He did not provide evidence to support the claim but described it as an "alliance of Moscow scum with the insane regime of DPRK."

Zelensky urged Ukraine's allies to increase air defence support, arguing that stronger pressure on Russia was needed to stop its attacks.

Ukraine said at least 13 people were killed in overnight strikes. Russia's Defence Ministry said it had launched precision missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities and military infrastructure in regions including Kyiv, Lviv and Dnipropetrovsk.

Earlier this week, Zelensky also alleged that Russia and North Korea were considering deploying another 30,000 DPRK troops, a claim the Kremlin declined to comment on.

He also accused the United States of worsening Cuba's energy crisis through sanctions, including an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January 2026 targeting countries and companies that supply fuel to Cuba.

"The economic and social implications of that collective punishment are humanly unbearable," Diaz-Canel said.

The Cuban leader also rejected what he described as attempts to portray Cuba as a threat to US national security , calling it a pretext for possible military aggression.

He further dismissed a recent US State Department report describing Cuba as the "capital of 21st-century communism", calling it a "propaganda pamphlet", while reaffirming his government's willingness to pursue dialogue based on mutual respect.

Trump said the initiative would help remove what he described as unqualified migrant drivers from US highways, claiming they had been involved in reckless driving that caused preventable deaths.

He also said more than 24,000 driver's licences issued to non-English speakers had been revoked, while over 28,000 licences issued to what he described as "illegal aliens" had been cancelled.

According to the White House, the programme will be jointly run by the Departments of Transportation , Veterans Affairs, Labour and War.

Nearly 9,500 people were staying in evacuation centres across Kyushu, while 13,520 households were still without power following Tuesday's 7.1-magnitude quake.

The earthquake flattened homes, damaged bridges and sparked fires , with temperatures forecast to reach 38°C this weekend.

"Thank God for these shelters," one evacuee told AFP, explaining that conditions at home and in cars were unbearable because of the heat and mosquitoes.

"In this heat, if you don't have electricity and air conditioning, it's very tough," supermarket employee Hiroyuki Matsushima said.

"29 people were killed. The attackers came carrying fire and set houses in the village ablaze," survivor Emmanuel Danjuma said.

Community youth leader Ishaya Dawa said about 30 people were killed and seven others injured, urging the government to intervene.

"I need help because of what is happening to my village and this community. I am pleading with the government," he said.

The attack occurred late on Sunday when armed men opened fire, torched homes and fled before security forces arrived the following morning.

He argued that both communities were facing growing attacks.

"It's under attack from the rising tide of anti-Semitism and anti-evangelicalism. It's no accident that the two are coming under joint attack because we are one," he said.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the evangelical leaders thanked Netanyahu for Israel's actions during the conflict with Iran .

"When you're faced with an attack, what do you do? Attack back," Netanyahu said, adding, "It's now time to fight, fight, fight."

Evangelical Christian groups have long been among Israel's strongest supporters in the United States , and Netanyahu has regularly met with their leaders during visits to Washington.

"Tell him how a president of a country that is not as rich as the United States can guarantee every Brazilian citizen the same health treatment that the president of the Republic will receive," Lula said.

The United States formally left the WHO on 22nd January 2026, a year after Trump ordered the withdrawal on his first day back in office. The WHO said Washington halted its funding and left about $260 million in unpaid contributions, warning the move leaves "both the United States and the rest of the world in a less safe situation."

Lula also highlighted his government's healthcare policies and the expansion of public health services in Rio de Janeiro during the hospital visit.

"Last week, Mayor Mamdani accused our prime minister of being a war criminal and accused our nation of committing genocide. Hours later, a Jewish man walked out of his synagogue... He was stabbed by a radical who yelled 'Allahu Akbar'," Danon said.

Police said two men, one Jewish and one Asian, were attacked in separate incidents and are expected to survive. Authorities have not established any connection between the attacks and Mamdani's remarks.

Addressing the Security Council's quarterly debate on the Middle East , Danon also accused Hamas of obstructing peace and criticised the UN for failing to hold the group accountable.

Palestine's UN envoy, Riyad Mansour, meanwhile, accused Netanyahu's government of exploiting the Gaza conflict for political gain and urged stronger international action to end the bloodshed.

"No party, not even the one being born today, will ever come before it. The nation is above us. The homeland is above us. That is why the motto of our party, KIIRAAY the Republicans, is 'Homeland First'," he said.

KIIRAAY coordinator Abdoulaye Tine said the party was formed to defend Senegal's institutions, democracy and national unity, adding that the name "KIIRAAY" symbolises protection in Wolof.

Faye came to power in 2024 with Sonko's backing, but their alliance later fractured over economic policy and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund during Senegal's debt crisis. Faye dismissed Sonko as prime minister in May, while Sonko later became president of the National Assembly.

Trump also renewed his criticism of the nuclear agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama, describing it as "a road to a nuclear weapon."

He credited recent US military strikes, including B-2 bomber missions targeting what he described as Iranian nuclear infrastructure, with preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

"If that didn't happen, they would have had a nuclear weapon and there would be no Israel," Trump said, referring to the strikes. The US president further claimed that his administration's actions had prevented a wider regional catastrophe.

"If I wasn't here, if I wasn't president, there would be no Israel and there probably would be no Middle East ," he said, adding that he believed Iran would have used a nuclear weapon if it had obtained one.

"As I said three months ago, the show must go on," Trump said. "We were backstage, and we both wanted to just have it go on, whether it was 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock in the morning, it didn't matter. But in the end, it made more sense to do it the way we're doing it."

The rescheduled event was held under heightened security , with Trump saying lessons had been learned from the attack.

"A lot was learned from that evening. A tremendous amount was learned about security and about other things," he said. He later joked that "the second time is always better" before adding that he was "only kidding."

The original dinner was abandoned in April after an armed man allegedly opened fire near a security checkpoint, prompting the evacuation of Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials.

The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was charged with four counts, including attempted assassination of the president, and pleaded not guilty in May.

"We are paying tribute to all the fallen neighbours who could not get out on June 24, placing a light for them so they can climb a step and so that God may keep them in a very beautiful place up there," said survivor Adriana Velasco.

Velasco reflected on how the disaster changed her life in a matter of seconds.

"I really have no words; there are no words to describe how one feels after having had everything and in 39 seconds for everything to end and for you to have nothing left," she told Viory.

Describing the emotional impact of the tragedy, she added, "You see sadness, a deep pain, and at least my soul torn apart and shattered to pieces." "They are from the neighbourhood association here in our building, OPP 33C. And they organised this mass for those who died in our building," survivor Yordan Pina said.

One month after the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes, official figures show more than 5,300 people have died, 16,740 have been injured, 6,462 rescued, 17,907 displaced, and 190 buildings have collapsed nationwide.

"Bolivar's five republics are in the process of losing their independence and becoming a viceroyalty again. Perhaps Colombia more than Venezuela ," he said.

Petro alleged that De la Espriella was aligned with US interests rather than the Colombian electorate.

"Here in Colombia, the presidency of the one who is going to arrive on August 7 [Abelardo de la Espriella] is owed not to the people of Colombia, who voted mostly for another person, but rather he obeys the United States Department of State directly," he said.

De la Espriella narrowly defeated left-wing candidate Ivan Cepeda in the 21 June presidential run-off, securing 49.66 per cent of the vote against Cepeda's 48.70 per cent, according to the initial official count. US President Donald Trump publicly endorsed De la Espriella during the campaign.

Petro also criticised plans to hold the 7 August presidential inauguration at a military or police facility in Cauca, insisting such installations would remain under his authority until the end of his term.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran chose the path of diplomacy and dialogue, and negotiations were underway to settle differences. The response to diplomacy came not through negotiation, but through a military attack," he said.

He argued that such actions weakened confidence in diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

"Such behaviour undermines confidence in diplomacy, calls into question the credibility of mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes, and carries a dangerous message for the future of international relations," Araghchi said.

The Iranian foreign minister also accused the United States and Israel of violating international law, citing what he described as breaches of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's commitment to cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, saying Tehran was ready to make its transport, energy and regional trade capabilities available to fellow member states.

His remarks came after a 13th consecutive night of US strikes on Iran, while Tehran continued targeting American military assets across the region.

"This is the 13th consecutive night of strikes aimed to hold Iran accountable and diminish threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to commercial shipping," CENTCOM said in a post on X.

The exact time and location of the footage could not be independently verified.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was close to deciding whether to launch what he described as a "massive attack" on Iran, saying it would be larger than any strike carried out during the months-long conflict.

"I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," Trump said.

His remarks came after Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and a fresh rise in oil prices above $100 per barrel, Viory reports.

The latest strikes come after the collapse of a Pakistan-brokered interim agreement signed in June, which had sought to halt the conflict that began on 28 February.

"That president is innocent of everything he is accused of and there is no material evidence that can prove that Nicolas Maduro is guilty of any of the crimes he is accused of," Maduro Guerra said. "Our task here is to resist."

He also called for national unity, saying Venezuelans wanted peace , prosperity and respectful relations with other countries, while urging the return of both Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Maduro Guerra argued that lifting international sanctions was key to the country's economic recovery. "A broad national consensus is that they have to remove the blockade and sanctions so that we can take off as an economic power," he said.

Grassroots leader Gloria Lopez also addressed the rally, describing the legal proceedings against Maduro as a pretext to prolong his detention. She alleged the United States was motivated by Venezuela's oil and gold resources and said sanctions had worsened poverty.

The protest coincided with the third court hearing for Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores in New York , where Judge Alvin Wallerstein proposed 1st June 2027 as the start date for their trial.

"We are demonstrating with this Sovereign Brazil III that there is no crisis that prevents Brazil from continuing its path, from continuing with a growing economy ... We are going to finish the term growing by almost 3 percent in the three years of government," Lula said.

He criticised Washington for imposing the tariffs without consultation, arguing that countries were increasingly diversifying their trading partners and currencies .

"The abrupt decision of the US government to think that by applying the tariffs it applied without informing anyone, without speaking to anyone, the world was going to collapse," he said.

Lula added that the dispute had helped accelerate trade negotiations with other partners, including the conclusion of the long-delayed Mercosur-European Union agreement. "We have the conditions to emerge stronger from this crisis," he said, adding that Brazil was also pursuing new trade opportunities with other countries.

The additional 25 percent US tariffs on Brazilian imports took effect on Wednesday, with some products exempted.

Solano said the shortage of essential medicines had forced some patients to seek supplies on the black market.

"As ironic as it sounds, we have to go as far as the black market to be able to get supplies," he said. He also alleged that treatment disruptions had cost lives, saying he had seen fellow dialysis patients die because of a lack of medical monitoring.

Wilmer Bazurto, who is living with kidney disease and HIV, said the closure of his clinic affected hundreds of patients and warned that shortages of immune-system supplements were putting lives at risk.

"It is leading us to death little by little, and I do not know how much longer we will live," he said.

A video from Viory also showed patients waiting outside public hospitals for hours, with some elderly people seated in wheelchairs under the sun as they sought medical care. Patients accused the government of failing to respond to the worsening healthcare crisis.

Zelensky thanked Syrsky for his service, highlighting his role in the defence of Kyiv, the Kharkiv counteroffensive and the Kursk operation.

"The fact is that Oleksandr Syrsky ensured Ukraine's results in the defence of Kiev. In the Kharkov offensive operation, in the Kursk operation... a significant path has been travelled," he said.

The president also said he had offered former defence chief Mykhailo Fedorov a "worthy position in the government " focused on strengthening Ukraine's technological development.

Fedorov's dismissal last week sparked protests across the country. Zelensky declined to publicly explain the reasons for the move, saying he did not want to disclose information that could benefit Russia.

The reshuffle also saw former Naftogaz chief Serhiy Koretsky appointed prime minister, replacing Yuliia Svyrydenko.

"The Great Satan has once again unveiled its true, unmasked face, so that this dark experience of crime and bad faith serves as yet another strong document of America's mendacity, irrationality, unreliability and vileness," he said.

Khamenei also warned the United States against what he described as "warmongering," saying it would only bring "heavier costs and greater disgrace" to Washington.

"The dear nation of Iran and the Resistance Front have unforgettable lessons for [the US], lessons of which the valor of Islamic fighters and the zeal of the brave people along the southern front have shown examples in recent days," he said.

He also called for unity within Iran, urging the public to avoid political disputes and divisions.

Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17, opening a 60-day period for negotiations toward a final agreement.

"Do you realise that I spoke at great length and did not mention tariffs ? I am not going to talk about that because the news has to be the SUS. The news has to be our mobile units. The news has to be care for women," he said.

Lula added that he would respond only after Trump personally commented on the measure. "When Trump speaks, I will speak. As long as he does not speak, I will not speak," he said.

"We are going to prove that no one beats Brazil by lying. Either they are more sincere than us or they will not deceive Brazilian society ," Lula added.

The additional tariffs are set to take effect on July 22 and are expected to affect about 18 percent of Brazilian exports to the United States, although coffee, beef, orange juice and some aeronautical components have reportedly been exempted.

"I think it is a choice that makes a lot of sense," said BioParque biologist Cayo Souza, noting that Poty came from an institution in Foz do Iguacu, close to the Argentine border.

Souza said the prediction reflected the jaguar's curious personality.

"She chose Argentina, but then she took a look at Spain, and went back to Argentina again," he said.

He also predicted a closely contested final, suggesting it could be decided by a late goal or even a penalty shootout. The event attracted families and football fans to BioParque do Rio, while also raising awareness about jaguar conservation.

Argentina will face Spain in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday.

"It seems to me that the DEA has a lot of work in the United States. Normally the DEA devotes most of its work outside the United States, but within the United States it has a lot of work and should be dedicated to work mainly within its own country," she said.

Sheinbaum cited the television series Breaking Bad, arguing that it reflects a real problem in the United States, which she described as the world's largest drug market.

"The largest drug market in the world is in the United States. Who sells it? How do they sell it, how do they distribute it, how do they launder the money? That is something the DEA should be investigating," she said.

She also referenced former senior DEA official Nicholas Palmeri, who was removed over improper contacts with lawyers representing drug traffickers, saying the agency should focus on issues within its own organisation rather than making political statements.

Despite rejecting the allegations, Sheinbaum said Mexico remained committed to cooperating with the DEA in combating cross-border drug trafficking .

"I'm authorising a new screening program for testosterone deficiency for our service members, ensuring you have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best," he said.

Hegseth noted that testosterone levels naturally decline with age and said testing would be carried out under the supervision of military medical professionals.

Service members found to have low testosterone levels will be offered voluntary testosterone replacement therapy.

"As we know, the modern battlefield is brutal and unrelenting. It requires and demands maximum psychological and mental readiness," Hegseth said.

Speaking after receiving the credentials, Fujimori described her election as a historic milestone.

"Today I also want to express the immense honour that it represents for me to become the first woman elected by popular vote to hold the office of President of the Republic," she said.

She also paid tribute to generations of Peruvian women who paved the way for her election.

"I assume this historic fact with enormous pride. I understand it as an immense responsibility toward millions of Peruvian women who for generations paved the way with effort, sacrifice, and courage," Fujimori said.

The Fuerza Popular leader, who previously lost presidential run-off elections in 2011, 2016 and 2021, is set to be sworn in on July 28 for a five-year term.

The bill would allow adults with a serious and incurable illness in an advanced or terminal stage to request assistance in dying under strict conditions . Applicants must be French citizens or legal residents, capable of making a free and informed decision, and experiencing unbearable suffering that cannot be relieved.

Patients would normally administer the medication themselves, although a doctor or nurse could do so if the patient is physically unable. The legislation also includes a conscience clause allowing healthcare professionals to opt out.

The Senate had rejected the measure three times, but the National Assembly had the final say.

The bill will now be reviewed by France's Constitutional Council before it can be signed into law . If approved, France would join countries including Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada and Ecuador in permitting some form of assisted dying.

"You made us proud, truly proud. We cherish you and everything you have accomplished," El-Sisi said.

"You brought joy to everyone's hearts because your performance was characterised by competitiveness, competence, merit, and above all, high values," he added.

El-Sisi also said Egypt's population of 120 million should be capable of producing many more football stars like Mohamed Salah and the current national team.

Egypt's campaign ended with a 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the Round of 16 on July 7, marking the country's best-ever World Cup performance in its fourth appearance at the tournament.

During the summit, Trump criticised Spain, calling it a "wasted cause" and announcing a halt to US trade with the country after Madrid resisted US calls to increase defence spending and support military action against Iran .

Fico said the meeting also showed that some NATO members were interested in opening dialogue with Russia, a position Slovakia has long supported.

He reiterated that Slovakia would not contribute to NATO's €70 billion military aid package for Ukraine or the EU's €90 billion military loan.

"We are in favour of cooperation, dialogue and humanitarian aid; however, we are not in favour of war ," Fico said.

NATO leaders agreed during the July 7-8 summit to provide €70 billion in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine in 2026, with a commitment to maintain similar support in 2027.

"The Executive Committee meeting held this Saturday, July 11, 2026, decided to initiate the termination procedure for the national head coach, Mr Pape Thiaw, as well as his entire technical staff," FSF Head of Communications Bakary Cisse said.

He added that the decision followed a review of the team's recent performances and future prospects.

Senegal's football federation has also tasked FSF President Abdoulaye Fall with formally notifying Thiaw and overseeing a broader reorganisation of the country's national teams.

Senegal were knocked out in the Round of 32 of the World Cup after surrendering a 2-0 lead to Belgium before losing 3-2 after extra time.

The disappointing campaign has prompted criticism of the federation's leadership, with local reports questioning the team's preparations and raising concerns over the FSF's financial management.

Viory reports that former France international Patrick Vieira, who was born in Dakar, has been linked in local media as a possible successor to Thiaw.

"We demand that the government of the Republic of Poland take all measures to oppose any development of Ukraine's integration process with the European Union . The European Union cannot be based on an ideology contrary to Christian values, European values," Czarnek said.

His remarks followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's May 26 decree granting a Special Operations Forces unit the honorary title "Heroes of the UPA." While Ukraine says the title was chosen by the unit's soldiers and was not intended as an anti-Polish gesture, Poland holds the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) responsible for the wartime massacres of Polish civilians in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia, which it recognises as genocide.

"Ukraine is not doomed to glorify perpetrators of genocide. Ukraine has its own heroes. But Ukraine will not be free and will not be a member of the European Union," Czarnek said.

Ukraine applied for EU membership on February 28, 2022, four days after the conflict with Russia began. It was granted candidate status in June 2022, with EU leaders agreeing to open accession negotiations in December 2023. Formal talks began on June 25, 2024, followed by a screening process to assess Ukraine's alignment with EU legislation. Ukraine completed that process in September 2025, and on June 15, 2026, the EU and Kyiv opened the first negotiating cluster covering the rule of law, fundamental rights , democratic institutions, public administration reform and economic criteria, Viory reports.

"Should the United States continue to violate its obligations under the MoU, Iran will no longer be bound to fulfil its obligations under the MoU," Iravani said.

He accused Washington of violating the agreement by carrying out military strikes on Iranian territory, including attacks on southern cities and several islands in the Persian Gulf on July 7 and 8.

"The United States bears full international responsibility for all legal and political consequences arising from its unlawful action," he said.

Addressing the Strait of Hormuz, Iravani said responsibility for reopening the strategic waterway and conducting demining operations rested solely with Iran under the memorandum. He warned that any attempts by external powers to establish separate arrangements would breach the agreement, delay the resumption of commercial shipping and increase regional tensions.

The United States has said its latest strikes were carried out in response to attacks on commercial vessels transiting the strait. Tehran has not claimed responsibility for those attacks, Viory reports.

"Yes, we do intend to restore the relationship with Peru. We did not break off that relationship; they did, they decided to. It is good that the president-elect today wishes... to restore the relationship," Sheinbaum said.

She added that she had instructed Mexico's foreign minister to begin discussions with Peru's incoming administration.

"Given her statements, I asked the foreign minister to establish communication with the new team that is going to govern in order to look at the specifics of restoring that relationship," she said.

Peru cut diplomatic relations with Mexico in November 2025 after the Mexican government granted political asylum to former Peruvian prime minister Betssy Chavez.

Chavez and former president Pedro Castillo were later sentenced to 11 years and five months in prison over Castillo's failed attempt to dissolve Congress and govern by decree in December 2022. Castillo is serving his sentence at the Barbadillo prison complex inside a police base in Lima.

Former president Janos Ader criticised the proposed amendment, describing the Tisza Party's initiative as unprecedented.

"After this constitutional amendment, anything can happen to anyone at any time in Hungary. And this leads not to legal certainty but to anarchy," Ader said.

Protesters accused Prime Minister Peter Magyar's government of undermining the constitution and the rule of law. "This is a trampling of the Constitution, the trampling of the rule of law and the death of democracy . If this remains the case and they remove the president of the Republic, then we must stand by them," said influencer Istvan Szakacs, who was previously arrested after posting a Facebook video stating that "If Viktor Orban gets to jail, 500,000 people will march and set him free."

Another demonstrator, identified only as Eszter, criticised Magyar's treatment of the president.

"The way he spoke to the president of the Republic is simply outrageous, shocking, and you cannot do such a thing. They didn't do that to the previous president of the Republic either," she said.

The protest was held in response to the proposed 17th Amendment to Hungary's Fundamental Law, introduced by the Tisza Party. The amendment would make changes affecting several public offices, including that of President Tamas Sulyok, and would also impose a 12-year term limit on Members of Parliament.

"That gold belongs to our people , and that gold must be available to address the terrible, tragic consequences of this double earthquake," she said.

Rodríguez also said she had spoken with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva about accessing Venezuelan resources blocked at the IMF and renewed calls for international sanctions to be lifted.

According to Venezuelan authorities, the June 24 earthquakes have killed at least 3,811 people, injured more than 16,000 and left thousands homeless.

"So what made us angry? That when Orlando Gill... offers his hand with all the humility of a Paraguayan... this son of a bitch refuses his hand and shouts in his face. That is not French," she said.

The senator also dismissed criticism from French supporters on social media and urged Mbappe to "stop crying like a woman."

The dispute began after Amarilla posted comments about Mbappe on social media that he described as racist. Mbappe accused the senator of "brazen racism," while the French Football Federation filed a complaint and French prosecutors opened an investigation.

During Wednesday's session, Senator Juan Carlos "Nano" Galaverna also criticised Mbappe over an on-field exchange with Paraguay defender Juan Jose Caceres and made comments about the player's personal life. Senator Yolanda Paredes described the France captain as "arrogant" and "ill-mannered."

Paraguay's government has distanced itself from Amarilla's remarks, saying they reflect her personal views rather than those of the state. French authorities said President Santiago Peña had also written to French President Emmanuel Macron condemning the senator's comments.

"The truth is that this morning, the team from the United States of America would have deserved a red card," Rodríguez said.

The Cuban foreign minister then held up a photograph of what he said was a hospital operating room in Cuba.

"I want to contribute to Permanent Representative Walsh's photo gallery...This photo is dramatic, Mr President. It is an operating room in which they are using the flashlight of a mobile phone for light. It is due to the energy blockade of the United States of America," he said.

Rodríguez later displayed another image, which he identified as being from a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation, rejecting US criticism of Cuba's human rights record and allegations of arbitrary detentions.

"Mr Walsh has referred to the issue of arbitrary detentions, human rights, repression and others. I want to show this photo. It is not in Cuba, Mr President. It is in the United States of America during an ICE raid," he said.

"ICE detains a small five-year-old child. Child Liam Conejo. Here he is when he is being held by an ICE thug. This did not happen in Cuba."

Rodríguez concluded by saying Cuba would not change its political course under pressure from Washington, defending the country's sovereignty and independence.

Responding to questions about the use of Italian military bases, Meloni said the government's position had remained unchanged.

"As far as the bases are concerned, it is not that we made decisions or choices in such a way, one day doing one thing and another day doing something else. We have had a very clear line from the beginning of the conflict in Iran, and we maintain that line," she said.

Her remarks came after US President Donald Trump criticised Italy's refusal to support US military action against Iran.

On Tuesday, Trump described Meloni as "a nice person" but said her decision not to become involved had affected their relationship.

"She refused to get involved, so it soured my relationship with her a little bit...I think she made a mistake," Trump told reporters in Turkey. Meloni also voiced concern over the worsening security situation in the Middle East, warning that further escalation could destabilise the wider region.

"I am obviously very concerned about what is happening in Iran," she said. "We cannot rule out that this might also spread to other areas of this delicate region." The Italian prime minister argued that military action had failed to produce lasting results and said diplomacy remained the best path toward resolving the crisis.

On NATO, Meloni said discussions with allies had not included any plans to reduce US troop deployments in Europe. She added, however, that Washington had long called on European allies to assume a greater share of the alliance's defence responsibilities.

"Ukraine has the right to defend its territory - territorial integrity. We maintain our humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, but as I have said many times before, Hungary will not provide arms or troops to Ukraine," he said.

Despite Budapest's position on military aid, Magyar said Hungary remained committed to strengthening its own defence capabilities and would gradually increase military spending to meet NATO's long-term target.

"The Hungarian government has already decided to increase the defence spending in a predictable manner, and we will reach the 5 percent by 2035," he said.

NATO leaders are meeting in Ankara on July 7 and 8, with defence spending, continued support for Ukraine and the future direction of the alliance among the key issues on the agenda.

"I'm very frustrated because I believe the referee was completely against us. Every time an Argentine player was touched, he gave them a foul, but we didn't get the same treatment. From the beginning, they wanted Argentina to win," said supporter Farah.

"Messi is FIFA's golden boy, we all know that, and they want him to win," he added.

Despite the defeat, Farah praised Egypt's performance and paid tribute to captain Mohamed Salah. "He's a legend. One of the main reasons we wanted to win today was for Salah as well," he said.

Other supporters also voiced frustration with the officiating, with some alleging that teams from the Global South receive unfair treatment. "Everyone knows Infantino is behind it, and the US is behind it. There's so much politics behind it. They just don't want a team from the Global South to win," one supporter claimed.

Fans said they had hoped to see an Egypt-Morocco final. With Egypt now out of the tournament, many said they would be backing Morocco for the remainder of the competition.

"They will fear that Ukraine will put a heavy burden on the EU budget," Fico said. "Yes, that is the other side of Ukraine's entry into the European Union . Therefore, everything has its time, and Ukraine must be patient. It must be very, very patient," he added.

Fico also questioned the European Union's proposed €90 billion ($103 billion) support package for Ukraine, claiming the bloc was funding Ukrainian weapons production that could later be sold back to EU member states.

"We are already in a mess. If we give someone 90 billion for the production of weapons, for support, for all sorts of things, they will manufacture weapons from it and then sell them back to the European Union," he said.

The Slovak prime minister said Slovakia's presidency of the Visegrad Group (V4) would focus on competitiveness, EU enlargement, people-to-people relations and practical cooperation, while making peace a fifth priority.

The European Union formally opened accession negotiations with Ukraine in June 2024. On Friday, EU member states reached a technical agreement to begin opening another accession negotiating cluster with Ukraine and Moldova, with formal approval expected on July 14.

Among those attending was Reyhaneh Abdi, who spoke of her grief during the ceremony.

"I loved my leader with all my soul, and my greatest wish was to sacrifice my life for him, but it didn't happen. Now, I am deeply ashamed before my leader that I survived, while my leader was martyred, by the most wicked creatures and the lowest of people ," she said.

Another mourner, Saeid Khane-Baz, said Khamenei's death would not weaken the Islamic Republic.

"They are so weak to think that by martyring the high official, the commander-in-chief, the Supreme Leader, the country will be destroyed. No, they are mistaken. They have trained many soldiers. I am also a soldier. We are all soldiers, and we will remain soldiers of this country," he said.

Iranian authorities have introduced extensive arrangements to accommodate the large crowds, converting mosques, parks and stadiums into temporary facilities and setting up camps for mourners.

A public funeral procession is scheduled to take place on July 6 before ceremonies move to the holy city of Qom on July 7.

The funeral observances are expected to conclude in Mashhad, where Khamenei is due to be buried at the Imam Reza shrine on July 9.

De Ogum is part of a community of pais and mães de santo - priests and priestesses of Afro-Brazilian religions - who regularly hold ceremonies to support Brazil during major football tournaments.

"We are Brazilians, so first of all, we have to support ourselves and pull things a little in our favour. And there is also the player who was born here in my neighbourhood, Vinicius Junior, who lived in the same neighbourhood as me, here in Portão do Rosa, in São Gonçalo. This is very important to us," he said.

The priest said his support for Vinicius Junior also reflects pride in the forward's stand against racism in football. "The greatest pride is honouring our Black people ," he said.

Brazil take on Norway on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium in the Round of 16. It will be only the second World Cup meeting between the two sides. Their only previous encounter came at the 1998 World Cup in France, when Norway defeated Brazil.

During the ceremony, Venezuela awarded the "Hero of Venezuela" and "Canine Heroes of Venezuela" decorations to international teams that participated in search and rescue operations.

Among those recognised was the Bolivian rescue delegation. Lieutenant Colonel Ibar Gálvez Lazo thanked the Venezuelan government for the honour but said the true recognition belonged to those affected by the disaster.

"As a Bolivian, part of the South American region, we feel honoured to support the people who are suffering from this natural disaster situation, such as the earthquake, and always committed to contributing and supporting the population ," he told Viory.

He added that, in his view, "the ones who should be recognised are the affected people."

The honoured delegations came from Europe, Western Asia and Latin America . Teams from Jordan, the Czech Republic, Colombia, Spain and Portugal were recognised for their work with search-and-rescue dogs, while rescue personnel from Germany, Bolivia and the Dominican Republic were also honoured for assisting in the emergency response.

"We beat Venezuela in one day, and we knocked the hell out of Iran. They're dying to settle. They want to settle so badly. We gave them a week off for a funeral because we're nice," Trump said.

Trump made the remarks while highlighting what he described as America's military strength and global leadership. He also praised the country's achievements over the past 250 years, citing advances in science, technology, culture and space exploration .

"For 250 years, the entire world has looked to our country and been inspired by the leaps of progress, feats of strength, and acts of selflessness, faith, and hope that could only have happened right here," he said.

The president also pointed to US accomplishments ranging from mapping the human genome and landing astronauts on the moon to its influence in music, sports and innovation. He noted that the United States has won the most Olympic medals and Nobel Prizes, before joking that he had yet to receive the prestigious award himself.

"There is a shortage of anti-ballistic defence systems. There is a shortage of Patriot systems," Zelensky said. "Our partners - above all the United States and our European partners - must be more active in providing them," he added.

Zelensky said protecting Ukrainian cities would require not only additional Patriot deliveries but also the expansion of Europe's own anti-ballistic missile production capacity.

"A NATO summit will take place in the coming days. Air defence must become one of its key outcomes," he said, adding that Europe should develop sufficient capabilities to defend itself against all threats, including Russian ballistic missiles.

The Ukrainian president also revealed that Kyiv has held long-running discussions with the United States on licensing the production of Patriot systems, while also seeking to expand European missile manufacturing.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defence Ministry said its latest large-scale strikes targeted military-industrial enterprises, fuel and energy infrastructure, radio-electronic and aviation manufacturing facilities, a missile assembly and testing plant, a transport and logistics hub, gas distribution stations in Kyiv and the surrounding region, as well as facilities in the Dnepropetrovsk, Poltava, Cherkasy and Chernigov regions.

"We knew that we were facing a major natural catastrophe and that La Guaira, the state of La Guaira, had become a disaster zone. The first hours involved immediate response, with the deployment of 4,000 civilian and military personnel, which increased the following day and reached 14,000 personnel," she said.

Rodríguez also accused what she described as "media laboratories" of encouraging people to travel to the disaster zone, saying the influx complicated rescue operations.

"There are those who, humanly and rightly, went down to look for a relative, went down to look for a friend, went down to look for a worker, but media laboratories were activated, I have to say that responsibly," she said.

The acting president thanked countries for supporting Venezuela's relief efforts, including the United States , the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Brazil, Spain and Israel.

She also announced an initial $200 million reconstruction fund and said the government was seeking to recover additional funds through discussions with the International Monetary Fund and the US State Department.

Uganda's Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Haruna Kasolo, said the government launched the programme as a precautionary measure in response to the security situation in South Africa.

"We decided to take a precautionary step," Kasolo said.

"This was as a result of vigilante-related protests organised by private citizens and with coordinated attacks against foreign nationals, especially of African origin," he added.

Government officials said more than 800 Ugandan nationals have registered for voluntary repatriation as Kampala continues its evacuation programme.

Uganda joins Ghana and Nigeria in offering voluntary repatriation to citizens wishing to leave South Africa amid concerns over the recent unrest targeting foreign nationals.

Deborah Wanda, whose daughter was among those abducted, said she had expected her child to return home shortly after the examination.

"She said she'll return home early," Wanda said. "I later got news she was abducted by terrorists. I and others went in pursuit in the bush." One of the rescued students, Wayem Bitrus, said she and another student managed to escape after the attackers fled when they heard security forces approaching.

"They heard gunshots. It scared them, and they left us. That was how we were rescued by security agents," Bitrus recalled. "I was so afraid. I don't want to go back to school again. I saw many of my friends on the motorbikes taken away. I want the government to please rescue them," she added.

Parents of those still missing urged the authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.

A spokesperson for Jordan's Public Security Directorate said the team found the child alive beneath the debris with stable vital signs. "The team found a three-year-old child alive under the rubble of one of the houses, and his vital signs appeared to be in good condition," the spokesperson said.

"The team worked for hours to remove debris while monitoring the child's vital signs using thermal imaging devices, before reaching him and extracting him without any harm," he added.

Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, also confirmed the rescue on social media , identifying the child as Klieber Moran.

"Three-year-old Klieber Moran was rescued alive in La Guaira state after six days trapped under the rubble," Rodríguez wrote. "Klieber's life is hope for our people ," she added.

Venezuela was struck by two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude on June 24, just moments apart, causing widespread destruction in several regions.

Edgar Martinez, a canine handler with the Mexican Red Cross, said rescue teams have been working in difficult conditions but remain committed to the mission.

"We are here in Venezuela, in La Guaira, working on search and location efforts for live people in quite difficult scenarios, with quite high temperatures, but with a great willingness to help," he said.

Martinez explained that the dogs are trained to identify survivors by detecting carbon dioxide released through human breathing.

"The dogs are trained to locate people through breathing, specifically through the carbon dioxide that we emit when we exhale; that indicates that a person is alive," he said.

He added that preparing the dogs for rescue operations depends heavily on volunteers who simulate being trapped during training exercises.

"People are literally used, and we are very grateful in advance to everyone who helps us in Mexico by hiding from the dogs... when I send the dog to search, there has to be a person pretending to be buried so that the dog can be locating them," Martinez said.

Mexico has reportedly deployed 22 canine teams to Venezuela to assist with search-and-rescue operations. Eighteen of the teams are from the Emergency Response Battalion of the Secretariat of Defence, while the remaining four belong to the Mexican Red Cross, including Orly, Balam and Kenai.

The three internationally certified dogs have previously taken part in major disaster response missions, including search efforts following the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey.

The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 have killed 1,943 people and injured 10,571 others, according to updated figures released by Venezuelan authorities on Tuesday.