Two people were killed by Ukrainian army shelling of the Russian-controlled town of Volnovakha in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, Denis Pushilin, the Russian-installed regional head, said on Friday.An additional fifteen people, including a teenage girl and two employees of Russia's Emergencies Ministry, were wounded, Pushilin said.He said US-supplied HIMARS rockets and drones had been used in the attack, which damaged seven residential buildings in multiple settlements.Video and pictures published by Russian army news outlet Zvezda showed a woman covered in blood lying on the ground next to a car, as well as a bus and several buildings with their windows shattered.Reuters could not independenly verify that had happened and there was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Pro-Palestinian activists vandalized the office of Jewish Congressman Rep. Brad Schneider, the representative said in a Friday afternoon X post. The group reportedly tore down posters of the more than 100 hostages who remain in Gazan captivity. "My Capitol office was vandalized yesterday in a vile act of hate in which the posters of the more than 100 people still held hostage in Gaza (including 8 Americans) were ripped from the wall, shredded and tossed across the hallway," Rep. Schneider said. "The same groups that were at my house earlier in the week marched through Chicago on July 4th, not calling for peace, but rather condemning the United States of America.My Capitol office was vandalized yesterday in a vile act of hate in which the posters of the more than 100 people still held hostage in Gaza (including 8 Americans) were ripped from the wall, shredded and tossed across the hallway. pic.twitter.com/zSh86mdvIX— Rep. Brad Schneider (@RepSchneider) July 5, 2024"These actions don’t advance peace. Instead, they play directly into the hands of Hamas terrorists enabling them to continue to hold hostage not only those they kidnapped from Israel, but all civilians in Gaza as well," the post ended.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the phone on Friday night regarding regional security challenges and the ongoing threats from Hezbollah, according to an official release by the Pentagon, where the American official "emphasized the firm commitment of the US to Israel's security and its right to self-defense, and urged de-escalation and the promotion of a diplomatic solution to the war in Gaza."Austin also expressed strong support ongoing efforts to "finalize a ceasefire and hostage deal, as the most promising opportunity to bring all of the hostages home safely."

Britain's Labour Party won the first parliamentary constituency to declare in the election on Thursday, beating the Reform UK candidate into second place in the Houghton and Sunderland South seat in northern England.