Draft law No. 14394, which allowed marriage from the age of 14 under certain conditions, has been withdrawn after public discussions. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, confirmed the removal of the amendment.
The National Preserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" is temporarily closed to visitors due to deteriorating weather and a critical drop in temperature. This decision was made to protect cultural heritage sites, as well as the health of visitors and staff.
As a result of the shelling of Kyiv by Russian troops, objects of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which are under UNESCO protection, have been damaged. This is the first instance of the sanctuary being destroyed by military action since World War II.
Every year on January 17, World Pizza Day is celebrated, a dish that has become part of global culture. Neapolitan pizza is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Ukraine has become a member of the UNESCO Steering Committee on Quality Education for the first time, a global body coordinating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4. This gives Ukraine the opportunity to influence the formation of global educational priorities.
In 2025, Russians damaged 307 monuments and 261 cultural infrastructure objects in Ukraine. In total, since the beginning of the war, 1640 cultural heritage sites and 2446 cultural infrastructure objects have been destroyed.
Two trains collided near Machu Picchu, killing the driver and injuring at least 40 people. Among the injured are citizens of the United States and Great Britain, 20 of whom are in serious condition.
The United Nations has approved a 7% budget cut to $3. 45 billion for 2026, which is $270 million less than the current budget. This decision is due to a financial crisis caused by US debt and involves cutting 2,900 positions.
Charles James Spencer-Churchill, the 70-year-old Duke of Marlborough, is accused of three counts of intentional strangulation that occurred between November 2022 and May 2024. He has been summoned to Oxford Magistrates' Court after his arrest last May.
An ancient pleasure boat, matching the description of the Greek historian Strabo, was discovered off the coast of the Egyptian city of Alexandria. The vessel lay 7 meters underwater and 1.5 meters under sediment near the sunken island of Antirhodos.
On December 4, the UNESCO Committee supported Ukraine's initiative, adding 19 Ukrainian cultural heritage sites to the International List under enhanced protection. The total number of Ukrainian sites on this list has increased to 46.
On November 30, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Radio-Technical Troops of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, established in 2010. On the same day, the world celebrates World Pet Day, International Sex Day, Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare, and Eternal Youth Day.
Member states of the International Maritime Organization did not support Russia, which failed to secure a seat on the IMO Council. For several months, Ukraine had been explaining to its partners the true picture of Russian attacks on ports and civilian vessels.
On November 26, the world celebrates World Olive Tree Day, International Shoemaker Day, and World Sustainable Transport Day. Orthodox believers honor the memory of Saints Alipius the Stylite and James of Syria.
Forest fires in northern Iran have approached the unique Hyrcanian Forests, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Due to a lack of resources, the government has appealed to Turkey and Russia for assistance.
The Guardian reviewed ancient European traditions that help keep people healthy from Iceland to Ukraine. Among them are daily swimming workouts, short daytime naps, and five meals a day.
Today, November 16, marks World Handicraft Day, and in Ukraine — the Day of Radio, Television and Communications Workers, as well as the Day of Agricultural Workers. This day also celebrates the International Day for Tolerance, introduced by UNESCO in 1995.
Today marks the International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property, International Speech-Language Pathologist Day, and World Diabetes Day. These events remind us of the importance of preserving heritage, correcting speech, and fighting disease.
A meeting of G7 foreign ministers kicks off on Tuesday in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada. The main topics will be the war in Ukraine, security in the Middle East, and challenges in the Arctic.
Five commanders of the Russian army have been заочно charged with violating the laws and customs of war due to a missile attack on the historic center of Lviv. The shelling of civilian infrastructure located in the UNESCO World Heritage site area occurred on the night of September 4, 2024, using "Kinzhal" and Kh-101 missiles.
Russia was not elected to the Intergovernmental Council of UNESCO's "Information for All" Program, the Intergovernmental Council of the International Program for the Development of Communication, and the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO's "Man and the Biosphere" Program. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine emphasizes Russia's international isolation.
On November 10, the world celebrates World Top-Up Day, International Accounting Day, World Orphan Day, and World Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Day. These days are dedicated to supporting families, recognizing professions, helping children, and raising awareness about rare diseases.
Kyiv has become part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the "Music" category. This year, 58 new cities from more than 40 countries joined the initiative, nine of them in the "Music" category.
Ukraine joined the UNESCO Executive Board for 2025-2029, receiving 137 votes at the 43rd session of the General Conference in Samarkand. Russia dropped out of the race, having received the fewest votes.
Since February 2022, 116 Ukrainian and foreign journalists have died in Ukraine, 18 of them while on duty. At least 26 civilian Ukrainian media workers and one journalist are in Russian captivity.
The Black Forest Clock Association, which unites over 50 manufacturers, dealers, and collectors, has applied for UNESCO cultural heritage status for the cuckoo clock. This move is aimed at protecting the 175-year-old tradition and symbolism of the Black Forest, as the market is weakening and some businesses have already closed.
UNESCO has added two Ukrainian events to its Calendar of Anniversaries 2026–2027. These are the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra reserve and the 150th anniversary of the birth of the composer Mykola Leontovych.
Belarusian diplomat Yury Ambrazevich is holding meetings with representatives of European countries, trying to resume dialogue with the West. This is happening against the backdrop of intensified contacts between the US and Belarus.
The Ministry of Culture plans to expand the range of paid services offered by nature reserves and museums to attract funds for the preservation of monuments. The government will also support projects that promote Ukrainian cultural heritage, particularly through international cooperation with UNESCO and the EU.
On October 14, the UNESCO Executive Board adopted a new decision regarding the emergency aid program for Ukraine. The organization reaffirmed its solidarity with the Ukrainian people and condemned Russian aggression.
