{"id":5173,"date":"2026-07-07T14:00:43","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T14:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/07\/07\/nato-summit-faces-tricky-diplomacy-with-trump-over-his-defense-spending-demands-first-thing\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T14:00:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T14:00:43","slug":"nato-summit-faces-tricky-diplomacy-with-trump-over-his-defense-spending-demands-first-thing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=5173","title":{"rendered":"Nato summit faces tricky diplomacy with Trump over his defense spending demands | First Thing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-14sl0e4\">\n<div class=\"dcr-17l77cs\">\n<figure id=\"1cd6e532-bf14-4989-b558-51eccc91a55c\" class=\"dcr-191xnya\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The silhouette of Mark Rutte against a blue background\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/b3ced592716fd22489448f1b509c73a6df828e68\/521_697_3936_3149\/master\/3936.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"372.0236280487805\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><span class=\"dcr-kogzpx\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-18mnkpm\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1294qmb\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-4sl2vt\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1mfxiaj\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Nato secretary general Mark Rutte in Ankara ahead of tricky talks.<\/span> Photograph: Filip Singer\/EPA<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"1cd6e532-bf14-4989-b558-51eccc91a55c\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-qda0hp\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1e9iiy9\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Nato secretary general Mark Rutte in Ankara ahead of tricky talks.<\/span> Photograph: Filip Singer\/EPA<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-ql9l8l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-6mja0y\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-l0wuod\">First Thing: Nato summit faces tricky diplomacy with Trump over his defense spending demands<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1xpojbf\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1gm5ptv\">\n<p>Leaders meeting in Ankara urged to show concrete steps towards increasing their budget contribution. Plus, why Madonna\u2019s new album is a triumph<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-x1al2c\">\n<div class=\"dcr-11gq2tx\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1w2vkyc\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-ogvvui\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Good morning. Nato leaders will gather in Ankara today for their latest summit after a turbulent six months, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jul\/07\/nato-braces-for-difficult-summit-as-trump-puts-pressure-on-spending\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">hoping to mollify an unpredictable Donald Trump<\/a>, as Washington continues to pressure its allies to increase defence spending.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">On Friday, Trump posted a graphic on his Truth Social platform showing Nato members\u2019 defence budgets, comparing a vast US spend of $999m (\u00a3747m) with smaller figures from European states saying the situation was \u201cridiculous\u201d and \u201cone-sided\u201d. The US is planning to cut the number of troops and materiel it assigns to Europe in the event of a war with Russia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Nato members will announce tens of billions in new arms contracts at an industry forum on the sidelines of the summit. Mark Rutte, Nato\u2019s secretary general, called for the allies to present \u201cclear, concrete and credible plans\u201d to reach the organisation\u2019s spending targets. \u201cPresident Trump fully expects that all allies will step up immediately and get on the path to 5% and do it with urgency,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>What is causing tension between the US and the rest of Nato?<\/strong> Since threatening to take control of Greenland from ally Denmark, Trump has failed to consult European leaders before the US and Israel launched their economically disastrous attack on Iran, and complained countries including the UK did not allow US jets to bomb Iran from their territory. He has bizarrely accused Italy\u2019s Giorgia Meloni of being obsessed with him, and relations with Canada\u2019s Mark Carney are strained after Trump voiced an interest in a takeover of the US\u2019s northern neighbor.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"calls-grow-for-graham-platner-to-drop-out-after-sexual-assault-allegation\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Calls grow for Graham Platner to drop out after sexual assault allegation<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"deae02a5-0ba6-4454-b2ec-37665dee2dd5\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-2\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Graham Platner reacts at a campaign town hall meeting in Portland, Maine, in June.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/cb35aa5f77da6fd3f363a877d2b30c82a3a7f6b9\/226_0_3102_2483\/master\/3102.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.20083816892327\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-2\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"deae02a5-0ba6-4454-b2ec-37665dee2dd5\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Graham Platner reacts at a campaign town hall meeting in Portland, Maine, in June.<\/span> Photograph: Brian Snyder\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Calls for Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate for US Senate in Maine, to withdraw his candidacy intensified after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/jul\/06\/graham-platner-assault-allegation\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">a woman accused him of sexual assault<\/a>. While Platner denied the claims, many top Democratic figures quickly called on the beleaguered nominee to step down.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Maine\u2019s Democratic party leadership said Platner should withdraw from the race, and in a joint statement, the Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, and the Democratic senatorial campaign committee chair, Kirsten Gillibrand, said Platner should \u201cimmediately withdraw\u201d. \u201cThe DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>What are the allegations against Platner?<\/strong> In an exclusive Politico report, Jenny Racicot, 41, who previously dated Platner, said he forced her to have sex despite repeated objections. The report cited accounts from a man Racicot later confided in, as well as recent therapist emails, and messages where she warned an acquaintance about Platner in 2023.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>How has Platner responded?<\/strong> Platner denied the claims in a statement to Politico. \u201cThese allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"us-airman-accused-of-exposing-himself-to-16-year-old-girl-avoided-british-trial\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>US airman accused of exposing himself to 16-year-old girl avoided British trial<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"cb936eb0-53ba-4da2-8302-0c1d20ba4ee0\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-3\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Four US air force jets in the sky\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/87883af9b1aa2e7ad3f476435d172c3294368744\/1219_364_3846_3077\/master\/3846.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.02314092563705\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-3\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"cb936eb0-53ba-4da2-8302-0c1d20ba4ee0\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">US air force jets over Washington DC.<\/span> Photograph: Ali Khaligh\/Zuma Press Wire\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A US airman who allegedly exposed himself to a 16-year-old girl and four young women in England was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2026\/jul\/07\/us-airman-accused-of-exposing-himself-to-16-year-old-girl-court-martial\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">able to avoid the English justice system<\/a> after the US military took control of the case. Cambridgeshire police received complaints that the airman, Hannes Marschalek, had indecently exposed himself to the women as they walked past his home in a small town in Cambridgeshire in 2022.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The case has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2026\/jun\/26\/male-jury-woman-strangled-by-us-pilot-britain-airbase-trial\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">echoes of that of Capt Jacob Wulfson<\/a>, a US fighter pilot who strangled a British woman in his apartment in Cambridge city centre. Marschalek was eventually taken to a court martial held at his airbase in 2023, where he and prosecutors negotiated a plea bargain. He later won an appeal in a US military court that quashed his conviction on technical grounds.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>Why is the handling of these cases causing an issue in the UK?<\/strong> In both cases, Cambridgeshire police opted to cede responsibility for investigations of the sexual crimes to the US military, even though the crimes occurred on English soil while the perpetrators were off duty. Wulfson\u2019s victim has spoken of the \u201cdegrading\u201d ordeal when her case was tried in a US military tribunal rather than at an English court.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"in-other-news\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>In other news \u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"cf6f50b5-effa-4a4e-82f2-593efe045201\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-4\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tim Ream looks dejected on the pitch\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/77197d4d9312312da748b2e35565695d602cfd89\/1201_346_3295_2636\/master\/3295.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-4\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"cf6f50b5-effa-4a4e-82f2-593efe045201\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Tim Ream of the USMNT looks dejected after losing.<\/span> Photograph: Xinhua\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>The USMNT crashed out of the World Cup<\/strong> in Seattle after a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/2026\/jul\/06\/usa-belgium-world-cup-2026-match-report\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">4-1 loss to Belgium<\/a>, following controversy after Trump\u2019s intervention over a key player\u2019s suspension.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>Utah prosecutors <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/jul\/06\/charlie-kirk-killing-hearing-begins\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">began presenting their case<\/a> in the killing of Charlie Kirk<\/strong>, as part of a five-day preliminary hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>An Idaho woman who said her infant twins died from vaccines <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/jul\/06\/idaho-woman-deaths-children\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">has been charged with murder<\/a><\/strong>. Andrea Shaw and her husband had appeared on a RFK Jr-linked podcast after the deaths.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>Staff for Mitch McConnell said the Kentucky senator was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/jul\/06\/mitch-mcconnell-health\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">\u201ccontinuing his recovery\u201d in a hospital<\/a><\/strong>, but exact details of his condition remain scarce.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"stat-of-the-day-microsoft-cuts-4800-jobs-as-it-revamps-xbox-in-latest-wave-of-mass-layoffs\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Stat of the day: Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs as it revamps Xbox in latest wave of mass layoffs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"809e8532-7c95-49e0-a8c2-c6c76d0ee139\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-5\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Xbox controller\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/dadab8d6cf866d92819be3005dfe5227bf382938\/741_425_2204_1764\/master\/2204.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.16152450090743\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-5\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"809e8532-7c95-49e0-a8c2-c6c76d0ee139\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">The cuts include the deepest overhaul in Xbox\u2019s history.<\/span> Photograph: Anadolu Agency\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/jul\/06\/microsoft-cuts-jobs-xbox-overhaul-mass-layoffs\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Microsoft is to eliminate about 4,800 jobs<\/a> \u2013 roughly 2% of its global workforce \u2013 in a cost-cutting move. The cuts include the deepest overhaul in Xbox\u2019s history, with approximately 3,200 gaming jobs to be shed and four game studios being spun off or sold.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"culture-pick-why-the-pitt-is-the-most-hopeful-show-on-tv\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Culture <\/strong><strong>pick: Why The Pitt is the most hopeful show on TV<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"6e19ca1f-12db-4d40-a6e1-a447f050e2f4\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-6\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Noah Wyle, left, in a scene from The Pitt.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/3cb7a5c42b77f40a5814fbced72503aa8ddf9b90\/211_0_1600_1280\/master\/1600.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-6\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"6e19ca1f-12db-4d40-a6e1-a447f050e2f4\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Noah Wyle, left, in a scene from The Pitt.<\/span> Photograph: Warrick Page\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">At a time of wars, natural disasters and cynically stoked political divisions, The Pitt offers a rare dose of optimism. That is the view of Michael Hogan <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/tv-and-radio\/2026\/jul\/04\/why-the-pitt-is-the-most-hopeful-show-on-tv\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">in this piece<\/a> looking at the gritty US hospital drama which interweaves life-or-death medical cases with the personal crises of staff in a propulsive real-time format.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"dont-miss-this-oscar-winner-helen-hunt-on-great-roles-unruly-audiences-and-her-rsc-debut\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Don\u2019t miss this: Oscar<\/strong><strong> winner Helen Hunt on great roles, unruly audiences and her RSC debut<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"9ff8608a-d85f-4edd-94c4-947b73e1cafe\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-7\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Helen Hunt\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/ac548c396826b1785dbe41f11556ff7bdf60872f\/1534_362_3432_2747\/master\/3432.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.1815268065268\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-7\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"9ff8608a-d85f-4edd-94c4-947b73e1cafe\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Helen Hunt.<\/span> Photograph: Jordan Strauss\/Invision\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Helen Hunt has come a long way since I was obsessed with her sitcom Mad About You in the 1990s. The formidable actor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/stage\/2026\/jul\/07\/helen-hunt-oscar-rsc-the-cherry-orchard-kenneth-branagh\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">talks to Arifa Akbar<\/a> about the challenge of finding meaty characters, tough times in the US \u2013 and co-starring with her dad\u2019s hero Kenneth Branagh in The Cherry Orchard.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"-or-this-meet-the-tribute-artists-onboard-the-celebrity-impersonators-cruise\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>\u2026 or this: Meet the tribute artists <\/strong><strong>onboard the celebrity impersonators\u2019 cruise<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"d9033ced-0aa9-4127-9692-9e9fbba4166b\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-8\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Illustration of impersonators\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/561bf1ca0acf4d96e41899d71cf6e6120327409d\/0_0_5000_4000\/master\/5000.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-8\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"d9033ced-0aa9-4127-9692-9e9fbba4166b\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Onboard with the improbable sounding Sunburst Convention of Celebrity Impersonators.<\/span> Illustration: Guardian Design\/Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cI can sense Sinatra enter my body and exit my lungs\u201d is one of the less likely sentences you could encounter today, courtesy of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/news\/2026\/jul\/07\/i-can-sense-sinatra-enter-my-body-and-exit-my-lungs-aboard-the-celebrity-impersonators-cruise\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">this long read from Mina Tavakoli<\/a> who was onboard with the improbable sounding Sunburst Convention of Celebrity Impersonators.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"climate-check-why-oil-companies-are-profiting-as-the-world-gets-dangerously-hot\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Climate check: Why oil companies are profiting as the world gets dangerously hot<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"b4db5294-befd-436c-b1a6-eea0a3b45060\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-9\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Firefighters hold a hose in front of flames\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/23002907e2d597a6a9928599e603139a98401c26\/68_0_4583_3667\/master\/4583.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.0582587824569\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-9\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"b4db5294-befd-436c-b1a6-eea0a3b45060\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Firefighters work to prevent flames from advancing in Portugal.<\/span> Photograph: Pedro Rocha\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The scientific consensus is that burning fossil fuels drives the climate crisis, yet, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2026\/jul\/07\/big-oil-companies-profiting-fossil-fuel-global-climate-change\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">as Jonathan Watts reports<\/a>, the world\u2019s biggest oil companies are planning to increase production. The result? An increasing risk of severe climate events, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/gallery\/2026\/jul\/07\/wildfires-southern-europe-in-pictures\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">this striking gallery of images<\/a> from the wildfires raging across southern Europe illustrates.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"last-thing-madonna-was-always-anti-nostalgia-looking-back-on-confessions-ii-has-revitalised-her-music\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Last Thing: Madonna was always anti-nostalgia \u2013 looking back on Confessions II has revitalised her music<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"a22426bc-72c4-41ab-9f2e-05899d85f629\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-10\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Madonna in Confessions II the film.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/fc2321b4f2e5f1fa9dbd5b9260250b4fd4c7cf56\/458_0_2024_1620\/master\/2024.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.17588932806325\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-10\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"a22426bc-72c4-41ab-9f2e-05899d85f629\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Madonna in Confessions II the film.<\/span> Photograph: YouTube\/Madonna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Madonna biographer Lucy O\u2019Brien <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/music\/2026\/jul\/07\/madonna-nostalgia-confessions-ii\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">says her new album<\/a> \u2013 a direct follow-up to 2005\u2019s Confessions on a Dance Floor \u2013 wrestles with nostalgia, grief and loss which makes Madonna\u2019s music deeper than it\u2019s been in the intervening two decades \u2026 but also makes it more alive.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sign-up\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Sign up<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"22e64b81-e078-4c60-bdd0-ea64dbf85e65\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.EmbedBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div data-testid=\"embed-block\" class=\"dcr-bim5uz\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1uhxjbp\">Sign up for the US morning briefing<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">First Thing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If you\u2019re not already signed up, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/info\/2018\/sep\/17\/guardian-us-morning-briefing-sign-up-to-stay-informed\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">subscribe now<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"get-in-touch\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Get in touch<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email <a href=\"mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\" data-link-name=\"in body link | mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\">newsletters@theguardian.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-swayiu\"><span class=\"dcr-1xhbmzr\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-2c03t5\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-p7nd18\">\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-news\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">US news<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/series\/guardian-us-briefing\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">First Thing newsletter<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-313bdz\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Nato%20summit%20faces%20tricky%20diplomacy%20with%20Trump%20over%20his%20defense%20spending%20demands%20%7C%20First%20Thing&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/jul\/07\/first-thing-nato-summit-tricky-diplomacy-trump-defense-spending-demands?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-ncybeu\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-19bkree\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fjul%2F07%2Ffirst-thing-nato-summit-tricky-diplomacy-trump-defense-spending-demands&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/jul\/07\/first-thing-nato-summit-tricky-diplomacy-trump-defense-spending-demands\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-1c41onw\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-axwinp\"><span class=\"dcr-1ryr20k\"><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nato secretary general Mark Rutte in Ankara ahead of tricky talks. 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