Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber star in World Cup's first halftime show as Spain beats Argentina · Pollar

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Today’s Brief

Hormuz burns, Burnham arrives

Trump escalates Iran war as Hormuz burns and allies brace for wider strikes

The Gulf again set the pace for markets and governments, as US strikes on Iran entered a ninth night and tanker traffic through Hormuz thinned. In Britain, Andy Burnham took over a restless Downing Street, while Europe tightened its grip on Chinese commerce and China pressed harder in artificial intelligence.

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World · Updated 31m ago

The Middle East after Gaza

US airstrikes continued for a ninth night, Iran's Revolutionary Guard declared the Strait of Hormuz unsafe, and a Kuwaiti desalination plant was hit for a second day, indicating sustained military engagement.

Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber star in World Cup's first halftime show as Spain beats Argentina · Pollar