Summary: The eighth week of the Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russian defenses is underway, with progress hampered by challenging obstacles like extensive trench systems and minefields. Ukraine strategically uses Western weapons to target Russian rear areas and ammunition dumps, attempting to break through the dense minefields obstructing their advance. The conflict's dynamics may shift as Ukraine's 9th Corps awaits reinforcement from the more seasoned fighters of the 10th Corps. The outcome of the battle for the city of Bakhmut could have broader implications for the conflict's trajectory and resource allocation f...

China's deputy UN ambassador calls for Russia to end Ukraine war One ear into the Ukraine crisis. The conflict is still grinding on and growing in scale, wreaking havoc to countless lives. Its bill over effect is intensifying. We are deeply worried about this. China's position on the Ukraine crisis issue is consistent and clear. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected. The purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed. The legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously. All efforts conducive to peaceful resolution of the crisis should be supported. Under the current situation, I wish to share the following four points. First, the top priority is to facilitate ceasefire and succession of hostilities without delay. Conflicts and wars have no winners. The longer the brutality, the greater the human s...

Summary: Odessa , a historic city in Ukraine , faces destruction as Russia n forces relentlessly bombard its Black Sea ports. The targeting of the Transfiguration Cathedral , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sparks accusations of war crimes . Putin's attacks on Odessa aim to disrupt global food security and sow chaos worldwide. The destruction of cultural landmarks reflects a destructive mentality rather than an approach focused on development and progress. The conflict in Odessa serves as a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of war on millions of lives and global stability. ...

Summary: A drone attack in the Sumi district near Kiev, carried out by Russia n forces, resulted in four deaths and multiple injuries, targeting a school. Ukrainian counterattacks have targeted Moscow , causing a significant explosion, while Russia claims attacks on its territory as well. Ukraine successfully destroyed a key Russia n missile system in Crimea , signaling a strategic victory. President Zelensky 's offensive strategy involves attacks on Russia n soil, increasing pressure on President Putin . Leadership changes in the Russia n Air For...

Outrage ERUPTS In India After Women PARADED Naked By Mob in Manipur Summary: Horrific footage emerges showing two women sexually assaulted and paraded naked by a mob in Manipur, India. The incident follows a months-long deadly ethnic conflict between the Hindu majority-Mathij tribe and the Christian minority-Cookie tribe. Outrage spreads across India after delayed arrests and Prime Minister Narinjha Modi's response. There's been widespread outrage across India after horr...

Summary: Russian air strikes target grain facilities in Ukraine's port cities, disrupting the grain trade. Ukraine's significant role as a grain supplier to African nations makes the attacks impactful on vulnerable communities. The motives behind Russia's aggressive actions remain unclear, but it could be an attempt to force the international community's hand in resolving the conflict. Russian air strikes have intensified as they target key grain supplies in Ukr...

Why the world was wrong about Putin | Analysis People are packing up in their cars. They're getting out of here. A few days before I found myself standing there on the edge of Kharkiv, watching those first tank shells hit into the apartment blocks in Saltyvka, my editor, Louis Emmanuel, had asked me to come up with something to be published on the day of the war, if the war began, explaining to readers why this was happening. And I was hoping it would never be published. It was, and the answer I came up with was, probably in the simple balance of power. I quote it, Russia's military is at its strongest and most capable since the Cold War. Its public finances are also in good order, and Mr Putin may believe he is well placed to bear the costs of the conflict and inevitable sanctions. We'll come back to that in a second. The West is conversely at a moment of historic econo...

Sudan rivals agree to protect civilians but no truce - BBC News And the warring parties in Sudan have signed a deal to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population but have made little progress towards a peace deal. The agreement that was reached in Saudi Arabia includes undertakings to let civilians to flee the conflict zone and protect relief workers. Well our correspondent Barbara Plett Usher is covering this story from Nairobi and she has big of a breakthrough this is. So they're not talking yet about ending the conflict in terms of a permanent cessation of hostilities and an actual negotiations for a solution to the conflict. They're still very much talking about just stopping the fighting long enough to deal with very pressing and emergency humanitarian needs. And so the talks the US Saudi jointly sponsored talks for a ceasefire are about that. It's a short ter...

Russian infighting 'out of control' in Bakhmut The agreement, the understanding is that Ukraine will not strike targets on Russian territory. Well, this is the grey area. I mean, yes, the UK is saying we don't want these weapons to be used to strike Russian territory, but it's interesting that US, for example, so far has been reluctant to offer anything of the range of storm shadow. Perhaps where that grey area is crystallised is Crimea, because Crimea is de facto Russian territory now, but of course it's regarded by the UK and Western Allies as part of Ukraine still. So one thinks that that would be seen as a legitimate target in Western capitals, although obviously the reaction from Moscow would probably be pretty strong. Yeah, and it is true over the weekend that a Russian military aircraft, a couple of helicopters, a bomber and a combat aircraft were shot down ...

Ukraine War: 'Executed' soldier video could be a war crime President Zelensky has promised that Ukraine will find the Russians allegedly responsible for shooting dead an unarmed Ukrainian soldier. Footage emerged online yesterday, purportedly showing the killing and a warning that we're about to show the moments leading up to that incident. In it, an unarmed man is seen smoking a cigarette before saying, Glory to Ukraine. The man is then shot repeatedly. Sky News has been unable to independently verify the location and date of the footage. But Ukraine says the man killed is thought to be Ukrainian serviceman called Timofey Shadora, who went missing in the area around the heavily contested city of Bakhmut in early February. A video appeared today showing how the occupiers brutally killed a soldier who bravely said to their face, Glory to Ukraine. I want all of us together...

Summary: A former Coutts employee, Lewis, criticized the bank's CEO, Alison Rose, for discussing confidential client matters with a BBC journalist, citing such behavior as unacceptable. Lewis questioned the relevance of Coutts' focus on social causes like environmentalism and LGBTQ+ rights in relation to the bank's business performance. Concerns were raised about the potential conflict between Coutts' role as a financial institution and its involvement in moral and political matters. Lewis suggested that Coutts' emphasis on certain issues might reflect minority views rather than aligning with the preferences of t...

Cluster Bombs | What You Need to Know About Ukraine's Controversial New Weapon Summary: Cluster munitions are bombs that open in the air, releasing smaller bomblets across a wider area, targeting multiple objectives simultaneously. More than 120 countries have banned the use of cluster munitions due to the risks posed to civilians from unexploded bomblets. The United States has been providing cluster bombs to Ukraine to support its ground troops in countering heavily fortified Russian positions. The Convention on Cluster Munitions, an international treaty, prohibits the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster bombs. The use of c...

Summary: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy visits troops near the frontline as part of the summer offensive . Russian trenches near the city of Bakhmut targeted in the offensive. The enemy fiercely defends every centimeter of territory. President Zelenskyy awards gallantry medals to special forces engaged in the war. Russia intensifies missile strikes , hitting civilian areas as well. Accusations of war crimes do not deter Putin from hosting African leaders . African countries offered weapons and military training by Russia. Coup in Niger presents opportunities for Russia to extend influence. Vardner mercenary leader seeks f...

Israel Palestine: days of violence in Gaza It's a decades old conflict, but no amount of time can numb the shock when a missile lands in your neighbourhood. Israel says the destroyed houses in the Gaza Strip were being used by the militant group Islamic Jihad to shoot rockets at them across the border. But the residents of these shattered homes beg to differ. This is a false narrative. We have no rocket launching pads at all and this is a residential area. There are no launching pads among houses. This is nonsense and we have no rockets here. Israeli forces launched the airstrike campaign against the Islamic Jihad leadership in the early hours on Tuesday, accusing them of planning attacks on Israel. The second largest armed group in Gaza after Hamas has since fired almost a thousand rockets. Israel's national security adviser said they aren't currently engaged in ceasefi...

Summary: Charlotte Bellamy discusses intense filming and challenges of recent scenes. Laurel 's character has faced numerous challenges, including recent traumatic events . Bellamy hints at Laurel 's compassion influencing the resolution of the conflict. I was on the edge of my seat last night following that drama...

Summary: The Russian Black Sea Fleet fires warning shots at a civilian vessel in the Black Sea, escalating the conflict. Reasons behind Russia's move to target grain include weakening Ukraine's revenue generation and potentially increasing global grain prices . The impact of reduced grain supplies could be severe in starving areas of the world. President Putin 's motives are unclear, but the move might be aimed at altering the course of the war in Russia's favor. ...

Summary: Russia plans to establish close cooperation with Africa n military and law enforcement agencies. More than 40 Africa n countries have signed agreements with Russia for the supply of military hardware. Africa 's growing political and economic role is becoming increasingly significant on the global stage. Africa n states' initiative in addressing the Ukraine crisis underscores their readiness to participate in global conflict resolution. Russia intends to continue training Africa n law enforcement and military units in its specialized learning facilities. ...

Summary: President Zelenskyy could apply pressure on Russia through a joint attack on strategic targets, aiming to demonstrate strength and resolve. Drawing from historical precedent, the Doolittle Raid in World War II showcased the psychological impact of a daring operation, potentially offering insights for Zelenskyy's approach. Maintaining consistent pressure on Moscow is crucial for deterring further aggression and opening possibilities for negotiations and a peaceful resolution. ...

Summary: Renowned BBC journalist and newsreader George Alagiah has died at the age of 67 after battling bowel cancer since 2014. Alagiah had been the presenter of BBC News at Six for the past 20 years and gained recognition as an award-winning foreign correspondent. Despite his health struggles, Alagiah remained dedicated to his profession, impressing audiences with his unwavering commitment to journalism. BBC Director General Tim Davy praised Alagiah for his journalistic excellence, empathy, and humanity. ...