The Denver Police Department has issued a Medina Alert for a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred on July 5, 2025, on southbound Interstate 25 near 6th Avenue. The incident involved a pedestrian who was changing a tire and was struck by a 2016 black Toyota 4Runner with Colorado license plate ARFH65 and a CU sticker on the back window. Authorities are seeking information on the vehicle and the driver. In addition to the hit-and-run investigation, Denver police are actively pursuing suspects in multiple other violent incidents, including shootings in the 500 block of North Alton Way and the 3000 block of West Gill Place, as well as a stabbing near 40th and Colorado Boulevard. Victims in these cases have sustained injuries of varying severity, and investigations remain ongoing as officers work to identify and apprehend suspects.

A spate of hot-car incidents across the United States has left two infants dead and prompted criminal charges in California and Georgia, underscoring longstanding warnings from safety officials as summer temperatures climb.

In Bakersfield, California, police say 20-year-old Maya Hernandez left her sons, aged one and two, in a parked Toyota Corolla while she underwent a cosmetic procedure on 29 June. The vehicle’s automatic shut-off feature disabled the air-conditioning after an hour, and the children were exposed to triple-digit heat for at least 90 minutes. One-year-old Amillio Gutierrez was pronounced dead with a body temperature of 107°F; his brother survived. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child-cruelty charges and remains in Kern County Jail on more than US$1 million bail ahead of a 14 July hearing.

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European Union officials and Italian government representatives have engaged in a series of discussions and initiatives focused on enhancing sustainable and smart transport infrastructure across Europe. Key meetings included exchanges between EU transport officials and Italian ministers Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, and Adolfo Urso, Minister for Business and Made in Italy. These talks emphasized Italy's strategic role in European transport and the automotive industry, highlighting Italy as the EU's third-largest car market and sixth-largest manufacturer. Collaboration with academia, exemplified by a visit to UniLUISS, was also underscored for advancing smart and sustainable transport solutions.

On the international front, Salvini met with the U.S. Ambassador to Italy and Japanese officials, including Toyota and Honda executives and Fukushiro Nukaga, President of Japan's House of Representatives, to reinforce bilateral ties and discuss infrastructure and industrial cooperation. Concurrently, the European Union announced a €2.8 billion funding package aimed at modernizing the trans-European transport network. This investment targets major rail infrastructure upgrades, greener ports, smarter and safer transport networks, and the strengthening of EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes. Spain also secured €42 million in EU funds to support its transport network development. Additionally, Italy's engagement in international cooperation extends to Mongolia, where initiatives promoting social, cultural, and economic ties are underway.

NASCAR Cup Series points contender Denny Hamlin suffered an engine failure moments after the green flag for Saturday’s practice session on the Chicago street circuit. Smoke poured from the No. 11 Progressive-backed Toyota as the car spun, bringing out an early caution and halting track activity while crews attended to the incident.

Hamlin was uninjured and the car showed limited visible damage, but the blown engine forced his Joe Gibbs Racing team to return the entry to the garage. Because the Toyota will not re-enter practice or take part in qualifying, Hamlin must start Sunday’s race from the rear of the field under NASCAR rules.

Series officials added time to the practice session to compensate for the interruption. Earlier in the day, Xfinity Series driver Anthony Alfredo also encountered trouble when a fluid leak sidelined his Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet during its opening laps.

A chaotic NASCAR Xfinity Series practice at Chicago on 5 July saw several leading drivers damage their cars in separate incidents around the temporary street course.

Christian Eckes suffered the most serious wreck when he carried too much speed into Turn 6 and smashed his No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet into the outside tire barrier, leaving the car, in his words, “real hurt.” Sheldon Creed spun in Turn 7 shortly afterward but avoided contact.

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A 9-year-old girl died on 1 July after spending about eight hours inside a white Toyota Camry parked outside the United States Gypsum plant in Galena Park, a Houston suburb. Investigators said the child’s 36-year-old mother began a scheduled 6 a.m.–2 p.m. shift and left her daughter in the back seat with a bottle of water, partially opened windows and a sunshade in the front windshield, while air temperatures climbed to roughly 93–97 °F (34–36 °C).

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told reporters the mother discovered the girl unresponsive at about 2 p.m. and called emergency services; the child was pronounced dead at a hospital. Deputies detained and questioned the mother but later released her while they await autopsy results and review surveillance footage from the employee parking lot. Prosecutors will decide whether to file charges once the medical examiner’s findings are complete.

Texas law bars leaving a child under seven unattended in a vehicle for more than five minutes, and officials stressed that interior temperatures can rise far higher than outside readings within minutes. The incident is the third child hot-car fatality reported in Texas within four days and the at least 13th nationwide this year, according to the advocacy group Kids and Car Safety.

Toyota Motor North America has announced plans to establish a new facility focused on developing advanced driver assistance systems. The company is investing over $50 million to expand its Arizona Proving Grounds in Wittmann, which includes enhancements such as a new 5.5-mile test track and an off-road park. This expansion, expected to be completed later this year, aims to boost the development and testing of advanced driver assistance technologies. Toyota has maintained a presence in Arizona for 30 years, and this investment reflects its ongoing commitment to growth in the state. State Representative Leo Biasiucci praised the expansion, highlighting Toyota's continued investment in Arizona's economy.

Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party leader Shigeru Ishiba said Japan will "protect the national interest" by prioritising investment over tariffs, noting that the country is the largest foreign investor in the United States and a major creator of U.S. jobs.

Ishiba added that his government will reverse previous curbs on rice output, arguing that production cuts had gone too far and must be eased to strengthen food security and farm incomes.

Amid the prospect of higher U.S. duties on Japanese automobiles, the premier said he is prepared to spur domestic demand and seek new overseas markets to shield Japanese manufacturers if exports to the United States decline.

British tennis player Dan Evans advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Lexus Eastbourne Open after defeating World No. 13 Tommy Paul in a three-set match, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Evans' run at Eastbourne ended in the quarter-finals, after which he prepared to compete at Wimbledon. At Wimbledon 2025, Evans won his first-round match against another British player and was scheduled to face seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in the second round. Djokovic is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title, while Evans entered Wimbledon as a wildcard. The match between Djokovic and Evans attracted significant attention as a contest between a home favorite and a top-ranked player.

Toyota Motor Corp. said global sales rose 7% in May to 898,721 vehicles, marking a record for the month and the company’s third consecutive monthly high. Hybrid models remained the key growth driver, with deliveries climbing 15% to about 381,000 units.

Overseas sales advanced 7% to roughly 792,000 vehicles, helped by an 11% jump in U.S. demand for the Camry sedan and RAV4 sport-utility vehicle. Analysts attribute part of the U.S. strength to consumers bringing forward purchases ahead of President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on imported cars, which began in April and widened in May to cover key components.

Toyota said it intends to raise vehicle prices from July to recoup higher import costs, underscoring the pressure tariffs are placing on automakers’ margins. The company’s May performance contrasts with broader industry concerns that higher prices and slower economic growth could curb sales in the second half of the year.

Audi has unveiled the third generation of its Q3 SUV, a key model in its lineup with over 2 million units sold since its 2011 debut. The new 2026 Q3 features a more assertive exterior design and incorporates advanced technology. The SUV will be launched in Europe with prices starting at approximately R$280,000. Audi is also evaluating production possibilities in Brazil.

The Q3 continues Audi's strategy of frequent model updates following recent launches such as the A5, Q5, A6, A6 E-Tron, and Q6 E-Tron. The sportier Q3 Sportback variant aims to rejuvenate the compact SUV segment. Meanwhile, Mazda is preparing to reveal the all-new third generation CX-5 on July 10 in Europe, featuring a new hybrid system and a refreshed design. Other industry updates include BMW launching a more affordable model in Brazil starting at R$89,900 and Kia confirming the availability of the Syros SUV in South Africa before the end of the year.

A Bank of Japan official said feedback from the central bank’s second-quarter Tankan survey shows Japanese companies have not materially altered their capital-expenditure plans in response to U.S. trade measures. The official noted “no clear voices” indicating that current U.S. tariff policy is prompting firms to cut or defer investment.

Among automakers, the picture is mixed. Some manufacturers reported that higher U.S. tariffs are weighing on their business, while others said profits have improved because higher costs are being passed through to customers. Overall, the BOJ concluded that the broader corporate sector still views domestic demand and supply-chain conditions—not U.S. trade policy—as the primary drivers of spending decisions.

Global mergers and acquisitions slipped in number but swelled in size during the first half of 2025, according to Dealogic data. The period saw 17,528 transactions, down from 20,583 a year earlier, yet the total announced value jumped 26% to about $2.14 trillion as buyers concentrated on fewer, larger targets.

Asia provided much of the firepower. Regional deal value more than doubled to $584 billion, lifting Asia’s share of worldwide M&A to 27.3%. North American activity rose 17% to $1.04 trillion. The tally included Toyota’s roughly $33 billion move to take affiliate Toyota Industries private and an $18.7 billion cash offer led by Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. for Australia’s Santos. Transactions exceeding $10 billion increased 62% from a year earlier.

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Australian teenager Maya Joint captured the WTA 250 Eastbourne Open on Saturday, edging the Philippines’ Alexandra Eala 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(10) and wiping out four championship points in a 12-10 deciding-set tiebreak. The victory gives the 19-year-old her second tour trophy of the season—and her first on grass—after a two-hour, 36-minute contest marked by heavy baseline hitting and dramatic momentum shifts.

Read more

Toyota Motor Corp. said worldwide vehicle sales rose 6.9% in May from a year earlier to 898,721 units, the highest ever for that month and the automaker’s third straight monthly record. The fifth consecutive monthly increase was powered by brisk demand for hybrid models, cementing Toyota’s lead in an industry grappling with slowing electric-vehicle uptake.

Sales advanced almost 11% in the United States and gained 7% in China and 4% in Japan, according to company data. Hybrid vehicles remained the main driver, reflecting consumer interest in fuel-efficient models ahead of wider battery-electric adoption and before U.S. price increases that Toyota plans to introduce next month.

Read more

The 2025 EKO Acropolis Rally, the seventh round of the World Rally Championship (WRC), commenced in Athens, Greece, drawing significant attention to the city and causing widespread traffic disruptions. The rally began with a super special stage at the Zappeio area near the Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro) on the afternoon of June 26, prompting the closure of several major roads in central Athens, including Vasilissis Konstantinou Avenue. These closures led to severe congestion, with traffic jams extending up to 11 kilometers on the Kifisos highway towards Rentis. The event, known as the 'Rally of Gods,' is renowned for its challenging gravel mountain roads.

The opening stages saw Thierry Neuville and Katsuta Takamoto sharing the lead after the shakedown, both driving Hyundai i20 N Rally1 and Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 cars, respectively, clocking identical times in the super special stage. However, Neuville later lost time due to a tire puncture. Sébastien Ogier and Ott Tänak also shared early successes in the rally. The rally's start was delayed by approximately 90 minutes due to heavy traffic. The event has spotlighted ongoing traffic challenges in Athens, where average speeds have reportedly decreased by 25-30% over the past five years, and travel times for short distances have increased to 35-40 minutes.

The 45th U.S. Senior Open tees off Thursday at the Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, where the USGA’s ninth championship at the resort will test a 156-man field on greens described as treacherous and at an altitude of roughly 6,300 feet.

Defending champion Richard Bland will not return, opting instead to keep his place on LIV Golf’s 14-event schedule at this week’s stop in Dallas. His absence boosts the chances of former PGA Tour winner Stewart Cink, Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez, and New Zealander Steven Alker, who lead the betting markets.

Two-time Senior Open champion Bernhard Langer and Argentina’s Angel Cabrera—already a double major winner on the senior circuit this season—headline a roster that also includes past Broadmoor winner David Toms. Play begins with Thursday’s opening round; the champion will be crowned on Sunday.

Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. has lodged a 6.5 billion-rand (about $361 million) lawsuit in the Durban High Court against the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, eThekwini Municipality and state-owned logistics group Transnet. The Japanese insurer is acting on behalf of Toyota South Africa Motors to recoup losses stemming from the April 2022 floods that inundated the automaker’s Prospecton assembly plant south of Durban.

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Japan’s economy minister and chief trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, said the country "cannot accept" the 25% tariff Washington imposes on imported passenger cars, calling the levy a disproportionate burden on one of Japan’s most important industries.

Akazawa made the remarks at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Thursday before boarding a flight to Washington for a seventh round of minister-level tariff talks—his first visit since Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump failed to secure a breakthrough at the June 16 G-7 summit. The discussions are expected to again involve Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Read more

Gunmen opened fire late Tuesday during a street celebration for the Nativity of St. John the Baptist in the Barrio Nuevo neighbourhood of Irapuato, Guanajuato, killing 11 people and injuring about 20, according to the state attorney general’s office. A video filmed at the gathering shows revellers dancing to a live band moments before rifle shots scatter the crowd.

Prosecutors said the dead include eight men, two women and a 17-year-old minor. The wounded—among them several children—were taken to local hospitals, some by relatives who ferried victims in private cars. Security forces recovered dozens of assault-rifle casings at the site and have started ballistic tests and neighbourhood canvasses to trace the attackers’ route.

Read more

The Denver Police Department has issued a Medina Alert for a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred on July 5, 2025, on southbound Interstate 25 near 6th Avenue. The incident involved a pedestrian who was changing a tire and was struck by a 2016 black Toyota 4Runner with Colorado license plate ARFH65 and a CU sticker on the back window. Authorities are seeking information on the vehicle and the driver. In addition to the hit-and-run investigation, Denver police are actively pursuing suspects in multiple other violent incidents, including shootings in the 500 block of North Alton Way and the 3000 block of West Gill Place, as well as a stabbing near 40th and Colorado Boulevard. Victims in these cases have sustained injuries of varying severity, and investigations remain ongoing as officers work to identify and apprehend suspects.

A spate of hot-car incidents across the United States has left two infants dead and prompted criminal charges in California and Georgia, underscoring longstanding warnings from safety officials as summer temperatures climb.

In Bakersfield, California, police say 20-year-old Maya Hernandez left her sons, aged one and two, in a parked Toyota Corolla while she underwent a cosmetic procedure on 29 June. The vehicle’s automatic shut-off feature disabled the air-conditioning after an hour, and the children were exposed to triple-digit heat for at least 90 minutes. One-year-old Amillio Gutierrez was pronounced dead with a body temperature of 107°F; his brother survived. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child-cruelty charges and remains in Kern County Jail on more than US$1 million bail ahead of a 14 July hearing.

Read more

European Union officials and Italian government representatives have engaged in a series of discussions and initiatives focused on enhancing sustainable and smart transport infrastructure across Europe. Key meetings included exchanges between EU transport officials and Italian ministers Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, and Adolfo Urso, Minister for Business and Made in Italy. These talks emphasized Italy's strategic role in European transport and the automotive industry, highlighting Italy as the EU's third-largest car market and sixth-largest manufacturer. Collaboration with academia, exemplified by a visit to UniLUISS, was also underscored for advancing smart and sustainable transport solutions.

On the international front, Salvini met with the U.S. Ambassador to Italy and Japanese officials, including Toyota and Honda executives and Fukushiro Nukaga, President of Japan's House of Representatives, to reinforce bilateral ties and discuss infrastructure and industrial cooperation. Concurrently, the European Union announced a €2.8 billion funding package aimed at modernizing the trans-European transport network. This investment targets major rail infrastructure upgrades, greener ports, smarter and safer transport networks, and the strengthening of EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes. Spain also secured €42 million in EU funds to support its transport network development. Additionally, Italy's engagement in international cooperation extends to Mongolia, where initiatives promoting social, cultural, and economic ties are underway.

NASCAR Cup Series points contender Denny Hamlin suffered an engine failure moments after the green flag for Saturday’s practice session on the Chicago street circuit. Smoke poured from the No. 11 Progressive-backed Toyota as the car spun, bringing out an early caution and halting track activity while crews attended to the incident.

Hamlin was uninjured and the car showed limited visible damage, but the blown engine forced his Joe Gibbs Racing team to return the entry to the garage. Because the Toyota will not re-enter practice or take part in qualifying, Hamlin must start Sunday’s race from the rear of the field under NASCAR rules.

Series officials added time to the practice session to compensate for the interruption. Earlier in the day, Xfinity Series driver Anthony Alfredo also encountered trouble when a fluid leak sidelined his Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet during its opening laps.

A chaotic NASCAR Xfinity Series practice at Chicago on 5 July saw several leading drivers damage their cars in separate incidents around the temporary street course.

Christian Eckes suffered the most serious wreck when he carried too much speed into Turn 6 and smashed his No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet into the outside tire barrier, leaving the car, in his words, “real hurt.” Sheldon Creed spun in Turn 7 shortly afterward but avoided contact.

Read more

A 9-year-old girl died on 1 July after spending about eight hours inside a white Toyota Camry parked outside the United States Gypsum plant in Galena Park, a Houston suburb. Investigators said the child’s 36-year-old mother began a scheduled 6 a.m.–2 p.m. shift and left her daughter in the back seat with a bottle of water, partially opened windows and a sunshade in the front windshield, while air temperatures climbed to roughly 93–97 °F (34–36 °C).

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told reporters the mother discovered the girl unresponsive at about 2 p.m. and called emergency services; the child was pronounced dead at a hospital. Deputies detained and questioned the mother but later released her while they await autopsy results and review surveillance footage from the employee parking lot. Prosecutors will decide whether to file charges once the medical examiner’s findings are complete.

Texas law bars leaving a child under seven unattended in a vehicle for more than five minutes, and officials stressed that interior temperatures can rise far higher than outside readings within minutes. The incident is the third child hot-car fatality reported in Texas within four days and the at least 13th nationwide this year, according to the advocacy group Kids and Car Safety.

Toyota Motor North America has announced plans to establish a new facility focused on developing advanced driver assistance systems. The company is investing over $50 million to expand its Arizona Proving Grounds in Wittmann, which includes enhancements such as a new 5.5-mile test track and an off-road park. This expansion, expected to be completed later this year, aims to boost the development and testing of advanced driver assistance technologies. Toyota has maintained a presence in Arizona for 30 years, and this investment reflects its ongoing commitment to growth in the state. State Representative Leo Biasiucci praised the expansion, highlighting Toyota's continued investment in Arizona's economy.

Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party leader Shigeru Ishiba said Japan will "protect the national interest" by prioritising investment over tariffs, noting that the country is the largest foreign investor in the United States and a major creator of U.S. jobs.

Ishiba added that his government will reverse previous curbs on rice output, arguing that production cuts had gone too far and must be eased to strengthen food security and farm incomes.

Amid the prospect of higher U.S. duties on Japanese automobiles, the premier said he is prepared to spur domestic demand and seek new overseas markets to shield Japanese manufacturers if exports to the United States decline.

British tennis player Dan Evans advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Lexus Eastbourne Open after defeating World No. 13 Tommy Paul in a three-set match, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Evans' run at Eastbourne ended in the quarter-finals, after which he prepared to compete at Wimbledon. At Wimbledon 2025, Evans won his first-round match against another British player and was scheduled to face seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in the second round. Djokovic is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title, while Evans entered Wimbledon as a wildcard. The match between Djokovic and Evans attracted significant attention as a contest between a home favorite and a top-ranked player.

Toyota Motor Corp. said global sales rose 7% in May to 898,721 vehicles, marking a record for the month and the company’s third consecutive monthly high. Hybrid models remained the key growth driver, with deliveries climbing 15% to about 381,000 units.

Overseas sales advanced 7% to roughly 792,000 vehicles, helped by an 11% jump in U.S. demand for the Camry sedan and RAV4 sport-utility vehicle. Analysts attribute part of the U.S. strength to consumers bringing forward purchases ahead of President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on imported cars, which began in April and widened in May to cover key components.

Toyota said it intends to raise vehicle prices from July to recoup higher import costs, underscoring the pressure tariffs are placing on automakers’ margins. The company’s May performance contrasts with broader industry concerns that higher prices and slower economic growth could curb sales in the second half of the year.

Audi has unveiled the third generation of its Q3 SUV, a key model in its lineup with over 2 million units sold since its 2011 debut. The new 2026 Q3 features a more assertive exterior design and incorporates advanced technology. The SUV will be launched in Europe with prices starting at approximately R$280,000. Audi is also evaluating production possibilities in Brazil.

The Q3 continues Audi's strategy of frequent model updates following recent launches such as the A5, Q5, A6, A6 E-Tron, and Q6 E-Tron. The sportier Q3 Sportback variant aims to rejuvenate the compact SUV segment. Meanwhile, Mazda is preparing to reveal the all-new third generation CX-5 on July 10 in Europe, featuring a new hybrid system and a refreshed design. Other industry updates include BMW launching a more affordable model in Brazil starting at R$89,900 and Kia confirming the availability of the Syros SUV in South Africa before the end of the year.

A Bank of Japan official said feedback from the central bank’s second-quarter Tankan survey shows Japanese companies have not materially altered their capital-expenditure plans in response to U.S. trade measures. The official noted “no clear voices” indicating that current U.S. tariff policy is prompting firms to cut or defer investment.

Among automakers, the picture is mixed. Some manufacturers reported that higher U.S. tariffs are weighing on their business, while others said profits have improved because higher costs are being passed through to customers. Overall, the BOJ concluded that the broader corporate sector still views domestic demand and supply-chain conditions—not U.S. trade policy—as the primary drivers of spending decisions.

Global mergers and acquisitions slipped in number but swelled in size during the first half of 2025, according to Dealogic data. The period saw 17,528 transactions, down from 20,583 a year earlier, yet the total announced value jumped 26% to about $2.14 trillion as buyers concentrated on fewer, larger targets.

Asia provided much of the firepower. Regional deal value more than doubled to $584 billion, lifting Asia’s share of worldwide M&A to 27.3%. North American activity rose 17% to $1.04 trillion. The tally included Toyota’s roughly $33 billion move to take affiliate Toyota Industries private and an $18.7 billion cash offer led by Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. for Australia’s Santos. Transactions exceeding $10 billion increased 62% from a year earlier.

Read more

Australian teenager Maya Joint captured the WTA 250 Eastbourne Open on Saturday, edging the Philippines’ Alexandra Eala 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(10) and wiping out four championship points in a 12-10 deciding-set tiebreak. The victory gives the 19-year-old her second tour trophy of the season—and her first on grass—after a two-hour, 36-minute contest marked by heavy baseline hitting and dramatic momentum shifts.

Read more

Toyota Motor Corp. said worldwide vehicle sales rose 6.9% in May from a year earlier to 898,721 units, the highest ever for that month and the automaker’s third straight monthly record. The fifth consecutive monthly increase was powered by brisk demand for hybrid models, cementing Toyota’s lead in an industry grappling with slowing electric-vehicle uptake.

Sales advanced almost 11% in the United States and gained 7% in China and 4% in Japan, according to company data. Hybrid vehicles remained the main driver, reflecting consumer interest in fuel-efficient models ahead of wider battery-electric adoption and before U.S. price increases that Toyota plans to introduce next month.

Read more

The 2025 EKO Acropolis Rally, the seventh round of the World Rally Championship (WRC), commenced in Athens, Greece, drawing significant attention to the city and causing widespread traffic disruptions. The rally began with a super special stage at the Zappeio area near the Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro) on the afternoon of June 26, prompting the closure of several major roads in central Athens, including Vasilissis Konstantinou Avenue. These closures led to severe congestion, with traffic jams extending up to 11 kilometers on the Kifisos highway towards Rentis. The event, known as the 'Rally of Gods,' is renowned for its challenging gravel mountain roads.

The opening stages saw Thierry Neuville and Katsuta Takamoto sharing the lead after the shakedown, both driving Hyundai i20 N Rally1 and Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 cars, respectively, clocking identical times in the super special stage. However, Neuville later lost time due to a tire puncture. Sébastien Ogier and Ott Tänak also shared early successes in the rally. The rally's start was delayed by approximately 90 minutes due to heavy traffic. The event has spotlighted ongoing traffic challenges in Athens, where average speeds have reportedly decreased by 25-30% over the past five years, and travel times for short distances have increased to 35-40 minutes.

The 45th U.S. Senior Open tees off Thursday at the Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, where the USGA’s ninth championship at the resort will test a 156-man field on greens described as treacherous and at an altitude of roughly 6,300 feet.

Defending champion Richard Bland will not return, opting instead to keep his place on LIV Golf’s 14-event schedule at this week’s stop in Dallas. His absence boosts the chances of former PGA Tour winner Stewart Cink, Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez, and New Zealander Steven Alker, who lead the betting markets.

Two-time Senior Open champion Bernhard Langer and Argentina’s Angel Cabrera—already a double major winner on the senior circuit this season—headline a roster that also includes past Broadmoor winner David Toms. Play begins with Thursday’s opening round; the champion will be crowned on Sunday.

Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. has lodged a 6.5 billion-rand (about $361 million) lawsuit in the Durban High Court against the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, eThekwini Municipality and state-owned logistics group Transnet. The Japanese insurer is acting on behalf of Toyota South Africa Motors to recoup losses stemming from the April 2022 floods that inundated the automaker’s Prospecton assembly plant south of Durban.

Read more

Japan’s economy minister and chief trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, said the country "cannot accept" the 25% tariff Washington imposes on imported passenger cars, calling the levy a disproportionate burden on one of Japan’s most important industries.

Akazawa made the remarks at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Thursday before boarding a flight to Washington for a seventh round of minister-level tariff talks—his first visit since Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump failed to secure a breakthrough at the June 16 G-7 summit. The discussions are expected to again involve Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Read more

Gunmen opened fire late Tuesday during a street celebration for the Nativity of St. John the Baptist in the Barrio Nuevo neighbourhood of Irapuato, Guanajuato, killing 11 people and injuring about 20, according to the state attorney general’s office. A video filmed at the gathering shows revellers dancing to a live band moments before rifle shots scatter the crowd.

Prosecutors said the dead include eight men, two women and a 17-year-old minor. The wounded—among them several children—were taken to local hospitals, some by relatives who ferried victims in private cars. Security forces recovered dozens of assault-rifle casings at the site and have started ballistic tests and neighbourhood canvasses to trace the attackers’ route.

Read more