The US Senate has confirmed Jared Isaacman as NASA Administrator. He will lead the 14,000-employee agency, which is investing billions of dollars in returning humans to the Moon and sending astronauts to Mars.
The United States has approved an $11. 1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the largest ever arms package for the island. The move comes amid increasing military pressure from China and includes HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, and Javelin anti-tank missiles.
At Thursday's EU summit, leaders will try to persuade Belgium to agree to the use of frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. This is the EU's last chance to greenlight a proposal to raise 210 billion euros from Russian assets.
EU diplomats are trying to find a compromise on financial aid to Ukraine ahead of the bloc's leaders' summit. Options being considered include a loan based on frozen Russian assets or joint EU debt.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine reallocated the 2025 budget, allocating over UAH 25 million for generators and equipment for cultural institutions. This decision will allow museums, theaters, libraries, and reserves to operate continuously during power outages.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder is being disbanded in the United States. This is part of a strategy to cut funding for climate research, which also includes reducing the budget of NOAA and its scientific division OAR.
The US Senate has approved a national defense bill worth almost $900 billion, which includes $800 million for Ukraine for 2026-2027. The funds will be distributed in equal parts for the procurement of weapons.
Ukraine will increase the accessibility of prostheses and orthoses for civilians affected by Russian aggression by increasing compensation and, for the first time, providing children with bionic prostheses. The government has adopted a corresponding decision, while maintaining the algorithm for receiving assistance.
The Ukrainian government has approved a decision to compensate for the costs of retrofitting cars for people with disabilities. The payment amount will be up to UAH 50,000, and applications can be submitted in person or online.
MEPs supported a resolution on abolishing internal borders for the movement of troops and equipment within the EU, which will enhance military mobility. This decision was made against the backdrop of Russia's war against Ukraine, with the aim of rapid cross-border movement of troops and equipment.
The European Parliament has voted for a scheme that would allow women from countries with restrictive abortion laws to have free abortions in another EU member state. The European Commission is expected to decide on this proposal in March.
According to a Razumkov Center poll, 92% of Ukrainians trust the Armed Forces of Ukraine, while 76% distrust the Verkhovna Rada. 32.5% of respondents believe that events in Ukraine are developing in the right direction.
The Marshall Islands has launched a universal basic income program, where every resident will receive $200 USD quarterly. This is the world's first national scheme, funded by a trust fund of over $1.3 billion.
European Council President António Costa stated that the EU will not impose a reparation loan for Ukraine at the leaders' summit if Belgium opposes it. This is a departure from his previous position, where he noted that the scheme only required a qualified majority.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine is a “far from easy” task. She emphasized the need for a strong legal basis and avoiding open-ended commitments for countries.
A state-level emergency has been declared in Odesa region due to enemy attacks on energy infrastructure. Over 50,000 residents of the region were left without electricity for a long time.
The Odesa Oblast police are investigating criminal proceedings regarding the alleged embezzlement of budget funds by the management of the private clinic "Odrex" and the communal Odesa hospital. The investigation believes that the transfer of 4 million hryvnias to "Dim Medytsyny" LLC, to which the "Odrex" clinic was registered, was unfounded.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the possibility of financial support for Ukraine through the issuance of joint EU debt, as an alternative to using frozen Russian sovereign assets. This comes ahead of a meeting of EU leaders where ways to finance Ukraine will be discussed amid its expected deficit of 135 billion euros by 2027.
Canada plans to open two new consulates in Greenland and Alaska as part of a strategy to strengthen its presence in the Arctic. Foreign Minister Anita Anand emphasized the growing strategic importance of the region, given the advancement of Russian infrastructure and the melting of polar ice.
In Poland, the number of Ukrainians living in state-subsidized housing has sharply decreased. From November 1, the rules for resettling refugees from Ukraine changed, and the state stopped co-financing accommodation for those who have been living in Poland for a year or longer.
Rating agency Fitch has placed Euroclear Bank's ratings on Rating Watch Negative due to EU plans to use frozen Russian assets for a 'reparations' loan to Ukraine. This could lead to increased legal and liquidity risks for Euroclear.
The US Air Force plans to acquire two Boeing 747-8 aircraft at a total cost of approximately $400 million. They will be used for crew training and as a source of spare parts for the future presidential fleet.
The Latvian government will allocate 2. 42 million euros to strengthen the protection of Riga Airport from unauthorized drone flights. The project envisages the introduction of modern technologies for detecting, identifying, tracking and neutralizing drones.
Russia's military spending for the first 9 months of 2025 reached 11. 8 trillion rubles, four times more than in 2021. The war costs 43.4 billion rubles a day, absorbing 44% of federal taxes.
The Ministry for Communities and Territories Development refuted information about the possible introduction of a reconstruction tax, calling it a misinterpretation of the discussion. The country's recovery will be financed by international aid and funds from the aggressor.
The "Ramstein-32" meeting brought Ukraine record financial commitments for 2026, including 11. 5 billion euros from Germany and 7 billion dollars from Norway. Partner countries also transferred new Patriot and IRIS-T air defense systems, and allocated funds for drones, artillery, and ammunition.
A scheme to embezzle budget funds by military officials and civilians has been uncovered in the Kyiv region, causing UAH 15. 5 million in damages to the state. The accountant of the military unit processed fictitious payments to civilians who were not on the personnel lists.
At the 32nd meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Denys Shmyhal stated that Ukraine needs $120 billion for defense needs in 2026, half of which will be provided by the state. He named five priorities for maintaining the pace and stability of the front.
Russian oil prices have fallen to their lowest level since the start of the war, as sanctions deepen the discounts the country's oil industry is forced to offer. Exporters are receiving just over $40 a barrel, down 28% compared to the last three months, while global benchmark oil prices are also falling.
In August 2025, the State Enterprise "Diia" held a tender for the purchase of a complex of software and hardware tools "Sovereign Artificial Intelligence Factory" worth UAH 227. 5 million. The winner was LAN TEK LLC with an offer of UAH 225.891 million.
