio rallies more than 60 nations against left-wing terrorism, unveils visa restrictions
Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted officials from more than 60 countries in Washington on Thursday, urging a global crackdown on far-left political violence and announcing new visa restrictions targeting members of such groups.
U.S. sends first 18-tonne aid flight to Cuba under $100m Rubio pledge, targeting 700 families via church channels
The flight departed Miami on 21 July 2026 carrying rice, beans, oil, hygiene kits and flashlights, the opening delivery of a $100 million commitment by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that will eventually reach 196,000 families.
Meliá, Iberostar and Barceló pull out of Cuba as Trump sanctions cripple tourism industry
Meliá, Iberostar and Barceló will cease all operations on the island by Friday, citing US sanctions that make business 'impossible'. The departure ends a 36-year presence that once accounted for 16% of Cuba's accommodation.
China overtakes US in global popularity for first time in two decades, Pew survey shows
A Pew Research Center survey of 36 countries finds China now viewed more favorably than the United States for the first time in two decades, with Xi Jinping trusted more than Donald Trump in 22 nations.
Lebanon's Aoun to press Trump for Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah disarmament in first White House visit since 2009
Joseph Aoun will present a written plan to disarm Hezbollah and secure Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon during his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump on Tuesday.
Hungary's ex-FM Szijjártó quits parliament for BYD role he helped subsidise, PM Magyar attacks
Former Hungarian foreign minister Péter Szijjártó announced his resignation from parliament on Wednesday to take a senior role at Chinese EV maker BYD, the same company he courted as minister with hundreds of millions of euros in state aid. New pro-EU prime minister Péter Magyar accused him of having long served foreign interests at Hungarian taxpayers' expense.