Politics & World Affairs — July 8, 2026

Le Pen launches fourth presidential bid. Marine Le Pen announced a fourth bid for the French presidency hours after an appeals court upheld her embezzlement conviction. She is campaigning under a court-ordered electronic monitor. (<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgdlprp1r3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss">More</a>)

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China tests missile in South Pacific. China conducted a long-range missile test in the South Pacific hours after Australia and Fiji signed a defense agreement, drawing condemnation from Canberra and Pacific leaders. (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/06/china-missile-test-south-pacific">More</a>)

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McConnell hospitalized nearly four weeks. Sen. Mitch McConnell, 84, has remained hospitalized for nearly four weeks. Aides have released few details -- fueling speculation about the Kentucky Republican's health and Senate seat. (<a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/mitch-mcconnell-hospital-weeks-whats-going-on-1235590542/">More</a>)

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Michigan Senate rivals clash. Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Haley Stevens clashed in a Michigan Senate primary debate that exposed the divide between progressives and moderates in a state Democrats consider must-win. (<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dem-civil-war-hits-primary-debate-stage-el-sayed-stevens-clash">More</a>)

Fox News characterized the matchup as a civil war within the Democratic Party, highlighting an exchange in which one candidate demanded of the other, "What are you hiding?" The confrontation pitted El-Sayed, running from the party's left flank, against Stevens, a sitting House member, as Democrats weigh which wing of the party gives them the strongest chance to hold the battleground seat.

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Democrats press Platner to exit. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders withdrew endorsements of Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner after a second sexual assault allegation surfaced. Platner denied the earlier allegation as "categorically false." (<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2004nx8v9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss">More</a>)

Platner told supporters he was reflecting on the best path forward, according to the BBC, even as he rejected the first accusation. The withdrawal of support from Warren and Sanders came after a second accusation emerged, and party officials have begun maneuvering over how a replacement candidate could appear on the Maine ballot if Platner leaves the race.

BBC World · Read more →