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Russia launched a major aerial assault on Ukraine on Saturday, firing 597 drones and 26 missiles in its fourth large-scale attack this month. Strikes hit cities nationwide, killing two and injuring 20 in Chernivtsi, a western city near the Romanian border, Reuters reported.

Ukraine’s air force downed 25 missiles and 319 drones, jamming 258 others. Ukrainian President Zelensky urged stronger sanctions and more air defence, saying the war can only be stopped by force.

Western cities—Lviv, Lutsk, and Chernivtsi—suffered the most damage. Lviv, near Poland, and Lutsk, in northwestern Ukraine, saw homes, businesses, and public buildings hit. The UN said June saw the highest civilian toll in three years, according to Reuters.

The Trump administration has laid off 1,107 civil service and 246 foreign Service employees from the State Department as part of its federal workforce reduction plan. Over 1,500 others had already left voluntarily earlier this year, according to BBC.

The cuts hit key areas like the refugee admissions office and the Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) team. The move comes after the Supreme Court cleared the administration’s plan to reduce the workforce by 18 percent.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the layoffs followed bureau closures, not targeted firings. But Senate Democrats criticized the move, warning it weakens national security and government effectiveness.

The layoffs follow the shutdown of USAID, with most of its programs cancelled and the rest absorbed by the State Department, BBC reported.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is visiting China for six days, covering Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, to strengthen ties with Australia’s largest trading partner. He will meet President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and top legislator Zhao Leji, with trade and regional security high on the agenda, according to BBC.

Albanese said his government will “cooperate where we can, disagree where we must,” and act in Australia’s national interest. The trip follows his re-election and aims to reinforce economic ties—China accounts for nearly a third of Australia’s trade.

The visit includes top Australian business leaders and signals a stabilisation in relations after years of tensions and trade sanctions. Cooperation on green energy, while maintaining Australia’s commitment to Aukus despite Chinese criticism, will also be discussed.

Analysts say both countries are targeting stable connections rather than geopolitical alignment, with mature diplomacy permitting involvement in commerce, education, and culture—despite continued disagreements over China's military growth and the arrest of Australian writer Yang Hengjun, BBC reported.

A preliminary investigation into last month’s Air India crash in Ahmedabad has revealed that both of the aircraft’s fuel control switches were in the cut-off position just moments before the fatal impact, effectively shutting down the engines.

The report, which contains cockpit voice recordings, describes misunderstanding between the two pilots in the closing seconds. One pilot is heard questioning another why the fuel switches were turned off. The second pilot denies doing so. According to aviation experts, it is highly unlikely that both switches were accidentally activated at the same time, creating more doubts about the sequence of events, BBC reported.

The crash resulted in the deaths of at least 260 passengers and crew. The only survivor, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, reportedly escaped the wreckage through a breach in the fuselage.

Air India has stated that it is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation, while aircraft manufacturer Boeing expressed condolences to the families of the victims. The incident remains under active inquiry, according to BBC.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned renewed attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on civilian ships in the Red Sea. According to his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, the recent sinking of two commercial vessels resulted in at least four deaths, multiple injuries, and 15 crew members reported missing.

Guterres urged the Houthis to refrain from obstructing ongoing search-and-rescue efforts. He stressed that such attacks violate international law, endanger maritime safety, and threaten severe environmental, economic, and humanitarian consequences, according to UN News.

The UN reaffirmed its commitment to de-escalation in the region and to pursuing a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen through engagement with all stakeholders.

Cameroon will hold its presidential election on October 12, according to a decree signed by President Paul Biya, leader of the Central African nation. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time, according to Xinhua.

Candidates must submit their applications by July 21, with the final list to be published by August 11. The official campaign period will run from September 27 to October 11.

French prosecutors have opened a formal investigation into social media platform X, citing allegations of data system interference and unauthorized data extraction by an organized group.

The investigation follows complaints filed in January by a French MP and a senior public official, who alleged that X’s algorithm was exploited for foreign interference, according to Reuters.

The case is being handled by the National Gendarmerie’s cybercrime unit, based on expert input and findings from public institutions.

X France CEO Laurent Buanec has denied the allegations, stating the platform enforces strict rules against hate speech and disinformation, Reuters reported.

The sweltering heat is getting to us. And that’s an understatement. Many people we know have suffered from heat strokes in the past couple of weeks while stepping out during the day time. If we were to be honest, the heat is also making us irritable. As much as we would like to stay indoors and chill when the weather is hot, it’s not always practical or possible. So, what can you do to make your office commute or grocery shopping trip more comfortable? We have compiled a list of essential items that can come to your rescue during this time.

A sun hat or UV protection umbrella

It probably goes without saying that you shouldn’t step out without a hat or an umbrella. But it’s appalling how many people are just out and about without one. Most people forget to carry one or consider it to be a bulky item to keep in their bags. However, sun hats and umbrellas protect you from the harmful rays of the sun and are thus a necessity. These days, you get really compact hats and umbrellas that don’t take up much space or weigh a lot. Invest in a good one and make it your summer buddy.

A chic water bottle

It’s imperative to stay hydrated during the summer but we forget to keep sipping on water mostly because we don’t have water with us all the time. Change that by buying a chic water bottle that you can take everywhere with you. Just get it refilled whenever you go—the restaurant or office. You can also add ice to your bottle if it’s a thermal insulated one and have access to chilled water if that’s what you fancy. Add a few slices of lime or cucumber or even a few sprigs of fresh mint if regular water is too boring for you. This is one of the simplest yet best ways to stay cool during hot summer days. We recommend you buy a water bottle holder. These are basically small bags that fit just your water bottle. It’s such a handy accessory to have as you won’t have to hold your bottle in your hand or risk spilling water in your bag and damaging everything you have inside it. 

A great pair of sunnies 

Sunglasses are a must have for summer. Not only will they protect your eyes from the sun but they will also make you look stylish and sleek. The sun also instantly feels more bearable when you have on a pair of sunglasses. While choosing sunglasses for summer, prioritize UV protection and look for lenses with 100% UV protection. Ensure a comfortable fit and choose the right frames for your face shape. We recommend sunglasses from Anthropose. They are stylish and made of recycled materials. What’s more, a small percentage of every sale goes towards providing free cataract surgeries to people in need in rural Nepal. 

Wet wipes

A packet of these and you are sorted for all kinds of hot conditions. You can use this to wipe your face or your hands and have an instantly cooling effect. They are great for maintaining hygiene on the go while removing sweat and dirt from your face, neck, and hands. They are also useful for quick cleanups after eating or to remove makeup when you are done with that meeting and would like to freshen up but still have a few hours of work left. A great alternative to wipes is a few drops of essential oil in water in a spray bottle. You can spray this directly onto your face, arms, or legs and use a handkerchief or some tissues to wipe off the dampness. 

Portable fan

A few years ago, you would have to go to select stores or places to find a nice portable fan. But these days, you get them everywhere. Every other store has started to stock up on these because the rising temperature means that the demand for these nifty items have gone up as well. Gone are the days of handheld paper fans that you would have to manually work. Battery powered fans are all the rage these days. You even get neck fans that go around your neck, much like a pair of bluetooth headphones. Just charge them overnight and the battery will last you a couple of days. A portable fan is a must have for everyone but especially for those who walk or take the local transport to work. 

Other important stuff

Besides the five important things we have mentioned, there are some other random things that are good to have during the summer (as well as other times of the year but especially during the summer). Invest in a good sunscreen and make sure you keep reapplying it throughout the day. This will prevent sunburn and rashes. A comfortable pair of shoes that don’t make your feet sweat is another important summer essential. Good footwear that allows your feet to breathe will make you feel more at ease. For women, claw clips are a must have as they will keep your hair out of your neck and face as well as help you achieve a stylish 90s style updo. Sweat absorbing pads that can go on your clothes under the arms are also handy to avoid sweat stains as are oil-blotting sheets that you can use to wipe excess oil from your face without ruining your makeup.