NATO will undertake "the biggest overhaul of collective defense and deterrence since the Cold War" at this week's key summit in Madrid, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday.
Driving the news: Stoltenberg announced that NATO will increase the number of high-readiness forces to "well over 300,000” from around 40,000, and it will step up its presence on its eastern flank with Russia.
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea would expect the U.S. to respond militarily to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, according to a South Korean official.
Why it matters: China's threats to bring the self-governing island under its control, by force if necessary, present perhaps the most likely scenario for war with the U.S. As a U.S. ally, South Korea would be wary of getting pulled into such a conflict, the official said, but would worry about its own security if the U.S. did not respond with force.
Indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal will resume Tuesday in Qatar with the EU serving as mediator.
State of play: U.S. Iran envoy Rob Malley arrived in Doha on Monday and met with the Qatari foreign minister ahead of the resumption of talks. Senior State Department officials tell Axios they agreed to explore the paths forward during the Doha talks, but stressed that they have low expectations.
WNBA star Brittney Griner appeared in court on Monday for a preliminary hearing — four months after she was arrested at a Moscow airport, AP reports.
Driving the news: Griner's court appearance in the Moscow suburb of Khimki was set to address procedural issues ahead of her trial, which on Monday was scheduled to begin July 1, per AP.
Why it matters: The move, one of a number of steps NATO is taking to adapt to a "new security reality," helps constitute "the biggest overhaul of collective defense and deterrence since the Cold War," Stoltenberg said.
Why it matters: This is the foreseeable outcome of sanctions imposed due to the invasion of Ukraine, even though Russia had successfully pushed off the inevitable for months. For now, the default is mostly notable for its symbolism as Russia's first foreign debt default since 1918, reflecting the country's international pariah status and crumbling economy.
Russian forces increased their assault on Lysychansk Monday as they tried to encircle the city in eastern Ukraine from the south, Ukrainian officials said.
A stand at a Colombia bullring collapsed and killed at least six people and injured more than 100 others on Sunday, provincial officials said, per the New York Times.
The big picture: The tragedy occurred in the central Colombian city of El Espinal in Tolima as members of the public participated in a bull-running event, according to multiple reports. President-elect Gustavo Petroi said he's asked officials "not to allow more events involving the death of people or animals," the BBC reports.
A funeral was held Sunday at a cemetery outside Rio de Janeiro for British journalist Dom Phillips, who was killed in Brazil this month alongside Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira, AP reported.
Driving the news: A suspect confessed to the killing and led police to a site with human remains, bringing an end to a 10-day-long search that was launched when the two men went missing.
Why it matters: Human rights groups and global leaders have warned the court's ruling could have wide-reaching consequences for reproductive rights around the world, writes Axios' Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath.
The United States will contribute $200 billion over five years to a G7 infrastructure partnership, President Biden announced Sunday.
Driving the news: The G7 countries aim to provide $600 billion by 2027 to the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, which seeks to meet the infrastructure needs of low- and middle-income countries.
The office of Prince Charles has denied there was any wrongdoing in the heir to the British throne accepting bags full of cash as charity donations from a Qatari politician, Reuters reported Sunday.
Driving the news: The Sunday Times on Saturday reported the prince was given a total of 3 million euros ($3.2 million) by Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim, the former prime minister of Qatar.
According to Iranian state television reports, Iran launched a solid-fueled rocket equipped with a satellite carrier on Sunday despite nuclear talks being set to resume between Iran and the U.S., per AP.
President Biden announced Sunday that the U.S. and other members of the G7 will impose a ban on imports of Russian gold as part of an effort to impose costs on Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, for the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Driving the news: "The United States has imposed unprecedented costs on Putin to deny him the revenue he needs to fund his war against Ukraine," Biden tweeted Sunday.
At least 22 people were found dead at a nightclub in East London, South Africa, early Sunday morning, though their cause of death remains unknown, AP reports.
Driving the news: The bodies of the deceased, found draped across tables and chairs at the club, did not bear marks of any visible injuries, local media reported, per AP.
