Stepan Haftko
The U. S. Army signed an agreement with Hanwha to supply 18 prototypes of a new mobile artillery system worth up to $262 million. The system is intended to replace the outdated M777 towed howitzers.
Ella Pamfilova said that Russians who left and “betrayed” the country should be stripped of their right to vote. She also expressed concerns about provocations at polling stations abroad during the September elections.
Disney is demanding that the review of ABC television stations’ licenses be halted, considering it political pressure. The FCC suspects ABC of discrimination in hiring, which could lead to the licenses being revoked.
Former Meta engineer Arturo Béjar testified in court that internal surveys showed a significantly higher prevalence of harmful content for teenagers than official reports indicated. The lawsuit brought by 29 states against the company is ongoing, and Meta denies the allegations.
In Zimbabwe, a government ferry capsized on Lake Kariba, killing at least 94 people. There were about 180 passengers on board, exceeding the vessel’s permitted capacity.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and U. S. President Donald Trump held a phone call ahead of the entry into force of new 50% American tariffs on some Canadian imports. The duties will cover goods worth about $20 billion, while businesses warn of the risk of job losses.
At least six Palestinians were killed and others injured in an Israeli strike on the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces said they attacked Hamas commanders who were planning attacks on military personnel.
Archaeologists on the island of Lilla Karlsö discovered the remains of a young woman and a fetus dating back 8,000–9,500 years. The woman was 17–19 years old; the fetus may have died due to complications during childbirth.
Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina withdrew from the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati before the third round due to a right ankle injury. She noted that the problem worsened during her second-round match, so she was unable to recover.
German security agencies are recording an intensification of Russian disinformation campaigns ahead of state elections. The far-right AfD, which advocates restoring relations with Moscow, is showing high poll ratings in three regions.
The European Union stated that the DPRK remains a serious threat to regional and global security, disagreeing with Trump's assessment. Brussels emphasized the link between the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.
Russian drones attacked Zaporizhzhia, killing one person and injuring six others. Buildings were damaged, and a fire broke out.
Frank Beard, drummer of ZZ Top, died at the age of 77 at a ranch in Texas. The band canceled concerts following his death.
26-year-old Ryan Michael English was sentenced to 73 months in prison for attempting to kill Scott Bessent in January 2025. He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and attempting to bring it into the Capitol.
Bayern midfielder Jamal Musiala lost consciousness for the second time in four days during a friendly match against Heidenheim. Doctors diagnosed him with temporary seizures caused by a neurological disorder.
The International Criminal Court condemned U. S. sanctions against its president and staff, calling them an undermining of the rule of law. The court will continue its work, supporting its staff and victims of international crimes.
Lithuanian President’s adviser Marius Česnuliavičius said that six hours is sufficient to cross the country. The proposal provides for the use of a license plate recognition system.
Zelenskyy received the credentials of the new ambassadors of four countries. They discussed support for Ukraine and the development of trade and economic relations.
The United States imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane and senior counsel Fadi El Abdallah. The decision was made by the Trump administration to protect Americans from the court's actions.
On the morning of August 18, Russian forces shelled Izium with a "Tornado-S" multiple rocket launcher system, injuring five people, including a 9-year-old boy. Twenty private houses were damaged, and an investigation has been launched.
In temporarily occupied Sevastopol, fires broke out at military equipment warehouses in Alsu and near the Kirovskoye airfield following a nighttime drone attack. The fires were detected in satellite imagery; there is currently no information about the damage.
At a school on the campus of Ateneo de Zamboanga University, a high school student opened fire, killing a classmate and a teacher before shooting himself. Two other people were injured, and police are establishing the circumstances of the incident.
The village of Kandersteg is under threat of a landslide due to the unstable Spitze Stein rock, whose condition is deteriorating because of permafrost thaw. Residents are not afraid, as the authorities have taken precautionary measures.
On the night of August 18, the Moscow region came under a massive drone attack, causing fires and damage to buildings, cars, and warehouses. The Russian side reports that air defense and electronic warfare systems were deployed, but the information requires independent confirmation.
China's leader is unlikely to travel to New York to attend the UN General Assembly in September, but will meet with Trump on September 24. Sources report that he will spend three days in the United States, while China's Foreign Ministry is not commenting on the information.
The "ATESH" movement reports hidden checks of men of mobilization age at airports in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg. Passengers may be detained without official grounds and denied permission to leave.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that over the past day, the Russian army lost approximately 1,210 servicemen and 548 pieces of weaponry. Two tanks, 55 artillery systems, and 1,962 UAVs were destroyed.
Negotiations between the United States and Canada have stalled over disagreements regarding auto tariffs, with Canada insisting on a reduction to 10%, while the United States is calling for 15%. The deadline for the new tariffs expires on August 19, and Trump threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian goods.
FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour left the organization after criticizing Infantino's plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights. UEFA and other associations withdrew their support for the FIFA president.
Finnish outlet Yle noticed that on Yandex satellite maps, the positions of Bal coastal missile systems in Kronstadt had been replaced with an image of forest, although they are visible on Google Maps. The reasons for this concealment are unknown, and its effectiveness against Ukrainian intelligence is questionable.