Efe Ozkan
30 June 2025•Update: 01 July 2025
ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday with, including Canada rescinding its digital services tax to advance trade negotiations with the US, Iran’s supreme leader saying that US President Donald Trump exaggerated the impact of US strikes, and Trump warning a pro-Palestinian New York mayoral nominee to do 'the right thing’
TOP STORIES
- Canada rescinds digital services tax to advance trade negotiations with US
Canada announced that it would rescind its digital services tax (DST) and resume negotiations with the US with a view towards reaching a trade deal by July 21.
“Today’s announcement will support a resumption of negotiations toward the July 21, 2025 timeline set out at this month’s G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement.
“In our negotiations on a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the United States, Canada’s new government will always be guided by the overall contribution of any possible agreement to the best interests of Canadian workers and businesses,” he said.
- Iran’s supreme leader says Trump exaggerated impact of US strikes
Iran’s supreme leader accused US President Donald Trump of exaggerating the success of recent American military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, saying they achieved no significant results.
“The American president exaggerated events in unusual ways, and it turned out that he needed this exaggeration,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement posted on his official X account.
“Anyone who heard those words understood that beneath their surface, another truth existed. They couldn’t do anything and exaggerated to cover up and conceal the truth,” he added.
- Trump warns pro-Palestinian New York mayoral nominee to do 'the right thing’
US President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from New York City if Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani does not "do the right thing" as mayor.
Trump issued the warning during a Fox News interview aired Sunday, targeting Mamdani, who secured the Democratic nomination for mayor on Tuesday.
"If he does get in, I am going to be president, and he is going to have to do the right thing, or they are not getting any money. He has got to do the right thing," Trump said.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- At least two firefighters were shot dead and several others injured in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho when a suspect opened fire on them with a high-powered rifle while they were responding to a brush fire.
- Israel sent threatening messages to several Iranian political, military and security officials on the first day of its attack on Iran, a top advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said.
- Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who is visiting Washington, DC on Monday, is expected to face pressure to reach a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in the Gaza Strip, according to reports in the Israeli press.
- Britain’s Channel 4 will air a controversial documentary about the experiences of medics in Gaza after the BBC opted not to broadcast it due to concerns over impartiality.
- At least seven people were killed and several others injured during anti-government protests last week in Togo’s capital, local human rights and civil society organizations said.
- At least 239 children have died in western Sudan since January due to a lack of sufficient food and medicine, the Sudan Doctors Network said.
- At least 38 people have been killed and 63 injured in rain-related incidents across Pakistan since the onset of the monsoon season on June 26, the local Samaa TV channel reported, citing the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
- Egypt’s foreign minister said that his country is working on a new Gaza deal that includes a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of some Israeli hostages and the rapid entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.
- US President Donald Trump said a "group of wealthy people" plans to purchase TikTok, requiring Chinese government approval for the transaction.
- Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said he met with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez in Madrid to discuss military aid, drone production and Ukraine’s EU accession prospects.
- The EU foreign policy chief pledged support for Armenia’s democratic reforms and peace efforts during her first official visit to Yerevan, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deeper ties and regional stability.
- The Turkish intelligence chief met with a Hamas delegation to discuss the steps to be taken for a ceasefire and the delivery of aid in Gaza, security sources said.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Trump says US sending trade letters 'pretty soon'
US President Donald Trump announced plans to send trade letters to approximately 200 countries outlining new tariff requirements and trade conditions "pretty soon."
"What I want to do is, and what I will do just sometime prior to the ninth (of July) is we will send a letter to all these countries," Trump said in an interview with Fox News broadcast Sunday.
The US suspended country-specific ad valorem tariff rates in April until July 9. The European Union is also facing a deadline on that date.
- Striking Bangladeshi tax officials end protest after government warning
Protesting officials at Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) decided late Sunday to call off a strike that had brought trade to a standstill for a second day.
The officials announced their decision at a press conference in Dhaka after the transitional government declared that tax and customs jobs were "essential services" and warned of stern action if officials do not return to work.
The protests began after the government issued an ordinance on May 12 dissolving the NBR and the Internal Resources Division, replacing them with the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division.
