United States

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken meets with French President Macron in Paris. The parties discussed support for Ukraine, North Korea's assistance to Russia, and the situation in the Middle East.

Slovakia's Prime Minister accuses Zelenskiy of “sabotage” over the suspension of Russian gas transit. Fico plans to discuss with the European Commissioner compensation for losses of €1.5 billion.

A Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia killed 13 people. The President called for increased pressure on Russia and the unity of partners to protect lives.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to Trump's idea to rename the Gulf of Mexico. She suggested calling all of North America “Mexican America,” referring to a map from 1607.

U. S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrives in Germany for a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. The latest $500 million military aid package from the Biden administration is expected to be announced.

The President of Ukraine commented on Trump's statement about understanding Russia's position on Ukraine's accession to NATO. Zelenskyy emphasized that the lack of security guarantees was one of the reasons for the war.

The Biden administration plans to announce the final package of military aid to Ukraine worth about $500 million. By the end of Biden's term, Ukraine will have received 80-90% of the promised equipment.

The Danish Foreign Minister said that Greenland may gain independence, but will not become part of the United States. This statement was made after Trump did not rule out a forceful seizure of the island.

The Chinese currency fell to 7. 33 yuan per dollar, reaching its lowest level since September 2023. Experts attribute the drop to Trump's possible imposition of 60% tariffs on Chinese goods.

The EU spokeswoman said that the sovereignty of states must be respected in response to Trump's threats against Greenland. The EU recalled Article 42.7, which provides for assistance to member states in the event of an armed attack.

Panamanian authorities have declared their inviolable sovereignty over the inter-oceanic canal in response to Trump's threats. Experts and locals called the idea of American control over the canal “remote and absurd.

The French Foreign Minister announced the possibility of lifting EU sanctions on transactions with Syrian state institutions. The decision will depend on how the new leadership handles the transition of power.

Defense Minister Umerov will participate in the 25th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense in Germany. President Zelenskyy's participation depends on the security situation.

Poland's defense minister suggests that tomorrow's Ramstein meeting may be the last in the current format. Next week, the G5 will meet to discuss changes after Trump's inauguration.

The United States sent a second RC-135S Cobra Ball aircraft to Kadena Air Base to track DPRK missiles. This happened after North Korea tested a new hypersonic missile, and the first plane failed to detect it.

The number of recalls due to software in cars has increased from 6% to 15% over the past 5 years. Tesla, Ford, and other manufacturers are increasingly relying on software updates to improve the functionality of cars.

France warned Trump against threats to the EU's sovereign borders after he refused to rule out military action against Greenland. The French Foreign Minister emphasized that the EU will not allow its borders to be attacked.

Trump's transition team is preparing an executive order to withdraw the United States from the global climate agreement. The EU warns that this could deal a serious blow to global efforts to combat climate change.

Laura Cooper, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russian and Ukrainian Affairs, resigns from her post. Her resignation comes amid Trump's victory and uncertainty over future US policy toward Ukraine.

Brent and WTI crude oil prices have risen amid declining supplies from Russia and OPEC countries. Analysts predict a decline in oil prices in 2025 compared to 2024.

At the Boston airport, a passenger on a JetBlue flight opened the emergency exit door and deployed an emergency slide on the runway. The incident occurred after a quarrel between the man and his girlfriend, and he was detained by police for questioning.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau categorically rejected the possibility of the country joining the United States. The response came after Donald Trump proposed that Canada become the 51st state.

The Venezuelan president announced the detention of seven “mercenaries” - two Americans and five people from Ukraine and Colombia. Maduro did not provide evidence of the accusations, saying only that they were “high-caliber” specialists.

The United States has introduced the Cyber Trust Mark, a special label for assessing the cybersecurity of Internet devices. The certification will be voluntary, but starting in 2027, the government will only buy devices with this label.

Lloyd Austin will bring together the heads of 8 coalition groups to develop a roadmap for strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities until 2027. The meeting will focus on aviation, armored vehicles, air defense and other areas of military assistance.

In the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, wildfires have covered 80 hectares of territory. Strong winds make it difficult to extinguish the fires and force local residents, including celebrities, to evacuate.

Mark Zuckerberg has announced large-scale changes in content moderation on Meta platforms. The company is abandoning fact-checking services and introducing a “community notes” system to expand freedom of speech.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry denies Hungary's claims that the cessation of russian gas transit will have a negative impact on prices. Most EU countries have already adapted to the new realities, except for a few, including Hungary.

The Biden administration plans to announce the final military aid package for Ukraine during the January 9 Ramstein meeting.

US President-elect Donald Trump said that he does not rule out the use of military force to gain control over the Panama Canal and Greenland. At the same time, he noted that these territories are necessary for the economic security of the United States.