PARIS APPEAL COURT SET TO RULE ON MARINE LE PEN'S EMBEZZLEMENT CONVICTION IN CASE THAT COULD BAR HER FROM 2027 PRESIDENTIAL RACE

The Paris Court of Appeal is due to deliver its verdict on Marine Le Pen's embezzlement appeal at half past one local time today — a ruling that will determine whether the far-right leader can stand in next year's French presidential election.

Le Pen was convicted in March last year of misappropriating more than four million euros (approximately $4.5 million) of European Parliament funds to pay staff at her National Rally party — a scheme spanning roughly a decade.

She faces a possible five-year ban from public office, which would rule her out of the race to succeed French President Emmanuel Macron.

Peter Allen, reporter in Paris.

IN: “She was last...”
OUT: “...National Rally headquarters.”
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Peter Allen, reporter in Paris, says the stakes could hardly be higher — Le Pen has been a runner-up in the last two presidential elections and remains a strong favourite in the polls.

IN: “She'll be fined...”
OUT: “...immense judgment today.”
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PRINCE HARRY'S BUCKINGHAM PALACE STAY WITHDRAWN AS HIGH COURT RULING DUE IN DAILY MAIL PRIVACY CASE

London's High Court is due to deliver its ruling on Tuesday in Prince Harry's privacy lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail, following a ten-week trial in which the Duke of Sussex and six other high-profile claimants allege decades of unlawful behaviour by the newspaper group.

The Duke arrived in Britain on Monday evening for five days of engagements, but a row has erupted over accommodation after Buckingham Palace withdrew an offer to host him — with royal sources citing concerns about the King's constitutional position while the court case is pending.

Prince Harry's team says the Palace itself leaked the accommodation offer to the media, undermining his security.

Jack Royston, Newsweek's chief royal correspondent, explains what happened.

IN: “It wasn't Harry's...”
OUT: “...don't want it.”
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Jack Royston, chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, says the accommodation dispute has turned what should have been a successful public relations opportunity for the Duke into something far more fraught.

IN: “He could have...”
OUT: “...hanging over it.”
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IRGC FIRES MISSILES AT COMMERCIAL SHIPS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS IRAN HOLDS MASSIVE STATE FUNERAL FOR SLAIN SUPREME LEADER

Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired at least two missiles at commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to a US official cited by the website Axios, setting a tanker ablaze as the Islamic Republic holds a six-day funeral for its slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The funeral ceremonies moved to the seminary city of Qom on Tuesday, drawing comparisons with the 1989 funeral of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which also drew enormous crowds.

Khosro Isfahani, Research Director at the National Union for Democracy in Iran, says the comparison does not hold.

IN: “In 1989, we...”
OUT: “...to protect Iran.”
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Khosro Isfahani, Research Director at the National Union for Democracy in Iran, says the Iranian public holds the regime responsible for the wars that have engulfed the country.

IN: “The 12-day war...”
OUT: “...done to Iran.”
DUR: 33 seconds
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TRUMP EN ROUTE TO ANKARA WITH PROMISED 'GIFT' FOR ERDOGAN AS NATO SUMMIT OPENS

US President Donald Trump is currently en route to Ankara for the NATO summit, having signalled he is bringing a "gift" for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan widely understood to relate to lifting the ban on F-35 fighter jet sales to Turkey.

The two-day gathering has opened with what is being described as the alliance's most comprehensive defence industry forum to date, as allies face mounting pressure from Washington to convert higher military spending into real capability.

William Denselow reports from Ankara.

IN: “Of course, if...”
OUT: “...into tangible results.”
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MUMBAI FLASH FLOOD WARNING AS MONSOON DEATH TOLL RISES ACROSS MAHARASHTRA

India's Meteorological Department has issued a flash flood warning for Mumbai on Tuesday, as the death toll from days of record-breaking monsoon rainfall across Maharashtra state has continued to climb.

Landslides have shut the Mumbai-Pune rail corridor, schools remain closed for a second consecutive day, and severe waterlogging has disrupted life across the wider region.

Rebecca Bundhun reports from Mumbai.

IN: “Authorities are saying...”
OUT: “...by falling trees.”
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Rebecca Bundhun in Mumbai says the city has received an extraordinary volume of rain in a very short period.

IN: “Mumbai, its reporters...”
OUT: “...bit for now.”
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Rebecca Bundhun, reporting from Mumbai, says questions are being asked about the city's preparedness despite the monsoon being an annual event.

IN: “Inspections had been...”
OUT: “...have been done.”
DUR: 16 seconds
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UEFA CONDEMNS FIFA AS BALOGUN STARTS FOR USA AGAINST BELGIUM AFTER WHITE HOUSE LOBBYING OVERTURNS RED CARD BAN

Folarin Balogun has been named in the United States starting line-up for Monday's FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, after FIFA's Appeal Committee ruled Belgium's challenge to the lifting of his one-match ban inadmissible.

US President Donald Trump confirmed he personally asked FIFA to review the red card Balogun received in the group stage, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the organisation's judicial bodies remain independent.

UEFA has condemned the decision, calling it unprecedented and questioning FIFA's integrity.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington.

IN: “It is very...”
OUT: “...of national heroes.”
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(ALT)

Kate Fisher, our reporter in Washington, says the affair has raised broader questions about whether countries with greater political clout will receive preferential treatment from sporting bodies.

IN: “This is kind...”
OUT: “...from other countries.”
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FIFA REJECTS BELGIUM'S CHALLENGE TO BALOGUN'S ELIGIBILITY HOURS BEFORE FIFA WORLD CUP KNOCKOUT MATCH

FIFA's Appeal Committee has rejected Belgium's challenge to the eligibility of United States striker Folarin Balogun ahead of tonight's FIFA World Cup round-of-sixteen match in Seattle, after US President Donald Trump confirmed he personally asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the player's red card.

Balogun's one-match ban was deferred for a probationary period of one year — a move UEFA called "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable" — while Belgium's football association says it was given no explanation for the reversal.

FIFA President Infantino has issued a statement defending the independence of the disciplinary process.

From Washington, Jagruti Dave reports.

IN: “They're saying that...”
OUT: “...for the infringement.”
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FIFA APPEALS JUDGE DISMISSES BELGIUM'S CHALLENGE TO BALOGUN REINSTATEMENT HOURS BEFORE USA-BELGIUM WORLD CUP KICKOFF

A FIFA appeals judge on Monday dismissed Belgium's legal challenge to the reinstatement of US striker Folarin Balogun, whose one-match ban was deferred after US President Donald Trump called for a review — a sequence of events that has triggered accusations of political interference from football associations across Europe.

Norway's football association said the lack of a legal explanation from FIFA raised concerns about the integrity of the competition, while Switzerland's football body said the credibility of the tournament depends on rules being applied consistently.

Lars Christer-Olsson, former Chief Executive of UEFA, says the vast sums of money in football make robust anti-corruption measures essential.

IN: “Around football, with...”
OUT: “...activity in FIFA.”
DUR: 18 seconds
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RUSSIA'S MASSIVE MISSILE AND DRONE BARRAGE ON KYIV KILLS AT LEAST EIGHTEEN AS KREMLIN STEPS UP PROVOCATIONS AGAINST NATO

Russia launched one of its heaviest missile and drone assaults of the war on Kyiv last week, firing seventy-four missiles and nearly five hundred drones in a single overnight attack that killed at least eighteen people and injured more than eighty.

The barrage came as NATO allies grow increasingly alarmed by Russian military provocations beyond Ukraine — including drone incursions into Baltic airspace and naval confrontations near allied territory in the Arctic.

Simon Shuster, staff writer at The Atlantic, says the escalating pattern of aggression reflects the Kremlin's growing desperation over the course of the war.

IN: “It definitely fits...”
OUT: “...Incidents at sea.”
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Simon Shuster, staff writer at The Atlantic, says the Kremlin is well aware that Russia could not prevail in a direct war against the NATO alliance.

IN: “I don't think...”
OUT: “...the NATO alliance.”
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FIFA APPEAL COMMITTEE REJECTS BELGIUM'S CHALLENGE AS 'INADMISSIBLE,' CONFIRMING BALOGUN CAN PLAY TONIGHT'S WORLD CUP KNOCKOUT MATCH

FIFA's appeal committee has rejected Belgium's challenge to the reinstatement of US forward Folarin Balogun as "inadmissible," confirming the striker is eligible to play in Monday's FIFA World Cup round-of-sixteen match against Belgium in Seattle.

The ruling comes after US President Donald Trump confirmed he personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to lobby for Balogun's red card suspension to be overturned — a move that has drawn a sharp rebuke from UEFA, European football's governing body.

President Infantino says FIFA's judicial bodies acted independently of any political pressure.

Kieran Maguire, author of "The Price of Football," says the backlash from Europe has been fierce.

IN: “It's noticeable that...”
OUT: “...down very well.”
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(ALT)

Kieran Maguire, author of "The Price of Football," says FIFA President Infantino's broad support base across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean means European opposition carries limited weight.

IN: “If you take...”
OUT: “...popular in Asia.”
DUR: 29 seconds
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TRUMP SAYS IRAN HAS OFFERED CONCESSIONS AS KHAMENEI FUNERAL PROCESSION FILLS TEHRAN'S STREETS

US President Donald Trump says Iran has offered concessions in nuclear negotiations, telling reporters at the White House that Tehran must hold to those proposals — though Iranian officials have not confirmed any such agreement.

The comments came as massive crowds filled the streets of Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with indirect talks between Washington and Tehran paused until after the burial.

Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.

IN: “US President Donald...”
OUT: “...again with Iran.”
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Jagruti Dave in Washington says that while mediators have spoken of progress, both sides are signalling that key differences remain unresolved.

IN: “It's a chance...”
OUT: “...those key issues.”
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(ALT)

Jagruti Dave in Washington says the nuclear question was not on the table in the most recent round of talks, with the release of frozen assets and the future of Lebanon taking priority.

IN: “Remember, the issue...”
OUT: “...Iran has finished.”
DUR: 28 seconds
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TRUMP RINGS OPENING BELL FROM OVAL OFFICE AS DOW BRIEFLY TOPS 53,000 FOR FIRST TIME

US President Donald Trump rang the opening bell for both the Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange from the Oval Office on Monday — the first time the ceremony has ever taken place at the White House — as the Dow Jones Industrial Average briefly hit a record above 53,000.

Semiconductor shares have led the gains, with the Nasdaq composite climbing more than one per cent as chip stocks rebounded from last week's sell-off.

Mitch Mccann has the story from New York.

IN: “It has been...”
OUT: “...in New York.”
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NATO ALLIES TO UNVEIL CONCRETE DEFENCE SPENDING PLANS AS LEADERS GATHER IN ANKARA FOR 36TH SUMMIT

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara ahead of the 36th NATO Summit, which opens on Tuesday with leaders from all 32 allied nations gathering at the Beştepe Presidential Complex.

The two-day summit is expected to focus on defence investment, support for Ukraine, and progress towards a target for all members to spend five per cent of GDP on defence by 2035.

The White House has confirmed that US President Donald Trump will hold bilateral talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the summit on Wednesday.

Stuart Smith reports from Türkiye.

IN: “The NATO Secretary...”
OUT: “...make this happen.”
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Stuart Smith, reporting from Türkiye, says the summit is as much about deterring Russia as it is about placating the White House over European defence spending.

IN: “It's partially about...”
OUT: “...they'll achieve it.”
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(ALT)

Stuart Smith in Türkiye says Russian President Vladimir Putin will be watching the summit closely for any signs of fracture within the alliance.

IN: “It's a case...”
OUT: “...the European mainland.”
DUR: 36 seconds
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RUSSIA FIRES BARRAGE OF MISSILES AND DRONES AT KYIV AS UKRAINE HITS RUSSIA'S LARGEST OIL REFINERY

Russia launched a massive barrage of ballistic missiles and drones at Kyiv early on Monday, killing at least twenty-one people across the capital and its surrounding region on the eve of a critical NATO summit in Turkey.

Ukraine's military says it struck Russia's largest oil refinery in the Siberian city of Omsk on the same day — the deepest such attack inside Russian territory since the war began.

Russia is already experiencing widespread petrol shortages as a result of Ukraine's sustained campaign against its energy infrastructure.

Dasha Chernyshova has more from Moscow.

IN: “We understand that...”
OUT: “...to Krasnodar region.”
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(ALT)

Dasha Chernyshova in Moscow says the Kremlin maintains there is still an appetite for negotiations, with a further call between the two presidents widely expected after the NATO summit concludes.

IN: “Moscow says in...”
OUT: “...Russia's civilian infrastructure.”
DUR: 31 seconds
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TRUMP CONFIRMS HE INTERVENED WITH FIFA CHIEF OVER BALOGUN'S RED CARD

US President Donald Trump is defending his intervention in the World Cup that saw FIFA reinstating United States striker Falorin Balogun, even though he was given a red card during last week’s match against Bosnia-Herzogovina.

Balogun is now eligible to play against Belgium later today, despite widespread fury over FIFA’s actions.

European football's governing body UEFA called the decision "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustified"

Speaking at the White House, President Trump conceded that he had taken steps to get the player's red card penalty suspended.

IN: “Yes I asked for….”
OUT:  “….highly respected”
DUR:  36 seconds

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(ALT)

 

The U.S. President denied making demands of FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, but insisted the right decision had been made.

 

IN:  "All I did...."

OUT: "...best players"

DUR:  32 seconds 

 

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UEFA CONDEMNS FIFA'S DECISION TO SUSPEND US PLAYER'S RED CARD BAN AHEAD OF FIFA WORLD CUP KNOCKOUT STAGE

European football's governing body UEFA has condemned a decision by FIFA to suspend a one-match ban handed to a United States player who was sent off during the FIFA World Cup group stage.

The move reportedly followed lobbying by US President Donald Trump, who contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the punishment.

Ross Cullen reports from Paris.

IN: “UEFA saying that...”
OUT: “...upcoming last-16 clash.”
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INDIA'S MODI DEPARTS FOR SIX-DAY INDO-PACIFIC TOUR WITH INDONESIA FIRST STOP

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left New Delhi on Monday for a six-day tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, with defence ties and strategic cooperation across the Indo-Pacific at the top of the agenda.

Indonesia is the first stop, where Modi is expected to hold talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday covering defence, trade and energy security.

Analysts say countering China's growing influence in the region is a thread running through all three visits.

Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.

IN: “India's vision of...”
OUT: “...the two leaders.”
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TRUMP CLAIMS 150,000 RETURNED TO NATIONAL MALL AFTER STORM AS HE HAILS 'MOST SPECTACULAR' FIREWORKS SHOW

US President Donald Trump has posted on Truth Social claiming at least a hundred and fifty thousand people returned to the National Mall after a storm evacuation — and praising what he called the most spectacular fireworks show he had ever seen.

The president's Independence Day address, delayed by several hours because of thunderstorms, was dominated not by celebration but by warnings against what he called a communist menace inside the United States — echoing similar language from his Mount Rushmore speech the day before.

The remarks are widely seen as targeting democratic socialist candidates who have won recent Democratic primary elections, though the president labelled them communists.

US political analyst Charles Feldman, host of the SOS America podcast, says the president is not talking about foreign adversaries.

IN: “He's not really...”
OUT: “...the United States.”
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(ALT)

Charles Feldman, a US political analyst in Los Angeles, says the president's America 250 speeches also revisited his disputed claims about the 2020 presidential election.

IN: “He made reference...”
OUT: “...the Cold War.”
DUR: 25 seconds
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BELGIUM GRANTED RIGHT TO APPEAL FIFA'S REVERSAL OF BALOGUN SUSPENSION AHEAD OF TONIGHT'S USA MATCH AS TRUMP-FIFA TIES FACE GROWING SCRUTINY

Belgium's football association has been granted the right to appeal FIFA's decision to overturn the one-game suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun, with the appeal to be heard ahead of tonight's round-of-sixteen match in Seattle.

The New York Times reported that US President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino last week and asked him to review the red card, with a US official saying the government provided additional evidence that FIFA's Disciplinary Committee used in reversing the ban.

Henry Winter, writer for World Soccer magazine, says the controversy undermines the credibility of a tournament FIFA has otherwise run well.

IN: “It undermines what...”
OUT: “...an absolute mess.”
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MEXICO COACH AGUIRRE STEPS DOWN AS RAFAEL MARQUEZ TAKES OVER AFTER CO-HOSTS' FIFA WORLD CUP ELIMINATION

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre has confirmed he is stepping down after co-hosts Mexico were knocked out of the FIFA World Cup by England, with his assistant Rafael Marquez — the former Barcelona defender — named as his replacement.

England beat Mexico three-two in the Round of 16 at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday night, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice in under two minutes and Harry Kane converting a penalty for his sixth goal of the tournament.

It was only the third time a visiting team has won a competitive match at the famous stadium since it opened in 1966.

Jon Bonfiglio is a reporter in Mexico City.

IN: “The nation of...”
OUT: “...for a generation.”
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