Photo shared by Kanzler Merz on X News Germany’s Government Finally Has a Reform Package. Now Comes the Hard Part. Germany’s governing coalition has unveiled a broad package of tax, pension, labor and administrative reforms intended to revive Europe’s largest economy after months of internal disagreement and growing pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The 34-point program combines approximately €10 billion in annual income-tax relief, major changes By Olga Nesterova • 7 min read
Daily Brief Daily Brief: Canada Day, Russia Strikes Kyiv, Britain Rearms and Venezuela’s Earthquake Toll Rises Happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦 Happy Canada Day to our Canadian readers, subscribers and supporters! Canada has been part of ONEST’s international community from the beginning, and Canadian institutions, diplomats, officials and readers continue to play an important role in our reporting. Thank you for reading, sharing our work and supporting By Olga Nesterova • 15 min read
Explained Macron and WHO Chief Warn Childhood Is Being Rewritten by Screens — But Bans Alone May Not Be Enough French President Emmanuel Macron and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned Wednesday that digital platforms are no longer just communication tools, but public health environments shaping how children learn, sleep, socialize and understand the world. In a joint commentary published by Project Syndicate and the World Health Organization on By Olga Nesterova • 4 min read
Explained UN Counter-Terrorism Conference Turns to AI, But the Bigger Question Is Governance United Nations Headquarters | New York By Olga Nesterova • 4 min read
News Europe Moves to Slow the Surge of Cheap Chinese Imports The EU is introducing a €3 customs charge on low-value imports as officials seek to curb a surge in Chinese e-commerce shipments and level the playing field for European retailers. By Olga Nesterova • 4 min read
News China’s AI Catch-Up Is Now a Security Problem As Chinese AI models narrow the gap in cybersecurity, the debate is shifting from who builds the most advanced AI to who can access it and under what rules. By Olga Nesterova • 4 min read
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Explained Why One Fighter Jet Has Become NATO's Biggest Political Test Why Trump's comments on Türkiye's F-35 request could shape the NATO Summit in Ankara By Olga Nesterova • 5 min read
Deep Dive Inside China's Global Governance Playbook What Beijing's new white paper reveals about its vision for the UN, multilateralism, trade, and the future of the global financial system. By Olga Nesterova • 6 min read
Daily Brief ONEST Brief: Iran’s Fragile Deal, China’s Expanding AI Power and Europe’s Shadow Fleet Crackdown The United States and Gulf states publicly rallied behind the preliminary agreement with Iran today, even as Tehran asserted control over shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz and questions grew over what Washington has actually secured. Here is what happened today. Rubio Seeks Gulf Support for the Iran Agreement By Olga Nesterova • 8 min read
ONEST Insight The Clip Went Viral. The Real Story Didn't. Treasury Secretary Bessent described sanctions relief for Iranian oil as "a carrot." President Trump presented the same policy as an opportunity for American farmers. Iran's Parliament Speaker rejected both narratives. By Olga Nesterova • 3 min read
President Donald Trump meets NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, June 24, 2026 | Screenshot from official White House livestream. Daily Brief ONEST Brief: Hormuz Opens Carefully, Europe Prepares for NATO, and the Iran Deal Meets Reality Hormuz Is Moving Again, But the Dispute Is Shifting Oman has established a temporary shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the International Maritime Organization. The move comes as maritime traffic begins cautiously returning. Three previously stranded supertankers passed through the Strait on Tuesday, while seven empty By Olga Nesterova • 6 min read
Daily Brief ONEST Brief: NATO Tensions, Iran’s Regional Outreach, and Europe’s New East-West Corridor Trump’s dispute with Italy expands ahead of a tense NATO meeting, Iran promotes a new regional security architecture, the EU invests in routes bypassing Russia, and Ukraine presses allies for firm air defense delivery dates. Meloni Tries to Close the Dispute as NATO Defends Europe’s Role Italian Prime By Olga Nesterova • 9 min read
