Politics & World Affairs — July 1, 2026

Court expands presidential firing power. The Supreme Court's ruling in Trump v. Slaughter endorsed the unitary executive theory, allowing Trump to remove independent agency commissioners. The decision significantly expands White House control over federal regulators.

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Afghanistan strikes Pakistani territory. The Taliban said they launched airstrikes into Pakistan; Islamabad said its forces intercepted and shot down four drones, escalating a border standoff between the two countries.

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Court ends party spending limits. The Supreme Court overturned decades of campaign finance precedent, allowing political parties to make unlimited coordinated expenditures with campaigns ahead of the 2026 midterms.

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Republicans challenge voter roll purge law. Republicans are asking courts to reinterpret a federal law that bans most states from purging voter rolls within 90 days before Election Day, ahead of the 2026 midterms.

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US-Iran Doha talks hit early friction. U.S. and Iranian delegations held their first technical-level talks in Doha on Wednesday, focusing on Hormuz shipping rights and ceasefire terms. Iran publicly insisted it will not cede control of the strait.

Reuters · Read more →