Ukraine updates: Russia seizes more territory in Donetsk!

 

Moscow's defense ministry said it had captured Myrne, calling the village by its Soviet name "Karl Marx." Ukraine has "eliminated" two people said to be behind the killing of a secret service officer. DW has more.

Russia has captured another village in Ukraine's Donetsk region as it continues to intensify its offensive.

Meanwhile, North Korea's Kim Jong Un has offered his "unconditional support."

Elsewhere, Ukraine has "eliminated" a man and a woman said to be responsible for the killing of an SBU secret service officer in Kyiv.

Ukraine says it killed two people responsible for the killing of an SBU secret service officer

Ukraine has "eliminated" a man and a woman said to be responsible for the killing of an SBU secret service officer in Kyiv.

The two suspects were working on behalf of Russia. Their hideout was found as part of investigations, Vasyl Malyuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), said in a video clip on Telegram.

"They resisted arrest, a firefight ensued, and the criminals were eliminated," Malyuk said. At the end of the video, two dead bodies are seen behind the officer.

The development comes after an SBU officer was shot dead in Kyiv on Thursday. He is said to have been behind acts of sabotage in Russia.

North Korea gives full backing to Russia

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the port city of Wonsan, offering Moscow "unconditional support."

The meeting came as analysts suggest North Korea will send more troops to fight alongside Russia amid its offensive against Ukraine.

Read here for more details.

Russia captures another village in Donetsk region

Russia said Sunday that it had seized another village in Ukraine's Donetsk region.

Moscow's offensive on Ukraine has lasted for more than three years, with the attacks being ramped up of late, while US-led peace negotiations have yet to yield any results.

Russia's defense ministry said Moscow troops had captured Myrne, calling the village by its Soviet name "Karl Marx."

The defense ministry claimed forces had moved "deep into the enemy's defense" as it seized the village.

Russia has so far rejected a ceasefire proposed by the United States and Ukraine. Donald Trump has regularly boasted about being the one who can bring about peace in Ukraine.

Welcome to our coverage

Welcome to DW's coverage of the latest developments in Russia's war in Ukraine.

Russia says it has taken another village in Ukraine's Donetsk region.

Meanwhile, North Korea's Kim Jong Un has hailed his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, saying that Pyongyang offers its "unconditional support" to Moscow as it continues its offensive against Ukraine.

What are China’s ‘future industries’? And why they matter in the global tech race

As the dust barely settles on "Made in China 2025", Beijing is intensifying its quest for technological supremacy with a focus on "future industries" amid its escalating rivalry with the United States.

Authorities are pushing boundaries in their pursuit of a new growth model centered on technological breakthroughs and industrial upgrades.

What are "future industries"?

First introduced by President Xi Jinping in 2020, the term refers to sectors with foundational technologies still in their infancy but expected to possess enormous potential.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

The 2021-25 Five-Year Plan highlighted brain-inspired intelligence, quantum information, gene technology, future networks, deep-sea and aerospace development and hydrogen energy and storage as areas where China aims to secure an early lead.

That list is now expanding, as the government gradually adds new priority sectors.

In 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released guidelines identifying target areas including humanoid robots, 6G network equipment, brain-computer interfaces, large-scale AI data centres and next-generation large aircraft.

What progress has been made so far?

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, has been touted as China's newest "Silicon Valley" - and local tech start-ups have attracted global attention.

Among these are six stand-out companies, nicknamed the "Six Little Dragons": DeepSeek; Game Science, the developer behind Black Myth: Wukong; robotics firms Unitree and Deep Robotics; BrainCo, a company inspired by Neuralink; and Manycore, specializing in spatial intelligence.

China now hosts 56 per cent of the world's publicly traded humanoid companies and 45 per cent of humanoid system integrators, according to Morgan Stanley.

Meanwhile, its biotech sector is undergoing rapid growth. As of March 2025, the country had approved five Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies - mainly for hematological cancers - ranking second only to the US, which has six.

Domestic biotech companies like Wuxi AppTec have grown into global leaders. A US congressional commission dubbed the firm the "Huawei equivalent for biotechnology", warning it could enable the Chinese government to "control a global supply chain".

What's next?

Beijing is pouring unprecedented resources into future industries - from funding to talent cultivation - recognizing their strategic value for sustainable growth and in its tech rivalry with Washington.

To promote breakthroughs, the MIIT introduced a new innovation model in 2023 under which specific challenges are posted publicly. Companies or research teams that solve them within two years receive priority access to support and funding.

This year, the government is targeting breakthroughs in quantum technology, atomic-level manufacturing and clean hydrogen.

At the same forum, central bank governor Pan Gongsheng announced that Shanghai would pioneer new financial tools, including blockchain-based trade finance and innovation bonds. These will feature risk-sharing mechanisms and support for private equity firms issuing tech innovation bonds.

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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.

Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impact of US Tariffs Varies Across European Union!

European countries are not all equally exposed to the US market and so will not suffer the same consequences should President Donald Trump go ahead with his threats to impose
30-percent tariffs on the European Union.

France is less exposed, even if it does have aeronautics, food, wine and luxury goods companies that risk losing markets.

Ireland, Europe's lab

Overall, pharmaceuticals account for 22.5 percent of EU exports to the United States, according to Eurostat, with many major players having announced major investments in the United States.

Germany, the industrial powerhouse

Italy, France in the second line

Ireland, with a major pharmaceutical industry, is in the front line along with Germany, for whom the United States is a major outlet for its cars, steel and machine tools.

The EU as a whole has an annual trade surplus with the United States of $235.6 billion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), which reports to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Only China has a higher amount.

Ireland has the largest surplus among EU members, at $86.7 billion.

That is largely due to the presence of major American pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and Johnson & Johnson. They all set up in Ireland to benefit from a 15 percent corporate tax, compared to 21 percent in the United States.

These companies can thus host their patents in Ireland and sell on the American market, where drug prices are traditionally higher than in the rest of the world.

Ireland also hosts most of the European headquarters of American tech giants, such as Apple, Google and Meta, also attracted by the attractive Irish tax system.

Germany, the EU's largest economy, is under particular pressure due to its dependence on exports: it has a surplus of $84.8 billion with the United States, thanks to its large automobile, chemical, steel and machine industries.

The United States accounts for 23 percent of the revenue of Mercedes Benz. While some of that is accounted for by SUVs manufactured in the United States and exported, they risk being hit by any tariff reprisals from the EU.

The Federation of German Industries (BDI) reacted promptly to Donald Trump's announcements on Saturday, calling on the EU and the United States to "quickly find solutions and to avoid an escalation".

Italy and France, with surpluses of $44 billion and $16.4 billion respectively, according to US statistics (French data says the surplus is much smaller), would appear to be less affected. But some sectors are heavily exposed.

The food and wine industries would be particularly affected in both countries, as is also the case for Spain.

A 30-percent tariff would be a "catastrophe" for the French wine and spirits sector, Jerome Desley, head of the viticulture branch of the FNSEA union, said Saturday.

Coldiretti, Italy's main agricultural organization, said Saturday that tariffs of 30 percent would cost US consumers and Italian food producers some $2.3 billion.

Like Germany, Italy is also concerned about its automotive sector. Franco-Italian manufacturer Stellantis (particularly Fiat and Peugeot) has suspended its forecasts for the year due to these uncertainties.

Exposed French sectors also include aeronautics and luxury goods. LVMH, the world's largest luxury conglomerate, makes a quarter of its sales in the United States.

About a fifth of France's exports to the United States come from the aerospace industry, much of it from Airbus.

Austria and Sweden also have surpluses with the United States, $13.1 billion and $9.8 billion respectively.

President Zardari strongly condemns brutal killing of passengers in Baluchistan

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Pakistan, July 11 -- President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the ruthless killing of passengers in Baluchistan. In his statement, he described the attack as a cruel act by terrorists.

The president said terrorists stopped a bus and brutally killed innocent passengers. He called the violence a wicked conspiracy by Fitna-ul-Hindustan aimed at spreading bloodshed in Pakistan.

He further stated that Pakistan will be completely cleared of Fitna-ul-Hindustan and its supporters, no matter the cost. The president vowed to protect the country's peace and security.

President Zardari expressed deep sympathy for the families of the victims. He said the entire nation shares their grief and stands with them during this difficult time.

The victims were nine passengers abducted from a bus traveling from Quetta to Lahore. Their tragic deaths have sparked outrage across the country.

The president's strong response highlights the government's commitment to fighting terrorism and ensuring justice for all innocent citizens affected by violence.

Benny Paret: The death that took boxing off TV

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Benny "Kid" Paret was a Cuban welterweight champion known for his toughness and relentless fighting style. He won 35 professional fights before tragedy struck in 1962. 

Paret's March 24, 1962, bout against Emile Griffith was their third meeting. It ended with Paret absorbing 29 unanswered punches in the final round before collapsing. 

The fight aired live on ABC's 'Fight of the Week,' reaching homes across America. Viewers watched in horror as Paret slumped unconscious in the corner.

He never regained consciousness and died ten days later at age 25. His death was one of the first to be seen live by a national television audience.

Networks faced growing criticism for glorifying violence. Just months after Paret's death, regular primetime boxing broadcasts were pulled from national TV slots.

ABC's 'Fight of the Week' was cancelled in 1964 after an 11-year run. Boxing viewership declined sharply as public opinion turned against the sport.

Emile Griffith (pictured) later revealed the toll the fight took on his mental health. Although he fought for 15 more years, the moment haunted him until his death.

Referee Ruby Goldstein was criticized for not stopping the fight sooner. He defended his decision but never officiated a major fight again.

Before the fight, Paret had insulted Griffith with a slur during weigh-ins. Some believe it triggered the extra aggression that led to the fatal outcome.

Paret's death led to changes in boxing safety protocols and broadcasting standards. It remains one of the most chilling turning points in sports history.

Vietnam invites Russian, Chinese forces to join National Day parade.

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The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense has invited its counterparts from Russia, China, Laos, Cambodia, Cuba, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan to attend the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution on Aug. 19 and National Day on Sept. 2.

Russia, China, Laos, Cambodia, and Belarus have been invited to join a parade during the celebration, heard a meeting in Hanoi on Wednesday.

Chaired by Deputy Minister of National Defense Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, the meeting brought together relevant agencies and units to look into defense diplomacy for the above-mentioned events.

It was reported that Cuba has responded to the invitation, with its Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces to attend the Hanoi celebration. Both Laos and Cambodia have also expressed support for sending troops to take part in the military parade.

Previously, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification on April 30, military contingents from China, Laos, and Cambodia also joined the parade at the invitation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense.

Also on July 9, Chien chaired a meeting with relevant agencies and units on the construction of a monument honoring foreign soldiers and experts who supported Vietnam during its resistance wars for national liberation, including those from the former Soviet Union, China, Laos, Cambodia, and Cuba.

The officer urged all parties to accelerate construction progress, saying the first sculpture group should be completed by Aug. 15, and the access road and central display area by Aug. 10.

Microsoft Outlook is down for millions with users unable to access Emails!

 

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Microsoft Outlook users worldwide are facing login and server connection problems, with many reporting a 'something went wrong' error!

Microsoft Outlook users are reporting issues with the platform this morning, with people receiving the notification “something went wrong,” when they try to log in. According to Down Detector, hundreds of people have reported issues throughout the morning, with most reporting login and server connection issues.

An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription.