Daily Digest — 9 Jul 2026

The US military launched new strikes on Iranian infrastructure today, escalating a conflict that has already pushed oil prices up 1.5% to $⁠74.61, while President Trump said he was “not sure” he wanted a deal with Tehran. The BBC’s Jeremy Bowen notes that despite the bluster, Washington has no better option than talks, and the fragile negotiating process now faces its hardest test. Markets mirrored the tension: US stock futures slipped, and crypto assets fell across the board — Bitcoin slid 2.1% to $⁠62,248, while Solana dropped 4.2%. Gold held steady at $⁠4,088, a safe haven that has drawn little new momentum this week.

In UK politics, Home Secretary Seema Mahmood is set to close a loophole in the 1971 Immigration Act to allow deportation of Shabir Ahmed, the ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang, though hurdles remain if Pakistan continues to refuse to take him. Meanwhile, Andy Burnham promised Labour MPs he would not use party discipline to stifle debate, signalling a shift from Keir Starmer’s style. Reform UK’s Nigel Farage denied a stunt after proposing an August by-election date. Police are also investigating a £37,500 donation to Robert Jenrick’s leadership campaign over foreign source allegations.

In tech, Google’s deepfake detector system was used to debunk a hoax image of Mitch McConnell, while the NHTSA demanded autonomous vehicle companies stop interfering with first responders. Lovable is reportedly in talks to double its valuation to $⁠13.2 billion. Crypto VC Paradigm launched a $⁠1.2 billion AI fund, broadening beyond digital assets while staying committed to crypto. On the cultural front, Justin Bieber joins Madonna, Shakira, and BTS for the World Cup final halftime show, and the US moved to delist Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism, citing efforts by Ahmed al-Sharaa.