Ukraine Confirms Total Failure to Intercept Russian Ballistic Missile Barrage

 Ukrainian air defenses failed to intercept a single projectile out of 29 Russian ballistic missiles fired overnight on July 6.

Air Force spokesperson Colonel Yurii Ihnat confirmed the total failure of interception on Monday.

He acknowledged that the country lacks the necessary interceptor stockpile to stop the incoming barrage.

"The success rate is low, to put it mildly," Ihnat stated.

Kyiv relies heavily on U.S.-made Patriot systems as its sole effective shield against ballistic threats.

The physical launchers remain operational, but the ammunition supply is nearly exhausted.

Ihnat noted that intercepting such weapons requires a consistent inventory.

"We have enough systems, but what we need is a steady supply of missiles," he said.

Russian forces are acutely aware of this vulnerability. Moscow is deliberately exploiting the global scarcity of PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors by increasing the frequency of its ballistic strikes.

Depleted Global Stockpiles

The broader geopolitical landscape has severely impacted the availability of Patriot ammunition. Interceptor production is currently failing to keep pace with global demand.

Lockheed Martin manufactures approximately 600 interceptors annually, equating to roughly 60 to 65 units per month.

Global inventories have been substantially drained by regional conflicts.

The U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran has consumed nearly one-third of the world’s Patriot interceptor stockpile.

Gulf states alone have launched over 1,100 of these weapons in recent months.

Russia, by contrast, maintains a robust domestic manufacturing output. Moscow produces approximately 120 ballistic missiles every month, alongside other weapons systems.

Russian military planners have adjusted their targeting strategies to capitalize on the widening gaps in Ukraine's defensive umbrella.

Recent operations have seen Moscow deploy up to 30 ballistic missiles in a single nighttime offensive.

Appeals to NATO

Ukrainian officials are utilizing diplomatic channels to secure additional air defense resources.

The critical ammunition shortage will be a primary focus at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, beginning on Tuesday.

President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgency of the situation on Monday.

He urged the U.S. and European partners to finalize robust defense commitments during the Ankara summit.

"As long as Patriot missiles remain in our allies' stockpiles, Russia is only encouraged to keep 'vanquishing' residential buildings," Zelensky stated.

Ukraine's ambassador to the EU, Vsevolod Chentsov, framed the recent Russian strikes as a deliberate signal.

He noted that the Kremlin is broadcasting its intent to prolong the conflict.

Chentsov stated that Ukraine and its allies will retaliate through what he termed "kinetic sanctions."

This strategy involves an escalation of mid- and long-range strikes directly into Russian territory and Moscow-controlled zones.

Despite this offensive pressure on the Russian military apparatus, Chentsov conceded the immediate tactical reality.

Ukraine requires an urgent influx of anti-ballistic munitions to sustain its defensive operations.

https://clashreport.com/world/articles/ukraine-confirms-total-failure-to-intercept-russian-ballistic-missile-barrage-odwb4xe4ym

Sources:

Euronews

Big US banks explore Fiserv network deal: WSJ

U.S. banks including JPMorgan and Bank of America have in recent months held preliminary discussions about a deal to acquire a network owned by the financial-technology company Fiserv, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing sources.

The report sent Fiserv's shares up 4.3% in after-hours trading.


Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

https://www.aol.com/articles/big-us-banks-explore-fiserv-231907000.html

US says it monitored China missile test launch from submarine

China's military test-fired a missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific on Monday, state media reported, drawing criticism and concern from U.S., Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan.

A People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy submarine launched the missile, carrying a dummy ‌warhead, toward international waters in the Pacific at 12:01 p.m. (0401 GMT), the official Xinhua news agency said.

Xinhua described the launch as a "routine arrangement" of ‌China's annual military training and not directed against any specific country or target. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the launch was conducted "safely, in a standardised and professional manner throughout."



"We hope ​relevant countries will not over-interpret the matter," she said at a briefing in Beijing.


The U.S. monitored China's test launch from a submarine of an unarmed intercontinental-range ballistic missile that landed in the southern Pacific Ocean, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

"We continue to urge China to engage in meaningful arms control discussions," Pigott said.

Xinhua did not specify what type of missile China had launched. State-controlled tabloid Global Times, citing a military expert, said it was likely to have been the JL-3, ‌China's most advanced submarine-launched missile, which debuted at a military ⁠parade last year. That missile could reach the continental United States from Chinese coastal waters, according to a Pentagon report.



"The U.S. and others will be watching and analysing the test launch closely for any insights into PLA capability," said Meia Nouwens, ⁠a senior fellow for Chinese security and defence policy at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, referring to the Chinese military.

SHORT NOTICE

Pacific regional powers Australia, New Zealand and Japan were given only a short period of advance notice about the test, which coincided with the signing in Fiji of a mutual defence pact between that island nation and ​Australia.

The ​test came "in the context of a rapid military buildup by China, which is lacking in ​the transparency and reassurance as to intent that the region ‌expects," Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters at a news conference in Fiji.



The Ocean of Peace alliance commits Australia and Fiji to defend each other if attacked. Beijing and Western powers led by the U.S. and Australia have competed for years for influence in the strategically located island nations, and some analysts suggested the timing could be linked.

Mark Douglas, an analyst at New Zealand-based ship-tracking firm Starboard Maritime Intelligence, said the test would have been planned long in advance but the timing of China's notification was "interesting, to say the least".

Nouwens said China could be seeking to send a signal of its discontent about the Australia-Fiji agreement: "That ‌said, the launch could be counterproductive and negatively affect China's image among countries in the ​South Pacific."

TAIWAN CALLS TEST AN ATTEMPT TO INTIMIDATE



Taiwan's presidential office called the test an attempt by ​China to intimidate the international community.

The democratically ruled island, which China says ​is part of its territory, has long warned of increased military activity from Beijing. A senior Taiwanese security official said on ‌Monday that Taiwan was tracking an "upward trend" in Chinese naval ​movements during the peak military exercise season, ​including joint drills with Russia.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters called the test "an unwelcome and concerning development. We, like our neighbours in other Pacific countries, have no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing site for missile capability."

Japan said that when it was notified of the ​upcoming launch it had "expressed our grave concern over the ‌Chinese military's increased activity" and urged China to reconsider.



China last tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in 2024, a launch that highlighted the ​country's increasing military capabilities.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/china-test-fires-missile-pacific-061859291.html

Major US banks may seek deal to bypass card fee caps

 Several of the largest US banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, among others, are looking to ink an acquisition deal that would help them evade federal legislation mandating debit card fee caps, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The outlet, citing unnamed people familiar with the discussions, said the banks held early discussions about acquiring a network owned by the American financial technology company Fiserv, though they were concerned that such a move would lead to regulatory scrutiny and political fallout. On the other hand, the sources stated that an agreement may not be reached, as some of the banks involved in the talks were skeptical. Fiserv currently owns two firms that process debit card transactions, meaning a takeover of such a network could eliminate fee caps, which some large banks repeatedly objected to.

At the start of the year, US President Donald Trump promised to impose a 1-year cap on credit card interest rates and warned credit card companies to comply with the measure.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Major-US-banks-may-seek-deal-to-bypass-card-fee-caps/66641849

Key Dems Pull Out After Platner Campaign Rocked By Sexual Assault Allegations

 Update: That didn't take long... key democrats including Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Rep. Ro Khanna have pulled their endorsements of Platner following the allegations, according to Fox News' Bill Melugin. 

"These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement," Khanna wrote on X. 

Looks like he's done?

Will Graham Platner drop out by July 31?
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* * * Extremely high quality (BMS 7+) Wagyu. The fat just melts like butter... 

Graham Platner's Senate campaign was thrown into turmoil Monday after a woman publicly accused him of sexual assault in a detailed report published by Politico.

Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old Maine woman, told reporters Jessica Piper and Adam Wren that Platner sexually assaulted her in late 2021, near the end of an on-and-off consensual relationship that began after the two matched on Bumble in 2019. Before publishing the allegations, Politico interviewed Racicot three times over two weeks, spoke with a man she dated after Platner, and reviewed therapist emails and years-old Facebook messages.

Racicot said she texted Platner that night, telling him not to come over. Then she heard footsteps on the stairs. Platner had let himself into her unlocked rural home, and by her account, he smelled of alcohol and hovered near blackout drunk. She said he climbed on top of her on the couch and kept grabbing her as she told him to stop, knocking over an antique sewing kit and scattering needles without pausing. When she tried to leave the room, he followed her into the bedroom and had sex with her against her will.

"I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me," she said. "I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, 'This is no longer my choice.'"

He fell asleep in her bed. She said she considered forcing him out but feared a blackout-drunk driver on rural Maine roads might kill someone. The next morning, when he tried to put his arm around her, she pushed him away and asked if he remembered the night before. He said he did not. She told him to leave and never contact her again.

Racicot waited several weeks, making sure she was sure she was not pregnant from the assault, before sending Platner an Instagram message stating the encounter was not consensual. That message no longer exists because Racicot deleted her old texts and social media exchanges with him and could not recover them for Politico. Nor did she file a police report, citing shock, confusion, and fear of retaliation. Her therapist heard the account at the time, and emails Racicot shared with the paper show that she sought help to corroborate it. A man Racicot began dating in 2022 also said she described the incident in pieces before sharing the full account in 2023, and his version matched hers.

Politico also reviewed Facebook messages from 2023 in which Racicot warned an acquaintance against getting involved with Platner, telling her that he does not listen when he is drunk. A friend she confided in last summer recalled her describing him as very drunk and unwilling to accept no as an answer.

Platner's campaign called the allegations a coordinated hit by outside political operatives and noted the story landed about a week before Maine's ballot deadline, echoing the timing of allegations that surfaced before the primary. The problem is that Racicot's politics align with Platner's, and her hesitation to come forward stemmed from a conflict between supporting his platform and disapproving of him as a person; she wanted voters to have a full picture of who he is.

The New York Times contacted her in spring 2026, and she shared the assault claim off the record; the resulting article described his behavior in general terms while coverage centered on accuser Lyndsey Fifield, whose Republican ties gave Platner's allies an angle to deflect the accusations, which ultimately did not impact his campaign. His candidacy had already survived offensive online comments and earlier claims he mistreated women, which he denied while attributing past behavior to mental health struggles and alcohol abuse. Prior to the New York Times story, Platner had assured Senate Democrats that no more scandals would come out about him.

Despite the damning allegations in the New York Times story, Platner raised more than $200,000 after the story came out, his best fundraising day since Gov. Janet Mills exited the race. After seeing Fifield's account get minimized because of her politics, Racicot was convinced she had to come forward.

In a video statement posted on social media, Platner denied the allegations but said he was taking time off to reflect on the path forward.

"I wanted to directly address the troubling, serious, and false allegations against me," Platner said. "Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false." He thanked supporters for building "the largest volunteer base in the history of Maine politics" before arriving at the sentence that counts. "So regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to, and the goal of defeating Susan Collins," he said. He closed with a vow that "you never turned your back on me, and I will not turn my back on you now," and the sign-off, "As Maine goes, so goes the nation."

Maine law gives Democrats until July 14 for Platner to drop out of the race and still legally replace him with another candidate.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/platner-campaign-rocked-sexual-assault-allegations-plans-reflect-best-path-forward

SBA, USDA To Combat 'Regulatory Abuse' Lawfare Aimed At Farmers And Ranchers

 by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times,

The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have signed a memorandum to counter lawfare targeting rural communities, ranchers, farmers, and small businesses.

Ranchers work to evacuate cattle as the Gifford Fire burns nearby in Los Padres National Forest, Calif., on Aug. 4, 2025. AP Photo/Noah Berger

Lawfare refers to the strategic use of legal proceedings to hinder targets. The SBA's agreement with the USDA gives producers a "direct line to report the regulations and rules driving up costs and impacting productivity," the agency said in a July 2 statement.

It also enables the SBA and the USDA to "identify broader patterns of regulatory abuse to advance lasting deregulatory reform."

The USDA will run a centralized portal that will receive lawfare complaints involving federal agencies, which will be shared with the SBA's Office of the National Ombudsman. Any complaint involving the USDA will be handled by the department, while other complaints will be referred by the SBA to the appropriate agencies.

Under the agreement, the SBA is authorized to analyze complaint data to identify recurring lawfare practices, enforcement, or regulatory issues that are assessed as abusive or disproportionate. This is expected to provide insight that would guide deregulatory action for broader reforms.

In a July 2 X post, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said the agreement between the USDA and the SBA lets "producers get back to what they do best: feeding, clothing, and fueling America."

"Family farms should not have to spend time and resources they don't have fighting crushing regulations or costly legal battles waged by radical anti-ag 'environmentalists,' whether they are inside or outside the government," she said.

In its statement, the SBA said the memorandum is in line with a January 2025 executive order signed by President Donald Trump, "Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation."

Trump said in the order that the "ever-expanding morass" of complicated federal regulations was creating "substantial restraint" on economic growth and hampering the country's global competitiveness.

For each new regulation issued by any agency, Trump ordered that at least 10 previous regulations be identified for elimination.

Commenting on the memorandum, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said: "This partnership with the SBA creates clear pathways for redress, ensures fairness in enforcement, and demonstrates that Washington stands with, not against, the hardworking Americans who sustain our country.

"Through the USDA Lawfare Portal and interagency collaboration, we are delivering real protection under the Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework."

The Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework is a plan aimed at protecting and preserving American agriculture while ending "onerous regulations" and the weaponization of government against ranchers and farmers, according to a Feb. 11 statement from the USDA.

The plan seeks to defend farmers and ranchers from politically motivated enforcement actions, protect agricultural lands from unnecessary federal projects, and remove burdensome rules that stifle productivity.

It also seeks to reform environmental laws to strike a balance between conservation and common sense.

Deregulatory Actions

The action against lawfare is one of the latest relief efforts aimed at farmers undertaken by the Trump administration.

On Feb. 2, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued guidance to manufacturers of farm equipment, clarifying that American farmers have the right to repair their own equipment.

The guidance said that manufacturers can no longer use the Clean Air Act to justify limiting farmers' access to repair tools or software.

"EPA is proud to set the record straight and protect farmers. For far too long, manufacturers have wrongly used the Clean Air Act to monopolize the repair markets, hurting our farmers," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

However, American manufacturers have opposed the right-to-repair rules. In a Sept. 22, 2025, statement, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers said that more than 50 companies met with lawmakers and congressional staff to push back against right-to-repair mandates.

They warned that legislation advancing such requirements stands to "hurt innovation, raise costs, and risk exposing sensitive trade secrets to competitors or foreign adversaries."

Meanwhile, on March 27, the EPA announced another rule aimed at benefiting farmers, removing the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) sensor system requirement for all diesel equipment. DEF is a solution injected into the exhaust systems of diesel vehicles to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.

The EPA said there have been concerns among farmers and other diesel vehicle or equipment operators about DEF system failures.

Shutdowns and speed losses caused by such failures compromise the safety and productivity of operators, which are "unacceptable and problematic," the agency said, adding that removing the DEF sensor system requirement is expected to save farmers and truckers more than $13 billion annually.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/sba-usda-combat-regulatory-abuse-lawfare-aimed-farmers-and-ranchers

Shapiro Exposes Party Civil War Against Its Socialist Wing

 Gov. Josh Shapiro sat down with Dana Bash on CNN's State of the Union this weekend and said the quiet part out loud: his party is being overrun by its socialist and far left flank.

Bash pressed Shapiro on Darializa Avila Chevalier, who won the Democratic congressional primary in New York’s 13th congressional district last month while running as an open socialist.

Chevalier's platform includes abolishing prisons, opening the borders, ending deportations, and granting mercy even to violent criminals. 

Bash also noted that Chevalier attended a pro-Palestinian rally on October 8, 2023, one day after Hamas terrorists slaughtered, raped, and kidnapped their way across southern Israel.

According to Bash, that rally featured antisemitic rhetoric defending the attack. Bash asked Shapiro how he feels, as a Democrat, about someone with those views heading to Congress.

Shapiro tried to have it both ways.

"Well, her district voted for her," he said. But that statement also came with a convenient disclaimer. "But I have profound differences from that particular candidate, based on the citations that you read there. And she's not someone who, you know, seemingly, I would agree with on many things, or that we share similar values. She ran on the Democratic ticket, I guess as a socialist; her voters in that district determined that she was the one they wanted representing them."

Note the hedge. Shapiro was describing someone who wants to shield violent criminals from deportation and who reportedly stood in solidarity with people cheering a massacre of Jews. Yet, the strongest word he could summon was "seemingly."

Bash followed up by asking what Chevalier's win says about the Democratic Party. Here Shapiro dropped whatever remained of the diplomatic pretense. "I think that what our party has to go through, that will be very healthy, and something that we've not really done since the 1992 elections, is to have a battle over what we believe in," he said.

That's a rather pointed reference because 1992 is the year Bill Clinton dragged his party toward the center with promises of welfare reform and law and order, and Shapiro seems to be arguing that's the direction the battle needs to go again, which is clearly not the direction the party is going in.

Trump Derangement Syndrome has spent the better part of a decade radicalizing rank-and-file Democrats who once considered themselves moderates, and the party's growing communist and socialist wing has capitalized on that fever by dragging positions on wealth, taxes, crime, and immigration further left with every election cycle.

The party has also grown more hostile toward Israel, with some pundits arguing it has grown outright antisemitic. That climate may explain why Shapiro sidestepped Bash's question about whether his Jewish faith could complicate a 2028 presidential run. Meanwhile, fellow Pennsylvania Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman, has shown far more willingness to call out his party's antisemitic drift. 

Shapiro, being Jewish and a supporter of Israel, places him on a collision course with a Democratic base growing comfortable nominating candidates who marched in solidarity with people, justifying an attack that included the massacre of more than a thousand Israelis.

On paper, Shapiro is the strongest hand the Democrats hold: a two-time statewide election winner in a key swing state.

But the Democratic Party isn’t the same party it was in 1992, and Shapiro’s remarks on CNN made one thing clear: the party’s civil war is already underway.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/2028-democrat-presidential-hopeful-exposes-party-civil-war-against-its-socialist-wing