Leaders of three frontline NATO countries have called on the alliance to increase defense spending. The countries are concerned about a possible decline in U.S. involvement in European security after the elections.
EU diplomats are skeptical about the possibility of deploying European peacekeepers in Ukraine without US involvement. The main obstacles are Russia's rejection and the difficulty of convincing the European population.
Deputy Defense Minister Serhiy Boyev met with the new US Military Attaché Keith Phillips. The parties discussed the military assistance strategy for 2025 and cooperation in the defense industry.
British and U. S. diplomats condemned Russia's massive attack on Ukraine on Christmas Day, during which 184 missiles and drones were fired. The Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down 113 targets, but due to damage to power facilities, power supply restrictions were tightened.
Audi has announced new car models for 2025 after a significant drop in profits. The company will present updated A5, A6 e-tron, Q5, Q6, A7, Q3 and other models with new specifications.
Due to powerful solar flares and coronal mass ejections, the aurora borealis is expected to be seen on December 25 in the high-latitude regions of the United States. The phenomenon may recur in two weeks due to the return of an active sunspot.
Brent crude rose to $73. 58 and WTI to $70.10 per barrel due to expectations of a reduction in supplies. Analysts predict stable prices and rising demand in the coming months amid Chinese stimulus.
Joe Biden has signed a law that grants the bald eagle the official status of the US national bird. Previously, for 242 years, this symbol existed only unofficially, without legal status.
The NBU set the official hryvnia exchange rate at 41. 9875 UAH/USD, which is 1 kopeck stronger. In exchange offices, the dollar is trading at 42.15-42.25 UAH, the euro - at 44.00-44.20 UAH.
Donald Trump has announced his intention to seek the death penalty for violent criminals after being elected president. This comes after Biden commuted the sentences of 37 federal prisoners.
Disney became the only company to cross the $2 billion threshold at the US box office in 2024. The studio released three of the highest-grossing films of the year - Inside Out 2, Deadpool and Wolverine, and Wayansa 2.
The price of cocoa beans rose by 185% due to climate problems in West Africa, reaching $12,000 per ton. The International Cocoa Organization predicts a shortage of 478 thousand tons of raw materials.
The Danish government has announced the allocation of more than $1. 5 billion for the defense of Greenland. The decision comes after Trump reiterated the need for the US to own the Arctic territory.
The United States and Russia have agreed on a timeline for the completion of the International Space Station. Russia plans to use the ISS until 2028, while NASA has extended its operation until 2030.
Hundreds of Christians took to the streets of Damascus over the burning of a Christmas tree in central Syria. The protesters demanded the rights of Christians and marched to the residence of the Orthodox Patriarchate.
The President of Ukraine congratulated Ukrainians on Christmas and emphasized the importance of unity. In his address, he emphasized that Ukrainians want to live peacefully on their land, to see the sun and Christmas stars instead of missiles.
Defense Minister Umerov announced that stable supplies of military aid for 2025 will be ensured. The United States provides 50% of the aid, European partners more than 40%, and the rest comes from other countries and Ukraine's own contributions.
U. S. Ambassador Bridget Brink wished Ukrainians a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, wearing a dress with embroidery. She emphasized the importance of the partnership between the U.S. and Ukraine at this historic moment.
Ukraine has received the first tranche of $1 billion from the United States from frozen Russian assets. This is part of a G7 initiative totaling $20 billion to be allocated by the United States.
A storm with hurricane-force winds and waves of up to 18 meters hit the California coast. One person was killed, another went missing, and part of the Santa Cruz pier collapsed.
The Russian vessel Ursa Major, which was under U. S. sanctions, sank in the Mediterranean Sea. 14 crew members were rescued, two are considered missing.
Fabio Ochoa, one of the founders of the Medellín drug cartel, has been deported to Colombia after serving a 25-year sentence in the United States. The former drug boss has reunited with his family and plans to live in Medellín.
The European Union is using gas reserves at a record pace due to cold weather and reduced imports. Storage utilization has fallen by 19% since September, reaching 75% in December.
The Hungarian prime minister predicts that the war in Ukraine will end in 2025 through peace talks or the destruction of one of the parties. He also criticized the West's spending to support Ukraine and called Putin an “honest partner.
The US President approved the $895 billion defense budget, despite some controversial items. The document raised concerns about the restrictions on presidential powers and the ban on medical care for transgender people.
90% of surgeries in the military involve combined head injuries. Treatment and rehabilitation of such injuries can take decades and require a multidisciplinary approach.
A 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen has been charged with the murder of a woman in the New York City subway who he set on fire with a lighter. The suspect, previously deported from the United States, watched the victim burn to death in the car.
The Pentagon has signed a contract with Williams International to expand production of gas turbine engines for missiles. The project includes the production of Harpoon, JASSM, LRASM and Tomahawk for the needs of the United States and Ukraine.
The Kilauea volcano in Hawaii has resumed its activity. The eruption is limited to the territory of the national park, but volcanic smog can pose a threat to populated areas.
The trial of Ryan Root, a suspect in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Florida, has been postponed until September 2025. Judge Eileen Cannon rejected the defense's request for a one-year delay as excessive.