The biggest movie weekend of the year, a looming UPS strike, and the US women's

soccer team is kicking off the World Cup with high expectations.

There is only one thing in mind. Our goal is to win the World Cup.

That's some of what we'll get to on the Seven from the Washington Post.

I'm Jeff Pierre. It's Friday, July 21st. Let's get you caught up with today's seven stories.

First up, Ukraine has started firing a controversial weapon at Russian forces. The weapons we're talking

about are cluster munitions. They're made in the US and were sent to Ukraine this month.

These bombs are banned in most countries. They explode over a target and release up to hundreds of smaller explosives.

Those can be left behind for years after a conflict ends and potentially harm civilians.

Ukraine used these bombs for the first time this week

as Russia stepped up its attacks on Ukrainian ports.

Russia has already used these bombs against Ukraine during the war.

Now Ukraine hopes the weapons can help break up

well-fortified Russian positions that have slowed its summer offensive. You can probably feel our second story. We're living through Earth's hottest month on record.

Climate scientists say that July has had Earth's hottest month on record.

Climate scientists say that July has had 17 days that were hotter than any others

in four decades of observations, and we're only three weeks into what may ultimately be the hottest month in a

hundred thousand years. In the US there's no end in sight. Southern states are

dealing with the most extreme heat wave they've ever faced and over the next

week a high-pressure heat dome will inch northward

and stretch from coast to coast. Record heat has also been hitting Europe, the Middle

East, and China. Number three, a nationwide UPS strike is looking increasingly likely.

...