LE PEN DECLARES 2027 PRESIDENTIAL BID AFTER APPEALS COURT UPHOLDS CONVICTION BUT CLEARS HER TO RUN

Marine Le Pen has declared she will run for the French presidency in 2027, hours after a Paris appeals court upheld her conviction for misusing European Union funds but reduced her ban from public office, effectively clearing her path to stand.

The court shortened the original five-year ban imposed last year, meaning the required period of ineligibility has already been served — though Le Pen has been ordered to wear an electronic tag for a year.

Le Pen says she will challenge the ruling before France's highest court, the Court of Cassation.

Ross Cullen reports from Paris.

IN: “Marine Le Pen...”
OUT: “...in her place.”
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Ross Cullen, reporting from Paris, says the appeals court significantly reduced the original sentence handed down last year.

IN: “They have changed...”
OUT: “...protégé Jordan Bardella.”
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SPACEX SHARES FALL ON FIRST DAY AS NASDAQ-100 MEMBER DESPITE BILLIONS IN FORCED INDEX-FUND BUYING

SpaceX shares fell nearly six per cent on Tuesday — the company's first trading day as a member of the Nasdaq-100 index — despite an estimated four-point-three billion dollars in automatic purchases by funds that track the index.

The rocket company qualified for early inclusion under a new Nasdaq rule that took effect in May, requiring tracker funds to buy SpaceX shares to keep their portfolios aligned with the index.

Analysts warn of further volatility ahead, with SpaceX's first public earnings report and an insider lockup expiration both due in early August.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington.

IN: “This isn't actually...”
OUT: “...of order themselves.”
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Kate Fisher in Washington says the index inclusion means millions of retirement and pension savers now hold a stake in SpaceX — without having placed any order themselves.

IN: “If you own...”
OUT: “...of order themselves.”
DUR: 18 seconds
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FARAGE RESIGNS AS MP, TRIGGERS CLACTON BY-ELECTION HE CALLS 'PEOPLE VERSUS THE ESTABLISHMENT'

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has resigned as a member of the British parliament, triggering a by-election in his Clacton-on-Sea constituency in which he says he will stand as a candidate.

The move comes amid growing scrutiny of Farage's financial arrangements — specifically allegations that a businessman convicted of wire fraud in the United States provided him with staff and access to a London property before he entered parliament. Farage and Reform UK deny any rules were broken.

Farage has framed the by-election as a contest between ordinary voters and what he calls the political establishment.

Olly Barratt reports from London.

IN: “The pressure has...”
OUT: “...his own image.”
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Olly Barratt in London says even if Farage wins the by-election, the ongoing parliamentary investigation into his finances could create further problems.

IN: “You could see...”
OUT: “...or months ahead.”
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FARAGE RESIGNS AS CLACTON MP, FORCING BY-ELECTION HE VOWS TO FIGHT AMID UNDECLARED GIFTS PROBE

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has resigned as the member of parliament for Clacton-on-Sea, triggering a by-election he says he will fight to win.

Farage made the announcement in a pre-recorded video statement, saying he had not broken the law or misused public money — but took no questions from journalists.

The move comes as Labour has asked the Electoral Commission to investigate whether financial support Farage received from an associate should have been declared.

Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University London, says many voters may see the resignation as a distraction.

IN: “Many of them...”
OUT: “...there in Clacton.”
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NATO LEADERS GATHER IN ANKARA AS ZELENSKY PLEADS FOR AIR DEFENCES AND TRUMP SIGNALS F-35 DEAL FOR TURKEY

US President Donald Trump has arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara for the NATO summit, where alliance members are under pressure to show they are increasing defence spending toward the five per cent of GDP target agreed last year.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says member states have invested more than 280 billion dollars in additional military spending over the past year, but says there is still a long way to go.

The summit's opening day has focused on converting that investment into real military capability, as Washington signals it wants European allies to shoulder more of the burden.

Stuart Smith reports from Ankara.

IN: “It's been a...”
OUT: “...their fair share.”
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Stuart Smith in Ankara says President Zelensky has told the summit that Ukraine can defend itself on most fronts, but is desperate for help intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.

IN: “He says Ukraine...”
OUT: “...permission from Washington.”
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TRUMP LANDS IN ANKARA FOR NATO SUMMIT AS ALLIANCE SEEKS TO RAMP UP DEFENCE SPENDING

US President Donald Trump has landed at Etimesgut Air Base in Ankara, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greeted him on the tarmac ahead of the two-day NATO summit.

The summit opened with the largest NATO Defence Industry Forum in the alliance's history, as Secretary General Mark Rutte pressed allies to dramatically increase weapons production to counter Russia, which is spending half its annual budget on defence.

A senior US official has said to expect billions of dollars in announcements on the sidelines of the gathering.

William Denselow reports from Ankara.

IN: “He says tangible...”
OUT: “...significant progress there.”
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(ALT)

William Denselow in Ankara says NATO foreign ministers are set to meet Gulf counterparts to discuss a proposed maritime mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway vital to global energy supplies.

IN: “We're expecting movement...”
OUT: “...Strait of Hormuz.”
DUR: 28 seconds
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BELGIUM CRUSH HOST NATION USA 4-1 IN FIFA WORLD CUP LAST 16 AMID TRUMP RED CARD CONTROVERSY

Belgium have beaten the United States four-one in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 in Seattle, ending the host nation's tournament in emphatic fashion amid the controversy over US President Donald Trump's personal intervention to overturn striker Folarin Balogun's red card suspension.

President Trump confirmed on Monday that he had called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the red card, which was issued during the Americans' group-stage victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina — a move that drew sharp criticism from UEFA and former FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

Belgium's official social media account posted the words "Overturn this" after the final whistle, a pointed reference to the affair.

Dave Levinthal, Senior Editor at the US political website NOTUS, says most American fans wanted their team to succeed on its own terms.

IN: “I mean, you...”
OUT: “...was being made.”
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Dave Levinthal, Senior Editor at the US political website NOTUS, says the close relationship between the FIFA president and the US leader had already raised eyebrows before the red card affair.

IN: “This is something...”
OUT: “...say the least.”
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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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(ALT)

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.”
DUR: 30 seconds
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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.”
DUR: 33 seconds
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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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(ALT)

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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(ALT)

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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(ALT)

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.”
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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.”
DUR: 36 seconds
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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.”
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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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(ALT)

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.”
DUR: 17 seconds
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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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(ALT)

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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(ALT)

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.”
DUR: 34 seconds
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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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