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The United States and Iran reached a ceasefire agreement (in the form of a memorandum of understanding) just last month. However, within only 20 days, Iran allegedly carried out multiple attacks on commercial vessels, prompting a U.S. military response. The latest round of hostilities erupted on Tuesday (the 7th). Before launching airstrikes against Iran, the U.S. Treasury Department also revoked a waiver that had temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on the 7th that Iran had attacked civilian commercial vessels operating along international shipping routes, and that the United States responded with decisive military force. Qatar and Saudi Arabia also condemned Iran's attacks, saying that their commercial ships had come under attack in the Strait of Hormuz and calling on Iran to immediately cease all actions that undermine regional security.

In a statement broadcast on state television, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the United States for violating the agreement. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf claimed that Washington had seriously breached the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding. He listed five alleged violations by the United States: disrupting Iran's revised navigation arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz, continuing to threaten further military strikes against Iran, reinstating oil sanctions, launching attacks on southern Iran, and allowing Israel to continue its military operations in Lebanon.

Iran's Armed Forces issued a statement vowing a firm response to the U.S. attacks. Tehran stressed that under no circumstances would it allow the United States to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also asserted that the shipping routes it has designated are the only safe passage for oil tankers and commercial vessels transiting the strait. On the 8th, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on state television that, in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes on Iranian coastal bases, it had struck U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.

As tensions in the Middle East escalated once again, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday (the 8th) condemned Iran's leadership as brutal. Trump declared that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement was effectively over and said that engaging with Iran was "a waste of time."

Also on Wednesday, Trump attended a NATO summit in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, where he met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Rutte stated that the U.S. overnight airstrikes on Iran on Tuesday were "absolutely necessary," arguing that Iran had openly violated the ceasefire agreement after it had taken effect and that a strong U.S. response was therefore essential.

French President Emmanuel Macron made a historic visit to Syria on the 7th, becoming the first Western and European Union leader to visit the country since the fall of the Assad regime in 2024. During the trip, Macron met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in the capital, Damascus, where the two leaders signed bilateral agreements and agreed to restore diplomatic relations by reappointing ambassadors. However, explosions were also reported in Damascus during the visit.

According to foreign media reports, two explosions occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel Damascus, where Macron was staying. The explosives had reportedly been hidden in a trash bin and inside a vehicle. Thick smoke filled the area, and several vehicles caught fire. A total of 18 people were injured, including four police officers. Fortunately, Macron had already arrived at the Syrian Presidential Palace when the blasts occurred. French officials quickly confirmed that he was safe and that his visit would proceed as planned.

Shortly after the explosions, Macron continued with his scheduled itinerary, including a tour of the Syrian Presidential Palace, a joint visit to a mosque with President al-Sharaa, and meetings with members of Syrian civil society, underscoring the renewed relationship between France and Syria. Syrian authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the bombings, and no group has claimed responsibility. After concluding his visit to Syria, Macron is scheduled to travel to Turkey to attend the NATO Summit.

With the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit set to take place in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7–8, the Turkish government stepped up security measures in advance of the gathering, banning public demonstrations, erecting roadblocks, and closing several streets. The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) said it organized an anti-NATO march in central Ankara's Kızılay Square, but more than 100 participants, including party officials, were detained by police.

Footage from the scene showed demonstrators waving flags and chanting slogans such as "Murderer NATO, get out of our country!" and "NATO, no passage!" Riot police used tear gas to disperse the crowd as protesters gathered in the square. The TKP accused the government of suppressing anti-NATO voices, arguing that the detentions targeted a legitimate political demonstration.

Beyond Ankara, the TKP also organized protests in Istanbul, where hundreds of demonstrators marched from Taksim Square to the Dolmabahçe district. Two additional rallies organized by left-wing groups were held in Kadıköy. Although police maintained a heavy security presence, no major clashes were reported.

TKP General Secretary Kemal Okuyan said anti-NATO demonstrations were held simultaneously across several cities, stressing that the party would not allow Ankara to remain silent during the NATO summit and would continue voicing its opposition to the alliance.

Ukraine launched a large-scale long-range drone assault early Saturday, targeting military and energy facilities in St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, and the neighboring Leningrad Region. St. Petersburg Governor Aleksandr Beglov confirmed that the city of around six million people had come under a "massive" attack and said an oil terminal was struck, though no casualties were reported.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that a major oil storage and transshipment terminal, along with a key naval base of Russia's Baltic Fleet, had been hit. He said both sites were critical infrastructure generating revenue to support Russia's war effort. Ukraine has continued its drone campaign in an effort to deepen Russia's domestic fuel shortage.

Beglov said the overnight drone attack caused no reported casualties. He added that Russian air defenses shot down 72 Ukrainian drones over St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. Residents were urged to remain indoors until air raid alerts were lifted, while warning that mobile internet services could be disrupted. The governor of the Leningrad Region also said a drone struck an area near the Port of Vysotsk, about 170 kilometers northwest of St. Petersburg. The port is a major hub for handling oil, grain, coal, and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

On the eastern front, Russia's military claimed it had captured the strategic town of Kostiantynivka. However, President Zelensky and Ukraine's military chief firmly rejected the claim, insisting that the town remains under full Ukrainian control.

Zelensky said Ukraine's Defense Forces successfully struck port oil infrastructure that finances Russia's war effort, as well as the military stronghold of Kronstadt, one of the Russian Navy's most important bases. Russian authorities have not confirmed whether the base sustained any damage. Kyiv also claimed that drone strikes have now disabled nearly 43% of Russia's oil refining capacity.

Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure this year in an effort to weaken Moscow's ability to sustain the war. Fuel shortages have begun emerging in several parts of Russia. In Gatchina, located in the Leningrad Region, long lines of vehicles were seen waiting at gas stations, while some stations reportedly ran out of fuel altogether.

A powerful heat wave swept across the U.S. East Coast during the Independence Day holiday, forcing the cancellation or modification of Fourth of July celebrations and causing power outages in New York. With heat index values reaching as high as 46°C (115°F), more than 185 million Americans were placed under heat alerts.

According to Reuters, the Associated Press, and other media outlets, the extreme heat was caused by a strong heat dome that brought prolonged high temperatures and humidity across the eastern United States. Cities including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and Boston recorded temperatures above 38°C (100°F), with dangerous humidity pushing the heat index above 43°C (110°F) in many areas.
In Philadelphia, organizers canceled the annual Salute to Independence parade after determining that the extreme heat posed a safety risk to participants and spectators. Although officials had considered shortening the parade route and starting earlier, they ultimately decided to cancel the event. Some outdoor concerts were also postponed or canceled, while fireworks and indoor activities continued as scheduled.

In New York City, soaring electricity demand from widespread air conditioner use strained the power grid, leaving approximately 17,000 customers without electricity at one point. Utility crews worked to restore service, while the PJM Interconnection, which manages the regional power grid across 13 eastern states, urged residents to conserve electricity to reduce peak demand.

Other cities, including those in New Jersey and the Boston area, also adjusted or canceled Independence Day events because of the extreme heat. In Washington, D.C., several people required medical treatment for heat-related illnesses during celebrations on the National Mall.

The U.S. National Weather Service continued to issue excessive heat warnings, urging people to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged outdoor exposure, and watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Climate experts noted that climate change is making extreme heat waves more frequent, longer-lasting, and more intense.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made her first visit to India since taking office, meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on July 2. Speaking at a joint press conference after the summit, Takaichi revealed that Modi affectionately referred to her as his "beautiful younger sister." The two leaders agreed to address each other as brother and sister going forward, with Takaichi saying she would work hand in hand with her "elder brother" Modi to usher Japan–India relations into a new phase.

According to Japanese media reports, the 90-minute meeting produced consensus on three major areas: deepening the Japan–India strategic partnership, strengthening economic and energy security, and expanding cooperation in investment and technological innovation. The two leaders also confirmed that their foreign and defense ministers would convene a "2+2" meeting later this year. As China continues to expand its military influence in the region, Japan and India also agreed to jointly advance an upgraded vision of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP 2.0).

Takaichi's visit forms part of the reciprocal "shuttle diplomacy" between Japanese and Indian leaders and marks the first visit to India by a Japanese prime minister since 2023. Following the summit, the two sides released a joint outcomes document covering economic security and artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation, underscoring their commitment to deepening strategic ties.

Strengthening cooperation with India in defense and economic affairs was a central objective of Takaichi's trip. For Japan, which has actively promoted the Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy, India remains a key partner in its Indo-Pacific framework. At the press conference, Modi stated that building a "free, prosperous, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region" is a shared priority for both countries.

Takaichi said the two nations had agreed to expand maritime security cooperation, including advancing joint exercises between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Indian Navy, enhancing cooperation on naval vessel maintenance, and promoting defense equipment collaboration. She added that both governments had instructed their officials to hold the Japan–India "2+2" ministerial meeting within this year.

On economic and energy security, Takaichi announced that Japan and India would strengthen the resilience of critical supply chains, establish a bilateral dialogue mechanism on India's strategic petroleum reserves, and support India's bid to join the International Energy Agency (IEA). Japan will also assist India in constructing 1,000 biogas facilities and support collaborative projects involving renewable energy and ammonia production.
In the area of investment and industrial cooperation, Takaichi announced that Japanese and Indian companies signed approximately 120 cooperation agreements during the visit, covering sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence. The agreements represent total private-sector investments of around ¥2 trillion (approximately NT$400 billion), bringing Japan closer to its government target of ¥10 trillion in cumulative investment in India.
India is also a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). Having now completed visits to the United States, Australia, and India, Takaichi hopes this summit will further strengthen momentum for cooperation within the Quad framework.
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On June 30, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across South Africa, demanding that the government deport all undocumented immigrants and declaring June 30 the "final deadline" for undocumented migrants to leave the country voluntarily. The nationwide demonstrations were organized by the anti-immigration movement March and March. Its leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, announced that protests would continue every Thursday over the next six months until the goal of removing all undocumented immigrants from South Africa is achieved.

The demonstrations took place across several provinces, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, with the largest gatherings occurring in Durban and Johannesburg. More than 5,000 protesters assembled outside a police station in Durban, dressed in traditional attire, carrying sticks, and chanting "Abahambe!"—a Zulu phrase meaning "They must go!"
Violence broke out in several locations during the protests. In Yeoville, Johannesburg, demonstrators reportedly forced their way into private homes, damaged doors and windows, and looted property. In the neighboring district of Hillbrow, a shooting left two people injured, including a 17-year-old boy. In retaliation, a crowd set fire to the suspect's vehicle. In KwaDabeka, Durban, several supermarkets were looted, prompting the South African National

Defence Force (SANDF) to deploy troops to restore order. To prevent further unrest, the South African government allocated 600 million rand (approximately US$36 million) to support the security operation.

According to official figures, South African police have arrested more than 40,000 undocumented foreign nationalssince the beginning of 2026, including over 7,400 arrests in the past month alone. In addition, approximately 25,000 migrants have already been repatriated under mounting pressure.

With youth unemployment standing at around 40%, many South Africans blame undocumented immigration for rising crime, drug abuse, and shortages in healthcare and education. However, the country's underlying policy challenges remain unresolved. A cabinet committee has warned that public dissatisfaction could be exploited for political purposes ahead of South Africa's local government elections in November.

On the eve of a new round of U.S.-Iran talks scheduled for the 30th, control of the Strait of Hormuz has once again drawn international attention. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran is determined to take control of traffic through the strategic waterway and called on Oman, which controls the opposite side of the strait, to reach an agreement on jointly regulating maritime transit.

He further warned that if Oman is unwilling to cooperate, Iran will unilaterally designate temporary shipping lanes and implement maritime traffic controls. He also cautioned that "no other country has the right to interfere," signaling that Iran has no intention of restoring the strait to the unrestricted freedom of navigation that existed before the outbreak of hostilities between the United States and Iran.

Although the preliminary peace agreement previously signed by Washington and Tehran stipulates that Iran may not charge transit fees for 60 days, the question of whether tolls will be imposed afterward remains open for negotiation. The United States, Europe, and Gulf states are deeply concerned that any future transit fees could significantly increase global energy costs. However, analysts note that as long as the southern shipping channel controlled by Oman remains open, Iran's ability to restrict maritime traffic would be relatively limited.

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq has publicly opposed the idea of charging transit fees, while the Omani foreign minister reiterated the country's commitment to international law. At the same time, he did not rule out adopting a model similar to that of the Strait of Malacca and Singapore by establishing a voluntary maritime service fee system funded by governments or private companies.

Regarding the U.S.-Iran negotiations, U.S. President Donald Trump stressed on the 29th that Washington's position is straightforward: Iran must be denuclearized. Iran, meanwhile, denied that any direct meeting between the two sides is planned, saying it will continue to monitor implementation of the preliminary agreement through Qatari mediation.

South Korea on June 29 unveiled its largest-ever "Three Major Leap Forward Plan," with total planned investments exceeding ₩1,800 trillion (about US$1.3 trillion) as the government seeks to reinforce the country's position as a global technology powerhouse.

A key pillar of the initiative is an investment of approximately ₩800 trillion (around NT$17 trillion) led by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to build a new semiconductor manufacturing hub in the country's southwest. The project will include the construction of four memory chip fabrication plants and is expected to accelerate growth across the semiconductor, artificial intelligence (AI), and data center industries.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan said the investment will be concentrated in Gwangju and the Jeolla region, with the goal of establishing South Korea's second major semiconductor cluster while promoting more balanced regional development. Under the plan, Samsung and SK Group will each build two semiconductor fabrication plants, while the government aims to double the nation's DRAM production capacity within the next five years.

The government also plans to invest heavily in AI data center infrastructure through 2035, while expanding support for emerging sectors such as robotics and physical AI to further strengthen the country's industrial competitiveness.

Market analysts noted that the scale of the investment rivals spending by some of the world's largest technology companies on data center infrastructure, underscoring South Korea's determination to maintain its leadership in AI memory chips and enhance national economic security.

Although shares of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have recently retreated amid intensifying competition and profitability concerns, analysts remain optimistic that the investment plan will stimulate growth across the semiconductor supply chain and equipment industries, providing long-term momentum for South Korea's economy.

Europe has been gripped by an extreme heatwave in recent weeks, with France's public health agency reporting on June 28 that the country's excess death toll linked to the scorching temperatures has reached approximately 1,000 since late June. Officials cautioned that the figure is likely to be revised upward as more data becomes available.

The agency explained that "excess deaths" are calculated by comparing the actual number of deaths with the historical average for the same period. Current data show a steady rise in mortality, highlighting the severe impact of the heatwave on public health.

According to the French Ministry of Health, around 85% of the victims were aged 65 or older, making senior citizens the most affected group. Deaths have increased significantly in hospitals, nursing homes, and private residences, with fatalities occurring at home rising by as much as 40%. Official figures show that nationwide daily deaths exceeded 1,200 on June 24, before climbing above 1,400 on June 25 and 26, compared with the typical 900 to 1,000 deaths per day recorded during the spring. Areas placed under the highest-level red heat alert were among the hardest hit.

The heatwave, which began on June 20, has shattered multiple weather records. June 23 was recorded as the hottest day in French history, surpassing the previous record set in 2003. Scientists have described the event as one of the most severe heatwaves ever recorded in Europe, warning that it underscores the accelerating impact of climate change on the region's weather patterns.

Health authorities have urged the public to strengthen support for elderly people living alone and other vulnerable groups, while warning that the final death toll is likely to exceed current estimates as additional mortality data are compiled.