Europe

Trump Won’t Delay Tariff Deadline, Thai PM Suspended, Israel Kills 109 in Gaza While Trump Promises to be ‘Firm’ Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇺🇸** Trump Won’t Delay Tariff Deadline** President Trump ruled out extending his July 9 deadline for higher tariffs to resume, threatening to impose duties on several nations despite ongoing negotiations. So far, only the UK and China have put trade frameworks in place and no deals have been formalized, despite the 90-day delay. Trump criticized Japan, particularly for not accepting US rice exports, and said he would impose 30-35% tariffs due to trade imbalances, calling the country “very spoiled” and doubting a deal will be reached. Markets reacted with the S&P 500 dropping 14 points on the news, while Trump sounded more optimistic about finalizing a trade agreement with India within days. More - Bloomberg ...

Israel-Iran Conflict Latest, Trump Rejects DIA Iran Strike Assessment, Gaza Aid ‘Death Trap’, Andrew Sheves Good morning. Admin note: I am traveling for the next few days so the SITREPS will be slimmed down for the remainder of the week. As a reminder, you can access country reports anytime through your workspace account or via the Chrome extension. 🇮🇱** 🇮🇷 Israel-Iran Conflict Latest** This will be the last daily summary of the conflict unless the ceasefire breaks down ...

Israel-Iran Conflict Lates, Gaza Aid Site Massacre, Indonesia Volcano Alert Raised, Massive Russian Attack on Kyiv Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇮🇱** 🇮🇷 **Israel-Iran Conflict Update: June 17–18, 2025 Overview of the Last 24 Hours · Escalation of Hostilities: The conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified, with both sides launching new waves of missile and air strikes. Early Wednesday, Iran fired two barrages of ballistic missiles at Israel, while Israel continued its air campaign targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, especially around Tehran and Isfahan[1][2][3][4]. ...

Austrian School Shooting, UK and Allies Sanction Israeli Ministers, Kirchner Banned From Office Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇦🇹** 10 Killed in Austrian School Shooting** A 21-year-old former student killed 10 people at a Graz secondary school before taking his own life, marking Austria’s deadliest gun attack in recent history. The gunman legally owned the two firearms used and acted alone, with his motive still under investigation. Austria declared three days of national mourning, with Chancellor Christian Stocker calling it a “national tragedy.” More - BBC ...

Lee Jae-myung Wins South Korean Presidency, Pakistan Prison Break Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇰🇷** Lee Jae-myung Wins South Korean Presidency** Opposition candidate Lee Jae-myung decisively won South Korea’s presidency exactly six months after predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law attempt triggered massive protests and his impeachment. The victory represents a clear rejection of the ruling People Power Party, which voters blamed for the democratic breakdown, though Lee faces immediate challenges including ongoing Supreme Court charges and navigating a deeply polarized nation. His top priority will be negotiating a trade deal with President Trump to soften US tariff impacts while working to heal divisions in a country where turnout reached 79.4%, the highest since 1997. More - BBC ...

Gaza Aid Distribution Chaos and Ukraine Drone War Escalates Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇵🇸** Gaza Aid Distribution Chaos** Thousands of Palestinians stormed a US-Israeli backed aid distribution center in Rafah operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, overwhelming security and forcing staff to retreat as crowds climbed fences to seize food parcels. Israeli troops fired warning shots during the chaotic scene, highlighting the desperation of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents facing potential famine after an 11-week blockade. The UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the controversial GHF system, calling it a weaponization of humanitarian aid that contradicts core principles of neutrality and independence. More - BBC ...

UK and EU Review Relations with Israel, US Warns of Israeli Plan to Strike Iran, Mexico City Mayor’s Aides Killed Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇮🇱** UK and EU Review Relations with Israel Over Gaza Siege** The UK government suspended new free trade negotiations with Israel over its Gaza military conduct while imposing additional sanctions on illegal Israeli settler outposts in the West Bank. Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the move as the EU also voted to review its trade agreement with Israel due to the “catastrophic” situation in Gaza. Israel quickly denounced the UK’s decision, claiming negotiations weren’t advancing anyway under the current government. More - Al Jazeera ...

Trump Announces Deals, Lifts Syrian Sanctions on KSA Trip, Mali Dissolves Political Parties Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇸🇦 **Trump Announces KSA Deals, Lifts Syrian Sanctions ** Trump’s Saudi Arabia visit yielded contested investment claims—ranging from $300 billion to $1 trillion—including $142 billion in defense sales and tech sector investments from Google and Oracle. During the Riyadh summit, he also announced lifting sanctions on post-Assad Syria, crediting discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Erdogan while planning to meet new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa despite concerns about his extremist past. More - Bloomberg ...

India Strikes Pakistan, Houthis to end Red Sea Strikes, Asia’s Hardline Response to Trump Tariffs Andrew Sheves Good morning. 💥 India Strikes Pakistan India launched targeted strikes against alleged “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir following a deadly April 22 attack that killed 26 people in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan denies involvement and claims 26 civilians were killed in the strikes, while threatening retaliation against what Prime Minister Sharif called a “heinous act of aggression.” UN chief Guterres has called for “maximum restraint” as tensions escalate between the nuclear-armed neighbors. More - BBC ...

Carney, Liberals Win in Canada, Gaza Fighting Grinds On Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇨🇦** Carney, Liberals Win in Canada** Carney’s Liberals won a projected 169 seats, short of the 172 needed for a majority, requiring cooperation with other parties as he navigates US trade tariffs and domestic issues. Meanwhile, the previous favorite, conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, lost his Commons seat. Tension with the US remains as the White House controversially commented that the election “does not affect President Trump’s plan to make Canada America’s cherished 51st state,” a scenario Carney told the BBC would “never, ever happen.” More - BBC ...