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Daily Briefing

Russia's defense ministry accuses Ukraine of a "terrorist" drone attack on Moscow, tourists and residents fleeing wildfires on the Greek island of Rhodes fly home, and a second US submarine arrives in South Korea amid North Korea tensions.

Plus, the much-hyped "Barbenheimer" box office battle over the weekend proved to be a win for movie theaters.

By Kate Turton

Today's Top News

A member of the security services investigates the damaged building following a reported drone attack in Moscow, Russia, July 24, 2023. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

Russia's defense ministry accused Ukraine of a "terrorist" drone attack on Moscow, after the city's mayor said that two buildings were hit, and media reported that debris was found not far from the defense ministry's buildings. The daily Reuters World News podcast speaks to Russia Chief Political Correspondent Andrew Osborn about why the symbolism of the drone attack is important.
Wildfires burned across Greece, forcing people to be evacuated from a beach on the island of Corfu while tourists crowded an airport on Rhodes after thousands fled hotels and resorts at the weekend. What are the health risks from wildfire smoke?
Protesters chained themselves outside Israel's parliament, as the country's president led a last-minute bid for a compromise on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's contentious judicial overhaul ahead of a crucial vote in the Knesset.
Spaniards were greeted by political gridlock after the right failed to clinch a predicted decisive victory and no clear winner emerged in the country's general election.
At least 15 passengers were killed when a small ferry capsized during a short 20-minute journey near Indonesia's Sulawesi island, the national search and rescue agency said.
British radical Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary has been charged with three terrorism offences after being arrested in London last week, police said.

NORTH KOREA

A US nuclear-powered submarine arrived in South Korea on Monday, only days after the first US nuclear armed submarine made port in the country in four decades, as the two allies seek to boost American strategic assets to deter North Korea.
The United Nations Command and North Korea have begun discussing the case of Travis King, the US soldier who crossed into the North last week, the deputy commander of the US-led command that oversees the Korean War truce said.

Business & Markets

The European Central Bank looks set to pull the rate-hike trigger on Thursday, but what it will do after July is less certain and financial markets are craving some guidance. Euro zone interest rates have risen 400 basis points in the last year to 3.5%, their highest in 22 years.
Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency project founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, launches on Monday. The project's core offering is its World ID, an account that only real humans can get. Sign up for the Reuters crypto wire newsletter for the latest news from the world of cryptocurrencies, Web3 and NFTs.
Japan's imposition of export controls on chip making tools to align with a US policy restricting China's ability to produce advanced semiconductors is worrying some officials in Tokyo. They believe a combative US approach may hamper coordination and needlessly provoke Beijing.
Twitter owner Elon Musk signaled he would do more to take the social media company in a new direction with a rebranding that will replace its well-known blue bird logo with an X after acknowledging advertisers have been slow to return.
Vodafone reported better top-line growth, driven by higher prices in Britain and improvements in Germany, Italy, and Spain, marking a positive start for new Chief Executive Margherita Della Valle's turnaround plan.
The post-pandemic rebound of international travel, particularly to Europe, is expected to be a bright spot for hotels and cruise operators this quarter on Wall Street, even as consumers grow more price-conscious amid higher costs.

Two airlines dominate India's growing market

Last month at the Paris Airshow, India's budget airline IndiGo placed an order of 500 A320neo aircraft from Airbus, making the multibillion-dollar deal the largest by a single carrier in civil aviation history. Earlier in the year in February, the newly privatized Air India had placed an order of 470 narrow and widebody jets from both Boeing and Airbus.

The two airlines have a combined domestic market share of 81.3% in 2023.

Graphic: IndiGo and Air India are in a commanding position in the domestic Indian aviation market

And Finally...

America Ferrera and Margot Robbie attend the European premiere of "Barbie" in London, Britain July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska/File Photo

The much-hyped "Barbenheimer" box office battle over the weekend proved to be a win for movie theaters that needed to add some sizzle to their summer.

Ticket sales for the film industry's biggest season had been disappointing through much of June and July.

Enter "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer," two polar opposite movies that debuted simultaneously in a matchup dubbed "Barbenheimer."

"Barbie" stars Margot Robbie in a brightly colored comedy about the iconic doll, while "Oppenheimer" tells a haunting story about the making of the atomic bomb.

Read more: 'Barbenheimer' frenzy gives box office a major boost

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