Russia is recruiting youth from Africa, Asia, and Latin America to produce attack drones in the Alabuga special economic zone. They are promised high salaries but are forced to assemble drones used for strikes against Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy informed South African President Ramaphosa about diplomatic efforts and meetings in Washington. They discussed possibilities for joint work with the African continent to develop relations and food security.
The South African government has launched an investigation into the recruitment of local women by Russian companies under the guise of high-paying jobs. There are suspicions that they are being sent to factories producing kamikaze drones.
Vladimir Putin is holding numerous telephone conversations with world leaders. This is happening against the backdrop of Donald Trump's meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.
Contacts with leaders of other countries and ways to end the Russian-Ukrainian war were discussed.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed with Putin the latest developments regarding Ukraine and reaffirmed commitment to deepening strategic partnership. Modi expects to meet Putin in India later this year.
First Lady Olena Zelenska and Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha met with the Rector of Kobe Gakuin University in Japan. The institution joined the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, becoming the first participant from Japan in this initiative.
The number of companies and organizations compromised by the security vulnerability on Microsoft SharePoint servers has grown to 400. Most of the victims are in the US, including the National Nuclear Security Administration.
On July 21, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed new ambassadors to a number of countries and international organizations. Among the appointments are ambassadors to Kenya, Kuwait, Spain, Oman, Canada, Mexico, Cyprus, Malaysia, Belgium, Japan, Angola, Estonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, UAE, Algeria, and South Africa.
G20 finance ministers in Durban signed a statement on the importance of central bank independence. This happened amid Donald Trump's criticism of US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
July 18 marks Perfect Family Day, World Listening Day, Tetris Birthday, International Nelson Mandela Day, and commemorates the holy martyrs Hyacinth and Emilian. On this day in 1985, "Tetris" first went beyond the USSR, and the UN proclaimed July 18 International Nelson Mandela Day.
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.
20-year-old Paige Bell was found dead on the superyacht Far From It in the Bahamas. A 39-year-old Mexican national has been charged with murder; he was found next to the body with injuries.
Brent and WTI crude futures fell after rising to two-week highs. Investors are awaiting new developments regarding Trump's tariffs and the increase in US crude oil inventories.
Gold prices stabilized after rising due to Trump's tariff threats, which stimulated demand for safe-haven assets. A stronger dollar limited further gains in metal prices.
US President Donald Trump informed the leaders of Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar, and South Africa about the introduction of new import duties. The size of the duties ranges from 25% to 40%, and companies can avoid them by moving production to the US.
BRICS countries reacted to Donald Trump's threats to impose 10% tariffs on countries that join "anti-American policies. " South Africa and China deny anti-American sentiments, and Malaysia joins BRICS, emphasizing an independent foreign policy.
Donald Trump announced the introduction of an additional 10% tariffs on countries that join BRICS' "anti-American policies. " This announcement came amid the BRICS summit in Brazil, where the group criticized US tariff policies.
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping will not attend the BRICS summit in Brazil on July 6, indicating a loss of interest in the organization. Putin has an arrest warrant from the ICC, and Xi Jinping allegedly has a "scheduling conflict."
The BRICS summit on July 6-7 in Rio de Janeiro will discuss the settlement of the situation in Ukraine. Russian President Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will not participate in the event.
On Thursday, Zimbabwe experienced a massive nationwide power outage due to a system failure that led to a loss of production at two power plants. Electricity imports from South Africa, Zambia, and Mozambique were also interrupted.
From July 1, Ukrainians abroad can submit documents for notarial acts online through the "e-Consul" system. This innovation simplifies the process, allowing citizens to upload necessary data and certificates without a physical visit to diplomatic missions until the last step.
American billionaire Elon Musk is threatening to create his own political party if the Republican Party's tax and spending bill is passed. US President Donald Trump, in response, hinted to Musk that he should "return to South Africa" due to his criticism of the bill.
Starlink plans to invest approximately $112. 7 million in South African infrastructure to support the 16 countries of the Southern African Development Community. The company aims to conclude an agreement with South African authorities before the G20 summit in November, using local firms for construction.
Former England captain David Beckham was hospitalised due to "unbearable" wrist pain. He underwent surgery to remove a screw implanted 22 years ago. The injury occurred in 2003 during a football match.
The wealth of the world's 3,000 billionaires has grown by $6. 5 trillion in a decade, equivalent to 14.6% of global production. The richest 1% earned $33.9 trillion, which could overcome global poverty 22 times.
Vladimir Putin will not participate in the BRICS summit in Brazil, citing the International Criminal Court warrant. This is the second time Putin has avoided international meetings due to the ICC warrant.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a visit of foreign diplomats to the site of the Russian strike on a building in Kyiv. Representatives of more than 60 missions saw the consequences of Russian terror in Ukraine.
Today is celebrated Sewing Machine Day, International Axe Throwing Day, World Softball Day, the Day of Liberation of Mariupol, and International Albinism Awareness Day.
In South Africa, a minibus with schoolchildren was washed away by a flood. Three children were rescued, but the search for others continues. Heavy snowfalls and storms have led to numerous casualties and power outages.
