In 2024, the Ukrainian government plans to support small and medium-sized enterprises with 15,000 development grants, First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has announced. The programs include affordable lending, microgrants for business, and assistance in the production of agricultural machinery.
Three people, including two children, died in a fire in a private house in Solotvyno, Tyachiv district, Zakarpattia region. The cause of the fire is likely to be a violation of fire safety rules during the operation of stove heating.
Human rights groups have filed a lawsuit against the Dutch government for supplying spare parts for F-35 aircraft to Israel, accusing it of complicity in military violations in Gaza. The Dutch Ministry of Defense denies that the F-35s are associated with serious violations of humanitarian law.
Starting January 6, kindergartens for older preschool children will open at five metro stations in Kharkiv, an initiative of the city council aimed at continuing education in the face of constant shelling.
Due to significant losses, the Russian military is building a new hospital in occupied Crimea with 150 beds, but it will not be enough to treat the wounded. Local residents face limited access to medical care amid growing military needs.
A 400-year-old sculpture of the Sorrowful Christ, restored in Poland, has returned to Lviv and will be presented at a museum exhibition in January 2024.
Police in Kyiv's Obolon district detained a man who attacked a customer and brandished a gun in a restaurant. The police secured the scene and called investigators to clarify the situation.
The Ukrainian special forces unit "Kraken" is training intensively for night operations, striving for the element of surprise, as evidenced by the fighting in the Soledar sector.
China accused a U. S. warship of illegally entering disputed waters in the South China Sea near the Second Thomas Shoal, escalating regional tensions.
ISIS militants claimed responsibility for an explosion at a Catholic mass in Marawi City in the Philippines, killing four people and injuring dozens. The explosion occurred in a university gym during the service.
A suspect in the murder of a soldier who was stabbed 15 times and thrown into a pond has been arrested in Kyiv. The fatal clash occurred over a debt during a visit to collect documents.
The Netherlands has provided Ukraine with three modular field hospitals and six medical evacuation vehicles to strengthen the medical capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the conflict with Russia. The equipment has cold-resistant features, 36 beds with active ventilation and a dedicated medical staff unit.
In Zaporizhzhia, the SBU dismantled an illegal transportation channel used to transport collaborators and others between Russia and the occupied regions of Ukraine for USD 350 per trip. Three suspects related to this operation were charged under the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The European Gymnastics Federation has rejected a proposal to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to competition, despite the decision of the International Federation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland has launched an online course to teach the application of international sanctions, in particular against Russia, with the possibility of obtaining a certificate upon completion.
Archaeologists in Changzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, have discovered 40 ancient tombs, stilted buildings, and wells dating back to 4500-5500, shedding light on the transition from the Songjie to the Liangzhu culture.
Starting December 1, payments to IDPs in Ukraine will be automatically extended for six months for certain categories, including the disabled, children and those caring for young or seriously ill children, without the need to submit an additional application.
A platoon commander in Odesa region is suspected of illegally selling 20 tons of diesel fuel to his unit during the Russian invasion. He reimbursed the state over UAH 1.4 million and faces up to 8 years in prison.
Israel has resumed military operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, claiming that Hamas violated the ceasefire by not releasing all female hostages and firing rockets at Israel. The IDF's goal is the complete destruction of Hamas.
ATES reported on intelligence from the headquarters of Russia's 810th Separate Marine Brigade in Sevastopol, Crimea, noting high levels of security and activity, as well as difficulties with troop rotation and internal discontent among personnel.
Hamas claimed responsibility for the shooting in Jerusalem that killed three people and injured six others, which was carried out by two brothers associated with the group. The attack was a response to Israel's actions in Gaza.
The National Agency for the Prevention of corruption has added Belgian gas operator Fluxys to the list of war sponsors for facilitating the export of Russian liquefied natural gas. Fluxys makes a profit from transshipment at its terminal in Zeebrugge, which is a contribution to the Russian military budget, including to finance military assets used against Ukraine.
Belarus has opened a consulate in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, whose jurisdiction extends to Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories such as Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions.
The Finnish border closure increased traffic on the Estonian-Russian border by 25%, and the number of crossings increased from 4,000 to 5,000 daily. Estonia is ready for a potential influx of migrants amid concerns about a Russian hybrid attack.
First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenskaya was included in the Financial Times list of the 25 Most Influential Women in the world for her honesty and resilience during the war. Estonian prime minister Kaya Kallas highly appreciated Olena Zelenskaya's efforts to address the mental health problems of Ukrainians in the context of the conflict.
Germany has stepped up security measures at Christmas markets due to the increased terrorist threat caused by events in the Middle East, including the detention of two teenagers who planned the attack. The major cities of Frankfurt and Stuttgart have taken unprecedented measures, such as metal fences and heavy-duty poles.
Sergey Lavrov arrived in North Macedonia for an OSCE meeting via Greece after Bulgaria closed its airspace to his plane due to Russian press secretary Maria Zakharova on board. Several countries, including Ukraine and the three Baltic states, will not attend the meeting due to the permission of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to participate.
Russian security forces detained Abdul Gafarov, the head of the Alushta Muslim community in occupied Crimea, after a search of his home. Gafarov's arrest followed previous detentions of community members.
A Ukrainian delegation of emergency medical specialists led by Deputy Health Minister Ihor Kuzin visited Japan to learn from its disaster response system to improve Ukraine's preparedness, especially in the face of military challenges.
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