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The United Kingdom has expelled a Russian diplomat and a diplomatic spouse in response to Moscow’s earlier expulsion of two British embassy staff. The UK Foreign Office summoned Russian Ambassador Andrei Kelin to convey this decision, citing an “increasingly aggressive and coordinated campaign of harassment” against British diplomats. Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the UK will not tolerate the Kremlin’s intimidation or threats to its security. This diplomatic exchange follows heightened tensions since the 2018 poisoning incident in Salisbury and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. — Yemen’s Houthi rebels have declared that any Israeli vessel in regional waters is now a target, citing Israel’s blockade of aid to Gaza. This warning threatens key maritime routes and could disrupt aid shipments to conflict zones. The Houthis previously targeted over 100 merchant vessels between November 2023 and January 2025, resulting in significant damage and casualties. The U.S. military remains vigilant, with the USS Harry S. Truman currently patrolling the Red Sea. — The International Monetary Fund has approved a $1.2 billion disbursement to Egypt after completing its fourth review of the country’s economic reform program. Additionally, Egypt will access $1.3 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. Despite these financial aids, Egyptians face rising inflation, with recent hikes in fuel prices and a devaluation of the Egyptian pound. The government announced an increase in the minimum monthly wage for public sector workers, effective from July, to alleviate economic pressures. — The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has halted the execution of David Leonard Wood, who has spent over 30 years on death row for the killings of six young women near El Paso. Wood, scheduled for execution this week, maintains his innocence and claims intellectual disability, rendering him ineligible for execution. This stay follows previous pauses in his execution and ongoing debates over DNA evidence. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles recently declined his bid for commutation, leaving unresolved questions about Wood’s role in the crimes. — The Trump administration has resumed military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after a temporary suspension intended to pressure Kyiv into peace talks with Russia. Following discussions in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine expressed willingness for a 30-day ceasefire, contingent on Russia’s agreement. The U.S. plans to present this proposal to the Kremlin, which has traditionally sought more permanent solutions without compromise. The conflict continues to impose heavy casualties and material losses on both sides. — A woman who accused former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson of raping her in a limousine in 1991 has dropped her lawsuit. Tyson’s attorney confirmed the plaintiff’s voluntary discontinuation of the case, which was filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act. The plaintiff’s attorneys expressed disappointment over procedural grounds leading to the dismissal but maintained support for their client’s account. Tyson, who denied the allegations, previously served three years in prison for a 1992 rape conviction.

Pakistani insurgents attacked a passenger train in Balochistan province on Tuesday, taking over 100 hostages as the train passed through a tunnel. Security forces engaged in a firefight with the insurgents, who used women and children as human shields. Officials later rescued at least 104 passengers. Balochistan, rich in oil and minerals, has experienced previous attacks by separatist groups claiming discrimination by the central government. — China, Iran, and Russia conducted joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman near the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. The exercises, named Maritime Security Belt 2025, come amid rising tensions between Tehran and the United States over Iran’s expanding nuclear program. The drills included live-fire exercises and featured vessels from Russia and China patrolling a region typically overseen by the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, based in Bahrain. Observers from countries including Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Pakistan attended the drills, underscoring China and Russia’s support for Iran. — The United States extended its ban on flights to Haiti’s capital until September 8th due to escalating gang violence. This decision follows reports from a U.N. human rights expert indicating that gang violence in Haiti is more dire than ever, with gangs controlling up to 85% of Port-au-Prince. Over one million people have been displaced due to the violence, facing hunger and sexual violence in makeshift camps. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration initially imposed the flight ban in November after gangs opened fire on three commercial planes. — A school bus carrying 31 people overturned on the Garden State Parkway in Montvale, New Jersey, on Monday night, resulting in 15 injuries. The accident prompted a significant emergency response, with visuals showing the bus on its side and the emergency door open. Governor Phil Murphy stated that the situation is under investigation by state police and transportation officials. — The Trump administration announced the resumption of military aid to Ukraine and intelligence sharing with Kyiv after a suspension lasting over a week. This move aims to encourage Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate peace with Russia. Talks in Saudi Arabia led to Ukraine’s willingness to agree to a 30-day ceasefire, pending the Kremlin’s agreement. The European Union has pledged continued support for Ukraine amid these developments. — President Trump dismissed concerns regarding his planned tariffs on various trading partners, which have raised the possibility of a recession this year. The U.S. stock market reacted negatively, with the S&P 500 experiencing significant losses. Despite market turmoil, the administration remains focused on implementing its trade policies. The President is scheduled to meet with business leaders to discuss the economic outlook amid these developments.

North Korea has launched multiple ballistic missiles into the sea from its southwestern Hwanghae province, coinciding with the start of the annual Freedom Shield military exercises conducted by South Korea and the United States. These drills are perceived by North Korea as rehearsals for invasion. The missile launches mark North Korea’s fifth such event this year. Earlier, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry warned that the joint exercises could trigger “physical conflict” on the Korean Peninsula, reiterating leader Kim Jong Un’s goal of expanding the country’s nuclear capabilities to counter perceived threats from the U.S. and its allies. — Russia has expelled two British diplomats from its embassy in Moscow, accusing them of espionage activities that allegedly threatened national security. The Federal Security Service claims the diplomats provided false information to enter Russia and engaged in intelligence operations, though no evidence was presented. The diplomats have been ordered to leave Russia within two weeks. The UK’s Foreign Office condemned the allegations as “malicious and baseless.” This incident adds to the growing list of diplomatic expulsions since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with both Western nations and Moscow engaging in reciprocal actions. — Israel continues to cut off electricity supplies to Gaza, impacting a desalination plant that produces drinking water for the region. This action follows Israel’s earlier suspension of goods to Gaza, aiming to pressure Hamas into extending a ceasefire. Hamas condemned the move, labeling it as part of Israel’s “starvation policy.” The reduction in electricity has severely affected Gaza’s infrastructure, which now relies heavily on generators. International bodies have criticized Israel’s actions, citing concerns over potential collective punishment. — A severe thunderstorm in Ennis Texas, resulted in the death of a man and injuries to three family members when their recreational vehicle flipped multiple times at the Texas Motorplex. The storm brought winds reaching up to 90 mph, causing widespread damage in the area south of Dallas. The high winds also tore the roof off a Days Inn along Interstate 45, damaged homes throughout Ellis County, and toppled several semi-trailer trucks on Interstate 35. Power outages affected nearly 20,000 residents, though most have since been restored. — The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a lawsuit from Republican attorneys general in 19 states aimed at blocking climate change lawsuits against the oil and gas industry filed by Democratic-led states. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented, stating the case should proceed for further consideration. The climate change lawsuits in question accuse fossil fuel companies of misleading the public about the environmental risks of their products and seek compensation for damages such as severe storms and rising sea levels. — China has imposed a 15% tariff on key American agricultural products, including chicken, pork, soybeans, and beef, in retaliation to President Donald Trump’s decision to double tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%. This escalation in trade tensions has negatively impacted U.S. markets, with investors seeking safer assets. The Chinese tariffs are a direct response to U.S. measures aimed at raising revenue, protecting domestic industries, and pressuring foreign nations. Economists warn that such tariffs could lead to higher consumer prices and reduced economic efficiency. American farmers, particularly vulnerable to these retaliatory actions. —