Tanker Standoff, Novorossiysk Strike Rattle Morning

Tensions over Russia's shadow war at sea dominate the morning after London stood firm on its seizure of the tanker MT Smyrtos in the Channel, with Vladimir Putin branding the interception piracy and threatening to strike Western vessels anywhere. The same night, Ukraine answered with a drone and missile barrage on the Russian port of Novorossiysk, killing three people, damaging grain terminals and four warships, and forcing a state of emergency in the city. Against that backdrop, tensions are also rising in the West Bank, where Israeli troops reinforced the village of Qusra near Nablus after settlers cut water and power to two Palestinian families trapped since Sunday. At home, Britain's economy grew 0.4% in the second quarter, aided by good weather and sporting events, though economists warn Middle East tensions and energy prices could derail the recovery. Police chief Sir Mark Rowley admitted mistakes over Simon Levy, who murdered two women and raped a third while out on bail. In Wales, fire on Hazelwood Road, Newbridge destroyed six homes, sending 20 residents to a leisure centre for the night with no casualties. In sport, referee Anthony Taylor retired after 20 years, blaming a toxic culture stirred by ex-officials turned pundits, while Fulham's friendly against Malaga ended in farce: the English side walked off early, letting Malaga slot a penalty into an empty net.