Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are escalating rather than easing, with reports of exchanged fire over the weekend tied to disputes over the Strait of Hormuz. The prospects for a ceasefire appear to be receding as the standoff continues. Meanwhile, Congress returns from recess to face a demanding legislative week with tight deadlines.

Hungary's parliament has voted to remove President Tamás Sulyok from office. Sulyok was widely viewed as a loyalist of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who lost power in April after 16 years in office. The move signals a significant political shift in Hungary's post-Orbán landscape.

The European Union has banned gold imports from Sudan in an effort to cut off a key funding source for the ongoing war. The measure also restricts exports of mercury and cyanide, chemicals widely used in gold mining, to the country. The move targets the economic underpinnings sustaining the conflict.

President Trump's deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., has been extended multiple times and is now set to last until Inauguration Day 2029. This marks a significant and prolonged use of military forces in the nation's capital under his administration.

A Colombian national was fatally shot by an ICE agent during an operation in Biddeford, Maine, with a senator noting the man had allegedly 'weaponized' his vehicle. This shooting comes less than a week after another fatal ICE shooting of an undocumented migrant in Houston, raising concerns about a pattern of lethal force during immigration enforcement operations.

The U.S. has launched a third consecutive night of strikes on Iran as the conflict escalates, with President Trump announcing a 20% charge as part of a new blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE has condemned Iran's attack on tankers as 'brazen,' signaling growing regional tensions tied to this critical shipping chokepoint.

South Carolina's governor has appointed Lindsey Graham's sister to serve out the remainder of his U.S. Senate term. The move fills the seat following Graham's departure and places a family member in the influential South Carolina Senate seat. This appointment will shape South Carolina's representation in Washington until the term concludes or a special election is held.

The Pentagon and Justice Department have established a joint task force to investigate and prosecute leaks of information to the news media. The move signals a significant escalation in efforts to control internal communications and could raise concerns about press freedom and transparency in defense reporting.

The U.S. military reallocated funds from construction, maintenance, and troop relocation budgets to cover a $2.64 billion border security mission. This diversion highlights the financial strain competing national security priorities are placing on core military infrastructure and readiness spending.

German defense startup Helsing raised $1.8 billion in what is being called Europe's largest defense-technology funding round to date. The raise underscores surging venture capital interest in military technology, driven by rising defense budgets across Europe amid heightened security concerns.