**Summary:** Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has welcomed a proposal from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to make Ottawa the first-ever associate member of the European Union, aiming to deepen strategic ties.

**Key points:**
- U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the proposed associate membership as laughable and threatened the European Union with heavy tariffs.
- Associate membership does not currently exist under EU treaties and would require creation and ratification by member states.
- The proposed alliance would focus on strategic cooperation in areas such as defense capabilities, critical minerals, energy security, and artificial intelligence.

**Why it matters:** This potential partnership represents a significant geopolitical realignment as Canada seeks closer ties with European allies amid ongoing trade tensions and tariff disputes with the United States.

International: Top News And Analysis - ‘Stronger together’: Carney welcomes EU invite for Canada to become first-ever associate member

RSS di   - ANSA.it - Carney: 'Europa e Canada simili per affinità, insieme siamo più forti'

Le Monde - Le Canada accueille favorablement la proposition d’Ursula von der Leyen d’en faire un « membre associé » de l’Union européenne

LaPresse.ca - Actualités - Discours au Parlement européen | Mark Carney appelle le Canada et l’Union européenne à se regrouper

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney Welcomes EU Associate Membership Proposal

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump has threatened the European Union with high tariffs or a trade halt if the bloc proceeds with a proposal to make Canada an associated member with bad intentions.

**Key points:**
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed making Canada the EU's first associated member during a speech in Strasbourg.
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was present to receive applause and is scheduled to address the European Parliament.
- President Donald Trump stated he would only take punitive trade action if the EU acts out of hostile or bad intentions.

**Why it matters:** This threat introduces potential trade friction between the United States and the European Union over Brussels' efforts to forge closer international partnerships amidst a shifting global system.

Al Momento - Trump amenaza con aranceles a la UE si hace a Canadá miembro

ZEIT ONLINE | Nachrichten, Hintergründe und Debatten - Europäische Union: Trump droht EU mit Handelsstopp bei engerer Partnerschaft mit Kanada

Aktuell - FAZ.NET - USA unter Trump: Trump droht EU mit Handelsstopp wegen Annäherung an Kanada

Trump Threatens EU with Tariffs Over Proposed Canada Partnership

**Summary:** The United States Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point to 3.75%-4%, marking its first hike in over three years due to persistent inflation pressures.

**Key points:**
- Officials indicated that another interest rate increase is likely before the end of the year.
- The policy action comes amid rising energy costs driven by conflict involving Iran.
- The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to approve the quarter-point rate increase.

**Why it matters:** The central bank's shift in monetary policy addresses stubborn inflation fueled by rising energy costs and impacts borrowing costs and economic growth across the nation.

International: Top News And Analysis - Fed approves interest rate hike, signals one more to come this year

Cyprus Mail - Fed forecasts see latest hike followed by another before end of year

Al Jazeera - US Fed raises interest rates as inflation weighs on economy

The Age - Latest News - Fed defies Trump, raises US interest rates for first time in three years

US Federal Reserve raises interest rates by 25 basis points amid inflation

**Summary:** A multi-storey residential building previously damaged by Israeli airstrikes collapsed in Gaza City, killing at least 20 people and leaving dozens trapped.

**Key points:**
- The collapse occurred overnight, leaving approximately 60 people missing and 14 injured.
- The six-storey building was home to about 100 displaced people seeking shelter.
- Rescue operations were severely hampered by a lack of heavy machinery and proper equipment in the territory.
- Civil defence officials warn that hundreds of other war-damaged structures across Gaza remain at high risk of collapse.

**Why it matters:** The tragedy highlights the immense dangers faced by displaced families sheltering in war-damaged infrastructure amid ongoing restrictions on rescue equipment and heavy machinery in Gaza.

Cyprus Mail - War-damaged Gaza building collapses, killing 20 people sheltering inside

Al Jazeera - At least 20 killed as multi-storey building collapses in Gaza City

El Comercio - Gaza: al menos 20 muertos y 60 desaparecidos en el derrumbe de un edificio bombardeado

War-Damaged Building Collapse in Gaza City Kills 20

**Summary:** The Kosovo war crimes tribunal in The Hague has sentenced former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci to 25 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the 1990s conflict.

**Key points:**
- Thaci, 58, was convicted on four counts including murder, torture, illegal detention, and cruel treatment as top commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
- The tribunal found him guilty of the murder of 96 political opponents and perceived collaborators, alongside the illegal detention of 385 people.
- Thaci denied all charges throughout the trial, which drew large crowds of supporters outside the tribunal in The Hague and in Pristina.

**Why it matters:** The ruling marks a monumental milestone for the Kosovo war crimes tribunal, addressing accountability for the violent 1990s dissolution of the former Yugoslavia while deepening political tensions in the region.

Cyprus Mail - Former Kosovo president Thaci sentenced to 25 years in prison for war crimes

Al Jazeera - Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci convicted of war crimes

La Libre - L'ex-président du Kosovo Hashim Thaçi condamné à 25 ans de prison pour crimes de guerre

Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci Sentenced to 25 Years for War Crimes

**Summary:** South Korea and five Central Asian nations adopted the Seoul Declaration following their first summit in Seoul, agreeing to institutionalize regular meetings and expand economic and regional cooperation.

**Key points:**
- Leaders agreed to hold future summits regularly once every two years, with Kazakhstan offering to host the second summit in Astana in 2028.
- The summit established a consultative mechanism for industry ministers in the C5+1 format and an MoU on supply chain cooperation.
- Participating states emphasized cooperation in critical minerals, energy, infrastructure, urban development, and digital transformation.
- Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and other regional leaders held bilateral talks to reinforce mutual ties.

**Why it matters:** This summit elevates diplomatic and economic relations between South Korea and Central Asian states to the leadership level, creating formal cooperation frameworks in critical minerals, energy, and supply chains.

AKIpress - Korea and Central Asian leaders adopt Seoul Declaration

Trend - South Korea, Central Asia launch joint industrial co-op mechanism

Trend - South Korea and Central Asia agree on urban development cooperation

Trend - Central Asian states and South Korea sign Seoul Declaration

Trend - Turkmenistan reaffirms commitment to stronger ties with South Korea

Korea and Central Asian Leaders Adopt Seoul Declaration

**Summary:** European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed opening the door for Canada to become the European Union's first associate member to deepen bilateral ties.

**Key points:**
- The proposal was announced during the State of the European Union address in Strasbourg, France, in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
- The new partnership aims to build upon the existing CETA free trade agreement through a broader Alliance for the Future.
- The enhanced cooperation is intended to cover advanced manufacturing, technology, defense production, artificial intelligence, and the Arctic.

**Why it matters:** This unprecedented proposal signals a major strategic alignment between Europe and Canada as Ottawa seeks closer economic and security partnerships.

International: Top News And Analysis - Canada could become 'first associate member' of EU, bloc's chief says

La Tercera - Von der Leyen propone que Canadá sea miembro asociado de la Unión Europea

Jornal De Negocios - Von der Leyen prope ao Canad estatuto de "membro associado" da UE

The Star Toronto - EU chief Ursula von der Leyen says she wants Canada to become the bloc's 1st associate member

EU Proposes Canada as Its First Associate Member

**Summary:** A US Congressional Budget Office report states that the war launched by the US and Israel against Iran cost Washington approximately $38 billion by August 1.

**Key points:**
- Monthly costs for the conflict are estimated between $2 billion and $3 billion depending on military intensity.
- Iran's parliament board member Ahmad Naderi stated that the country's military is fully prepared for any scenario ranging from limited strikes to total war.
- The conflict has involved renewed naval blockades and maritime tensions affecting regional trade routes.

**Why it matters:** The ongoing military escalation and substantial financial expenditures underscore the severe economic and geopolitical toll of the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Jordan Zad - الكونغرس: الحرب على إيران كلّفت الولايات المتحدة 38 مليار دولار

خبرگزاری باشگاه خبرنگاران | آخرین اخبار ایران و جهان | YJC - پیشروی‌های یمن چه تاثیری بر جنگ ایران دارد؟ + فیلم

خبرگزاری خبرآنلاین - آخرین اخبار ایران و جهان | Khabaronline - پیش بینی عضو هیات رئیسه مجلس از آینده جنگ میان ایران و آمریکا

US Congressional Report Details Rising Costs and Continuing Conflict in Iran