Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in the Kremlin with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. According to presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, the discussion was constructive, but “a great deal of work” is still required to advance toward peace.

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, discovered this summer, might not be just an ancient cosmic object, but a “courier” delivering research probes to Jupiter. This hypothesis was proposed by Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb.

Hopes of approving an EU reparations loan for Ukraine collapsed after Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever reiterated his opposition to using frozen Russian assets, calling the idea “fundamentally wrong” and urging the EU to instead raise €45 billion in joint debt.

A powerful flood in Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla has left 13 people dead and flooded all 16 districts, affecting around 2 million residents.

The negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement held in Geneva have become the most productive during the entire Trump administration, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. According to him, Washington has significantly improved its understanding of the priorities and “red lines” of all sides involved in the conflict over the past ten months.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Kyiv remains committed to its long-standing position — pursuing a “dignified peace” — and will not take any actions that could undermine the international diplomatic process. He announced this in a video address posted on Telegram.

Donald Trump and New York’s mayor-elect Zohra Mamdani will hold their first meeting this Friday at the White House — a significant encounter given the sharp political confrontation between them during the election campaign.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that recent statements by European politicians about preparing for a possible war indicate that Brussels is “openly developing military plans.” The Hungarian government announced a support package for small businesses amid growing tensions.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has announced that Budapest will sue the European Union over its decision to phase out Russian natural gas, calling the measure “clearly illegal” and contrary to European values.

Allies of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are reportedly working to prevent a brewing internal crisis within the Labour Party. According to Bloomberg, senior party members may move to replace him in the coming weeks.

A migrant boat carrying refugees from Myanmar has sunk off the coast of Malaysia near the Thai border, Reuters reports. At least 11 people have been confirmed dead, several rescued, and hundreds remain missing.

Ankara is considering taking part in an international stabilization mission in the Gaza Strip, Turkiye Gazetesi reported, citing sources within Turkey’s security agencies. The country is reportedly preparing to send military observers, rescue teams, and engineering-sapper units.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared his readiness to take part in the planned meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Budapest. In an interview with NBC News, Zelensky said that a fair and lasting peace can only be achieved with the participation of both sides of the conflict.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has signed a historic decree simplifying employment rules for citizens of Turkic countries. The document, published in the official gazette Resmî Gazete, has entered into force.

Kyrgyz authorities are discussing the possibility of relocating the nation’s capital from Bishkek to the city of Manas, according to Kamchybek Tashiev, head of the State Committee for National Security and Deputy Prime Minister.

Hamas has officially denied media reports claiming the movement was ready to hand over its weapons to a body under international supervision. The group said the information was false and did not represent its position.

Elon Musk has lost his title as the world’s richest person to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison.

Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has officially confirmed his intention to participate in the Iranian presidential election, which will be held in November 2025. According to him, he has already gathered the required number of votes to register as a candidate.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has detected a tiny new moon orbiting Uranus, just 10 kilometers wide. The celestial body had gone unnoticed until now due to its faint glow and small size.

The presidents of Russia and the United States, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, will meet on August 15 in Anchorage, Alaska, at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base. The central topic will be resolving the Ukraine crisis.