Ukraine has made significant progress in its counteroffensive against Russian forces, with the United States providing military and financial support. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren recently announced the delivery of F-16s to Ukraine, which will allow for the training of Ukrainian pilots. Ukrainian troops from the 108th Territorial Defense Brigade have been reclaiming occupied territory and advancing on Tokmak in their fight to reclaim the southeastern city of Melitopol.
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Tensions between Russia and Georgia have been escalating, and were brought to the forefront when The Killers were heckled for bringing a Russian fan onstage during a concert in Georgia. The band has since apologized and expressed their hope to return to the country soon. The incident has highlighted the fears of the Georgian people that they could be the next Ukraine.
Charles McGonigal, the former top FBI counterintelligence official in New York, pleaded guilty to a federal charge of conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions by taking money from Oleg Deripaska, a sanctioned Russian oligarch and ally of Vladimir Putin. He admitted to laundering $17,500 from Gazprom Bank in Russia to his private account and is facing up to five years in prison when he is sentenced on August 3.
Pakistani mountaineer Harila has reported the death of porter Mohammed Hassan on K2, the world's most treacherous mountain. Harila and her team attempted to save Hassan for hours after he slipped and fell off a narrow trail in a dangerous area of the mountain. An investigation has been launched into Hassan's death, sparking debate among mountaineers and the public about the actions of the climbers who passed Hassan after he was injured.
The Justice Department has appointed Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss as a special counsel to oversee the investigation into President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden. Weiss was appointed by former President Donald Trump and kept on by President Biden, and the appointment of Weiss as special counsel will ensure that he has the authority to conduct a thorough investigation independently and based only on the facts and the law. It is unclear when the investigation will be completed or what the outcome may be.
Russia and India have launched lunar missions, with Russia's Luna-25 craft taking off from the Vostochny spaceport on Friday. The spacecraft is expected to reach the moon's vicinity in 5.5 days and is part of a larger effort by both countries to explore the moon. India is planning its own mission in 2022, while Russia is aiming to establish a permanent base on the moon by 2040.
The White House has requested emergency funding from Congress for pandemic relief for the child care industry, replenishment of U.S. federal disaster funds, and aid for Ukraine. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith have called on President Biden to address the looming expiration of pandemic relief funds in the package. The Biden administration has requested more than $13 billion in emergency defense aid to Ukraine and an additional $8 billion for humanitarian support.
The Secret Service of Ukraine (SSU) has arrested a woman in connection with an alleged assassination plot against President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russia has launched more than 70 missiles and drones at Ukraine in recent weeks, resulting in two deaths and four injuries in a "large scale fire" in the northeast. The Ukrainian government has urged the international community to take action to prevent further escalation of the conflict.