Countries

Critics say Foreign Office figures send ‘global message about the role the country wants to play on international stage’Labour’s foreign aid cuts mean reductions of as much as 90% in the bilateral support the UK will give to some African countries, Foreign Office figures show.The department’s annual report includes a long-awaited breakdown of how the reduction in the aid budget will affect individual countries for the next three years. Continue reading...

• The World Bank recently upgraded the income status of four Asian countries, including Vietnam and the Philippines, while India remains categorized in the lower-middle-income group. • Despite being the world's fastest-growing major economy, India has failed to move up, highlighting a disconnect between its aggregate GDP growth and the actual rise in per capita income. • This disparity underscores a critical economic challenge for India: ensuring that national wealth translates into higher individual living standards across its vast population.

• The article examines how the network of energy pipelines has reshaped modern geopolitics in the Caucasus, specifically impacting Armenia. • It argues that for smaller nations like Armenia, geopolitical interests of more powerful states often outweigh moral principles and human rights. • The piece highlights the tension between the security of the Armenian people and the strategic energy interests of larger global powers.

Global views appear to have flipped in Beijing’s favour, driven in part by tensions between the Trump administration and US allies, a new Pew survey showsThe world has largely viewed the US more favourably than China for years, but those opinions have flipped in Beijing’s favour this year, according to a new poll from the Pew Research Center, a remarkable shift driven in part by tensions between the Trump administration and US allies.More people have favourable views of China than the US in 25 out of the 36 countries and territories that were surveyed, including Canada and Mexico. The poll was conducted from February to May, a period when the United States and Israel were engaged in a war against Iran. Continue reading...

• The European Union is preparing to implement a comprehensive ban on social media usage for children across all member states. • This move follows similar regulatory actions or proposals already established in other major global markets, including Australia, Britain, China, India, and the United States. • The initiative reflects a growing international effort to protect minors from the potential psychological and social harms associated with social media platforms.

• UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has joined French President Emmanuel Macron and leaders from eight other nations, including Ukraine, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden, to form an integrated air defence coalition. • The alliance focuses on establishing a comprehensive anti-ballistic missile architecture designed to deter and defeat future missile threats through collective technological and industrial cooperation. • This partnership matters as it signals a unified European effort to enhance regional security and strengthen the continent's defensive capabilities against sophisticated missile attacks.

• Iran has launched attacks against several Gulf countries, including Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE, following new military strikes by the United States. • In a significant escalation of the Middle East crisis, Tehran has announced its intention to close the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. • Separately, the sudden death of South Carolina Senator Graham, who has served in the Senate since 2003, is expected to cause major political shockwaves in Washington.

• Gulf nations are currently navigating a "grey zone" between war and peace, where traditional crisis management is no longer sufficient to ensure stability. • National security is now inextricably linked to development, with financial centers, energy projects, and global ports serving as critical pillars of power. • The region is shifting away from viewing deterrence and diplomacy as opposing choices, instead integrating both into a unified security strategy.

Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the UAE reportedly came under attack as Tehran says it is closing Strait of HormuzIndia’s foreign ministry has condemned an attack on the commercial vessel – GFS Galaxy – off the coast of Oman earlier today.It said 10 of the 11 Indian nationals on board have been rescued, while one remains missing.The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region. The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest.We have taken control of the strait of Hormuz with power, and we will preserve it with power as well. Continue reading...

Unesco report shows children lost out to servicing debt in 113 countries, with 18 spending five times more on loansMost developing countries spent less on education than they did repaying debt last year, according to the UN, at the same time as global aid to education is predicted to decline by up to 30%.More was spent on servicing foreign debt than on education in 113 developing countries in 2025, according to research by the UN’s culture and education agency, Unesco. In sub-Saharan Africa, countries spent 3.6 times more on debt than education. Continue reading...

Estonia, Luxembourg and UK are the top three in biennial Yale University index in tackling pollution and other issuesMuch of the world has made encouraging strides in reducing toxic problems such as water and air pollution that have long plagued communities. But there is still a widespread lack of progress among countries in dealing with the climate crisis, according to the latest edition of an influential environmental scorecard.The biennial Yale University index again ranks Estonia as the best-performing of 177 assessed countries, after strong recent efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and protect its ecosystems. Luxembourg is second, and the UK is third, having moved up from fifth place in the 2024 index. Continue reading...

• SBS drama "Manager Kim," starring So Ji-sub, has achieved rapid success both in South Korea and globally. • The series surpassed the 20% viewership mark within four episodes, reaching national ratings of 21.6% and a peak instantaneous rating of 25.1%. • Internationally, the show ranked number one in 20 countries as of July 4, according to FlixPatrol data, maintaining top-two positions across major Asian markets including Japan and Vietnam.

Kyiv offers expertise on how to develop radar systems and ground stations as it turns from buyer to security providerUkraine hopes to sign major defence deals with at least seven Nato countries by the end of the year, according to a top official, highlighting a new aspect of Kyiv’s foreign policy intended to show it can be a provider as well as a recipient of military hardware and expertise.Kyiv has signed “drone deals” with six countries in recent months. Three are Middle Eastern states, who became eager for Ukrainian support after being targeted with Iranian long-range Shahed drones after the US-Israeli war on Iran began in spring. These are the same weapons that have targeted Ukrainian cities relentlessly over the past four years. Azerbaijan has also signed an agreement with Kyiv, as well as the Nato members Latvia and Lithuania. Continue reading...

• Eight of the world's ten most populous nations consistently fail to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, highlighting a significant gap between population size and footballing success. • While Russia and Nigeria have appeared in multiple tournaments, China and Indonesia have each qualified only once in the event's history. • This disparity underscores the challenge these nations face in developing competitive national teams despite having massive talent pools.

• Investors are increasingly prioritizing political stability and capital protection over high-growth returns due to global geopolitical tensions and persistent inflation. • Singapore has emerged as the only non-European nation to rank in the top 10 safest countries for investors heading into 2026. • This shift highlights Singapore's enduring reputation as one of Asia's most stable and secure financial hubs during periods of economic uncertainty.

• Starring Choi Min-sik, the Netflix production "The Boy in the Back Row" has achieved a strong global debut following its release on the 26th. • According to FlixPatrol data from the 29th, the title broke into the Top 10 rankings in 32 countries within just three days of launch. • The film's reach spans diverse markets, including South Korea, Japan, several Southeast Asian nations, and regions such as Egypt, Greece, and Morocco.

• EU prosecutors have conducted raids across France, Spain, Italy, and Belgium to investigate the alleged misappropriation of European Parliament funds. • The probe targets the now-defunct Identity and Democracy (ID) group, which included MEPs from France’s National Rally, Italy’s League, and Germany’s AfD. • This investigation is significant as it scrutinizes the financial conduct of prominent Eurosceptic parties within the EU's legislative body.

• On June 29, dozens of governments agreed to strengthen energy efficiency policies to better protect households and businesses from volatile energy prices. • The initiative aims to improve global resilience against future energy shocks, specifically those potentially caused by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to Middle East conflicts. • This move matters as it seeks to reduce systemic dependency on unstable energy corridors and mitigate the economic impact of geopolitical instability.

Past and present leaders of wealthy nations such as UK and Germany have argued their actions are insignificantOn first hearing, it is a position that sounds reasonable. “When our share of global emissions is less than 1%,” Rishi Sunak argued when he was the UK prime minister in 2023, “how can it be right that British citizens are now being told to sacrifice even more than others?”Sunak is not the only world leader to have cited such figures while delaying cuts to pollution. In 2019, Scott Morrison, Australia’s then prime minister, used his country’s 1.3% of global emissions to reject any suggestion Australia was not “doing our bit” on climate breakdown. In July, the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, pointed to his country’s 2% share of global emissions while supporting loopholes in European climate targets. A few months later the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, followed suit, flagging the EU’s 6% share. Continue reading...

• A severe heatwave has swept across Europe, with temperatures peaking at 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) this past Sunday. • The extreme weather has resulted in more than 1,300 deaths across the continent, highlighting the vulnerability of various populations to rising temperatures. • In response, political figures are using the crisis to campaign; France's Marine Le Pen has proposed a "massive air conditioning plan" for vulnerable areas if elected.

• China ranks as the world leader in foreign exchange reserves for 2026, followed by Japan in second and Switzerland in third. • Other top-ranking nations include Taiwan (#4), India (#5), Saudi Arabia (#6), Hong Kong (#7), Russia (#8), South Korea (#9), and Singapore (#10). • These reserves are critical for maintaining currency stability and providing a financial buffer to protect national economies during global crises.

• Euroclear has expanded access to European capital markets by integrating seven new countries into its platform in a single update. • This strategic move aims to streamline the process for international investors to access and trade European securities. • The expansion is significant as it lowers barriers to entry and increases liquidity within the European financial ecosystem.

• India and 34 other nations signed the "Joint Statement on AI Opportunity" during the second Pax Silica Summit held in Washington on Thursday. • The US-led initiative focuses on establishing trusted and resilient global supply chains to support the development and deployment of artificial intelligence. • This collaboration matters as it aims to secure the critical infrastructure and hardware necessary for AI, reducing dependencies on unstable or adversarial sources.

US president says levy would be imposed immediately and supersede pre-existing trade deals with the country Donald Trump threatened on Friday to place a 100% import tariff on any European country that imposes a tax on digital services from US companies.Writing on Truth Social, the US president said that “numerous European countries” had been discussing putting a digital services tax on American companies and that “some of these countries are close to actually doing this.” Continue reading...

• Remitly has released a new global index ranking the best countries to move to in 2026 based on quality of life, happiness, and safety. • Finland continues to lead as the world's happiest country, followed by Denmark and Iceland, while Mexico and Costa Rica saw significant climbs in the happiness rankings. • Singapore is ranked as the safest country globally due to its political stability and low crime rates, with Iceland and Switzerland also appearing in the top five.

• Scholars from 10 different countries will gather in South Korea in early July for an international academic conference. • The event aims to analyze the global cultural influence of BTS and examine the group's trajectory following their mandatory military service. • This gathering highlights the academic significance of the "BTS effect" and how the group's transition back to full activity impacts global pop culture.

• Iran's Revolutionary Guards attacked a Singapore-flagged commercial vessel using a drone in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. • The strike occurred as international efforts were underway to reopen and secure the critical oil shipping route. • This escalation threatens regional stability and disrupts global energy transit, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Tehran and the U.S.

• Only four EU member states have implemented the EU’s Pay Transparency Directive, failing to meet the June deadline for adoption. • The directive is designed to strengthen the enforcement of equal pay rules and reduce gender-based wage gaps across the European Union. • This widespread failure to comply highlights a significant split within the bloc regarding the urgency and implementation of pay equity laws.