Germany
The Black Forest Clock Association, which unites over 50 manufacturers, dealers, and collectors, has applied for UNESCO cultural heritage status for the cuckoo clock. This move is aimed at protecting the 175-year-old tradition and symbolism of the Black Forest, as the market is weakening and some businesses have already closed.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the provision of 100% of funds for gas imports. Ukraine is counting on EU support and is negotiating with Norway and other European countries.
On November 19, the European Commission will present proposals to transform the EU's transport system into a military artery. This will ensure the rapid deployment of weapons and personnel in the event of a military threat.
Flights at Berlin Brandenburg Airport were suspended for almost two hours due to the appearance of unknown drones. A number of flights were diverted to other German cities.
The Russian Foreign Ministry published a collage where Zelenskyy and Starmer were placed next to Hitler, Chamberlain, and Daladier. In response, the Czech Foreign Ministry reminded Moscow of its cooperation with Nazi Germany in 1939.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, stated that the changes to the rules for crossing the border for men aged 18-22, which came into force in August, do not create a significant burden on passenger traffic. A foreign passport and a military registration document are required to cross the border, with the exception of civil servants.
The G7 will continue to support Ukraine in means of repelling enemy air strikes and restoring power plants destroyed by the Russians. Energy ministers of the G7 countries are sending an important signal as Russia continues to attack Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure.
An explosion and fire occurred at a gas station in Castrop-Rauxel, Germany, injuring four people, two of them seriously. The explosion happened during work on a liquefied gas tanker, causing a large fire and limiting visibility on the A42 motorway.
Russian seaborne oil product exports fell to 1. 89 million barrels per day, the lowest level in three years. The reason was disruptions at refineries, sanctions, and Ukrainian drone strikes.
Germany's annual inflation rate fell to 2. 3% in October after 2.4% in September, exceeding the market forecast of 2.2%. The slowdown was driven by cheaper energy and slower food price growth, while the cost of services continued to rise.
After the rules for leaving Ukraine were relaxed, almost 100,000 men aged 18-22 crossed the border into Poland since the end of August. The number of Ukrainian men in Germany also increased to 1,400-1,800 per week by October.
In 2024, the number of Russian billionaires increased by 8. 5% to 128 people, equaling that of Great Britain. In total, the number of billionaires in the world reached a record 3,508 people with a combined fortune of $13.4 trillion.
Germany is considering nationalizing a unit of the Russian company Rosneft due to US sanctions. This concerns the Schwedt refinery, which supplies fuel to Berlin and eastern Germany.
The US has issued a license for operations with Rosneft's German subsidiaries until April 29, 2026. This gives Berlin six months to resolve the issue of ownership and asset management.
Far-right and conservative parties in Europe, particularly in Poland and Germany, are expressing concern over the increasing number of young Ukrainian men. This follows the easing of exit rules from Ukraine.
Germany plans to purchase up to 12,000 kamikaze drones from startups Helsing, Stark, and defense giant Rheinmetall for approximately 300 million euros. These drones are intended for the German brigade in Lithuania, which will defend NATO's eastern flank against Russia.
The tanker Furia, carrying Russian Urals oil to India, turned back in the Baltic Sea. This happened after the US tightened sanctions against Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, which may indicate disruptions in oil trade between the countries.
From January to August, Ukraine imported 907 buses worth $46. 4 million, which is 30% more than last year. 263 units were new, and 644 were used.
Germany's Federal Court upheld the life sentence of a Russian citizen for the murder of two Ukrainian soldiers during their rehabilitation in Bavaria. The court's decision is final and binding.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed to ensure 100% financing of gas imports, of which 70% has already been accumulated. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Energy are to implement agreements with Germany, Norway, Italy, the Netherlands, and the European Commission regarding the financing and supply of equipment for electricity generation.
The popularity of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has fallen to 25%, a record low since the government was formed. This comes amid growing dissatisfaction with migration policy and deteriorating economic expectations in Germany.
Spain's Alicante-Elche Airport has reopened after a two-hour closure due to a drone sighting, causing delays for thousands of passengers. Ten international flights were diverted to other airports.
From December 1, China obliges companies to report on the further use of products containing more than 0. 1% of Chinese raw materials. German companies need a license from Beijing to export goods manufactured using Chinese raw materials.
A plane carrying 10 European tourists and a Kenyan pilot crashed off the coast of Kenya. The plane crash occurred en route to the Maasai Mara reserve, and everyone on board died.
The State Biotechnological University in Kharkiv has been transformed into a private agricultural holding operating on state lands under the leadership of former and current officials controlled by Andriy Odarchenko, a Member of Parliament convicted of bribery. Due to shadow schemes involving harvest and land lease, the state budget has lost approximately UAH 100 million.
The US provided a letter acknowledging that Rosneft's operations in Germany were fully separated from the Russian parent company.
Five flights with British tourists were diverted after a drone was spotted near Alicante Airport. A total of ten international flights changed their routes, causing delays for about a thousand travelers.
From January to September, Ukraine imported 61. 7 thousand passenger electric vehicles, which is 52% more than last year. The total customs value of these cars amounted to almost 1.27 billion US dollars.
The Trump administration has informed its German counterparts that it is considering granting a non-renewable, limited general license for Rosneft Deutschland.
Turkey and Great Britain signed a $10. 7 billion agreement for the acquisition of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. The delivery of the first aircraft is expected in 2030.