Russia-Ukraine escalation. Moscow launched large-scale drone attacks over Ukraine for the second night in a row, seemingly signaling a change in its war tactics. Yesterday’s attack was concentrated in Kyiv, where two people were killed and nearly every district of the Ukrainian capital was damaged, according to Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy met with Pope Leo yesterday, who proposed the Vatican as a potential site of peace talks with Russia.
Ukraine diplomacy shakeup. The country will replace its ambassador to the United States, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed yesterday. The move is an attempt to strengthen ties with the Trump administration as Zelenskyy continues to lobby the United States for more aid. Oksana Markarova had served in the post for four years and has been criticized by some Republicans. Sybiha said she was “extremely effective” and “one of our most successful ambassadors.”
African leaders in Washington. Presidents from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal met with Trump for a summit yesterday. The White House said the talks were focused on “commercial opportunities” and indicated that Trump hoped to emphasize trade over aid in relations on the continent. Several major African economies including Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa were not invited, however; those counties are partners in the BRICS alliance, which Trump has criticized in recent days.
Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Hamas said yesterday that it would release ten hostages as a signal of its “commitment to the success” of peace talks. The announcement came as Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Washington. White House envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly said the sides had reached a breakthrough in three out of four areas of disagreement, Axios reported. Witkoff expressed hope for a deal this week; he is expected to travel to Qatar but delayed a Tuesday departure, according to the Times of Israel.
PKK leader’s message. Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), announced the “voluntary” end of the banned militant group’s armed struggle with Turkey in a video message yesterday. In its place, he called for a transition to a “phase of democratic politics and law.” Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the group’s insurgency, which dates back to 1980. The PKK disbanded in May of this year at Öcalan’s request.
Korean ex-president’s arrest. A court in South Korea authorized another arrest warrant for the country’s former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office in April after being impeached over a 2024 martial law decree. Yoon was returned to a Seoul detention center after the decision, which was based on the court’s acceptance of a special prosecutor’s argument that there was a risk he would tamper with evidence.
Europe’s heatwave. Scientists estimate that close to 2,300 people died across twelve major Western European cities during a recent heatwave. The extreme temperatures have also caused wildfires around the continent affecting thousands: more than 18,000 people were locked down in the Spanish region of Catalonia earlier this week, while more than 100 were hurt in fires in France. Greece shuttered major tourist attractions due to blazes around Athens.
Mexico’s firefighters in Texas. Volunteer first responders from Mexico have arrived in the United States over recent days to aid search and rescue efforts during devastating floods in the U.S. border state. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the volunteer’s efforts. Firefighters from the country also went to California in January during the Los Angeles wildfires.
