Meta ordered to pay $567 million in New Mexico child safety case

A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay $567 million and implement sweeping new safeguards for young users of Facebook and Instagram, delivering the largest additional financial penalty yet imposed on the tech company in the child-safety litigation.

Trump threatens 50% tariffs on Canadian cars and trucks, Canada announces retaliatory tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to raise U.S. tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks and automotive parts to 50% from 25% beginning Jan. 1, 2027, escalating a trade confrontation with Ottawa after trade talks failed.

US Army selects 5 companies for $2.2 billion Nuclear Microreactor Program

The U.S. Army has selected five companies to develop nuclear microreactors at five military installations, committing up to $2.2 billion in government funding as Washington seeks to strengthen military energy resilience and reduce dependence on vulnerable power grids.

Asia

EU and South Korea expand partnership with Digital Trade pact and enhanced Security cooperation

European Union and the Republic of Korea have agreed to deepen cooperation across trade, security, defense, technology, and supply chain resilience,

Uzbekistan begins construction on first integrated nuclear power plant with Russian support

Uzbekistan has officially launched construction of its first nuclear power plant with Russian support, marking a major milestone in the country's long-term energy strategy.

Turkmenistan hosts IAEA workshop to strengthen Nuclear Security cooperation

Experts from Asia and Europe gathered in Turkmenistan for the first International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) interregional workshop on materials outside regulatory control

Thailand cuts visa-free stay for tourists from more than 90 countries amid crime concerns

Thailand has approved plans to significantly reduce the length of visa-free stays for travelers from more than 90 countries

Europe

France places one-third of country under Red Heatwave Alert as extreme temperatures disrupt daily life

France has placed more than a third of the country under its highest heatwave warning as an intense and prolonged spell of extreme temperatures grips the nation

EU and South Korea expand partnership with Digital Trade pact and enhanced Security cooperation

European Union and the Republic of Korea have agreed to deepen cooperation across trade, security, defense, technology, and supply chain resilience,

Trains in Switzerland are running over solar panels and the results are promising

A Swiss startup says the world’s first removable solar power plant installed between active railway tracks has successfully met its initial safety and performance targets, raising the prospect of turning thousands of kilometers of rail infrastructure into a new source of renewable energy.

Norway joins France’s nuclear deterrence initiative as Europe boosts defense

Norway has become the ninth European country to join France’s nuclear deterrence initiative, marking another step in Europe’s efforts to strengthen its security architecture

Middle East

Full text of 14-point preliminary US-Iran agreement

U.S. President Donald Trump signed the preliminary deal with Iran in France on June 17, 2026, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the document in Tehran

Trump says US-Iran peace deal scheduled to be signed on Sunday

U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that a framework...

Hajj 2026: Over 1.7 million Muslims gather in Saudi Arabia amid regional tensions and scorching heat

More than 1.7 million Muslims from around the world gathered in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, undertaking one of Islam’s most sacred obligations amid regional tensions and soaring temperatures.

Trump says should be ‘mandatory’ for Muslim countries to join Abraham Accords as part of Iran deal

U.S. President Donald Trump has called for several Muslim-majority countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, and Turkey, to join the Abraham Accords as part of any future agreement with Iran