TOP OF THE AGENDA

Russian strikes hit Ukraine for second day

A hotel was struck in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown. Credi:t Reuters

Russia has hit Ukraine with a new wave of deadly strikes. This is the second attack in two days, after one of the biggest air raids of the war the previous night. In total, at least 11 people have been killed and dozens more injured, Ukrainian authorities say. "We will undoubtedly respond to Russia for this and all other attacks," Volodymyr Zelensky said in a social media post on Tuesday. The Ukrainian president is seeking more assistance in two ways, Nick Beake writes from the Sumy region. First, he is looking for permission from Western partners to use their long-range weapons to hit military infrastructure deeper in Russia. But he is also advocating for more help in defending Ukrainian territory from aerial attacks. On Monday night, Nick notes, "Zelensky seemed to point to the way that Israel was given huge assistance in shooting down the vast majority of the huge barrage that was sent from Iran and its proxies in April."

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• The latest: Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN's nuclear agency, is visiting a power plant in Russia's Kursk region, following Ukraine's incursion three weeks ago. Our live page has all the updates. 

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• Hunger for culture: The large-scale destruction of cultural buildings has reunited Ukrainian people with their art and heritage, writes Vitaly Shevchenko.

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• A lonely dissident's death: Pavel Kushnir was a gifted but little-known Russian pianist, who was jailed in May for his YouTube videos where he was protesting the war. He died weeks after starting a hunger strike in prison.

WORLD HEADLINES

• Occupied West Bank: At least five people, including two children, have been killed in an Israeli air strike on an urban refugee camp in the territory, the Palestinian health ministry says. Israeli forces said the strike targeted the command room of a "terror cell".

• French political crisis: President Emmanuel Macron has said he will not agree to a government led by the left-wing New Popular Front alliance, which won the most seats in last month's legislative election.

• Oasis reunion tour: It was not a mirage - The Gallagher brothers have announced a world tour that will start in July and August 2025, in the UK and Ireland. Find out all about it on our live page.

• Mariah Carey: The US singer has announced the passing of her mother Patricia and sister Alison on the same day over the weekend.

• Let it snow: Lake Tahoe, between California and Nevada, has seen its first August snowfall since 2004, days after bright and sunny summer skies. Take a look.

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