United Nations
Iran, Great Britain, France, and Germany may hold talks on Tehran's nuclear program next week. This comes after the E3 countries warned of renewed sanctions if no progress is made.
During July 18, 177 combat engagements took place at the front, 47 of which were assault actions stopped in the Pokrovsk direction. The invaders launched two missile and 71 air strikes, used 3843 kamikaze drones, and carried out 5825 shellings.
More than 5,000 Tuvalu citizens have applied for Australian visas due to rising ocean levels. The Australian government has stopped accepting applications for 2026, as the number of applicants exceeded the quota.
Netflix used AI-generated visual effects for the first time in the series The Eternauts for a building collapse scene. This allowed for faster production and reduced costs, despite controversies surrounding the use of AI in the entertainment industry.
Today, July 18, cloudy weather with moderate rains is expected in Ukraine, with heavy rains in Zakarpattia and Prykarpattia. Air temperature will range from 13-18° at night to 29-34° during the day in the south and east.
President Zelenskyy stated that about 40% of the weapons of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are produced in Ukraine, and this figure should increase to 50% within six months. The new government will audit defense agreements with partners.
Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has declared the protection of the Druze community a priority following reports of troop withdrawals from As-Suwayda. This comes after Israeli airstrikes on Damascus and amid inter-communal clashes that have resulted in over 350 deaths.
The foreign ministers of Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania met in Lublin, reaffirming their support for Ukraine on its path to the EU and NATO. They called for increased sanctions pressure on Russia and an immediate ceasefire.
In South Korea, a teacher and a student's father were arrested for attempting to steal exam papers from a school in Andong. Their attempt was stopped by an alarm, and the police suspect previous incidents and bribery.
Over 14 million children remained unvaccinated in 2024, according to a UN report. This led to an increase in measles and whooping cough incidence in Europe and a measles outbreak in the US.
On July 15, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, associated with the Baptism of Kyivan Rus', and the Day of Ukrainian Peacekeepers. On this day, the memory of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Volodymyr the Great is also honored.
The world's most influential finance ministers are gathering for the second time this year in South Africa for a G20 meeting, which the US Treasury Secretary will again miss. This comes amid the trade war unleashed by US President Donald Trump and his criticism of the BRICS countries.
Excavations have begun in Ireland at the site of a former mother and baby home, where the remains of hundreds of infants are believed to be located. This investigation will last two years, having uncovered evidence of a mass grave in a disused underground septic tank.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sustained a leg injury during an Israeli airstrike on a meeting of Iran's Supreme National Security Council in mid-June. This marks the first instance of a sitting president of the Islamic Republic being wounded by Israeli attacks on Iranian territory.
Over 2. 2 million Ukrainians, mostly women and children, have received "vital" cash assistance from UNHCR to restore damaged housing. This has allowed some families to return to their homes and repair them.
On July 12, the International Day for Combating Sand and Dust Storms, established by the UN in 2023, and World Rum Day, which is celebrated on the second Saturday of July, are observed. Also on this day, International Nude Bathing Day, World Flight Attendant Day, Different Colored Eyes Day, and Paper Bag Day are celebrated.
Leaders of the Coalition of the Willing discussed strengthening support for Ukraine and pressuring Russia, urging it to stop attacks on civilians. Participants agreed on further restrictive measures against Russia's war economy and providing Ukraine with military support totaling at least 40 billion euros in 2025.
In June 2025, Ukraine recorded the highest level of civilian casualties in the last three years, the monitoring mission reported.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov began a dialogue on the sidelines of ASEAN events in Kuala Lumpur. This is not their first meeting; they previously met in Riyadh and held telephone conversations.
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty recorded systemic human rights violations during mobilization in Ukraine, including selectivity and abuses. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine took note of the memorandum, emphasizing the importance of protecting human rights under martial law.
July 9 marks Fashion Day, International Day for the Destruction of Small Arms, Argentina's Independence Day, which turns 209 years old, and commemorates the holy hieromartyr Pancras.
Israel's Defense Minister instructed the military to develop a "humanitarian city" on the ruins of Rafah to accommodate over 2 million Palestinians. According to the minister, Palestinians will undergo screening for Hamas affiliation and will not be able to leave the zone.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has presented a new instruction in the "Army+" application, which allows military personnel to check the possibility of transfer and receive a step-by-step action plan. This test instruction takes into account various factors, including length of service and suitability for combat duty.
Police reported suspicion to 22 employees of the Kalininska correctional colony in Donetsk region, who since 2014 tortured Ukrainians, holding them as prisoners of war and civilian hostages. They used brutal torture, beatings, and psychological violence, forcing them to sing the Russian anthem.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the President of the National Council of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland, Maya Riniker. Switzerland will allocate 5 billion Swiss francs for Ukraine's reconstruction and is considering joining the coalition for the return of Ukrainian children.
A story that should not have happened: how modernized helicopters lost their armament due to Soviet standards.
Indonesia's Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano erupted, spewing a column of volcanic material up to 18 kilometers high, leading to flight cancellations. This eruption was one of the largest in Indonesia since 2010.
Israel has sent a negotiating team to Qatar to discuss a 60-day truce in Gaza, which includes an exchange of hostages and bodies of the deceased. US President Donald Trump personally guarantees Israel's adherence to the cessation of military operations.
The number of Ukrainians who applied for refugee status in France sharply increased in 2025, reaching over 7,000 applications from January to May. This is due to reduced resources for Ukrainians and problems with housing and employment, despite the extension of temporary protection until 2027.
The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina canceled Milorad Dodik's arrest warrant after his voluntary appearance before the prosecutor's office. Dodik, previously sentenced to one year in prison, must now periodically report to the state body.