Since February 2021, fines for not using seat belts have increased tenfold, which has become a serious incentive for drivers. The number of recorded violations has decreased, and the rate of seat belt use is increasing.
Global electric vehicle sales in September 2025 exceeded 2. 1 million units for the first time, marking the highest monthly figure. This boom is driven by tax breaks and local incentives in the US, UK, South Korea, and China.
The employment rate of university graduates in Europe varies significantly. Bulgaria, Estonia, the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, Germany, Hungary, and Poland have the highest employment rates among young graduates.
Slowing growth at cocoa factories worldwide is exacerbated by soaring prices, impacting processors' profits. Processing volumes in Europe, Asia, and North America have reached multi-year lows, and prices for the sweet treat are unlikely to fall quickly.
Russia is experiencing an armored crisis due to the war in Ukraine, but is actively increasing the production of new T-90 tanks. Moscow plans to produce more than 1,100 new and modernized tanks by 2029, circumventing sanctions to purchase equipment.
The European Environment Agency (EEA) warns that Europe's most popular beaches could disappear in just 100 years due to rapidly rising sea levels. From 2006 to 2018, sea levels rose by 3.7 mm per year, which is twice as fast as in the 20th century.
President Zelenskyy discussed with his Finnish counterpart Stubb the end of the war in the Middle East and its impact on Ukraine. He noted that US leadership, particularly Trump's, is key to ending the war in Gaza and could work to stop Russia's aggression.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported another Russian attack on Ukraine, the main target of which was energy. Railway infrastructure in Kirovohrad region was also damaged, and a city hospital in Kharkiv was hit by aerial bombs.
Any ceasefire in Ukraine will allow Russia to redeploy troops to the eastern border with NATO, creating a threat. ISW analysts believe that Russia is already preparing for a possible war against NATO.
As part of Operation Heracles, law enforcement blocked 1,406 illegal domains in Eastern Europe. This dealt a serious blow to cyberfraud and prevented many cases of "cyber-trafficking."
Russian propaganda will intensify its campaign about "Ukraine's unreadiness for winter" in the second half of October 2025. Kremlin media will spread messages about the catastrophic situation with energy and heat supply, and will also discredit EU sanctions.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas stated that work on using frozen Russian assets is ongoing. She noted that the EU aims to act quickly but has 27 member states with different concerns, so the process takes time.
The Dutch government has taken control of the Chinese company Nexperia, a semiconductor manufacturer. This is done to ensure the supply of microchips for automotive and consumer electronics in the Netherlands and Europe.
Since October 12, three checkpoints on the border with Ukraine have joined the new digital entry and exit system (EES). The system involves collecting biometric data and information about border crossings, without affecting visa-free travel.
The updated IUCN Red List shows that 10% of wild bees and 15% of butterflies in Europe are threatened with extinction. Habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change threaten not only insects but also food security and biodiversity on the continent.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that Russia will continue to violate the airspace of European countries, and NATO is adequately responding to provocations. He also called on European countries to be more united in relations with China.
Russia could pose a significant threat to NATO earlier than 2036, as predicted by Ukrainian and Western intelligence agencies. Russia's constant sabotage and intelligence activities indicate the creation of informational and psychological conditions for a future war against NATO.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a conversation with Donald Trump regarding strengthening air defense and energy cooperation. He also discussed these issues with the Prime Minister of Canada.
President Zelenskyy held a meeting on international work, discussing an audit of agreements, relations with the US, and the European direction. The meeting also addressed the channeling of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
On Saturday and Sunday, October 11-12, most regions of Ukraine are expected to experience rains, drizzle, fogs, or dense cloudiness. Air temperature will be +8+13 degrees on Saturday and +13+15 degrees on Sunday.
President Zelenskyy informed European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde about the consequences of the Russian attack on Ukraine's energy system. They discussed the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's recovery.
A new WHO report found that over 30% of doctors and nurses in Europe suffer from depression, and one in ten has had suicidal thoughts. One in three healthcare workers has experienced bullying or threats of violence, and 10% have experienced physical violence or sexual harassment.
Global deliveries of Mercedes-Benz fell by 12% in the third quarter, totaling 525,300 vehicles. The decline was attributed to weak markets in China and the US, despite increased sales of electric vehicles and luxury SUVs.
President Zelenskyy met with investment funds and business associations, discussing the development of the defense industry. According to him, by 2026, the potential for drone and missile production will reach $35 billion.
The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) called the EU's plans to ban the sale of internal combustion engine cars from 2035 "very tough. " It called for measures that would give manufacturers greater flexibility, warning that current plans are based on outdated assumptions.
The EU is proposing a law that would oblige companies to scan messages in messengers before encryption. But many experts warn that this will undermine user privacy and security.
Turkey aims to meet more than half of its gas needs by 2028, using its own production and imports from the US. This could lead to a reduction in the role of Russia and Iran in the European gas market.
The Dutch Ministry of Defense has signed agreements with the Estonian company Milrem and the battery manufacturer Tulip Tech for the joint production of defense equipment. The plant in Born will produce 150 THeMIS combat robots, which will supplement the 15 vehicles already in use by the Ukrainian military.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard a report from the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Oleh Ivashchenko, on countering Russia's "shadow fleet" and changes in Russia's disinformation tactics. Specific tasks regarding sanctions against Russia and blocking schemes to circumvent them were also discussed.
A beaver migration is observed in Ivano-Frankivsk region, which is a rare phenomenon for the region. Expert Roman Hezha explains that this is a natural process and advises communities to learn to coexist with the animals, using technical solutions to minimize possible damage.
