UK prime minister Starmer urged Labour Party members to unite and avoid infighting that could destabilize the party and the country.

Canada retail sales rose 0.5% MoM in April, the fourth consecutive monthly increase, led by higher sales at gas stations and fuel retailers, Statistics Canada said Friday. Seasonally adjusted retail sales reached CAD73.03 bln (about USD51.65 bln), slightly below the agency’s earlier 0.6% estimate and down from March’s 0.9% gain. Sales were up 3.7% YoY. Statistics Canada said preliminary May data show a 1.0% increase based on responses from 52.1% of surveyed retailers; the May figure is subject to revision.

European Council president's spokesman said on June 18 that EU leaders agreed to extend economic sanctions on Russia for 12 months, the first time the bloc has moved beyond its prior six‑month renewal routine. The measures target trade, finance, energy, industry, transport and luxury goods; an EU Council statement on Dec. 22, 2025 set the new expiry at July 31, 2026. Russia has not commented.