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Democrats have removed their endorsements of Platner following a sexual assault allegation. Meanwhile, a Russian attack on Kyiv is raising concerns ahead of a NATO meeting.
Key Facts
Democrats had endorsed Platner before withdrawing their support.
The withdrawal happened after a sexual assault allegation was made against Platner.
Russia is preparing or planning an attack on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.
The situation in Kyiv is causing worry among NATO members.
The NATO summit is scheduled to take place soon.
The developments affect international security and political discussions.
CBS News covered these updates in their program "The Takeout with Major Garrett" on July 6.
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Canada has chosen Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems to build 12 new submarines as part of a major military purchase. This move supports Canada’s plan to increase defense spending to meet NATO targets and replaces older submarines bought from the UK.
Key Facts
Canada picked ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, a German company, to build 12 submarines.
The contract was awarded ahead of a NATO summit focused on defense spending.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the selection and emphasized Canada’s defense commitments.
ThyssenKrupp beat South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean in the bidding process.
The submarines will be conventionally powered (diesel-electric), not nuclear-powered.
Canada wants to boost defense spending to 5% of its GDP by 2035, up from 2%.
The new submarines will replace Canada’s four old Victoria-class submarines from the UK.
No U.S. company bid because U.S. submarines are only nuclear-powered, unlike Canada’s diesel-electric preference.
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A UK-based institute reports that Russian-linked ships may have launched drones over Europe, targeting military bases, airports, and infrastructure between August 2024 and February 2026. These drone flights, possibly part of a Kremlin campaign, showed Europe’s air defenses were vulnerable to low-cost drones used for surveillance and disruption.
Key Facts
Drones flew over 12 NATO countries and Ireland from August 2024 to February 2026.
About 48% of drone sightings occurred over military bases, 26% over critical infrastructure, and 18% over civilian airports.
Many drone flights happened at night or before dawn and looked like professional or military drones.
The only confirmed Russian drone attack was in February 2026 near Sweden, where a Russian ship launched a drone that Swedish forces jammed.
Russian-developed drones like the Merlin-VR and Orlan-10 are capable of being launched at sea with long flight ranges and night operation abilities.
Some drones may have been homemade or commercial models changed to avoid easy identification as Russian.
The drones’ activity seemed to test and challenge European military and civilian air defenses.
Data on drone flights was gathered using maritime tracking systems to link drone incidents to Russian or Russian-linked ships.
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French President Emmanuel Macron visited Syria to meet with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, marking the first visit by a Western European leader since Bashar al-Assad was removed from power in 2024. Both leaders are traveling to Turkey for a NATO summit, where discussions will focus on regional security and rebuilding Syria.
Key Facts
President Macron arrived in Syria and was welcomed by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani.
This is the first visit from a Western European leader to Syria since President Assad was ousted in 2024.
Macron met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss peace, stability, and investment opportunities.
Both leaders plan to attend the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where al-Sharaa is expected to meet President Donald Trump.
Macron has called for a new chapter of stability and peace for a united and sovereign Syria.
Macron previously hosted al-Sharaa in Paris in 2025 and advocated lifting most sanctions against Syria.
Syria’s new government under al-Sharaa faces scrutiny over its treatment of women, minorities, and its commitment to democracy.
Syria is recovering from 13 years of war that heavily damaged the country and caused widespread poverty.
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President Donald Trump shared a doctored photo of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni showing her smiling and looking fondly at him. This happened amid a public dispute between the two leaders, which started after Trump claimed Meloni begged for a photo at the G7 summit—a claim she denied.
Key Facts
President Trump posted a manipulated image on Truth Social, changing Meloni’s facial expression to look enamored with him.
The photo comes from original G7 summit footage but was altered using editing tools.
Trump claimed Meloni begged him for a photo during the G7 summit, but Meloni denied this and called the claim false.
Their feud started partly over Italy refusing U.S. military aircraft use of a Sicilian airbase without parliament approval.
Trump criticized Pope Leo for condemning the Iran war; Meloni called Trump’s attack "unacceptable."
Meloni was an early supporter of Trump and attended his 2025 inauguration as the only European leader.
The two are expected to attend a NATO summit in Turkey soon, where they might meet amid ongoing tensions.
Meloni has not publicly responded to Trump’s latest post.
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Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she will personally discuss China’s recent long-range missile test in the South Pacific with Chinese officials. Australia has expressed its concern through diplomatic channels, calling the missile launch a destabilizing action that could cause misunderstandings or conflict in the region.
Key Facts
China conducted a long-range missile test in the South Pacific on Monday.
Australia views the missile test as destabilizing for the Pacific region.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong will raise this issue in her next talks with Chinese officials.
Australian diplomats in Beijing were briefed about the missile test by Chinese counterparts.
Australia has communicated its displeasure through official diplomatic channels.
Wong emphasized the importance of keeping the Pacific Ocean peaceful.
She avoided calling the missile test “dangerous” or “heavy handed.”
Australia is concerned that such actions could lead to miscalculations or unintended conflicts.
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A large banner saying "Destroy Israel" was displayed during the San Fermin bull run festival in Pamplona, Spain. Thousands of people were present, and some threw inflatable balls with watermelon designs, which are symbols linked to support for Palestinians.
Key Facts
The event took place at the San Fermin bull run festival in Pamplona, Spain.
A giant banner with the message "Destroy Israel" was shown to the crowd.
Thousands of people attended the festival when the banner was displayed.
Festival participants threw inflatable balls designed to look like watermelons.
Watermelon imagery is used as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.
The display combined a cultural event with a political message.
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The article explores the lives of Nigerian "Yahoo Boys," a group involved in online romance scams that cause emotional pain and financial loss to victims. Journalist Carlos Barragán investigates these scams after his own mother was affected, revealing a story of loneliness, deception, and betrayal in Nigeria. The piece also briefly mentions other African news, such as diplomatic shifts and protests.
Key Facts
Nigerian "Yahoo Boys" run internet schemes that trick people into fake romantic relationships to steal money.
These scams have serious emotional and financial impacts on victims and their families.
Journalist Carlos Barragán wrote a book titled "The Yahoo Boys," investigating the scam network.
Barragán’s interest began when his own mother fell victim to a romance fraud.
The article is part of a broader news segment covering African current events.
Other stories include France pulling diplomats out of Burkina Faso and planned youth protests in Tanzania.
The scams are linked to feelings of loneliness and economic hardship in Nigeria.
The scams form a complex and troubling social issue in Nigeria’s online community.
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Two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela on June 24, 2026, killing 3,535 people and leaving more than 17,000 without homes. Thousands are still missing, and many survivors live in temporary camps, while rescue efforts continue with help from the United Nations and other international teams.
Key Facts
The earthquakes occurred back-to-back on June 24, 2026, in La Guaira state near Caracas.
Official death toll stands at 3,535 people.
Over 16,700 people were injured in the disasters.
More than 17,000 people lost their homes due to the earthquakes.
The UN estimates that up to 50,000 people may still be missing under rubble.
Many survivors are living outdoors in temporary camps, parks, or parking lots.
International rescue teams have begun leaving, but some search, engineering, and medical groups remain.
Authorities started burying dozens of unidentified victims in a mass grave on July 6, 2026.
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Three children died after a boat capsized on Geneva Lake, Wisconsin, during a sudden storm. Police found the children inside the sunken boat, while seven other passengers were rescued.
Key Facts
The boat was a 25-foot 2024 Nautique P25 with a capacity of 19 people.
Nine passengers and one operator were on board, including children aged 6, 7, 10, and 12.
The boat capsized after being hit by at least two large waves during a storm.
All children were wearing life jackets at the time of the accident.
Seven people were rescued by emergency services soon after the capsizing.
Divers found the sunken boat in about 32 feet of water and recovered the three missing children.
The children were taken to a hospital but died; drowning is the preliminary cause of death.
Police continue to investigate the incident and have released few additional details.
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Mali’s military took control of the country in a coup five years ago and promised to bring stability, but violence has increased instead. Recently, rebels and armed groups launched attacks in northern and central Mali, and the military government is losing control of large areas.
Key Facts
Mali’s military seized power in a coup five years ago with a promise to restore stability.
Armed rebels and groups recently conducted a joint offensive in northern and central Mali.
Mali has faced armed group violence for more than ten years.
The military government expelled French troops and sought help from Russia.
Despite this, violence has grown, and the military government is losing control over parts of the country.
The situation has made Mali more unstable and dangerous.
The conflict affects not only Mali but also neighboring countries in the Sahel region.
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Prince Harry arrived in the UK for charity events and faces uncertainty over whether his wife Meghan and their two children will join him. This depends on the UK government allowing security protection for his family, which a committee has not yet approved.
Key Facts
Prince Harry returned to the UK for charity work connected to the Invictus Games.
British media are focused on whether Meghan and their children, Archie and Lilibet, will come with him.
The children’s visit depends on the government deciding to provide official security for Harry’s family.
A UK committee called Ravec decides who gets taxpayer-funded security and has so far refused to grant it to Harry’s family.
Harry argues his family needs protection because of their royal status and risks from the public and paparazzi.
British authorities say Harry is not a working royal, so his security is assessed individually, not automatically granted.
The security issue affects all Harry’s trips to the UK since he and Meghan moved to North America.
There is also an important court case coming up about Harry’s lawsuit against a newspaper for privacy invasion.
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Thousands of people gathered in Tehran to take part in the funeral procession for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He was reportedly killed in an airstrike linked to conflict between the U.S. and Israel in Iran.
Key Facts
The funeral procession took place in Tehran, Iran’s capital.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the former Supreme Leader of Iran.
He died as a result of an airstrike.
The airstrike is connected to a conflict involving the United States and Israel in Iran.
Tens of thousands of people participated in the funeral march.
The event marked the largest public gathering in Tehran for this occasion.
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The body of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei arrived in the holy city of Qom ahead of planned funeral events. Millions of people attended funeral processions in Tehran to mourn Khamenei and family members killed in a recent air strike.
Key Facts
Khamenei’s body was flown by helicopter to Qom, a religious city in Iran.
Millions of Iranians gathered in Tehran for the funeral procession, similar in scale to the 1989 funeral of Khomeini.
The air strike that killed Khamenei also killed four family members, including his 14-month-old granddaughter.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader and Khamenei’s son, has not appeared in public since being appointed.
Officials noted a fragile ceasefire with the U.S. and Israel is ongoing, complicating security for public appearances.
Medical teams treated more than 34,000 people during the funeral events without any deaths.
High-ranking officials and former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended the ceremonies despite previous political disagreements.
Iranian leaders described the large turnout and slogans as a warning to Iran’s enemies.
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British actor Micheal Ward is on trial for rape and sexual assault, denying the allegations and saying the encounter with the woman was consensual. The trial is taking place in London, where Ward and the woman met at a nightclub in January 2023 and the case is being decided by a jury.
Key Facts
Micheal Ward, a 28-year-old British actor known for roles in Top Boy and Blue Story, faces charges of two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
The alleged incident occurred on January 2, 2023, after Ward met the woman at a nightclub in east London.
Ward told the court the encounter was consensual and described the interaction as flirty and mutual.
The woman said she did not understand the situation and did not want to get into the car with Ward.
She said she "shut down" during the encounter and told Ward she wanted to leave several times.
Ward said the woman was an active participant and reciprocated his advances.
The woman appeared upset afterward, crying and showing a changed demeanor according to a friend’s testimony.
The woman ordered a sexual health kit indicating she had been sexually assaulted.
Ward won the Bafta Rising Star Award in 2020 and was nominated for other acting awards.
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A residential building in Kyiv was hit by Russian missile strikes twice within one month, causing deaths and damage. Ukrainian emergency workers, including a longtime volunteer named Kateryna Tereshkova, are helping residents repair damages and cope with repeated attacks.
Key Facts
At least 22 people died in the recent Russian missile strikes on Kyiv and nearby areas.
The same apartment complex was hit twice about a month apart.
Ukrainian air defenses showed weaknesses and rely on U.S. Patriot missile systems to stop some attacks.
Russia said the attacks on Kyiv are retaliation for Ukraine’s earlier long-range strikes.
Kateryna Tereshkova, a Ukrainian volunteer, helps fix apartments after attacks by boarding up broken windows and cleaning damage.
Tereshkova has volunteered since 2014 and works full-time on this since the 2022 invasion.
Emergency teams have little rest between strikes, sometimes just a day and a half.
Despite fatigue, volunteers like Tereshkova continue helping victims recover and live in safer conditions.
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NATO leaders meet in Ankara to discuss plans for reaching defence spending targets, amid pressure from the United States to increase their contributions. NATO members agreed to spend 5% of their GDP on defence and related infrastructure, with some countries still struggling to meet previous targets. The Netherlands announced new defence deals and plans worth over 3 billion euros to boost cooperation with other NATO members.
Key Facts
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called for clear and credible plans from members to meet spending targets.
NATO countries agreed last year to spend 5% of GDP on defence and infrastructure (3.5% on defence budgets, 1.5% on roads, bridges, and ports).
Some NATO countries still have not reached the older 2% GDP spending goal.
The U.S. is reducing its security role in Europe and urges allies to spend more on defence.
The U.S. expects all NATO allies to increase spending urgently, according to the U.S. NATO ambassador.
NATO estimates European allies and Canada will invest $258 billion more in defence in 2024 and 2025 than in previous years.
The Netherlands will announce defence deals worth over 3 billion euros, including partnerships with Belgium, Britain, and Germany.
President Trump has criticized NATO allies for low defence spending and called for loyalty from member countries.
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Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside a London court to support the ‘Filton 25’ activists. Eight people are on trial for breaking into Elbit Systems’ Filton site in 2024, an Israeli arms company.
Key Facts
Protesters showed support for the ‘Filton 25’ activists at London’s Old Bailey Criminal Court.
The trial involves eight defendants connected to a break-in in 2024.
The break-in took place at Elbit Systems’ facility in Filton, UK.
Elbit Systems is an Israeli company that makes arms and military technology.
The protesters are pro-Palestinian and oppose Elbit Systems’ activities.
The trial is ongoing as of the time of the report.
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Lauren Bennett, a singer known for being part of the girl group G.R.L. and for featuring on LMFAO’s song "Party Rock Anthem," has died at age 37. The group announced her passing but did not share the cause of death.
Key Facts
Lauren Bennett was 37 years old when she passed away.
She was a member of the girl group G.R.L. and featured on LMFAO’s hit "Party Rock Anthem."
Bennett started singing in local contests and bars in the UK and later joined The X Factor as a teenager.
After The X Factor, she joined the Paradiso Girls and moved to Los Angeles at 17.
The Paradiso Girls had a hit single called "Patron Tequila" in 2009.
Bennett joined G.R.L. after the success of "Party Rock Anthem" and appeared on Pitbull’s song "Wild Wild Love."
G.R.L.’s biggest hit was "Ugly Heart," which did well in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
The group released a tribute song and worked with a mental health charity after the death of member Simone Battle.
G.R.L. remembered Bennett for her spirit and said she would be deeply missed.
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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that member countries now spend about 4% of their GDP on defense, getting closer to the United States' spending level. At the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, members are expected to announce new defense contracts worth tens of billions of dollars.
Key Facts
NATO members currently spend about 4% of their GDP on defense.
This amount is closer to the U.S. defense spending level.
The NATO summit is taking place in Ankara.
Countries will announce tens of billions of dollars in new defense contracts.
The NATO chief called for credible plans to meet defense spending goals.
Mark Rutte is the Secretary General of NATO.
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