-
European Union grants US request to restrict satellite images of Iran War region
The European Union has agreed to delay publication of certain Copernicus satellite images of shipping routes near the Strait of Hormuz by 24 hours, following a US request. The measure affects timely public scrutiny of the Iran war, as journalists and open-source investigators have relied on the free imagery to assess damage and military activity…
-
Pogacar on verge of fifth Tour after Alpe d’Huez win
Tadej Pogacar won stage 19 of the 2026 Tour de France on Alpe d’Huez, moving to the brink of a record-equalling fifth overall title. The defending champion produced a decisive late climb to catch the breakaway and set a new ascent record, reinforcing his dominance before the race’s final major mountain stage. Pogacar finished six…
-
Romania shoots down unidentified drone breaching its airspace
Romania said one of its F-16 fighter jets shot down a drone after it entered the country’s airspace near the Black Sea. The incident is significant because it was reportedly Romania’s first such interception since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, underlining the risk that the war poses to neighbouring NATO territory. The drone was detected…
-
Spain’s World Cup Triumph Gets Prime Video Series
Prime Video will release a four-part documentary series about Spain’s World Cup victory later this year. It will chart the team’s campaign, including Ferran Torres’s extra-time winner against Argentina, and aims to offer behind-the-scenes insight into a tournament described as controversial and politically charged. Produced by the Spanish Football Federation and Telefónica Broadcast Services, the…
-
Trump says Russia, China not ‘participating’ in Iran war ‘in my opinion’
President Trump said he did not believe China or Russia were taking part in the Iran conflict, while warning that their involvement would be “very bad” for them. His comments matter because direct military support from either power could widen the war beyond its current participants and intensify tensions between major powers. Trump said Chinese…
-
World chess chief faces endgame after EU announces Russia war sanctions
Arkady Dvorkovich, president of the International Chess Federation (Fide), has suspended his duties after being included in the EU’s latest sanctions package over Russia’s war in Ukraine. The former Russian deputy prime minister faces an EU travel ban and asset freeze, creating uncertainty over Fide’s leadership and potentially weakening Russia’s long-standing influence in international chess.…
-
Scottish sides in Europe postpone league matches
All five Scottish clubs involved in European competition have chosen to postpone or potentially postpone Premiership fixtures scheduled for Saturday, 22 August, to accommodate qualifying play-off ties. The decision reflects a rule introduced in April 2025 that lets clubs playing in Europe delay league matches without needing their opponents’ agreement, helping them prepare for decisive…
-
Backstedt to make Tour de France Femmes debut
British champion Zoe Backstedt has been selected for her first Tour de France Femmes, where she will ride for Canyon-SRAM in support of defending champion Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney. The 21-year-old Welsh cyclist’s inclusion reflects a strong recent run of results and marks a significant step in her professional career. The race starts in Lausanne, Switzerland, on…
-
Burnham urged to award £2.4bn military satellite contract to Airbus over US rival
Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, has urged the government to award a £2.4bn military satellite contract to Airbus rather than the US defence company Lockheed Martin. She argues that choosing Airbus would protect skilled UK jobs and domestic satellite-building capability, while the decision will test Labour’s pledge to use procurement to support British industry. The…