Briefing

The United States launched another salvo against Iran early Tuesday, extending the strikes into a third night. The attack represents a further escalation after hostilities resumed. US President Donald Trump nevertheless said an agreement with Tehran remained possible. The live developments combine renewed military action with continued talk of a potential deal, as tensions remain high across the Middle East.

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The US is launching another series of strikes against Iran, according to Central Command. Its statement says the operation is taking place on the third night of attacks. Central Command said the strikes are being conducted “at the Commander in Chief’s direction.” The announcement indicates that direct US-Iran military action is continuing.

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A US military aircraft was reportedly seen over the Persian Gulf as Trump threatened strikes against Iran. The sighting was reported by a source working in Middle Eastern air traffic control services. The aircraft was identified as a US Air Force Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker. The report links the flight to the period of heightened threats against Iran.

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Attorneys general from a dozen states are making a final effort to block Paramount’s $110 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery. They warn that the deal could increase movie prices and crush cable television distributors. California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Washington filed suit on Monday. The case seeks to stop the proposed merger from going ahead.

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A US judge has ruled that Donald Trump and the Department of Justice misused the courts in a settlement involving an “anti-weaponization” fund. The ruling also alleges self-dealing connected to the agreement. The settlement has therefore been voided. The case centers on the conduct of the US president and the Justice Department in reaching the deal.

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A US judge has voided Donald Trump’s $1.8bn settlement with the Internal Revenue Service. The agreement had provided him with immunity from tax audits. The judge said the lawsuit had been brought for “improper purposes”. A Trump attorney was also referred for possible disciplinary action. The ruling removes the protection that the settlement had provided against IRS audits.

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Ukraine and key Western allies announced on Monday that they are creating an air-defence coalition aimed at confronting Russia’s ballistic missile threat. The partners plan to jointly develop a new anti-ballistic missile system. It is presented as a cheaper alternative to the US Patriot system. France 24’s Gulliver Cragg reports from Ukraine.

Ukraineair defenceballistic missilesWestern allies

Ten European countries, Ukraine among them, have announced the formation of an integrated coalition focused on ballistic missile defense. The initiative brings the participating states together under a shared defensive framework. The announcement describes cooperation on ballistic missile protection as the coalition’s central purpose. No further operational details were provided in the statement.

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Iran has attacked American military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait following a new wave of US strikes on Iran. The US military says dozens of Iranian sites were hit on Monday. The UN chief warns that a return to full-scale fighting would be “catastrophic.” Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says its counterstrikes also targeted radar systems in Oman. Oman’s interior ministry reported that sirens were being activated and told residents to move to the nearest safe place while awaiting further instructions.

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An expert panel has called for limits on young children’s access to social media across the European Union. The recommendation concerns children under the age of 13. The European Commission is expected to put forward a legislative proposal on the issue in the coming months. The move could lead to an EU-wide policy framework for restricting access.

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France arrived in Dallas on July 12 to prepare for a World Cup semifinal against Spain. The French side reached the last four after defeating Morocco 2-0, while Spain advanced by beating Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals. France are only narrow favourites ahead of the match. Spain, however, have enjoyed the better results in recent meetings, defeating Les Bleus at the 2024 Euros and again in last year’s Nations League semifinal.

World CupsemifinalFranceSpain

France have reached Dallas ahead of their World Cup semi-final against European champions Spain. The match will decide which team earns a place in the final. Both sides are expected to encounter their toughest challenge of the tournament so far. Spain have conceded only once, while France enter the showdown after keeping clean sheets in each of their last three matches.

World CupFranceSpain

France continue their pursuit of the World Cup title in a blockbuster semifinal against Spain. Kylian Mbappe is the central figure for France, while Lamine Yamal leads the Spanish challenge. The matchup brings together two prominent attacking talents. Coverage focuses on the star players, predictions and the scheduled kickoff.

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The European Union has announced sanctions against nine individuals and four entities. The measures target what the EU describes as an alleged cyber-espionage campaign linked to Russia. The campaign is said to have continued for years. The announcement places the alleged activity at the centre of the bloc’s latest punitive action.

EU sanctionsRussiacyber espionage

The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on GRU officers allegedly involved in cyber operations targeting the UK. It has also sanctioned the Rybar military analytical center. The measures form part of a new round of EU and UK sanctions against Russia. Efforts to advance the 21st package face hurdles.

EU sanctionsUK sanctionsRussiacyber operations

The European Union and the United Kingdom have imposed their first joint sanctions targeting Russia’s cyber-war complex. The measures form part of the EU’s largest-ever sanctions package. They also mark the first time Romania has proposed specific restrictions against Russia. The action broadens pressure on Russia’s cyber-related activities.

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The UK government says it will designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. The Home Office will prohibit support for the group, which ministers describe as a central branch of Iran’s military. The decision marks a major escalation in diplomatic tensions with Tehran. British political divisions over the issue had continued for years. The measure amounts to proscription, although the Home Office says it is not legally identical to a formal ban.

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Drone attacks in the Moscow region killed at least three people and injured five others, Governor Andrey Vorobyov said on Telegram on Monday. The reported strikes come as Ukraine intensifies attacks on Russian energy targets. Kyiv’s actions are described as a response to barrages launched by Moscow. The incident adds to the widening pattern of attacks linked to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

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Moscow Region Governor Andrey Vorobyov said air defenses repelled an attack involving 81 drones over the region. Three people were killed in the incident, while three others were injured. The governor provided the casualty figures in his statement about the attack.

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Sam Neill, known for his role in Jurassic Park, has died at the age of 78. He was among a generation of actors who gained international recognition after Australian cinema experienced a major surge in the 1970s. That wave of Australian films helped bring their work to audiences around the world.

Sam NeillJurassic Parkfilmobituary

New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known for starring in ‘Jurassic Park’, has died at the age of 78. His family announced his death in a statement on Monday.

Sam NeillJurassic Parkobituary

New Zealand actor Sam Neill has died at the age of 78. His death was described as unexpected. Neill was widely known for playing Dr. Alan Grant in the 1993 film Jurassic Park. The role became the defining performance highlighted in reports of his career.

Sam NeillJurassic Parkfilmobituary