Germany’s Ministry of Defense reported a sharp rise in interest and recruitment for the Bundeswehr this year, with a 28% increase in new enlistments compared to the same period in 2024. As of the end of July, roughly 13,750 recruits had been sworn in, bringing the total number of active servicemembers to approximately 183,100. Voluntary military service among young people has also jumped by 15%, which officials attribute to targeted recruitment efforts and growing security concerns linked to the war in Ukraine. By the end of August, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Cabinet is expected to vote on a draft law that would overhaul Germany’s military service system, with the long-term goal of expanding the Bundeswehr to over 300,000 active personnel.

According to The Hill, the U.S. Senate has deferred the decision on new Russia sanctions entirely to President Trump. With lawmakers unable to pass a key sanctions package before the August recess, Trump now holds full authority to respond if Putin fails to meet the August 8 deadline to end the war.

Russian soldier Aleksei Kuzinkov, deputy commander of an assault unit in the 423rd Yampol Regiment of the Kantemirov Division, recounted how occupying forces detonated an F-1 grenade inside a grocery store in Svatove, Luhansk region—allegedly because the staff opposed the so-called “Russian world” and refused to show support for Russia.

An explosion struck a bridge in Russia’s Bryansk region, according to local media reports. The bridge served as a key route to the Ukrainian border. The regional governor stated that an “explosive device was dropped” on the site.

Russia’s Novokuibyshevsk refinery was hit by Ukrainian drones this morning — 1,000 km from the Ukrainian border.

More humanitarian aid trucks are being looted by terrorists in the Gaza Strip. As the number of aid trucks entering the area increases, so does the number of videos showing trucks being stolen by terrorists.

Macron to Israel: “Airdrops alone are insufficient. Israel MUST allow full humanitarian access to prevent famine.” Notably, Macron refers to a “risk of famine.”

Tensions spike in the Hamas negotiations. A senior political official told Tamir Morag moments ago: “Hamas has broken off contact and no longer appears willing to negotiate. There’s simply no one left to talk to.” Another source confirmed: “Sadly, it seems the deal is off. This may be the end of the road.”

REPORTER: "Is there any use at all in pressuring Israel now to come to some sort of longer-term solution?" TRUMP: "If you do that, you really are rewarding Hamas — and I'm not about to do that."

Teresa Ribera, a top deputy to Ursula von der Leyen, has reportedly criticized fellow EU commissioners for failing to take a firm stance against Israel, warning that “history will judge them,” according to Spanish media. Ribera has allegedly been pressing von der Leyen for weeks to adopt a stronger position on the issue.