US News
- Boston police secretly purchased a new drone for $25,000. The department has eight drones in active use. Starting July 20th, Boston police will have to disclose similar purchases. [Link]
- Law enforcement initially claimed the Robb shooter entered through a door propped open by a teacher. However, the teacher disputes this narrative, and security footage confirms the door was closed. [Link]
UK
- The UK will start relocating asylum seekers who arrive in the UK to Rwanda. [Link]
Russia/Ukraine
- A Department of Homeland Security memo warns of white nationalists returning from Ukraine with new battlefield experience. [Link]
- The White House notifies Congress it will send Ukraine rocket systems with a range of 70km. [Link] Biden does not want US long-range weapons used to attack targets inside of Russia. [Link] The rocket systems are part of a new $700 million weapons package. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Ukraine has promised not to use the system to strike targets inside of Russia. [Link] In response to the US shipping the rockets, Russia held drills with its nuclear forces. [Link]
- The UK is seeking permission from Washington to send Ukraine US-made M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems. [Link]
- Russia says Western sanctions are preventing grain exports. [Link]
- The Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN says, “Any politician that would try to make such a deal with the Russians or whoever has no political future.” [Link]
- Ukrainian President Zelensky says 60-100 Ukrainian soldiers are dying each day. [Link]
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey is ready to bring Russia, Ukraine, and the UN together in Istanbul and play a role in a possible observation mechanism, in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. [Link]
- A French journalist was killed in Ukraine. [Link]
- Hungary stalled the EU’s latest sanctions package against Russia over objection to the sanctioning of Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church. [Link]
- Blinken and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg say they are confident Finland and Sweden will be admitted into NATO. [Link] Turkey restates its opposition to the Nordic states joining NATO. [Link]
China
- NATO’s next Strategic Concept document will name China as a threat. [Link]
- The US and Taiwan plan to hold trade talks. [Link]
- Senator Tammy Duckworth met with the Taiwanese president in Taipei. [Link]
Middle East
- Israel simulates large-scale airstrikes on Iran. [Link]
- Israeli forces killed a Palestinian man during a military operation to destroy a house. [Link]
- The Biden administration is in talks with the UAE on giving the Emirates security guarantees. [Link]
- The House introduces a war powers resolution that would end the US role in the Yemen War. [Link]
