TOP NEWS

Global cost of major war: SEK 15,000 billion

A war between Russia and NATO would create global economic effects at a cost equivalent to SEK 15,000 billion in the first year, according to estimates from Bloomberg.

The estimates are based on a scenario in which Vladimir Putin launches an attack on the Baltics. The costs include direct destruction in the conflict zone, increased energy prices and sales in financial markets.

The costs would be significantly higher if the conflict spreads geographically. The Baltic countries' GDP would decrease by 43 percent, which is at a similar level to the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. 

European security policy
Great Britain buys fighter jets – which can carry nuclear weapons

Fighter planes in Britain will once again be able to be equipped with nuclear weapons, writes TT. They will now buy twelve American F-35A, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office announces.

“The purchase represents the largest reinforcement of the UK’s nuclear weapons position in a generation,” Downing Street wrote in a statement.

Both conventional and nuclear weapons will be able to arm the plane and the armament is part of NATO’s common strategy for nuclear deterrence.

Russian invasion  Negotiations
Ukraine confirms: Trump to meet Zelensky in The Hague

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet US President Donald Trump in connection with today's NATO summit in The Hague. This is confirmed by sources in the Ukrainian presidential office to AFP.

According to the information, both parties will make brief statements in connection with the meeting. 
Political situation in Kenya
Major protests in Nairobi – at least ten shot injured

At least ten people have been shot injured in connection with major protests in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, writes Reuters.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the city and been met by police equipped with tear gas and water cannons.

As the situation has become increasingly violent, the government has banned the country’s television and radio from reporting on them, writes AFP.

The protests are taking place on the anniversary of the major demonstrations against proposed tax reforms that ended with the storming of parliament. That time, 60 people were killed.

Political situation in Armenia
Data: Coup d'état thwarted in Armenia

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan writes on Telegram that security forces have thwarted plans to carry out a coup d'état in the country, AFP reports.

Pashinyan and his centrist Civil Contract party have ruled Armenia since 2018, after what was described as one of the country's first democratic elections, and he was re-elected in 2021.

According to the state-run Armenpress newspaper, a high-ranking cleric involved in the opposition is being singled out as being involved.

"The police have thwarted a large-scale and sinister plan by the 'criminal-oligarchic clergy,'" the message says.

Extreme weather in China
80,000 evacuated from major floods in China

Heavy floods in two provinces in southwestern China have forced 80,000 people to leave their homes, AFP reports. The authorities have raised the alert level to the highest possible and several rescue teams have been sent to the region.

The Chinese summer has begun with extreme weather in many places, parts of the country have been hit by violent torrential rains while others are experiencing extensive heat waves. In the capital Beijing, the second highest alert level for high temperatures is currently in effect.