Taiwan's cabinet will propose a 16 percent increase in defense spending for 2027, exceeding NT$1 trillion (US$31-34 billion) for the first time, in response to increased military pressure from China and calls from Washington to strengthen its defense capabilities.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband held his first meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, where discussions focused on Ukraine, European security responsibilities, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Miliband faced questions about his past criticisms of President Trump, which he declined to address directly.
China's Commerce Ministry announced retaliatory measures against seven US entities, imposed stricter export controls on drones and related technology bound for the US, and restricted US agencies' role in Chinese factory inspections. The actions come in response to recent US moves targeting Chinese companies and ahead of a scheduled visit by President Xi Jinping to meet President Trump.
Authorities arrested Aaron F. Farinacci on suspicion of starting one of three major wildfires burning around Spokane, Washington, which have destroyed over 700 structures and forced 65,000 residents to evacuate.
Damascus has committed to significantly reducing imports of Russian crude oil as part of ongoing discussions with Washington over lifting Syria's State Sponsor of Terrorism designation. Russian oil shipments to Syria had jumped 75% to approximately 60,000 barrels per day this year before the agreement.
US Vice President JD Vance and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met privately at Blair House in Washington on Tuesday to discuss escalating tensions over the Iran war, following months of strain in US-Israel relations.
A federal judge refused to dismiss the case against an Afghan woman who is the first person facing deportation under the Trump administration's reactivation of a Washington-based court that had been inactive for years. The hearing marks the court's first public session since being brought back into operation.
Ukrainian forces hit two of Russia's largest oil refineries in overnight long-range strikes on Wednesday, just hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump in Washington. The attacks are part of Ukraine's sustained campaign targeting Russian energy infrastructure that has contributed to fuel shortages across Russia.
The US Senate advanced sweeping sanctions legislation targeting Russia's energy revenues as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington. The bill, championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham who died earlier this month, cleared its first procedural hurdle.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington for meetings with President Trump, marking a departure from their previously warm relationship as he faces a cooled American reception and seeks support on Iran policy after making limited concessions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Three people were killed and five wounded, including a 2-year-old boy, in a mass shooting at Seattle's popular Bite of Seattle food festival near the Space Needle. One suspect is in custody while police search for a second.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced the United States for what he called 'genocidal' practices and accused Washington of seeking to seize control of the island, as Cuba endures severe economic hardship from a US oil embargo imposed in January 2026 and additional sanctions.
Israel's security cabinet voted on July 26, 2026, to allow the 200-member International Stabilization Force into Gaza under Trump's ceasefire framework, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir casting the sole dissenting vote, one day before Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit to Washington.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Manila on Wednesday to lay groundwork for Chinese President Xi Jinping's expected visit to Washington in September. Rubio said the two countries were moving toward establishing trade and investment boards, while the diplomats discussed potential areas of cooperation.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang publicly praised Chinese open-source AI models as 'excellent' and 'world class,' urging Washington not to ban them, even as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned of scrutinizing Chinese models for stolen intellectual property. The comments come amid growing concern in Washington over low-cost Chinese AI models like Kimi that increasingly compete with American offerings.
Three-time Olympic canoeist David Hearn pleaded not guilty in D.C. Superior Court to felony destruction of property charges for allegedly damaging the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which underwent a $14.7 million renovation. His lawyer has called him a 'scapegoat' in a case that has become a flashpoint over President Trump's efforts to remake Washington.
OpenAI is in early-stage talks to grant the Trump administration a 5% stake in the company, according to Financial Times reports, as the AI startup seeks to ease mounting political pressure and government scrutiny in Washington.
President Donald Trump returned to the Washington Hilton on June 26, 2026, the site where an assassination attempt against him was stopped two months prior during the annual White House event. The visit occurred under tight security as Trump delivered a speech on faith.
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to halt fighting in southern Lebanon following deadly Israeli strikes that forced cancellation of U.S.-Iran peace implementation talks. The escalation threatened to derail a tentative interim peace agreement between Washington and Tehran.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting Ireland where he has taken a more conciliatory approach toward the United States, drawing positive response from Trump's Canada envoy. Ireland is attempting to maintain good relations with both countries while staying neutral in the ongoing Canada-US dispute.
Iran's national football team landed in Tijuana, Mexico on June 7, 2026, ahead of the FIFA World Cup after the United States denied visas to several team support staff members. The team will be based in Mexico despite all three group stage matches being scheduled in US stadiums, creating a diplomatic row between Tehran and Washington.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the reopening of international internet access following a nearly three-month blackout imposed during conflict with the U.S. and Israel. The move comes as diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran intensify.
President Trump posted on Truth Social, claiming Iran had informed his administration it was in a "State of Collapse" and wanted the Strait of Hormuz opened "as soon as possible" while figuring out its leadership situation. Iran's Foreign Minister immediately contradicted the message, blaming stalled negotiations on Washington's "destructive habits," while the White House confirmed no decisions had been made on Iran's latest proposal.
Armed man Cole Tomas Allen rushed a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton, firing shots outside the ballroom where Trump, Vance, and hundreds of journalists were attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Trump and cabinet members were safely evacuated; one Secret Service agent was struck but protected by a bulletproof vest.
Warner Bros Discovery shareholders voted to approve the company's proposed $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, one of the largest media consolidations in history. The deal now faces regulatory scrutiny in Washington and London.
Iran announced it has made no decision on attending a second round of negotiations with the US in Islamabad, citing Washington's 'excessive demands' and the ship seizure. Vice President JD Vance is reportedly preparing to lead the US delegation despite uncertainty over Iranian participation.
Senator Bernie Moreno warned at a Washington event that the CLARITY Act must clear Congress by end of May or risk being shelved until 2030. His statement moved Polymarket odds of 2026 passage from 38% to 46%.
A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight local time (21:00 GMT Thursday), announced by US President Donald Trump. The truce follows rare direct negotiations in Washington and aims to pause fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, though violations have already been reported by Lebanon's military.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to hold direct ceasefire talks in Washington next week for the first time in decades, aimed at halting violence in southern Lebanon, though fighting continues with Israel claiming it killed a close aide to Hezbollah's leader.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with President Trump and senior US officials as Trump renewed threats to reconsider US membership in the alliance, calling NATO members 'cowards' and a 'paper tiger' amid tensions over the Iran war.
The United States removed sanctions on Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, marking a significant shift in relations following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro. The move comes as Washington gradually eases measures on Venezuela.
A new analysis finds that proposed Medicaid cuts could jeopardize hundreds of hospitals across the United States that collectively provide care for approximately 7 million patients, raising concerns about access to healthcare services.
Washington Attorney General filed lawsuit against prediction market operator Kalshi on Friday, alleging the platform offers gambling products disguised as prediction markets in violation of state regulations. This marks the latest state-level legal action against the company.
Fractures are emerging within the GOP over President Trump's economic plan as the 2026 midterm election year begins, despite Trump's efforts to rally House Republicans at the Kennedy Center in Washington.
