US-Iran escalation, Blanche grilled, Argentina v Spain and PayPal

US-Iran escalation, Blanche grilled, Argentina v Spain and PayPal

The U.S. turns up the heat on Iran with fresh strikes on coastal defenses as Tehran calls it an "existential war." President Donald Trump's pick for U.S. Attorney General – Todd Blanche – has a bruising Senate hearing. Argentina breaks English hearts again to reach the World Cup final. Stripe and Advent offer $53 billion to buy PayPal. And SpaceX shares sink below their IPO price, putting its $2 trillion valuation in doubt. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Freuters.sng.link%2FEng86%2F0flfc%2Fr_b612e09fe6&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600634080%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=78Ppb%2FgS6uiby6qWshbaJDTUn%2Fl8REr7WrXwEh2OZp4%3D&reserved=0]. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://www.reuters.com/newsletters/reuters-econ-world/]. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.chtbl.com%2FAbxd8GDx&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600673954%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bVY7gCotsBlqaGM9%2BvNVcuniqclEUMjnoY0IiARFW4A%3D&reserved=0]. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Hormuz U-turn, ICE vehicle stops and Ukraine government shakeup

U.S. President Donald Trump scraps his Strait of Hormuz toll threat, saying he’s opting for Gulf trade deals instead. ICE suspends most traffic stops after two fatal shootings in less than a week. Ukraine faces another wartime government reshuffle. Two U.S. Supreme Court justices make a rare appearance on the Hill to warn of threats against the court. And Spain dominates over France to reach the World Cup final. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Freuters.sng.link%2FEng86%2F0flfc%2Fr_b612e09fe6&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600634080%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=78Ppb%2FgS6uiby6qWshbaJDTUn%2Fl8REr7WrXwEh2OZp4%3D&reserved=0]. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://www.reuters.com/newsletters/reuters-econ-world/]. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.chtbl.com%2FAbxd8GDx&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600673954%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bVY7gCotsBlqaGM9%2BvNVcuniqclEUMjnoY0IiARFW4A%3D&reserved=0]. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Maine ICE protests, Hormuz, Congo Ebola politics and Paramount lawsuit

U.S. President Donald Trump threatens another blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and demands a 20% toll on cargo. Protesters are on the streets of Maine after the second deadly ICE shooting in the U.S. in a week. Bangkok weighs surprise night-time safety checks on venues after a deadly pub fire. Congo’s M23 rebels use an Ebola outbreak in their territory to showcase leadership. And 12 states sue to block Paramount’s Warner Bros deal which would be the biggest merger in Hollywood history. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Freuters.sng.link%2FEng86%2F0flfc%2Fr_b612e09fe6&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600634080%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=78Ppb%2FgS6uiby6qWshbaJDTUn%2Fl8REr7WrXwEh2OZp4%3D&reserved=0]. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://www.reuters.com/newsletters/reuters-econ-world/]. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.chtbl.com%2FAbxd8GDx&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600673954%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bVY7gCotsBlqaGM9%2BvNVcuniqclEUMjnoY0IiARFW4A%3D&reserved=0]. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Senate Republicans, Bangkok fire, Sam Neill and Iran's music

The U.S. Senate is back in session but two of its most powerful Republicans are not, leaving its majority stretched thin after the death of Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell's absence due to ill health. A fire tears through a Bangkok pub killing dozens. In some of Havana's apartment blocks, when the lights go out, so does the water. The Iran war silences the country’s musicians. And actor Sam Neill has died. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Freuters.sng.link%2FEng86%2F0flfc%2Fr_b612e09fe6&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600634080%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=78Ppb%2FgS6uiby6qWshbaJDTUn%2Fl8REr7WrXwEh2OZp4%3D&reserved=0]. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reuters.com/newsletters/reuters-econ-world/]. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.chtbl.com%2FAbxd8GDx&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600673954%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bVY7gCotsBlqaGM9%2BvNVcuniqclEUMjnoY0IiARFW4A%3D&reserved=0]. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

U.S. housing bill, Spain wildfire and Ukraine front-line nests

A bipartisan housing affordability bill [https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-he-will-not-sign-bipartisan-housing-bill-2026-07-10/] has become law without U.S. President Donald Trump's signature. Firefighters in southern Spain battle a fast-moving wildfire [https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/wildfires-southern-spain-kill-12-emergency-agency-says-2026-07-10/] that has killed at least a dozen people. And along Ukraine's front lines, birds are building nests from fibre-optic drone cables [https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/bird-nests-fibre-optic-cables-show-wars-impact-ukraine-2026-06-30/] used to guide attack drones. Watch the latest On Assignment: Collateral damage: The war comes for Iran’s ancient past [https://www.reuters.com/podcasts/collateral-damage-war-comes-irans-ancient-past-2026-07-11/] Listen to the Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Freuters.sng.link%2FEng86%2F0flfc%2Fr_b612e09fe6&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600703027%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=72pn%2BR49pQbWZiUyjCiUxbg6BIWNxe8%2F1ITXf4J6dYU%3D&reserved=0]. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://www.reuters.com/newsletters/reuters-econ-world/].  Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.chtbl.com%2FAbxd8GDx&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600732950%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fX87JTBYLBuAmci%2B%2FHjeb8W1bVHtGdZQ%2Bcv5KasL9eY%3D&reserved=0]. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement [https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/privacy-statement.html] for information on our privacy and data protection practices.  You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmegaphone.spotify.com%2Fabout-advertisements&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600762287%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=r5x%2BL4%2F6qoa4yP40O1UfyiBlzkKAglq%2F7SacOrB%2F3qI%3D&reserved=0] to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]