Year: 2026

The Justice Department has filed lawsuits against Virginia and California over laws it deems unconstitutional concerning the sale of firearms. Virginia’s law bans automatic weapons, while California’s law targets modifications of certain handguns. Both cases challenge restrictions seen as infringing on Second Amendment rights.

PC Daniel Rusling has been sentenced to eight weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, after assaulting a 13-year-old boy seeking help outside Monkton Park police station in Wiltshire. The officer admitted to assault by beating, and his actions are under review in a gross misconduct hearing.

Debris believed to be from a rocket has been recovered off Bisucay Island in the Philippines, prompting an investigation by the Coast Guard.

The European People’s Party (EPP) has called on Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra to recalibrate the bloc’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) by extending free pollution allowances for heavy industry beyond 2030. The EPP insists that protecting Europe’s manufacturing base must align with emissions reductions.

What’s going on?
Keir Starmer announced a £15 billion defence investment plan in a bid to enhance the UK’s military capabilities. The announcement aims to ensure the country’s defence budget remains robust in an increasingly uncertain global landscape. This investment is part of Starmer’s broader commitment to national security.

Al Jazeera reported, “UK’s Starmer announces £15bn defence investment plan,” focusing directly on the financial commitment. In contrast, BBC’s headline, “Starmer to face Badenoch at PMQs after announcing £15bn extra defence spending,” highlights the political ramifications, emphasising the ensuing parliamentary dynamics. This framing creates different perceptions of priorities—financial planning versus political accountability.

Coverage analysed: Al Jazeera | BBC | The Guardian | Politico

Kelowna business owners report that heightened security measures are now essential for operations, coinciding with the City of Kelowna’s introduction of initiatives intended to mitigate criminal activity. Business leaders are adapting to the increasing necessity for safety as efforts to address crime continue.

Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old democratic socialist, is projected to win Colorado’s First Congressional District Democratic primary with 49.3% of the vote. This marks a significant shift, as the district will have a new representative for the first time since the mid-1990s, replacing incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette, who received 43.5%.

Ben Cullen, a member of the Raise the Colours Oxfordshire group, is scheduled to appear at Reading Crown Court after being charged with multiple counts of making indecent images of children. The offences allegedly occurred on 25 March 2021, involving category A, B, and C images. Following these allegations, the wider group has distanced itself from Cullen.

An 11-year-old boy in Ontario died from rabies, the first fatal case in over 50 years, after waking up with a bat on his face, highlighting the disease’s risks.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is conducting raids in four countries to investigate alleged misappropriation of EU funds by the former far-right Identity and Democracy group in the European Parliament. The probe centres on the misuse of €4.3 million between 2019 and 2024.