The Supreme Court upholds grace periods for mail-in ballots, siding against the GOP

• De La Rochère reports that LGBT organizations are attempting to normalize surrogacy through cultural influence, utilizing books, films, and television to shift public opinion. • Pro-surrogacy advocates are pivoting their strategy from seeking legislative reform to pursuing international legal proceedings to secure the legal recognition of children born via surrogacy.

• Right-wing populists in Europe are increasingly promoting support for air-conditioning as the continent faces intensifying heatwaves. • This shift represents a political pivot, as these groups move toward endorsing energy-intensive cooling solutions to appeal to sweltering voters.

• Andy Burnham will deliver a speech on Monday outlining a 10-year plan to transform the economy by shifting decision-making power to local communities and regions. • The proposal aims to achieve "good growth in every postcode" and serves as a "circuit-breaker" to address low public trust in national politics.

• Spain's national meteorological agency (Aemet) has issued a warning regarding an incoming mass of warm air that will drive temperatures above normal levels. • The heatwave is expected to intensify gradually throughout the week, peaking with extreme temperatures by the weekend.

• Andy Burnham has proposed establishing a "No 10 North" in Manchester to devolve more power to UK regions and promote "good growth in every British postcode" if he becomes Prime Minister. • His specific plans include increasing residential density in towns, utilizing vacant public land for building, and granting regional mayors control over employment support and mental health services to reduce welfare spending.

• Andy Burnham, the frontrunner to become the next UK Prime Minister, is set to unveil a 10-year economic and devolution plan focused on raising living standards. • Housing Secretary Steve Reed confirmed that Burnham remains committed to the manifesto that secured Keir Starmer's large majority two years ago.

• The US Supreme Court issued a blockbuster decision expanding the president's legal authority to dismiss top government officials. • This ruling shifts control of dozens of federal agencies to the White House, removing protections for officials who previously operated independently.

• Fourteen U.S. states have already implemented laws similar to the federal SAVE Act, requiring voters to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, to register. • While the federal version of the SAVE Act faces potential stalls in Congress, proponents are shifting their strategy toward state-level legislation and citizen-initiated ballot measures.

• The Supreme Court issued a ruling that strengthens President Trump’s authority to fire independent agency members, a move Trump described as a historic expansion of presidential power. • Despite this broader authority, the Court specifically protected Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, ruling that Fed governors can only be fired "for cause" rather than for any reason.

• The Supreme Court ruled on Monday, June 29, 2026, that the president has the authority to fire the heads of independent agencies without cause. • The decision specifically allows President Donald Trump to remove Democratic member Rebecca Slaughter from the Federal Trade Commission, whom he fired last year.

• Former President Trump attempted to remove a Federal Reserve governor, Cook, citing unsubstantiated mortgage fraud allegations which Cook has denied. • The legal dispute centers on a congressional statute requiring governors to be removed only "for cause," a term that remains undefined by law.

• The Supreme Court expanded presidential authority by upholding Donald Trump’s right to fire heads of independent federal agencies, overturning the long-standing precedent set by Humphrey's Executor. • In the case involving former Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter, the conservative majority ruled that the president can remove such officials even when federal law requires a specific cause.