Trump threatens to strike Iran power plants unless deal reached – Middle East crisis live

US president says Iran has to ‘get to the table and negotiate’ as US imposes fresh naval blockade on strait of Hormuz

Trump again threatens to strike Iran’s power plants amid impasse over strait of Hormuz

Resurgent oil and fuel prices could cement a fourth interest rate rise in Australia this year if Donald Trump’s renewed conflict with Iran is not resolved within a week, economists warn.

US missile strikes on Iran and Trump’s announcement of a new maritime blockade has lifted oil prices to their highest point in the month since the two countries agreed to a peace deal.

Security video captures moments after man was fatally shot by ICE in Maine

A home security camera captured the sound of five gunshots when Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a Colombian national, was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

One person dead and two missing after boat sinks near San Francisco’s Alcatraz Island

Another 16 people rescued after ‘pontoon pleasure boat’ sinks about 600 yards from famous tourist attraction

One person was killed, two were missing and 16 were rescued after a pontoon boat capsized and sank near San Francisco’s Alcatraz Island on Tuesday, authorities said.

Nineteen people were aboard the vessel at the time of the incident.

Ukraine war briefing: Spotlight on ‘hundreds’ of alleged PoW executions by Russia

Ukraine attacks deter Russian shipping in Sea of Azov; loudest cheers for Kyiv’s troops at Bastille Day parade in Paris. What we know on day 1,603

The Russian army has executed hundreds of Ukrainian PoW since 2022 under a deliberate policy, Kyiv says, with the exact number of victims unknown. A Ukrainian intelligence official told Agence France-Presse they have tracked “more than 900 military personnel” killed in “more than 340” incidents since 2022. Speaking on condition of anonymity, they added this might represent 25%-40% of such cases. Under the Geneva conventions, soldiers are considered PoW – and afforded protection – from the moment they issue a clear surrender.

A UN report from June cited 129 verified executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war, with the organisation sounding the alarm last year over a “marked increase” in cases. Andriy Atamantchuk from the Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office said that to date Kyiv has opened 116 investigations into the killings of 306 Ukrainian servicemen since 2022. “This stems from a Russian policy that has effectively encouraged and enabled such crimes, with commanders then issuing orders to that effect,” he said. The accusations are rejected by Moscow and Agence France-Presse said Russian authorities did not reply to an AFP request for comment.

Russia’s transport ministry admitted it may have to divert cargo ⁠away from the Sea of Azov as Ukraine continued to pound Russian shipping there. The commander of Ukraine’s drone forces said on Tuesday that Ukraine had hit “116 vessels over the past nine days”, including several tankers and cargo ships, in the Azov sea. He said the aim was to damage Russia’s “shadow fleet” and to limit Russia’s petrol supplies to Moscow-controlled Crimea.

Ukraine’s ⁠military said it ​struck two Russian ⁠oil refineries in ⁠the ​Bashkortostan ‌and Krasnodar ‌regions, causing fires at ​the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat ⁠complex as ​well as ​the ​Afipsky ​oil ‌refinery. Russian ​authorities confirmed a fire at the Afipsky refinery in Russia’s ​southern Krasnodar region, ‌and at Salavat in the Urals region of Bashkortostan.

Sevastopol, one of the largest cities in ⁠Russian-controlled Crimea, was limiting power supplies after Ukrainian attacks, local authorities ⁠said on Tuesday. Crimea ⁠has ​already introduced restrictions on gasoline usage because of fuel shortages caused ⁠by Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries and logistics infrastructure. Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed governor ⁠of Sevastopol, said electricity would ​be supplied for ‌two hours, followed ‌by six-hour outages.

Ukraine’s air defences managed to shoot down five out of eight ballistic missiles that Russia fired overnight into Tuesday – an increased interception rate – along with 108 out of 135 drones, the Ukrainian air force said. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, said Russian attacks still damaged 16 sites in the capital, including a school and a business, while city officials reported ⁠several fires. Zelenskyy said Russian attacks injured ‌seven people in Ukraine’s ‌eastern Kharkiv region and three in the northern Chernihiv region. He called on European allies to pass their latest sanctions package this week.

Kyrgyzstan’s government on Tuesday indefinitely banned exports of ⁠gasoline, diesel fuel and oil in response to fuel shortages in Russia, from which ⁠the Central Asian ⁠country ​sources the vast majority of its fuel needs. Kyrgyzstan has appealed to ‌neighbours for help in making up for Russian fuel supplies, and sought diesel and jet fuel from Belarus and China.

Ukrainian troops marched down the Champs-Élysées as part of the Bastille Day parade in Paris. Kyiv’s troops got the biggest cheers of the day from crowds on the tree-lined avenue. Ukrainian co-pilots trained in France were on board two French Mirage 2000B fighter jets that flew over. Zelenskyy watched as guest of honour alongside Emmanuel Macron, the French president.

Ukraine’s prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, formally resigned in parliament on Tuesday as part of a government reshuffle previously announced by Zelenskyy. The parliament is expected to vote for a replacement on Thursday. Opposition lawmakers have called for Zelenskyy to further explain the overhaul of his government.

‘Den of spies’: why has Japan been easy prey for Russian espionage, and what is Tokyo doing about it?

Postwar rules limit state collection of intelligence and prosecution of illegal operatives, but the government of Sanae Takaichi is beefing up its capabilities

• Japan admits growing need to counter espionage after Russian ‘den of spies’ report

After eight decades as arguably the most welcoming environment for foreign spies in the democratic world, Japan – where espionage is technically not illegal in many cases – is racing to build its own spying and counterintelligence capabilities.

Reports that Japan has become a hub for Russian operatives procuring technology for the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine come as Tokyo undergoes its biggest postwar rethink of its security services.

LGBTQI+ artists have been targeted for ‘insulting Christianity’. To queer people, this feels particularly cruel | James Thorpe

A theatre pop-up in a former Sydney church has been accused of ‘offensive trade’. But if causing offence can lead to eviction, every artist is vulnerable

• Arts venue faces eviction from former Sydney church after religious groups protest LGBTQ+ events

A priest and two nuns walk into a bar. In Sydney this week, this wasn’t the setup for a bad joke but for a fiery culture war.

The bar in question is within a long-deconsecrated church, and the City of Sydney is considering an application for its redevelopment into luxury apartments. Divine Playhouse, which opened to the public on last Wednesday, is a year-long queer-friendly and inclusive arts pop-up, supported by the New South Wales government and the City of Sydney.

Florida executes one of its oldest prisoners in state’s 10th lethal injection this year

Man who was 74 was one of three older prisoners scheduled for execution within the span of a month

Florida put to death one of its oldest prisoners in its state history on Tuesday, a 74-year-old convicted murderer who was one of three older prisoners scheduled for execution within the span of a month in the nation’s busiest death penalty state.

Dennis Sochor was pronounced dead at 6.16pm after a three-drug injection at Florida state prison near Starke. He was convicted of killing Patricia Gifford on 1 January 1982, just hours after meeting the 18-year-old woman at a New Year’s Eve party.

‘Amazing’ Spain are peaking at right time for World Cup final, claims De la Fuente

• Coach warns his team they still need to improve

• Mbappé says France were lacking ‘tactically, technically’

A delighted Luis de la Fuente warned that Spain were peaking at the right time after comfortably beating France 2-0 and progressing to their first World Cup final since 2010.

Spain completely outplayed their highly fancied opponents, scoring in each half through Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty and a well-worked Pedro Porro goal. It is a far cry from their grim goalless draw with Cape Verde in the group stage. De la Fuente, who has coached them to the European Championship title, believes they have timed their run perfectly to the tournament’s business end and a showdown against England or Argentina.

Cyclospora outbreak leaves consumers guessing which foods are safe

Officials are still searching for the source of the outbreak, prompting consumers to seek advice on social media about which foods to avoid.

ICE halts most vehicle stops following deadly shootings, sources say

Neither of the victims of the ICE shootings in Maine or Texas were the target of enforcement operations, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule and how to watch

With 104 World Cup games being played in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, it's like "a Super Bowl every single day for five weeks," U.S. team captain Tim Ream told CBS News.

Spain reaches World Cup final with dominant 2-0 win over France

In a match Tuesday featuring two of soccer's biggest heavyweights, Spain put in a masterful performance, frustrating France to the tune of a 2-0 win to advance to Sunday's World Cup final​.

Granddaughter wears late grandmother's wedding dress with no changes: "Why would I fix perfection?"

The eldest granddaughter in a Pennsylvania woman's family long wanted to wear her grandmother's dress for her own wedding. When the dress fit perfectly, Catherine Michelle Bartlett walked down the aisle in it, exactly as is. Tony Dokoupil has the story.

State board: Musk may have broken election law by offering $1M checks to voters

The Wisconsin Elections Commission found billionaire Elon Musk may have violated the state's election bribery law by offering $1 million checks to voters during an election last year.

Torrential rain triggers flash flood emergency in Texas

Heavy storms caused chaos in Central Texas this week, triggering a flash flood emergency, and more than a foot of rain swelled rivers. Jason Allen reports and Rob Marciano has the forecast.

CDC looking into several items potentially linked to cyclospora parasite

As of Tuesday, nearly 7,000 people in 34 states reported symptoms tied to a parasitic illness that, so far, has no official source. Carter Evans reports on what's suspected of being behind the cyclosporiasis outbreak.

Trump reverses course on U.S. acting as "guardian of the Hormuz Strait"

The U.S. hit Iran with heavy airstrikes for the fourth night in a row, aimed at preventing the regime's new attacks on oil and cargo ships. After President Trump floated the idea of the U.S. acting as a "guardian of the Hormuz Strait" on Monday, he reversed his decision. Ed O'Keefe has the details.

Why so many fatal ICE shootings have happened in Trump's second term

During President Trump's second term, at least 11 people have been shot and killed by federal immigration officers, and many others have been caught up in high-profile public incidents. Camilo Montoya-Galvez looks into why there seems to be many such cases.

Federal officials suspend most vehicle stops during ICE operations after deadly shootings

After U.S. federal agents killed two men in less than a week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement told its officers to stop pulling over vehicles in most cases. Lilia Luciano reports.

Meta used AI to tag workers who took leave to be laid off, lawsuit claims

Lawsuit filed by dozens of employees says people who took maternity or disability leave were disproportionately selected for layoffs

Dozens of Meta employees have sued the social media company over claims that it used artificial intelligence tools to tag workers for mass layoffs. The workers allege that those AI tools targeted them after they asked for protected or maternity leave or disability accommodation.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in the northern district of California, points to Meta’s workforce reduction of about 8,000 employees earlier this year. Meta is the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The suit alleges that Meta used a “constellation of internal artificial intelligence systems”, including AI performance ratings and keystroke- and activity-monitoring data, to pinpoint who to lay off.

‘It means love’: Scottish World Cup fans celebrate Boston with orange traffic cone

‘Boston cone’ arrives to fanfare in first-class seat from Glasgow before planned trip to raise money for mental health

Fresh off its first-class flight from Glasgow, it received a reception befitting a visiting dignitary: a bagpiper in full regalia playing inside Boston Logan international airport. Waiting to greet it were diplomats, the governor and Boston’s mayor.

The guest of honor? An orange traffic cone.

Thomas Tuchel: ‘Argentina will be fuelled by history – but we are ready’

• Falklands conflict adds ‘emotional’ edge to semi-final

• Manager has ‘no problem’ with Bellingham after outburst

Thomas Tuchel believes England will face an Argentina team “fuelled by history” in their World Cup semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday. It will be the sixth time that the nations have met at the tournament with the previous three coming after the Falklands war of 1982.

The most controversial game was in the 1986 quarter-finals when Diego Maradona scored his “Hand of God” goal and Argentina won 2-1 en route to the title. Argentina triumphed on penalties in the last 16 in 1998 when David Beckham was sent off. Beckham gained a measure of revenge four years later when he scored from the penalty spot for a 1-0 group-stage victory. England won 3-1 at the group phase in 1962 and 1-0 in the quarter-finals in 1966, when they went on to become champions.

12 states sue to block Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger

The suit poses a new challenge to the $110 billion deal that would unite two of the nation's largest media companies.

N.Y. enacts nation's first statewide moratorium on building new data centers

Building new data centers in New York will be paused for a year in order to allow state officials to establish guidelines protecting residents and the environment, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

Spain moves on to World Cup final after defeating France on a national holiday

Spain advanced to the World Cup final on Tuesday, after stunning France on the country's most patriotic national holiday. Nicole Valdes has the recap.

7/14: CBS Evening News

More than 20 inches of rain are forecasted for parts of Texas; Immigration and Customs Enforcement changes its tactics after deadly shootings.

House passes bill to make daylight saving time permanent

The measure also allows states to opt out if they take action before the federal law is enacted.

Thousands flock to see brief and rare blooming of corpse flowers in California

‘Enchanted’ visitors queued for hours to see two of largest – and smelliest – plants flower in San Marino

Two corpse flowers have bloomed at a southern California research institution, where thousands of visitors had the rare chance to watch two of the world’s largest – and most odorous – plants flowering at the same time.

The two titan arums, named Odorysseus and Odora, attracted more than 7,000 people on Monday at the Huntington library, art museum and botanical gardens in San Marino, about 12 miles (19km) from downtown Los Angeles, after they bloomed over the weekend.

"Miracle on the Hudson" pilot, Capt. "Sully," shares Alzheimer's diagnosis

Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who famously landed a passenger jet on the Hudson River in 2009, said he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Current and former employees sue Meta, alleging discrimination in using AI to conduct layoffs

The lawsuit filed by current and former Meta employees underscores rising concerns about AI's impact on jobs and people with disabilities in the workforce.

Zipline adds ex-Tesla, Uber, Waymo execs to make drone delivery mainstream across U.S.

Zipline is growing its drone delivery business in the U.S., and has hired former Tesla, Uber Eats and Waymo executives to help it scale up in new markets.

Consumer prices rose 3.5% annually in June, less than expected as energy prices eased

The consumer price index in June was expected to increase 3.8% from a year ago.

Spain reach World Cup final after Oyarzabal and Porro sink sorry France

Let this be a lesson for everyone foolish enough to cast Spain as underdogs. How they enjoyed dishing it out here, reducing France to passengers and surely guaranteeing nobody will make the same mistake twice. They will be favourites to win Sunday’s final, whether that turns out to be a rerun against England or a time-bending meeting of Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi, and those minded to back against Luis de la Fuente’s side will need a mightily compelling reason.

France never came close to finding one. Kylian Mbappé had one last go in added time, shooting harmlessly over, and his forlorn expression upon glancing up to check the clock said more than enough. He knew the game was up but, in truth, that had barely been in question since midway through the first half. Spain smothered France but outplayed them too, picking their moments to penetrate and adding a beautifully worked goal from the rampaging Pedro Porro.

7/14: The Takeout with Major Garrett

Latest on ICE scrutiny after fatal shootings in Texas and Maine; aide to Rep. Ro Khanna on moment he says he was detained in the West Bank.

Spain sparkles to shock France 2-0 and advance to the World Cup final

Spain is back in the men's World Cup final for the first time since 2010. That's also when Spain won its only World Cup title. France had hoped to reach the final for the third straight tournament.

Darline Graham, sister of Lindsey Graham, sworn in to fulfill his Senate term

Lindsey Graham’s younger sister appointed by South Carolina’s governor three days after senator’s death

• Darline Graham Nordone: Lindsey Graham’s sister and interim US senator

Darline Graham, the sister of the late Republican senator Lindsey Graham, was sworn in to temporarily fill his Senate seat on Tuesday, just three days after his sudden death.

Graham was appointed by Henry McMaster, South Carolina’s governor, to fill the remainder of her brother’s current term.

Scammers are using FaceTime to steal bank account passwords

The scheme begins with fake fraud alerts before shifting to a FaceTime call, where victims are tricked into exposing sensitive banking information.

Global cooperation needed to tackle AI threats, says Bank of England governor

Andrew Bailey warns that US will not be able to achieve its ambitions alone

The Bank of England governor has called for international cooperation to tackle growing AI threats, warning that the US and Trump administration would not be able to achieve their ambitions alone.

Andrew Bailey’s comments come weeks after the US president, Donald Trump, temporarily banned foreigners from using Anthropic’s powerful Claude Mythos model.

ICE pauses vehicle stops after deadly shootings in Texas and Maine

Deaths of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo prompt calls for independent investigations

Federal immigration officials have been instructed to stop pulling over vehicles until further notice, according to a homeland security source, following two recent deadly shootings in Texas and Maine during which officials shot and killed immigrants in vehicles.

Other news outlets, including Fox News and CNN, confirmed that officials nationwide received the instructions, with the former reporting some vehicle stops would be allowed to target “the most egregious criminal aliens”.

How do young people feel about AI? 7 teens weigh in

What's it like to grow up and learn in the age of AI? NPR put that question to seven teenagers across the country.

In the aftermath of deadly shootings, ICE pauses most traffic stops

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will pause non-urgent vehicle stops after two deadly shootings in less than a week, Maine U.S. Sen. Angus King's office tells NPR.

Senate Democrats block must-pass defense policy bill over Iran war objections

Senate Democrats blocked a must-pass annual defense policy bill from moving forward on Tuesday as they voiced opposition to the Trump administration's handling of the war with Iran.

Supreme Court Justice Barrett says the threat level against judges 'is really high'

Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan are testifying about the high court's budget request, which includes higher spending for security.

Supreme Court pushes Congress for more security: "Threats have come very close"

Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett urged Congress to provide additional funding to enhance protection for the justices as they face a rise in threats.

Bipartisan senators introduce Russia sanctions and tariff bill Graham championed

The text of the bill had been finalized before Graham met with Zelenskyy last week in Kyiv.

England rue selection errors after Patel and Sundar lead India to comfortable win

• England 258 lost against India 262-4 by six wickets

• All-rounders share century stand to secure victory

A recent ascent to No 1 in the men’s T20 international rankings saved one half of Brendon McCullum’s job as England head coach and yet half of that half – one-day international cricket – continues to be a struggle.

A six-wicket defeat by India in the series opener at Edgbaston was England’s 13th ODI loss since McCullum took charge of the white‑ball teams at the start of last year. Just six wins have come in this time – including three against lowly West Indies – and they have now slipped to eighth in the world overall.

Caribbean calls for return of British Virgin Islands – and for King Charles to back decolonisation

At London briefing, Caricom Reparations Commission decries fact region remains ‘most colonised part of world’

The main reparations committee for Caribbean nations has called on the UK to return the British Virgin Islands and for King Charles to commit to decolonising Britain’s remaining overseas territories, warning of a “resurgence of colonisation” around the world.

In a visit to the UK this week, the Caricom Reparations Commission – the body seeking reparative justice for enslavement, colonialism and their legacies on behalf of the alliance of Caribbean states – decried the fact that the Caribbean remained “the most colonised part of the world”.

Derision at US chain Chipotle’s plan to sell its Mexican food in Mexico

One social media user described the opening of its first outlet in Monterrey as ‘like the dog teaching a duck to fly’

A US chain’s plan to sell its version of Mexican food to Mexicans with a first branch south of the border has prompted bemusement, skepticism and anger among local people.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, known for its customisable burritos, tacos and bowls, has more than 4,000 locations worldwide and announced on Tuesday that it was expanding into Mexico in what it described as a significant milestone.

‘We’re all going to die’: Scottie Scheffler keeps things in perspective before Open defence

• World No 1 not interested in his legacy in the game

• Scheffler missed first cut in 79 events at Scottish Open

Something about the Open Championship seems to bring out the philosopher in Scottie Scheffler. Last year the world’s best golfer questioned the meaning of life before claiming his fourth major title. This year, though, it was his legacy that was more on his mind.

Scheffler was in an ebullient mood, despite missing his first cut in 79 tournaments at the Scottish Open last week. So when talk turned to his comments at Portrush – when he famously asked ‘What is the point of it all?’ – he couldn’t help but smile when he found himself saying “at the end of the day I am going to live my life and it’s going to end” this time around.

Youri Tielemans targets ‘biggest trophies’ after joining Manchester United

• Midfielder signs from Aston Villa for about £35m

• Villa to have Visit Rwanda as front-of-shirt sponsor

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Youri Tielemans for about £35m on a five-year deal, with the midfielder stating he wants to help “push for the biggest trophies”.

The 29-year-old will join from Aston Villa and follows United’s recruitment of another midfielder, Andrey Santos, who is 22, from Chelsea for £48m plus a possible £2m in add-ons on Monday.

Ann Widdecombe killing: police investigating possible leftwing motivation

Detectives examining whether hatred of Widdecombe’s strong views or of Reform party were factors in killing described as a ‘targeted attack’

The police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe is examining whether a leftwing or single-issue cause may lie behind her killing, the Guardian has learned.

Among issues detectives are investigating are whether a hatred of Widdecombe’s strong views, such as on homosexuality, was a factor. They are also examining whether extreme hostility to the Reform UK party played a role.

E. Jean Carroll receives $5.6 million from Trump in sexual abuse and defamation case

The payment comes three years after a jury found President Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming the writer.

Ella Baron on the US, Iran and the strait of Hormuz – cartoon

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Pilot known for ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ river plane landing reveals Alzheimer’s diagnosis

Chesley Sullenberger, 75, safely landed a US Airways flight carrying 155 people in New York’s Hudson River in 2009

Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger – the pilot known for the “Miracle on the Hudson” after safely landing a US Airways flight in New York City’s Hudson river during a 2009 emergency – announced on Tuesday that he was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“For now, this means a name may not come easily to me, I forget a story I have recently told, or I don’t sleep as well, but I am in the beginning of this long journey,” Sullenberger, 75, said in a statement. “This new phase of my life has challenged what it means to be of service. And the answer is to speak up. It is my hope that by sharing this, other families living in the shadows with this disease will feel they too can step forward.”

Dua Lipa calls Albanian protests against Jared Kushner-backed resort ‘inspiring’

Pop star, whose parents are Kosovan Albanian, expresses admiration for demonstrations, which are entering their sixth week

Albania’s “flamingo revolution” has won its most prominent supporter yet after the pop star Dua Lipa expressed admiration for the protest movement against a Trump family-backed resort in the Balkan state.

As demonstrations against the €1.6bn (£1.36bn) real estate project entered a sixth week, the London-born singer, who was partially raised in Pristina, home to her Kosovan Albanian émigré parents, described the civic unrest as “inspiring”.

The Guardian view on Brazil’s sovereignty: Trump turns autonomy into a trade offence | Editorial

Donald Trump’s tariff threat recasts Brazil’s attempt to protect its democracy as unfair commercial practice – and gives Bolsonarism a Washington stage

Last June, Brazil’s supreme court responded to the online lies that helped fuel Jair Bolsonaro’s failed far-right coup attempt in 2023. It ruled that social media platforms could be held liable for some users’ posts, forcing firms such as Elon Musk’s X and Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta to remove hate speech and anti-democratic content. A month later, Donald Trump proposed a 25% tariff on Brazilian imports, complaining that the judges had made US tech firms take down “political” material.

At a hearing held at the US International Trade Commission last week, an extraordinary platform was given to Mr Bolsonaro’s son, Flávio. He is the opposition candidate running to be president in this year’s election while his father serves a 27-year prison sentence. His message to Washington was that the US’s problem with his country’s unfair trade practices was down to the president, Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva, who has clashed with Mr Trump.

Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.

Social Security's 2027 COLA could be the biggest in years

New estimates call for a 3.6% to 3.8% benefit increase next year, although the final adjustment will depend on inflation readings released this summer.

Warsh pledges Fed policy 'regime change' to rid inflation 'tax' on American people

Warsh pledged Tuesday to "get monetary policy right" and defeat the inflation that has bedeviled the central bank for the past five years.

Watch: Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh testifies to House Financial Services committee

In remarks prepared for the appearance, Warsh promised a vigilant fight to return inflation to the Fed's 2% target.

Andrew Lloyd Webber says Broadway in ‘dire danger’ as Cats musical announces early closing

The legendary composer warned theaters could soon meet the same fate as Hollywood’s ‘empty soundstages’

Andrew Lloyd Webber has spoken out about the precarious state of Broadway in the wake of the early closing of his revival Cats: The Jellicle Ball.

“Broadway is more than a street or a collection of buildings. It is an idea – and one of the greatest cultural ideas America has given us,” the composer wrote in a lengthy X thread on Tuesday morning.

Manchester United close to agreeing club-record sale of Melvine Malard to Chelsea

• Fee for forward could be as high as £850,000

• The 26-year-old has one year remaining on contract

Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign the France forward Melvine Malard from Manchester United for a fee that would be a club-record sale.

It is understood the transfer fee could be as high as approximately £850,000, although some sources have suggested the deal will be closer to £750,000. The discussions are understood to be at the final stage and the move is expected to go through.

‘I have haters’: Pogacar brushes off boos after solo burst extends Tour de France lead

• Slovenian wins stage 10 on Bastille Day to go further clear

• Evenepoel finishes second, 32 seconds behind Slovenian

Tadej Pogacar extended his lead in the Tour de France with another imperious solo victory on the 10th stage to Le Lioran, in the Massif Central. The Slovenian now leads the Tour by more than a three and a half minutes from longtime rival Jonas Vingegaard, who wilted and lost more time to the other podium contenders.

Over a stage with seven categorised climbs, including the first category Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol and Col de Pertus in the final hour of racing, Pogacar again asserted himself over the peloton with a trademark attack on the penultimate climb.

U.S. trade official says 'very few' Nvidia H200 AI chips have been shipped to China

The remark is a sign that H200 shipments to China have restarted, potentially boosting Nvidia's sales even higher.

Environmental groups sue government to stop a big change to the Endangered Species Act

By altering the definition of the word "harm" as used by the Endangered Species Act, the Trump administration may limit how wildlife is protected in the United States. Environmental groups are suing.

Trump forced to refund billions in tariffs - The Latest

The US government has been forced to pay billions in refunds to companies that were hit by Donald Trump’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs. The US has paid out $81bn (£61bn) this fiscal year after the supreme court ruled the tariffs were illegal. Lucy Hough speaks to Chris Michael, an international editor for Guardian US

Johnson government wasted £10bn on PPE, Covid inquiry finds

Chair criticises use of ‘VIP lane’ to prioritise PPE contracts for companies with Tory connections in damning report

• ‘Catastrophic failure’: UK Covid families welcome inquiry findings on PPE

Boris Johnson’s government wasted £10bn of public money because of the flawed way it went about buying personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic, an official inquiry has concluded.

The Covid-19 inquiry chair, Heather Hallett, also criticised the then Conservative government’s controversial “VIP lane”, which gave high priority for PPE contracts to companies with political connections to the Tories.

Bastille Day celebrations in France tempered by fear of more wildfires

Firework displays cancelled as Paris military parade asserts ‘France’s rearmament … and Europe’s strategic awakening’

Emmanuel Macron has presided over his final Bastille Day parade in Paris amid a searing heatwave and wildfires that forced authorities around the country to cancel traditional firework displays and balls celebrating France’s national day.

The French president was joined for the annual military procession and flypast by his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the British ‌prime minister, Keir Starmer, the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and two dozen other national leaders.

‘A frightening piece to perform’: can Yoko Ono’s Cut Piece still shock?

Sixty years after its first staging, performance artist MPA is restaging the provocative piece in Los Angeles

Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind, a traveling retrospective on view at Los Angeles’s The Broad museum, features black and white footage of Ono’s 1964 Carnegie Hall performance of Cut Piece projected on to one of its walls. It was a landmark event in performance art history, in which the artist, aged 31, sat motionless on the stage as strangers took turns with a pair of scissors to cut away pieces of her clothing. As an emblem of the Fluxus artistic tradition, Cut Piece “relies on the audience’s actions to complete the performance”, says Sarah Loyer, curator and exhibitions manager at The Broad. This is precisely the work’s inherent risk: it leaves the artist’s body totally vulnerable to the viewer’s unpredictable whims. Consequently, as Ono herself told the art historian Ina Blom in a 1992 interview, “It is a frightening piece to perform.”

The tension in the footage is palpable, particularly as Ono struggles to retain her composure while a young man snips away at the straps of her undergarments. But as Loyer points out, “Looking at documentation of Cut Piece in the gallery, we are a step removed.” In order to convey the full impact of the piece, the museum is staging Cut Piece live twice at the Redcat theater on 17 and 18 July to be performed by the Los Angeles based artist MPA.

‘Anti-ageing is anti-life’: why longevity culture is just ageism in a lab coat

Rapid scientific progress has given us the tools to stop time more convincingly than ever – but lurking behind these claims is the same fear of ageing

Andrea holds a PhD in literature and works for a non-profit in Dallas. She’s in her late 40s and tells me that the pressure to remain youthful in her city is palpable. Almost completely irresistible.

“You don’t know what it’s like here,” she said. “Everyone has a facelift if they can afford one and everyone has had some work done. I’m a feminist to the core, but if I had the money, I would get a deep-plane facelift in a heartbeat. I’m saving up to get my neck done.”

Investigative journalist reports on the abuse inside ICE's largest detention facility

The New Yorker writer Jonathan Blitzer says thousands of people are being held in tents in the El Paso desert, where inhumane conditions have become a tool to pressure people to accept deportation.

We’d like to speak to maritime, port workers, their friends and family about how the Middle East conflict is affecting them

We want to hear from those working or living at sea, including maritime workers, sailors, port staff and family about how the situation is affecting their work

The conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt shipping across the region, including in the strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime routes.

Donald Trump has once again threatened to take control of the strait of Hormuz, as he announced the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iran and demanded a 20% tariff on all cargoes shipped through the key maritime passage.

United Airlines' new upsell: Keeping other travelers out of the middle seat

United Airlines will allow customers to pay more to keep the middle seat open on its Airbus A321XLRs

E Jean Carroll receives $5.6m owed by Trump after court releases damages

Funds released from escrow account after president’s efforts to block sexual abuse and defamation award fail

A Manhattan federal court has released more than $5.6m that Donald Trump owes E Jean Carroll in her successful 2023 sexual abuse and defamation trial against him, records reveal.

The disbursement, made public in a 14 July entry on Carroll’s case docket, indicates that the funds were released by a court-held account on 9 July – one day after judge Lewis Kaplan ordered the release of this money.

TikTok policy chief defends safety measures amid EU push to limit children's social media access

TikTok's policy chief defended the platform's safety measures as the European Union pushes ahead with restricting children's access to social media.

‘For Diego’: spectre of Maradona looms over Argentina ahead of England clash

The image of the national icon has been ever present through this World Cup, in banners and songs and memory. It adds a fresh layer to Wednesday’s semi-final

Not two minutes after his side’s dramatic, extra-time quarter-final victory over Switzerland on Saturday, the Argentina head coach, Lionel Scaloni, was already getting asked about the semi-final. Looming on the horizon was a match against bitter rivals England.

“This won’t just be a special game from a footballing standpoint,” the reporter asked in Spanish, “but also in an emotional sense. How do you imagine you and the players will come out for this game and what message would you give to all of us Argentines that are …”

‘I’m back’: Suni Lee announces return to gymnastics two years before LA 2028

• Six-time Olympic medalist resumes training

• Tokyo all-around champion targets LA 2028

• Latest Paris gold medalist planning comeback

Suni Lee is making a run at a third Olympics.

The America gymnastics star announced she is returning to the sport on Tuesday, about two years out from the Los Angeles Games.

Confessions of a Shopaholic: a charming Isla Fisher romcom worth taking to the checkout

The PJ Hogan-directed film may not have the polish of The Devil Wears Prada but it has new relevance in the buy now, pay later era

The year was 2009. The global economy was enduring the final throes of the worst financial crisis since the second world war and Isla Fisher, clad with an American accent and a shopping addiction, played a financially illiterate New Yorker with more than $16,000 in personal debt; an auburn-haired Marie Antoinette of the late oughts.

Confessions of a Shopaholic was awarded a measly two stars by this outlet when it was released. The film, based on the Sophie Kinsella novel series of the same name and directed by the Australian film-maker PJ Hogan, was practically doomed from the start. Financially battered audiences weren’t exactly chomping at the bit to watch a plucky fashionista make terrible spending decisions for 104 minutes. It was also just as romcoms’ box office dominance was coming to an end, replaced by a new era of unsaturated and action-packed superhero franchises. But while Confessions of a Shopaholic isn’t exactly groundbreaking, it is charming now – and arguably ahead of its time in regards to its depiction of overwhelming personal debt.

Lionel Messi’s first meeting with England will be a contest of will and aura

The Messi arc reaches a decisive point in Atlanta – passage to a third final or an exit to test the limits of Argentina’s love for their unassuming athlete-genius

Wednesday night, Atlanta Stadium, 101 games down, three left to play, and finally it makes sense. Bring on The Countdown, that moment just before kick-off in every one of those quietly fascinating World Cup matches where suddenly the world’s most excited man is bellowing over the PA system in a state of outraged, crowing transport, like the last voice you’ll ever hear before the American century explodes in a ball of inanity, fried chicken and porn.

“NAYYYN!! EEEIGHYYT!! SEEEVEERRN!! …” the world’s most excited man shouts, prelude to some cautious rolling possession, maybe an early back-pass, and an agreeable reminder that the game itself will not be stage managed. You want quiet bathos? This World Cup will deliver the greatest goddam quiet bathos the galaxy has ever seen.

Some international artists are skipping U.S. tours. Others may follow suit

The visa process for visiting artists has always been complicated and expensive. Under the current administration, it's gotten significantly worse.

Inflation slowed sharply -- but it may not last

Annual inflation hit 3.5% in June, down from May's more than three-year high — but the resumption of the conflict with Iran threaten to push up inflation as energy costs once again spike.

‘It wasn’t a dream, it was a threat’: the film festival celebrating pan-Africanism’s rich and complex history

Project a Black Planet: Film, a new season of screenings at the Barbican in London exemplifies how the movement was an act of solidarity, resistance and fierce creativity

Algiers, 1969. What had, for seven years, been the metropolis of a newly independent country became, over the course of 12 days in July, the cosmopolitan centre of an entire continent. That summer, Algeria played host to the first Pan-African Cultural festival (Panaf) and the capital’s streets were transformed into a vista of energising performers, flanked by placards announcing each country’s delegation: Ethiopia, Liberia, Mali.

Picture an Olympics-style opening ceremony, then discard it, for the images captured in William Klein’s documentary of the event, The Pan-African Festival of Algiers, hint at the very dissolving of barriers between spectacle and spectator – an act that brings to life a quote, shown on screen, from Guinea’s first president Sékou Touré: “We must make this revolution with the people … and the songs will come.”

The truth about Pete Hegseth's strange campaign against beards | Arwa Mahdawi

His facial hair fixation might seem perplexing – but it is part of an aestheticisation of politics that is central to the Trump project

The year is 2018 and Pete Hegseth has just come back from his summer holidays. Hegseth, who is still just a Fox News host, not a defense secretary keen on ordering possible war crimes, has grown a nice little beard during his time off. He is hoping his bosses at Fox might let him keep the facial hair, even if it’s just the moustache. He seems to think it makes him look quite dapper. Alas, some of his viewers disagree.

A woman called Patti writes in to Fox & Friends urging him to get that “fur” off his face. A viewer called Mary bemoans the fact that “all American cute” Pete now looks “awful”. People on the internet joke that he looks like a duck hunter. And then a final humiliation: Hegseth’s co-hosts cackle as his vacation beard is lopped off by a barber live on daytime TV. “A man without a beard is like a lion without a mane,” a Fox fan called Michael commiserates. “That’s how I feel!” Hegseth wails.

Google DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis calls for U.S. to spearhead AI standards body

Tech giant's AI boss said "urgent action" was needed as AI capabilities advanced.

California faces highest shark numbers in years as great whites head north

El Niño climate phenomenon heating waters off Mexico but incidents with humans remain a rarity

California is set to see one of its sharkiest summers in a decade, with large numbers of juvenile great whites already on a reverse vacation from the warm waters of Mexico to cooler pastures along the western United States.

The marine predator has become more common along the west coast in recent years, with stories of surfers seeing underwater behemoths closer to shore and scientists saying swimmers and ocean-lovers alike are probably already sharing their favorite beaches with great whites, whether they know it or not.

‘Fun, propulsive, full of queer joy’: readers’ favourite albums of 2026 so far, from Muna to Raye and J Cole

After the Guardian’s music critics chose their best of the half-year, we asked you for your picks – from Brian Jackson and Arlo Parks to Maya Hawke, Flea and more

• The best albums of 2026 so far
• ‘I saw it seven times in the cinema’: readers’ favourite films of 2026 so far

The album is a fun, punchy dance record that will definitely be the soundtrack of my summer. It’s propulsive, full of queer joy, cheeky lyricism, and relatable insecurities as they ruminate on “being past their prime” as pop stars in their early 30s. It will undoubtedly be an amazing live show and is a testament to the importance of artists taking breaks, going out and living and resting before coming back with new things to say and experiences to detail. Jane Tytla, New England, US

Sen. Tim Scott wants to hear from Warsh on data centers and artificial intelligence

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., will host Kevin Warsh before the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday for his first time testifying as Fed chairman.

Trump to claim declassified intel reveals 2020 election interference: MS NOW

Trump said he will make a "Speech to the Nation on Thursday evening, at 9 P.M. Eastern," without providing further details.

UK to continue sending potential trafficking victims to France despite court ruling

Court ruled last week against policy to reduce protections for asylum seekers facing removal under one in, one out scheme

The Home Office is set to ignore a high court ruling and continue sending asylum seekers to France without looking into claims they have been trafficked, which last week was found to be unlawful.

On Friday Mr Justice Sheldon ruled against the home secretary’s policy to reduce protections for trafficking victims earmarked for forced removal to France. Home Office sources told the Guardian that operational activity could continue despite the ruling. Home Office removed certain protections for this group because they could delay removals to France by at least 30 days.

Frontier Airlines to debut in-flight Wi-Fi in 2027 with SpaceX's Starlink

Frontier is signing with Starlink for in-flight Wi-Fi, with service debuting as early as next year.

U.S. to reinstate Hormuz blockade. And, states sue over Paramount-Warner deal

The United States plans to reinstate a blockade over the Strait of Hormuz today. And, several states are suing to stop the massive Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.

A Chinese waiting hall and World Cup mania at No 10: photos of the day – Tuesday

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world

‘If we die, we die together’: wife of Ryanair passenger almost sucked through window speaks

Svetlana Grković says she grabbed her husband’s legs while he was ‘outside up to his chest’ for two minutes

• Ryanair passenger almost sucked out of window during flight

• Ryanair has axed family seating policy – but kids’ fees add up

A woman who saved her husband from being completely sucked out of a Ryanair plane mid-flight has said she thought as she held on to his legs: “If we die, we die together.”

Ljubisa Karović was sucked out headfirst on the flight on Friday after an engine failure resulted in parts smashing the acrylic window.

The burning question: what can I serve at a vegan barbecue?

Jerk aubergines, lentil-stuffed courgette, griddled pineapple with maple syrup … Meat-free doesn’t need to mean treat-free when it comes to barbecue season

I’ve recently turned vegan. How do I have a great barbecue?
Nia, by email
Happily, most vegetables benefit from a bit of barbecue action, but the key is not to get too carried away, says Genevieve Taylor, author of How to BBQ: “There’s a real leaning for people to overdo barbecues, but you should approach it just as you would any meal, with one central star and a few sides. After all, there’s no other meal where you’d be expected to eat a chop, a sausage, a kebab and a chicken wing.” Not a meal you’d find Nia devouring, sure, but you get the general idea.

Shaun McAnuff, author of Original Flava: Easy Caribbean, would be inclined kick things off with tostones. “They’re a bit like crisps,” he says. “Boil green plantain, which are more dense and not as sweet as yellow ones, then peel and cut into thick circles.” Smash those flat with the bottom of a mug, then barbecue until nice and crisp and serve with guacamole or salsa. Alternatively, grab some aubergines, Taylor says: “They’re such a sponge for smoky flavours.” Slice lengthways, brush with oil, season and grill until soft. “Spread a filling, such as walnut paté with spices, herbs and pomegranate molasses, over the slices and roll up.” Those would be nice at room temperature, which also helps with getting ahead.

Got a culinary dilemma? Email [email protected]

Family of a man shot by agents responding to a 911 call seeks answers

A troubling pattern of federal agents fatally shooting civilians is developing, with deaths in Maine, Texas and Tennessee. The family of a man shot by agents told NPR they want answers.

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo is dead. How long will ICE be allowed to hide its face? | Jamil Smith

A government that demands instant obedience while concealing its identity cannot expect trust – or escape responsibility for the consequences

There are videos that do more than document a story. They alter the way we understand it.

Ronaldo Salgado spent 7 July searching for his father. At the scene of a shooting in Houston’s East End, he found his father’s work van behind police tape. Later, he saw a video online: a man had been shot in the street. Ronaldo could not identify him by sight. He recognized Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by his voice, crying for help.

Can humans hibernate their way to Mars?

Scientists are trying to recreate the biology that lets animals survive months without food or water, in hopes of making deep-space travel possible

Long-term space travel is bad for your health. Very bad. Being in space exposes humans to dangerously high levels of radiation; extended exposure to microgravity can damage a range of organ systems, including muscles, bones and eyes. Living for months or years in tight quarters can have severe psychological effects.

The key to solving these problems could be a 250m-year-old physiological strategy that allows mammals, birds, fish and other animals to survive extreme scarcity by essentially going offline: hibernation. When they hibernate, animals almost completely switch off their bodily functions; they don’t eat, drink or move, and just as importantly, aren’t hungry, or thirsty and don’t seem to suffer from the cold. This remarkable ability could prove crucial in helping humans get to Mars and beyond – and could also help save lives on Earth.

Undercover in Laos: how Chinese tourism fuels animal trafficking – video

Chinese tourism is booming in Laos and the illegal wildlife trade is booming with it. Pangolin scales, rhino horn and elephant ivory are all being sold at secret shops and restaurants as a new high-speed rail line brings millions of visitors to the country. Working with Chinese activists, the Guardian goes undercover to investigate the criminal networks profiting from this trade and to reveal how wildlife trafficking is pushing the critically endangered pangolin ever closer to extinction

Jane Campion remembers Sam Neill: ‘He was radiating peace, beaming love’

The Piano director shares her memories of the actor on set – and the last time she saw him in hospital

• Sam Neill’s final interview and his life in pictures

• ‘A true gentleman’: actors, directors and leaders pay tribute to Sam Neill

• Neill interviewed in 2023, 2024 and 2026

Sam. So effortlessly handsome, and that rare thing in New Zealand and Australia: a movie star.

My hands actually shook when I met him at a cafe in Vulcan Lane, Auckland, to discuss rehearsals. He had arrived, we all had, to start pre-production on The Piano. He was to play the repressed and violent Stewart, the one who would chop off his wife’s finger. Who but Sam could play that part, could surprise with that part?

A French underwear brand is taking on fast fashion — with an IPO

Le Slip Français will make its stock market debut in Paris on Tuesday, betting that consumers will pay for locally made clothing amid competition from Shein.

It’s the hope that kills you – so fingers crossed for Andy Burnham | Zoe Williams

World Cup victory for England next week could raise expectations the likely new prime minister can’t live up to

Andy Burnham yesterday got himself clear of the magic number – the 323 Labour MPs who had to support him to make any leadership challenge mathematically impossible. Half a week had gone by in limbo, his endorsements standing at 322, everyone knowing he was the next prime minister, nobody able to call it anything more than “likely”. What were those last MPs waiting for? Maybe they were just in it for the atmospherics.

You can’t run a coronation like a slam dunk; it needs choreographed suspense, a sense of ceremony. In an ideal world, the last names would have arrived in the form of a wax-sealed letter, carried by a horse or a bird.