August 20 marks World Mosquito Day, World Laziness Day, International Medical Transport Day, and Virtual Worlds Day. These holidays are dedicated to important events and phenomena in the world.
The first state service with AI support has started operating in Ukraine within the "ePermit" system. It allows for obtaining a veterinary license with automatic document verification.
The Ukrainian government presented 12 priorities for 2026, with security and defense being key. The Defence City initiative and cooperation with global companies Rheinmetall, BAE Systems are important directions.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports that Ukrainian defenders repelled over 40 attempts to break through in the Donetsk region. In total, there were about 100 combat engagements, and the enemy also tried to advance to the Antonivskyi Bridge.
Latvia, Finland, and Lithuania have banned or restricted real estate purchases by Russian citizens for national security reasons. Estonia, Norway, and the state of Texas are also considering similar measures.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 182 combat engagements over the past day, 58 of which occurred in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy launched four missile strikes and 80 air strikes, using 5132 kamikaze drones.
Russian troops captured Popiv Yar in the Dobropillia direction and Ivano-Daryivka in Siversk. The enemy continues active offensive actions in several directions.
The meeting between the US and Russian presidents in Alaska did not yield public results regarding an end to the war in Ukraine. Details of the conversations, particularly in the limousine, remained undisclosed, raising concerns about possible agreements.
Trump's special representative for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, is absent from the delegation at the meeting with Putin in Alaska. His presence could be "counterproductive" due to his perception as a sympathizer of Ukraine.
38 cases of the "Stratus" subvariant and one case of "Nimbus" have been confirmed in Ukraine. Both subvariants are dominant worldwide and are included in the WHO list for monitoring.
Geneva has temporarily abolished public transport fees due to a peak in ozone pollution. This is one of the measures to combat high temperatures and pollution.
Ukrainian army aviation successfully uses Soviet equipment, but the industry risks losing the ability to maintain it. Without state support, production potential and maintenance of military equipment are under threat.
A group of people's deputies submitted bill No. 13596 to the Verkhovna Rada, which will allow dismissing Cabinet ministers based on the results of the interpellation procedure. This involves the parliament considering the issue of a minister's actions or inaction, demanding explanations and evaluating their activities.
A new, rapidly spreading coronavirus variant XFG (Stratus) has been detected in the Poltava region. It does not cause a more severe course of the disease but may manifest as hoarseness.
US Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the redirection of $500 million from the development of new mRNA vaccines to other, safer and more universal technologies.
Great Britain plans to evacuate up to 300 wounded and seriously ill children from the Gaza Strip for treatment on its territory. With each child, a guardian will be able to leave, and the evacuation of siblings is also being considered.
In Sweden, a 10-month-old girl's clitoris enlarged, resembling a penis, after skin contact with her father, who used testosterone gel. Doctors warn about the risk of hormone transfer to children through skin contact.
The National Bank of Ukraine reports that food prices in Ukraine have converged with European ones, and some, like butter, have even exceeded them. This is due to internal and external factors, including high production costs and differences in VAT rates.
Ukraine is carrying out the largest construction of defensive fortifications since the beginning of the full-scale war, allocating over 46 billion hryvnias. These fortifications, which include anti-tank ditches and barbed wire, are designed to deter a possible Russian summer offensive in the east.
Kyiv "Dynamo" will play the return match of the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League against Maltese "Hamrun Spartans" on July 29 at 21:00 at the "Lublin Arena" stadium in Poland. In the first match, "Dynamo" won confidently with a score of 3:0.
July 28 marks World Hepatitis Day, which focuses on prevention and treatment, and World Nature Conservation Day, which calls for a careful attitude towards the environment. Orthodox believers also honor the memory of the holy apostles Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, and Parmenas.
World Drowning Prevention Day reminds of the dangers of water, especially when combined with alcohol. In Ukraine in 2024, about 900 people drowned, with half of these cases linked to alcohol consumption.
A new artificial intelligence platform demonstrates high accuracy in diagnosing myalgic encephalomyelitis by analyzing biological changes in gut bacteria, immune responses, and metabolism. The study found impaired interactions between the microbiome, metabolites, and immune system in patients.
July 25 marks Wine and Cheese Day, International Health, Happiness and Hypnosis Day, World Drowning Prevention Day, and System Administrator Appreciation Day. Orthodox Christians honor the Dormition of Saint Anne, mother of the Most Holy Theotokos.
July 24 marks International Self-Care Day, established in 2011, and World BDSM Day, which originated thanks to the Rosas Cinco club in Barcelona. In Ukraine, this day celebrates Financial Worker's Day, established in 2021, and today is also the birthday of instant coffee and the Day of Remembrance of the Holy Martyrs Boris and Gleb.
In China, dozens of provincial officials and medical personnel attempted to conceal a lead poisoning incident that caused illness in hundreds of children. The investigation uncovered bribery and the use of inedible paint in a kindergarten, which led to lead levels in food exceeding the norm by 2000 times.
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.
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.
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.
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.
