After last weekend's take-over of Lysychansk, the last holdout in Luhansk, Russia's focus this week turned to the Donetsk region, with Sloviansk coming under heavy bombardment. On Tuesday, Kramatorsk governor Pavlo Kyrylenko urged the region's 350k residents to evacuate in anticipation of a Russian assault.This comes as Putin on Thursday warned that his military campaign is yet to start "in earnest" and cautioned a peace deal will be less likely the longer the war drags on. Meanwhile, experts warned over the weekend that, in addition to capturing the Donbas, Russia may be planning to annex part or all of the north-eastern Kharkiv region.In diplomacy, leaders from dozens of countries began a two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference in the Swiss city of Lugano on Mondaywhile, on Friday, foreign ministers from G20 nations met in Bali.This comes as the Swedish PM traveled to Kyiv on Monday to meet with Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and unveiled a new cooperation agreement.

Ethiopia's PM accused the rebel group Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) of massacring hundreds in Oromia,suspected Jihadist attacks in Burkina Faso killed dozens,and at least 18 were killed in provincial unrest in Uzbekistan.Meanwhile, Biden awarded medals of honor to four Vietnam war veterans.

Japan's former PM Shinzo Abe was fatally shot at a campaign event, Boris Johnson stepped down as UK PMafter facing a stream of cabinet resignations, and Sri Lanka's President announced his resignation amid protests.Meanwhile, Keir Starmer announced his support for a Brexit resolution,the UK announced the seizure of Iranian weapons bound for Yemen,the US imposed new sanctions on Iran,and US & UK intelligence leaders warned of 'game-changing Chinese threats.In other news, China denied Canada access to the trial of a missing tycoon,NATO allies signed accession protocols for Finland and Sweden,West African leaders lifted economic sanctions on Mali,and the Norwegian government ended an oil and gas strike.

The Justice Department sued Arizona over its new election law,subpoenas were issued to Trump allies in the Georgia election fraud probe,and a state of emergency was declared in Akron, Ohio after Jayland Walker protests turned violent.Meanwhile, Texas' governor ordered state assets to return illegal migrants to the border,a Treasury Department watchdog was asked to investigate the IRS audits of the former director and deputy director of the FBI,and the Treasury was accused of refusing access to Hunter Biden's transactions.

Derek Chauvin was federally sentenced to 21 years in prison,the Highland Park shooter faced seven murder charges,a suspect in an Illinois mass shooting was arrested,and a judge in West Virginia cleared distributors of blame for the opioid crisis.Meanwhile, a July 4th mass shooting was foiled in Virginia,a Theranos executive was found guilty of fraud,the US charged a Haitian man for kidnapping,and Abu Akleh's US investigation was wrapped up.In other news, hackers claimed to have stolen police info in Chinas largest data leak,and four people were charged in a Texas people-smuggling tragedy that killed 53.

Biden signed an executive order to protect abortion accessas a Mississippi judge refused to block an abortion ban,and New York banned concealed weapons.Meanwhile, the Canadian government and the Assembly of First Nations reached a child welfare settlement,Tesla faced a lawsuit alleging racial abuse against its black workers,and some Endangered Species Act protections were restored by a federal judge.

US and China discussed economic challenges,US democrats attempted to revive their economic agenda with Manchin's support,and the Biden administration proposed changes to its student loan programs.Elsewhere, Sri Lanka's fuel dwindled as talks with the International Monetary Fund stalled,and Russia reportedly pocketed $24B from selling energy to China and India.

It was revealed that late Broncos star Demaryius Thomas suffered from stage 2 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy,the FDA suspended an order banning Juul cigarettes,and the WHO announced plans to reconvene amid the continued spread of monkeypox.

An Italian Alps glacier collapse killed sixas an emergency was declared for the drought-stricken north,50K people were evacuated in Australia as floodwaters inundated Sydney,and EU lawmakers declared that nuclear and natural gas are "green" investments.Elsewhere police fired shots at tractors during Dutch farmer protests against environmental legislation.

Musk announced his intention to end his deal to purchase Twitter,while US senators called on the FTC to investigate TikTok.

Scientists observed three 'exotic' particles..