Germany
The American club's players - Spanish national team and Catalan Barcelona legends Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets - have retired from football.
FIFA has released the schedule for the 2026 World Cup group stage, highlighting matches with the highest expected temperatures, particularly in Inglewood and Philadelphia. Some teams, such as South Korea and Canada, will benefit from convenient logistics, playing consecutive matches in the same location.
European Union leaders will discuss the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine at a summit on December 18. Belgium has a special position on this issue, and the US is trying to block EU plans to use these assets.
The Swedish navy detects Russian submarines in the Baltic Sea almost every week. Sweden is preparing for a possible increase in their number if a ceasefire is reached in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Russia's massive strikes on Ukraine on December 6, emphasizing the need to pressure the aggressor for peace. He will meet with the leaders of Ukraine, Great Britain, and Germany on December 8 to discuss the situation and US mediation.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as the leaders of France and Germany, at Downing Street. The meeting will take place amid negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine and discussing post-war security guarantees.
Warming up the engine before starting to drive in winter is a debatable issue among drivers. In some European countries, it is prohibited for environmental reasons, while in Ukraine, the decision rests with the driver.
Kirill Dmitriev, an adviser to the Russian dictator, reacted to media reports about German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's distrust of US mediation efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Dmitriev accused Merz of inciting war and sabotaging peace.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of financial support for Ukraine for European security. She also stated that Belgium's situation regarding frozen Russian assets must be resolved in such a way that all European states bear the same risk.
Euroclear CEO Valerie Urbain believes that frozen Russian assets should be used for peace negotiations rather than to finance a reparations loan to Ukraine. This would avoid complex legal risks and preserve leverage.
The Trump administration has published a new national security strategy that focuses on an updated "Monroe Doctrine," criticizes immigration and Europe, and intensifies confrontation with China. The document blames mass migration for global problems and claims that Europe undermines peace in Ukraine.
The Norwegian Ministry of Defense will acquire two more submarines and long-range artillery from Germany, increasing the total cost of the order to almost 100 billion kroner. This is due to rising prices for raw materials and defense equipment, as well as the need to counter the activity of Russian submarines.
In Germany, a doctor mistakenly sent 34 patients for chemotherapy and antibody therapy, although it was not necessary. The error was discovered after the treatment did not have the expected effect in two patients.
The German Bundestag has passed a new military service law that provides for a two-tier system with voluntary service and possible conscription. This is intended to increase the size of the Bundeswehr, as 18-year-old men will receive notices of readiness to serve.
General Alexus Grinkevich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) of NATO, stated that fewer American troops in Europe would not burden the continent's defense. This comes amid the expected withdrawal of American troops from Europe and their redeployment to the Indo-Pacific region.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the unity of Europe and the US in supporting Ukraine, rejecting reports of a possible betrayal of Washington. He refuted skepticism about peace talks, stressing the importance of cooperation.
The US is trying to block EU plans to use frozen assets of the Russian central bank to support a loan to Ukraine. Washington believes that these assets are necessary to secure a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko met with German Ambassador Heiko Thoms on December 4. The parties discussed bringing Russia to justice for international crimes and protecting investments.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever will hold talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Belgium expresses concerns about legal aspects and potential risks for its taxpayers.
A Belarusian factory that produces tableware has been supplying drones to Russia for several years, bypassing European sanctions.
The OSCE is ready to deploy a new observer mission to Ukraine to monitor a future ceasefire. This mission would require the approval of all 57 member states, including Russia and Ukraine.
Tesla registrations in Europe fell by 12. 3% in November, reaching about 17,000 cars. Excluding Norway, the decline was 36.3%, while in Norway sales increased by 175%.
Spiegel reported that the Élysée Palace, in a statement to the German publication, denied that Macron had spoken of any betrayal.
A poll has shown that almost half of Europeans consider Donald Trump an “enemy of Europe,” and more than two-thirds believe their country would not be able to defend itself in the event of a war with Russia. Most respondents support EU membership and believe that Brexit has harmed the United Kingdom.
MEPs are considering regulating energy drinks for minors due to health risks. Some EU countries already have age restrictions, but the European Commission notes that there is insufficient data for safe daily limits for children.
New Zealand is allocating $15 million to a program for the procurement of American weapons for Ukraine. This contribution is part of Ukraine's Priority Urgent Requirements List (PURL) and will only be used to purchase weapons or equipment that comply with the country's international obligations.
Germany is introducing a 10-year ban on naturalization for individuals who forge German language certificates. This decision will be made on December 3rd, following police raids that uncovered the sale of language certificates on the black market.
Germany has become the first European country to deploy the advanced Arrow air defense system. It is designed to intercept medium-range ballistic missiles, such as Russia's "Oreshnik," and will be deployed in three locations by 2030.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov discussed security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe with national security advisors from key European countries, as well as representatives of the EU and NATO, in Brussels. The parties agreed on further consultations to achieve lasting peace.
Norway, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and Canada announced funding for support packages for American weapons for Ukraine totaling over a billion dollars. Canada and Great Britain are also providing additional practical assistance.