Europe’s €1.8T budget fight just got real
It's an "extremely difficult negotiation," says Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at EU summit in Cyprus.

It's an "extremely difficult negotiation," says Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at EU summit in Cyprus.

Kylian Mbappé has publicly denounced Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla for racist comments made after France's World Cup loss. Amarilla's remarks, calling Mbappé a "colonised Cameroonian" and other slurs, have drawn condemnation from French officials and the Paraguayan government.

A tanker traveling off the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz caught fire Tuesday after being struck by an unknown projectile. UKMTO reported the incident near Limah, Oman. Iranian state TV cited anonymous sources implying Tehran's involvement, though no official claim was made.

Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals, with goals from Charles De Ketelaere and Romelu Lukaku. Controversy arose over Folarin Balogun's red card suspension being lifted. Spain also advanced, beating Portugal 1-0, marking Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup appearance.

Jim O'Neill, an economist advising Andy Burnham, has criticized the UK's long-standing reliance on the US, urging wider trade with countries like China. O'Neill, a former Conservative Treasury minister, believes the Trump administration's erratic behavior is a wake-up call for Britain to diversify its international partnerships.

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken stated Europe requires US defense support for another decade and leaders should avoid alienating Donald Trump. However, he cautioned against Trump's attacks on Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, calling her the 'queen of center-right in Europe'. Francken emphasized the EU's need for continued US help while it builds its own military capabilities.

Jordan Bardella, Marine Le Pen's chosen successor, is under legal scrutiny as police investigate irregular expenses within the National Rally's former European Parliament group. The probe into alleged misuse of €4.3 million and nearly €280,000 in new group spending could impact the party's image ahead of the 2027 French presidential election.