BESSENT MEETS RUSSIAN FINANCE MINISTER SILUANOV AT G20 IN FIRST IN-PERSON TALKS SINCE UKRAINE INVASION

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has held talks with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov at the G20 gathering in Asheville, North Carolina, to discuss President Trump's peace plan for Ukraine — the first time Siluanov has attended a G20 meeting in person since Russia's full-scale invasion.

The meeting prompted a backlash from European governments, with Germany's Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and other European finance ministers threatening to boycott the traditional group photograph if Siluanov took part.

Bessent and Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh also used the opening of the G20 to push a message of economic growth, with the Treasury Secretary warning the world is drowning in debt.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

IN: “Both men, Kevin...”
OUT: “...the AI space.”
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Mitch Mccann in New York says the conflict with Iran is weighing on markets, with oil prices rising and US stock indexes falling despite earlier reassurances from Washington that it was prioritising sanctions over military action.

IN: “The market indexes...”
OUT: “...last 24 hours.”
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NEPAL'S RESCUERS RACE TO REACH 900 WORKERS TRAPPED IN HYDROPOWER TUNNELS AS FLOOD DEATH TOLL PASSES 900

The death toll from Nepal's devastating floods has passed nine hundred, with more than four thousand people still missing — among them some nine hundred workers believed trapped in hydropower tunnels blocked by mud and rock.

Nepal's government says reaching the trapped workers is its highest priority, with rescue teams from India, China and South Korea joining the effort.

But officials say the sheer volume of debris brought down by the floodwaters is making the search extremely difficult.

Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.

IN: “Nepalese government has...”
OUT: “...very little results.”
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Ishan Garg in New Delhi says Chinese authorities have warned of further avalanches and flooding — identifying zones where glacial meltwater could be trapped behind natural dams that risk bursting.

IN: “Their understanding is...”
OUT: “...trouble for Nepal.”
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Ishan Garg in New Delhi says Chinese authorities have warned that glacial meltwater trapped behind natural dams in several high-risk zones could burst through — sending further floods into Nepal, where twenty thousand personnel are already deployed in rescue operations.

IN: “If those dams...”
OUT: “...other international workers.”
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IRAN FIRES MISSILES AT US BASES IN JORDAN AS TRUMP TEASES STRIKES ON KHARG ISLAND OIL TERMINAL

Iran has fired missiles at American military bases in Jordan, with Jordanian air defences intercepting eight missiles early on Monday, as US President Donald Trump teases possible strikes on Iran's Kharg Island oil export terminal.

The exchange began on Sunday when US forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island — the first American military action against Iran in more than a month — after Iran's Revolutionary Guard was observed preparing to fire sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian President Pezeshkian has vowed what he called a decisive response to the American aggression.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

IN: “Really the question...”
OUT: “...Strait of Hormuz.”
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Nick Harper, our reporter in Washington, says Iran and Oman are negotiating a deal to control which ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz — something the United States is determined to block.

IN: “Iran, of course...”
OUT: “...want to happen.”
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Nick Harper in Washington says the US Treasury is now promising fresh sanctions against Iran on a weekly basis, starting with banks accused of handling Iranian money.

IN: “A Scott Bessent...”
OUT: “...take more action.”
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INDIA'S ECONOMY GROWS 7.8 PER CENT IN FIRST QUARTER, BEATING FORECASTS AND RESERVE BANK'S OWN PROJECTION

India's economy grew seven-point-eight per cent in the April-to-June quarter, according to official data released on Monday — well above the seven per cent the Reserve Bank of India had projected and the seven-point-one per cent forecast in a Reuters poll of economists.

Capital investment surged nearly twelve per cent, while the services sector expanded by ten per cent — driven by strong gains in financial services, real estate and IT.

But the headline figure came despite significant global headwinds, including supply chain disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

Ishan Garg has more from New Delhi.

IN: “The key core...”
OUT: “...the other sectors.”
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Ishan Garg in New Delhi says economists have identified volatile energy prices as a major threat to India's growth outlook, with the conflict in the Middle East continuing to push up fuel import costs.

IN: “One is, of...”
OUT: “...lot on export.”
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Iceland votes no on EU membership

The people of Iceland have voted “no” in a referendum on whether to renew negotiations on joining the European Union.

Roughly 53% of the population rejected the plan with many citing concerns over the island nation’s fishing rights.

William Denselow reports from Brussels.

IN: "According to public…”
OUT: SOC

DURATION: 51 Seconds

POT: 37 secs

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US STRIKES IRANIAN ROCKET LAUNCHERS ON LARAK ISLAND AS MILITARY EXCHANGES RESUME AFTER MONTH-LONG LULL

Iranian officials say they'll respond "decisively" to "enemy aggression", after the first tit-for-tat strikes in the Strait of Hormuz between US and Iranian forces in a month.

The US targeted the small Iranian island of Larak, killing and injuring several soldiers and citizens.

President Trump also posted a social media video suggesting that the United States had also targeted Kharg Island, where 90% of Iranian oil is loaded onto tankers for shipment.

Sally Lockwood is a journalist and broadcaster based in the Middle East.

IN: “They've hit Larak...”
OUT: “...Strait of Hormuz.”
DUR: 29 seconds

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FERRY CAPTAIN AND CREW DETAINED AS NORTHERN CYPRUS DISASTER DEATH TOLL REACHES EIGHT WITH EIGHTEEN STILL MISSING

At least eight people have died and eighteen remain missing after a ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday.

Police have detained the captain and seven crew members as part of an investigation into the sinking of the Filo Jet catamaran, which went down just fifteen minutes after leaving Kyrenia port.

Northern Cyprus's prime minister has called it the biggest maritime disaster Cyprus has ever experienced.

Borzou Daraghi, international correspondent for The Independent newspaper, says the arrests suggest authorities are scrambling to show accountability.

IN: “It suggests, possibly...”
OUT: “...the Eastern Mediterranean.”
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Borzou Daraghi, international correspondent for The Independent newspaper, says the ferry had already been delayed by a day because of severe weather before it set sail on Sunday.

IN: “It was delayed...”
OUT: “...and high winds.”
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Borzou Daraghi, international correspondent for The Independent newspaper, says the ferry disaster is politically significant for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan given Ankara's close ties to northern Cyprus.

IN: “Viewers and listeners...”
OUT: “...slated to win.”
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NEPAL FLOOD DEATH TOLL NEARS 800 AS RESCUERS RACE TO REACH WORKERS TRAPPED IN HYDROPOWER TUNNELS

The death toll from catastrophic flash floods in Nepal has risen to nearly eight hundred, with more than three thousand people still missing across Nepal and the Tibet region of China.

The disaster was triggered last Tuesday when a glacier collapsed near Langtang Lirung in the Himalayas, sending floodwaters and mudslides along a seventy-two-kilometre stretch of the Trishuli River.

Authorities have begun burying unidentified victims whose remains had badly deteriorated, though they say forensic records have been taken.

Rebecca Bundhun reports from Nepal.

IN: “There are hundreds...”
OUT: “...of those bodies.”
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NASA'S ROMAN SPACE TELESCOPE LAUNCHES ABOARD SPACEX FALCON HEAVY, BEGINS MILLION-MILE JOURNEY TO MAP THE COSMOS

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is now flying independently through space after launching aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center on Sunday, beginning a three-month, million-mile journey to its final orbit.

The telescope, which NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman says was delivered ahead of schedule and on budget, is designed to survey billions of galaxies and investigate dark matter and dark energy over a five-year mission.

US President Donald Trump phoned in to the post-launch press conference to ask about the mission's progress.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington.

IN: “I think it...”
OUT: “...lead the way.”
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Kate Fisher, our reporter in Washington, says the Roman mission highlights a model of government and commercial cooperation that rival space powers have struggled to match.

IN: “This mission particularly...”
OUT: “...for everything itself.”
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Kate Fisher in Washington says astronomers are anticipating a wave of discoveries about the fundamental forces shaping the universe.

IN: “The big question...”
OUT: “...some big discoveries.”
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UAE CENTRAL BANK ORDERS INSPECTION OF EGYPTIAN BANK'S BRANCHES AFTER WASHINGTON MOVES TO CUT IT OFF OVER IRAN SANCTIONS EVASION

The UAE's Central Bank has ordered a special inspection of Egyptian bank Banque Misr's branches after Washington moved to sever the bank from the US financial system, accusing it of helping Tehran evade sanctions.

The economic pressure campaign is running alongside continued military action — US forces have struck Iranians accused of laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, breaking a period of calm during which the White House had said it was focused on sanctions rather than force.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the country's exports have fallen by nearly thirty-five per cent under the weight of American sanctions.

From Washington, Kate Fisher reports.

IN: “It clearly is...”
OUT: “...its nuclear programme.”
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WHITE HOUSE CONFIRMS TRUMP TO MEET OIL REFINERS ON PETROL PRICES AS IRAN WAR STALEMATE DRAGS ON

The White House has confirmed US President Donald Trump will meet American oil refiners and fuel retailers on Tuesday to discuss bringing down petrol prices, as the economic fallout from the war with Iran weighs on consumers at home and on Tehran's economy abroad.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged on Saturday that his country is in what he called a war situation — the first senior official to admit vulnerability to Washington's economic pressure campaign — but US President Donald Trump has so far not fired back.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington.

IN: “Certainly in the...”
OUT: “...from him today.”
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Kate Fisher in Washington says the Supreme Leader's call for Muslim unity could put pressure on the Gulf Arab states that have been supporting the American war effort.

IN: “I think it's...”
OUT: “...in the future.”
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SEARCH CONTINUES FOR DOZENS MISSING AFTER FERRY CAPSIZES OFF NORTHERN CYPRUS KILLING AT LEAST SEVEN

At least seven people have died and more than twenty are still missing after a high-speed ferry capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus while travelling to Turkey.

The vessel, named Filo Jet, was carrying around 267 people when it began taking on water shortly after leaving the port of Kyrenia. More than two hundred people have been rescued.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said rescue operations involving Turkish and Turkish Cypriot authorities are continuing.

William Denselow reports from Brussels.

IN: “We've heard from...”
OUT: “...part of Turkey.”
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The company that operates the Filo Jet catamaran has responded to the disaster, and William Denselow in Brussels says investigations will inevitably follow.

IN: “Investigations will undoubtedly...”
OUT: “...in the future.”
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William Denselow, reporting from Brussels, says the disaster raises broader concerns about maritime safety across the Mediterranean, where ferry services remain a vital means of transport.

IN: “Important to remember...”
OUT: “...the wider region.”
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PENTAGON DENIES TAKING EQUITY STAKES IN PRIVATE FIRMS, CONTRADICTING REPORTS OF U.S. OIL DEAL WITH VENEZUELAN BUSINESSMAN

The Pentagon has denied it takes equity stakes in private companies, contradicting a Wall Street Journal report that the United States plans a thirty-five per cent stake in a Venezuelan businessman's energy firm as part of a sweeping oil deal.

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Washington had secured majority control of more than sixty-five billion barrels of Venezuelan proven oil reserves through a new joint venture — a deal he called a huge win for both countries.

Critics say the arrangement amounts to exploitation of a country whose government was installed by a US military intervention nine months ago.

Jorge Martin, secretary of the Hands Off Venezuela campaign group.

IN: “This is certainly...”
OUT: “...for that matter.”
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Jorge Martin of the Hands Off Venezuela campaign group says the proceeds of Venezuelan oil sales are deposited in a US Treasury-controlled account with little public accountability.

IN: “The money from...”
OUT: “...drafts as requested.”
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Jorge Martin of the Hands Off Venezuela campaign group says a Venezuelan official has revealed that Washington charged Caracas billions of dollars to cover the cost of the military intervention.

IN: “Recently, a Venezuelan...”
OUT: “...the United States.”
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CHINA REVEALS ABOUT 100 AMERICANS AMONG FOREIGNERS MISSING IN TIBET AS NEW LANDSLIDE FORCES EVACUATION OF RESCUERS NEAR NEPAL BORDER

Chinese authorities have for the first time released a nationality breakdown of foreigners missing in Tibet following the catastrophic floods on the Nepal-China border, with about one hundred Americans among those unaccounted for, while a new landslide has formed a second barrier lake near the border, forcing the evacuation of Chinese rescue teams.

In Nepal, the death toll has risen to seven hundred and fifty-two, with more than two thousand five hundred people still missing, and army engineers near the town of Bidur have been drilling into a hydropower tunnel where dozens of workers are believed trapped.

Teams have managed to get oxygen and water inside, but say they have had no response.

Rebecca Bundhun reports from Bidur.

IN: “It's understood that...”
OUT: “...is extremely worrying.”
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Rebecca Bundhun in Bidur says teams have fed oxygen, water and light into at least one tunnel, but have had no two-way contact with anyone trapped inside.

IN: “We do know...”
OUT: “...to be trapped.”
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NEPAL FLOOD RESCUERS RACE TO REACH HUNDREDS TRAPPED IN HYDROPOWER TUNNELS AS NEW BARRIER LAKE THREATENS OPERATIONS

A new landslide near the Nepal-China border has created another barrier lake, forcing the evacuation of rescue teams on Saturday evening and sending river levels surging again early on Sunday.

The combined death toll from the flooding has reached seven hundred and fifty, with more than three thousand people still missing, and over nine hundred hydropower workers trapped in tunnels across the flood zone.

Rescue teams say they have had no communication with those believed to be trapped, and say getting the right drilling equipment to the sites has been one of their biggest obstacles.

From Bidur, Rebecca Bundhun reports.

IN: “They obviously are...”
OUT: “...get to them.”
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NIGER'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT SAYS IT HAS SUPPRESSED AN ATTEMPTED COUP IN THE CAPITAL NIAMEY

Niger's ruling military council says it has put down an attempted coup in the capital Niamey, after disgruntled soldiers attacked the presidential palace and a military base in the early hours of the morning.

The state broadcaster said the situation had been brought under control after loyalist troops fought back against the mutineers, who are reported to have come from the south-west of the country.

Niger has been under military rule since a coup in July 2023, when General Abdourahamane Tchiani seized power from the elected president.

Chris Ocamringa reports from Kinshasa.

IN: “We're told that...”
OUT: “...hearing loud explosions.”
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Chris Ocamringa in Kinshasa says General Tchiani's own rise to power followed a similar pattern — his presidential guard detained the elected leader in 2023 over allegations of mismanagement and corruption.

IN: “He was back...”
OUT: “...of the country.”
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NEPAL FLOOD DEATH TOLL REACHES 626 AS HELICOPTER RESCUES RESUME AND SECOND BARRIER LAKE THREATENS FURTHER CATASTROPHE

Helicopter rescue operations have resumed in Nepal on Saturday after poor weather temporarily halted efforts to reach survivors of catastrophic flash floods and mudslides that have killed at least 626 people in the country alone.

The combined death toll across Nepal and Tibet has risen to more than 630, with nearly three thousand people still missing, including around 90 Americans.

The US Geological Survey says a glacial collapse triggered the disaster, which has been described as one of the worst to hit Nepal in recent years.

Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi.

IN: “We're still seeing...”
OUT: “...did resume again.”
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Reporter Neha Poonia in New Delhi says the critical 72-hour survival window is rapidly closing for those still trapped.

IN: “Of course, the...”
OUT: “...in recent years.”
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Neha Poonia in New Delhi says the flooding has left hospitals overwhelmed and communities desperately short of essential supplies, compounding the humanitarian toll of the disaster.

IN: “The other, of...”
OUT: “...possible is important.”
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SIX THOUSAND SAILORS STRANDED AND NINETEEN KILLED IN PERSIAN GULF SIX MONTHS INTO IRAN WAR, UN MARITIME AGENCY SAYS

The International Maritime Organisation says at least six thousand sailors remain stranded aboard hundreds of ships in the Persian Gulf, with nineteen seafarers killed and more than seventy attacks on international shipping recorded since the Iran war began six months ago.

Washington is escalating its economic pressure on Tehran, announcing new sanctions on Friday under what the White House calls Operation Economic Outcast — targeting entities in the UAE and Hong Kong accused of helping Iran evade financial controls.

Iran's Foreign Ministry has condemned the measures, calling Washington's economic campaign "state terrorism" and warning that countries backing the sanctions risk becoming complicit.

Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.

IN: “The US Treasury...”
OUT: “...for public opinions.”
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Reporter Jagruti Dave in Washington says some analysts believe the sanctions announced so far have not been as severe as the White House has suggested, though more could follow.

IN: “All of this...”
OUT: “...global financial system.”
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VENEZUELA PREPARING TO SIGN FORMAL OIL AGREEMENTS WITH US FIRMS NEXT WEEK

Venezuelan officials are preparing to sign formal agreements next week granting new oil exploration and production rights to US companies, according to Reuters.

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Washington had secured majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of proven Venezuelan oil reserves through a new joint venture with 100-year concessions.

Venezuela confirmed the deal covers 17 strategic oil fields, with more than 100 billion dollars in investment and an estimated 209 billion dollars in tax revenue for the Venezuelan state.

Andreina Fermin reports from Caracas.

IN: “Venezuela has remained...”
OUT: “...inside the country.”
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Andreina Fermin in Caracas says years of underinvestment have left Venezuela's oil output at a fraction of its potential, and rebuilding the industry will require enormous spending.

IN: “Due to the...”
OUT: “...two months ago.”
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NEPAL'S FOREIGN MINISTER APPEALS FOR FREEZERS AS FLOOD VICTIMS' BODIES DECOMPOSE FASTER THAN THEY CAN BE IDENTIFIED

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has asked foreign governments to supply freezers as the bodies of flood victims decompose faster than they can be identified — with officials reporting that only seven of 49 bodies brought to one hospital have so far been matched to names.

The appeal comes on the fourth day of rescue operations along the Nepal-Tibet border, where the combined death toll has reached at least 633 and nearly three thousand people remain missing.

Poor weather and destroyed roads and bridges are severely hampering efforts to reach survivors in the flood-ravaged region.

Rebecca Bundhun reports from Bidur.

IN: “Just a lot...”
OUT: “...are being coordinated.”
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(ALT)

Rebecca Bundhun in Bidur says Nepal's government has specified the kinds of international help it most urgently needs, from DNA testing and communications equipment to tunnel rescue expertise and reconstruction funding.

IN: “They wanted to...”
OUT: “...very critical too.”
DUR: 34 seconds
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