Good evening,

In this edition, we cover Kamala Harris's strong stance on Gaza, the potential shift in Venezuela's leadership, and the Philippines' urgent efforts to contain an oil spill after a tanker capsized in Manila Bay.

More below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣🇷🇺 Russia: Russia and China conducted their first joint bomber patrol near Alaska, flying over the north Pacific and Bering Sea. Moscow and Beijing claimed the patrol was not targeted at any third party, while US officials intercepted the aircraft, maintaining they posed no threat. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski called the event an “unprecedented provocation,” highlighting the growing military cooperation between the two nations amidst strained relations with the West. 

2️⃣🇰🇵 North Korea: The UK, US, and South Korea have issued a warning about North Korean hackers targeting nuclear and military secrets worldwide. The hackers, known as Andariel and Onyx Sleet, are allegedly seeking classified information to advance Pyongyang’s military programs, targeting defense, aerospace, and nuclear entities. The group funds its espionage through ransomware attacks, highlighting the persistent threat to sensitive technology and everyday life. 

3️⃣🇷🇺 Russia: President Vladimir Putin met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Moscow to discuss improving relations between Damascus and Ankara. This meeting follows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's efforts to restore pre-civil war ties with Syria. The leaders are considering a summit with Erdogan to further these diplomatic efforts.

4️⃣🇲🇽 Mexico: Alleged drug kingpin Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, 76, was arrested in El Paso, Texas, after being lured across the border by US federal agents. Zambada, the co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, 38, son of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, face multiple charges for leading the cartel's fentanyl trafficking operations. The arrests mark a significant blow to the cartel, which has been responsible for trafficking large quantities of drugs into the US.

5️⃣🇮🇱 Israel: Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, emphasized the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza after meeting with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Harris stressed the need for a ceasefire and establishment of a Palestinian state while acknowledging Israel's right to self-defense. She condemned Hamas for triggering the conflict but insisted on not being silent about the suffering in Gaza.

Major Story

A series of fires have disrupted French high-speed rail lines, just hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, in what SNCF is calling a "massive attack aimed at paralysing the network." France's transport minister has condemned these "coordinated malicious acts," which are expected to affect 800,000 customers throughout the weekend. One in four Eurostar services between London and Paris will be cancelled until Monday, significantly impacting travelers.

The disruptions stem from damage to signal boxes along the lines connecting Paris with major cities to the north, east, and southwest. The situation has drawn a swift response from French authorities, with military personnel and police officers stationed at key locations like Gare du Nord in Paris. Passengers are advised to postpone their journeys and avoid stations until they receive confirmation that their trains are running. The French Prime Minister has announced that police and intelligence services are working to find and punish those responsible, with the Paris prosecutor’s office opening a criminal investigation.

Despite the chaos, there remains a general mood of excitement among travelers, particularly those heading to the Olympics. Eurostar’s Chief Commercial Officer François Le Doze expressed confidence that most people in the UK will still be able to reach Paris. However, trains will run slower in certain sections due to the damage, adding to travel times. As investigations continue, the French authorities are emphasizing their commitment to resolving the issue swiftly and ensuring the security of the rail network.

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Other News

1️⃣🇻🇪 Venezuela: President Nicolas Maduro is vying for a third term amid economic crisis and security concerns, trailing in polls against opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia. Gonzalez, a former ambassador, has garnered enthusiasm despite being a replacement for Maria Corina Machado, whose candidacy was invalidated. With Maduro warning of potential civil unrest if the opposition wins, the country faces a critical juncture in its political future. 

2️⃣🇵🇭 Philippines: The Coast Guard is urgently working to contain an oil spill after the Terra Nova tanker capsized in Manila Bay, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial oil. Despite rescuing 16 crew members, one sailor was confirmed dead. Authorities are racing to siphon the oil from the ship's main reservoirs, which are currently intact, to prevent an environmental disaster in Manila and its coastline.

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Book Shelf

Here are some books we recommend 📚:

Prisoners of Geography

The Revenge of Geography

The World: A Brief Introduction

The Shock Doctrine

Sea Power

The Tragedy of Great Power Politics

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