Minimalist News

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Inflation rates in France and Spain are showing an uptick for the first time in 2025, raising concerns over the economic impact of ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The U.S. Treasury has taken action against two Mexican banks and a brokerage for alleged money laundering related to fentanyl, underlining ongoing scrutiny of financial institutions involved in illicit activities.
China announced a breakthrough regarding rare-earth exports to the U.S., generating optimism about alleviating supply shortages that have affected American industries, although curbs on exports still persist.
The U.K. is bracing for potential job and pay cuts as businesses respond to rising employment taxes and persistently high inflation, with the Bank of England signaling possible rate cuts.
Canada is exploring new trade strategies, including a 'Buy Canadian' policy for steel and aluminum, in light of ongoing negotiations surrounding high U.S. tariffs, while also fostering deeper ties with the EU amid trade uncertainties.

Wall Street Journal

Inflation in France, Spain Ticks Higher for First Time in 2025 wsj.com 2 hours ago by Ed Frankl
The data gives an early indication of any effect Middle East tensions had on prices in major eurozone economies.
Mexico Takes Over Two Small Local Banks and a Brokerage Firm Sanctioned by Washington wsj.com 2 hours ago by Anthony Harrup
The U.S. Treasury accused CIBanco, Intercam Banco and Vector Casa de Bolsa of money laundering and facilitating payments related to fentanyl.
China Confirms Breakthrough on Rare-Earth Exports to U.S. wsj.com 4 hours ago by Brian Spegele
The announcement offered hope of a reprieve on shortages that have hit American industry, and came after President Trump said he signed a deal…
A Remote Himalayan Kingdom Bet Big on Bitcoin Mining. So Far, It Has Paid Off. wsj.com 11 hours ago by Shan Li
Many countries are studying ways to use crypto, but being a crypto pioneer doesn’t come without risk.
Inside ‘Operation Narnia,’ the Daring Attack Israel Feared It Couldn’t Pull Off wsj.com 13 hours ago by Dov Lieber
Pilots trained for years and intelligence forces built up networks for the multipart offensive in Iran, which included a gambit called “Red We…
EU Considers Lowering Tariffs on U.S. Imports in Effort to Woo Trump wsj.com 14 hours ago by Kim Mackrael
European leaders debated what they could give up to secure a speedy trade deal.
Israel’s War With Iran Has Reordered the Middle East—but Not as Expected wsj.com a day ago by Stephen Kalin
Israel’s military success against Iran undermines one incentive for Saudi normalization and raises concerns about its growing power.
U.S. Makes New Push for Gaza Cease-Fire, Building on Iran Deal wsj.com 2 days ago by Summer Said
While significant gaps remain between Israel and Hamas, Arab officials mediating the talks say both sides have shown an interest in getting a …
U.S. Strikes Set Back Iran Nuclear Program by a Few Months, Initial Report Says wsj.com 2 days ago by Dustin Volz
A preliminary classified intelligence report produced by the Defense Intelligence Agency counters the White House’s claims of more-extensive d…
How Trump Cajoled Iran and Israel Into a Cease-Fire and Forced Them to Comply wsj.com 3 days ago by Yaroslav Trofimov
It remains to be seen how long the truce will hold and whether it will pave the way for a nuclear deal between the U.S. and Iran.
The Pillars of Iran’s Regime Are Damaged, Not Destroyed wsj.com 3 days ago by Sudarsan Raghavan
The country is expected to rebuild its arsenal of conventional weapons and, potentially, its nuclear program.
U.S. Attack on Iran’s Nuclear Program Risks Emboldening North Korea’s Kim wsj.com a day ago by Dasl Yoon
The strikes potentially hardened Kim Jong Un’s determination to hold on to—and expand—his nuclear arsenal as a deterrent to any attack on Nort…
Vietnam Legal Changes Set to Spare Convicted Tycoon’s Life wsj.com 2 days ago by Gabriele Steinhauser
Vietnam’s parliament voted to remove the death penalty for several offenses, including embezzlement, sparing the life of Truong My Lan whose $…
An Island With Strong Ties to Europe Counts Its Dead After Air India Crash wsj.com 12 days ago by Shan Li
The only survivor of Air India Flight 171 was born on a tropical island dotted with palm trees and fishing boats. So were 14 passengers who di…
Kim Jong Un Claims His Capsized Warship Is Fixed wsj.com 14 days ago by Dasl Yoon
The destroyer, which capsized last month during a launch ceremony, didn’t leave the shipyard’s dry dock, leaving doubts over whether it is ope…
Loudspeakers Go Quiet on Korean Border, Ending a Year of Audio Aggression wsj.com 15 days ago by Timothy W. Martin
For a year or so, the two countries engaged in daily standoffs—the North pumping out animal wails and the South blaring boy-band music and new…
U.K. Pay Growth Has Some Way to Go Before It Normalizes, Says BOE’s Bailey wsj.com a day ago by Paul Hannon
U.K. businesses are trimming jobs and pay in response to higher employment taxes, the head of the Bank of England said.
British Police Investigate Fires at Properties Linked to Prime Minister wsj.com a month ago by Max Colchester
British counterterrorism police are probing a string of suspected arson attacks on two properties linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
U.K. Plans to Tighten Rules After Record Influx of Migrants wsj.com a month ago by Max Colchester
Britain’s government said a record influx of foreigners since Brexit had done little to energize the economy.
Men Found Guilty of Felling Famous Tree in ‘Moronic Mission’ That Gripped U.K. wsj.com 2 months ago by Alistair MacDonald
The pair’s destruction of the beloved Sycamore Gap tree stoked nationwide anger and a criminal investigation.
BOE Set For Modest Rate Cuts As Inflation Stays High, NIESR Says wsj.com 2 months ago by Paul Hannon
Inflation is likely to remain stubbornly high this year, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research said as it cut is 2025 growth …
Opinion | Trump Seeks Greatness as Mamdani Rises wsj.com 16 hours ago by Peggy Noonan
The Iran strikes leave the president bolder than ever. Meanwhile, can New York survive a socialist mayor?
Opinion | A Senate War Powers Stunt wsj.com 16 hours ago by The Editorial Board
Tim Kaine’s resolution is gesture politics that accomplishes nothing.
Opinion | No, the PLO Isn’t a Person wsj.com 17 hours ago by Sander R. Gerber
A Supreme Court victory for victims of Palestinian terrorism.
Opinion | Church of England, Disestablish Thyself wsj.com 17 hours ago by Mary Harrington
Christian witness is incompatible with the militantly secular British government.
Opinion | Where Was Xi Jinping in Iran’s Hour of Need? wsj.com 20 hours ago
Tehran expected a bulwark from Beijing. Instead it got a bystander.
Opinion | Trump Wins the Battle of NATO wsj.com 2 days ago by The Editorial Board
The alliance sets a 5% of GDP target, though a Ukraine decision looms.
Trump Set on Tariff Demands as Canada Negotiations Head Toward Deadline, Canadian Ambassador Says wsj.com 3 days ago by Vipal Monga
In the short-term, Canada is trying to get the U.S. to back down from 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and levies on autos, said Kirs…
Canada’s Carney Pledges Deeper Ties With Allies to Offset U.S. Trade Uncertainty wsj.com 4 days ago by Paul Vieira
Canadian Prime Minister’s remarks in Brussels came as he and senior EU officials agreed on a new bilateral relationship that envisages closer …
Canada’s Antitrust Watchdog Calls For Easing of Foreign-Ownership Limits in Airline Sector wsj.com 8 days ago by Paul Vieira
The country’s two major airlines, Air Canada and WestJet, account for about half to three-quarters of domestic passenger traffic, the bureau s…
Canada Considers ‘Buy Canadian’ Policy for Steel, Aluminum wsj.com 10 days ago by Paul Vieira
Canadian officials are considering requirements that would compel government-funded infrastructure projects and defense-procurement agreements…
Violeta Chamorro, Who Led Nicaragua’s End to Cold-War Era Civil War, Dies at 95 wsj.com 13 days ago by José de Córdoba
Latin America’s first elected female president won a surprise victory over Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega and demobilized army troops.
How Europe and Canada’s Military Spending Stacks Up Against the U.S. and Russia wsj.com 2 days ago by Roque Ruiz
Many NATO members lag far behind the U.S. in defense-spending levels and military capabilities. Now they are trying to fix that.
U.K. Shifts Nuclear Doctrine With Purchase of U.S. Jets wsj.com 2 days ago by Max Colchester
The purchase could allow the U.K. to launch nuclear weapons from the air for the first time since the late 1990s.
The Great Scottish Tea Swindle wsj.com 2 days ago by Alistair MacDonald
How a band of brew-swilling detectives brought down Scotland’s ‘Mr. Tea’
Trump Set for Win on Higher NATO Spending at Summit wsj.com 3 days ago by Daniel Michaels
Allies are poised to pledge to more than double their defense spending to reach a target the president pushed for earlier this year.
‘No Space for Bezos:’ Venetians Bristle at Amazon Founder’s Wedding Plan wsj.com 5 days ago by Margherita Stancati
Details of the nuptials are a tightly kept secret, but that isn’t stopping some angry Venetians from plotting to disrupt it.
China Is Still Choking Exports of Rare Earths Despite Pact With U.S. wsj.com a day ago by Jon Emont
Western companies are struggling to secure approvals for rare-earth imports from Chinese authorities, despite the U.S.-China deal.
U.S. Prepares Action Targeting Allies’ Chip Plants in China wsj.com 7 days ago by Liza Lin
A U.S. official told top global semiconductor makers he wanted to revoke waivers they have used to access American technology in China, people…
China Flexes Chokehold on Rare-Earth Magnets as Exports Plunged in May wsj.com 7 days ago by Hannah Miao
Curbs on magnets used in electric vehicles and jet fighters are at the core of recent U.S.-China trade tensions.
Chinese Jets Tail Japanese Air Patrol in Close Encounter wsj.com 15 days ago by Jason Douglas
Japan disclosed new details about China’s unprecedented show of force close to the U.S. partner’s shores over the weekend.
China Puts Six-Month Limit on Its Ease of Rare-Earth Export Licenses wsj.com 16 days ago by Lingling Wei
A tentative deal reached in London gives Beijing continued leverage in trade negotiations.
Oil Workers, Snagged in a Dispute Over a Dictator’s Son’s Yacht, Are Freed After Two Years wsj.com 6 days ago by Michael M. Phillips
Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo freed two South African oilmen who were imprisoned in apparent retaliation for the…
Anne Merriman, Who Brought Hospice Care to Africa, Dies at 90 wsj.com 15 days ago by Jon Mooallem
Known in Africa as “the mother of palliative care,” she established a model for pain management and end-of-life care.
Scores Killed in Heavy Flooding in South Africa wsj.com 16 days ago by Alexandra Wexler
Torrential rain, severe winds and landslides have killed at least 49 people in the poverty-stricken Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
Tanzania’s First Female Leader Championed Human Rights. Now She’s Turning to Repression. wsj.com 16 days ago by Nicholas Bariyo
Critics of Samia Suluhu Hassan say she is clinging to power by locking up and torturing those who stand in her way.
South African Leader Pushes Back on Trump’s ‘Genocide’ Claims in Tense Meeting wsj.com a month ago by Meridith McGraw
Cyril Ramaphosa is visiting the White House after relations with the U.S. deteriorated over race, Israel and trade.
Russia’s Top Peace Negotiator Is Historian Who Justified the War wsj.com 16 days ago by Matthew Luxmoore
Vladimir Medinsky warned, in an interview, that Ukraine would lose more territory if it doesn’t agree to Moscow’s demands.
Ukraine Says It Destroyed Dozens of Warplanes Deep Inside Russia wsj.com a month ago by Jane Lytvynenko
The clandestine drone attack deals the biggest blow of the war against Moscow’s long-range bomber fleet.
Putin Has Retooled Russia’s Economy to Focus Only on War wsj.com a month ago by Thomas Grove
Moscow has expanded military recruitment and boosted weapons production. Peace could jeopardize the resulting economic gains.