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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Sweden to help rebuild trust between the two countries during a meeting with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm. The visit is part of a wider tour of Nordic countries and comes amid EU trade tensions and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Ukraine conflict in a phone call, with Trump stating the need to end the war and planning to raise the topic at the NATO summit in Turkey. Kremlin officials highlighted the importance of continued US-Russia dialogue, while overnight Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least 28 people.
As H5N1 bird flu spreads in Australia, conservationists and researchers are preparing for its potential impact on Queensland's seabird populations, including vulnerable species on Lady Elliot Island. Officials and experts are debating how to ramp up surveillance, including the possible use of volunteer bird watchers.
Pope Leo XIV visited Italy's Lampedusa island on July 4, using the trip to press Europe to do more to protect and integrate migrants. The visit coincided with the 250th anniversary of US independence and came two weeks after the EU approved new migrant rules expanding detention powers. The pope called for a comprehensive, long-term approach to migration and for safe and legal pathways.
As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, commentators reflect on the Founding Fathers' commitment to religious liberty and its lessons for combating antisemitism today. Drawing on George Washington's famous letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, and the actions of Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton, they argue that America's founding ideals are intertwined with Jewish values and offer a moral compass for the present.
The United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of independence this weekend, with President Donald Trump speaking at Mount Rushmore and festivities planned nationwide. However, celebrations have been disrupted by a severe heatwave on the East Coast, and the milestone comes amid deep political divisions, as reflected in commentary from American and European media.
Pope Leo XIV visited Lampedusa, Italy’s frontier island, and called on Europe to address migration as a “momentous challenge.” He urged leaders to protect and integrate migrants, support development in their home countries, and remember those who died at sea.
Pope Leo marked the 250th anniversary of US independence with a call for Americans to welcome and protect immigrants, while visiting Lampedusa to highlight the plight of migrants crossing the Mediterranean. He also urged European leaders to do more for those fleeing war and poverty.
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Erfurt, Germany, to block roads and disrupt the AfD party conference, which re-elected Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as co-leaders. Police reported clashes and deployed batons, while the party opened its congress on time amid concerns about the AfD's rising popularity.
Europe's daily LNG imports dropped to a 20-month low in early July 2026, despite heatwave-driven demand and the need to refill storage, according to TASS calculations based on Gas Infrastructure Europe data. In June, imports also hit a ten-month low amid competition with Asia, while LNG still led Europe's gas supply mix for the first half of the year.
Pope Leo XIV called on European leaders to do more to protect and integrate migrants during a visit to Lampedusa, Italy, and appealed to Americans to welcome immigrants. His stance has drawn criticism from US Vice President JD Vance, who said he disagrees with the Vatican's position.
China has launched a second coast guard patrol east of Taiwan amid international concern. The operation follows a similar patrol in June, which Beijing says was a response to Japan-Philippines maritime boundary talks. Taiwan reports tracking Chinese vessels, while the US, UK, France, and Germany have expressed concerns.
In an interview with TASS, Russian Federation Council Vice Speaker Konstantin Kosachev assessed US President Donald Trump's domestic achievements ahead of the November midterm elections. Kosachev suggested that while Trump has progress to show voters, a Republican defeat could make the remaining two years of his presidency very difficult.
France recorded its hottest June since records began in 1947, with temperatures exceeding 40°C across large parts of the country. Public Health France reports a surge in deaths, while other European nations also grapple with extreme heat.
Moldova has opened its first cluster of EU accession negotiations. President Maia Sandu calls the EU a 'peace project' and highlights reforms, including ending Russian gas dependency, while the bloc launches a €1.9 billion investment plan conditional on reforms.
At least 3,700 excess deaths were recorded in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands during a late-June heat wave, with officials warning that figures are preliminary and likely to rise. France reported over 2,000 excess deaths, many among the elderly, while Belgium saw a 39% increase in mortality. The heat wave, described as the worst on record in Europe, has sparked political repercussions in France.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended his country's NATO defence spending after US President Donald Trump called past efforts 'ridiculous'. Merz said Germany is doubling its defence budget within four years, while NATO leaders prepare to meet in Ankara next week.
The World Meteorological Organization warns that El Nino will rapidly strengthen between July and September, increasing the risk of extreme weather worldwide. Meanwhile, over 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded in Europe amid a heatwave, and India faces a 40% monsoon deficit.
Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin criticized British policies on Ukraine, warning that the British elite is deluded in believing it can escalate support for Kiev without consequences. He also commented on UK military spending plans and London's role in Europe's militarization, while Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned Britain's uranium supply to Ukraine.
Russian LNG exports to the European Union rose 17% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, reaching about 13.4 bcm, according to TASS calculations based on Bruegel data. Spain increased purchases, making Russia its third-largest supplier. The EU Council has finalized a ban on Russian LNG imports starting in 2027.