In this digest, you will learn about the latest news in Ukraine, key events shaping the world order, and the support provided by international partners to strengthen Ukraine’s economy and defense capabilities. We will tell you about global and local events that are changing the world and affecting our future.
33 organizations and 12 people: Japan extends sanctions against Russia for war in Ukraine
Japan has adopted new sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine. The assets of 33 organizations and 12 people, including a North Korean citizen, will be frozen, the Japanese Foreign Ministry reports.
The list includes, among others, the head of Rostec, Vladimir Artyakov, and the CEO of Russia’s largest diamond mining company, Alrosa, Pavel Marynychev, as well as North Korean citizen Rim Yong-hyok, who is associated with the country’s main arms trading company, KOMID.
Another 53 organizations from different countries, including Russia, China, Turkey, the UAE, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Thailand, were subject to export bans and other measures. These are mostly manufacturers and suppliers of the military-industrial complex.
Ukraine receives €3 billion from the EU at the expense of frozen Russian assets
The state budget of Ukraine has received €3 billion from the European Union under the ERA initiative, a financial mechanism worth up to €45 billion. The money is being transferred as a loan, but it will be repaid at the expense of future profits from the frozen assets of the Russian Federation.
This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Head of European Diplomacy Kaja Kallas.
This is the first tranche from the European Union to be secured by the proceeds of Russia’s frozen assets. Ukraine will use the money for priority budget expenditures.
Russia started this war, so it must pay for it… This will support the Ukrainian economy and free up Ukrainian money for defense, – Kaja Kallas emphasized.
The planet warmed by a record 1.5 °C in 2024
In 2024, climate change caused the annual global temperature to exceed the internationally agreed target of 1.5 °C for the first time. The average temperature last year was 1.6 °C higher than pre-industrial levels.
This is according to the data of the European Union’s Copernicus climate service.
Copernicus data show that on July 10, 2024, a record 44% of the planet suffered from heat stress – from severe to extreme, and July 22 was the hottest day in history. Every year of the last decade has been one of the 10 hottest. Observations have been kept since 1850.
These high global temperatures, combined with record global levels of water vapor in the atmosphere in 2024, caused unprecedented heat and heavy rainfall, affecting millions of people, – said Copernicus Deputy Director Samantha Burgess.
Floods in Valencia, hurricanes in the United States, typhoons in the Philippines, and drought in the Amazon are just four of last year’s disasters that were exacerbated by climate change.
10 dead: death toll rises in Los Angeles due to large-scale wildfires
Five major wildfires are burning in Los Angeles County, California, USA, killing at least 10 people. About 10,000 buildings have been burned to the ground.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna says that many of the affected areas are dangerous to approach, so the number of deaths is still unknown. The final figure, in his opinion, “will change dramatically”.
Firefighters continue to battle the blaze, which is spreading rapidly due to dry weather and strong winds. Meanwhile, police are fighting looters. Soldiers of the California National Guard are helping law enforcement to maintain public order.
Canada to provide $300 million in military aid to Ukraine
At a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine’s Defense (Ramstein), Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair announced that his country would allocate about $303 million in military aid to Ukraine. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Canada.
This assistance includes a $132 million contribution to the Czech Republic’s initiative to purchase and deliver large-caliber ammunition to Ukraine. Another $33 million will be spent on the purchase of shells of various calibers from Canadian industry.
The “Danish format” of support will receive $66 million in direct funding for the production of weapons and equipment in Ukraine, namely support for the production of drones.
The rest of the money will be used to buy winter gear, including sleeping bags, winter boots, etc.
The announced contribution is part of the $362 million in aid to Ukraine announced by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the NATO summit in July.
