This week’s NATO summit in Washington was meant to celebrate the alliance’s 75th anniversary, highlighting its growth and renewed relevance, especially due to strong transatlantic ties and unity against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, led by U.S. leadership. However, the celebratory mood is dampened as the U.S. president who championed NATO’s revival faces serious trouble.

Gabriel Whitaker 08/07/2024 2:30 pm

Japan and the Philippines signed a defense pact allowing Japanese forces to conduct joint military exercises in the Philippines, including live-fire drills. The Reciprocal Access Agreement, signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, also permits Filipino forces to train in Japan. The agreement, pending legislative ratification, aims to bolster defense cooperation amid China’s assertiveness. This is Japan’s first such pact in Asia, following similar agreements with Australia and Britain. Japan is enhancing its security measures under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida due to regional threats.

Liam Harrington 08/07/2024 1:00 pm

Thousands of protesters marched in Barcelona to express anger at mass tourism’s impact on the city. Demonstrators, some using water guns, disrupted diners in La Barceloneta and symbolically taped off restaurants. Carrying banners like “Tourists go home,” they called for fewer foreign visitors. Protesters cited rising housing costs, which have increased 68% over the past decade, as a major issue. Mayor Jaume Collboni plans to stop renewing tourist rental licenses by 2028 to make more homes available for locals.

Ava Sinclair 08/07/2024 1:00 pm

Officials believe the devastation in Gaza from a nine-month Israeli offensive has pushed Hamas to soften its cease-fire demands. Hamas recently dropped its demand for Israel to end the war as part of any deal, raising hopes for progress in negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed military pressure led Hamas to negotiate. Internal communications show senior Hamas figures urging acceptance of a cease-fire proposal by U.S. President Joe Biden.

Noah Prescott 08/07/2024 10:00 am

In Tel Aviv, Israeli protesters marked nine months since the Gaza war began by blocking highways and demanding Prime Minister Netanyahu’s resignation and a cease-fire to free hostages held by Hamas. The protests, dubbed the “Day of Disruption,” started at 6:29 a.m., the same time Hamas launched rockets on October 7, 2023. Efforts for a truce gained momentum as Hamas dropped a key demand, but Netanyahu remains committed to fighting until Hamas is destroyed. Demonstrations also took place outside government ministers’ homes.

Ava Sinclair 08/07/2024 10:00 am

Russian missile attacks on Monday killed at least 20 people and injured around 50 across Ukraine, including seven in Kyiv where a children’s hospital was struck. Another attack in Kryvyi Rih killed at least 10 and injured 31. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy highlighted the extensive damage and called for global attention. The attacks occurred ahead of a NATO summit in Washington, emphasizing the need for continued support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.

Gabriel Whitaker 08/07/2024 10:00 am

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged global powers to facilitate direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine during a meeting with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who visited China after trips to Russia and Ukraine. Orbán praised China’s peace efforts and highlighted the role of the U.S., EU, and China in ending the war. Hungary has strong ties with China, hosting Chinese EV battery facilities and announcing a new BYD factory. Orbán dubbed his visit “Peace mission 3.0” on social media.

Penelope Kingsley 08/07/2024 7:00 am

A village in western Russia’s Voronezh region was evacuated after debris from a downed Ukrainian drone caused explosions and a warehouse fire. Social media showed black smoke and loud blasts. Gov. Aleksandr Gusev confirmed no casualties but reported the detonation of explosive objects. Roads were closed, and emergency services were deployed. A Ukrainian official stated the warehouse stored ammunition for Russian troops in Ukraine. The same official also claimed Ukraine’s State Security Service was behind a drone attack on an oil depot in Russia’s Krasnodar region the previous day.

Ava Sinclair 08/07/2024 7:00 am

New data shows the world experienced 12 consecutive months with temperatures 1.5C above pre-fossil fuel era averages. From July 2023 to June 2024, temperatures were the highest on record, averaging 1.64C above preindustrial levels. This does not mean world leaders have failed to meet their climate targets, which are based on decadal averages, but it highlights increased exposure to extreme weather and the risk of catastrophic tipping points. Carlo Buontempo of the Copernicus Climate Change Service emphasized this trend as a significant and ongoing climate shift.

Gabriel Whitaker 08/07/2024 5:30 am

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, condemned South Korea’s recent live-fire drills near their shared borders as “suicidal hysteria” and threatened unspecified military action if provoked further. These drills, the first since South Korea suspended a 2018 agreement aimed at reducing tensions, were criticized by Kim as deliberate escalations by South Korea’s conservative government. She warned that any perceived violation of North Korean sovereignty could lead to immediate military response. South Korea’s Unification Ministry dismissed her statement as an attempt to create internal discord, urging North Korea to address its own issues.

Noah Prescott 08/07/2024 4:00 am