Germany
Garlic prices in Ukrainian stores have reached a historic high of UAH 200 per kilogram. The deficit was caused by a 15% reduction in planted areas and rising demand in Europe, where prices are even higher.
A large-scale opinion poll showed that Zaluzhnyi has 24. 29% of voter support, ahead of Zelenskyy and Tymoshenko. 73.4% of Ukrainians support peace talks, and 89% believe the country's direction is wrong.
After 5 people were killed on New Year's Eve, a petition to ban fireworks gained 270,000 signatures. Chancellor Scholz plans to limit the sale of fireworks, but a complete ban is controversial among politicians.
The 25th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense will take place in January in Germany. Participants will focus on practical steps to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities.
In 2024, the number of asylum applications in Germany decreased by 30% compared to the previous year, to 230 thousand. This is one of the highest figures in the country's history after the Yugoslav wars and the 2015-2016 migration crisis.
A database with the names of 425,000 suspected collaborators with the Nazis during World War II has been published in the Netherlands. The archive contains data on war criminals, NSB members, and those who were found not guilty.
Computerized passenger screening systems at German airports have failed at the entrance to the country. The Federal Police are forced to conduct checks manually, and the reasons for the failure are currently unknown.
A series of incidents in the Baltic Sea, including the shooting of a German helicopter and damage to an undersea cable, point to hybrid warfare by Russia. NATO recorded about 300 interceptions of Russian aircraft last year.
Investigators have determined that the January 1 explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck in Las Vegas was an act of suicide. The driver was probably 37-year-old special forces soldier Matthew Livelsberger, who shot himself before the explosion.
On New Year's Eve, there were targeted attacks on law enforcement and firefighters across Germany. The attackers used pyrotechnics, bottles and stones, and dozens of police officers were injured.
The leader of the SPD faction, Rolf Mützenich, criticized Elon Musk's statements about the German president. He called on the government to find out whether Musk is acting on behalf of the United States.
In Switzerland, starting from January 1, 2025, it will be illegal to cover your face in public places. Violations are subject to a fine.
An explosion of fireworks near Honolulu killed two people and injured 22 others. The incident occurred in the Salt Lake Ali'amanu area, and emergency services are working at the scene.
The situation is exacerbated by potential tariffs from the US on Mexican goods and a decline in agave prices.
Five people died in fireworks-related accidents on New Year's Eve in Germany. In Berlin, 330 people were detained, 13 police officers were injured, and attacks on law enforcement were reported in other cities.
Tens of thousands of pro-European demonstrators celebrated the New Year outside Georgia's parliament, continuing their protests against the government. President Salome Zurabishvili joined the protesters, refusing to hand over power to a successor.
A series of New Year's Eve protests demanding new elections are planned in the Georgian capital. Participants will collect humanitarian aid for the needy and hold several marches on Rustaveli Avenue.
The 500 richest people in the world have reached a combined capital of 10 trillion dollars. Ilon Musk is the leader with a fortune of 442.1 billion dollars, having increased it by 213 billion over the year.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the future of the country will be decided by citizens, not social media owners. Vice Chancellor Habeck accused Musk of trying to weaken Europe for the sake of business interests.
Russia stops supplying gas through Ukraine after the transit agreement expires on January 1. Europe has found alternative sources, but the loss of Russian gas has affected the EU economy.
In his New Year's address, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz assured that Germany would not leave Ukraine alone. Germany will continue to provide the largest support in Europe, while maintaining its cool against the spread of war.
Germany suspends 232 million euros worth of development projects in Georgia because of the country's rejection of European integration. Thousands of Georgians protest against the pro-Russian course of the Georgian Dream and demand new elections.
The German Federal Government will provide EUR 60 million for the reconstruction of Syria through non-governmental and international organizations. The funds will be used for education, children's aid and support for internally displaced persons.
The data of 800,000 Volkswagen electric car owners was made publicly available through Amazon's cloud storage. The leak revealed GPS coordinates and information about 466,000 cars, which allowed the company to track the owners' daily routines.
Lavrov announces the lifting of the moratorium on the deployment of nuclear-tipped missiles. The decision was made in response to US plans to deploy missiles in Germany starting in 2026.
German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz admits the possibility of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine, subject to a consensus with Russia. He also supports providing Ukraine with Taurus missiles.
During his conversation with Putin, Olaf Scholz stated the need to end the war. The chancellor emphasized that Germany remains the second largest supporter of Ukraine after the United States with 28 billion euros in aid.
In 2024, we launched 18 new Ukrainian-language audio guides to cultural sites around the world. We also donated hundreds of Ukrainian books to libraries in 8 countries as part of the Ukrainian Bookshelves project.
Mette Frederiksen has prepared her home for possible cyberattacks from Russia. She has called on Danes to also stock up on water, canned goods, and radios in case of emergencies.
The German president dissolved the lower house of parliament after a vote of no confidence in the Scholz government. Early elections are scheduled for February 23, with Friedrich Merz of the CDU/CSU as the main candidate for victory.