Stepan Haftko
Russia has almost doubled its exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Central Asia and Afghanistan, reaching 1. 016 million metric tons from January to November 2025. This happened after the EU imposed restrictions on the import of Russian propane and butane in December 2024.
In Kajiado County, Kenya, four people have died from elephant attacks in a week, sparking protests. Experts attribute this to a severe shortage of vegetation and water in the region.
In his New Year's address, Putin thanked Kim Jong Un for the participation of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine. He emphasized strengthening ties and further cooperation between the countries.
Putin claims that Moscow is discussing joint management of the ZNPP with the United States. He also stated that the American side is interested in cryptocurrency mining at the plant and supplying electricity to the territory controlled by Ukraine.
During December 25, 115 combat engagements, 50 air strikes, 4060 kamikaze drones, and 2792 shelling attacks were recorded. The highest intensity of fighting was in the Pokrovsk direction, where the enemy carried out 26 attacks.
Russian troops launched four guided aerial bomb strikes on the Zaporizhzhia district on the evening of December 25. Four civilians were wounded: three women (80, 65, 57 years old) and a 71-year-old man.
Southern California is bracing for a new wave of storms and rains, increasing the risk of floods and mudslides. More than 120,000 consumers are without power, and there are casualties due to the bad weather.
Russians plan to create tourist sites, so-called "places of military glory," in the occupied Donbas and attract investments there for "tourism development. "
During an ICE raid in Maryland, agents opened fire on a van, wounding the foreign driver and injuring a passenger. The incident drew criticism from local authorities over increased immigration operations.
The SES has completed emergency search operations in Chernihiv after a Russian drone hit a residential building. One person died, nine were injured.
Celine Dion posted a festive video on Instagram, where she appeared as the Grinch. The artist combined humor with a vocal performance of an excerpt from her song "All By Myself," demonstrating optimism despite her illness.
India is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in a network of roads, tunnels, and airfields along its disputed border with China. This is a response to the bloody clashes of 2020, which exposed the Indian army's logistical vulnerabilities.
Acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Tarique Rahman, arrived in Dhaka after almost 17 years in London. His return is seen as a key stage in the party's preparations for the general election in February.
Russia criticized US actions in the Caribbean, calling the pressure on Venezuela a return to banditry. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Moscow supports Nicolas Maduro.
British monarch Charles greeted the world for Christmas; he did not mention specific countries in his speech, but he included the Ukrainian carol "Shchedryk" in the video sequence.
In the Nigerian city of Maiduguri, an explosion occurred at the Jumaat mosque during evening prayers. Five people were killed and about 35 were injured.
The Ministry of Defense has launched a pilot project using photo and video recording during the acceptance of rear property for the needs of the Armed Forces. This will ensure the objectivity of procedures and create an evidence base to minimize corruption risks.
Prince Andrew's daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, appeared at the Christmas service in Sandringham without their father. Prince Andrew was absent due to his ties to convicted Jeffrey Epstein and the deprivation of military ranks and royal titles.
Frontline Robotics and German Quantum Systems are scaling up production of the Lens drone for tactical reconnaissance and target destruction. This bomber drone can carry up to 2 kg of payload over 10 km and is equipped with a gyro-stabilized camera.
2025 was a record-breaking profitable year for billionaires: their combined wealth grew by $3. 6 trillion to $18.7 trillion, thanks to the boom in AI and tech sector investments. Elon Musk increased his fortune by $333.2 billion, reaching $754 billion, becoming the first person with a fortune exceeding $700 billion.
On the eve of Christmas, Iceland recorded its highest December temperature ever, reaching +19. 8°C in the town of Seyðisfjörður. This warming is attributed to tropical air masses and the peculiarities of the local landscape.
The HUR handed over an ancient icon of Archangel Michael to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This relic, symbolizing the struggle of good against evil, was returned to the Ukrainian church with the participation of Kyrylo Budanov.
The winner of one of the largest lottery prizes in US history has been identified in the US. The winner can receive $1.87 billion in annual payments or $835 million in a lump sum.
The Serbian government has supported negotiations between NIS's Russian owners and Hungarian MOL regarding the sale of a controlling stake. The aim of the deal is to remove the country's largest energy company from under US sanctions.
The head of Ireland's defense and foreign policy departments has refuted a statement by the Military Intelligence Service (IMIS) that China is "hostile. " The minister emphasized the importance of economic cooperation and warned of the risks of isolating Beijing ahead of his upcoming trade mission.
In Sukhiivtsi village, Ternopil region, five people, including two children, were hospitalized due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The cause was a leaky combustion chamber of a solid fuel boiler.
Border guards prevented the occupiers from forcing the Lozova River and crossing the state border in the Kharkiv region.
NATO scrambled fighter jets to intercept Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers that flew over the neutral waters of the Norwegian and Barents Seas. The flight lasted more than seven hours, and Russia called the mission routine.
Authorities in Liechtenstein and Switzerland are investigating the deaths of four members of the same family, whose bodies were found in two locations. A 41-year-old man was discovered on the banks of the Rhine, and his parents and sister were found in an apartment in Vaduz.
The US government has extended the energy emergency for northeastern states until January 15. This decision is due to an industrial accident and the approaching powerful winter storm.