Russian-African summit in St. Petersburg: Amid Russia's withdrawal from grain deal, Putin promises African leaders free grain

Meanwhile, the Russian-African summit takes place in St Petersburg. The meeting comes amid Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal, thanks to which African countries have continued to receive food from Ukraine for almost a year. In return, Vladimir Putin has promised six African countries free grain and announced that Russia has cancelled Africa's $23bn debt. Vladimir Putin is using the St Petersburg summit to try to boost Russia's ties with Africa, promising increased trade and investment in the region and to make up for the loss of relations with Western countries.

War in Ukraine: Slowly but surely, Kiev is stepping up its counteroffensive. Kremlin reports new attacks on Moscow

The Ukrainian counteroffensive is intensifying in the southeast. Slowly but surely, Kiev officials say, the army is liberating the occupied territories. New settlements have been liberated in the Donetsk region. Russia, on the other hand, says Ukraine launched a drone strike on the Moscow region overnight. The mayor of the Russian capital says the army shot down all the drones.

Record July temperatures amid global heat waves

Amid heatwaves, July is "almost certain" to be the hottest month ever recorded in the world, according to scientists. July has been so hot so far that researchers are convinced the 2019 record will be broken, with just days to go, notes the BBC.

NATO is stepping up Black Sea surveillance

NATO said on Wednesday it was stepping up surveillance of the Black Sea region as it condemned Russia’s exit from a deal assuring the safe passage of ships carrying Ukrainian grain, Reuters reports.

Niger soldiers declare coup on national TV

Soldiers in the West African country of Niger have announced a coup on national TV. They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed the nation's borders, BBC reports.

Ukraine intercepts 40 Russian missiles, Ukrainian air force says

The Ukrainian Air Force says it intercepted 40 Russian missiles Wednesday, CNN reports.

Death toll rises in Greece and Italy, following devastating fires and storms

At least seven people have died in the past 24 hours in Italy following wildfires and violent storms. Three people died in the fires in Sicily, and four others lost their lives in storms in the north of the peninsula, while hundreds more were forced to flee their homes, The Guardian reports.

US to send up to $400 million in military aid to Ukraine

The Biden administration is sending up to $400 million in additional military aid to Ukraine, including a variety of munitions for advanced air defense systems and a number of small, surveillance Hornet drones, the Pentagon announced Tuesday, as attacks in the war escalated to include strikes in Moscow and Crimea, AP reports.

Kiev attacked by Russians with kamikaze drones, sixth strike this month

Russian attacks continue unabated in Ukraine, hitting civilian targets and critical infrastructure. Two civilians, including a 10-year-old child, have been killed in the Donetsk region and at least 10 others have been injured. At the same time, the Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed the presence of landmines on the perimeter of the Russian-occupied Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. UN experts discovered the mines during their last inspection yesterday in a restricted area outside the perimeter of the indoor and outdoor facilities, where staff had no access.

Dozens of fires in Sicily, Italy. The island's largest airport has been closed

At temperatures of 47.6 degrees on Monday, 43 fires broke out on the island of Sicily on Tuesday night, one near Palermo Punta Raisi Airport, which was immediately closed. Several dozen people have been evacuated, while civil protection is urging citizens to stay indoors, reports Radio Romania Actualități.

IAEA experts discovered explosives at the Zaporozhye power plant

Representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have discovered anti-personnel mines on the territory of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant. This is stated in a statement issued by IAEA Director General Raphael Mariano Grossi, Ukrinform reports.

Large-scale protest in Israel

Tens of thousands of people marched from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in a new protest action. More than 40,000 people walked 70 km to protest against changes to justice laws promoted by the executive.