Agree

• Disney has reached a deal with TikTok to allow select creators to use clips from its films and television shows in their videos. • The agreement follows a statement from Disney's chief marketing and brand officer, Asad Ayaz, who noted that fans are celebrating stories in "entirely new ways." • This partnership highlights the "increasingly important role" that social media and fan-generated content play in the modern entertainment landscape.

• Arsenal have reportedly reached an agreement to sign midfielder Bruno Guimaraes for a fee of £80 million. • Guimaraes is currently awaiting final approval before traveling to complete the move to the North London club. • In other transfer developments, talks regarding Mohamed Salah have been confirmed, while Liverpool are reportedly receiving a boost in their pursuit of Bradley Barcola.

• European ministers have agreed to implement new measures to combat online misinformation following a crisis in Ceuta. • To improve shared situational awareness, member states plan to develop early-warning systems, including social media monitoring and pre-frontier intelligence. • EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, called for increased international cooperation to dismantle powerful smuggling networks.

• President Donald Trump announced that Iran has agreed to a "total" reopening of the Strait of Hormuz following the U.S. decision to cancel planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. • The agreement follows diplomatic efforts to reduce escalation, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urging the U.S. to uphold a memorandum of understanding as the basis for future foreign policy. • Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, reviewed these developments and reaffirmed the kingdom's commitment to promoting regional security and stability.

• Donald Trump has characterized a proposed Gaza peace deal as a "great breakthrough" on August 1, 2026. • Despite Trump's optimism, both Israel and Hamas continue to disagree on several key conditions required to finalize the agreement. • This diplomatic friction highlights the ongoing difficulty in securing a lasting ceasefire and stability in the region.

• President Donald Trump announced on July 31, 2026, that a new agreement has been reached for Hamas to disarm. • Trump attributed the success of the deal to the ongoing war with Iran, identifying the nation as the primary backer of Hamas. • This development is significant as it represents a major shift in the regional security landscape and a potential end to Hamas's armed operations.

Donald Trump has declared a breakthrough in negotiations over the disarmament of Hamas in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, but Israeli government officials have voiced scepticism over the deal.Lucy Hough speaks to Julian Borger, the Guardian’s senior international correspondent – watch on YouTube Continue reading...

• Hamas has stated it will agree to disarm in Gaza only if Israel upholds the terms of a ceasefire agreement. • This follows an announcement by US President Donald Trump on Thursday regarding a new deal aimed at the disarmament of Hamas. • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained silent on the deal, though the news has sparked significant political tension ahead of October elections.

• A young player, whose identity was not specified in the report, is set to join the Swiss club Lausanne-Sport on a permanent transfer. • The move follows a series of updates regarding high-profile transfer targets, including Arsenal's reported agreement for Bruno Guimaraes. • This transaction marks a permanent departure for the youngster, shifting his career to the Swiss league.

US president’s board of peace says Israel will withdraw from Gaza following disarmament of Hamas but no immediate statement from either sideWhat is Trump’s Board of Peace and who is involved?Donald Trump on Thursday announced an agreement for the “complete disarmament” of Hamas, calling it a critical step toward a new Palestinian government in Gaza. There was no immediate statement from Hamas or Israel on the agreement.“This agreement is a critical step towards Gaza finally being governed by a new Palestinian government that will work closely with the Board of Peace to help the Palestinian people,” Trump said in a social media post. Continue reading...

• Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh stated on Thursday that the U.S. economy is showing "impressive resilience," though public sentiment largely contradicts this view. • Warsh acknowledged that the central bank cannot fix rising prices with a "magic wand," yet he maintains that the Fed is well-positioned to combat inflation through correct monetary policy. • Public data highlights a stark divide, with only 11 percent of Americans viewing inflation as "not so serious" and just 2 percent seeing it as a non-issue.

• The Lok Sabha is scheduled to discuss and process an anti-paper leak Bill during the 2026 Monsoon Session, following a consensus among all political parties. • In the Rajya Sabha, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva submitted a Suspension of Business Notice under rule 267 to demand the abolition of the NEET exam. • The demand for NEET's removal stems from concerns over student suicides, the destruction of careers, and the systemic disadvantage faced by rural poor students.

PM promises lasting solution for England but Tories rule out backing changes funded by tax rises or borrowingAndy Burnham has pledged to work collaboratively with other parties to find a lasting solution on social care, though the Conservatives ruled out backing changes funded by tax rises or borrowing.Senior Labour and Liberal Democrat figures have privately cast doubt on Burnham’s ability to find a cross-party consensus on social care reform in England, given the terms of the Tories’ participation. Continue reading...

KKR and Energy Capital Partners poised to buy firm despite misgivings from founder and biggest shareholdersBusiness live – latest updatesOne of the biggest energy businesses listed on the London Stock Exchange has agreed a controversial £5.7bn takeover by private equity, adding to the growing exodus of companies from the UK market.US private equity groups KKR and Energy Capital Partners are poised to buy DCC Energy after the company’s board recommended the offer despite misgivings from its founder and biggest shareholders. Continue reading...

PM promises to ‘defend national interest before anything else’ in first big broadcast interview since entering No 10Andy Burnham has promised to disagree with Donald Trump if necessary, including in public, in his first big broadcast interview since becoming prime minister.Burnham’s comments came as Wes Streeting, the new defence secretary, said he did not believe the Trump administration was looking for allies who “suck up”, but rather those with the confidence to set out disagreements when needed. Continue reading...

Exercise for September called off after Kenya raises concerns over funding and jurisdiction for criminal offencesThe British army has been forced to cancel training for its troops in Kenya after the Kenyan government refused to ratify a bilateral defence agreement.While the UK government wanted to renew the existing agreement, Kenyan lawmakers had sought changes to give local authorities greater powers to hold British soldiers accountable for any offences committed in the country. Continue reading...

Conflict continues across the region as White House announces nuclear technology agreement. Plus, the artist who flattened a Tesla with a tankGood morning. The US has signed a landmark nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia that could allow the kingdom to enrich uranium in the future. The deal will be submitted to Congress for review, where it could face opposition among lawmakers who fear a lack of monitoring safeguards.In lengthy talks stretching over more than one administration, the US has feared that Riyadh would look elsewhere for nuclear technology if the US did not provide what it wanted. Saudi Arabia has long said that if it does not partner with the US, it could do so with China or Russia, which have different proliferation standards.Why is a uranium deal with Saudi Arabia controversial? The full details of the deal have yet to be released, but it comes as the US’s war with Iran is being fought in part to prevent Tehran enriching uranium domestically and make it near impossible for Iran to build a nuclear weapon. Saudi Arabia has in the past said it would need a nuclear weapon if Iran acquired one. Kenneth Roth has analysed why Trump would agree it right now.What are the latest developments in the war? The US military launched its 12th successive night of strikes, which have now widened to western and central Iran. In attacks lasting five hours, the US claims to have struck military targets including maritime capabilities, missile and ⁠drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites and air defense assets. Yemen’s ⁠Houthi militia also attacked two ​Saudi Arabian oil tankers, the Iran-aligned group said on Thursday, with a Saudi news agency later confirming one of the vessels was ablaze in the Red Sea. Continue reading...

Andy Biggs – a hard-right congressman endorsed by Donald Trump – won the Republican nomination for Arizona governorHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Andy Biggs – a hard-right congressman endorsed by Donald Trump – won the Republican nomination for Arizona governor, saying he will “work with people that don’t necessarily agree with me”.As he wages war on Iran to prevent that country from enriching uranium, Donald Trump has reportedly approved a deal with ⁠Saudi Arabia to have US firms build a civilian nuclear energy program in the kingdom, which could include a uranium enrichment facility, US officials told the Wall Street Journal. The deal, which the administration plans to submit ⁠to Congress ⁠in the ​coming days, does not include safeguards to stop ‌materials being used in nuclear weapons programs, Reuters reports.The US-Israeli war on Iran has cost the Pentagon $37.5bn so far, defense secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday.“Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people,” New York mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a video statement in which he called the International Criminal Court warrant for the Israeli prime minister’s arrest justified but admitted that he lacks the legal authority to enforce it.Donald Trump announced a new package of tariffs on Tuesday, this time on generic drugs made overseas, to begin in 2028.The Senate intelligence committee on Tuesday advanced the nomination of Jay Clayton to serve as the US intelligence director, despite criticism from Democrats.The Trump administration paused more than $1bn in Medicaid funding to California and Minnesota, two states run by elected Democrats, citing “suspected fraud and noncompliance”. Continue reading...

Board of UK government contractor recommends deal with private-equity owned rivalBusiness live – latest updatesThe outsourcer Mitie has agreed to a £3.1bn takeover by its private-equity owned rival OCS Group, ending nearly four decades on the stock market and making it the latest London-listed company to be acquired this year.On Tuesday, the government contractor said its board has recommended that shareholders accept a cash offer of 221.6p a share, a 44.7% premium to Monday’s closing price. Continue reading...

• Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has agreed to step down immediately after signing a constitutional amendment that ends his term. • The legislation, backed by Viktor Orbán’s nationalist Fidesz party, cites a "serious loss of confidence" in Sulyok, who was originally elected in early 2024. • Sulyok stated he felt compelled to sign the law to respect legal procedures, though he warned that the move undermines the rule of law in Hungary.

• Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has agreed to step down from his position after the national parliament backed his removal. • Sulyok, identified as a loyalist to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, faced a deadline of Saturday night to agree to end his term. • The move follows criticisms from figures like Baka, who argue that the Fidesz party has dismantled the rule of law since 2010 to create an authoritarian state.

• Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has agreed to step down from his position after the national parliament backed his removal. • Sulyok, widely regarded as a loyalist to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, confirmed his agreement to the law change following a Saturday night deadline. • Despite agreeing to leave, Sulyok issued a statement accusing the government of violating the rule of law during the process.

Tamás Sulyok signed the constitutional amendment that cited ‘serious loss of confidence’ in him as leader Hungary’s president Tamás Sulyok has agreed to step down after signing a constitutional amendment passed by prime minister Péter Magyar’s ruling Tisza party.The amendment will end Sulyok’s term immediately, citing society’s “serious loss of confidence” in a leader elected in early 2024 by lawmakers from former prime minister Viktor Orbán’s nationalist Fidesz party. Continue reading...

One Nation MP refines party’s view on national identity as he accepts award for ‘political courage’ at anti-abortion gala organised by Joanna HoweFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation’s Barnaby Joyce has claimed First Nations people would agree with him that Australia is a “Christian nation”.The New England MP made the comments at an anti-abortion gala – where he accepted a prize for “political courage” – in Sydney over the weekend. Continue reading...

• Several Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool, are actively seeking squad reinforcements as the new season approaches. • Fenerbahce has reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Marseille to sign Mason Greenwood, potentially beating out competition from Saudi Pro League teams. • In other transfer movements, Coventry City is currently planning a move to acquire Norwegian player Patrick Berg.

Proposed legal settlement over 2022 oil spill would resolve allegations that South Bow violated clean water lawsA proposed legal settlement with the US government would require the Keystone pipeline system’s operator to pay a $26.9m civil penalty over a large oil spill in Kansas in December 2022 and spend about $40m more to prevent future accidents.The agreement would resolve allegations from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Kansas that South Bow, based in Canada, violated US and state clean water laws. The rupture dumped nearly 13,000 barrels of heavy crude oil into a creek running through a rural pasture in Washington county, Kansas, about 150 miles (241km) north-west of Kansas City. Continue reading...

Tehran says latest US attacks have ‘rendered futile’ diplomatic efforts of last few months. Plus, hit song in Australia prompts speculation about use of AIGood morning.The US military has launched a fresh wave of attacks against Iran amid the escalating standoff over the strait of Hormuz.What has Iran said about the latest hostilities? Iran condemned the latest wave of attacks, its foreign ministry saying they had “rendered futile all efforts of the past few months to reduce tension and establish peace in the west Asian region”. The ministry added: “The US regime has also caused the return of insecurity in the strait of Hormuz and disruption of international commercial shipping.”Is the strait open? Iran said on Sunday that passage through the waterway was not possible because of what it called recent illegal US military movements in the region. The US said its forces were positioned to safeguard freedom of navigation, and reiterated guidance that, despite a severe security threat, an “expanded” southern route near Oman coastline was available for two-way traffic.How will Graham be replaced in the senate? South Carolina’s governor, Henry McMaster, will appoint a new senator to serve out the remainder of Graham’s term, which ends on 3 January. Whoever is appointed will likely have a leg up in a special primary election on August 11 to get on the November ballot. The candidate would still run against the Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician who gained significant support in the red state, but who still faces an uphill challenge. Continue reading...

• The Mirror is reporting the latest Premier League transfer rumors, including a collapsed Manchester United deal and Bruno Guimaraes reportedly agreeing to terms with Arsenal. • Other key developments include a potential £80 million move involving Liverpool, alongside ongoing activity from Chelsea. • These transfer movements coincide with the World Cup quarter-finals, specifically the high-profile clash between Spain and Belgium taking place this evening.