TAYLOR SWIFT AND TRAVIS KELCE'S WEDDING CEREMONY BEGINS AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN UNDER HEAVY SECURITY

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding ceremony is under way at Madison Square Garden in New York, with around a thousand guests arriving under tight security on Friday evening.

Hollywood actors, musicians and sports stars have been spotted entering the arena, with every guest — no matter how famous — required to pass through security screening.

The New York Police Department has closed roads around the venue and deployed hundreds of officers, with the event falling on the eve of the July the Fourth holiday weekend.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

IN: “Good evening from...”
OUT: “...into the arena.”
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Mitch Mccann in New York says the security operation around Madison Square Garden rivals the measures deployed when US President Donald Trump attended a recent basketball game at the same venue.

IN: “It was only...”
OUT: “...is strictly controlled.”
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ETHICS WATCHDOGS CALL OUT TRUMP JR.'S STAKE IN GUN RETAILER SET TO BENEFIT FROM ATF HOME DELIVERY RULE

Ethics groups have raised conflict-of-interest concerns about Donald Trump Junior's commercial ties to GrabAGun, a Texas-based online firearms retailer where he sits on the board and holds a one-point-one per cent stake.

The company stands to gain from a proposed rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that would allow licensed dealers to ship guns directly to in-state buyers who pass an online background check — and GrabAGun has already set up a logistics subsidiary to handle direct-to-consumer fulfilment.

Gun safety campaigners say the proposal would weaken safeguards by removing the requirement for in-person verification.

Jagruti Dave has the story from Washington.

IN: “Currently, if someone...”
OUT: “...than in person.”
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TAYLOR SWIFT AND TRAVIS KELCE'S WEDDING CEREMONY SET FOR THIS EVENING AT NEW YORK'S MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are set to marry at New York's Madison Square Garden this evening, with around eleven hundred guests expected and heavy police security in place around the venue.

Ahead of the wedding, the couple have made significant charitable donations, with country music legend Dolly Parton publicly thanking them for a two-million-dollar gift to her Imagination Library charity.

New York-based organisations have also received gifts from the couple.

From New York, Mitch Mccann reports.

IN: “We understand that...”
OUT: “...hours from now.”
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PAKISTAN'S PM SHARIF TRAVELS TO IRAN FOR AYATOLLAH KHAMENEI'S FUNERAL

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is in Tehran for the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a visit that coincides with continuing US-Iran ceasefire negotiations under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

Iranian authorities have warned the United States and Israel against any attacks during the funeral proceedings, which are expected to take place across multiple locations.

Hira Mustafa has the story from Islamabad.

IN: “Funeral proceedings are...”
OUT: “...Qom and Iraq.”
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UGANDA REPORTS MARBURG OUTBREAK COMPLICATING RESPONSE TO BUNDIBUGYO EBOLA EPIDEMIC

Uganda has reported a Marburg disease outbreak in the west of the country to the World Health Organization, further straining the regional response to what is already the third-largest Ebola epidemic on record.

The Bundibugyo strain driving the outbreak across the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has no approved vaccine or treatment, and clinical trials of three candidate vaccines remain months away.

The WHO has recommended against using the existing Zaire Ebola vaccine, saying there is insufficient evidence it would work against the Bundibugyo strain.

Michael Baleke reports from Kampala.

IN: “The trial will...”
OUT: “...international health partners.”
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INDIA AND JAPAN SIGN FIRST JOINT DEFENCE DEVELOPMENT DEAL AS TAKAICHI WRAPS UP NEW DELHI SUMMIT

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is wrapping up her first visit to India as leader, after she and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed sixteen agreements at their annual summit in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The deals span defence, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals and energy — with Japanese companies committing around twelve-and-a-half billion dollars in new investment.

The summit comes against a backdrop of strained relations between Japan and China, with Beijing having tightened controls on exports of rare earth materials to Tokyo since January.

Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi.

IN: “Mr. Modi said...”
OUT: “...and open Indo-Pacific.”
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WHITE HOUSE IN ADVANCED TALKS WITH AI FIRMS ON VOLUNTARY STANDARDS FOR NEW MODEL RELEASES

The White House is in advanced talks with artificial intelligence companies on voluntary standards governing the release of new AI models, with an announcement expected as soon as next week, according to the Financial Times.

While OpenAI has proposed giving the US government a five per cent stake in AI firms, the AI company Anthropic has put forward a separate plan based on taxation rather than equity.

The competing proposals reflect a broader debate over how the public should benefit from the rapid growth of the AI industry.

Jagruti Dave has more from Washington.

IN: “It would be...”
OUT: “...benefit the public.”
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ENGLAND WOMEN FACE SOUTH AFRICA IN ICC WOMEN'S T20 WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL AT THE OVAL

England Women are taking on South Africa Women in the second semi-final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup at The Oval in London this evening, with England unbeaten in five group-stage matches.

Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt returns to the side after missing three matches with a calf injury, but England lost to South Africa in both of their previous two meetings.

The winner will face Australia in Sunday's sold-out final at Lord's.

Stuart Smith reports from London.

IN: “Perhaps England, not...”
OUT: “...game to come.”
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Stuart Smith at The Oval says the location of the semi-final could give South Africa an unexpected boost from their supporters in the crowd.

IN: “This is a...”
OUT: “...support their team.”
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Stuart Smith at The Oval says the return of captain Nat Sciver-Brunt adds an element of unpredictability to England's semi-final against South Africa.

IN: “Potentially South Africa...”
OUT: “...last three matches.”
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US ECONOMY ADDS JUST 57,000 JOBS IN JUNE — ROUGHLY HALF WHAT ECONOMISTS FORECAST

The United States added only 57,000 jobs in June, well below the roughly 115,000 that economists had forecast, while average hourly earnings grew at 3.5 per cent — still lagging behind annual inflation of 4.2 per cent.

Markets are now pricing in an 80 per cent chance the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady at its next meeting, though speculation about a possible rate rise later in the autumn has not gone away.

Mitch Mccann has more from New York.

IN: “I think the...”
OUT: “...been, about 4.2%.”
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(ALT)

Mitch Mccann in New York says OpenAI's reported offer to hand the US government a stake worth billions of dollars may be as much about public relations and regulatory goodwill as it is about sharing the benefits of artificial intelligence.

IN: “It's been reported...”
OUT: “...you could say.”
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RUSSIA LAUNCHES MASSIVE RETALIATORY STRIKE ON KYIV WITH NEARLY 500 DRONES AND 70-PLUS MISSILES

Russia has launched a massive combined strike on Kyiv, firing nearly five hundred drones and more than seventy missiles at the Ukrainian capital, killing at least twenty-one people and injuring dozens more.

The assault comes days after Ukraine targeted Moscow with sixty-one drones, hitting what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said was a satellite communications centre used to coordinate Russian military operations.

Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to the scale of the Russian bombardment.

Dasha Chernyshova reports from Moscow.

IN: “The Russian officials...”
OUT: “...Valery Gerasimov himself.”
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Dasha Chernyshova in Moscow says Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries are causing fuel shortages across the country, with authorities imposing rationing on how much drivers can buy.

IN: “I have been...”
OUT: “...region, for instance.”
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TAYLOR SWIFT AND TRAVIS KELCE'S REHEARSAL DINNER SET TO BEGIN AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN AHEAD OF FRIDAY'S WEDDING

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's rehearsal dinner for around a hundred guests is due to get under way at Madison Square Garden's Infosys Theater in New York tonight, ahead of the couple's wedding at the arena on Friday.

Law enforcement officials have confirmed the ceremony will take place on the main arena floor, with around a thousand guests expected for a black-tie celebration under strict secrecy rules, including non-disclosure agreements and a ban on mobile phones.

The New York Police Department is deploying around a hundred and thirty-five officers across both events, with counterterrorism units and explosive-detection teams among the security measures.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

IN: “In the last...”
OUT: “...for this wedding.”
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Mitch Mccann in New York says reporters staking out the venue have been tracking deliveries to get a sense of what the couple's guests will be eating over the two-day celebration.

IN: “I know that...”
OUT: “...couple of days.”
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IRAN'S TOP NEGOTIATOR DECLARES STRAIT OF HORMUZ 'UNDER IRAN'S COMMAND' AS US-LED SECURITY TALKS OPEN IN BAHRAIN

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has declared that the Strait of Hormuz is under Tehran's command, not that of the US military's Central Command, rejecting a US-led regional security dialogue in Bahrain.

The statement comes as shipping through the strait remains at roughly a third of pre-war levels, with international maritime bodies extending the waterway's warlike operations classification until the ninth of July.

US President Donald Trump has sought to portray the reopening of the strait more positively.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington.

IN: “Donald Trump speaking...”
OUT: “...continues to increase.”
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Reporter Kate Fisher in Washington says Tehran understands the strategic value of controlling access through the strait and is using it as leverage at the negotiating table.

IN: “He knows that...”
OUT: “...the negotiating table.”
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(ALT)

Kate Fisher in Washington says US Vice President JD Vance has acknowledged that the nuclear question is now on the agenda, even as negotiators remain stuck on earlier commitments.

IN: “Vance, the U.S...”
OUT: “...these next rounds.”
DUR: 38 seconds
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SOUTH AFRICA'S RAMAPHOSA IN KINSHASA FOR AU SOLIDARITY VISIT AS DRC EBOLA DEATH TOLL PASSES 400

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa on Thursday for an African Union solidarity visit, as the country battles an Ebola outbreak that has killed more than four hundred people.

President Ramaphosa, who serves as the AU's champion for pandemic preparedness, is holding talks with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi on stepping up measures to contain the virus, which has now spread to four provinces.

The World Health Organization has warned that around ten countries in the region are at high risk of cross-border transmission.

Chris Ocamringa reports from Kinshasa.

IN: “It's a very...”
OUT: “...across their borders.”
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(ALT)

Chris Ocamringa, reporting from Kinshasa, says the African Union is drawing on hard lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic as it pushes for a united continental approach to mobilising resources against Ebola.

IN: “This is part...”
OUT: “...buy these vaccines.”
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(ALT)

Chris Ocamringa in Kinshasa says traditional mourning customs in Ituri province, where families keep the bodies of the dead in their homes for days, are fuelling the spread of the virus.

IN: “They are reporting...”
OUT: “...are highly contagious.”
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MODI AND TAKAICHI HOLD SUMMIT TALKS IN NEW DELHI AS JAPAN PLEDGES TWELVE-AND-A-HALF BILLION DOLLARS IN INVESTMENT

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have held summit talks in New Delhi, with Japanese firms set to invest some twelve-and-a-half billion dollars in the Indian economy through around 120 cooperation agreements.

The sixteenth annual India-Japan summit — Prime Minister Takaichi's first visit to India since taking office — is expected to deepen ties on defence, semiconductors, critical minerals and artificial intelligence.

Analysts say the growing partnership is also shaped by the strategic and economic competition both nations face from Beijing.

Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi.

IN: “Some experts have...”
OUT: “...from China particularly.”
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Neha Poonia in New Delhi says the two leaders have drawn up a broad economic roadmap covering sectors from chip manufacturing to energy reserves.

IN: “Look at the...”
OUT: “...through bilateral cooperation.”
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Ukraine hit with deadly missile strike

At least 13 people in the Ukrainian capital have been killed in an overnight drone and missile attack.

Officials in Kyiv have accused Russia of targeting residential areas and say that children are among the casualties. 

William Denselow reports from Brussels.

IN: "It was an…”
OUT: SOC

DURATION: 31 Seconds

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INDIA AND JAPAN HOLD SUMMIT IN NEW DELHI WITH ENERGY SECURITY, DEFENCE AND DE-DOLLARISATION ON THE AGENDA

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are holding their annual summit in New Delhi on Thursday, with joint declarations on economic security and artificial intelligence cooperation expected.

Prime Minister Takaichi arrived in the Indian capital on Wednesday evening, accompanied by representatives from more than a hundred and fifty Japanese companies and business organisations.

One issue on the table is whether the two countries could move away from using the US dollar to settle bilateral trade.

Ishan Garg has more from New Delhi.

IN: “So far the...”
OUT: “...on the agenda.”
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(ALT)

Ishan Garg, reporting from New Delhi, says analysts expect the two leaders to discuss ways to counterbalance China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific, including cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths.

IN: “Analysts in New...”
OUT: “...of rare earths.”
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QATAR DECLARES 'POSITIVE PROGRESS' IN INDIRECT US-IRAN TALKS AS WASHINGTON AND TEHRAN DISAGREE ON WHAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED

Qatar's Foreign Ministry has declared "positive progress" in indirect talks between the United States and Iran in Doha, with mediators shuttling between the two delegations on issues tied to a memorandum of understanding.

US President Donald Trump said denuclearisation is "moving along well," but Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi says formal negotiations have not yet begun and working groups are still being set up.

The two sides appear to disagree not just on substance but on whether key topics have even been raised.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

IN: “I think what...”
OUT: “...at the moment.”
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(ALT)

Mitch Mccann in New York says the two sides still appear to be grappling with relatively straightforward issues, with the far harder question of denuclearisation yet to come.

IN: “I think what...”
OUT: “...or so days.”
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NYPD CHARGES TWO 'ROOFTOPPERS' WITH FELONY BURGLARY AFTER EMPIRE STATE BUILDING SPIRE CLIMB AND PROPOSAL STUNT

New York police have charged two professional daredevils with felony burglary and multiple other offences after they illegally scaled the spire of the Empire State Building on Wednesday and staged a marriage proposal at the top.

Angelina Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, of East Orange, New Jersey, are known as "rooftoppers" who featured in a 2024 Netflix documentary. They face charges including reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and possession of burglar's tools.

Officers from the NYPD's elite Emergency Service Unit climbed the 443-metre spire in harnesses to arrest the pair just before one o'clock in the afternoon.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

IN: “Two people managed...”
OUT: “...hug and kiss.”
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Mitch Mccann in New York says police have confirmed both suspects are now in custody and no injuries were reported during the incident.

IN: “According to the...”
OUT: “...injuries were reported.”
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TRUMP DISMISSES CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST CRITICISM OVER BILLION-DOLLAR CRYPTO PROFITS REVEALED IN FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

US President Donald Trump has dismissed conflict-of-interest criticism over more than a billion dollars in cryptocurrency profits, telling reporters that outside funds manage his money and that he does not speak to the institutions handling his finances.

The comments came after the US Office of Government Ethics released a 927-page financial disclosure showing the president earned roughly 580 million dollars from his World Liberty Financial venture and more than 600 million dollars in royalties from his meme coin business — bringing his total reported income for 2025 to more than two billion dollars.

Democrats say the president is using the office to enrich himself, with some calling it brazen corruption.

Freddie Hayward, US correspondent for The New Statesman, says the scale of the profits could hurt Republicans at the midterm elections.

IN: “I think it...”
OUT: “...another million dollars.”
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From Washington, Freddie Hayward of The New Statesman says the president has done nothing to push back against the charge that he is corrupting American politics.

IN: “People see him...”
OUT: “...of that notion.”
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EU COMPLETES TRADE DEAL LEGISLATION AHEAD OF TRUMP'S FOURTH OF JULY TARIFF DEADLINE

The European Union has completed the legislative process to implement its trade deal with the United States, days ahead of a fourth of July deadline set by US President Donald Trump, who threatened much higher tariffs if Brussels failed to act in time.

The EU Council gave final approval last week to two regulations scrapping customs duties on American industrial goods and opening preferential access for some US agricultural and seafood products.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed the agreement, but industry groups say significant barriers remain.

William Denselow reports from Brussels.

IN: “She says that...”
OUT: “...down to zero.”
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(ALT)

William Denselow in Brussels says China has condemned the European Union's new steel import measures, while European lawmakers are calling for a stronger industrial strategy to complement trade defence.

He reports.

IN: “Obviously, China is...”
OUT: “...industrial policy too.”
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