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Russia and Ukraine engaged in a series of aerial attacks overnight, resulting in casualties and damage on both sides. Officials reported two deaths in each country, along with numerous injuries.

On the ground, the Russian military claimed to have captured the village of Zelenyi Hai in the eastern Donetsk region, an area that Moscow has illegally annexed but only partially controls. They also asserted control over the village of Maliivka in the Dnipro region. Ukrainian officials have yet to comment on these claims.

Local officials reported that Ukraine’s southern Dnipro and northeastern Sumy regions were targeted by a combined rocket and drone assault. Serhii Lysak, head of the Dnipro regional administration, stated that at least two people were killed and five others wounded in the barrage. A multistory building and a business in the city of Dnipro sustained damage, and a shopping center outside the city was engulfed in flames. In Sumy, the military administration reported three injuries. Earlier, Russian drones struck a central square in the city of Sumy, damaging the regional administration building.

Kharkiv experienced a heavy aerial bombardment overnight. Ukraine’s State Emergency Situations Service reported that six people were injured in Kharkiv, including four rescuers who were wounded in a double tap strike – an attack where emergency workers are targeted while assisting victims of the initial strike.

According to the daily air force report, Russia launched a total of 208 drones and 27 missiles against Ukraine overnight. Air defense and electronic warfare systems reportedly intercepted 183 drones and 17 missiles. However, 10 missiles and 25 drones managed to strike nine different locations.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have successfully struck Ukrainian military facilities involved in “manufacturing components for missile weapons, as well as producing ammunition and explosives.” This claim has not been independently verified.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the attacks with an online statement, emphasizing that “there can be absolutely no silence in response to such strikes, and Ukrainian long-range drones ensure this.” He further stated that “Russian military enterprises, Russian logistics, Russian airports must feel that the Russian war has real consequences for them.”

In Russia, officials reported that Ukrainian drones targeted multiple regions overnight. A drone attack in the Rostov region, bordering Ukraine, resulted in two fatalities, according to acting governor Yuri Slyusar.

In the neighboring Stavropol region, Gov. Vladimir Vladimirov stated that drones hit an unspecified industrial facility, causing a brief fire. He also mentioned that cellphone internet access in the region was restricted due to the attack, a measure frequently employed by authorities that critics view as a form of online censorship.

Unconfirmed media reports indicated that the drones targeted the Signal radio plant, which produces jamming equipment. Verification of this claim remains pending.

Drones also targeted Moscow, but were reportedly shot down, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Additionally, an unspecified industrial facility in the Penza region, southeast of the capital, was targeted, according to Gov. Oleg Melnichenko.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that its air defenses intercepted a total of 54 Ukrainian drones, including 24 over the Bryansk region (bordering Ukraine), 12 over the Rostov region, six over the annexed Crimean Peninsula, four over the Azov Sea, three over the Black Sea, and others over the Orlov, Tula, and Belgorod regions.

In Russia’s Ingushetia region, located in the North Caucasus, a woman and three children sustained injuries after a drone crashed onto a private house, according to regional health officials.

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President Trump has announced that no trade agreements will be finalized with Thailand and Cambodia until they cease ongoing hostilities. The president, currently in Scotland, has personally intervened in the conflict, speaking with Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet, and the acting premier of Thailand, Phumtham Wechayachai. His aim is to broker a ceasefire and bring an end to the fighting over their long-disputed border regions.

The President emphasized the importance of resolving the conflict before proceeding with trade negotiations. He drew parallels to the conflict between Pakistan and India, expressing hope for a similarly successful resolution. Following a productive discussion with Mr. Wechayachai, the president indicated that Thailand is eager for an immediate ceasefire and lasting peace.

He conveyed this message to the Prime Minister of Cambodia, expressing optimism that a ceasefire, peace, and ultimately prosperity can be achieved through dialogue. The tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations have resulted in numerous casualties and significant displacement of people.

In subsequent communications, Mr. Trump reaffirmed that both parties are seeking an immediate ceasefire and are keen to resume trade discussions with the United States. However, he reiterated that it would be inappropriate to proceed with trade negotiations until the fighting ceases. He stated that both nations have agreed to meet promptly to establish a ceasefire and work towards achieving lasting peace, paving the way for future trade agreements.

The President has also threatened reciprocal tariffs of 36% on imports from Cambodia and Thailand, scheduled to take effect on Aug. 1.

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Four years after President Kais Saied began consolidating power, citizens of Tunisia protested, citing a decline in democratic freedoms. The initial move, which occurred on July 25, 2021, involved suspending parliament, dismissing the prime minister, and invoking a state of emergency, allowing Saied to rule by decree.

While some initially supported these actions, many critics viewed them as a coup, signaling the beginning of a slide towards authoritarianism in a nation once celebrated as the birthplace of the Arab Spring.

Demonstrators marched through the capital, chanting slogans like “no fear, no terror, power to the people,” and displaying portraits of political prisoners. Organizers symbolically carried a cage, representing the perceived state of political life in Tunisia under the current regime.

Several prominent opposition figures, including Rached Ghannouchi, head of the Islamist Ennahda party, and Abir Moussi, leader of the right-wing Free Destourian Party, are currently imprisoned. Women played a significant role in the protests, specifically demanding the release of imprisoned opposition members, including Moussi and attorney Sonia Dahmani.

Since the power grab, Tunisia’s civil society has faced increasing suppression. Activists, journalists, dissidents, and opposition figures have been subjected to imprisonment, often on charges of undermining state security. July 25, originally the anniversary of Tunisia’s declaration as a republic in 1957, has become a focal point for both pro- and anti-Saied movements.

One former government minister lamented that Saied had redefined the meaning of the day, transforming it from a celebration of the Republic’s founding to a marker of its dismantling, emphasizing the dangers of unchecked power.

These political developments are occurring against a backdrop of economic difficulties and growing public dissatisfaction. Reports indicate an intensified crackdown on opposition voices and the use of vague legal justifications to target marginalized groups within Tunisia.

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A deported migrant from Venezuela is taking legal action against the U.S. government after being wrongly deported to El Salvador. The migrant alleges that he was subsequently incarcerated in a notorious prison where he suffered abuse. The legal claim arises from an incident where the Trump administration deported a group of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, citing the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 and accusing them of being members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

Neiyerver Adrián Leon Rengel, 27, has filed a claim for $1.3 million with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, claiming that he was wrongly targeted and deported. According to his attorneys, Rengel was taken into custody in Irving, Texas, based on a mistaken assumption that his tattoos indicated affiliation with the Tren de Aragua gang. He had been living in the U.S. since 2023, working as a barber, and had a scheduled immigration court appearance in 2028.

Despite these circumstances, Homeland Security maintains that Rengel was a “confirmed associate” of the Tren de Aragua gang, though they did not provide specific details on how they reached this conclusion. They dismissed his claims as a fabricated “sob story.” The agency asserted the administration’s stance that it would not allow foreign terrorist enemies to operate within the country.

While detained at El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, Rengel asserts he was subjected to physical abuse by guards, including beatings with fists and batons. He claims that the abuse escalated on one occasion when he was taken to an area without surveillance cameras.

Following his ordeal, Rengel was eventually sent to Venezuela as part of a prisoner exchange. His legal representatives state that he is currently living with his mother and is deeply fearful of returning to the United States. The lawsuit seeks compensation for the emotional and psychological trauma he has endured.

A federal judge had previously ruled that the Trump administration must provide certain migrants deported to El Salvador the opportunity to challenge their deportations. Judge James Boasberg emphasized that these individuals had been denied the chance to formally contest their removals or the allegations linking them to the Tren de Aragua gang. He mandated that the administration establish a process for them to file these challenges.

Judge Boasberg noted the emergence of “significant evidence” suggesting that many of the deported migrants had no connection to the gang and were unjustly imprisoned based on unsubstantiated accusations. At a subsequent hearing, a representative for the Trump administration informed Judge Boasberg that the migrants sent from El Salvador to Venezuela as part of the prisoner exchange would not be immediately returned to the U.S. The decision on whether to allow their return would be contingent on the outcomes of other pending court cases.

Despite Judge Boasberg’s order to turn around planes carrying the accused gang members, the directive was reportedly ignored. Rengel’s attorneys contend that he was on one of these planes. The judge has since found probable cause that the administration may have committed contempt of court. Judge Boasberg also indicated plans to expand his contempt probe to include a recent whistleblower complaint. This complaint alleges that a high-ranking Justice Department official suggested the Trump administration might need to disregard court orders as it prepared to deport the Venezuelan migrants accused of being gang members.

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The U.S. State Department has given its approval for a proposed $322 million weapons sale to Ukraine. This move is designed to bolster the country’s air defense capabilities and supply it with armored combat vehicles, as Ukraine continues to defend itself against escalating Russian attacks.

The potential sales, which have been formally notified to Congress, include $150 million earmarked for the supply, maintenance, repair, and overhaul of existing U.S. armored vehicles already in Ukraine’s arsenal. An additional $172 million is allocated for the procurement of surface-to-air missile systems, enhancing Ukraine’s ability to defend its airspace.

This decision follows a period of internal review. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously directed a temporary pause on weapons shipments to Ukraine to facilitate a comprehensive assessment of the Pentagon’s weapons stockpiles. This pause reportedly surprised the White House. However, President Donald Trump subsequently reversed course, publicly pledging to continue sending weapons to Ukraine.

President Trump emphasized the necessity of providing Ukraine with the means to defend itself, stating, “They have to be able to defend themselves. They’re getting hit very hard now. We’re going to send some more weapons – defensive weapons primarily.”

Trump has also voiced support for a plan that would involve European allies purchasing U.S. military equipment for subsequent transfer to Ukraine. The relationship between these proposed sales and this broader arrangement remains unclear.

Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has committed over $67 billion in weapons and security assistance to Kyiv.

The provision of military aid to Ukraine has been a subject of debate, with political pressure from isolationist factions advocating for a cessation of U.S. funding for foreign conflicts.

Throughout the conflict, the U.S. has consistently urged its allies to provide air defense systems to Ukraine. However, many nations, particularly those in Eastern Europe who perceive a direct threat from Russia, have been hesitant to relinquish their advanced technological systems.

PHOTOS: State Department approves $322 million in proposed weapons sales to Ukraine

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The United States is actively engaged in counterterrorism efforts, more than two decades after the commencement of the War on Terrorism. A senior White House official affirmed the nation’s renewed focus on combating terrorist threats globally.

Since the beginning of the current administration, U.S. forces have reportedly eliminated a significant number of Islamic militants, including a substantial portion of high-value targets. This reflects a proactive strategy to neutralize key figures within terrorist organizations.

An example provided highlights the rapid response capabilities of U.S. intelligence and military forces. Upon receiving information about a senior ISIS operative in Somalia, swift action was authorized, leading to the individual’s elimination within a remarkably short timeframe.

The U.S. boasts a highly sophisticated counterterrorism infrastructure, capable of quickly identifying and neutralizing targets based on minimal electronic evidence. The assertion that a target can be located and eliminated anywhere in the world within 72 hours, given access to cell phone details, underscores the advanced technological capabilities employed.

Despite the commitment to counterterrorism, there’s a desire to avoid prolonged military engagements. While acknowledging the need to address existing threats, the ultimate goal is to transition the responsibility of countering terrorist groups to local governments and security forces.

A key aspect of the administration’s counterterrorism strategy involves potentially designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. The argument presented suggests that if groups affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, such as Hamas, are already designated as terrorist organizations, the Brotherhood itself should also be considered as such.

The approach involves launching targeted, high-intensity missions to significantly weaken leading terrorist threats to the U.S. The intent is not to maintain a permanent military presence globally, but rather to intervene strategically when necessary to address critical threats posed by groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Regarding Iran, while pursuing a strategy of “max pressure,” the U.S. maintains that it’s not seeking regime change through military intervention. The stated preference is for the people of Iran, including its various minorities, to achieve their own liberation.

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A new organ is being installed at Prague’s St. Vitus Cathedral, providing a suitable instrument for the 700-year-old temple. The installation is expected to be completed by late August, followed by voicing and tuning, with the first public performance slated for June 15 of next year, the feast of St. Vitus.

The organ comprises approximately 6,000 pipes, ranging from a mere 7 millimeters to an impressive 7 meters in length. This intricate instrument was crafted in the workshop of Gerhard Grenzing near Barcelona, Spain. Grenzing, a renowned German organ builder, has a distinguished record of constructing and restoring numerous organs worldwide.

Following its construction in Spain, the organ was carefully disassembled and transported to Prague. St. Vitus Cathedral holds significant importance to the Czech Republic, serving as the coronation and burial site for Czech kings and the repository of the Czech crown jewels. The cathedral also hosted the funeral Mass for Vaclav Havel, the Czech Republic’s first president, in 2011.

The previous organ, installed in the early 1930s, proved inadequate for the cathedral’s vast space and was prone to breakdowns. Efforts to repair it were stalled by World War II and the subsequent communist era. The initiative to build a new organ commenced in 2017, supported by a successful crowdfunding campaign that raised approximately 98% of the required funds, totaling over 109 million Czech koruna ($5.2 million).

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The Pentagon is set to brief the Senate Armed Services Committee regarding the strategy for maintaining the aging Minuteman III nuclear missiles. This briefing is prompted by concerns about the readiness of the Air Force to keep these missiles operational until the new Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program is fully deployed.

A provision within the Senate’s fiscal 2026 defense authorization bill highlights these concerns. Lawmakers are seeking assurances that the existing Minuteman III missiles will remain viable until their replacement, the Sentinel, is ready.

The recently passed legislation mandates that the commander of the Global Strike Command provide a briefing to the committee by December 31st. This briefing will detail the plans for sustaining the Minuteman III missiles until the Sentinel system is operational.

Financial support for the Sentinel program is evident in both the House and Senate versions of the bill, with the House allocating $3 billion and the Senate proposing $4.6 billion for the fiscal year starting October 1.

Further emphasizing the commitment to the Sentinel program, the Senate bill includes a provision directing the Air Force to establish a target date for the initial deployment of the Sentinel missiles. The bill also prohibits reducing the number of new ICBMs below 400.

The required briefing on the Sentinel program must cover critical aspects of lifecycle sustainment activities, encompassing missile support equipment, ground infrastructure, command and control systems, and flight systems. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure the long-term viability of the new ICBM system.

Another key aspect of the briefing involves assessing Global Strike Command’s capacity to rapidly add additional warheads to the current single-warhead Minuteman III missiles, if directed by the U.S. Strategic Command. This capability is considered crucial in the face of evolving global threats.

The potential for adding multiple warheads to the Minuteman III reflects growing concerns about strategic deterrence being challenged by the expanding nuclear capabilities of nations like China.

Senators are also interested in understanding the Air Force’s strategies for allocating resources to address any potential shortfalls in nuclear missile capabilities. They are also exploring the need for legislation to streamline processes related to Minuteman III sustainment and warhead upload plans.

The Air Force previously informed Congress in 2021 that all 400 Minuteman III missiles would be retired upon the full operational deployment of the Sentinel program, projected for 2036.

However, the Sentinel program experienced a significant cost overrun in the past year, triggering a Nunn-McCurdy breach, a mechanism designed to prevent excessive defense spending. The estimated cost for the new Sentinel missiles throughout their deployment ranges from $125 billion to $141 billion.

The ICBM program is also facing considerable delays, potentially requiring the Air Force to maintain the Minuteman III missiles, the land-based component of the nuclear deterrent, for an extended period.

Consequently, the committee has expressed concerns about the Air Force’s ability to effectively sustain the aging Minuteman III system during the transition to the Sentinel program.

The Senate bill also proposes regular reviews by the U.S. comptroller general to Congress on the operation and sustainment of the Minuteman III arsenal, providing ongoing oversight of the program.

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The United States is set to withdraw from the United Nations cultural agency, UNESCO, marking another instance of the nation stepping back from international organizations. This decision, echoing concerns previously voiced, indicates that the U.S. believes its involvement with UNESCO is not in its best national interest and alleges the agency fosters anti-Israel sentiment.

The withdrawal, slated to take effect in December 2026, will impact the agency, particularly its UNESCO World Heritage Sites program. This program designates and protects landmarks of global significance, including iconic sites such as the Taj Mahal, the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, and the Grand Canyon National Park. Beyond heritage preservation, the agency plays a role in advancing education and scientific endeavors worldwide.

This move aligns with a broader strategy to reshape U.S. diplomacy, following an “America First” approach. This strategy has already seen the U.S. withdraw from the U.N. World Health Organization and the U.N.’s top human rights body, alongside re-evaluating funding commitments to other U.N. entities. Consequently, the U.N. is undergoing its own significant restructuring, reassessing its core programs and future direction in light of reduced support from the U.S., historically its largest donor.

According to a State Department spokesperson, the withdrawal is linked to UNESCO’s perceived promotion of “divisive social and cultural causes.” The spokesperson further stated that UNESCO’s 2011 decision to admit the “State of Palestine” as a member state was “highly problematic, contrary to U.S. policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.”

UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay expressed deep regret over the U.S. decision, acknowledging that it was anticipated and that the agency had prepared accordingly. She also refuted accusations of anti-Israel bias, arguing that such claims contradict UNESCO’s actual work, particularly its efforts in Holocaust education and combating antisemitism.

Israel’s ambassador to the U.N. welcomed the announcement, characterizing it as a “fitting response to the consistent misguided anti-Israel bias of UNESCO, an organization that has lost its way.”

The Biden administration had previously rejoined UNESCO in 2023, citing concerns that China was filling the void left by the U.S. in UNESCO policymaking, especially in setting standards for artificial intelligence and technology education.

Critics of the withdrawal argue that it undermines international cooperation and U.S. global leadership. They suggest that this decision could allow competitors, particularly China, to further their interests within the international system by taking advantage of America’s absence.

The decision followed a review ordered earlier this year. While the U.S. was once a major contributor to the agency’s budget, UNESCO has diversified its funding sources in recent years as the U.S. contribution has decreased. Currently, American assistance represents only a small percentage of the agency’s total budget.

The U.S. has withdrawn from UNESCO before, in 1984 under the Reagan administration, citing mismanagement, corruption, and the agency’s perceived use to advance Soviet Union interests. It rejoined in 2003 during the George W. Bush presidency.

France, where UNESCO is headquartered, expressed regret over the U.S. decision, emphasizing the agency’s founding mission in 1946 “to prevent conflicts through education, culture and tolerance.”

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Due to an intense heat wave and the need to conserve energy, government offices, banks, and businesses in Tehran province will close on Wednesday. Temperatures in the capital are exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), prompting government advisories for citizens to remain indoors during peak heat. Residents are urged to take measures to reduce electricity and water consumption.

The closure encompasses all governmental offices, banks, and businesses within the Tehran province. Similar measures were taken in July 2024, with a one-day national holiday declared due to high temperatures, following a two-day holiday in 2023.

The hottest city in the last 24 hours was Borazjan, located in southern Bushehr province, which experienced a maximum temperature of 50° C (122 F). The government’s decision aims to mitigate the impact of the extreme heat and ensure the stability of essential resources.

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