**Summary:** China launched a long-range missile carrying a dummy warhead into the South Pacific, a move described by regional leaders as destabilizing. The test occurred shortly after Australia and Fiji signed a significant new defense alliance.

**Key points:**
- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy reported the launch was a routine part of annual military training.
- Australia's Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles confirmed his government was notified of the test on the day it occurred.
- The missile landed in designated waters within the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone.
- The new 'Ocean of Peace' alliance between Australia and Fiji includes mutual defense obligations and A$1 billion in Australian investment over the next decade.

**Why it matters:** The missile test and the new defense pact highlight the intensifying geopolitical competition between China and Western-aligned nations for influence in the Pacific region.

theguardian.com - China tests long - range missile in South Pacific in move Australia condemns as destabilising to region

timeslive.co.za - Australia signs major defence alliance with Fiji, seeking to counter China

theage.com.au - China tests missile in the Pacific hours after historic Australia-Fiji pact

China Conducts Long-Range Missile Test in South Pacific

**Summary:** The Philippine Senate has commenced an impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, who faces allegations including graft, corruption, and an alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

**Key points:**
- Vice President Sara Duterte did not attend the opening of the trial, opting to be represented by her legal counsel.
- The impeachment proceedings, which could last for months, require a two-thirds majority vote in the 24-seat Senate for conviction.
- Senator Rodante Marcoleta, a key ally of the Duterte family, was arrested on corruption charges hours before the trial began.
- The articles of impeachment include accusations of misappropriation of public funds and unexplained assets.

**Why it matters:** The trial represents a critical escalation in the political conflict between the Marcos and Duterte dynasties and will determine the Vice President's eligibility for the 2028 presidential election.

sunstar.com.ph - Sara Duterte to skip opening of impeachment trial

inquirer.net - WATCH: Sara Duterte lawyer Poa holds press briefing

inquirer.net - VP Sara Duterte skips first day of her impeachment trial

inquirer.net - Senate impeachment trial to decide VP Sara Duterte's political future

scmp.com - Sara Duterte’s ally Marcoleta arrested hours before her impeachment trial in Philippines

Philippine Senate Opens Impeachment Trial Against Vice President Sara Duterte

**Summary:** Russia conducted a major wave of missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, killing at least seven to nine people and injuring dozens, just one day before the start of a NATO summit in Turkey.

**Key points:**
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of the attacks, citing intelligence reports that Russia intended to cause destruction following the U.S. Independence Day holiday.
- The strikes hit residential buildings in Kyiv, causing partial collapses and trapping residents under debris.
- President Zelenskyy urged international partners to accelerate the delivery of air defense systems, specifically Patriot batteries, to prevent further loss of life.
- Poland briefly scrambled fighter jets as a precautionary measure during the aerial assault.

**Why it matters:** The escalation of attacks immediately preceding a high-level NATO summit underscores the ongoing security crisis in Ukraine and the urgent diplomatic focus on air defense support.

tagesschau.de - Ukraine meldet mehrere Tote nach russischen Angriffen

SN.at - Tote bei neuen russischen Luftangriffen

DIE ZEIT - Russische Luftangriffe: Schwere russische Angriffe auf die Ukraine vor Nato-Gipfel

Russia Launches Heavy Missile and Drone Strikes on Ukraine Before NATO Summit

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump has engaged in separate discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

**Key points:**
- President Trump held a 90-minute phone conversation with President Putin to discuss potential solutions for the war in Ukraine.
- President Zelensky described his conversation with President Trump as positive and emphasized the importance of US resolve in ending the conflict.
- US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to continue mediation efforts and may visit Moscow.
- The discussions occurred ahead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Turkey.

**Why it matters:** These high-level diplomatic contacts signal a renewed US effort to mediate the conflict in Ukraine, potentially shifting the focus of international diplomacy.

جريدة البلاد - ترامپ يجري اتصالين منفصلين مع زيلينسكي وبوتين لإنهاء الصراع بأوكرانيا

باشگاه خبرنگاران جوان - ترامپ این هفته با زلنسکی و احمد الشرع دیدار می‌کند

US President Donald Trump Holds Diplomatic Talks with Ukraine and Russia

**Summary:** Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that intelligence reports indicate Russia is preparing a new massive strike against Ukraine, timed to coincide with upcoming international political events.

**Key points:**
- President Zelenskyy stated the planned attack is intended to cause harm following the U.S. Independence Day and ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara.
- The Ukrainian leader urged Western partners to expedite the delivery of air defense missiles, specifically for Patriot systems, to protect civilian lives.
- Zelenskyy emphasized that delays in providing defensive equipment only encourage further Russian military aggression.

**Why it matters:** The warning highlights the ongoing threat of Russian aerial attacks on Ukraine and underscores the critical need for continued international military support for air defense systems.

lb.ua - Зеленський заявив про підготовку Росією масованого удару

vv.com.ua - Россия готовит очередной массированный удар по Украине перед саммитом НАТО ,

obozrevatel.com - Россия готовит новый массированный удар по Украине обращение президента Зеленского

President Zelenskyy Warns of Impending Massive Russian Strike

**Summary:** The Chinese and Russian navies are scheduled to conduct joint military exercises off the coast of Qingdao, China, followed by maritime patrols in the Pacific Ocean.

**Key points:**
- The drills, titled 'Joint Sea-2026', are set to take place from July 6 to July 13.
- Russian naval assets participating include a cruiser, a corvette, a diesel-electric submarine, and a rescue vessel.
- The exercises are described as an annual cooperation plan intended to address regional security challenges.
- The Chinese Ministry of National Defence stated the maneuvers aim to maintain regional peace and stability.

**Why it matters:** The joint exercises underscore the deepening military cooperation between China and Russia, signaling a strategic alignment in the Pacific region.

straitstimes.com - China, Russia navies to hold drills off China coast

rss.unian.net - Китай и Россия проведут совместные военно-морские учения в Желтом море

tsn.ua - Підвищена присутність у Тихому океані: кораблі Китаю та Росії вийдуть на спільні патрулі

China and Russia to Hold Joint Naval Exercises and Pacific Patrols

**Summary:** Tens of thousands of Iranians have gathered at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran to pay their final respects to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the initial stages of the conflict with the United States and Israel.

**Key points:**
- The funeral proceedings are scheduled to last a week, with the body eventually being moved to Qom and Iraq before burial in Mashhad.
- The public gathering serves as a significant test of domestic support for the Iranian government following the recent war.
- U.S. President Donald Trump sparked controversy by suggesting that the gathering of Iranian leaders for the funeral presented a tactical opportunity for a strike, though he stated the U.S. would not act on it.
- Mourners carried images of the late leader and his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, while chanting slogans against the United States.

**Why it matters:** The funeral of the Supreme Leader is a critical political event for Iran, serving as a test of national unity and regime stability in the immediate aftermath of a major war.

hespress.com - حشود إيرانية تودع علي خامنئي

yjc.ir - حضور مردم برای برگزاری نماز وداع در مصلای تهران

isna.ir - وداعی به وسعت یک ملت/ اقامه آخرین نماز صبح در کنار رهبر شهید

isna.ir - از «آخرین دیدار» تا «آخرین بدرقه»؛ روایت پیوند دانشجویان و رهبر شهید

khabaronline.ir - ببینید | واکنش احساسی مردم به پخش صدای رهبر شهید انقلاب در مصلی امام خمینی (ره)

yjc.ir - نمایی از مصلای تهران ساعاتی پیش از اقامه نماز بر پیکر رهبر شهید + فیلم

Iranians Gather in Tehran to Mourn Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

**Summary:** China marked the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China with a commemorative event at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote address.

**Key points:**
- President Xi Jinping emphasized the party's historical achievements and outlined five requirements for future development.
- The event highlighted China's progress in poverty alleviation and its transition toward the second centenary goal of building a modern socialist country.
- Commemorative activities included a musical performance titled 'People First' and exhibitions at the Museum of the Communist Party of China.
- The celebration underscored the party's role in achieving economic growth and social stability over the past 105 years.

**Why it matters:** The anniversary serves as a significant political milestone for China, reinforcing the party's leadership and strategic direction for the nation's future development and modernization goals.

水母网 - 建党百年 ： 全面建成小康社会 ， 向第二个百年奋斗目标迈进

新华网 - 伟大征程｜建党百年 ： 全面建成小康社会 ， 向第二个百年奋斗目标迈进

中国教育新闻网 - 接续奋斗 ， 向着更加伟大的胜利和荣光

China Celebrates 105th Anniversary of the Communist Party