Jul 25, 2026, 02:00 AM UTC

US President Donald Trump has enacted new import tariffs ranging between 10 and 12.5 percent targeting around 60 international trading partners, including the European Union, Canada, and Australia. The measures came into effect immediately as previous temporary emergency duties expired following a US Supreme Court ruling.

The White House justified the levies by alleging that the affected countries failed to adequately combat forced labor practices. Under the new rules, imports from the European Union face a 10 percent tariff. Legal experts and trade partners have raised concerns over utilizing anti-forced-labor legislation to implement broad economic duties, viewing the strategy as a mechanism to circumvent judicial limits.

Sources: DW, Rzeczpospolita, Tagesschau

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned the public to prepare for an imminent wave of Russian missile strikes, stating that an attack could occur within 48 hours. In a video address, Zelenskyy urged citizens across the country not to ignore air alarm warnings as Ukrainian defense forces monitor potential launch preparations.

"This strike can take place today," Zelenskyy said, noting that preliminary intelligence indicated a renewed aerial assault was expected shortly.

The warning follows a series of heavy Russian bombardments across Ukraine, including a ballistic missile strike near Kyiv that killed at least ten people and injured nearly 100 others during a defense industry event. Russian forces also launched glide bombs at residential areas in Zaporizhzhia, while Ukrainian prosecutors opened a war crimes investigation into the alleged execution of a prisoner of war in Donetsk.

Sources: ORF, Tagesschau

A Saudi-led military coalition launched retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi targets in Hodeidah, Yemen, following an attack on the Saudi-flagged tanker NCC Masa in the Red Sea. While the vessel sustained minor hull damage, its crew safely navigated it to its destination port.

Following the incident, the European Union's naval mission Aspides escalated its security threat assessment from medium to high for the Bab al-Mandab strait and the southern Red Sea.

Concurrently, maritime security in neighboring waters remains precarious. Somali pirates in Puntland continue to hold a merchant vessel seized in the Gulf of Aden, which reportedly has eight German nationals aboard. In light of the escalating regional volatility, Germany’s military announced it is redeploying two naval vessels from East Africa back to the eastern Mediterranean.

Sources: ORF, Tagesschau

US President Donald Trump stated he is considering large-scale military strikes against Iran, potentially exceeding previous operations, following a series of regional escalations. While Trump noted that no final decision has been made, Washington is preparing potential retaliatory measures as US forces face ongoing strikes across the Middle East.

Recent incidents include attacks targeting American troops at a base in Erbil, Iraq, as well as Houthi strikes against two oil tankers. The White House also indicated plans to utilize frozen Iranian assets abroad to compensate for damages caused by Tehran's actions.

Amid 14 consecutive nights of US airstrikes in the region, Trump is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on Tuesday to discuss the conflict.

Sources: La Stampa.

A political dispute has erupted in Italy following warnings from Palermo's chief prosecutor that the state has lost control over the nation's prison system. The prosecutor highlighted widespread drug smuggling and unmonitored telephone conversations between organized crime bosses behind bars.

In response, Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio strongly rejected the assessment, dismissing the claims and stating that the prosecutor is "out of his mind." The clash underscores growing scrutiny over security, staffing, and governance within Italian correctional facilities as officials debate the extent of mob influence inside detention centers.

Sources: La Stampa.