Roads ⁠have been sealed ⁠off and security measures ‌implemented after the blasts, that were heard in Damascus. At least 18 were injured, including four police officers, in the explosions that went off as Macron entered the Syrian presidential palace. A witness told Reuters news agency the devices went off in the vicinity of the French leader's hotel and verified footage appeared to show ​smoke rising from a road near the Four Seasons in the Syrian capital. Macron ​is the first major Western leader ​to visit Damascus ⁠since former Syrian dictator, Bashar ⁠al Assad, was toppled - to be replaced by ex-al Qaeda commander and rebel leader, Ahmed al Sharaa. The French president was received by the Syrian leader at the presidential palace shortly after news of the explosions broke, according to Syrian state TV. The Elysee Palace said the president did not hear any explosions while on his way to meet al Sharaa. The French president's office added that he was safe and that his visit to Syria was continuing. Syrian state TV also said there were two blasts, caused by explosive devices - one put in a rubbish bin and the other in a parked car. So far, no group has claimed responsibility. Read more:US accuses China over nuclear testCuba suffers nationwide blackout An investigation is currently taking place at the scene of the attack. Footage widely circulated on social media showed a van and a motorcycle on fire with blood stains on the street. Macron arrived in the country on Monday night with an economic delegation and is due to sign memorandums of understanding with his counterpart as the devasted country tries to lure investors to help it rebuild after 14 years of war. Syrian authorities have not yet commented on the attack. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

The agreement, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, will create the UK's largest commercial broadcaster via the acquisition of the ITVX platform and ITV's free-to-air channels, but not ITV's studio operations. The proposed combination was first revealed last November. It aims to create a UK-focused streaming giant amid the challenge posed by larger, established US platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The integrated streaming platform will have over 16 million viewers every month, Sky's chief executive Dana Strong said. Read more: Why a Sky-ITV deal makes sense Under the agreement ITV channels with shows like Coronation Street, Emmerdale, I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and Love Island will remain free-to-air. The combined business could also "supercharge" ITV's sports offering, according to Ms Strong. Studio guarantees Guarantees have been given to the studios wing of ITV, which creates TV shows and is not included in the deal. The combined Sky and ITV entity will spend at least £2.1bn from 2028 to 2032. Money blog: 'I'm an air traffic controller - here's what we earn' This commitment will support British programming, production and creative jobs across the UK, an ITV announcement said. The Sky-owned Love Productions, which makes the Great British Bake Off, is being sold to ITV for £200m to enhance "creative capabilities and portfolio breadth", the corporate announcement said. "As long as consumers love Coronation Street, we will absolutely be delivering Coronation Street," Sky CEO Dana Strong said when asked about what happens after the minimum spend agreement ends. "So we've got all of the shows that consumers love in a five-year contract. That's a pretty long contract, as you know, in our industry. So I have no concerns about what happens after that. You just start negotiations for continuation," Ms Strong said. News operations All ITV public service broadcasting commitments are to be maintained under the deal. And Sky said ITV News, produced by Independent Television News (ITN), and Sky News were set to remain distinct editorial voices. The current ITV-ITN contract is due to expire in 2030, which Ms Strong said is a "pretty long content deal for our industry". As the end of the contract approaches, Ms Strong said, "you just start renegotiating". "The national news, the international news and the regional news that ITV currently produces are all exceptional and will continue," she said. Sky is the owner of Sky News. Job losses? Speaking to Sky News, Ms Strong did not give a number of possible job losses as part of the purchase, but said they would be in commercial and corporate functions. "There is some duplication in roles in corporate functions and commercial functions as there is when you bring, inevitably, two organisations together," she said. "But it's the minority of the synergy." Sky had said about £200m in annual cost savings could be realised by the purchase. "We need to get a little bit closer to the businesses to look at where exactly the overlaps are," Ms Strong added. Reaction The chair of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Caroline Dinenage, said the news "reflects how British broadcasters feel the need to take steps to accelerate their growth so they can better compete with the global media streaming giants". "It will be important to have some early clarification on the future of ITN, which is 40% owned by ITV, given the implications of the deal for the plurality of news," she said. "ITV's role providing regional news programmes that so many people rely on also needs to be protected."

After new claims about Nigel Farage's funding arrangements, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss the bits of the new allegations which are worrying Reform. Plus, what will an Andy Burnham government actually be like? On the Treasury, the reports that he might try to split it in two seem to have gone quiet - but there appears to be an appetite to go early for this autumn's budget. Anne has also been speaking to Burnham adviser Jim O'Neill about what the PM-in-waiting's foreign policy vision might be.

The PR circus surrounding FIFA's decision to rescind Folarin Balogun's red card and Donald Trump's involvement in the supposedly independent process had dominated the headlines ahead of the last-16 clash in Seattle. However, it appeared only to galvanise Belgium as they thrashed USA 4-1 to book a quarter-final with Spain. And Belgium revelled in the victory, with several players mimicking Donald Trump's trademark dance moves after their fourth goal, while the team's official X account also mocked the US President and FIFA by responding to Balogun's overturned ban with the post: "Overturn this." Trump boasts, Infantino hits back and Belgium vow action amid Balogun furoreBalogun reprieve ends in anti-climax as Belgium dump USA outAs it happened | Teams | Stats | Knockout bracketWorld Cup day-by-day schedule | Latest: World CupFollow our World Cup coverage in the Sky Sports AppRaskin: A sense of justice Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin said his team felt a "sense of injustice" after their thumping win. "A lot has happened off the pitch over the last two days," Raskin said. "There was a sense of injustice within the squad, and we were determined to respond on the field." Belgium captain Youri Tielemans also insisted the build up to the game had boosted his side. "We told ourselves we had to respond on the pitch. That's what we did," he said. Trump has confirmed he personally asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to "review" United States striker Folarin Balogun's World Cup red card. The world governing body announced on Sunday that the automatic one-match ban for Balogun's dismissal against Bosnia and Herzegovina had been suspended, with the Americans' last-16 opponents, Belgium, appealing - unsuccessfully - against the decision. On Monday, UEFA said FIFA had "crossed a red line" and had put the "integrity of the game at stake" in allowing Balogun to play against Belgium. But FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the independence of FIFA's disciplinary committee. Garcia: Balogun not to blame Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia revealed that Balogun "came to talk" after the game. Garcia said: "I really liked that. It's not his fault, he's not the one to blame and that's what I told him." Asked if the controversy impacted his team, Garcia added: "Regardless of the US starting line-up, what really mattered to us is our game plan. "The group is very mature. I told them what matters the most is us." Pochettino disappointed that politics overshadowed USA's World Cup Mauricio Pochettino admitted his disappointment at the "politics and manipulation" which overshadowed the United States' World Cup exit. Asked afterwards if the outcry the decision sparked had affected he and his players, USA head coach Pochettino told the BBC: "It didn't affect our performance. It's not an excuse. It wasn't our day. "But in a personal way, what is the point to insult or receive a lot of bad messages? "It's a rule for the federation to apply and to try [to overturn the ban]. My position was to train the team. If Balogun is available because FIFA allow for you to have the player, it's not a problem. "I feel disappointed with too many people. They put politics and manipulation, talk about ethics and integrity [first]. If we talk about the history of this game, I am disappointed in a personal way." Like his manager, USA defender Tim Ream refused to use the Balogun situation as an excuse. Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, he said: "No, it had no impact. We've done a good job with this group of allowing outside noise to be outside noise. It's got nothing to do with us as players and getting ready for games. "It's one of those things. That's the world we live in. We were fully focused on us as a group and as a team and fully focused on the game and not really worrying about what was being said or debated in the outside world." Infantino faces resignation calls - but he's not going anywhere Meanwhile, FIFA president Infantino is facing calls to resign over the decision to allow Balogun to play against Belgium. "Infantino must go," said Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey. "No matter where it is held, the World Cup belongs to the fans." Resigning is not something which has crossed Infantino's mind. He has been president for 10 years and he will stand for re-election next year. He is almost guaranteed to win a new four-year term because he already has the votes he needs to win. The African, Asian and South American football confederations are all backing him again. FIFA's president is elected by its 211 member associations. Asia, Africa and South America have 111 votes. Infantino is likely to be the only candidate which would mean he will be clapped back into office by acclamation. Infantino has been flying around the US, Canada and Mexico watching as many World Cup games as possible in a jet provided by Qatar Airways. FIFA say their disciplinary committee is independent and Infantino was not involved in the decision to suspend Balogun's automatic one-match ban.

Southeast England has now officially met the heatwave criteria, after three days of temperatures above 28C, the Met Office said. Temperatures are forecast to rise across the UK this week with more regions likely to reach their local heatwave thresholds, the forecaster added. In some parts of southern England, temperatures could reach highs of 32C on Tuesday, 33C on Wednesday and 34C on Thursday, with 35C forecast for isolated areas on Friday and Saturday, the Met Office said. See the weather forecast for your area On Monday, the highest temperature was recorded in Teddington, southwest London, at 34C. Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates said this heatwave was not expected to be record-breaking. "Parts of the UK are entering heatwave conditions: the third heatwave in the UK so far this year," he said. "However, unlike the May and June heatwaves, we are not expecting this heatwave to be record-breaking. "Temperatures this week are not expected to reach the highs we witnessed last month, though parts of southern England in particular are likely to see several days in the low 30s, and a few places could reach 34-35C later this week." He added that Britons should "take the usual precautions with the heat and the sun". The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat health alerts for all of England. Amber alerts are in place for southern England and the Midlands, from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Sunday. This means significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. Yellow heat health alerts have also been issued by the agency for Yorkshire and northern England for the same time period. Read more from Sky News:Prince Harry not bringing family to LondonUK to replace fleet of destroyers While Britain's south is expected to face increasingly hot conditions from Monday evening, a North-South divide will persist through the first half of the week, the Met Office said. Scotland should see stronger winds and rain on Tuesday, with temperatures remaining generally closer to average for this time of year. However, by the weekend, warm air is forecast to reach northern parts of the UK, bringing humidity, with a growing risk of showers or isolated thunderstorms. The Met Office also warned England could experience "tropical nights" later this week, when temperatures will not fall below 20C. Last week, the UK set a provisional June temperature record of 37.7C in Lingwood in Norfolk, according to the Met Office. It beat the previous June record for the UK of 35.6C, which dates back to 1976.

After months of speculation, Sky is buying ITV's media and entertainment business in a deal worth £1.6 billion. So what does it mean for viewers? For now, probably not very much. The takeover still needs regulatory approval, and Ofcom will take a close look at its impact on competition and media plurality. But if it gets the green light, it could reshape the British television industry for decades to come. Read more: Why a Sky-ITV deal makes sense The deal comes at a challenging moment for broadcasters. Production costs are rising, advertising growth has slowed, and traditional television companies are facing fierce competition from global streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon, Disney and Apple. Sky and ITV argue that joining forces is the best way to compete. For viewers, both companies are keen to stress that the essentials won't change. ITV's channels and ITVX will remain free-to-air, while all of ITV's public service broadcasting obligations - including regional news and programming - will continue in full. Flagship shows such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Love Island and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! aren't heading behind a paywall. ITV is legally required to remain a free-to-air broadcaster until 2034. In a briefing to press, Carolyn McCall, CEO of ITV, has also said Sky has made a commitment that from 6pm to 9:30pm, ITV's evening content must be original programming. Sky is also promising greater investment in ITV and says the deal will bring more sport to free-to-air television than ever before. Meanwhile, ITV News and Sky News insist they'll remain separate editorial voices. The logic behind the deal is simple - scale. The UK television market is no longer competing with itself. It's competing in a global media economy. See more from Sky News:UK set for highs of 34C this week Buckingham Palace denies Harry will stay Being bigger means having more money to spend on programmes and streaming technology, whilst also being able to spread costs across a much larger business. That's why supporters see this as one of the most significant media deals in British broadcasting history. At a time when many traditional broadcasters are under pressure, Sky believes it is securing ITV's future rather than changing its identity. And for viewers? The message is: don't expect less ITV - expect more investment, more sport and more of the shows you love.

From September, part of the Sentencing Act 2026 will come into force, enabling some offenders to be freed earlier in a bid to reduce overcrowding. Killers, rapists and sex offenders could be among up to 6,000 criminals released early in a few months' time, reports have suggested. Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, said the extra capacity could help governors focus more on rehabilitation, but warned institutions were still failing to provide the education, training and risk-reduction programmes needed to support their release. "This is an area we've been worried about for many years," he said. "A lot of prisoners are going to be going out from jails in September, October, November, and we will watch very closely what the effect of that is in terms of reoffending rates and risk to the public." Prisoners locked up for some violent or sexual offences will become eligible for release halfway through their sentences under the changes, rather than serving the current tariff of two-thirds. Burglars and thieves are among the prisoners who will be considered for release a third of the way through their sentences, down from the current 40%. The first 700 offenders are to be released in September, the Telegraph has reported. Read more from Sky News:Farage reacts to Sky News question on his financesCharlie Kirk's widow faces his alleged killer in court Victims have started to receive letters from the government telling them their abusers or attackers are set to be freed under the scheme. Former Home Office minister Jess Phillips said last week "there should be more exemptions within the release scheme", including to keep adults who rape children in jail for longer. Meanwhile, The Sunday Times reported that Andy Burnham, widely expected to be the next prime minister, is looking at ways to tighten the early prison release scheme to stop child sex offenders walking free. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "This government is fixing the prison crisis it inherited - building 14,000 more prison places and reforming sentencing so we can always lock up dangerous criminals. "Without this decisive action, prisons will run out of space entirely as early as November and we will be unable to lock up serious offenders at all." A spokesperson for Mr Burnham has been contacted.

Ronaldo exited the World Cup for the final time as his Portugal side lost 1-0 to Spain thanks to Mikel Merino's stoppage-time winner in the last 16 in Dallas. The 41-year-old was emotional at the full-time whistle, as his career-long dream for a World Cup trophy disappeared forever. He will go down as one of the best players to never lift the famous international trophy. World Cup day-by-day schedule | Latest: World CupFollow our World Cup coverage in the Sky Sports App After the game, Ronaldo addressed the media to discuss his international future in general. "I'm sad to be leaving the World Cup like this," he said. "I gave it my all. I did my best. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I'll now have time to reflect and be with my family. I won't be making any rash decisions. "I don't decide anything in the heat of the moment. Now is not important whether I will continue [to play]. Tomorrow I will get up the same way I got up today: with a clear conscience. "I played 23 years in the national team and won three titles. Before Cristiano, Portugal had not won anything. The Euros was the most important. For me, 2016 has the same dimension as a World Cup, honestly." Ronaldo will be 43 by the time the next major tournament comes around - the 2028 European Championships hosted in the UK & Ireland. Martinez leaves Portugal job and pays tribute to Ronaldo Roberto Martinez has confirmed that he will step down from his role as Portugal's manager after their World Cup exit to Spain. Sky Sports News reported on June 16 that Martinez was set to step down from his role at the end of the tournament and confirmed this after the match. "I came to Portugal to win the World Cup and I ​think that, without winning it, there's no point in continuing," Martinez said. "The board and the president ⁠now have the opportunity to choose the new manager... my contract ends today. ​There isn't much more to say. "Yes, it's my last game for the national team. I'm very proud... I've felt welcomed as just ​another Portuguese person, in a very warm way. It's been a pleasure, a ​source of pride and a responsibility." Martinez also paid tribute to Ronaldo - but could not give any more details about what his captain is thinking. "A word of thanks, because he was an exemplary captain," Martinez said. "Not ⁠just in terms of goals - the statistics speak for ​themselves - but also in terms of assists. "It's his day-to-day ​commitment, the way he lives and breathes football. He's an ​example and something we must celebrate. "We will always be grateful for what he tried to do at this World Cup, because the dream was to win ​the World Cup and he tried with an incredible example of leadership as a captain," Martinez said. "This is not the moment to look beyond what we're talking about: a soccer icon. There are not many Cristiano Ronaldos." Sutton: Portugal are out because Ronaldo waddled around like a grandad Sky Sports pundit Chris Sutton blasted both Ronaldo and Martinez for Portugal's World Cup exit - adding that the now-former boss also made a mess of Belgium. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: "He [Ronaldo] is waddling around the field like a grandad, that's why Portugal are out. Ronaldo does nothing: he did nothing. What is Roberto Martinez doing? How can you pander to a player so much? Portugal are out because of Roberto Martinez. "It's scandalous the way he has managed this team. He made a mess of Belgium when they had an opportunity of really doing great things with that golden generation; they ended up Belgian buffoons. Now Portugal, it was pathetic to see a manager act in that manner."