NATO leaders heading to defence alliance's annual summit, amid continued Russian strikes on Ukraine

NATO leaders are heading to the defence alliance's annual summit, amid continued Russian strikes on Ukraine.

The deadly attacks on Kyiv come on the eve of the summit in Turkiye, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to hold talks with President Trump - who himself held a call with President Putin over the weekend.

William Denselow reports.

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AT LEAST 13 DEAD AS MUMBAI BATTERED BY MONSOON RAINS WITH RED ALERT IN FORCE

India's weather department has issued a red alert for Mumbai and surrounding districts on Monday, warning of extremely heavy rainfall and gusty winds of up to 60 kilometres per hour, with a high tide expected to bring waves of up to 12 feet along the coast.

At least 13 people have died in rain-related incidents across the Mumbai region, including six killed when slum housing collapsed in the east of the city, while schools and colleges have been shut and residents urged to stay indoors.

A major landslide has also closed part of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, and India's railway minister has ordered teams to clear boulders from tracks in the area.

Rebecca Bundhun reports from Mumbai.

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Rebecca Bundhun, reporting from Mumbai, says the heavy rains have also triggered a building collapse and landslides that have severed key transport links to the nearby city of Pune.

IN: “The Mumbai mayor...”
OUT: “...these heavy rains.”
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Rebecca Bundhun in Mumbai says residents are asking whether the city's authorities could have done more to prepare, given the monsoon season was expected and runs until September.

IN: “At the start...”
OUT: “...couple of days.”
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Philippine Senate to start high-stakes impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte

INTRO: The Philippine Senate begins Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial on Monday, with her political career, and a planned 2028 presidential run, in the balance.

The House of Representatives impeached the 48-year-old daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte in May on allegations of graft, corruption, bribery and an alleged assassination plot against one-time ally President Ferdinand Marcos Junior. Laura Westbrook reports.

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MODI DEPARTS FOR INDONESIA ON SIX-DAY INDO-PACIFIC TOUR WITH DEFENCE AND TRADE DEALS ON THE TABLE

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left New Delhi on Monday for a six-day tour of three Indo-Pacific nations, beginning with Indonesia — his first bilateral visit to the country since 2018.

The two sides are expected to sign several agreements covering trade, digital connectivity, critical minerals and defence cooperation when Modi meets Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday.

Among the priorities is linking the two countries' digital economies through India's mobile payments technology.

Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.

IN: “It's likely that...”
OUT: “...the ASEAN economy.”
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Ishan Garg, reporting from New Delhi, says India's interest in Indonesian nickel is driven by the country's ambitions in electric vehicles and defence, while the two sides may also explore linking their island infrastructure.

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Ishan Garg in New Delhi says a potential deal to sell India's BrahMos missile system to Indonesia could go beyond the weapons themselves to include training and long-term maintenance.

IN: “This is going...”
OUT: “...this defense item.”
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BELGIUM FURIOUS AS FIFA REVERSES BALOGUN'S RED-CARD SUSPENSION AFTER TRUMP'S CALL TO INFANTINO

FIFA has reversed the automatic one-match suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun, clearing him to play in Monday's FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle — a decision that has drawn fury from the Belgian football federation and raised questions about political interference in the sport.

Multiple reports say US President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday and asked him to review the red card, which Balogun received in the group-stage match against Bosnia.

Belgium says the reversal contradicts FIFA's own disciplinary code.

From Washington, Allister Dsouza reports.

IN: “Many concerned how...”
OUT: “...really be fair?”
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Reporter Allister Dsouza in Washington says the close ties between the US president and the FIFA president are now facing even greater scrutiny.

IN: “Norway's federation has...”
OUT: “...time to Chelsea.”
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IRAN'S NEW SUPREME LEADER MOJTABA KHAMENEI STILL NOT SEEN IN PUBLIC AS TEHRAN PREPARES TO SHUT AIRSPACE FOR FATHER'S FUNERAL PROCESSION

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has still not appeared in public on the second day of his father's funeral in Tehran, as Tehran's airspace is set to be completely shut on Monday for the main procession — and indirect talks between the United States and Iran in Doha remain paused until after the mourning period.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now pushing for a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, possibly as early as next week — the first face-to-face since their February Oval Office meeting when they discussed plans to strike Iran.

The website Axios reports that many of President Trump's senior advisers believe the Israeli leader misjudged the consequences of the conflict.

From Washington, Allister Dsouza reports.

IN: “Netanyahu's office saying...”
OUT: “...about everything," unquote.”
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AMERICA250 BENEFIT CONCERT DRAWS TENS OF THOUSANDS TO LOS ANGELES AS US MARKS 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE

A benefit concert headlined by Chris Stapleton drew more than fifty thousand people to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Friday night, as the United States marked the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with celebrations stretching from coast to coast.

But in Washington, thunderstorms forced the evacuation of the National Mall, throwing the capital's festivities into chaos and delaying US President Donald Trump's speech until nearly midnight.

Dave Levinthal, senior editor at the website NOTUS, says organisers will face tough questions about how they handled the disruption.

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OUT: “...very chaotic scene.”
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Dave Levinthal, senior editor at the website NOTUS, says US President Donald Trump created his own rival organisation to take personal control of the Washington celebrations, sidelining the original bipartisan commission.

IN: “The 250th anniversary...”
OUT: “...D.C. and beyond.”
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Dave Levinthal, senior editor at the website NOTUS, says US President Donald Trump's latest financial disclosure reveals earnings dwarfing those of any previous president, driven largely by cryptocurrency.

IN: “By law, the...”
OUT: “...his cryptocurrency ventures.”
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WASHINGTON'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY FIREWORKS FIRED JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT AFTER STORMS FORCE NATIONAL MALL EVACUATION

Washington's 250th anniversary fireworks lit up the sky just before midnight on Saturday after storms forced the evacuation of the National Mall and delayed US President Donald Trump's speech by several hours.

More than 80 people were treated for various ailments during the celebrations, with dozens taken to hospital, as a dangerous heat dome settled over the Midwest and the East Coast — leaving more than half the country's population under heat alerts.

Allister Dsouza reports from Washington.

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OUT: “...heat warnings there.”
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SEVERE STORMS AND RECORD HEAT DISRUPT AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS IN WASHINGTON

Extreme heat has forced cancellations and postponements of Independence Day events across the eastern United States, as roughly 150 million Americans remain under heat alerts on the country's 250th birthday.

Philadelphia has recorded temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days — the first time that has happened since records began more than 150 years ago.

Several cities in Colorado have also called off fireworks displays because of wildfire concerns.

Allister Dsouza has the story from Washington.

IN: “In D.C., in...”
OUT: “...on your phones.”
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EXTREME HEAT CANCELS DC'S INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE AS THUNDERSTORM THREAT LOOMS OVER TRUMP'S NATIONAL MALL SPEECH

Extreme heat has forced the cancellation of America's Independence Day Parade in Washington DC, with temperatures exceeding 39 degrees Celsius as the United States marks its 250th birthday.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Washington area, threatening US President Donald Trump's planned speech on the National Mall and what organisers say will be the largest fireworks display ever held there.

Cities across the country are scrambling to protect residents from the dangerous conditions.

Allister Dsouza reports from Washington.

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OUT: “...they don't dehydrate.”
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Allister Dsouza in Washington says President Trump is framing Democratic Socialists as part of what he calls a communist menace threatening the country.

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OUT: “...or Pearl Harbor.”
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UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL HOLDS EMERGENCY SESSION ON SUDAN'S EL OBEID AS RIGHTS CHIEF ISSUES 'RED ALERT'

The United Nations Human Rights Council has held an emergency session on the threat of atrocities in and around the Sudanese city of El Obeid, with a resolution condemning escalating violence by the Rapid Support Forces and calling for an immediate ceasefire set for a vote on Monday.

UN rights chief Volker Turk has issued what he called a red alert, warning that a human rights catastrophe is unfolding as the paramilitary RSF now controls all routes into the city except one, and drone strikes by both sides have killed dozens of civilians in recent weeks.

Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to be trapped in the North Kordofan capital, facing what aid workers describe as siege-like conditions.

Naba Mohiedeen reports from El Obeid.

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Naba Mohiedeen in El Obeid says the city's position linking central Sudan to the western Darfur region makes it a prize that both warring sides are determined to hold.

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OUT: “...fighting by here.”
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TRUMP SPEAKS AT MOUNT RUSHMORE AS TIMES SQUARE BALL DROPS FOR FIRST TIME ON INDEPENDENCE DAY TO MARK AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY

US President Donald Trump has addressed crowds at Mount Rushmore as America marks its 250th birthday, with the iconic Times Square ball dropping on Independence Day for the first time and celebrations stretching from coast to coast.

But the festivities have been marred by division — the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington was forced to close for hours on Thursday after extreme heat sent eleven people to hospital, and a number of performers have reportedly pulled out of anniversary events.

Republican political commentator Angie Wong in Florida says the rifts go far beyond the celebrations in Washington.

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OUT: “...here in America.”
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Angie Wong, a Republican commentator in Florida, says many entertainers were afraid of a public backlash if they took part in the anniversary events.

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OUT: “...the United States.”
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AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS SPAN THREE CITIES AS TRUMP USES OCCASION TO ATTACK POLITICAL OPPONENTS

The United States is marking its 250th birthday with major concerts in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Washington, though US President Donald Trump has turned the official celebrations in the capital into what critics call a political rally, with a lengthy speech planned for the National Mall event.

The America250 programme was established by an act of Congress years ago, but the White House has set up a parallel operation, creating what observers describe as a split celebration.

Charles Feldman, US political analyst and host of the SOS America podcast, says the two competing events have given the anniversary a divided feel.

IN: “There are two...”
OUT: “...a political event.”
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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OUT: “...benefit the public.”
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