The 2025 Venice Film Festival will take place from August 27 to September 9, presenting new works by famous directors and actors. Among the premieres are Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein", Yorgos Lanthimos' "Bugonia" and Paolo Sorrentino's "Grace", as well as Netflix films.
A number of countries issued a joint statement, calling on Israel to cease hostilities in the Gaza Strip due to the suffering of the civilian population. The Israeli Prime Minister's advisor called this statement a "delusion" that sends Hamas a "wrong and dangerous signal" because it does not pressure the group.
The Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine welcomes the decision of the Italian palace Reggia di Caserta to cancel the concert of Russian conductor Valery Gergiev. The decision was supported by the Minister of Culture of Italy, Alessandro Giuli, calling it logical and moral.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine plans to open over 10 new consular offices by the end of the year, including in Romania, Iraq, Italy, Germany, Slovakia, France, and Poland. Consulates in Antalya and Gdansk will receive general consulate status.
The body of former Ukrainian Interior Ministry official Ihor Hrushevskyi was found in Barcelona. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, death occurred as a result of drowning.
July 20 marks International Moon Day in honor of the Apollo 11 landing in 1969, and Metallurgist's Day, a professional holiday for workers in the metallurgical and mining industries. Also on this day, International Cake Day, World Jump Day, International Chess Day, and St. Elijah the Prophet's Day are celebrated.
Taisiia Onofriichuk won a bronze medal in the individual all-around at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup stage in Milan. She also qualified for all four finals, which will take place on July 20.
A large-scale anti-corruption investigation is underway in Milan, involving over 70 individuals, including Mayor Giuseppe Sala and leading developers. Suspicions of non-transparent schemes could shake investor confidence in the Milan real estate market.
A selection of TV series about magic, sorcerers, and mysterious worlds, perfect for weekend viewing. Discover stories about witches, wizard farmers, and secret orders.
The average duration of working life in the EU in 2024 is 37. 2 years, with notable differences between countries. The Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark lead with indicators of over 42 years, while Romania, Italy, and Croatia have the lowest indicators.
Austrian extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner died on July 17 in Italy during a paragliding flight. The 56-year-old athlete lost control and crashed into a hotel complex's swimming pool, which led to cardiac arrest.
Law enforcement agencies from over ten European countries, Canada, and the USA conducted a joint operation "Eastwood" against the NoName057(16) network. As a result, over a hundred computer systems were destroyed and seven arrest warrants were issued, including for six Russian citizens.
The Ukrainian national volleyball team defeated the Netherlands with a score of 3:2, securing its place in the Nations League for the next season. This victory also allowed the team to continue fighting for a spot in the playoffs.
US President Donald Trump announced an agreement with NATO on arming Ukraine. Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, the Baltic states, the Netherlands, Canada, and Great Britain supported the initiative, while the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia refused.
Yulia Navalnaya called on the Italian authorities to cancel the concert of conductor Valery Gergiev, scheduled for July 2025 in Reggia di Caserta, due to his support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Gergiev, who supported the annexation of Crimea and the full-scale war, is under sanctions from Ukraine, Canada, and some EU countries.
The end of the duty-free trade agreement with the EU will cost Ukraine about 1 billion euros in losses. Denys Marchuk noted that the statements of some EU countries about the harm of Ukrainian agricultural products are often based on myths.
US President Donald Trump threatens to impose 30% tariffs on European goods from August 1, which, according to the EU's chief negotiator with the US, Maroš Šefčovič, will "practically ban" transatlantic trade. The EU has postponed the introduction of retaliatory tariffs on American goods until August 1 and is discussing further countermeasures.
The Ukrainian government concluded 200 agreements worth over 13 billion euros at the Recovery Conference in Rome. The funds will be directed towards strengthening air defense, restoring infrastructure, housing, medicine, and supporting IDPs.
This summer, a health and psychological camp for children from Ukraine took place in an Italian resort town. The "Save Childhood" camp became a safe space for psychological rehabilitation, emotional recovery, and full-fledged recreation.
As of early 2025, the EU population exceeded 450 million, an increase of 1. 07 million over the year. The growth is driven by migration after the COVID-19 pandemic, although the overall growth rate is slowing down.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced agreements on strengthening air defense and additional investments in weapons production following the Ukraine Recovery Conference. The event also became a platform for strengthening the Defense Forces and developing weapons production.
Ukraine hopes for new US sanctions against Russia and their synchronization with the 18th EU sanctions package. The goal is to force the Russian Federation to cease fire on all fronts.
Ukraine is negotiating the supply of Italian-French SAMP/T systems, which are capable of shooting down ballistic missiles. Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi said that Ukraine is actively working with partners to obtain these air defense systems.
Agreements to support Ukrainian hydropower were signed at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025. The European Investment Bank will provide a 200 million euro loan, while Italian and German companies will assist with infrastructure and specialist training.
In June 2025, solar energy accounted for 22. 1% of the EU's total electricity, surpassing nuclear energy and fossil fuels. The Netherlands and Greece became record-breakers, while dependence on coal sharply decreased.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the strengthening of defense cooperation with Ukraine and the encouragement of private investments for post-war reconstruction. At a conference in Rome, air defense and drone technologies were discussed, as well as the creation of a fund to mobilize private capital.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to discuss the situation on the battlefield and Ukraine's defense needs. The leaders also touched upon strengthening air defense and cooperation in arms production.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated his readiness for a third meeting with Russia only if leaders participate. The desired format is negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the USA at the highest level.
President Zelenskyy announced expectations of a decision regarding the 18th package of sanctions against Russia and the US's proximity to implementing them. Ukraine is also working on joint drone production with several countries, including Denmark and Germany.
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Italy signed a Declaration of Intent within the framework of the Tallinn Mechanism. Italy will allocate 1 million euros to strengthen Ukraine's cyber resilience and post-war recovery.
