Sep 30, 2026, 08:30 PM UTC

US President Donald Trump has warned the European Union that granting Canada associate membership status could trigger severe tariffs or a partial halt in transatlantic trade. Trump labeled European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal "ridiculous" and warned Washington would view any actions aimed against American economic interests as a hostile move. However, Trump indicated that economic sanctions might be avoided if the European initiative stems from "good intention."

The diplomatic rift follows escalating trade friction between Washington and Ottawa. European officials, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb, have increasingly advocated for stronger institutional ties with Canada as commercial relations across the North American border deteriorate. Despite Washington's warnings, Brussels continues to explore closer integration with Ottawa.

Sources: 444, HVG, Telex.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that the country's 2027 budget will be passed on schedule, signaling a return to political stability after years of turmoil. Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Radev emphasized that the upcoming financial framework will ensure stability and called on lawmakers to prioritize administrative optimization alongside judicial reform.

Simultaneously, the ruling Progressive Bulgaria party submitted its nominees for the parliamentary quota of the Supreme Judicial Council, stating the candidates possess strong academic credentials and practical experience within the legal system.

However, media reports highlight ongoing scrutiny over the party's internal structure four months after its electoral victory. Progressive Bulgaria remains heavily reliant on Radev's personal leadership, with the majority of its 131 parliamentarians maintaining a low public profile while a small group handles media communications.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV.

Law enforcement agencies across Western Europe are responding to a series of violent incidents, including targeted shootings, domestic homicides, and the involvement of minors in organized crime.

In Germany, police detained a 13-year-old Dutch minor armed with a firearm, suspecting him of being recruited by gang networks linked to a fatal shooting in Hamburg. The arrest underscores broader concerns regarding juvenile recruitment, as Swedish authorities also report a surge in adolescent contract killers hired through digital platforms.

Meanwhile, Spanish police are investigating several violent crimes in Madrid, including the non-fatal shooting of a prolific burglar and two separate homicides of women occurring hours apart. In northeastern France, prosecutors opened an investigation after a father reportedly killed his wife and two young children before taking his own life.

Sources: Canarias7, El Día, El Mundo, La Vanguardia, Marca.

Tensions continue to mount across the Middle East following a second round of United States airstrikes against Iranian targets within 48 hours. The American military launched the strikes in response to confrontations in the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on US bases. In Tehran, Iranian leadership appointed a hardliner to head the Supreme National Security Council. Meanwhile, Iranian women are reportedly maintaining a silent revolution against compulsory dress codes four years after Mahsa Amini's death, with reports indicating "authorities have lost control" over hijab enforcement.

Elsewhere in the region, violence has resurfaced in Yemen as Houthi strikes on Moca port killed 18 people over two days, drawing retaliatory shelling from government troops in Marib. In Afghanistan, relative security under Taliban rule contrasts with widespread poverty, food shortages, and severe restrictions on public life.

Sources: Canarias7, El Día, El Mundo, La Provincia, La Vanguardia