July 18, 2024. International news round-up / last 24 hours

International news is focusing on the impact of the conflict in Ukraine and the debate in the West about whether to support Kiev and/or force a negotiation process with Russia. Regional conflicts such as that in the Middle East and attacks by Houthi militias on ships transiting the Red Sea are also high on the international political agenda. The picture of the international scene is completed by the latest domestic dynamics in France, the UK and especially the US, where the Republican Convention is the central event.

The war in Ukraine

• The intensification of the arms race between the US and Russia increases the possibility of conflict between the two states in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.
• International analysts discuss significant losses of Russian tanks in Ukraine, including the destruction of more than 100 T-90 tanks, amid the massive depletion of the arsenal of weapons inherited from the Soviet era.
• Jordan Bardella voted against a European Parliament resolution supporting Ukraine.
• Russia imposed restrictions in the Belgorod region following Ukrainian shelling.

Gaza Strip conflict

• Israel has launched new attacks in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of several people, including in "safe areas."
• The fears of a conflict between Israel and Hezbollah remain high.
• Members of the Hamas movement are putting pressure on the leadership to conclude a ceasefire agreement with Israel.

France

• President Emmanuel Macron has accepted the resignation of the Attal government after his own party's electoral defeat in early elections.
• The political left in France remains fragmented and unable to agree on a new candidate for prime minister.

UK-EU relations

• King Charles III presented the new British Labour government's program to Parliament, which emphasizes improving relations between the UK and the EU.
• The intention of the United Kingdom to form closer trade ties with the EU was reiterated by British representatives at the fourth meeting of the European Political Community.

US policy

• J.D. Vance has formally become the Republican Party's nominee for Vice President of the United States. In his speech accepting the nomination, Vance criticized the policies imposed by past US administrations and promised to enact measures to improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
• Donald Trump is calling on Taiwanto "pay" the US for defending itself against China, comparing the US military to an insurance company.
• Trump's comments <privating international military support have driven down the share price of major chipmakers such as Nvidia.

Other topics

• The Phenyan regime has been criticized internationally for executing teenagers accused of watching romantic dramas produced in South Korea.

• A drunken driver crashed his car into a cafe in Paris, causing one death and injuring several others.
• Six people were found dead from cyanide poisoning at a luxury hotel in Bangkok.
• A huge oil slick has formed off the coast of Yemen following attacks by Houthi militias on an oil tanker, causing an environmental disaster.

Top entities mentioned

1. Russia
2. US
3. Ukraine
4. Israel
5. European Union

*****Syndicated using a monitoring feed provided by NewsVibe Romania. The top international topics are identified from the automated monitoring of impactful media sources in Romania, as well as from the tracking of foreign policy topics in mainstream media sources and the pages of the main influencers. The analysis, data and images presented were enhanced with the help of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence tools.