**Summary:** Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has authorized a 40-day operation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) aimed at compelling Russia to end the ongoing war through targeted long-range and medium-range sanctions.

**Key points:**
- The operation follows a report from acting SBU head Major General Yevhenii Khmara on the agency's recent performance and strategic plans.
- Zelenskyy highlighted the effectiveness of the SBU's Center for Special Operations 'Alpha' in utilizing various drone types to strike Russian personnel and equipment.
- Recent SBU strikes targeted Russian air defense systems near the Kerch Strait and military airfields in Crimea, including the destruction of multiple S-400 and Pantsir-S1 units.
- The initiative is part of a broader strategy to increase pressure on the Russian state and military infrastructure.

**Why it matters:** This operation represents a strategic escalation in Ukraine's use of specialized security forces and long-range capabilities to disrupt Russian military operations and force a shift in the Kremlin's war stance.

tsn.ua - Зеленський затвердив 40-денну операцію для примусу Росії до миру

rss.unian.net - СБУ проведет 40-дневную операцию, чтобы побудить Россию завершить войну,

actualno.com - 40 дни: Зеленски одобри план с операции, които да накарат Путин да потърси мир

Zelenskyy Approves 40-Day SBU Operation to Pressure Russia Toward Ending War

**Summary:** Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.5 and 7.2, struck the central region of the country on June 24, 2026.

**Key points:**
- The seismic events, described as a 'seismic doublet,' occurred with a 39-second interval near the municipality of Montalbán in Carabobo state.
- President-in-charge Delcy Rodríguez announced the suspension of classes and non-essential activities to facilitate emergency response efforts.
- The Maiquetía International Airport, serving Caracas, was closed due to significant structural damage.
- Local authorities in the Chacao municipality reported building collapses and ongoing search and rescue operations for potential victims.

**Why it matters:** The dual earthquakes have caused widespread infrastructure damage and critical service disruptions, prompting a national emergency response in Venezuela.

rosario3.com - Dos fuertes terremotos sacudieron Venezuela en un minuto

elfinanciero.com.mx - Sismos en Venezuela: Delcy Rodríguez declara Estado de Emergencia y cierran Aeropuerto de Caracas

elcomercio.pe - Delcy Rodríguez declara el estado de emergencia en Venezuela tras dos fuertes terremotos

Venezuela Declares State of Emergency Following Two Major Earthquakes

**Summary:** Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.1 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck western Venezuela on Wednesday, causing significant damage and building collapses in the capital, Caracas.

**Key points:**
- The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the first quake occurred west of Morón at a depth of 13 kilometers, followed by a larger 7.5-magnitude tremor one minute later.
- Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed structural damage and collapsed homes in Caracas, urging citizens to follow emergency protocols.
- The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued temporary tsunami alerts for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
- The earthquakes are considered among the strongest to hit the region in over a century.

**Why it matters:** The high-magnitude seismic events have caused widespread destruction in a densely populated capital, raising concerns about significant casualties and the stability of infrastructure.

myjoyonline.com - Buildings collapse as quakes rock Venezuela, ‘high casualties’ likely

france24.com - Venezuela hit by back-to-back powerful earthquakes, buildings collapse in Caracas

cnbc.com - Buildings collapse as quakes rock Venezuela, 'high casualties' likely

aljazeera.com - Venezuela struck by back-to-back earthquakes, many casualties feared

deccanchronicle.com - Back-To-Back Powerful Earthquakes Slam Venezuela

theage.com.au - Back-to-back powerful earthquakes hit Venezuela, collapsing buildings in Caracas

Powerful Back-to-Back Earthquakes Strike Venezuela

**Summary:** French health authorities have confirmed the country's first case of Ebola in a doctor who recently returned from a humanitarian mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

**Key points:**
- The patient has been admitted to a specialized facility and is currently in stable condition.
- Health officials are conducting an epidemiological investigation to identify and monitor contacts for 21 days.
- The current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo involves the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is currently no specific vaccine or treatment.
- Official figures report over 1,000 infections and 260 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the outbreak began.

**Why it matters:** The identification of an Ebola case in France highlights the ongoing public health challenge posed by the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the necessity for rigorous containment protocols.

bbc.co.uk - France confirms first Ebola case

newsfeed.zeit.de - Krankheiten: Ebola-Ausbruch: Erster Fall in Frankreich nachgewiesen

huffingtonpost.fr - Un premier cas d’Ebola identifié sur le territoire français

lalibre.be - Epidémie d'Ebola: Un premier cas identifié en France

France confirms first case of Ebola in a doctor returning from DR Congo

**Summary:** The National Energy System Operator (Neso) has issued an electricity margin notice for Wednesday evening as extreme temperatures and low wind conditions strain the national power grid.

**Key points:**
- Temperatures in parts of England and Wales are forecast to reach 40C, prompting the Met Office to issue a rare red weather warning.
- The electricity margin notice, effective from 7pm to 10pm, is a routine intervention to ensure sufficient capacity is available.
- Extreme heat is reducing the efficiency of nuclear power stations, gas facilities, and water cooling systems.
- Major transport providers, including National Rail and Eurostar, have announced service cancellations and disruptions due to the adverse weather.

**Why it matters:** The rare grid intervention highlights the vulnerability of national infrastructure to extreme weather events, which are increasingly impacting public services and transport networks.

The Mirror - UK three - hour power supply warning on Wednesday as temperatures hit 40C

Stourbridge News - Second ever red heat warning comes into force

The Independent - Power supply warning issued as Brits crank up fans and air conditioning amid heatwave

North Wales Chronicle - Rare red heat warning comes into force for second time ever

UK Grid Operator Issues Rare Power Supply Warning Amid Record Heatwave

**Summary:** Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez appeared before the Congress of Deputies to address corruption allegations involving his administration and the Socialist Party (PSOE), while rejecting opposition demands for a snap election.

**Key points:**
- Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo labeled the Prime Minister the "corrupting political nexus" and called for a motion of no confidence.
- Sánchez denied any systemic corruption within his government or party, asserting he would have never tolerated such practices.
- The Prime Minister defended his wife and brother as victims of misinformation campaigns and maintained his support for ongoing judicial investigations.
- Santiago Abascal, leader of the Vox party, accused the government of maneuvering to manipulate future general elections.

**Why it matters:** The political stability of Spain is under pressure as the government faces intense scrutiny over judicial cases affecting the Prime Minister's inner circle and party.

huffingtonpost.es - Feijóo señala a Sánchez como el "nexo político corruptor": "La corrupción es usted"

elcorreo.com - Directo | Sánchez promete que « ayudar a que « se haga justicia », pero con una cerrada defensa de su familia y de Zapatero

lemonde.fr - Pedro Sanchez dément toute « corruption généralisée » du gouvernement et du Parti socialiste en Espagne

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Defends Government Amid Corruption Allegations

**Summary:** Ahead of a meeting with US President Donald Trump, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is working to address American grievances regarding European support during the Iran conflict and broader alliance burden-sharing.

**Key points:**
- Mark Rutte highlighted that European nations provided significant logistical support, including thousands of US military flight operations, during the Iran conflict.
- US President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom for perceived lack of support in the conflict.
- European leaders are coordinating in Berlin to discuss Ukraine, the Iran conflict, and NATO defense spending ahead of the upcoming summit in Ankara.
- European powers are considering naval deployments in the Strait of Hormuz to enhance security during the ongoing ceasefire.

**Why it matters:** The diplomatic friction between the US and its European allies over military contributions and burden-sharing threatens the cohesion of the NATO alliance ahead of its upcoming summit.

onvista.de - ROUNDUP : Europäer stimmen sich vor Nato

sn.at - Rutte betont vor Trump - Treffen europäische Unterstützung

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Seeks to Ease Tensions with US President Donald Trump

**Summary:** Global technology shares experienced a significant downturn, with the Nasdaq Composite index falling by more than 2% and losing 580 points. The decline reflects a broader intensification of the sell-off across the global tech sector.

**Key points:**
- The Nasdaq Composite index recorded a sharp decline of 580 points during the trading session.
- The market movement is characterized as an intensification of a global tech rout.

**Why it matters:** The sharp decline in the Nasdaq Composite highlights heightened investor anxiety and volatility within the global technology sector, which can have significant implications for broader financial market stability.

asiabulletin.com - Nasdaq Composite tumbles 580 points amid global tech

southeastasiapost.com - Global tech rout intensifies as shares extend losses , Nasdaq down over 2 %

Global Tech Stocks Decline as Nasdaq Composite Drops Over 2%