Germany

On April 22, the world celebrates International Mother Earth Day, reminding us of the importance of caring for the planet. In the USA, it's National Jelly Bean Day, and Orthodox Christians celebrate Bright Tuesday in honor of the Iveron Icon.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg will meet with representatives from Ukraine, Britain, France and Germany in London on April 23.

Hungary can force the EU to lift sanctions against €210 billion of frozen Russian assets. This will remove the guarantee on loans to Ukraine and shift their coverage to EU and G7 taxpayers.

The number of DeLorean DMC cars, known thanks to the film "Back to the Future", is decreasing. Their shortage and iconic status are leading to a significant increase in prices.

US trade shock rocked markets and confidence, exacerbating global threats according to a Brookings-FT study. IMF is set to cut growth forecasts due to rising uncertainty.

The German company EKC is the largest supplier of chromium to the Russian Federation, which is used in military equipment. From January 2023 to April 2024, it exported metal worth 24.2 million euros, covering half of Russia's imports.

17 millennia-old manuscripts from the Abbey of Saint Gall in Switzerland are returning to Dublin for an exhibition. They provide insight into the life of monks and the cultural exchange of Ireland's "golden age".

The US updated data on the origin of COVID-19, now considering a virus leak from a Chinese laboratory in Wuhan as most likely. The White House points to the unusual biological characteristic of the virus and the illness of researchers in autumn 2019.

Today, April 19, Great Lent ends and Holy Saturday is celebrated in the Western tradition. Also celebrated are Pet Owners' Day and Ukrainian Environment Day.

Iran has filed a lawsuit against Ukraine and other countries at the International Court of Justice over the UIA catastrophe. Tehran disputes the ICAO decision and states that the plane was shot down accidentally.

The United States has presented allies with proposals for a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. The plan envisions a ceasefire and a possible easing of sanctions against Moscow in the event of a lasting truce.

Negotiations on a ceasefire took place in Paris with the participation of delegations from Ukraine, France, Germany, Great Britain, and the United States. The details were revealed by the Head of the US State Department, Marco Rubio.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron coordinated further diplomatic contacts and meetings regarding the establishment of peace. Zelenskyy thanked Macron for his leadership.

Germany has handed over ammunition for Gepard, Leopard 2 tanks, demining vehicles and Zuzana 2 self-propelled guns to Ukraine. The package also includes armored vehicles, drones, radars and other equipment.

The German parliament did not invite the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus to the meeting for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. This decision underscores Germany's dissatisfaction with the role of the Russian Federation in the liberation of Europe.

Negotiations on a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine took place in Paris. The involvement of a multinational contingent and the development of a security architecture were discussed.

Manfred Weber spoke out against a complete ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, offering an alternative: CO₂ emissions compensation. He proposed hybrids and range extenders as transitional options.

The UK government supports the transfer of German Taurus missiles to Ukraine if the future Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes such a decision. London has long advocated for this.

The Head of the Presidential Office reported arriving in Paris together with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense for meetings on security guarantees with France, Germany, Britain, and the United States.

A briefing for diplomats on sanctions against Russia was held in the OP. The impact of restrictions, foreign components in weapons and the confiscation of Russian assets were discussed.

The head of EU diplomacy stated that the Georgian law on aligning grants with the authorities undermines the status of a candidate for the EU. It obliges the coordination of foreign donations for non-governmental organizations.

Giorgia Meloni is meeting with Trump in Washington, seeking tariff relief and strengthened defense. The Italian Prime Minister hopes to become a mediator between the US and Europe, but the risks are high.

A doctor from Germany has been charged with 15 murders of palliative patients. He administered lethal doses of drugs to patients under his care.

WHO member countries have developed an agreement on the exchange of medical technologies to prepare for future pandemics. The agreement will encourage technology transfer, but on mutually agreed terms.

The State Property Fund is initiating the transfer of NAAS lands to the state enterprise "Reserve", which threatens scientific research. This may lead to the loss of Ukraine's agricultural independence.

The European Commission is exploring legal ways for EU companies to terminate long-term gas contracts with Russia without paying large penalties. This is part of the EU's plan to abandon Russian fuel by 2027.

Donald Trump replied that he already has sanctions against Russia, mentioning the halt of Nord Stream 2.

dmitry medvedev reacted sharply to Friedrich Merz's statement about the transfer of Taurus missiles to Ukraine, accusing him of Nazism and mentioning his father's service in the Wehrmacht.

The German Bundestag is preparing for the election of the Chancellor on May 6, subject to approval of the coalition agreement. Merz previously stated plans to form a government before Easter.

Europe discusses resumption of gas imports from Russia amid concerns about dependence on the United States. Germany calls for the return of gas supplies to support industry.