Briefing

The United Nations says June was the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since April 2022. The civilian toll exceeded May’s record, when 282 people were killed and 1,794 were injured. The June figure also represented a 37% increase from June 2025. The report highlights a worsening civilian cost amid the continuing war in Ukraine.

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Spain have won their World Cup semi-final against France. Spanish supporters gathered in the FIFA fan zone in Dallas to celebrate the team’s 2-0 victory. The result sends Spain through to the World Cup final. Fans marked the win together at the venue.

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France entered the World Cup semi-final as the strong favourite after a series of breathtaking attacking performances. Didier Deschamps’ side appeared poised to pursue another appearance in the final and a chance to lift the famous golden trophy. Instead, they encountered a slick Spain team that matched them and then took control. The European champions outplayed and outsmarted Les Bleus, ending France’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive final.

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European champions Spain produced a controlled and commanding performance to defeat France 2-0. The victory sends Spain through to the World Cup final. Their opponent will be either Argentina or England. Spain’s disciplined display secured their place in the tournament’s decisive match.

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US lawmakers have unveiled an updated bill aimed at imposing sanctions on Russia, with the initiative spearheaded by the late Senator Graham. The measure would levy tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest buyers of Russian oil or natural gas. It would also give the US president authority to waive the sanctions, provided the president offers a justification and certifies it to Congress.

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President Donald Trump said Washington has held talks with Iran and called on Tehran to reach a deal. He warned that US strikes would intensify if negotiations fail to deliver results. Trump also said key infrastructure could be targeted as the campaign escalates. The strikes, he declared, will continue until he decides that enough is enough.

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US President Donald Trump has abruptly reversed course over tolls linked to the Strait of Hormuz. The about-face is described as the latest twist in a conflict that has continued for more than four months. It suggests Trump is struggling to bring the war with Iran to an end. The development adds another turn to the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

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US President Donald Trump says Washington and Tehran continue to maintain contact. Separately, he said he would keep energy targets for last, while making clear that they would ultimately be attacked. Trump also stated that he is unwilling to negotiate at the moment. His remarks combine a claim of continued communication with an explicit threat against energy targets.

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A place in the World Cup final is on the line as France meet Spain at Dallas Stadium. France, led by Kylian Mbappé, face Lamine Yamal’s Spain on Bastille Day. The semi-final brings together the tournament’s most formidable attacking force and its smoothest midfield alongside the tightest defence. Live coverage follows the match minute by minute, tracking this high-stakes clash of contrasting styles.

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Mahmoud Khalil filed a lawsuit in federal court on Tuesday, accusing senior Trump administration officials and several groups of conspiring against him. The former Columbia University student became a prominent face of the administration’s crackdown on demonstrators supporting Palestinian rights. His complaint names the pro-Israel Heritage Foundation along with online surveillance groups Canary Mission and Betar. The allegations are presented in the lawsuit and concern actions directed at Khalil.

Mahmoud KhalilTrump administrationlawsuitPalestinian rights

Ukraine says drones struck several Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight on Tuesday. The claim was made by the commander of Kyiv’s drone forces. The Kremlin rejected the suggestion that repeated Ukrainian attacks on the important export route would affect Russia’s ability to export. The report concerns an escalating dispute over attacks on shipping and their possible economic impact.

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The World Health Organization says the actual number of Ebola cases in Congo may be four times higher than the official count. Chikwe Ihekweazu, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program, said many patients die at home. Those patients never reach a medical facility, meaning their illnesses are not captured in formal reporting. The warning suggests the published tally may substantially understate the outbreak’s true scale.

CongoEbolaWorld Health Organization

The World Health Organization warns that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo may be far larger than official figures indicate. The UN health agency says cases are being underreported, with the true tally potentially reaching twice the reported number. Doctors at the outbreak’s epicentre are also threatening to strike. The warning highlights mounting pressure on the response as reporting gaps and medical staff tensions persist.

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The World Health Organization estimates that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo may be as much as four times larger than the official toll. The assessment suggests that the reported figures could significantly understate the scale of the outbreak. It raises concern about the true extent of the health emergency in the country.

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A Sudanese court has sentenced General Hemedti, commander of the Rapid Support Forces, to death in absentia. The court says he is responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The allegations focus particularly on the West Darfur region. France 24 regional correspondent Bastien Renouil reports on the case and its details.

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France and Spain meet in a semifinal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The two teams are described as the tournament’s favourites. Live coverage follows the clash through ongoing updates and text commentary. The match brings two highly anticipated contenders together as they compete for a place in the final.

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Football supporters in Dallas are getting ready for one of the World Cup’s most eagerly awaited matches. France and Spain will meet in Tuesday’s semifinal, with a place in Sunday’s final at stake. French stars Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé will face a Spanish defence that has allowed only one goal throughout the tournament. Fans of both Les Bleus and La Roja are hoping their side can edge the other and reach the final.

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Didier Deschamps has reaffirmed his earlier assessment that Spain are the most likely team to win the World Cup. Spain will face France on Tuesday in a direct battle for a place in the final and a chance to add a second star to their shirt. The Spanish side have won the tournament only once, in 2010. Separately, Senegal’s Football Federation held its first press conference since coach Pape Thiawe was sacked, offering fresh insight into tensions inside the organisation.

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France will hold its Bastille Day parade with Ukraine at the center of the celebrations. Troops and warplanes from across Europe are expected to take part in a display of support for Ukraine as it continues to fend off Russia’s invasion. The event will also mark Emmanuel Macron’s last Bastille Day as France’s president. The parade combines a national ceremony with a visible expression of European backing for Kyiv.

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France’s annual July 14 military parade will put European backing for Ukraine on display. Aircraft from 11 European countries are expected to take part, alongside about 500 troops from the “Coalition of the Willing.” The participating countries have pledged to help provide Ukraine with security after the war. The occasion will also be President Emmanuel Macron’s final Bastille Day in office.

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French supporters in Dallas are expressing confidence before France face Spain in the World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, July 14. Other fans are also feeling optimistic about the expected result. The match will bring the two teams together in a high-stakes semifinal, with supporters looking ahead to the contest with strong belief in their side.

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France coach Deschamps says his team will enter the World Cup semifinal fully prepared and with a complete squad. The French side is expecting a midfield battle against Spain, described as the European champions. Deschamps also indicates that Kylian is fine, easing concerns about his availability. France is ready for the high-profile matchup.

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An official says a man was killed by an immigration agent during an operation in Maine. The incident occurred less than a week after an undocumented migrant was fatally shot in Houston by an immigration agent. The two incidents place renewed attention on lethal encounters involving immigration enforcement operations. The report presents the Maine death through the official’s account and links it to the earlier Houston shooting.

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The United States has carried out strikes on Iran for a third consecutive night. Before the latest operation, Trump warned that Iran would be hit “very hard”. The UAE said Iranian cruise missiles struck two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one crew member and injuring eight others. US Central Command said the five-hour mission hit military targets in several Iranian locations, with the stated aim of further reducing Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping.

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The US military has completed a five-hour wave of strikes against Iran, according to Central Command. A statement said American forces hit military targets across the country. The locations named were Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa and Bandar Abbas. The statement described the sites as part of the targets struck during the operation.

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