Taiwan's Vice President, Chen Chien-Jer, visited several European countries including Germany and France as part of a diplomatic mission. The trip aimed to strengthen ties with European nations and promote Taiwan's interests in the region.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/taiwan-s-vice-president-went-to-europe-china-followed-and-planned-to-stage-car-crash-20250629-p5mb3m.htmlTaiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim was targeted by Chinese Embassy staff in Prague during a visit to the Czech Republic in March 2024. The incident involved surveillance and attempted ramming of her motorcade, according to a report from the Czech military intelligence agency. Hsiao condemned China's actions as exposing its "violent nature" and lack of sincerity in communication. The incident has been described by Taiwan as a typical case of China's transnational repression against dissidents or those who criticize China. The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China supported Hsiao, while China's foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun accused Prague of violating the "One-China principle" and urged other countries not to be exploited by Taiwanese separatists.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/taiwan-vp-says-not-intimidated-after-alleged-china-plot/article_9737a69d-a817-53af-ad8b-e14491511989.htmlThe US House of Representatives has condemned China's actions towards Taiwanese Vice-President Hsiao and her entourage, calling it "coercion" rather than diplomacy. The Mainland Affairs Council in Taiwan accused Chinese diplomats of threatening the safety of Taiwanese officials, including Hsiao, who assumed office alongside President Lai Ching-te on May 20, 2024. China's foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun denied any wrongdoing, stating that Chinese diplomats abide by local laws and regulations, while urging restraint from Taiwan to avoid being exploited by separatist forces seeking independence.
https://www.asiaone.com/asia/taiwan-vice-president-says-will-not-be-intimidated-after-czech-says-china-planned-physicalFrance is introducing a new maritime doctrine allowing police to intercept dinghies within 300 yards of the shoreline, a move aimed at reducing Channel crossings that have become deadly due to overcrowding and smuggling gangs' tactics. The measure comes after 73 people died attempting to reach the UK in 2024, compared to 13 in 2023. French authorities had previously struggled to stop migrants, with over 50 police trying to halt 200 in Gravelines but being met with teargas grenades. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed on a "one in, one out" scheme, where the UK takes asylum seekers with family ties in exchange for returning small boat migrants to France.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14858191/migrants-French-beach-police-wrong-place.htmlIranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi accused the US of betraying diplomacy after the US bombed Iran's three nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow. A former IRGC member, Araghchi was a key negotiator for Iran's nuclear programme from 2013 to 2015, securing relief from economic sanctions under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He met with US officials five times after Donald Trump returned to the White House, but tensions escalated when Israel launched a massive attack on Iran's nuclear facilities two days before their sixth round of talks. The US joined Israel in attacking Iran, damaging its nuclear installations and setting back its programme by several months. Araghchi stated that Iran values its independence and will not allow anyone else to decide its destiny, as it recovers from the war and seeks to strengthen ties with allies while managing rivalries to prevent further external aggression.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/abbas-araghchi-irans-man-at-the-table/article69749431.eceUS President Trump has implemented various trade policies since the start of the year, including a 10% baseline rate on all imports, tariffs of 25% on automobile parts and foreign-made automobiles, as well as steel and aluminum imports from certain countries. He also imposed a 25% tariff on non-NAFTA imports from Canada and Mexico. Additionally, Trump has threatened to impose 55% tariffs on China, citing the fentanyl crisis, while ending trade talks with Canada over its tax on US digital services.
https://nypost.com/2025/06/29/us-news/trump-now-suggests-he-wont-extend-july-tariff-deadline-while-teasing-mystery-tiktok-buyer/US President Donald Trump has announced that there will be no extension to the July 9 tariff deadline, as the date approaches. The decision comes amid ongoing trade tensions with China and other countries. Trump's statement suggests a hardline approach to tariffs, which have been a contentious issue in US-China relations.
https://www.livemint.com/politics/trump-says-he-doesn-t-expect-to-extend-july-9-tariff-deadline-11751212408620.htmlUS President Donald Trump has criticized Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, accusing him of "blatantly and foolishly" lying about claiming victory in the recent war with Israel. Trump warned that if Iran pursues nuclear weapons, the US would "absolutely" bomb the country again.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/trump-warns-of-fresh-strikes-on-iran-slams-khamenei-over-victory-claims-in-recent-war-with-israel/Sakie Yokota, 89, is the last surviving parent of Japanese abductee Megumi Yokota, who was taken in 1977 at age 13. The Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea continues to push for stronger government action, collecting signatures to rally public support and bring home other abductees while her mother is still alive.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/29/japan/abductee-families-time/