New Year
Professional astrologer Ksenia Bazylenko spoke about the influence of the waxing moon and Venus's transition into Capricorn on the week of December 22–28. She advises putting affairs and finances in order, as well as summing up the year, as the Black Moon changes signs from Scorpio to Sagittarius.
On the eve of the holidays, there is a significant increase in passenger and transport traffic at the border with Ukraine. In one day, 15,000 more people entered Ukraine than left.
Lena Shepel, a personal and business finance advisor, shared tips on how to avoid financial traps during the holidays. She emphasized the importance of budget planning, avoiding self-blame, and creating a financial safety net.
Incorrect placement of a Christmas tree can cause a fire and early needle shedding. Avoid warm places and direct sunlight, choose cool areas, and ensure adequate watering.
Find out how to decorate your home for the New Year if you can't put up a Christmas tree. UNN offers six alternative options for creating a festive atmosphere.
Queues of hundreds of cars have formed at the border with Poland, especially at the Krakovets and Shehyni checkpoints. Over the past day, almost 67,000 people crossed the border in Lviv region, with entry into Ukraine prevailing.
The average budget for celebrating New Year 2026 in Russia is about 14,000 rubles, which is almost half of what Russians planned to spend on celebrating 2025. This is due to rising inflation and increasing food prices, which leads to savings and reduced spending on celebrations.
A selection of inexpensive gifts up to 500 and 2000 hryvnias for men and women is presented. Ideas include garlands, certificates, books, accessories, care kits, gadgets, and experience certificates.
A selection of five iconic Christmas movies that create a special magic and atmosphere. Among them are "A Christmas Carol", "Elf", "Home Alone", "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Die Hard".
Representatives of "Plast" handed over the Bethlehem Fire to the chaplains of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The fire will be delivered to the soldiers in the combat zone as a symbol of support and home comfort.
The occupation administration of Zaporizhzhia Oblast is "gifting" homes of Ukrainians to families of Russian ZNPP employees. This is happening under the pretext of the New Year, using the homes of Ukrainians who have been killed, deported, or forced to leave.
In temporarily occupied Mariupol, ticket sales have resumed at the drama theater, despite it being destroyed by Russian troops. The first performances, including "Chic Wedding" and "The Scarlet Flower," are scheduled for late December.
Winter holidays in Kyiv will last from December 25 to January 11 inclusive. Parents will be able to bring their children to school for extracurricular activities and clubs.
The Ukrainian labor market at the end of the year is sending new signals: how vacancies are transforming, what is changing in employer behavior, and what to expect in 2026.
Professional astrologer Ksenia Bazylenko presented a general astrological forecast for 2026, which will be a time of changes and trials, as well as great potential. She noted that the world enters 2026 in a state of deep fatigue, but this is also a unique chance for renewal and development.
Learn how to effectively prepare for New Year 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse. Tips include cleaning, financial planning, early gift shopping, and festive attire.
US President Donald Trump, in an address to the nation, criticized his predecessor Joe Biden, stating that he inherited a "mess. " He did not touch upon the topic of Russia's war against Ukraine or events surrounding Venezuela.
Ukrzaliznytsia announced the start of the winter season on children's railways in Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, and Rivne. For the first time in 75 years, winter routes will depart in Lviv and Rivne.
In Ukraine, December accounts for 30% of the annual import of mandarins, the demand for which was growing before the war. The main suppliers are Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt.
Before the holidays, passenger traffic through the checkpoints of Lviv Oblast increases as Ukrainians travel abroad. The heaviest load is observed at "Shehyni" and "Krakovets", and the least at "Smilnytsia" and "Nyzhankovychi".
The head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, stated that the Kremlin is trying to drag out time to force Ukraine to surrender.
Gastronomic expert VARUS. ua reveals the secrets of the perfect January 1 breakfast.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Putin will sooner or later agree to the deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine. He also spoke about what, in his opinion, should be the West's reaction in the event of new Russian attacks.
The boxing gloves of world champion Oleksandr Usyk were raffled off in Lviv. The 300,000 hryvnias raised will be used to rebuild the Roman Shukhevych museum, destroyed by a Russian Shahed drone on January 1, 2024.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Russia will not make concessions regarding the occupied territories of Ukraine, considering them part of its constitution. Moscow will also not agree to the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine in any format.
A Christmas tree was lit and a Nativity scene was opened in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. The ceremony, led by Sister Raffaella Petrini, emphasized the symbolism of peace and fraternal unity.
The cost of a New Year's table for a family of four in Ukraine in 2026 will be about 3980 hryvnias. This is 10.7% more expensive than last year, according to data from the Institute of Agrarian Economics.
Ukraine and the United States supported German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's proposal for a Christmas truce. President Zelenskyy emphasized that the implementation of this idea depends on Russia's political will.
In Germany, a 21-year-old man from Central Asia, suspected of preparing a terrorist attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, has been arrested. He planned to drive a car into a crowd of people; he will be deported.
The FBI thwarted a planned bombing campaign in Southern California on New Year's Eve. Five suspects linked to the 'Turtle Island Liberation Front' group have been arrested.