Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev said Alexander Yakovlev, the chief engineer of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike. The plant is described as being under Russian occupation. Likhachev attributed Yakovlev’s death to the drone attack. The statement identifies Ukraine as responsible for the strike.

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plantUkrainian drone strikeRosatom

Hong Kong police raided independent bookshops and arrested five people, officials say. The suspects are accused of selling books described as “seditious”. Officials allege that the books incited “hatred” against the authorities. The arrests are linked to the shops’ sale of those publications.

Hong Kongpolice raidindependent bookshopsseditious books

Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov is set to leave his post, according to Verkhovna Rada deputies Olha Vasylevska-Smahliuk and Yaroslav Zheleznyak. The deputies said Ihor Klymenko would be offered the position. The move follows six months of Fedorov’s tenure as defense minister. Their statements frame the change as a pending government personnel decision under President Volodymyr Zelensky. No further details about the process or timing were provided.

Ukraine politicsdefense ministergovernment reshuffle

President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to dismiss Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister has triggered strong criticism. Soldiers, veterans and civil society figures have voiced outrage over the move. They argue that Ukraine is losing one of its most effective wartime officials. Critics are also calling for protests, saying the dismissal lacks an adequate justification. The controversy is still developing.

Ukraine politicsdefense ministerVolodymyr ZelenskyMykhailo Fedorov

A source says President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Defense Minister Fedorov after meeting with military leadership on July 15. An official said Lockheed Martin supports granting Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot missiles. Kerch in Crimea suffered a total blackout after what was described as a Ukrainian drone attack. Ukrainian official Madyar claimed that a Russian Mi-28 helicopter was brought down by a Ukrainian drone, while saying Russian election results were unlikely to change.

Ukraine warZelenskyydefense ministerdrone attack

Zelensky plans to submit the interior minister’s candidacy for the defense minister’s post to parliament. The current head of the National Police, Ivan Vygovsky, is set to take over as interior minister. The proposed changes would shift two senior government positions. The report describes a planned personnel reshuffle in Ukraine’s leadership.

Ukraine politicsgovernment reshuffledefense ministerinterior minister

President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine’s defense minister, according to a Ukrainian official familiar with the matter. The official spoke to The Kyiv Independent after a meeting involving the country’s military leadership. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko has been offered the position of Ukraine’s next defense minister. The situation remains developing.

Ukraine politicsdefense ministerVolodymyr Zelenskygovernment reshuffle

Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet with Fedorov as rumors about the defense minister’s possible replacement intensify. The talks come during a week in which speculation over Fedorov’s departure has reached fever pitch. The meeting is therefore taking place under heightened attention to the minister’s political future. No outcome from the meeting is stated.

Ukraine politicsVolodymyr Zelenskydefense ministergovernment reshuffle

Thousands of Argentina supporters gathered in the streets of Atlanta before the World Cup semi-final. The fans held a banderazo, a large street gathering marked by flags and enthusiastic support. The event took place ahead of Argentina’s match against England, drawing a major crowd of Argentine fans to the city. Their presence turned Atlanta into a focal point for supporters before the highly anticipated World Cup fixture.

ArgentinaEnglandWorld Cupfan gathering

England and Argentina meet again in the semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match renews one of football’s most celebrated rivalries. Live coverage follows the contest with ongoing text updates. Attention is focused on how this high-profile semifinal unfolds between the two teams.

EnglandArgentinaWorld Cupsemifinal

Spain has secured its place in the World Cup final. England and Argentina are preparing for a match at Atlanta stadium. The tournament bracket, predictions and schedule chart the teams’ routes through the competition, with the final now taking shape. Attention is focused on the teams still preparing for the decisive games and the path that leads to the title.

World CupSpainEnglandArgentina

England and Argentina held training sessions at the venue ahead of their World Cup semifinal in the North and Central American tournament. The match is scheduled for Japan time on the 16th. At press conferences, the managers of both teams spoke about their determination before the game. Their previous meetings are also being revisited.

World CupEnglandArgentinasemifinal

England and Argentina are set to renew their World Cup rivalry in the semifinals after a 24-year gap. The match brings Harry Kane and Lionel Messi into direct contention on the same stage. The preview focuses on the renewed rivalry and the two star players at its centre. It also considers what the outcome could be as the teams meet for a place in the final.

World CupEnglandArgentinaLionel MessiHarry Kane

England will meet Argentina in the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday. Thomas Tuchel says his team has “not peaked yet” ahead of the match. England are seeking a place in the World Cup final. Reaching it would mark their first appearance there since 1966.

World CupEnglandArgentinasemifinal

US President Donald Trump says no deadline has been set for expanding strikes on Iran. He adds that Iran’s leadership should be “better behaved,” framing the demand as a condition for its conduct while leaving the timing of any broader action open.

Donald TrumpIranmilitary strikes

Vance says the United States will not carry out a ground operation aimed at changing Iran’s government. He states that Washington is currently working to ensure oil and gas can be transported without obstruction. He also says the United States seeks to prevent Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapons program. According to Vance, diplomacy and military power will be used to achieve those aims.

United StatesIrandiplomacynuclear program

Congress is once again considering whether to end the United States’ twice-yearly practice of moving clocks forward or backward by an hour. The proposal under discussion would keep Daylight Saving Time in place throughout the year. Rather than switching seasonally between standard time and Daylight Saving Time, the country would follow one permanent clock schedule. The issue has resurfaced as a policy debate in Congress.

US CongressDaylight Saving Timepolicy analysis

The United States has taken another step toward keeping daylight saving time all year. On Tuesday, the House advanced the Sunshine Protection Act by a 308–117 vote. The measure would permanently move clocks one hour forward. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social in May that the bill would save money. The vote brings the country closer to a permanent change in how it observes daylight saving time.

US politicsdaylight saving timeHouse of Representatives

A Russian soldier was thrown through the air after the gun on a Soviet-era helicopter spun out of control. Donald Trump said Vladimir Putin was ready to make a deal to end the war in Ukraine. Russia, however, warned that Western troops enforcing any ceasefire would be treated as military targets. The opposing statements underscore the dangers surrounding a possible truce.

Russia-Ukraine warRussiaceasefire talksDonald Trump

The Russian Foreign Ministry says arms deliveries to Kyiv are preventing a resolution of the conflict. Maria Zakharova said the West needs to stop hiding behind talk of peace. Her remarks present Western weapons support as an obstacle to ending the confrontation. The statement offers no further details on proposed steps or negotiations.

Russian Foreign MinistryUkrainearms supplies

Ukraine’s General Staff says Russian forces have suffered total losses of 1,423,280 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The figure includes 1,470 casualties recorded over the past day. The statement centers on the reported Russian military losses and gives no additional battlefield details.

Russia-Ukraine warRussian casualtiesUkraine

France’s parliament adopted an assisted dying law on Wednesday, moving the country closer to joining nations that guarantee access to assisted dying. The measure was championed by President Emmanuel Macron, who promised such legislation after winning a second term in 2022. It is described as one of France’s most important social reforms since same-sex marriage was allowed in 2012. If approved by the country’s highest constitutional authority, France will join the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada in legalising assisted dying.

Franceassisted dyingsocial reform

France’s lower house has adopted a bill on assisted dying. The government bypassed the Senate, which is dominated by the political right. The legislation will instead be sent to the highest constitutional court for final approval. Its enactment therefore now depends on the court’s review.

Franceassisted dyingparliamentconstitutional review

François Picard welcomes Anne Reynaud, a board member of the Association for the Right to Die with Dignity, to Spotlight. France’s long-awaited assisted dying legislation marks a profound change in the country’s approach to end-of-life care. Reynaud says the parliamentary vote is meaningful progress, but remains more restrictive than the recommendations of France’s Citizens’ Convention. Drawing on personal experience and professional responsibilities, she describes the vote as the start of a new ethical and legal era rather than the conclusion of the debate.

assisted dyingpalliative careFrance legislationend-of-life care

France’s National Assembly has granted final approval to a bill on assisted dying after years of debate. The measure would allow adults living with incurable illnesses to obtain lethal medication. The vote completes the Assembly’s consideration of the proposal. It represents a significant step in France’s debate over end-of-life choices.

FranceNational Assemblyassisted dyingmedical legislation

French MPs have approved a bill permitting assisted dying under strict conditions. The measure would apply to adults who are terminally ill and meet the specified criteria. Its provisions therefore limit eligibility to people whose circumstances satisfy the bill’s requirements. The vote follows years of argument over whether assisted dying should be allowed in France.

Franceassisted dyinglegislation

French lawmakers are due to vote on Wednesday on a bill establishing a legal right to assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses. The proposal has brought an intense ethical and political debate to a vote. It remains highly controversial and has drawn especially strong opposition from France’s right wing. France 24’s Luke Shrago explains why the measure has become such a contentious issue.

France politicsassisted dyingparliament vote

British police have charged a 14-year-old boy with a terrorism offence linked to extreme right-wing ideology. The allegation concerns a plan to attack two mosques in south London. Police describe the alleged scheme as connected to extremist right-wing beliefs. The case centers on a potential attack against religious sites. The charge relates to the alleged plot rather than a completed assault.

UK policeterrorism chargemosquesfar right