The French Parliament has passed a special law for the functioning of the state without a budget for 2025. The document will allow to continue financing on the principles of the 2024 budget until a new budget is adopted.
The son of Elizabeth II was asked not to attend the Christmas celebration in Sandringham because of the scandal with the Chinese businessman spy. Prince Andrew has maintained a close relationship with Chris Young for years.
The Polish Foreign Minister said that Russia, not Ukraine, should be forced to negotiate peace. He called on the EU and the US to help Ukraine achieve a better negotiating position.
The official set up a charitable foundation in Belgium and raised funds allegedly for Ukrainian equestrian sport. Out of 790 thousand euros of donations, he appropriated 4 million hryvnias for his own needs.
In the occupied Kherson region, Russians created the first “youth parliament” of 20 local teenagers. The goal of the project is to involve young people in collaborationism through Kremlin youth movements.
In Madison, Wisconsin, a teenager opened fire in a private Christian school. A teacher and a high school student were killed, and six other people were injured.
Zelenskyy reported on Russia's attempts to hide the presence of DPRK soldiers in Ukraine by burning their faces after their deaths. Previously, the occupiers forbade them to show their faces during training.
Chrystia Freeland resigns as Canada's finance minister due to disagreements with the prime minister over a possible “tariff war” with the United States. Trudeau offered her another position, but she decided to leave the government.
UZ launches the Polar Express on the children's railway in Kyiv on December 21. Trains will run until February 2 on a special schedule on holidays and weekends.
The UK and 11 European countries have agreed to take joint action against Russian ships trying to circumvent sanctions. The participating countries will check the documents of suspicious ships in key sea straits.
Sucheer Balaji, 26, who recently left OpenAI over copyright concerns, has been found dead in his apartment. Police confirmed the suicide and his family has been notified.
Border guards of the “Revenge” brigade repelled a large-scale enemy attack near Siversk. As a result of the battle, the enemy lost 14 soldiers killed and 12 wounded.
“Ukrzaliznytsia is launching additional flights to six popular destinations during the Christmas and New Year holidays of 2024-2025. The new routes will connect Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Truskavets, Chernivtsi, and Uzhhorod.
Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder confirms DPRK military losses in the fighting in the Kursk region of Russia. The exact number of dead and wounded North Koreans is currently unknown.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responded to a statement by a Belarusian official about claims to participate in peace talks on Ukraine. The ministry recalled Belarus' complicity in the aggression and pointed to the possibility of bringing it to justice.
Over the last day, 226 combat engagements took place in various sectors of the frontline. The situation was the most intense in the Pokrovsk sector, where the enemy tried to break through the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defenses 46 times, losing over 320 occupants.
South Korea's Constitutional Court has begun hearings on the impeachment of President Yun Seok-yol after he imposed martial law. The court has 180 days to make a decision, and the president is currently suspended from power.
Over the past 24 hours, the Russian army lost 1,070 soldiers, 12 tanks and 23 artillery systems. Russia's total losses since the beginning of the war have reached 763,510 troops and more than 9,500 tanks.
No Russian warships have been spotted in the Black and Azov Seas. There are 7 Russian ships in the Mediterranean, 4 of which are carrying Kalibrs.
Cloudy weather with sleet and rain is expected in Ukraine on December 16. The temperature will be -5°C to +9°C, with wind gusts of up to 28 m/s in the western, northern and central regions.
Future Trump adviser Mike Volz said he was ready to consider Orban's peace proposals for Ukraine. Volz emphasized Trump's desire to end the war, but refused to comment on the details of future policy.
The Israeli Air Force carried out large-scale strikes on military targets in Syria's Tartus and Latakia. Air defense bases, surface-to-surface missile depots, and other military facilities near the Russian naval base were attacked.
Algeria's Foreign Ministry summoned the French ambassador over allegations of destabilizing actions by France. Algeria accused the French intelligence agency DGSE of conducting hostile operations against state institutions.
The German SPD will include in its election program a clause refusing to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles. The party supports the chancellor's decision and promises to continue to assist Ukraine in other ways.
The Czech Interior Minister reported a decrease in the number of applications for temporary protection from Ukrainians from 2000 to 1700 per week. The country supports internal migration in Ukraine from the eastern regions to the western ones.
In the occupied territories, Russians are calling bank debtors with a proposal to write off their debts in exchange for a contract with the Russian army. The number of people willing to sign a contract remains critically low.
Due to communication problems between Russian and North Korean troops, there are cases of friendly fire. In the Kursk region, 200 people were killed as a result of ineffective coordination and attacks by Ukrainian drones.
Ukrainian defense forces regained control of positions in Kolesnykivka in Kharkiv region. At the same time, Russian troops made progress in several areas of Donetsk region.
Four French diplomats will travel to Syria on December 17 to establish their first contacts with the new government. The mission aims to restore French influence and assess the humanitarian needs of the population.
Syrian Christians held their first Sunday services after the overthrow of the Assad regime. The new Islamist government has promised to protect the rights of religious minorities, although Christians remain concerned.
