Hamas Claims to Have Killed One Hostage, Wounded Two Others

"On Tish’a B’Av, the day that Israel calls the "saddest day on the Jewish calendar" because it commemorates the days when the temples were destroyed and Jews sent into exile, Hamas has announced that guards of the hostages have killed one man and seriously wounded two women.
They made the announcement as if in shock and promising they would "investigate." The story they are telling is that the guards were so overtaken with grief and rage from Israel's "massacre" that they took justice into their own hands." RedState

IAEA unable to confirm cause of fire at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Plant

"The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspected the damaged cooling tower at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, but failed to immediately determine the cause of the fire that broke out there. IAEA experts found no direct evidence of drone debris and assessed that it is unlikely the fire originated at the base of the cooling tower. Ukraine recorded fire on the territory of the Zaporizhzhya NPP from Nikopol - city, located right across the power plant." NV

Labour MP sparks outrage after blaming violent riots on Israel

"A Labour MP has sparked outrage after blaming violent riots on Israel.

Norwich South MP Clive Lewis linked Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza with the recent unrest witnessed in England and Northern Ireland. The former Shadow Defense Secretary, who was forced to retake his oath of allegiance after staging a protest, argued the “inhumanity” shown towards Palestinians led to rising Islamophobia in the UK. Lewis came under fire from campaigners, with the Labour Party receiving a complaint from Labour Against Antisemitism." GB

Debt-Riddled Ukraine Blames 'Slow' US Aid, Scrambles to Pay Its Army

"An increasingly debt-riddled and ingrate Ukraine is starting to turn on its Western sponsors, blaming them for lagging weapons deliveries to bolster the ongoing proxy war. Kiev is particularly faulting the US for its huge budget deficit, which has brought Ukraine to the brink of default.
A US loan payout worth $50 billion needs to be accelerated, the Zelensky regime’s Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko told the Financial Times. According to him, it’s the slow delivery of NATO weapons, especially from Washington, that is to blame for the $12 billion rise in military spending.

With the Western cash infusion delayed, the regime was forced to dip into its own coffers to buy weapons and ammunition, he was quoted as saying, using up money set aside “to cover salaries for our troops.”
To fill the gaping hole of military expenses, the official claimed, Ukraine will have to fall back on unpopular measures such as cutting spending, selling state assets, and hiking up taxes." Sputnik

134 combat clashes on front lines, 52 assaults repelled on Pokrovsk axis

"As many as 134 combat clashes occurred on the front lines in Ukraine with Russian forces advancing most actively in the Pokrovsk sector.
Russian troops carried out airstrikes outside Zapsillia, Mohrytsia, Velykyi Prykil, Vilshanka, Sinne, Velyka Rybytsia, Partyzanske, Yunakivka, Loknia, Vakalivshchyna, Hlukhiv, Pokrovka, Veselivka, Manukhivka, and Hrunivka of the Sumy region.

The invaders also attacked Novovodiane of the Luhansk region, Toretsk, Nelipivka, Niu-York, Dyliivka, Druzhba, Oleksandropil, Novodonetske, Myrnohrad and Vodiane of the Donetsk region, Huliaipole of the Zaporizhzhia region, and Burhunka of the Kherson region.
According to the General Staff, Ukrainian aircraft, missile and artillery forces launched 11 strikes on the areas of concentration of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment.
Ukrainian defenders also hit a command post and an artillery system.
Three battles occurred in the Kharkiv sector. Ukrainian forces repelled Russian assaults near Vovchansk and Tykhe.
Twelve combat clashes occurred in the Kupiansk sector, in particular near Berestove, Stelmakhivka, Hlushkivka, Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Kruhliakivka, and Andriivka.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy launched 24 attacks near Makiivka, Nevske, Torske and Terny.
Four combat clashes were recorded in the Siversk sector. Ukrainian defenders repelled enemy assaults near Verkhniokamianske and Spirne.
In the Kramatorsk sector, seven battles were fought near Chasiv Yar and Bohdanivka.
In the Toretsk sector, the Russians launched ten attacks on Ukrainian positions near Zalizne, Toretsk and Niu-York.
On the Pokrovsk axis, Ukrainian defenders repelled 52 enemy assaults near Kalynove, Sukha Balka, Yelyzavetivka, Zelene Pole, Novooleksandrivka, Hrodivka, Mykolaivka, Zhelanne, Skuchne, Panteleimonivka, Tymofiivka, Novozhelanne, Ptyche and Vozdvyzhenka.
The greatest concentration of attacks was recorded near Hrodivka and Zhelanne.
In the Kurakhove sector, Ukrainian forces repelled eight attacks by Russian invaders near Paraskoviivka, Heorhiivka, Krasnohorivka, Kalynove, and Kostiantynivka.
In the Vremivka sector, the enemy advanced six times in the direction of Vodiane, Kostiantynivka, and Vuhledar.
In the Orikhiv sector, Russian forces carried out two assaults on the positions of Ukrainian units near Novoandriivka.
In the Dnipro River sector, Russian invaders launched six unsuccessful attacks on Ukrainian forces." Ukrin

Russian Ka-52 Attack Helicopters Strike Ukrainian Forces in Kursk Region Border Area

"Russia’s Ka-52 "Alligator" is a multirole attack helicopter designed to perform a variety of tasks, including combat, reconnaissance, and transport missions.

The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage showing Ka-52 helicopters destroying Ukrainian military personnel and armored vehicles in the Kursk region’s border area." Sputnik