UN calls for rescue of 185 Rohingya refugees at sea; critical condition reported, one dead.
Ukraine's Defense Minister Umerov said that although full demobilization will take place only after the war, a system of partial retirement for long-serving military personnel is being developed.
Christoph Heusgen, chairman of the Munich Security Conference, warns that Germany should prepare for a Cold War-like situation and be ready for a potential conflict.
Ukraine has experienced a significant boost in its book industry: book circulation has increased by 203%, and 270 new publishing entities were added to the State Register in 2023.
Ukraine's national football team will play its first "home" match in 2024 in Wroclaw, Poland, due to the impossibility of holding matches in Ukraine amid the war with Russia.
The European Space Agency and IENAI Space presented the innovative ATHENA ion-liquid electric propulsion system, which has operated for more than 400 hours continuously, a new achievement in European practice.
Japanese scientists have created the Dragon Firefighter, a flying firefighting robot designed to fight fires that may be too dangerous for humans. The results of the study are published in the journal Frontiers in Robotics and AI.
The Pentagon's commitment to allocate the remaining $1 billion for Ukraine's defense includes support from Congress for additional funds, with a focus on urgent weapons needs. Pentagon spokesman Ryder said that support for Ukraine also helps to replenish U.S. defense stockpiles.
Between November and December 2023, the Ukrainian Armed Forces implemented seven more NATO standards, focusing on areas such as naval communications and fuel quality, bringing the total to 301 standards integrated into NATO interoperability.
The Czech government has declared December 23 a day of national mourning for the victims of the shooting at Charles University, where 14 people were killed by a student who also died. Citizens are urged to honor the memory of the victims with a minute of silence.
Apple stops selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the United States due to the ITC's decision to infringe a patent for blood oxygen measurement technology owned by Masimo. The ban is under review by the president until December 25.
Toyota is recalling more than a million vehicles worldwide due to a defect that could prevent airbags from deploying. The sensors will be replaced free of charge.
Due to threats from Yemen's Houthi rebels, companies are rerouting shipments to avoid the Red Sea and Suez Canal, leading to delays and potential shortages for companies such as IKEA and Volvo.
Ukraine has received another 5,000 Starlink terminals from Poland, some of which are intended for communication on the front line and for use at critical infrastructure facilities. This brings Poland's contribution to 19.5 thousand units in Ukraine.
Polish President Andrzej Duda criticizes the government's reform of state media for violating constitutional principles and disregarding the legal order. The President calls on Prime Minister Tusk to respect Polish law when implementing the changes.
Ukrainian border guards prevented an attempt to smuggle about a hundred coins and several antique jewelry items to Poland, seizing the items of potential historical value for investigation.
Congressman Mike Quigley expressed confidence that aid to Ukraine will likely be approved in mid-January 2024, emphasizing that there is a contingency plan in case of delays, as it is very important to prevent further aggression by authoritarian states.
Russian troops intensified their attacks on Bilohorivka, using artillery, mortars and occasional aircraft, with Ukrainian defenders repelling 13 assaults. Meanwhile, miners in the 'Luhansk people's republic' face unpaid salaries and job losses.
Donald Trump has asked the U. S. Supreme Court not to expedite his claim for immunity from prosecution for actions related to his attempt to cancel the 2020 election, offering a more balanced approach.
The Council of Permanent Representatives of the EU member states has approved the Cyber Solidarity Act, aimed at strengthening EU cooperation, awareness and response to digital security threats and incidents. It introduces a "European Cyber Shield" to identify threats and a mechanism for handling cybersecurity incidents.
Stormy winds of up to 150 km/h caused a Boeing 737-700 to overturn and collide with a ramp at Buenos Aires airport, damaging the aircraft and disrupting the flight schedule. No injuries were reported.
Andrei Finkevich attempted self-immolation outside a police station in Demyansk, Russia, but was stopped by police and was not injured. His motives remain unknown. The man is reportedly a citizen of Ukraine.
Three officers were sentenced to 5 years with a probationary period of one year for creating a "scheme" to sell excess fuel at the Yavoriv training ground at inflated rates. The defendants in the case pleaded guilty and reimbursed the military for the stolen 6.2 thousand liters of fuel.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry welcomed the UN resolution on human rights violations in all Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, which calls on Russia to stop its aggression and withdraw its troops. The resolution condemns Russia's human rights violations and demands an end to the deportation of children.
Thousands of people protested in Slovakia against the plans of the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico to amend the criminal code, in particular, to abolish the special prosecutor's office for investigating serious crimes. The EU expressed concern that these changes could undermine the rule of law.
North Korea's recent test of an intercontinental ballistic missile led to a clash with the United States and its allies at a UN Security Council meeting, with the DPRK calling it a defense against threats. The United States and allies condemned the launch, which violates UN resolutions, and called on Pyongyang to end its nuclear program.
Members of the Group of Seven are discussing the use of $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine, which is also fraught with legal and financial risks. The United States proposes to distribute these funds through international institutions, while legal experts warn against the precedent this could set.
A strong earthquake in northwestern China has killed at least 131 people, with many more trapped under rubble in freezing temperatures. The earthquake hit the Gansu and Qinghai provinces, damaging thousands of homes.
Israel and Hamas negotiate a second truce. Hamas leader visits Egypt for talks; Israel offers one-week truce to free hostages.
A French court has upheld the sale of a rare African mask for 4. 2 million euros, which an elderly couple sold for 150 euros, citing that the couple did not exercise due diligence in evaluating the artifact.
