The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has asked Germany to contribute as many as seven combat brigades to the alliance within the next decade. The fighting vehicles and tanks, if approved, would equip these forces, people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity.
The ramp-up reflects growing concern among allies about heightened Russian hostility since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Germany’s new center-right chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has vowed to transform the country’s armed forces into Europe’s strongest to counter the rising threat from Russia.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he was hoping for US “flexibility” so Ukraine has the resources to defend itself after Washington unexpectedly halted some deliveries due to concerns that its stockpiles had fallen too low. The Pentagon announced this week that it was pausing the transfer of artillery rounds and air defense systems to Ukraine. — Jennifer Duggan
What You Need to Know Today
The United Nations atomic watchdog said its remaining inspectors in Iran have left the country, deepening the blackout over Tehran’s nuclear program. It comes just weeks after Iran was targeted by massive US and Israeli airstrikes. It is understood the inspectors had been withdrawn because of a new law passed by Tehran that could potentially criminalize international nuclear monitoring. The withdrawal is likely to draw swift rebukes from Western governments, which have been urging Tehran to allow a resumption of IAEA visits since a ceasefire in the Israel-Iran war last month.
An intense heat wave continued to scorch Europe as firefighters scrambled to control wildfires in Greece and neighboring Turkey. More than 40 fires broke out in Greece the past two days, and the area around Athens is seen at very high risk this weekend. Further east in Turkey, more than 600 fires have ignited during the past week, killing two people and closing major roads. The heat that’s smothered western Europe in recent weeks is shifting east with red alerts in place in Croatia and Serbia.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is caught between a political rebellion and a jittery bond market. On one side is a big faction of his Labour Party that revolted in Parliament against his proposed welfare-spending cuts derailing Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves’ push to steady the government’s finances. On the other, a cohort of fast-money global investors who are worried about rising government debt loads around the world and wield the power to send borrowing costs surging if their confidence is rattled.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves Photographer: WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held a phone call with Trump, his chief adviser confirmed today, as the Ukrainian leader sought to press Washington to resume key weapons deliveries. The exchange occurred hours after Russia unleashed one of the biggest air strikes on the Ukrainian capital since the start of its war in 2022. The US leader also held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which Trump said he was “very disappointed” by the talks.
The draft of a trade accordbetween the US and Switzerland is understood to contain a provision that the European country will receive preferred treatment in the ongoing national-security investigations to avoid tariffs on pharma exports. The clause doesn’t constitute a guarantee that Washington will hold off on putting tariffs on the industry considered vital by the Swiss, according to people familiar. Novartis AG and Roche Holding AG — the two biggest drugmakers in Switzerland — jumped on the news.
Few of us are reading as many physical books anymore and what does it mean for libraries? Mishal Husain speaks to the CEO of the British Library, Rebecca Lawrence about the challenges the institution faces. Lawrence is more focused on securing new funding and dealing with the aftermath of a cyberattack than stressing about literacy and AI.
Artist’s impression of the new British Library extension. Source: British Library
In this week’s episode ofEverybody’s Business from Bloomberg Businessweek, hosts Stacey Vanek Smith and Businessweek Editor Brad Stone break down Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’, which will add an estimated $3.4 trillion to US deficits over the next decade. It’s a mixed bag for businesses: It will save them billions in taxes, but it is also likely to make borrowing money and expanding a lot tougher. Cuts to entitlements included in the bill could also mean US companies have to step in and provide more services for their workers.
