The Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups have grown more emboldened since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he is cutting off trade with Spain due to its defense spending, reviving a feud from last year's NATO summit. Trump criticized Spain for refusing to meet NATO's 2035 target of spending 5% of GDP on defense and for not allowing U.S. use of military bases for operations against Iran.
President Trump stated the US ceasefire and peace process with Iran is "over" following overnight retaliatory strikes by the Pentagon on Iranian military sites. Trump expressed anger over Iran's actions despite a funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proceeding peacefully.
The EU General Court upheld Apple's designation as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act for its App Store and iOS, dismissing the company's legal challenges. The ruling is a significant victory for the European Commission in its efforts to regulate Big Tech.
At least seven people died in new Russian strikes across Ukraine overnight. The attacks occurred just hours before a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky at a NATO summit. Fatalities were reported in Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions.
Spain has proposed a new EU common borrowing mechanism worth up to €850 billion annually to create a benchmark safe asset, reduce financing costs for European firms, and strengthen the euro. The plan, to be presented by Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo, faces opposition from Germany and the Netherlands but has support from France and Greece. Spain suggests a voluntary "European Sovereign Facility" with potential for a "coalition of the willing" if not all members participate.
Uzbekistan is implementing a multi-billion-dollar strategy to boost its export economy by processing more agricultural goods, metals, and minerals domestically. Key targets include $10bn in food processing by 2030 and significant investments in technological metals and steel localization, aiming to increase national revenue and economic security.
