Our daily morning swim around the world

🇺🇦🇷🇺 Ukraine’s military has pierced the main defensive Russian line as part of its ongoing counteroffensive. Following three months of slow advances, a squad of Ukrainian paratroopers broke through entrenched Russian positions near the southeastern town of Robotyne in recent days, per multiple reports. Ukrainian officials say they’re now focused on creating a hole in the Russian line large enough for Western-provided armored vehicles to push through and provide logistical support.

🇸🇦 A Saudi Arabian man was sentenced to death over online posts critical of the government. Mohammad Al-Ghamdi, a retired teacher in his mid-50s, is the first person in Saudi Arabia to receive a sentence of capital punishment based solely on his X and YouTube activity. The move comes as part of a wider effort by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to eliminate any criticism of the kingdom, which also includes 25+-year prison sentences handed to other citizens convicted for their online behavior.

🇲🇽🗳️ Mexico’s opposition coalition has chosen a presidential candidate for 2024. The nomination of Senator Xóchitl Gálvez strongly suggests Mexico’s next president will be its first female leader in history, since former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum is the leading candidate to run for the ruling Morena party. Experts say Sen. Gálvez is a longshot to win against the Morena party, which controls both chambers of Congress and governs 22 of Mexico’s 32 states.