Senior aides at Downing Street plan to ask Andy Burnham, expected to become UK prime minister, to increase defence spending beyond the current £13.5 billion plan. They may also revive the idea of “war bonds” to help pay for higher military costs by borrowing more money.
Key Facts
Downing Street officials want to borrow more for military spending than the current £13.5 billion Defence Investment Plan (Dip).
Defence aides visited Burnham’s team during a byelection to update them on the UK’s reduced defence capabilities.
Keir Starmer will announce the Dip before the NATO summit on 7-8 July, even though he will step down soon after.
Some Labour MPs want Burnham to increase defence spending beyond the current plan.
Burnham’s team may reopen discussions on the Dip if military concerns are not fully addressed.
The head of the UK armed forces, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, emphasized the need for strong defence funding to deter threats like Russia.
The idea of “war bonds” would allow the government to borrow money specifically for defence, with tax benefits for buyers, but the Treasury has resisted this due to borrowing risks.
Plans for war bonds were proposed but blocked by the Treasury, despite support from senior advisers.
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Conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella won Colombia's presidential election by a narrow margin and was endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Progressive candidate Iván Cepeda conceded but said he will serve as a constructive opposition.
Key Facts
Abelardo de la Espriella, a businessman and lawyer with no previous political office, won the presidency by about 1 percentage point.
Iván Cepeda, a lawmaker and peace advocate, conceded the election but plans to oppose the new government.
De la Espriella is a dual citizen of Colombia and the U.S., a Republican, and supported by President Trump.
The election had a historic turnout with over 26 million voters and a significant number choosing a "none of the above" option.
De la Espriella promises tough measures against violent crime, inspired by strategies used in El Salvador.
He plans to form his Cabinet soon and join the "Shield of the Americas," a coalition to fight crime in Latin America.
The election result reflects a shift away from policies of outgoing President Gustavo Petro and a desire for new approaches.
Iván Cepeda’s political work is influenced by his family history and focus on peace negotiations in Colombia’s long internal conflict.
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A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order requiring voters to prove their citizenship with documents when registering to vote. The judge said the order is unconstitutional because states and Congress, not the President, control election rules.
Key Facts
President Trump issued an executive order needing voters to show proof of citizenship, like passports or birth certificates.
A US district judge in Massachusetts ruled this order unconstitutional, stating the President has no specific power over elections.
States and Congress have the legal authority to set and regulate election rules, not the President.
The executive order had not yet been put into effect when it was blocked.
President Trump also proposed another order for 2026 to limit mail voting and create a federal voter citizenship list, which faces legal challenges.
The US Postal Service proposed a rule requiring states to share lists of mail ballot requests, which some states oppose.
The Postal Service warned it might not deliver mail ballots in states refusing to share voter information.
All 47 Democratic senators sent a letter opposing this postal rule, warning it could prevent millions from voting.
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President Trump and the Department of the Interior are being asked to provide proof for claims that the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool was sabotaged. The recently renovated pool has problems like algae growth, peeling paint, and dead ducks just before the US 250th anniversary, causing concern and calls for investigation.
Key Facts
The reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial underwent a $14.7 million renovation before the 250th anniversary of the US.
President Trump claimed that vandals purposely damaged the pool's lining, but no photo or video proof has been released yet.
The pool shows problems including algae blooms, peeling paint, and floating sections of the liner.
Dead ducks were found in and near the pool, raising environmental concerns.
Workers are treating the algae with hydrogen peroxide and advanced ozone technology to remove it.
Experts say the pool’s dark bottom likely made the algae problem worse by raising water temperature.
A Virginia company conducting the renovation says the damage is minor and plans repairs under warranty.
Senator Richard Blumenthal requested documents related to the project, citing corruption, lack of transparency, and incompetence.
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A developing El Niño weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean may make Europe’s current heat waves even hotter and longer this summer. This natural climate event changes wind and ocean currents, which can push warm air from Africa into Europe, raising temperatures and increasing the risk of extreme heat.
Key Facts
El Niño is a natural climate cycle that warms parts of the Pacific Ocean and happens every 2 to 7 years.
A “super El Niño” is a stronger, rare version with ocean temperatures about 2°C (3.6°F) above normal.
El Niño changes global weather by shifting atmospheric circulation, affecting temperatures and rain worldwide.
Europe is experiencing one of the hottest June heat waves on record, with temperatures over 40°C (104°F) in many areas.
Some places in France have exceeded 44°C, breaking national heat records.
Heat waves have caused dozens of deaths in Europe, mostly from people trying to cool off in dangerous waters.
El Niño is expected to continue through March 2027, potentially worsening heat waves and other weather extremes.
The weather impact of El Niño also affects the U.S., often bringing wetter and stormier conditions.
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President Donald Trump will start the celebrations for America's 250th birthday with a rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The event will include military flyovers, music performances, and a speech from the president, replacing a cancelled concert series after some artists withdrew.
Key Facts
The rally will mark the beginning of weeks-long festivities for America's 250th birthday.
President Trump described the event as a special "rally to America" honoring the anniversary.
Several musicians cancelled their performances due to concerns about political ties to the event.
The event will feature fighter jet flyovers, military bands, and singer Lee Greenwood performing.
The celebrations include a 16-day Great American State Fair running from June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall.
All 56 US states and territories will be showcased during the state fair.
Congress allocated $150 million in federal funds for the 250th birthday celebrations.
Freedom 250, a group created by President Trump, and America250, established by Congress, are organizing many events.
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A federal judge ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to explain why it placed a tarp over the Kennedy Center’s front side after the court removed Trump's name from the building. The tarp hides part of the building, including John F. Kennedy’s name, and the judge wants a report on its purpose by July 31.
Key Facts
A judge said the Trump administration must explain the tarp and scaffolding on the Kennedy Center by July 31.
The tarp covers the building’s facade after Trump’s name was removed under a court order.
The court ruled the addition of Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center was unlawful.
Trump’s name was removed early in the morning following the judge’s order.
Joyce Beatty, a Democratic representative and Kennedy Center board member, sued to remove Trump’s name.
The court also blocked Trump’s plan to close the Kennedy Center for two years starting July 4.
The Trump administration requested a federal appeals court to pause the removal order.
Beatty’s lawyers say the tarp blocks John F. Kennedy’s name and may be meant to delay returning the building to how it was before Trump’s name was added.
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Andy Burnham has chosen James Purnell as his chief of staff if he becomes prime minister. Both Burnham and Purnell were part of a Labour government football team called Demon Eyes, formed in the late 1990s by New Labour advisers.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham’s choice of James Purnell brings together two old friends and Labour ministers.
The Demon Eyes football team included prominent Labour figures like Burnham, Purnell, Ed Balls, and David Miliband.
The team was formed around 1998 during the early years of Tony Blair’s government.
Demon Eyes was known for being very competitive and focused on winning.
The team’s name came from a Conservative Party poster showing Tony Blair with red “demonic” eyes.
Many team members later left politics for other careers.
The team played in the Labour stronghold area of north London.
Football was a common interest that connected Labour politicians, with conversations often about politics.
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Police in Pakistan rescued a French woman and her five children after she said her husband held her captive and abused her for over 12 years. The husband was arrested, and authorities are working to help the family, including plans to send them back to France.
Key Facts
A 54-year-old French woman named Sylvie Yasmina was rescued in Bara, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan.
She said her husband kept her captive and abused her physically and mentally for more than a decade.
Yasmina’s five children were also rescued; none had been enrolled in school.
One of the children escaped and reached the local police station to get help.
Yasmina and her children were found living in poor conditions with visible injuries on her face.
The husband was arrested, and police are investigating the case.
Authorities are coordinating with the French embassy to help Yasmina return to France.
Domestic violence is a widespread issue in Pakistan, with many cases going unreported.
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A serious crash between a van and a lorry on the M25 near Godstone caused long traffic jams during a heatwave with the highest June temperatures in 50 years. Emergency services treated people trapped in the traffic for heat-related illnesses, and a man was airlifted to hospital with a leg injury.
Key Facts
A crash on the M25 involved a white Mercedes Vito van and a white lorry.
The crash happened near junctions 6 and 7, causing the motorway to close and long traffic jams.
The temperature was the highest June heat recorded in 50 years, leading to heat-related illnesses among stranded drivers and passengers.
Emergency services had difficulty reaching patients due to heavy congestion.
A man in his 30s from the van was seriously injured and airlifted to hospital.
Surrey Police are investigating the crash and appealing for witnesses.
The road surface was damaged by an oil spill caused by the crash, delaying reopening.
Some exit slip roads have reopened, but the main carriageway remains closed.
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Children living in the Dheisheh refugee camp in the occupied West Bank regularly experience Israeli military raids, which cause fear and violence. A recent UN report highlights the large number of Palestinian children killed and injured, the rise in settler violence, and attacks on schools and hospitals in the area.
Key Facts
Nearly 7,500 Israeli military raids took place in the West Bank in the first nine months of 2025, about 27 raids per day.
This number represents a 37% increase in raids compared to the same period in 2024.
Israeli forces have killed over 20,179 Palestinian children and wounded more than 44,000 since October 2023, mostly in Gaza.
The UN report describes the deliberate targeting of children in Gaza as part of a genocide.
In the West Bank, there has been a marked increase in violence by settlers and killings by Israeli forces, including a two-year-old girl in January 2025.
Palestinian children are sometimes held in detention without access to lawyers or contact with their parents.
At least 85 schools in the West Bank face demolition, closure, or attacks.
The UN describes Palestinian life as being under constant terror due to repeated military actions and violence.
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A climate expert said Europe’s recent heatwave shows that very hot weather is becoming normal due to human-caused warming. France has prepared well for heatwaves with strong rules since 2003, but hotter and more frequent heatwaves still pose serious challenges.
Key Facts
Europe's heatwaves are no longer rare events but part of ongoing climate change caused by greenhouse gases.
Adaptation measures, like preparing cities and health systems, can reduce deaths and problems caused by heat.
France has one of the best systems in Europe to manage heat risks, with reforms made after the deadly 2003 heatwave.
Despite good preparation, rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves will continue to create difficulties.
The UK tends to treat heatwaves as occasional annoyances rather than a major threat.
Experts say infrastructure and public policies need to change to handle hotter climates in the future.
Heatwaves are already impacting farming and outdoor work in France, causing economic and health issues.
The overall message is that climate change means extreme heat will be a growing concern worldwide.
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France recorded its hottest day since 1947 on Wednesday, breaking the previous heat record set just one day earlier. More than 50 regions across mainland France experienced temperatures of 40°C (104°F) or higher during a heatwave that began on June 17.
Key Facts
The French national weather agency reported the highest temperature for the country since records started in 1947.
The new record was set on Wednesday, surpassing the record from the day before.
Over 50 departments (regions) in mainland France recorded temperatures of 40°C or above.
The heatwave began on June 17 and is ongoing as of June 24, 2026.
The article mentions France is considered well prepared for heatwaves compared to some other European countries.
The intense heat has led to concerns about climate change and adapting infrastructure to hotter conditions.
The information was shared by France 24 and AFP news agencies.
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Four years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion numbers in the U.S. have not decreased as expected; instead, they have increased by about 21% since 2020. Abortions continue to occur in every state, including those with strict bans, largely due to telehealth services and medication abortion.
Key Facts
Over 1.12 million abortions were provided by U.S. clinicians in 2025, about 21% more than in 2020.
The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, removing federal abortion protections and letting states set their own laws.
Abortion laws now vary widely, from near-total bans to expanded protections, creating a patchwork across the country.
Abortions still happen in all 50 states, including those with strict bans, often through telehealth and medication abortion.
Telehealth has made it easier for people to get abortion pills by mail, even across state lines.
Some states have increased abortion access and support, attracting patients from states with bans.
The data may undercount abortions because some occur outside formal healthcare or may not be reported fully.
Self-managed abortions with medications obtained outside traditional healthcare are also happening.
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Ivan Cepeda, a leftist candidate in Colombia, officially accepted his defeat in the presidential election to right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella after a close vote count. Although Cepeda and President Gustavo Petro had raised concerns about possible fraud and foreign interference, the election authorities found the preliminary results to be highly accurate.
Key Facts
Ivan Cepeda conceded defeat to Abelardo de la Espriella, who leads by less than 1 percent in the vote count.
The official vote verification process, called scrutiny, has not been fully completed but is reported to be 99.997% accurate so far.
President Gustavo Petro and Cepeda’s supporters raised concerns about vote manipulation and foreign interference.
Petro claimed that President Donald Trump endorsed de la Espriella, which he said undermines the election’s legitimacy.
The National Registry, Colombia’s election authority, maintains that the vote process is trustworthy based on previous election counts.
Cepeda’s concession may create a gap between him and Petro, the founder of their political movement.
Cepeda plans to continue as a leader in the Senate and has called for peace and dialogue in Colombia.
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The U.S. Postal Service’s Postmaster General David Steiner said the USPS would not deliver mail ballots unless states share voter information with the Trump administration. Several Democratic lawmakers called this proposal illegal and said it could stop people from voting by mail.
Key Facts
Postmaster General David Steiner announced a new USPS rule requiring states to share absentee voter lists with the Trump administration.
Steiner said USPS would not deliver mail ballots to states that refuse to provide these voter lists.
Senator Gary Peters said this rule forces states to give sensitive voter data to the federal government.
Peters and other Democrats said the proposal violates the U.S. Constitution and threatens voting rights.
Senator Margaret Hassan called the rule “blatantly illegal” and said it could reduce voter participation.
Democrats demanded that Steiner withdraw the proposal immediately.
The announcement and responses happened during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing.
The USPS rule addresses mail delivery of ballots for absentee voting in elections.
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An Israeli drone strike hit a tent sheltering displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis, Gaza, killing two people including a child and injuring others. Palestinian officials report that over 1,005 people have died in Israeli attacks since a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire began.
Key Facts
An Israeli drone attacked a tent where displaced Palestinians were staying in Khan Younis.
Two people died in the strike, including a child.
Several others were injured in the attack.
Palestinian officials state more than 1,005 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire started.
The ceasefire was arranged with US involvement.
The strike happened despite the ceasefire being in effect.
Khan Younis is a city in the Gaza Strip.
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the Trump administration for poor maintenance of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, citing recent algae growth there. She connected the issue to reduced funding and support for scientific research during President Trump's time in office.
Key Facts
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a Democratic congresswoman from New York.
She said the Trump administration turned the Reflecting Pool near the Lincoln Memorial "into a swamp."
Her comment relates to noticeable algae growth in the Reflecting Pool water.
Ocasio-Cortez linked the problem to cuts in science research funding under President Trump.
She suggested the administration’s lack of scientific understanding contributed to the issue.
The Reflecting Pool is a well-known water feature at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Algae growth in water can happen when it is not properly cleaned or maintained.
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Shevaun Haviland, director of the British Chambers of Commerce, urged Andy Burnham to use the UK’s remaining North Sea oil and gas resources to prevent large job losses in Scotland and the north-east. She also highlighted that high business costs are hurting investment and called for action to reduce these costs and support local industries, especially as the transition to clean energy is not creating enough new jobs quickly enough.
Key Facts
The UK is currently importing liquefied natural gas, which is more expensive and less eco-friendly than North Sea gas.
The decision on whether to develop the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas fields may soon be made by Andy Burnham’s administration.
The business community supports clean energy but says offshore wind projects are not creating enough local jobs to replace those lost in oil and gas.
Many local suppliers in the north-east are closing because they are not involved in new energy industries, with much equipment still imported from overseas.
There is concern that job losses in oil and gas could be large, similar to the decline of coal mining in the past.
Business costs in the UK have increased by 70% over the last ten years, including taxes, regulations, wages, and trade issues after Brexit.
High costs make businesses hesitant to invest, which slows economic growth and reduces tax income.
The Business Industrial Competitiveness scheme aims to reduce energy bills for some companies, but its reach is currently too limited.
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The new iPhone 17e includes an advanced silicon chip developed at Apple’s research and development center in Israel. This chip plays an important role in the phone’s performance and features.
Key Facts
The iPhone 17e has a special chip made with silicon, a material used for computer parts.
Apple’s R&D center in Israel created this chip.
The chip helps improve the phone’s speed and capabilities.
Apple uses technology developed in different countries for its products.
Israeli technology contributes to important parts of the iPhone 17e.
The development shows Apple’s global approach to innovating new devices.
Advanced chips help phones handle complex tasks efficiently.
The iPhone 17e includes this chip as a key component inside the device.
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