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A Pew Research Center survey found that in 25 of 36 countries, more people hold favourable views of China than the US, marking a historic shift. Views of Chinese leader Xi Jinping also surpassed those of US President Donald Trump in 22 countries, driven by declining confidence in US leadership and policies.
Russia’s envoy to the Vienna talks on military security said EU defense spending in several member states is nearing pre-World War II levels, citing an EU goal of 'defense readiness' by 2030. She also said EU countries are preparing infrastructure for a large-scale conflict, including in the Netherlands. EU defense spending rose by 20% in 2025 to 418 billion euros, according to the European Defense Agency.
French lawmakers have approved a bill creating a legal right to assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses, passing 291-241. The bill, supported by President Macron, awaits approval from the Constitutional Council, and would make France one of several countries to legalize the practice.
France's National Assembly has approved a bill creating a legal right to assisted dying under strict conditions, after years of debate. The bill sets out eligibility criteria, safeguards, and a process for patients to request lethal substances with medical support. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu plans to refer parts of the bill to the Constitutional Council for examination.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said NATO's actions in the Arctic significantly increase the risk of unintended incidents, warning the region is becoming a zone of militarization and geopolitical confrontation. Separately, TASS reported that a group of 12 NATO countries is preparing a new naval mission to strengthen security in the North Atlantic and the Arctic, an initiative attributed to US pressure for Europe to take on more responsibility within the alliance.
England and Argentina are set to face off in the 2026 World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, reviving one of football's most storied rivalries. The match carries echoes of past controversies, from the 1966 'animals' incident to Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal, set against the backdrop of the Falklands War.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new EU-Ukraine drone production deal during a visit to Kyiv, as Russian ballistic missiles struck the capital. The agreement aims to combine Ukraine's battlefield expertise with Europe's industrial capacity, building on similar deals Kyiv has signed with individual nations.
At a summit of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris, Ukraine's allies announced new military support, including 16 Rafale jets, a license to produce Aster missiles, and the establishment of an anti-ballistic missile coalition. The UK also signed up to a €60bn EU defence loan scheme, while Germany pledged €90 million for Ukrainian long-range drones.
The UAE Ministry of Defence reported that two Emirati oil tankers were hit by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one Indian crew member and wounding eight others. The attack has drawn condemnation from the UAE and expressions of solidarity from other Gulf states.
A Russian missile struck Kyiv early Wednesday, triggering fires in two districts of the Ukrainian capital, according to officials. The attack marks the third large-scale assault on Kyiv in less than a week, and it comes as NATO holds its annual summit amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Ukraine and nine European countries have announced the formation of an Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition to develop a joint missile defense system. The coalition aims to provide an alternative to the US-made Patriot system and complement existing European defenses. The announcement came during a Paris summit of the 'Coalition of the Willing' as Russia's ballistic missile attacks on Ukraine continue.
Ukraine and nine European countries have announced a coalition to develop a shared anti-ballistic missile defence for Europe, citing the growing threat of ballistic missiles. The move comes as leaders met in Paris to reaffirm support for Kyiv, with analysts viewing it as strategic 'insurance' amid a less predictable US security role.
Most EU countries have called for a proposal to ban imports from Israeli settlements, with Belgium approving its own ban. The bloc remains divided, with Germany insisting on unanimity for any EU-wide measure.
The UK government is submitting draft regulations to ban support for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the linked Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, which claimed seven attacks on Jewish and related sites. Officials say the IRGC’s Qods Force almost certainly directed the group and are designating Russia’s GRU Volunteer Corps under the same new state-threats powers. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the measures will make it easier to prosecute those carrying out hostile work on British soil.
EU foreign ministers are considering measures to curb trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including an import licensing system, prohibitive tariffs, or a ban. The discussions come amid reports of expanding settlements and heightened settler violence, though deep divisions among member states may hinder progress.
The European Commission and over a dozen countries have launched a $1 billion initiative to support Gaza's recovery from war. The fund, announced at a Brussels donor meeting, will focus on water, sanitation, debris removal, and health systems, though it falls short of the UN's $70 billion rebuilding estimate.
France announced it will summon Russia's ambassador amid allegations of a widespread cyber campaign against European countries. The EU and UK imposed coordinated sanctions targeting Russian military intelligence officers, hackers, and firms accused of involvement in cyber-espionage and sabotage operations.
A judicial magistrate in Lahore extended the physical remand of four suspects in the alleged abduction and rape of two foreign women from the Netherlands and Venezuela. The defence argued the case stemmed from a cryptocurrency dispute and alleged a media trial.
Brent crude has risen sharply in recent sessions as US military strikes on Iran and renewed threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz unsettle energy markets. Multiple outlets report gains of roughly 4 to 5 percent on different days, alongside higher European gas prices and fresh US moves to levy charges on vessels. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed attacks on US bases while Washington described its actions as responses to threats against commercial shipping.
Western allies are set to meet in Paris to secure additional air-defense support for Ukraine, which remains exposed to Russian ballistic missiles. The talks come amid fresh Russian strikes that killed eight people and as the EU prepares a new sanctions package.