Julia Shramko
The NBU forecasts that Ukraine's real GDP will grow by 4% in 2024. In 2025-2026, the economy is expected to grow further by 4.3-4.6%, driven by international financing and external demand.
The National Bank of Ukraine expects inflation to rise to 9. 7% by the end of 2024. It is forecast to decline to 6.9% in 2025 and reach the 5% target in 2026.
The NBU expects moderate fluctuations in the exchange rate in both directions within the framework of managed flexibility.
The National Bank of Ukraine has kept its key policy rate at 13%. The regulator plans to keep the rate at least until the summer of 2025 to control inflation and bring it back to the 5% target.
The Verkhovna Rada has adopted in the first reading the draft state budget for 2025 with expenditures of over UAH 3. 6 trillion. Security and defense remain the top priority with funding of UAH 2.2 trillion.
The President signed a law allowing plea bargaining in corruption cases. The document provides for a reduced sentence in exchange for the disclosure of accomplices and compensation for damages.
In Ivano-Frankivsk, three children aged 4, 12, and 13 were poisoned by carbon monoxide due to a malfunctioning stove. All of the victims were hospitalized, and rescuers are reminding them of the rules for safe use of stoves.
In 2023, 178 criminal cases of animal cruelty were opened, which is more than last year. Since 2015, a total of 1599 such proceedings have been recorded.
On November 1, from 9:00 a. m. to 3:00 p.m., the checkpoint “Uzhhorod-Vysne Nemecke” will suspend the clearance of freight transport. The reason is the update of the server software on the Slovak side.
The Odesa MSEC exposed a scheme to issue fictitious disability certificates to evade mobilization. The organizer of the scheme, who involved 12 doctors, faces up to 10 years in prison, and the court set bail at UAH 10 million.
The new Great Seal of Australia no longer contains a mention of the monarch, breaking a 120-year tradition. The change in design drew criticism from the opposition for “hidden republicanism.
North Korea has tested an intercontinental ballistic missile with a record altitude of more than 7,000 km. The launch took place against the backdrop of the DPRK's cooperation with Russia and the possible deployment of North Korean troops in Ukraine.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Syrskyi spoke with US General Cavoli about the heavy fighting at the front. The parties discussed strengthening support for Ukraine and responding to Russia's involvement of the DPRK military.
Electricity consumption in Ukraine is in line with seasonal trends, but there is a shortage during peak hours. The power system is stable, with imports from 5 countries totaling 9,542 MWh.
The President of Ukraine has launched regional discussions on an internal Strengthening Plan to complement the Victory Plan.
China imposed sanctions on Skydio, banning the supply of critical components and batteries. The company is looking for new suppliers and has asked the Biden administration for help.
A Category 4 typhoon with a diameter of 500 km and wind speeds of 33 km/h hit the east coast of Taiwan. The authorities closed schools and businesses, and the army prepared 36,000 soldiers for possible rescue operations.
At night, Russian drones attacked Kyiv, all targets were shot down by air defense forces. Damage to residential buildings, administrative buildings and power lines was reported, with no casualties.
Russian shelling of Kharkiv destroyed the entrance of a residential building, killing a child and injuring 35 people. Rescuers are clearing the rubble in search of a 15-year-old boy who has not been in touch.
There were 145 combat engagements in the frontline, with 41 attacks in the Kurakhove sector. The enemy carried out 83 air strikes and fired 5,049 times, using 1,618 kamikaze drones.
Cloudy weather with clearings and localized rains is expected in Ukraine. The temperature at night will be 1-10° Celsius, during the day 8-17° Celsius, with westerly and northwesterly winds gusting up to 18 m/s.
The European Commission has approved the annual Enlargement Package assessing Ukraine's progress towards the EU. Provided all requirements are met, negotiations on clusters could begin in 2025.
Former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö recommends that the EU create its own intelligence service. The proposal is part of a review of the bloc's war and crisis preparedness presented to Ursula von der Leyen.
Flooding in eastern Spain has killed at least 63 people. This is the highest number of flood victims in Europe since 2021, when 185 people died in Germany.
Google has introduced the third part of the Magic Cat Academy series, where Momo the black cat fights ghosts in the sky. This is a sequel to the popular Halloween Doodle games of 2016 and 2020.
In Kyiv, the speed limit was changed from 80 km/h to 50 km/h in 8 sections. In Dnipro, the speed limit has been changed from 70 km/h to 50 km/h in 7 sections.
Domestic gas production increases the stability of the heating season and reduces dependence on global markets. The Deputy Minister of Energy announced Ukraine's prospects of becoming a gas hub in Eastern Europe.
The Ombudsman's Office is launching a survey for Ukrainians living abroad. The goal is to study the problems of migrants and the conditions for their return home; the survey will run until December 2024.
The government has approved a plan to join the European Network of Employment Services (EURES). Ukraine points to the need to study the classification of occupations, the role of intermediaries, and the coverage of students for effective integration.
The head of the National Security and Defense Council's Center for Countering Disinformation reported on the growing concern of the Global South over the DPRK military's involvement in Ukraine. China mostly ignores this topic.