Zelensky denies drug use, comments on his former press secretary's accusations

"President Volodymyr Zelensky

has denied using drugs, an accusation levelled against him by his former press secretary Yuliia Mendel. He also denied using cocaine together with French President Emmanuel Macron." Pravada

Russian attack cuts power to around 150,000 in Ukraine’s north as Kyiv hits missile, oil facilities

"A Russian attack on an energy facility in Ukraine's northern city of Chernihiv and surrounding district cut power to around 150,000 residents. Ukrainian air defenses were also working to repel a Russian attack in Ukraine's capital of Kyiv." msn

Police seize ‘significant’ bomb being driven to Northern Ireland

"A car containing a “significant” bomb has been intercepted while heading towards Northern

Ireland, in a suspected New IRA operation.
Irish police believe the vehicle was being driven across the border for an attack, and were shocked by the sophistication of the device and the damage it could have done.
Isobella Perrie Sullivan, a 25-year-old law student, was charged with possession of explosives after appearing before a special sitting of Trim District Court in Co Meath." msn

6.0 Earthquake - Coral Sea, 83 km west of Sola, Torba Province, Vanuatu

"A very strong magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurred in the Coral Sea near the coast of Vanuatu in the morning at 8.37 am local time (GMT +11). The quake had a shallow depth of 45 km (28 mi) and was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD

230 clashes on front lines

"Over the past 24 hours, 230 combat clashes were reported on the front lines between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian troops.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, eight combat engagements took place; the invaders carried out four airstrikes, dropped seven aerial bombs, and fired 88 rounds at Ukrainian military positions and populated areas, including three using multiple launch rocket systems.

In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian units 10 times in the Starytsia area and toward the settlements of Ivashkyne, Kolodiazne, Ternova, and Izbytske.
In the Kupiansk sector, the Russian army launched five attacks toward Kupiansk, Radkivka, and Shyikivka.
In the Lyman sector, the invaders attempted to breach Ukrainian defenses 16 times, launching attacks toward the towns of Drobysheve, Novoselivka, Stavky, Lyman, Ozerne, and Zarichne.
In the Sloviansk sector, Russian forces launched 23 assaults in the areas around the settlements of Zakitne, Kryva Luka, Riznykivka, and toward Mykolaivka, Pyskunivka, and Rai-Oleksandrivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian forces carried out an attack in the area of Fedorivka Druha.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy carried out 21 attacks in the areas around the settlements of Kostiantynivka and Illinivka, as well as toward Mykolaipillia, Stepanivka, Kucheriv Yar, Nove Shakhove, and Vilne.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 37 assaults by the Russian Federation’s army in the areas of Dorozhne, Udachne, Nykanorivka, Kotlyne, Novomykolaivka, Molodetske, and toward the settlements of Shevchenkove, Novooleksandrivka, Vasylivka, Bilytske, Novyi Donbas, Novopavlivka, and Serhiivka.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, the enemy carried out two attacks toward Berezove and in the area of Novohryhorivka.
In the Huliaipole sector, the invaders carried out 13 attacks toward Charivne, Vozdvyzhivka, Kosivtseve, Olenokostiantynivka, and Tsvitkove.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled three enemy attempts to advance in the areas around the settlements of Mali Shcherbaky and Shcherbaky." Ukrin

Russian strike on arms exhibition in Kyiv Oblast

"At least six people have been killed and dozens injured as a result of a Russian attack on Kyiv Oblast on the afternoon. An arms exhibition has been hit." Pravada

Texas Panhandle rattled by 5.1-magnitude earthquake

"The magnitude ​5.1 earthquake was recorded near Miami, Texas, at 4:21 a.m. MT/5:21 a.m. CT on Thursday, July 23, according to the United States Geological Survey." USATODAY

At least 5 killed as flash floods and landslides devastate Lai Châu and Lào Cai in northern Vietnam

"At least five people have died after torrential monsoon rainfall triggered flash floods and

landslides affecting Lai Châu and Lào Cai provinces in northern Vietnam. The People’s Committee of Lai Chau Province declared a state of emergency as flooding destroyed homes, washed out sections of major highways, and caused significant agricultural losses. Heavy rainfall is forecast across northern mountainous and midland regions through July 19 as rescue and relief efforts continue." W

Tokachidake volcano erupts for first time since 2004, Japan

"The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed a very small eruption at Tokachidake’s

62-2 crater at 11:07 LT (02:07 UTC)  the volcano’s first eruption since February 2004. A black plume rose approximately 200 m (656 feet) above the crater rim, while Volcanic Alert Level 2 remained in effect. Tokachidake is located in central Hokkaido, on Japan’s northernmost main island, approximately 900 km (560 miles) north-northeast of Tokyo." W

State of Emergency declared for West Virginia after historic flooding

"Historic flooding in Upshur County and widespread impacts from severe thunderstorms

prompted West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey to declare a State of Emergency for all 55 counties. The Sand Run stream gauge near Buckhannon rose to record levels, reportedly reaching major flood stage for the first time on record. Meanwhile, torrential rainfall totals of up to 127 mm (5 inches) in less than six hours caused flash flooding, infrastructure damage, and multiple road closures." W

France expands evacuation orders as Gironde wildfire spreads across Cap-Ferret peninsula

"French authorities expanded evacuation orders across the Cap-Ferret peninsula after a rapidly

spreading wildfire in Gironde breached a containment line overnight, prompting the activation of the national FR-Alert emergency warning system. More than 20 000 residents and tourists were initially evacuated before authorities ordered the evacuation of the entire peninsula as firefighters, supported by European assistance, continued efforts to contain the blaze." W

Major fire reported in St. Petersburg as Ukraine strikes Wildberries logistics hubs for fifth time in past week

"Logistics centers belonging to Russia's largest online retailer, Wildberries, came under fire in

the Russian cities of St. Petersburg and Tver, as well as in Russian-occupied Crimea overnight on July 24 in a widespread Ukrainian drone attack.
Wildberries logistics centers in St. Petersburg were among the facilities struck by Ukrainian drones, Russian Telegram media channels reported, leading to a large fire at one facility.
Residents shared videos on social media documenting thick black smoke rising over part of the city, with the strike reported on the "Utkin Zavod" logistics park, which houses the Wildberries facility immediately south of the city in the village of Novosaratovka." KI

5.8 Earthquake - 130 km W of Ternate, Indonesia

"A strong magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurred in the Maluku Sea 120 km (75 mi) from North
Maluku, Indonesia, in the morning  at 7.58 am local time (GMT +9). The quake had a shallow depth of 49 km (31 mi) and was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD

233 combat engagements on frontline

"233 combat engagements between Ukraine's Defense Forces and Russian troops were recorded along the front line.
Over the past day, Ukraine's Air Force, missile forces, and artillery struck 16 areas where Russian personnel were concentrated, as well as five artillery systems, one drone command post, and one logistics depot.

In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Ukrainian defenders repelled one enemy assault. Russian forces also carried out three airstrikes using nine guided aerial bombs and shelled Ukrainian positions and settlements 85 times.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Ukrainian troops repelled 11 enemy attacks. Russian forces attempted to advance near Vovchansk, Vilcha, Starytsia, and Lyman, as well as toward Khatnie.
In the Lyman sector, Russian troops attempted to break through Ukrainian defenses 15 times near Lyman, Stavky, and Ozerne, as well as toward Novoselivka.
In the Sloviansk sector, Russian forces launched 19 assaults near Kryva Luka, Zakitne, and Riznykivka, and toward Pyskunivka, Mykolaivka, and Rai-Oleksandrivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian troops carried out four attacks toward Yurkivka, Pryvilne, Nykyforivka, and Markove.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, 16 attacks were recorded near Kostiantynivka, Ivanopillia, and Illinivka, as well as toward Mykolaypillia.
The highest number of assaults occurred in the Pokrovsk sector, where Ukrainian defenders repelled 36 attacks. Russian forces were active near Novooleksandrivka and Rodynske and launched assaults toward Dorozhne, Novohryshyne, Vasylivka, Kotlyne, Novopavlivka, Hannivka, Shevchenko, Nykanorivka, Novyi Donbas, Hryshyne, Myrne, and Udachne.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Russian troops carried out six attacks toward Piddubne, Novoheorhiivka, Oleksandrohrad, Kalynivske, and Rybne.
In the Huliaipole sector, Russian forces launched 12 attacks, attempting to advance toward Olenokostiantynivka, Kosivtseve, Zaliznychne, Hirke, Vozdvyzhivka, Dobropillia, Tsvitkove, and Staroukrainka.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled three attempts to advance toward Shcherbaky, Stepove, and Prymorske." Ukrin

Ukrainian drones strike oil refinery, pumping station, explosions seen near 'Russia's Amazon' logistics hub

"Ukraine's military launched drone attacks on various Russian regions overnight on July 23,

striking targets in multiple cities, Russian Telegram media channels reported, citing local residents.
A large fire was seen emanating from the NS-Oil Refinery in the community of Novospasskoye in Russia's Ulyanovsk Oblast following a reported Ukrainian drone attack.
The relatively small refinery, located approximately 650 kilometers (400 miles) from the Russia-Ukraine border, primarily produces petroleum products, with a production capacity of 600,000 tonnes of crude per year." VD