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Here's today's free edition. This is the World in Brief from The Economist.

Our top stories. The start of the Paris Olympics was celebrated on Friday with a

star-studied eclectic and rainy opening ceremony along the Seine.

Hours earlier, France's high-speed rail network was hit by a series of apparent arson attacks.

Trains were suspended across most of the country after fires were lit on lines to the west, north and east of the capital.

The attacks also hit several lines in and out of Paris.

It remains unclear who is behind it.

SNCF, France's rail company, said that delays would affect 800,000 travellers.

Gabriel Atal, the Prime Minister, said the government had launched an investigation.

America's price index for core personal consumption expenditures rose by 2.5% year on year in June,

down from 2.6% in May.

The data shows that the Federal Reserve's preferred gauge is inching closer to its 2% target.

Consumer spending remained strong. However, the savings rate fell to its lowest level since 2022, suggesting that Americans are dipping

into their savings to maintain spending levels.

Barack Obama endorsed Carmeler Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee.

In a joint statement with his wife Michelle Obama, the former president lauded the vice president's, quote quote vision, character and strength.

The endorsement follows days of speculation about whether Mr Obama might withhold support

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