US Senate Race Shock: Democrats led by Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand urged Maine nominee Graham Platner to quit after a sexual assault allegation surfaced; Platner denies wrongdoing and says he’s “reflecting,” while party funding hinges on whether he stays on the ballot. French Far-Right Court Test: Marine Le Pen’s 2027 bid faces a make-or-break appeals ruling after a conviction over misuse of European Parliament funds triggered an immediate ban from office. World Cup Politics Meets Racism: Kylian Mbappé traded barbs with Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after her racist tirade; France’s football federation says it will pursue legal action. NATO Capability Debate: Türkiye’s defense minister warned that higher NATO spending must translate into real deterrence—ready forces, logistics, air and missile defense, and resilient industry. Lebanon-Israel Standoff: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun ruled out any meeting with Netanyahu while attacks and territory violations continue, even as talks are framed around a US-mediated framework. UK Foreign Money Crackdown: Britain extended a £100,000 cap on overseas political donations to recent arrivals, adding stricter checks on company giving. Ethiopia Parliament Pushes PM: MPs grilled Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on security, growth, governance reforms, and long-term priorities including access to the sea. South Africa Traditional Leaders Pay: President Ramaphosa moved to restructure traditional leaders’ compensation, aligning pensions and medical aid with civil servants. Workplace Stress Focus: Malaysia reported psychosocial disorders affecting about 17% of surveyed workers and highlighted “technostress,” prompting a new safety and health plan. Political Donations Tightened: Governments in multiple places moved to tighten rules on political funding and scrutiny, including UK reforms and calls for investigations into alleged misuse.