Recent reporting, background, and summaries from the politics desk.
At the Ankara summit, NATO allies unveiled billions in new arms deals and record defense spending, largely in response to U.S. President Trump's long-standing demands for greater contributions. This significant commitment includes plans to acquire up to ten GlobalEye surveillance aircraft and establish a PAC-3 missile maintenance facility in Europe, bolstering the alliance's future defense capabilities.
Former President Trump's disclosure of over $2 billion in income last year has sparked Democratic accusations of corruption and a perceived disconnect from ordinary Americans' financial struggles. This controversy is amplified by the separate news that nearly one million investors collectively lost $3.8 billion on a Trump-related memecoin by June.
Iran has commenced extensive, multi-city funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose death in February 2026 from US-Israeli strikes ignited the ongoing West Asia war. Amidst vows of "the largest military operation" in retaliation against the U.S. and Israel, crucial peace talks between the two nations have been paused until after his burial on July 9.
Get ready, California: a wave of new laws effective July 1, 2026, will bring major changes, from phone-free schools and higher minimum wages to enhanced food allergen disclosures in restaurants. These comprehensive legislative updates aim to improve student well-being, economic stability, and public health across the state.
The U.S. Supreme Court has dramatically expanded presidential authority in a 6-3 ruling, moving the nation closer to a "unitary executive theory" and fundamentally altering the balance of power. This landmark decision, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, now grants the President unprecedented power to dismiss members of independent agencies like the Federal Trade Commission without cause, potentially undermining their autonomy.
President Trump abruptly canceled the signing of a bipartisan housing affordability bill, demanding the Senate first pass his "SAVE America Act" designed to tighten voter eligibility rules. This unexpected move ignited a heated confrontation with Republican senators, exposing significant divisions within the party regarding the president's legislative priorities and war powers.
In a significant move to curb presidential power, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution demanding congressional approval for any further military engagement with Iran. This bipartisan measure, approved by a 50-48 vote with four Republicans crossing party lines, seeks to limit President Trump's authority regarding military actions against the nation.
Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been convicted of 18 sexual offenses involving two child victims, now facing an inevitable "lengthy" prison sentence. This significant legal outcome marks a dramatic fall for the former political leader, with the crimes having occurred more than 30 years ago.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer dramatically resigned as leader of the governing Labour Party on Monday, following intense pressure and a mutiny from within his own ranks. He will, however, continue to serve as Prime Minister until a successor is chosen, marking a significant leadership upheaval for the UK.
Political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella holds a razor-thin lead in Colombia's presidential runoff, a potential victory widely interpreted as a strong rebuke of outgoing President Gustavo Petro's policies. This closely contested election, marked by fears of renewed internal conflict, features a business owner and lawyer who secured Donald Trump's endorsement despite never having previously run for office.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a one-week ultimatum to Belarus, demanding the dismantling of relay equipment on their shared border that Kyiv claims is guiding Russian drone attacks. Zelensky warned that Ukraine would directly target these installations if Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko fails to comply, significantly escalating tensions and threatening direct action against its neighbor.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sharply accused former U.S. President Donald Trump of fabricating a story that she "begged" him for a photo at the G7 summit. This public denouncement creates a significant rift between the former allies, with Meloni expressing astonishment at Trump's behavior towards friends while suggesting he lacks similar resolve against foes.