While trade negotiations between the U.S. and China show promise of reaching a deal, a significant point of contention remains: the U.S. demand for China to cease purchasing oil from Iran and Russia. China has firmly stated it will prioritize its own national interests regarding energy supplies, signaling a refusal to comply with this demand. This stance highlights China’s confidence in its negotiating power, especially when trade intersects with energy and foreign policy, despite U.S. threats of imposing tariffs. The U.S. seeks to reduce funding for the militaries of Russia and Iran through these restrictions, but China’s continued oil purchases from both countries demonstrate its strategic solidarity and economic advantage.
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As Western sanctions cripple Russia’s aviation sector, Moscow is seeking partnerships with African nations, particularly Ethiopian Airlines. Russian officials have proposed a cooperation package with the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority, including wet-leasing aircraft and supplying aviation equipment. This move comes after a 2024 agreement expanded aviation ties, as Russia’s aging fleet faces maintenance challenges. While this partnership could help Russia circumvent sanctions and boost Ethiopia’s aviation ambitions, it may lead to diplomatic scrutiny.
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During his address on Ukraine’s Air Force Day, President Zelenskyy emphasized the country’s goal of fully integrating its Air Force with NATO forces. He noted the receipt of new combat aircraft, including Mirage fighter jets from France and additional F-16s, with more expected. Zelenskyy approved new development stages for combat aircraft and discussed the 20-year military aircraft development strategy, focusing on the integration of foreign equipment and personnel training. Furthermore, Zelenskyy appointed Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko as the new commander of Ukraine’s Air Force.
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The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) has obtained a full set of classified documents regarding the Russian Navy’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, Knyaz Pozharsky, a Borei-A class vessel. These documents contain detailed information including crew lists, operational schedules, schematics of combat systems, and engineering documentation. The Knyaz Pozharsky, commissioned in 2025, is a key component of Russia’s strategic nuclear triad, equipped with 16 R-30 Bulava missiles and is part of the modernized Project 955A Borei-A series. This information provides valuable insights into the submarine’s capabilities and limitations, as well as the broader class, and could potentially compromise Russia’s naval deterrent posture.
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Senior White House advisor Stephen Miller criticized India for “financing” Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to import oil, stating that India’s purchases are now comparable to China’s. These remarks, made on Fox News, follow the implementation of a 25% tariff on Indian goods and signal a further hardening of Washington’s stance. Despite tariff threats, India intends to continue its Russian oil purchases, as its government sources indicate. Trump has even threatened 100% tariffs on imports from countries that maintain energy ties with Russia, further escalating the friction.
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A drone attack on an oil depot near Sochi, Russia, has been attributed to Ukraine, resulting in a significant fire that was later extinguished. The attack caused a brief suspension of flights at the nearby airport. In response, Russia launched attacks on the Kherson region, hitting a key bridge and resulting in casualties and damage to infrastructure. These events followed a deadly week for civilians in Ukraine, prompting calls for stronger international sanctions against Russia.
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In the Russian-occupied cities of Donetsk and Mariupol, residents are facing a severe water crisis, with water supplies severely limited and often undrinkable. The destruction of infrastructure and failed reconstruction projects have led to a humanitarian emergency, exacerbated by high summer temperatures. Despite the construction of a new pipeline, the water shortage persists, and local reservoirs are rapidly dwindling. The situation has prompted concerns about public health, as well as leading to infrastructural collapse, institutional corruption, and humanitarian failure.
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The Krasheninnikov Volcano in Russia’s Kamchatka region has erupted for the first time in over 500 years, spewing an ash plume six kilometers high. Authorities report no immediate threats to nearby populated areas. This eruption may be connected to a recent, massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake in the same region, as well as a subsequent large earthquake that triggered tsunami warnings. Images of the ash plume have been released by the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
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Viktoria Roshchyna, a journalist killed in Russian captivity in 2024, has been posthumously awarded the Order of Freedom for her reporting on the war in Ukraine. Roshchyna, who disappeared in August 2023 while reporting from occupied territories, was later confirmed dead, though the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation. Investigations suggest she was held in notorious Russian prisons known for torture. A recent media investigation revealed Roshchyna’s body was returned with missing organs, raising questions about her death.
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The Krasheninnikov Volcano in Russia’s far east has erupted for the first time in over 500 years, sending an ash plume up to six kilometers high. This eruption may be linked to a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the same region last week, which also triggered tsunami warnings. Although there are no immediate threats to populated areas, the eruption occurred just hours before another large earthquake that prompted additional tsunami warnings. The event has been documented by Russia’s Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
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John Q. Hosedrinker