
Russia Pounds Kyiv in Deadly Strike, Killing 16
Russia launched on Tuesday a massive barrage of drones and missiles, killing at least 16 people in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. A nine-story apartment block in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district collapsed, leaving a mountain of debris. Emergency crews rescued survivors, including an elderly woman pulled from shattered windows. Zelenskiy Condemns 'Terrorism'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy labeled the attack 'pure terrorism,' urging global leaders to confront Putin. He reported 440 drones and 32 missiles targeting Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, while Russia claimed strikes on military sites, but residential areas, schools, and infrastructure bore the brunt.
Kyiv retaliated with drones deep into Russia, though civilian harm remains lower, with Moscow intercepting 147 drones, including near Moscow. Analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko noted Russia's new tactic: overwhelming air defenses by focusing strikes on single cities. Peace Talks Stall, Frontlines Heat Up
Despite recent Istanbul negotiations, tensions surged. Russia advanced in eastern Ukraine and opened a new front in Sumy. US President Donald Trump, now favoring Moscow's stance, skipped meetings with Zelenskiy at the G7 summit, urging Russia's readmission to the G7, defying allies.
Zelenskiy seeks tighter sanctions and military aid at the G7, but Trump's shifting policies complicate unity. The war's fourth year intensifies as Kyiv mourns its deadliest strike yet, demanding global accountability.
Short link :
Post Views: 1

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arab News
5 hours ago
- Arab News
G7 leaders try to salvage their summit after Trump's early exit effectively makes it the ‘G6'
KANANASKIS, Alberta: Six of the Group of Seven leaders were wrapping up their summit on Tuesday, attempting to prove that the wealthy nations' club still has the clout to shape world events despite the early departure of US President Donald Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his counterparts from the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Japan were joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO chief Mark Rutte and discussed Russia's relentless war on its neighbor at what has essentially become just the G6. Zelensky said of overnight Russian attacks that killed 15 people and injured 150-plus in his country 'our families had a very difficult night, one of the biggest attacks from the very beginning of this war.' 'We need support from allies and I'm here,' Zelensky said. He added, 'We are ready for the peace negotiations, unconditional ceasefire. I think it's very important. But for this, we need pressure.' Carney said the attack 'underscores the importance of standing in total solidarity with Ukraine, with the Ukrainian people' and pledged $2 billion in new aid that would fund drones and other military items. Numerous meetings continued, and the remaining leaders agreed to jointly attempt to combat what they called non-market policies that could jeopardize global access to critical minerals. They similarly pledged to limit the potential downsides of artificial intelligence on jobs and the environment while still embracing the potential of the 'technological revolution.' But, notably, the leaders did not release any joint statements on Russia's war in Ukraine. Zelensky had been set to meet with Trump while world leaders were gathering in the Canadian Rocky Mountain resort of Kananaskis, but that was scrapped. The US previously signed an agreement granting American access to Ukraine's vast mineral resources amid Russia's ongoing war in Zelensky's country. The summit opened with the specific goal of helping to defuse a series of pressure points, only to be disrupted by a showdown over Iran's nuclear program that could escalate. Israel launched an aerial bombardment campaign against Iran and Iran has hit back with missiles and drones. Trump departed before the final day began. As conflict between Israel and Iran intensified, he declared that Tehran should be evacuated 'immediately' and has demanded Iran's 'unconditional surrender.' Before leaving, Trump joined the other leaders in issuing a statement saying Iran 'can never have a nuclear weapon' and calling for a 'de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.' Getting unanimity — even on a short and broadly worded statement — was a modest measure of success for the group. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that he sat next to Trump at Monday night's summit dinner. 'I've no doubt, in my mind, the level of agreement there was in relation to the words that were then issued immediately after that,' he said. Still, Trump's departure only heightened the drama of a world on the verge of several firestorms — and of a summit now without its most-watched world leader. 'We did everything I had to do at the G7,' Trump said while flying back to Washington. Things were getting awkward even before he left. After the famous photo from the G7 in 2018 featured Trump and then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel displaying less-than-friendly body language, this year's edition included a dramatic eye-roll by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as French President Emmanuel Macron whispered something in her ear during a Monday roundtable. That, and concerns about the Russia-Ukraine war, little progress on the conflict in Gaza and now the situation in Iran have made things all the more geopolitically tense — especially after Trump imposed severe tariffs on multiple nations that risk a global economic slowdown. Members of Trump's trade team nonetheless remained in Canada, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council. Bessent sat at the table as other world leaders met Tuesday with Zelensky, representing the US Trump's stance on Ukraine puts him fundamentally at odds with the other G7 leaders, who are clear that Russia is the aggressor in the war. Trump again offered his often-repeated claims on Monday that there would have been no war if G7 members hadn't expelled Putin from the organization in 2014 for annexing Crimea. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the G7 now looks 'very pale and quite useless' compared to 'for example, such formats as the G20.' With talks on ending the war in Ukraine at an impasse, Britain, Canada and other G7 members slapped new tariffs on Russia in a bid to get it to the ceasefire negotiating table. Trump, though, declined to join in those sanctions, saying he would wait until Europe did so first. 'When I sanction a country, that costs the US a lot of money, a tremendous amount of money,' he said. Trump also seemed to put a greater priority on addressing his grievances with other nations' trade policies than on collaboration with G7 allies. He has imposed 50 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum, as well as 25 percent tariffs on autos. Trump is also charging a 10 percent tax on imports from most countries, though he could raise rates on July 9, after the 90-day negotiating period set by him would expire. Trump announced with Starmer that they had signed a trade framework Monday that was previously announced in May, with Trump saying that British trade was 'very well protected' because 'I like them, that's why. That's their ultimate protection.' But word of that agreement was somewhat overshadowed when Trump dropped the papers of the newly signed deal on the ground. Starmer stooped to pick them up, explaining Tuesday that he was compelled to ditch diplomatic decorum, since anyone else trying to help risked being shot by the president's security team. 'There were quite strict rules about who can get close to the president,' Starmer told reporters on Tuesday. 'If any of you had stepped forward other than me … I was just deeply conscious that in a situation like that it would not have been good for anybody else to have stepped forward.'


Leaders
8 hours ago
- Leaders
Russia Pounds Kyiv in Deadly Strike, Killing 16
Russia launched on Tuesday a massive barrage of drones and missiles, killing at least 16 people in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. A nine-story apartment block in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district collapsed, leaving a mountain of debris. Emergency crews rescued survivors, including an elderly woman pulled from shattered windows. Zelenskiy Condemns 'Terrorism' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy labeled the attack 'pure terrorism,' urging global leaders to confront Putin. He reported 440 drones and 32 missiles targeting Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, while Russia claimed strikes on military sites, but residential areas, schools, and infrastructure bore the brunt. Kyiv retaliated with drones deep into Russia, though civilian harm remains lower, with Moscow intercepting 147 drones, including near Moscow. Analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko noted Russia's new tactic: overwhelming air defenses by focusing strikes on single cities. Peace Talks Stall, Frontlines Heat Up Despite recent Istanbul negotiations, tensions surged. Russia advanced in eastern Ukraine and opened a new front in Sumy. US President Donald Trump, now favoring Moscow's stance, skipped meetings with Zelenskiy at the G7 summit, urging Russia's readmission to the G7, defying allies. Zelenskiy seeks tighter sanctions and military aid at the G7, but Trump's shifting policies complicate unity. The war's fourth year intensifies as Kyiv mourns its deadliest strike yet, demanding global accountability. Short link : Post Views: 1


Saudi Gazette
14 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Iran launches fresh missile attack on Israel as conflict enters fifth day
TEHRAN/TEL AVIV — The fifth day of hostilities between Israel and Iran began with Iran launching a fresh wave of strikes, as US President Donald Trump denied reports that he left the G7 summit to pursue a ceasefire deal. Trump has called for the immediate evacuation of all of Tehran, issuing the warning shortly after Israeli forces told residents in parts of north-eastern Tehran to leave ahead of planned strikes on what they described as 'military infrastructure.' The announcements came on the fifth day of hostilities between Iran and Israel, as both sides continue trading strikes in a conflict that shows no sign of slowing. Overnight, explosions and heavy air defense fire were reported in Tehran, as Iranian state media confirmed Israeli airstrikes hit the capital, including a direct hit on the country's state-run television station during a live broadcast. On Monday, Iran launched a pre-dawn wave of missiles at Israel, killing at least eight people, prompting further Israeli retaliation throughout the day. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Monday that the strikes have set Iran's nuclear program back 'years' and said he is in touch daily with Trump, who left the G7 summit in Canada early amidst reports he was heading to Washington to work on a ceasefire deal. Israeli airstrikes caused "direct impacts" on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The nuclear watchdog said it now believes the strikes hit the facility's underground centrifuge halls, though it did not provide further details. It's the first time the agency has confirmed damage to Natanz's underground sections — the core of Iran's uranium enrichment program. Earlier reports indicated that Israel had destroyed the facility's above-ground enrichment hall and electrical systems that powered key infrastructure. Israel claimed responsibility for striking Iran's nuclear sites, saying nine nuclear scientists were killed in the operation. The Israeli government said the action was part of ongoing efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, which it considers an existential threat. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned of imminent large-scale Israeli strikes in Tehran, targeting what he described as nuclear and regime-linked infrastructure. Speaking to reporters at the site of a ballistic missile strike in central Israel, Katz said the Israeli Air Force would carry out 'very significant targets, strategic targets, targets of the regime and infrastructure' in the Iranian capital later. According to The Times of Israel, Katz claimed there are 'more than 10 nuclear targets' in Tehran that Israel is 'on the verge of destroying,' citing Israeli aerial superiority in the region. He also said the underground Fordo nuclear facility 'is an issue that will certainly be addressed.' Katz said the Israel Defense Forces would issue evacuation warnings ahead of the strikes. Earlier, Katz issued a similar warning to residents of Tehran. As residents of Tehran grapple with an evacuation warning, a cyberattack has reportedly targeted one of Tehran's banks, Bank Sepah, with online services disrupted. The state affiliated Fars news agency said that this will likely also cause disruption at some gas stations. The hackers identified themselves as 'Gonjeshke Darande,' or 'Predatory Sparrow.' The group previously claimed responsibility for hacking a major steel mill in 2022, and for disrupting gas stations in 2023. The sound of two loud explosions echoed across Tehran early Tuesday afternoon, with plumes of black smoke rising from the city's north, near the headquarters of Iranian state television and other key government buildings, writes AP. There has been no immediate comment from Iranian authorities about the cause or extent of the blasts. Reporting from inside Iran remains difficult to independently verify, as media there is tightly controlled. During a briefing with the Israeli Defense Forces, Katz also issued a direct warning to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, drawing a pointed comparison to Iraq's Saddam Hussein, who was overthrown in 2003. 'I warn the Iranian dictator against continuing to commit war crimes and launching missiles at Israeli civilians,' Katz said. 'He would do well to remember the fate of the dictator in the country neighbouring Iran who chose this same path against the State of Israel.' The Israeli military confirmed it had earlier struck Tehran's Qiyadah air base, claiming to have killed Ali Shadmani, the recently appointed commander-in-chief of Iran's armed forces and a close ally of Khamenei. According to the IDF, Shadmani had served just four days in the top military role before being killed in what it described as a 'precision strike.' An IDF spokesperson said the military is 'deepening and expanding achievements' across multiple targets in Iran and vowed to continue targeting missile sites, command centre's, and strategic infrastructure, including those involved in ground-to-ground and air-to-ground missile production. Traffic reportedly remains heavy in parts of Tehran, though Iranian state media, which is tightly controlled, has provided limited information about the extent of damage or evacuations. Residents have also reported intermittent air defense activity overnight. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas has also responded to Donald Trump's recent suggestions that the United States could get militarily involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran. "We're not involved in it. It's possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved," Trump told ABC News on Sunday. Kallas made it clear she would not endorse such a move. "When it comes to the United States getting involved, then it will definitely drag the region into broader conflict, and this is in nobody's interest," she said, answering a question from Euronews. "And from my call with Secretary of State Rubio, he emphasized that it's also not in their interest to be drawn into this conflict." Kallas stressed the ongoing conflict could easily impact the wider region, with unpredictable consequences for all countries. "The risks (of) escalation and the risks of spillover effect are too great," she said. "Also, the risks of miscalculation, which is making this conflict even bigger." — Euronews