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Our top stories.

America warned all parties against escalation in the Middle East as Israel and Hezbollah

an Iran-backed militia exchanged cross-border strikes.

The attacks followed the sudden explosion of pages and walkie-talkies used by members of of Hezbollah which killed more than 30 people and injured

thousands.

Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrala blamed Israel and called the sabotage a declaration of war.

Israel has yet to comment on the blasts.

Investigations into how the devices were planted with bombs are underway.

Bulgaria, Hungary and Taiwan are among countries reportedly probing companies

linked to the sale of gadgets to Hezbollah.

The SMP 500, an index to His Buller.

The SMP 500, an index of big American stocks, closed at a record high the day after the Federal

Reserve cut interest rates by half a percentage point. It was the Fed's first

interest rate cut since 2020. Markets in Europe also rallied following the

announcement with the stocks Europe 600 climbing by more than 1%.

Axel Springer agreed to deal with KKR an American private equity Titan to split its advertising business from its media segment.

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