Jul 2, 2026, 03:30 PM UTC

Emergency services in Kyiv have confirmed the death toll from Russia's July 2 missile and drone assault has risen to 21, with 85 people, including two children, sustaining injuries. This follows a massive attack involving 74 missiles and 496 uncrewed aerial vehicles, primarily targeting the capital, causing significant damage across all districts. Separately, a guided aerial bomb strike in the Dnipropetrovsk region killed a 7-year-old girl and injured four others. Amidst these events, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope for a visit from US special representatives to Ukraine, noting that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had held discussions with former President Trump's son-in-law. The European Union reiterated its commitment to increased sanctions on Moscow and continued military support, focusing on air defense and drones, with European diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas stating, "Only sustained military support for Ukraine and increased pressure on Moscow can do that."

Sources: Радіо Свобода, Українська правда

The Trump administration reportedly mandated Anthropic to deactivate two of its most advanced artificial intelligence models on June 12. The decision followed the administration's assessment that safeguards surrounding one of these models, Claude Fable 5 (described as a bridled version of Mythos 5), could potentially be bypassed. This move, which marks a reported shift in Donald Trump's stance on AI, underscores the United States' ongoing challenges and policy dilemmas regarding the development of AI technology and its implications for relations with China.

Sources: Le Monde.

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have formally notified the United Nations Secretary-General of their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) on June 24. The three West African nations, all currently led by military juntas, had previously announced their intention to leave the court. In its justification, Ouagadougou stated that the ICC has "progressively moved away from its founding ideals to become a selective and politicized instrument." This collective action by the Sahelian states marks a significant development for the international body, which aims to prosecute individuals for grave international crimes. The decision underscores growing tensions between some African nations and the ICC's perceived impartiality.

Sources: Le Monde

Chinese businessman Guo Wengui, exiled in the United States, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by a New York court. The verdict, delivered on Monday, June 29, found him guilty of defrauding hundreds of victims. Guo, once a figure associated with Chinese intelligence, later became a vocal critic of the Chinese regime and developed ties with Trumpist circles. His case has been described as complex, with one observer noting difficulty in finding a comparable precedent. The court's decision concludes a high-profile legal battle involving the wealthy entrepreneur.

Sources: Le Monde