Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk met with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican. They discussed the return of Ukrainian children illegally taken to Russia, and the release of prisoners of war and civilians.
The electricity situation in Ukraine differs due to the destruction of energy infrastructure and limited network capacity. The west has more electricity, while the center, south, and east suffer from a deficit.
The UK Ministry of Defence has established a new Military Intelligence Service (MIS) that will integrate all of the country's intelligence units. This will accelerate data collection and exchange to counter growing threats.
Polish border guards discovered a tunnel under the border with Belarus, through which 180 illegal migrants entered Poland. Over 130 people, mostly from Afghanistan and Pakistan, have been detained.
This week, wholesale prices for greenhouse cucumbers are falling in Ukraine due to low demand, which is unusual for December. Currently, cucumbers cost 90-120 UAH/kg, which is 10% cheaper than last week.
The state agency PlayCity fined blogger Anna Alkhim UAH 4. 8 million for illegal casino advertising in Instagram stories. This is part of a campaign in which 14 bloggers, websites, and media outlets have been fined UAH 67.2 million in six months.
Reddit has filed a lawsuit with Australia's highest court, seeking to overturn a ban on social media access for individuals under 16. The company believes the ban violates constitutional freedom of political communication and could hinder political discourse among young people.
From December 14, Ukrzaliznytsia introduces a new train schedule, including regional, suburban, and urban routes. The company is expanding its travel network by launching new regional routes in the west of the country and resuming the Kyiv ring electric train service.
The Chernihiv Regional Prosecutor's Office will appeal the court's decision on bail for the policewoman who was driving a service car during a fatal road accident. Prosecutors insist on arrest without the right to post bail.
The Board of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine recognized as justified the possibility of safe operation of ISF-1 at the Chornobyl NPP until December 31, 2034. This decision was made based on the results of the state examination of nuclear and radiation safety.
A study has found genetic changes in Greenlandic polar bears that allow them to adapt to warm conditions. This offers hope for the species' survival but does not negate the threat of extinction due to global warming.
Thailand's prime minister has dissolved parliament three months after taking office, paving the way for a general election early next year. The move comes amid new deadly clashes between Thailand and Cambodia.
In November 2025, Ukraine's GDP grew by 5. 3%, exceeding October's 2.3% and Russia's 1.6% GDP growth. The main drivers were agriculture, trade, construction, and processing industry.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki stated that he was unaware of the transfer of Polish MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine. He suggested that there was a misunderstanding and plans to discuss the issue with the Minister of Defense.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov has announced his intention to resign after a wave of protests, intensifying political chaos ahead of the country's entry into the eurozone. This decision will not affect Bulgaria's entry into the eurozone on January 1.
Deputy Head of the Central Election Commission Serhiy Dubovyk said that Ukraine needs six months to prepare for free and safe elections. This is due to the large number of refugees, damaged infrastructure, and military personnel at the front.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban fully supported the US criticism of the EU, calling it the most important document of recent years. He noted that Americans see Europe's economic dead end and civilizational crisis.
Ukrainian meteorologists from the Akademik Vernadsky station recorded that this year the water temperature never dropped below freezing point, which is the first time since 2002. This indicates warming in Antarctica, as the number of days with temperatures below -1.8°C has significantly decreased.
Italian brand Prada will create 2,000 pairs of sandals in India, inspired by traditional footwear, following criticism. Each pair will retail for approximately $930, combining Indian craftsmanship and Italian technology.
The Georgian Parliament has fast-tracked a bill that tightens the rules for holding protest actions. The new law requires notifying the Ministry of Internal Affairs five days in advance of holding a rally in crowded places.
A resident of Zaporizhzhia, accused of spreading criminal influence and extorting money in a pre-trial detention center, was extradited from Moldova to Ukraine. He had been hiding abroad for several years after being notified of suspicion in July 2023.
In November, the Ukrainian car fleet was replenished with over 11,000 electric vehicles, which is almost three times more than last year. Among them, 10,766 were passenger cars, of which 3,172 were new and 7,594 were used.
Analysis of skeletal remains from England before and during the Roman occupation confirms that the health of the population deteriorated during Roman rule, but only in urban centers. This indicates the preservation of pre-Roman traditions in the rural areas of Roman Britain.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado made her first public appearance in Norway in 11 months after her daughter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. Machado fled Venezuela via Curaçao to attend the ceremony in Oslo.
ECB President Christine Lagarde stated that the new EU proposal on using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine is the most compliant with international law. EU leaders are discussing the involvement of 210 billion euros of Russian sovereign assets frozen in Europe.
Over the past 30 years, the depth of seasonal thawing of permafrost in Russia has increased from 45 to 70 cm, threatening 1260 km of gas pipelines and thousands of kilometers of roads. More than 40% of buildings in the permafrost zone are already deformed, and by 2050, the population of these territories will decrease by 61%.
US sanctions against Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft, which came into force on November 21, could cause a structural reorganization of the global oil sector. This will lead to the forced sale of assets and the redistribution of ownership of fields and refineries around the world.
In Chernihiv region, a Mitsubishi Outlander police car hit two pedestrians, as a result of which a child died and a woman was injured. The National Police launched an official investigation, and the police officers were suspended from duty.
Donald Trump announced that he successfully passed his third cognitive test with "flying colors," commenting on discussions about his age and mental faculties. He claims that few people pass this exam so well.
In Kyiv region, a man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for systematic sexual violence against two underage girls and creating child pornography. The accused, who is on the wanted list, was the godfather of one of the victims, and the girls' father also participated in the crimes.
