Intergovernmental military alliance of 32 member states
A sweeping Timms review finds the Personal Independence Payment not fit for purpose and not serving disabled people or taxpayers well. Interim proposals call for bold reform while spending on the benefit continues to rise, driven largely by mental-health related claims.
U.S. officials have opened a leak investigation after news reports said the Secret Service urged President Trump to swap from a newly gifted Qatari 747 to an older Air Force One during a trip home from a NATO summit. The FBI and White House have served subpoenas on New York Times reporters and have tried to contact Secret Service staff, officials say.
Federal subpoenas have compelled several New York Times journalists to appear before a Manhattan grand jury over reporting on security weaknesses in the Qatari-donated Air Force One. The subpoenas were signed by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton and follow an FBI review; the Times says the move threatens press freedom and vows to fight the orders in court.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has carried out a surprise cabinet reshuffle that has removed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and nominated Serhii Koretskyi as prime minister. The move has prompted nationwide protests, resignations in the military, and has led Zelenskyy to name SBU chief Yevhen Khmara as acting defence minister while parliament prepares confirmation votes.
President Donald Trump has overridden the NATO agenda at a summit in Ankara by pressing allies to boost defence spending, threatening trade with Spain, and floating withdrawal of US troops from Europe. He has also signalled he will lift sanctions on Turkey and is considering selling F‑35 jets and engines to Ankara, prompting Israeli and European alarm.
The United States has conducted repeated airstrikes across Iran’s south and near Tehran, hitting air defences, logistics and maritime targets while enforcing a naval blockade. Iran has responded with missiles and drones against US-linked bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan and said it struck US forces in Syria and Bahrain. The interim ceasefire over the Strait of Hormuz has frayed and oil prices have risen.
Labour has confirmed Andy Burnham as the new party leader and upcoming prime minister after an uncontested leadership contest. Starmer has stepped down, with Burnham expected to form a government and announce a cabinet in the coming days. UK-Ukrainian support continues as Burnham readies for office.
The United States has intensified strikes on Iranian targets to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has responded with missile and drone actions. Attacks target coastal bases, railways, and port facilities across Iran and nearby states, signaling a rapid intensification of a wider confrontation.
A wave of funding and strategic moves across AI startups and defense-tech firms is reshaping the tech scene. Investors back open-source models and European initiatives, while defense-focused funding accelerates hardware and software development. Readers should watch how open models challenge closed systems and how regional programs influence AI deployment.
The U.S. and Iran have escalated hostilities around the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM reports continued strikes against Iranian targets to degrade its ability to threaten shipping, while Iran and its IRGC retaliate with missile and drone attacks on Gulf bases. The cycle risks disrupting global energy flows as sides trade threats and coordinate blocking actions.
NATO leaders at the Ankara summit have received engraved revolvers with six live rounds and a note waiving export controls. The gifts, intended to showcase Turkey’s defence industry, are being handled under strict decommissioning and security protocols as leaders decide how to manage the firearms.
Drones and autonomous systems are becoming central to Europe’s defense strategy as NATO, the UK, and Germany accelerate investments and procurement. Ukraine’s wartime innovations, from mothership drone concepts to AI-enabled swarms, are driving a continental shift toward faster, modular, and updatable weaponry.
The US has pressed Israel to redeploy troops from Syria and Lebanon, amid renewed calls for security zones along borders. Washington has been mediating talks with Lebanon and Syria while Israel maintains a military presence in the region. Trump has urged faster weapons production as the conflict widens.
U.S. President Donald Trump has offered to help end the Russia-Ukraine war in a nearly 90-minute call with Vladimir Putin and has agreed with Volodymyr Zelenskyy to continue negotiations at next week’s NATO summit in Ankara. Ukraine has struck oil and naval facilities near St. Petersburg, and Russia has responded with heavy missile and drone strikes on Kyiv.
Andy Burnham is the only declared candidate to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader. Nominations are opening, with MPs backing Burnham. Some potential challengers are assessing their options, but a swift transition appears likely as Burnham moves toward becoming prime minister.
The opposition-chaired CHP leadership has faced a court-ordered reshuffle, while Ozgur Ozel signals plans to form a new party after ongoing legal proceedings. Analysts warn the turmoil could intensify Erdogan’s grip ahead of 2028 elections amid a broader crackdown that has triggered market jitters and rights concerns.
Ukraine’s long-range strikes have hit oil refineries and energy facilities across Russia, fueling a fuel shortage in several regions. Attacks have disrupted refining capacity from Omsk to Yaroslavl, triggering rationing and price pressures while Moscow promises restoration efforts.
Ukraine’s mid-range, Starlink-enabled drones have expanded the front’s reach, pressuring Russia’s supply lines and Crimea’s energy hubs. Russia is countering with camouflage, jamming, and new tactics, while Ukraine trains fighters and pursues domestically produced drones to sustain the push.
Andy Burnham has presented a ten-year plan to rebalance power in Britain, promising a No10 North in Manchester, the biggest council house-building programme since the post‑war era, greater local control of utilities and devolution of employment support while pledging to stick to Labour’s 2024 manifesto and current fiscal rules. He is widely expected to become prime minister on July 20.
The Labour leadership race is underway with Andy Burnham gearing up for a possible No. 10 transition. Louise Haigh has described Burnham as having a long-stated plan for government, while insiders warn against an abrupt shift. The Mirror and BBC report show Burnham preparing for a potential prime ministership, with Haigh at the centre of transition talks.
OPEC+ has agreed to increase oil output by 188,000 barrels per day from August, marking the fifth straight monthly rise. While the move signals a cautious unwind of earlier cuts, oil supplies remain constrained by the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing regional tensions. Prices have edged back toward pre-war levels as shipping resumes.
The United States has granted Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air-defence interceptors, addressing critical shortages but production will take months to years. Ukraine is pressing allies at NATO for faster and larger support amid ongoing Russian ballistic missile strikes that have damaged Kyiv and other cities.
The US and Iran have exchanged fresh strikes this weekend and on Monday, reversing a recent interim ceasefire and re‑opening doubt over control of the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire "over," ordered further strikes and revoked a temporary oil waiver. Oil has jumped into the high $70s–$80s and global markets have fallen.
The Reform UK leader has quit as an MP to trigger a Clacton by-election, arguing the people of Clacton should judge his actions amid ongoing scrutiny over a 35m gift and separate fundraising allegations. Most major parties are not fielding candidates, leaving Count Binface as the primary challenger; the by-election carries potential legal and financial implications for Farage and Reform.
Fed minutes show policymakers are divided on whether to raise rates this year; markets are betting on a cautious path with speculation about AI inflation and Middle East tensions affecting decisions. Warsh has not provided a clear stand as minutes reflect a range of scenarios.
Ukraine has struck oil depots and tankers across Russia, triggering a fuel shortage and rationing in multiple regions. Trump pledges Patriot licenses as Kyiv seeks faster domestic production.
A sequence of bombings in central Damascus has killed and wounded civilians, with authorities announcing arrests of suspects and pledging to pursue those behind the attacks as Macron’s visit to Syria unfolds amid security concerns.
Keir Starmer hints at a bank holiday if England wins the World Cup; multiple outlets report upcoming announcements at NATO summit and talks over timing of a potential holiday after the final.
Kyiv remains under sustained Russian missile and drone strikes, with casualties and damage reported across multiple districts. Ukrainian officials say air defenses are engaged as civilians seek shelter and rescue operations continue.
Canada’s Mark Carney has arrived in Saudi Arabia to deepen economic ties, with a focus on mining, energy cooperation, and investment in AI and skills development. The visit follows a 2023 diplomatic reset and precedes a signing ceremony for commercial agreements worth over CAD 1 billion.
Trump has ordered officials to prepare a potential sweeping embargo on Spain amid a dispute over defense spending, with lawmakers considering IEEPA- based options. Markets react to the tension as the U.S. and Spain navigate a fragile trade relationship amid NATO debates.
OPCW has restored Syria’s voting rights following a change in circumstances since Assad’s fall in 2024. The council notes progress under the new Syrian authorities who have cooperated with inspectors to destroy components of the chemical weapons program. The move aligns Syria with other states in monitoring and eliminating legacy chemical weapons.
UK Labour leader-in-waiting Andy Burnham has apologised for Labour’s initial Gaza response, saying the UK must press Israel harder and consider sanctions and a ban on settlements. He reframes Labour’s position as it readies him to lead the party, while stressing accountability for war crimes and protection of civilians.
NATO members pledge higher defence spending while President Trump sharpens demands on Greenland and Spain. Mark Rutte labels the alliance stronger, but others warn of lasting tensions as US pressure tests unity.
Greenland remains at the center of a security debate as the United States seeks control of the Arctic island, citing national security. Denmark and Greenland’s government oppose any U.S. moves, while NATO and European allies push back against escalatory threats amid shifting Arctic power dynamics.
Tensions between the United States and Iran have renewed clashes over the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides have exchanged strikes as Iran seeks to maintain control of the strait, while the United States pushes for a return to free passage. Diplomats from Qatar and other Gulf states are attempting to de‑escalate, even as threats to regional stability persist.
The US and Iran remain in negotiations after a week of renewed strikes threatens to end a months-long ceasefire. Qatar’s mediation is active as both sides show willingness to return to the memorandum of understanding, while threats and rhetoric signal a high-risk path ahead for Gulf stability.
The US president has warned Iran of decimation if it acts on threats to target him, while tensions spike over the Strait of Hormuz. Mediators are pressing for renewed talks as both sides escalate rhetoric amid a fragile truce and international mediation efforts.
Police have launched a murder investigation after three members of a single family were found dead at a house on the Cullybackey Road. Post-mortems will determine cause of death, and police say the public is not at risk. A vigil is planned for tonight as investigators work at the scene.
Former Qatari emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at 74. His abdication in 2013 paved the way for a peaceful transition of power to his son, while his leadership transformed Qatar into a global energy, media and diplomatic heavyweight.
Senator Lindsey Graham has died after a "brief and sudden illness," his office has said. The 71-year-old Republican had returned from a trip to Ukraine and was due to appear on Meet the Press. The DC medical examiner has preliminarily attributed the death to an aortic dissection linked to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease; officials will release final findings after tests.
Iraq is pushing to deepen economic ties with the United States, signing oil and energy deals while aiming to increase oil production and secure IMF backing. Baghdad seeks to disarm Iran-aligned militias and to bolster state control over weapons as U.S. and Iranian pressures intensify. The talks center on shifting from crisis management to a strategic economic partnership.
Sen. Lindsey Graham has died after a brief illness, leaving allies in Washington and Kyiv recalibrating support amid renewed sanctions talks with Russia. He had just returned from Ukraine, where he was advancing sanctions legislation and strengthening ties with Kyiv. World leaders and lawmakers are paying tribute as Republicans and Democrats weigh the political implications.
Europe’s leaders are pursuing a global, integrated missile defense against future threats, while Ukraine seeks faster air-defense and a European-backed, lower-cost system. At Paris talks, Macron and Zelenskyy outline steps toward a coalition of the willing and the Freyja project to supplement, not replace, existing defenses.
The Strait of Hormuz has seen a sharp drop in vessel traffic as renewed US-Iran actions inflame the region. Iran asserts control over the waterway; Western powers push for free passage. The latest strikes follow attacks on three vessels near Oman, and data shows traffic through the strait has plunged from its pre-conflict normal.
Lindsey Graham has died at 71. Trump has described Graham’s “one bad moment” during Jan. 6 as the only lapse, saying he called Graham to walk back the remark. Reports note timelines differ, with logs not showing a call on Jan. 6, 2021.
EU conferences open for Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro mark renewed momentum in enlargement talks. Kyiv partners with Brussels to advance five policy clusters; Hungary's veto persists on two clusters. Ukraine seeks I EU reform alignment amid security concerns as Russia’s war continues.
The United States has stated it will charge a 20% toll on all cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz to fund security. Analysts say the plan faces legal, diplomatic, and practical hurdles and could reduce traffic through the waterway. Shipping groups condemn tolls on international waters. The proposal remains unproven and contentious.
Ministers have updated the national risk register with seven new crises, including cyber-attacks on infrastructure and foreign interference in democracy. A nationwide public-awareness campaign and the largest home-defence exercise in decades are planned for next year to improve resilience against severe weather, cyber threats, and other disruptions.
The US has intensified strikes on Iran while stockpiles are being depleted; defense contractors are urged to accelerate production as the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit highlights the broader risks to national security.