Good morning, and welcome to The Morning Scoop, your rapid roundup of the biggest stories making headlines around the world today.
From breaking news and royal updates to entertainment, politics, and viral moments everyone’s talking about, here’s everything you need to know to start your day.
Jill Biden feared Joe Biden had a stroke in 2024 debate
Former First Lady Jill Biden has revealed that she feared Joe Biden was suffering a stroke during his disastrous 2024 debate performance against Donald Trump — a moment that would ultimately derail his re-election campaign.
In a new interview with CBS News promoting her upcoming memoir View From the East Wing, Jill Biden said she was “frightened” watching her husband struggle through the televised debate, admitting: “I thought, ‘Oh my God, he’s having a stroke.’” She added that she had “never ever seen Joe like that before or since.”
The June 2024 debate became one of the defining political moments of the election cycle, with Biden appearing hoarse, confused at times, and repeatedly losing his train of thought in front of tens of millions of viewers.
The performance triggered immediate panic within the Democratic Party and intensified long-running concerns about Biden’s age and fitness for office. Although the White House initially blamed the performance on a cold and exhaustion, pressure from Democratic lawmakers and donors rapidly mounted in the weeks afterward.
Biden eventually withdrew from the presidential race less than a month later, endorsing Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
Trump feels no political pressure to make Iran deal
President Donald Trump has reportedly told advisers and negotiators that he feels under little political pressure to rush into a deal with Iran, despite growing international concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East.
According to reporting discussed by The New York Times, Trump believes Iran is in a weakened position economically and strategically, allowing the United States to negotiate from what he sees as a position of strength.
He has repeatedly argued that Tehran “needs a deal more than we do,” while dismissing concerns that prolonged negotiations could hurt him politically ahead of the midterm elections.
The comments come amid increasingly fragile negotiations surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, regional security, and the future of the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
Trump has rejected reports suggesting a near-final agreement is in place, insisting current proposals remain unsatisfactory and warning that military action is still possible if diplomacy fails. At the same time, some Republican allies have criticised any potential compromise with Tehran, arguing the administration risks giving away too much after months of military pressure and sanctions.
Kremlin issues warning to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia
Tensions between Russia and the Baltic states have escalated sharply in recent weeks after Vladimir Putin and senior Kremlin figures issued warnings toward Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia amid a string of drone incidents linked to the war in Ukraine.
Moscow has accused the Baltic nations of enabling or tolerating Ukrainian drone operations near Russian territory — claims the Baltic governments strongly deny. The warnings have fuelled fears of a broader confrontation between Russia and NATO, particularly because all three Baltic states are NATO members sharing sensitive borders with Russia and Belarus.
The situation intensified after stray Ukrainian drones reportedly crossed into Baltic airspace, prompting NATO fighter scrambles, public shelter alerts, and emergency security responses in parts of Latvia and Lithuania.
Russia has since accused the Baltics of playing a role in attacks on Russian infrastructure, while Baltic leaders insist Russia is using the incidents as part of a wider intimidation and disinformation campaign.
European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, condemned Moscow’s rhetoric as “completely unacceptable,” warning that threats against one EU member are viewed as threats against the entire bloc.
Matthew Perry’s assistant jailed for for 41 months over actor’s death
Kenneth Iwamasa, the longtime live-in assistant to late Matthew Perry, has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his role in supplying the ketamine that contributed to the Friends star’s death in October 2023.
Prosecutors said Iwamasa repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine in the days leading up to his death, despite having no medical qualifications, and admitted in court that he continued administering the drug even after Perry experienced alarming physical reactions.
The sentencing marks one of the most high-profile developments yet in the ongoing investigation into the actor’s death.
Federal investigators alleged that Perry had become deeply dependent on ketamine therapy and that a network of enablers — including medical professionals and intermediaries — exploited his addiction for profit.
Court documents revealed text messages in which some of those involved allegedly mocked Perry behind his back while charging him enormous sums for the drug. Iwamasa pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death and cooperated with prosecutors as authorities widened the case against several others accused of involvement in the illegal supply chain.
Former attorney general Pam Bondi diagnosed with cancer
Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has revealed that she is undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer after being diagnosed shortly after leaving the Justice Department in April.
Bondi, 60, said she recently underwent surgery and is now recovering while continuing treatment, telling CNN and CBS that she is “doing well.” The diagnosis became public just weeks after Donald Trump removed her from her position as attorney general amid growing controversy surrounding the handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files.
That’s all for today! Check back tomorrow for another edition of The Morning Scoop!
