Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a new round of peace talks with Russia amid escalating attacks on Ukrainian cities. The talks, set for next week, aim to break the deadlock following previous unsuccessful attempts in May and June. Zelenskyy emphasised the importance of direct, leader-level engagement to achieve a lasting peace. He also urged Western allies to impose stricter sanctions on Russia, while highlighting ongoing coordination with the U.S. President Trump warned of harsher measures if no agreement is reached within 50 days, as Russia continues its drone assaults.
IRAN, EUROPE MAY RESUME TALKS
Iran is considering a new round of nuclear talks with Britain, France, and Germany next week, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency. This comes after the E3 nations warned that failure to restart negotiations could trigger UN sanctions through the “snapback mechanism.” The talks follow heightened tensions after Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last month. Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian use, while Western powers demand curbs on uranium enrichment. If negotiations fail, Europe may push for sanctions before the UN deal protections expire in October 2025.
7.4 QUAKE SHAKES KAMCHATKA
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Sunday, prompting a tsunami warning from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre. The quake occurred 144 kilometres east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 20 kilometres. Two smaller tremors measuring 6.7 and 5.0 magnitudes hit the same region within 32 minutes, according to the US Geological Survey. Kamchatka is a highly active seismic zone due to tectonic plate convergence. Authorities have urged coastal residents to evacuate or stay away from the shore. So far, no major damage or casualties have been reported.
POLAND SEES ANTI-IMMIGRATION PROTESTS
Mass anti-immigration protests swept across Poland on July 19, with demonstrations held in over 80 cities, including Warsaw and Kraków. Organised by the far-right Confederation Liberty and Independence party, protesters demanded stricter border controls and called for the resignation of Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government. Demonstrators urged Poland to shut its borders with neighbouring countries to curb illegal migration. Counter-protests advocating refugee rights also took place in multiple cities. The marches highlight rising tensions in Poland over immigration, a key issue in recent elections. The government maintains it is pursuing a balanced policy focused on national security.
MOON SOIL COULD SUSTAIN LIFE
Scientists from the Chinese University of Hong Kong have developed a breakthrough technology that extracts water from lunar soil and converts it into oxygen and chemical fuel. Published in the journal Joule, the study suggests this innovation could significantly reduce the cost of sustaining human life on the Moon, where transporting a single gallon of water currently costs over $83,000. The method harnesses sunlight to generate heat, making the process energy-efficient. While challenges remain due to the Moon’s harsh environment, this research marks a major step towards enabling long-term human presence and deep space exploration.
