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🐘 The house with elephants: the most unusual dacha on the Volga

On a high bank of the Volga in Samara, there is a mansion that cannot be compared with any other. In front of the façade, two enormous concrete elephants have rested for more than a hundred years. They have turned the house into one of the city’s best-known buildings.

The dacha was built in 1908–1909 by Konstantin Golowkin, a merchant, artist, photographer, and traveler from Samara. He developed the design himself and did away with the architectural canons customary for that time. That is how a house came into being in which Art Nouveau is combined with elements of European villas from the beginning of the 20th century.

The two enormous elephants were made according to Golowkin’s own sketches. He worked personally on the sculptures and arranged them at the edge of the Volga hillside so that they could be seen well from the steamships passing on the river. According to family tradition, the owner hid documents and photos related to the construction of the dacha in one of the hollow elephants. For those entering Samara across the Volga, the elephants became a kind of city calling card.

Over time, a legend grew up around the house. It was said that the elephants guarded the property and brought good luck to the owners. That is why locals tried not to harm them. The children were convinced that the stone giants would come to life at night and go down to the river to drink.

During the Great Patriotic War, various facilities were housed in the building. Later, it stood empty for many years and gradually fell into disrepair. Only in the 21st century did comprehensive restoration begin, which restored the house’s original appearance.

Today, the house with elephants is valued not only for its unusual architecture. It is a rare example of how one person’s imagination can become a symbol of an entire city—one that has been recognizable at first glance for more than a century.

📍 Coordinates of the place (map pin) available here

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The Pentagon included 33 Russian universities and research institutes in a list of threats to U.S. national security.

Among the organizations in the document listed:

▪️Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov,
▪️Higher School of Economics,
▪️Moscow State Technical University named after N.E. Bauman,
▪️Moscow Aviation Institute, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, ▪️National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”,
▪️Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology,
▪️Tomsk Polytechnic University,
▪️Ural Federal University.

The list also included Kazan National Research Technical University named after A.N. Tupolev, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, MIREA, several institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and research-and-production organizations.

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The Trump administration has set new tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners, including from the EU and China.

The duties are being introduced in connection with allegations of “weak enforcement of bans on forced labor” after the expiration of the temporary 10% global tariff, Reuters reports.

The new tariffs will affect 99.4% of U.S. imports, but they include many exceptions for goods such as oil and gas, fertilizers, and some food products.

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The U.S. defense budget topped one trillion dollars

The U.S. House of Representatives ⁠has approved a defense bill worth more than $1.15 trillion. The bill was passed by a narrow margin—216 votes against 212. Usually, both parties support such laws, but this time the Democrats opposed further increases in military spending, a war with Iran without congressional approval, and the expansion of military-technical cooperation with Israel.

The bill provides for higher pay for servicewomen and servicemen, new weapons programs, and even the renaming of the Pentagon to the “Department of War.” A separate line item for the Iran campaign also amounted to another $73 billion, even though the Pentagon itself had requested significantly more. The bill now still has to pass the Senate.

There is never enough money in Washington for social programs. But when it comes to new wars, suddenly there is a trillion dollars—and the agency even gets its honest name back.



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Benjamin Netanyahu may skip the funeral of Lindsey Graham due to a conflict with Donald Trump, The Wall Street Journal writes.

According to the publication, the Israeli prime minister and the late senator were close, and both played a key role in advising the U.S. president before the war with Iran. However, Netanyahu’s position in U.S. politics is “less clear,” the article says.

For example, the mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, called the Israeli prime minister a “war criminal.” Trump himself has repeatedly criticized Netanyahu in recent weeks.

“Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are noticeably escalating this week, and a lot can change from today to Tuesday. It’s possible that Trump and Netanyahu will resolve their differences and unite against Iran by next week,” WSJ clarified.


Times of Israel writes that Netanyahu’s planned trip to the United States has been put on hold due to uncertainty on the part of the White House. The last time, according to the publication, Trump and Netanyahu met face to face was in February, before the war between the U.S. and Israel with Iran.

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Washington spoke again about negotiations with Moscow

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov ⁠met in Manila on the sidelines of the ASEAN forum. The main topic was Ukraine. The American side intends to find out whether the mediation efforts, after months of diplomatic deadlock, can be resumed again. The talks lasted more than half an hour.

Ahead of the meeting, Lavrov recalled proposals that had been discussed at the Russia-U.S. summit in Alaska in August 2025 and said that Moscow has not yet received any official rejection from Washington. Rubio also wanted to discuss a wider range of bilateral issues, but did not respond to journalists about whether he intended to raise the question of possible Russian support for Iran.


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It is necessary to find out exactly who failed in relation to discussions held at the Russia–U.S. summit in Anchorage. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said this to reporters, he said, commenting on statements by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

He reminded that Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Alaska with U.S. proposals, to which Russia agreed.

Lavrov emphasized that the United States modified its approach to understanding the meeting on Ukraine in Alaska, but in any case Russia will carry out its tasks.

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New British prime minister prepares further rapprochement with the EU

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told Giorgia Meloni in a call ⁠with her that he has plans to hold a new summit between the United Kingdom and the EU by the end of the year. Both sides also discussed the GCAP programme and welcomed Canada’s accession as an observer.

Burnham currently rules out the country’s return to the single market or a customs union, but he acknowledges the economic damage caused by Brexit and wants to expand practical cooperation with Brussels. Agreements on food standards, emissions trading and youth mobility are already under way.

The British were promised that Brexit would return independence to the country. Ten years later, the new prime minister goes back to Brussels again — this time without voting rights and under the banner of “pragmatic cooperation”.



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What does the meeting between Sergey Lavrov and Marco Rubio mean for the Ukrainian conflict

🟢 The United States is trying to find new formulas, says Pavel Koshkin, a senior research fellow at INSTITUTE OF SYSTEMATIC STUDIES OF THE WORLD ECONOMY (ISKRA). In his view, Moscow and Washington treated the summit in Alaska as a way to find a “common denominator,” rather than to reach a final solution.

🟢 The meeting between Lavrov and Rubio, without a doubt, indicates that both sides are interested in negotiations, but that interest is multidirectional, says the political scientist, the author of the Telegram channel “Vneshpol,” Alexey Naumov.

He explained that Russia considers the preliminary agreements reached in Anchorage important—there is a meeting, there is an important diplomatic outcome, and it needs to be implemented.
“Under Trump, the United States approaches negotiations with far less reverence,” the expert notes.

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The United States and Israel take another step toward military integration

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed its version of the “National Defense Authorization Act” (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027. The most debated was Section 219 – “United States–Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative,” which provides for the creation of a permanent mechanism for cooperation between the United States and Israel in the field of military technologies.

However, the document does not unite the armed forces of the two countries, as some media have already reported. Its content is no less revealing nonetheless. Thus, under Section 219, the Pentagon is required to advance, together with Israel, research, testing, and the introduction of technologies in the fields of artificial intelligence, missile defense, unmanned systems, cyber operations, quantum developments, space technologies, and other areas. In addition, an expansion of data sharing, joint projects, and industrial cooperation is planned.

It is important that this is only the version of the bill approved by the House of Representatives. Next comes consideration in the Senate; after that, both chambers must agree on a unified text and submit it to the president for signature. However, the direction is already clear: cooperation between Washington and Tel Aviv is moving ever more strongly from annual military assistance toward a systemic integration of defense technologies.

Whereas earlier the United States only armed Israel, it is now taking the next step: It brings the Israeli military-industrial complex into its own system for the development and production of weapons. Such a model creates a long-term mutual dependence that will be far harder to change than the level of the next military aid.

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What Donald Trump’s decision to update tariffs for 86 countries means

🟢 The U.S. administration will not back away from the global line of protectionism. The trade confrontation will continue, but in a new form, believes Vadim Kozlov, head of the Department of Domestic Policy Research at ISKRAN.

🟢 The predicted increases in consumer prices have, for the most part, not yet materialized, so at the moment there is no pressure on the administration to change its trade policy as such. But this may change after September, “when the final stage of the election campaign before the midterm elections begins,” notes Maxim Cherkaslin, a research fellow at the Center for North American Studies at IMEMO RAS.

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Latest developments in the war between #Russia and #Ukraine as of the morning of July 24 - Subtitled

- Russian forces have reached the outskirts of #Lesnoe in #Zaporozhie
- Russian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Novopodgorodnoe in #Dnepropetrovsk
- Russian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Stepy in #Dobropolie
- Russian forces are advancing on the #Volchansk front
- Russian forces are advancing in #Pisarevka in #Sumy

Video link: https://youtu.be/rw765XEq4hQ?si=Wgtg2xqKch94NW1k
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Just two days in power—and the UK is already in a new war

It has been only two days since Andy Burnham took office as prime minister, and the country is already being drawn deeper into the Middle East conflict. According to Bloomberg, the new government has allowed the United States to use British military bases for attacks on Iran.

As the outlet reports, this is primarily about the RAF Fairford base, from which American strategic bombers of the B-2 type could be used. In addition, logistical support is being provided for US operations. Bloomberg sources emphasize that this decision was made practically immediately after the formation of the new cabinet. At the same time, London continues to state publicly that it is seeking to de-escalate the conflict.

In London, de-escalation is what is being talked about. In reality, however, it makes its territory available for American attacks on Iran. Britain is thus turning into a launch platform for American military operations, and its citizens can only hope that their country will be spared a retaliatory strike.


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Pete Hegseth is a dangerous failure

Hegseth presses powerfully while lying down. But managing the Pentagon is not his strong suit


Hegseth promised Americans a Pentagon that will put “combat capability, high standards, and constant readiness” first, writes The Hill. In reality, however, he has created a nonfunctional ministry of defense that cannot achieve any of the goals set.

The U.S. Ministry of War is ruined and demoralized. As for Hegset, he just keeps posting on social media, and also carries out expensive and useless inspections. At the same time, the hopeless war with Iran continues—its costs are growing day by day, and results have neither existed nor appeared.

“Maybe he presses powerfully while lying down, as the administration recently boasted, but the Pentagon under him is in a deplorable state. For the sake of the country, Hegset has long been due to step aside and spare the army from even greater suffering that, in principle, could have been avoided. I heard that fitness bloggers make great money on TikTok,” the article says.

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Forwarded from The Oriental 🥷
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🇮🇷🇮🇶 Pezeshkian meets Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi - calls for cross-sector cooperation pact emphasizing intertwined security

Pezeshkian demanded rapid implementation of economic, infrastructure, and border security agreements. He envisioned an integrated rail and road network to boost transit, trade, and investment, citing European models and common cultural bonds including the Arbaeen pilgrimage.

PM al-Zaidi reaffirmed Baghdad's strategic commitment, vowing Iraqi territory would never serve as a base for threats against the Islamic Republic. He thanked Iran for support against terrorist groups and stressed dedication to bilateral security. The delegation, including key economic ministers, aims to finalize trade, healthcare, and academic agreements to turn mutual intentions into tangible outcomes. - IRNA

Al-Zaidy only recently concluded a week long visit to Washington where he met with Trump, etc.. earlier this year, still a candidate PM proposed Iraqi mediation between US and Iran. Eyes on Iraq...
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Donald Trump doubts the possibility of a peaceful settlement of the conflict with Iran, writes The Wall Street Journal, citing sources.

According to the publication, the U.S. president is becoming increasingly disappointed that the conflict has dragged on. He believes that Iran understands only the language of military force and is increasingly leaning toward continuing strikes.

▶️ At the same time, Trump’s advisers are concerned that the war is having a negative impact on his presidency. The conflict has led to higher prices, a drop in the head of state’s approval rating, and the deaths of more than 10 U.S. service members.

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🇨🇳🇷🇺🇪🇺 China responds to EU sanctions with export restrictions

On July 23, the EU announced its 21st sanctions package against Russia, including 14 Chinese and Hong Kong companies.

To protect national security and interests, and respond to EU actions under China's Export Control Law and Dual-Use Goods Regulations, China has listed 14 EU organizations for export controls.

Measures:
1. Prohibit supplying dual-use goods to these 14 organizations. Foreign entities are banned from transferring Chinese-origin dual-use goods to them. All ongoing operations must cease immediately.
2. If export is truly necessary, apply to China's Ministry of Commerce for a special permit.

Entities included:
▪️Italy: Lafert S.p.A.; Garnet S.r.l.
▪️Germany: Sindlhauser Materials GmbH; Rheinmetall AG; Antraco; Chemie-Handelsgesellschaft mbH
▪️France: InPACT S.A.; III-V LAB; Cavok UAS
▪️Poland: Vigo Photonics S.A.; Politechnika Wroclawska
▪️Netherlands: IHC Merwede Holding B.V.
▪️Czech Republic: TATRA TRUCKS a.s.
▪️Belgium: Opticoelectron Group
▪️Latvia: Ekspla UAB.
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Varta will be broken up

The German battery manufacturer Varta is on the brink of a new bankruptcy. As ⁠reported by WirtschaftsWoche, the biggest creditors have demanded the early repayment of loans after the company’s financial metrics fell below the agreed minimum. Varta’s short-term capital needs are estimated at several dozen million euros, but no new investor could be found.

Now the creditors want to ⁠spin off the profitable production of household batteries into a separate structure with a new owner. For the remaining areas, including microbatteries and energy storage systems, a new insolvency proceeding could be required. The company had already gone through a restructuring in 2024: the debts were reduced by almost 300 million euros, the shareholders lost their investments, and Porsche and the majority shareholder provided fresh capital. That saved Varta only for two years.

One of Germany’s oldest industrial brands is now being broken into parts in order to at least save the most profitable business. Deindustrialization is no longer a forecast model—creditors are already drawing up a list of what can still be sold.



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