Trump leaves NATO summit on positive terms after rocky start
Trump departed the NATO summit declaring 'a lot of love' between the US and allies after a tense opening dominated by disputes over Iran, Spain and Greenland. The president met with Ukraine's Zelenskyy and moderated his tone, leaving allies with a paper unity agreement that many analysts view as uncertain in practice. The summit showcased Trump's erratic negotiating style, shifting from saber-rattling to expressions of solidarity.
The United States launched a second night of airstrikes on Iran, escalating the military confrontation after Trump declared any diplomatic agreement to end the conflict was 'over'. Iran retaliated by targeting US military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, widening the theater of engagement. The strikes follow three ship attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and the revocation of Iran's oil sales permit.
Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for a key US Senate seat in Maine, suspended his campaign after a sexual assault allegation emerged. The accusation prompted widespread condemnation from party leaders and forced Platner to halt his bid for the open seat. The suspension leaves Maine Democrats scrambling to select a replacement nominee in a competitive race.
Graham Platner's withdrawal from the Maine Senate race has laid bare internal Democratic Party rifts, with analysts describing his candidacy as a 'slow-rolling disaster' from the start. The suspension clears the way for party leaders to select a new nominee, but the controversy has dampened Democratic hopes of flipping or holding the seat. The episode highlights broader challenges facing the party in key battleground states.