Russian forces have made significant advances in eastern Ukraine, breaking through defenses near Pokrovsk and partly surrounding the city. These gains come just before a high-stakes summit between Russian and American leaders in Alaska. Ukrainian officials warn that Russia is preparing for further offensives, not a cease-fire, while Kyiv intensifies attacks on Russian oil refineries to pressure Moscow. The shifting front lines may affect upcoming peace negotiations, as Ukraine and its allies insist talks should begin only after a cease-fire.

Elsewhere, southern Europe faces deadly wildfires and extreme heat, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius. In the Middle East, former Palestinian militant Zakaria Zubeidi expresses deep pessimism about the prospects for a Palestinian state, reflecting a broader sense of hopelessness. Other global headlines include heightened security in Washington, D.C., diplomatic tensions in the South China Sea, and major developments in technology, sports, and the arts.