The European Union failed to agree sanctions against Patriarch Kirill after Bulgaria vetoed the proposal in closed-door talks, citing religious and cultural reasons. Bulgaria also opposed blacklisting Russian billionaire Vagit Alekperov, linked to the Kremlin via Lukoil.
Microsoft’s new EU country-by-country tax filing shows it declared nearly 40% of its global pre-tax profit in Ireland—despite employing only a small fraction of its workforce there—highlighting how tech firms can shift profits to lower-tax jurisdictions.
.jpg&w=3840&q=75 "Ship Traffic Through Strait of Hormuz Falls Steeply as U.S. and Iran Fight for Control, Kpler Data Shows")
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply after a new round of tit-for-tat strikes by the U.S. and Iran, with just 23 tankers and cargo ships crossing Wednesday—down from 47 a week earlier—according to Kpler.
.jpg&w=3840&q=75 "UAE Moves to Cut Dependency on Strait of Hormuz to “Zero” With New Ports, Oil Hubs in Gulf of Oman")
The UAE has unveiled a plan to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz by expanding eastern ports on the Gulf of Oman—plus additional harbors, pipelines, and rail/road links—so exports and key supplies can keep flowing even if the choke point is disrupted.
Volkswagen is reportedly considering a major restructuring—cutting as many as 100,000 jobs (around 15% of its workforce) and ending production at four German plants—as it responds to intensifying pressure from fast-growing Chinese automakers.
Hungary’s government will amend the constitution to remove President Tamás Sulyok, a move part of Péter Magyar’s push to eliminate officials appointed under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. While largely ceremonial, the president signs legislation into law and can send bills to the constitutional court for review. Magyar says Sulyok refused to resign, and he plans to start “necessary procedures” to remove him, which he says would take about a month
Saudi authorities say they intercepted a Houthi missile launched in what it described as retaliation for earlier strikes on Sana’a. The reported launch heightened concerns over cross-border escalation as regional air defenses responded to the attack and monitoring continued for any additional threats.
Prime Minister Mark Carney wants Canada to be a leader in the artificial intelligence revolution. NDP Leader Avi Lewis is betting Canadians want to pump the brakes. From the Hamilton Harbour to rural Saskatchewan, some communities are pushing back against proposals for massive data centres meant to power the AI boom with billions of dollars in investment despite fears about job impacts and other concerns.
Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan said Europe is starting to recognise the danger posed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies, describing them as a “burden” and “threat” to international security—while arguing the EU has not yet found effective ways to respond.
The US and Iran both claimed they control the Strait of Hormuz after another weekend of attacks across the wider Middle East, further endangering diplomacy to end the war and reopen the waterway.
European countries have recorded more than 10,000 excess deaths during a record-breaking late-June heatwave, with the majority among people aged 65 and above, according to official data compiled by a Europe-wide monitoring network.
A B-52 bomber crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in California during a test mission, killing all eight crew members and prompting an investigation into the cause of the accident.
The White House and FBI are reviewing cases of at least ten U.S. scientists who have died or disappeared, aiming to identify any connections and enhance security for researchers in sensitive fields.
An underwater volcanic eruption near Papua New Guinea has raised the possibility of a new island forming, with satellites tracking the progress and pumice affecting nearby coastal areas.
Scientists have identified new clues, such as unusual infrared signatures, that could help reveal the existence of Dyson Spheres, advancing the search for extraterrestrial technological signatures.
Astronomers are studying an exoplanet that survived the death of its host star, now a white dwarf, providing new insights into planetary resilience and the evolution of stellar systems.
A recent bioprinting experiment on the International Space Station has advanced lab-grown tissue research by leveraging microgravity to create more natural cellular structures, offering hope for future regenerative medicine.
Residents of Spanish towns recount harrowing escapes as fierce wildfires sweep through the region, causing significant damage and prompting a major emergency response and discussions on climate resilience.
At least 27 people have died in a fire at a Bangkok bar, prompting a major emergency response and sparking discussions on fire safety regulations in the city’s entertainment districts.
The US launches additional strikes on Iran as tensions escalate over the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about global energy security and the risk of broader regional conflict.
Medics report that Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed six people, including a girl, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the heavy civilian toll of the continuing conflict in the region.
Qatar’s former ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at 74, leaving behind a legacy of economic transformation, media innovation, and active diplomacy that elevated Qatar’s global status.
A Ukrainian investigation alleges that a Russian group called “Shield of Mothers,” linked to the FSB, uses contact with Ukrainian prisoners of war to obtain intelligence and pressure relatives into illegal actions.
Explosions reported in Iran's Bandar Abbas coincide with Tehran's strikes on Kuwait, escalating regional tensions and raising concerns about global energy security and civilian safety in the Gulf.