Russian Aerospace Forces commander Alexander Chayko targeted in Moscow restaurant bombing

"Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Alexander Chayko was the target of an explosion at Moscow's Balzi Rossi restaurant on Aug. 1, a source familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent.

The alleged assassination attempt against Chayko followed the attack on Ukraine's Khartiia Brigade Commander Oleksandr Obolienskyi in Kharkiv in late July by a man whose name has not been disclosed by law enforcement.
The suspect was recruited by Russian intelligence services, which posed as the Security Service of Ukraine, and was allegedly convinced that the commander was a "traitor," according to Ukrainska Pravda.
Late on Aug. 1, an explosion ripped through a restaurant in central Moscow, killing five people and injuring 21 others." KI

At least seven killed, including three children, in Ukrainian drone attack on Russian Black Sea resort

"At least seven people, including three children, have been killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on a crowded beach area near the Russian Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik, according to local officials.
The strike on Monday also wounded around 40 people and damaged civilian infrastructure, Krasnodar Region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said. He described the attack as a “tragedy” deliberately targeting civilian sites after debris from a downed drone fell on the resort village of Arkhipo-Osipovka." RT

Man in custody for allegedly starting Spokane Fire

"Aaron F. Farinacci faces charges of 1st Degree Arson for allegedly starting the Old Trails Fire, according to Spokane County officials, with a $1 million bond.
Officials at the press conference say the investigation into Farinacci's arrest began on Aug. 1, near the intersection of N. Old Trails Road and W. Euclid Road, just north of the City of Airway Heights, after

concerned citizens notified authorities that they noticed a man who was bending down in the grass in the area around 12 p.m. Witnesses told officials that Farinacci looked nervous, and later on saw smoke coming from the area where he was standing. Officials say the witness gave Airway Heights police a description of what Farinacci looked like.
Officials say that during evacuations, police were trying to find Farinacci and located him four miles from where the fire started. Police say they let Farinacci go due to a lack of evidence.
During the press conference, officials say that DNR, Crime Check and detectives developed probable cause to arrest him for arson. Officials say they found Farinacci in possession of waterproof matches and a butane lighter. He was arrested at his residence in the 2800 block of W. Elliot Drive without incident.
Fire officials say the Old Trails Fire was started by a set of matches or a lighter.
Prior court records show that Farinacci is a convicted felon in Arizona for manslaughter and premeditated murder. He has no previous history of arson. Farinacci was also a resident in Spokane." KREM2

Flash flooding prompts rescues and state of emergency in Georgia, emergency issued in North Carolina

"Flash flooding struck McCaysville, Georgia, and northeastern Surry County, North Carolina,
from late August 1 into August 2, 2026, prompting municipal states of emergency in McCaysville and Mount Airy. The flooding also triggered water rescues, road closures and infrastructure damage, while the NWS issued a Flash Flood Emergency for areas around Mount Airy and Pilot Mountain." W

Widemouth 2 Fire more than triples to 14 746 ha (36 438 acres), forces evacuations near Fillmore, Utah

"The Widemouth 2 Fire more than tripled between mapped observations in central Utah,

increasing from 4 168 ha (10 300 acres) to 14 746 ha (36 438 acres) on August 2 as strong southerly winds pushed it north toward Fillmore. Mandatory evacuation orders expanded into southern Fillmore, while the fire was reported at 0% containment in the latest available update." W

Etna eruption intensifies, Aviation Color Code raised to Red

"Strombolian activity at Mount Etna’s Voragine Crater increased rapidly during the early hours
following a sharp increase in volcanic tremor. The eruption generated an ash plume reaching 7 km (23 000 feet) above sea level, prompting Etna Observatory to raise the Aviation Color Code to Red." W

Frontal system leaves 2 dead and 5 550 homes damaged or destroyed in Chile

"A frontal system that affected central and southern Chile left two people dead, 1 399 affected, 156 in shelters and 536 isolated as of August 3. Ten red alerts and 10 yellow alerts remained active because of rising rivers and overflow risks, while authorities reported 5 550 homes damaged or destroyed and 23 104 customers without electricity." W

207 combat engagements on front line

"207 combat engagements were recorded between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invading troops.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk directions, six combat engagements took place. Russian forces carried out two airstrikes, dropping four guided bombs, and launched 77 shelling attacks, including one with MLRS.

In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna direction, the enemy launched nine attacks toward Hoptivka, Nesternе, Pokalyane, Anyskinе, Lyman, and Starytsia.
In the Kupiansk direction, Russian forces carried out seven attacks toward Kivsharivka, Kutkivka, and Radkivka.
In the Lyman direction, Russian troops attempted to break through Ukrainian defenses ten times, attacking toward Lyman, Stavky, Dibrova, and in the areas of Novoselivka, Ozerne, and Zarichne.
In the Sloviansk direction, the enemy launched 17 assaults in the areas of Riznykivka, Zakitne, Kryva Luka, and toward Pyskunivka and Rai-Oleksandrivka.
In the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces carried out one offensive action toward Yurkivka.
In the Kostiantynivka direction, the enemy launched 20 attacks in the areas of Kostiantynivka, Illinivka, Rusyn Yar, Shakhove, and toward Dovha Balka, Nove Shakhove, Pavlivka, Vilne, and Kucheriv Yar.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Ukraine's Defense Forces repelled 30 Russian assaults in the areas of Kotlyne, Udachne, Novomykolaivka, and toward Novyi Donbas, Bilytske, Shevchenko, Vasylivka, Svitle, Hulive, Novopidhorodne, and Novopavlivka.
In the Oleksandrivka direction, the enemy conducted no offensive operations.
In the Huliaipole direction, Russian forces launched 15 attacks toward Vozdvyzhivka, Dobropillia, Hirke, Charivne, Novoselivka, and Staroukrainka.
In the Orikhiv direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled one Russian attempt to advance near Stepove." Ukrin

Russian forces hit Zaporizhzhia with glide bombs

"Russian forces have carried out another strike on Zaporizhzhia using guided aerial bombs. Eleven people have been reported injured." Ukrin

USF strikes 13 more energy facilities in temporarily occupied territories

"The Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck 13 more electrical substations in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine's Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions as part of Operation "Crimean Switch Off." Ukrin

5.6 Earthquake - 15 km south of Hicks Bay, Gisborne, New Zealand

"A strong magnitude 5.6 earthquake hit 14.7 km (9 mi) away from Hicks Bay, Gisborne, New Zealand, in the evening at 8.35 pm local time (Pacific/Auckland GMT +12). The quake had a shallow depth of 53 km (33 mi) and was felt widely in the area. The shallow depth of the quake caused it to be felt more strongly near the epicenter than a deeper quake of similar magnitude would." VD

172 combat clashes on front lines, Pokrovsk axis hottest

"Ukrainian forces engaged in 172 combat clashes with Russian invaders.
"Overall, 172 combat engagements have taken place since the beginning of this day. The aggressor carried out 62 airstrikes using 190 guided aerial bombs, deployed 6,595 kamikaze drones for attacks, and launched 2,318 strikes against our troops' positions and populated areas," the statement said.
On the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk axes, four combat engagements with the enemy took place since the beginning of the day. The enemy launched two airstrikes,

dropped four aerial bombs, and carried out 59 attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas, including one using a multiple rocket launcher.
On the Southern Slobozhanshchyna axis, the enemy launched nine assaults on Ukrainian positions toward the settlements of Hoptivka, Nesterne, Pokaliane, Anyskyne, Lyman and Starytsia.
On the Kupiansk axis, the enemy carried out five offensive actions toward Kivsharivka, Kutkivka and Radkivka.
Nine attempts by the invaders to advance were repelled on the Lyman axis toward Lyman, Stavky and Dibrova and near the settlements of Novoselivka, Ozerne and Zarichne. Two combat engagements are still ongoing.
On the Sloviansk axis, Ukrainian forces halted 14 attempts by the invaders to advance near the settlements of Riznykivka, Zakitne and Kryva Luka and toward Pyskunivka and Rai-Oleksandrivka. One more combat engagement is ongoing.
On the Kramatorsk axis, the enemy conducted no offensive operations.
On the Kostiantynivka axis, Ukrainian forces repelled 16 enemy assaults near Kostiantynivka, Illinivka and Shakhove and toward the settlements of Dovha Balka, Pavlivka, Vilne and Kucheriv Yar. Five combat engagements are still ongoing.
The enemy launched 26 attacks on the Pokrovsk axis. The invaders attempted to advance near the settlements of Kotlyne and Udachne and toward Novyi Donbas, Bilytske, Shevchenko, Vasylivka, Svitле, Hulive and Novopidhorodnie. One combat engagement is still ongoing.
According to preliminary estimates, 30 Russian soldiers were killed and 10 wounded in the area today. Ukrainian forces destroyed one artillery system, two pieces of special equipment, one UAV control post and 25 personnel shelters. Another artillery system, two vehicles and 102 enemy personnel shelters were damaged. A total of 317 unmanned aerial vehicles of various types were destroyed or suppressed." Ukrin

Wildfire Evacuation in Spokane, Washington! Massive Fire Destroys Home after Home, People Trapped

"A fast-moving wildfire has exploded across Spokane, Washington, forcing thousands to evacuate as flames jump the Spokane River and tear through residential neighborhoods. The Old Trails Fire has burned over 3,000 acres in hours, destroying homes and prompting a state of emergency, National Guard deployment, and mass Level 3 evacuations." VD

Zelensky says Ukraine has 'no interceptors' as ballistic missiles hit Kyiv

"Russian

ballistic missiles rained down on Kyiv killing at least nine people and injuring more
than 30 — just hours after a major protest in support of the country’s ousted defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov.
“Only one ballistic missile was intercepted, simply because there are no interceptors,” Zelensky wrote." msn

4.7-Magnitude Earthquake in Pozzuoli, Italy! Landslides, Collapsed Buildings and Evacuations

"In the evening a 4.7-magnitude earthquake struck Pozzuoli, near Naples, in southern Italy.

The Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) confirmed that the epicenter was located between Pozzuoli and Quarto, near the Solfatara crater. 

The earthquake was recorded as the strongest tremor in the region in the last 40 years. At least 26 people were injured, and approximately 300 people were evacuated from their homes. A power outage affecting 100,000 households occurred due to damage to a high-voltage power line, and the Port of Pozzuoli and some railway lines were closed for safety reasons." DT