Jul 25, 2026, 09:30 AM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned of imminent Russian missile strikes within 48 hours, following recent aerial attacks across the country.

A Russian ballistic missile strike in the Kyiv region killed at least ten people and injured nearly 100. Ukrainian officials gave conflicting accounts regarding the site, with a military spokesperson stating a private sports complex was hit, while a defense industry founder reported the missile struck a training ground hosting a drone fair. Separately, Russian glide bomb strikes on Zaporizhzhia injured at least 25 people, damaging homes and a medical center.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy announced plans to build a US facility using Ukrainian technology to manufacture drones, though Washington officials noted terms remain under negotiation.

Sources: ORF, Tagesschau

Raging wildfires across southwestern Europe have forced over 140,000 people from their homes as emergency services struggle to contain expanding blazes in Spain and France. West of Madrid, three separate fires merged into a single 6,000-hectare front advancing toward Navas del Rey, prompting Spanish authorities to declare a national emergency for the first time due to a wildfire. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the situation as "dramatic," while regional leaders warned the blaze has exceeded local suppression capabilities. In southwestern France, emergency crews deployed naval vessels to evacuate seaside communities near Bordeaux and Arcachon Bay, where more than 65,000 residents have fled as one fire expanded to the size of Paris.

Sources: BBC News, Die Zeit, ORF, Tagesschau.

Wildfires sweeping across western Madrid and eastern Ávila have scorched roughly 20,000 hectares, sparking Spain's largest emergency deployment since the COVID-19 pandemic. The blazes, initially ignited by a burning vehicle on the A-5 highway, spread rapidly across seven kilometers within hours, jumping the San Juan Reservoir and destroying local recreation facilities.

Extreme conditions pushed the fires beyond extinction capacity, leading to the evacuation or confinement of up to 45,000 residents and threatening historic landmarks around El Escorial. Despite the initial destruction, emergency officials indicated that a shift in wind direction has provided a more favorable outlook for containment efforts. Firefighters continue working to perimeter the blazes and protect nearby communities.

Sources: El Mundo

US President Donald Trump addressed journalists at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, marking a return to the traditional media event. Speaking to the press corps, Trump stated that he had originally planned a harsher speech but chose a milder tone following an assassination attempt three months prior. During his remarks, Trump told attendees, "I see many people I like - and some not at all - but I respect you all," while calling to reject political violence.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the address as unifying yet uncompromising. However, reports indicated that Trump's jokes met a subdued reaction from the audience, with few attendees laughing. Trump concluded by announcing his intention to return to the dinner next year.

Sources: FAZ, NOS

Kyiv's targeted drone and missile campaign against Russian-controlled Crimea has led to widespread disruptions in basic services, leaving residents facing shortages of power, water, and fuel. Local business owners in coastal resort towns, such as Yevpatoria, report a sharp decline in tourism as Russian visitors cancel bookings amid ongoing security concerns.

Interviews with peninsula residents indicate growing public frustration with Moscow’s inability to maintain infrastructure and protect the region from escalating Ukrainian attacks. Kyiv's strategy aims to isolate the strategically vital Crimean peninsula and strain Russian logistical supply lines as military operations across the region intensify.

Sources: Koha