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A 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker drove a Mini Cooper into a crowd in Munich, injuring at least 28 people during a Verdi trade union rally. The suspect, known for theft and drug offenses, was arrested after police fired a shot at the vehicle. The incident occurred amid a public sector workers’ strike, with over 1,000 attendees. Police are investigating any links between the demonstration and the attack, which is not believed to be related to the upcoming Munich Security Conference. Some victims are in life-threatening condition, including children.

Ukrainian President Zelensky reported a Russian drone strike on Chernobyl’s destroyed nuclear plant, damaging the concrete shelter over reactor 4. Despite the attack, radiation levels remain normal, and a fire was extinguished. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the explosion and fire at the New Safe Confinement. The shelter, completed in 2017, protects the site of the 1986 disaster. On the same night, Russia launched 133 drones at Ukraine, with 73 intercepted and 58 failing to hit targets.

Around 260 individuals, believed to be victims of human trafficking and forced to work in online scam centers, are set to be repatriated after being rescued from Myanmar, according to Thailand’s army. These scam centers, prevalent in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, exploit people to run fraudulent schemes, extracting billions globally. The recent rescue involved individuals from 20 nationalities, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and China. The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, a Myanmar ethnic militia, facilitated their release. Rescued individuals will be questioned and, if confirmed as trafficking victims, will receive protection before repatriation.

The U.S. remains dominant in NATO, but Trump’s decision to initiate peace talks with Putin over Ukraine without consulting European allies has sparked criticism. Concerns arose over potential premature concessions to Russia, with accusations of appeasement. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and EU security chief Kaja Kallas criticized the U.S. approach, questioning why concessions were discussed before negotiations. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied betraying Ukraine but avoided detailing potential Russian concessions, rejecting claims of premature appeasement.

The suspected car-ramming attack in Munich, involving Farhad N, an Afghan asylum seeker, is likely to influence Germany’s upcoming parliamentary election. The incident adds to the ongoing debate on migration, intensified by recent violent acts linked to migrants. This has bolstered support for the far-right AfD party. Mainstream politicians, including Olaf Scholz and Friedrich Merz, have adopted tougher stances on migration, focusing heavily on the issue during election debates, amid criticism for associating migration with criminality.

In Bahía El Águila, Chilean Patagonia, a humpback whale briefly swallowed kayaker Adrián Simancas before releasing him unharmed. The incident, filmed by his father Dell, went viral. Adrián described the terror of the experience, fearing for his life and his father’s safety. Despite the scare, both returned to shore uninjured. The Strait of Magellan, a major tourist attraction, is known for its challenging frigid waters. Despite being summer, temperatures remain cool, posing risks for adventurers.

President Trump issued an ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the release of Israeli hostages by Saturday or face severe consequences, escalating tensions in a fragile truce. This tactic, reminiscent of his “Art of the Deal” strategy, aims to pressure Hamas into concessions. While Trump’s approach has prompted Hamas to commit to a release timetable, critics warn it risks further violence. His aides see potential for a foreign policy win, but the situation remains precarious, with the possibility of increased conflict in Gaza.

Alternative for Germany (AfD) is poised for its strongest national election result, fielding its first candidate for leadership. Despite unlikely power-sharing soon, it influences Germany’s migration debate. Founded in 2013, AfD initially opposed eurozone bailouts and gained momentum with anti-migrant sentiment in 2015. It entered parliament in 2017 with 12.6% of the vote. After a dip in 2021, AfD regained strength amid government crises. Recent protests linked to right-wing extremism didn’t significantly impact its polling.

European ministers emphasized that any decisions regarding the end of Russia’s war against Ukraine should involve Ukraine. A joint statement from seven countries and the European Commission highlighted the necessity of including Ukraine and Europe in negotiations. British Defence Secretary John Healey stressed that Ukraine should decide when and on what terms to negotiate. Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth deemed a return to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders unrealistic and dismissed NATO membership for Kyiv as a solution. Ukraine detained a high-ranking official allegedly working for Russia, and eight men went on trial in Russia over the Kerch Bridge explosion.

Hamas remains committed to the cease-fire with Israel, planning to release more hostages this weekend, signaling diplomatic progress. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. are working to resolve issues. The truce, initiated in late January, involved Hamas releasing 33 hostages in exchange for over 1,500 Palestinian prisoners. Despite recent tensions and fears of violations, Hamas expects releases to proceed, though future cease-fire terms remain uncertain. Israel has not commented on Hamas’s latest statement.

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