Heavy rains and thunderstorms are raging in the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, causing traffic jams and accidents. Police urge drivers and pedestrians to be careful on the roads.
EU diplomats are trying to find a compromise on financial aid to Ukraine ahead of the bloc's leaders' summit. Options being considered include a loan based on frozen Russian assets or joint EU debt.
In Ukraine, December accounts for 30% of the annual import of mandarins, the demand for which was growing before the war. The main suppliers are Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt.
A dam breach in the US state of Washington due to heavy rain has led to an evacuation order. A flood warning will remain in effect until at least 9:00 PM as torrential rains sweep across the Pacific Northwest coast.
Cyprus and Malta warn that strengthening sanctions against Russia should not harm the legitimate EU maritime sector. They oppose a complete ban on the provision of maritime services, fearing the relocation of business outside the EU.
The first sale of oil leases in the Gulf of Mexico brought in $279 million from 30 companies. This is part of Republican efforts to increase fossil fuel production in the US.
The EU has agreed to tighten migration rules, which include accelerating deportations and reducing social benefits for rejected asylum seekers. An annual Solidarity Fund of 420 million euros is also being created for 2026 to support member states most affected by migration pressure.
A deputy of the Dnipro City Council has been notified of suspicion for forging documents. He went abroad under the guise of a business trip to spend a vacation with his family on the island of Rhodes in Greece.
The UN Security Council will hold a new open meeting on Ukraine on December 9 at 10:00 local time. The initiative was supported by Denmark, France, Great Britain, Greece, and South Korea at the request of Slovenia, which chairs the Security Council.
The Greek Coast Guard found the bodies of 17 migrants near the island of Crete, and two more people were rescued from a half-sunken boat. The disaster occurred amid Greece's intensified measures on migration.
On Friday, December 5, Greece was hit by storm "Byron", leading to school closures, significant flooding, and disruptions to public services. Heavy rains were observed in Attica, Peloponnese, Crete, and other regions, and the Athens-Corinth highway was closed due to flooding.
The US is pressuring Greece regarding its contribution to the PURL initiative, where NATO allies purchase weapons for Ukraine. Athens has not made any announcements regarding participation, citing financial constraints.
Pavlo Korostylov and Zlatoslava Volosenko were recognized as the best athletes of November by the NOC of Ukraine. Korostylov won gold, silver, and two bronze medals at the World Shooting Championship, while Volosenko won bronze at the European Taekwondo Championship among juniors.
The Olympic flame for the 2026 Winter Olympics, Milan-Cortina 2026, has been lit in Ancient Olympia. The ceremony marks the beginning of its journey to Italy, where the first torchbearer has begun the relay.
Ukrainian athletes won 35 medals at the European Muaythai Championship in Athens. Among them are 15 gold, 9 silver, and 11 bronze awards.
Germany is urging the European Union to reach an agreement with the United Kingdom on access to the EU defense fund by the end of the month. This would allow the UK to participate in the €150 billion fund designed to strengthen European defense.
Ukraine expects the first gas supplies via the Greek route in January 2026, which is more expensive than the Polish LNG terminal. This route, although flexible, requires cooperation with five operators.
Spain will allocate 1 billion euros for the purchase of American military equipment for Ukraine, said Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Madrid.
Ukraine and Greece have agreed on joint production of naval drones at Greek shipbuilding enterprises. This will satisfy the needs of both countries and reduce Greece's technological gap with Turkey.
President Zelenskyy instructed to prepare for a Staff meeting and will hold meetings with government officials, the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada, and deputies of the "Servant of the People" faction. He is preparing several legislative initiatives and quick decisions for the state.
Ukraine will start receiving natural gas from Greece through Greek infrastructure in January 2026. Ukraine will also be able to receive energy from the United States through this infrastructure.
Ukraine has reached agreements with Greece on gas imports, which will become another supply route. Kyiv has already secured agreements on financing gas imports totaling almost 2 billion euros to compensate for losses in Ukrainian production due to Russian attacks.
Ukraine is preparing an agreement with France on strengthening air defense and aviation. An agreement with Greece is also being prepared to expand gas supply options to Ukraine for the winter and in the strategic perspective.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will arrive in Spain on November 18 for meetings with deputies. His arrival at the Spanish parliament is scheduled for 9:30 AM local time.
The European Commission has supported a new agreement between Greece and the American ExxonMobil on the exploration of offshore gas fields. This decision is intended to help Europe abandon Russian gas.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy will arrive in Athens on November 16 for an official visit. Meetings with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President of Greece Konstantinos Tasoulas are planned.
According to a European Commission study, 46 road fatalities per million inhabitants were recorded in the EU in 2023. The highest mortality rates are observed in the southeastern regions, particularly in Bulgaria, Greece, France, and Romania.
The Ukrainian women's team Sunrise Beach Sports Academy won the European Club Beach Volleyball Cup. The team, consisting of Valentyna Davidova, Yeva Serdiuk, Tetiana Lazarenko, and Daria Romaniuk, defeated Hungarian EDRA Tata in the final.
A number of European countries will receive additional support from the EU to overcome the growing migration burden. The new mechanism will become operational after the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum comes into force in mid-2026.
Ukrainian cadets won 5 awards, including a gold, a silver, and bronze medals, at the European Taekwondo Championship in Athens. Over 500 athletes from 35 countries participated in the competition.
