Kremlin threatens Moldova's independence, Indonesia-EU trade deal counters US tariffs, and Trump-led culture war challenges Europe amid Gaza conflict.

Good Morning,

The president of Moldova has warned of Kremlin threats to the country's independence as a key vote approaches. In economic developments, Indonesia and the EU have finalized a trade deal aimed at mitigating the impact of US tariffs under the Trump administration. Meanwhile, reports indicate that President Trump is intensifying a cultural conflict in Europe by supporting right-wing allies, presenting a significant challenge for the continent. At the UN General Assembly, leaders including Trump and Macron addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, while Ukrainian President Zelenskyy accused Putin of attempting to prolong the war, and Trump suggested NATO could intervene against Russian aircraft.

Top Stories

● Kremlin threatening Moldova's independence, president warns ahead of key vote (BBC)

● Indonesia, EU seal trade deal, hope to offset Trump tariffs (Reuters)

● Trump-led US culture war presents Europe with pivotal moment: Report (Al Jazeera)

● UN General Assembly live: Trump, Macron address Israel’s war on Gaza (Al Jazeera)

United States

● Zelenskyy tells UN Putin is ‘trying everything’ to prolong Ukraine war; Trump says Nato can shoot down Russian aircraft – live (The Guardian)

● Group planning United States’ 250th birthday fires White House-appointed executive director (CNN)

● ‘Your Countries Are Going to Hell’: Trump Airs His Grievances at the U.N. (The New York Times)

● 7 key moments from Trump’s U.N. speech - PBS (Pbs)

● Trump UN speech: Six years ago his audience laughed, this year they were silent (BBC)

● 'Guess what?' Macron calls Trump after being blocked by US leader's motorcade (Reuters)

● US President Trump criticizes UN, NATO and climate ‘hoax’ - UN News (Un News)

Africa

● South Africa's president says trade is being used as a 'weapon' (Reuters)

● CDS hails Nigeria, US military health collaboration (Punch Newspapers)

● Drug abuse threatens Nigeria’s future, Marwa warns youths (Punch Newspapers)

● Nigeria cuts interest rates for first time in five years (Financial Times)

● Egypt: President Rejects Flawed Criminal Code (Human Rights Watch)

● Nigeria, DALIL UAE seal deal to transform airport cargo operations (Punch Newspapers)

● AI, software testing to shape Nigeria’s economic future – Tinubu’s aide (Vanguard News)

● 100,000 artisans to sit ITF exams (Punch Newspapers)

● Egyptian-British Activist Freed Under Pardon, Highlighting Egypt’s Human Rights Crisis - Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project | OCCRP (Organized Crime And Corruption Reporting Project | Occrp)

● NUC Warns Universities Against Unendorsed Accreditation Training - thenigeriaeducationnews.com (Thenigeriaeducationnews)

Middle East

● Iran, European powers struggle to reach deal over return of UN sanctions (Reuters)

● Khamenei rules out talks with US over Iran’s nuclear programme (Al Jazeera)

● What to know about Iran’s nuclear program as UN ‘snapback’ sanctions deadline nears - AP News (Ap News)

● Iraq Kurdish oil exports yet to flow as two producers seek debt guarantees (Reuters)

● More experts say Israel’s offensive in Gaza constitutes genocide - PBS (Pbs)

● In Israel, Government Backlash Brews Over Palestinian State Recognition (The New York Times)

● Israel seeks permanent Gaza control, Jewish majority in West Bank: UN (Al Jazeera)

● LIVE: Israel intensifies Gaza attacks, kills 36 since dawn (Al Jazeera)

Indo-Pacific

● LDP candidates focus on reform as presidential vote approaches (The Japan Times)

● The mass protests in Asia show the power of Gen Z - and its limit (BBC)

● Typhoon Ragasa: Taiwan lake bursts as year's strongest storm barrels towards China (BBC)

● Trump tariffs live updates: US-China talks on 'huge' Boeing order could be centerpiece of trade agreement (Yahoo Finance)

● Australia news live: two MPs cleared in Jacinta Allan manure investigation; search for couple missing in Tasmanian light plane called off (The Guardian)

● Intelligence agencies should report on foreign interests in ‘activist groups’, Australian coal lobby group argues (The Guardian)

● Rodrigo Duterte, former Philippines president, charged with crimes against humanity at ICC (The Guardian)

● Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets: Asia Cup – as it happened (Al Jazeera)

● Austrailan police officer charged with assault at pro-Palestinian protest (BBC)

● Opinion | How to repair ties after the Hyundai raid (The Washington Post)

● Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka to boost hopes of reaching final (BBC)

● Europe has lost one superpower ally – can it afford to be in the crosshairs of two? | Nathalie Tocci (The Guardian)

Europe

● Hibernian's Joelle Murray accepts award in Spain (BBC)

● EU targets Apple, Google and Microsoft over online financial scams (Financial Times)

● EU, WHO counter Trump's warnings on autism and pregnancy (Reuters)

● EU to delay anti-deforestation law by another year (Reuters)

● Video: French President Is Stopped by Trump’s Motorcade in New York (The New York Times)

● Spain approves ‘total’ arms embargo on Israel over ‘genocide in Gaza’ (South China Morning Post)

● YouTube content creators contributed £2.2bn to UK economy in 2024 (BBC)

● Spain formally imposes arms embargo on Israel over Gaza conflict (Yahoo)

Latin America

• Trump admin designates Barrio 18 gang as foreign terrorist organization (AP)

• Colombia’s president calls for criminal investigation against Trump (AP)

• Costa Rica president celebrates after failed bid to strip immunity (AP)

• Brazil announces $1 billion investment in global forest fund (Reuters)

• World bank says will accelerate support for Argentina (Reuters)

• Chile to nominate former president Bachelet for UN Sec. Gen. (Reuters)

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