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.
The German government is planning an unprecedented upgrade of its military capabilities. A €377 billion procurement plan is intended to make the Bundeswehr the most powerful army in Europe.
An Italian court has given the green light to the extradition to Germany of a suspect in the Nord Stream case. The lawyer for the accused Ukrainian confirmed the decision.
Germany depends on China for 95% of the supply of these elements, and the country's government does not have a clear plan to resolve the crisis.
President Zelenskyy hopes the war will not last ten years, but Ukraine is ready to fight for another two or three years, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Tusk also noted that Ukraine has the right to attack Russia-related targets anywhere in Europe.
Minister of Energy Svitlana Hrynchuk stated that local authorities will make decisions on the start of the heating season. This will happen in the coming days due to the expected drop in temperature.
Former Commander-in-Chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Jonas Vytautas Žukas claims that Angela Merkel pressured Ukrainians regarding Crimea in 2014. This information was published in his book and caused outrage in Lithuania.
Tropical Storm Melissa brings torrential rains, increasing the risk of floods and landslides in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The storm is predicted to intensify into a powerful Category 4 hurricane by Monday.
The European Union has adopted new rules on driving licenses, including digital licenses and cross-border penalties. This is part of a plan to reduce road fatalities, which reached almost 20,000 last year, by 2050.
Law enforcement officers in Vinnytsia notified two individuals of suspicion who organized a fraudulent scheme for illegal cryptocurrency acquisition. They defrauded a German citizen of 60,000 USDT Tokens.
Ukraine plans to raise 2 billion euros for additional gas imports. Funding will come from internal reserves and external assistance from partners.
Operation Matador, involving Europol and law enforcement agencies from six countries, exposed an international group that stole premium cars in the EU. Searches were conducted in Ukraine, evidence was seized, and individuals involved in the theft of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi E-tron, and other cars were identified.
