Scientists from University College London have found that the harm from smoking is twice as great as previously thought. One cigarette shortens life by 20 minutes, and smokers lose an average of 10 years of life.
Slovak Prime Minister Fico writes a letter to the EU leadership regarding Ukraine's termination of Russian gas transit after 2024.
Zoran Milanovic received almost half of the votes in the first round of the Croatian presidential election. The second round will be held on January 12, as no candidate has gained an absolute majority.
The Polish government plans to increase electricity production for Ukraine due to a possible suspension of supplies from Slovakia. Bratislava threatens to stop exports because of Ukraine's refusal to transit Russian gas.
The President instructed government officials to work with the EU to maintain the stability of the energy system. Ukraine is looking for alternatives to Slovak electricity imports, which currently account for 19% of the total.
The European Investment Bank has provided €55 million to Ukraine under EU guarantees to rebuild social infrastructure in 12 regions. The program covers 151 sub-projects, including hospitals, schools, and water supply systems.
The Accounting Chamber conducted an audit of ARMA, which revealed significant shortcomings in the management of seized assets. Transparency International Ukraine and international partners express serious reservations about the agency's activities.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed its readiness to consider the European Commission's request for energy supplies. However, as of January 1, the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine will be suspended.
The President held a meeting on creating economic and social incentives for the return of citizens to Ukraine. It is planned to discuss systemic solutions with representatives of Ukrainian business.
The Cabinet of Ministers has allocated UAH 2. 8 billion in subventions to provide hot meals to primary school students. The funds will go to local budgets to organize high-quality meals for schoolchildren in grades 1-4.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved strategies for reforming psychoneurological institutions until 2034 and developing border infrastructure until 2030. Both documents are part of the Ukraine Facility Plan.
The government plans to attract more than $38 billion in foreign aid to cover non-military budget expenditures. In 2023, direct budget support from international partners amounted to about $41 billion.
The European Union is using gas reserves at a record pace due to cold weather and reduced imports. Storage utilization has fallen by 19% since September, reaching 75% in December.
The President of Ukraine commented on the visit of the Slovak prime minister to Moscow on the gas issue. According to Zelenskyy, Fico refused to compensate Slovaks and cooperate with the European Commission.
The Albanian government will block access to TikTok for one year starting in January. The decision was made after a deadly fight between teenagers near a school in Tirana, provoked by a conflict on social media.
The Serbian president announces that the Slovak prime minister is scheduled to visit Moscow over the gas issue. Slovakia is looking for a solution after Ukraine announced that it would stop transiting Russian gas from January 1, 2025.
The government has adopted a new decree on subventions for free meals for primary school students. The document expands the list of educational institutions and improves funding mechanisms with mandatory 70/30 co-financing.
Viktor Orban told EU leaders that he was not ready to extend sanctions against Russia until after Trump's inauguration in the United States. At the EU summit, the Hungarian prime minister called on Europeans to “show strategic patience.
The NBU has set the official hryvnia exchange rate at 41. 89 UAH/USD, which is 2 kopecks lower than the previous figure. On the interbank market, the dollar is trading at UAH 41.85-41.87, the euro at UAH 43.51-43.52.
Slovakia's Defense Minister Robert Kaliniak called it “unthinkable” to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP. The country plans to remain at 2% of GDP, despite NATO's calls for increased spending due to the threat from Russia.
Zelenskyy meets with Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels to discuss Ukraine's accession to the EU. The parties discussed new macro-financial assistance and the use of frozen Russian assets.
The President of Ukraine will hold a series of important meetings with European leaders in Brussels. Talks are scheduled with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and other countries, as well as the EU and NATO leaders.
Polish Justice Minister Adam Bodnar said that Hungary has gone too far in deviating from EU norms. Even a change of government in 2026 may not remedy the situation due to deep institutional changes.
Slovakia is negotiating alternative solutions for gas transit through Ukraine after the current agreement expires. Gas prices in Europe are declining amid optimistic expectations for 2024 supplies.
The President of the European Commission plans to ask EU leaders to increase aid to repair and modernize Ukraine's energy system. The EU has already provided significant support, but more needs to be done because of the capacity shortage.
Ursula von der Leyen announced the possibility of opening a basic cluster of negotiations on Ukraine's EU membership at the beginning of 2025. Other clusters are planned to be considered during the same year.
The Slovak prime minister will discuss alternative ways of supplying gas through Ukraine with the head of the European Commission.
Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the preparation of the 16th package of sanctions against Russia. The previous sanctions have already led to a fall in the ruble and an increase in inflation in some sectors of the Russian economy by up to 70%.
U. S. Deputy Secretary of State Pyatt supports the termination of Russian gas transit through Ukraine after the contract expires. The EU is preparing for the end of the contract and plans to completely abandon Russian energy resources by 2027.
Gas companies from four EU countries warned the European Commission of the risks of stopping gas transit through Ukraine. Slovakia is negotiating with Gazprom, but the EC refuses to participate in the discussion.
