Friday

The European Union sends its first transfer of €1.5 billion (US$1.63 billion) in proceeds from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine for military and infrastructure support. The Kremlin denounces the transfer as "illegal" under international law and pledges legal retaliation. (AP) (Reuters)

Finland reports that a Russian Navy vessel from its Baltic Sea fleet trespassed on Finnish territorial waters in the eastern Gulf of Finland. (Reuters)

Italy appoints an ambassador to Syria after 12 years, becoming the first G7 country to do so. (Reuters)

A former top United States official states that the U.S. Department of Defense covertly admitted to conducting a mass misinformation campaign targeting the Philippines using social media bots and fake accounts to disparage the safety of Chinese CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccinations during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, following public denial of its involvement in June 2024. (Reuters)

Arson attacks on TGV infrastructure disrupts rail services in France. (The Guardian)

The United Kingdom drops its challenge to the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. (Reuters)

U.S. President Joe Biden adds Lebanon to the Deferred Enforced Departure list, temporarily protecting Lebanese citizens from deportation for 18 months, in response to growing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. (Detroit Free Press)

The opening ceremonies of the 2024 Summer Olympics take place on the bank of the River Seine and the Jardins du Trocadéro in Paris, France. (NBC News)