French President Emmanuel Macron has criticized Israeli strikes on Iran's Evin prison, stating they were not aligned with Israel's stated goal of destroying Iran's nuclear program. He warned that such actions could endanger civilians and have significant economic implications if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, which would affect global economies, particularly China.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/06/24/world/americas-emea/french-president-says-us-strikes-on-iran-not-legal/2138287World leaders are gathering at a historic NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, for a two-day meeting that could unite allies around a new defense spending pledge. US President Donald Trump is expected to discuss how the US secured this pledge from other nations, while also addressing recent developments such as striking nuclear facilities in Iran and announcing a ceasefire with Israel. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended meetings despite missing the leaders' meeting, and French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed support for Ukraine's sovereignty and European security.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250624/p2g/00m/0in/051000cThe European Union has imposed 17 sanctions packages on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, with a focus on depriving Moscow of financing means. However, circumvention of these sanctions has been a concern, particularly regarding dual-use components and equipment. The EU is working on an 18th package to further restrict Russia's energy and financial sectors. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend a NATO summit in Brussels, where leaders are set to agree on a joint declaration that does not mention Ukraine's "irreversible path" to membership, as Hungary continues to block progress on its accession bid.
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/06/24/boost-investments-in-ukraine-defence-and-stop-russia-getting-your-equipment-zelenskyy-tellHungary and Slovakia may be more willing to accept sanctions against Russia due to increased attacks on Ukrainian civilians, making peace talks less likely. The EU is seeking a six-month extension of all existing sanctions, including over $230 billion in frozen Russian assets. A proposed 18th round of restrictive measures has largely been agreed upon diplomatically, with the exception of lowering the Russian oil price cap from $60 to $45 per barrel, which is unlikely to gain traction due to US opposition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will sign a document establishing a new tribunal investigating Russian aggression against Ukraine on June 25.
https://www.rferl.org/a/wider-europe-jozwiak-nato-eu-summits/33452772.htmlExporters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa attended a session where TDAP officials, including Nauman Bashir and Zahid Muhammad, emphasized the need to maximize benefits from GSP plus status and free trade agreements to boost exports. They highlighted the immense potential in the province but noted that a two percent provincial infrastructure development cess imposed on exports has hindered the process. The SCCI president urged the government to abolish this cess to revive exports in the province.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1324241-seminar-on-impacts-of-gsp-plus-status-scci-urges-govt-to-help-boost-export-from-kpMore than a dozen human rights organisations have called on the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to cease operations due to chaotic and deadly scenes in its aid distribution. The US-backed group's model of privatised, militarised aid distribution has been deemed "dehumanising" by the groups, which include the International Federation for Human Rights and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights. At least 450 people have been killed and nearly 3,500 injured since GHF began distributing meal boxes in late May, sparking warnings of mass famine in Gaza.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/06/24/rights-groups-call-for-gaza-aid-foundation-shutdown-warn-of-complicity-in-war-crimes/181457Pakistan and the UAE will deepen strategic, economic, and development cooperation during a upcoming session led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. A Pakistani delegation, headed by Dar, will be accompanied by senior officials from key ministries including Economic Affairs, Commerce, Energy, Maritime Affairs, and Interior. The session aims to review progress in bilateral cooperation across multiple domains such as trade, investment, energy, infrastructure development, and IT, with the goal of finalizing legal instruments to institutionalize sectoral cooperation and enhance mutually beneficial partnership.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1324330-dar-leads-delegation-to-12th-session-of-pak-uae-joint-ministerial-commissionNATO is on track to meet its commitment to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense, thanks in part to President Donald Trump's leadership. However, the alliance has scaled back its involvement with Ukraine due to Trump's strained relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Despite this, NATO will reaffirm its support for Kyiv and establish a new Ukraine-NATO Council at the foreign-minister level. The summit aims to avoid Trump's previous walkout from the alliance, with a focus on symbolic wins such as aid to Ukraine counting towards national defense spending.
https://www.politico.eu/article/nato-summit-europe-iran-donald-trump-us-politics/NATO's 32 countries have agreed to dedicate 3.5% of their military spending to core needs by 2035 and 1.5% to broader security areas. The move aims to deter Russia, which is rapidly rebuilding its forces depleted by the war in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump has expressed support for the plan, saying it gives NATO "much more power". However, divisions remain over how to address Russia's actions in Ukraine, with some countries like Germany committing to meet the 3.5% target earlier than the 2035 deadline. Trump plans to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while attending a summit in The Hague, but has ruled out Ukraine joining NATO.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/trump-rattles-nato-allies-as-he-descends-on-summit/article_dccf075c-7e7d-5dce-9ecd-44fc87934752.html