United States

Gas prices in Europe are up 5% after Putin cast doubt on the possibility of a new transit deal with Ukraine. EU countries are looking for alternative solutions, but Zelenskiy rejects options financed by Russia.

Hudson Meek died after falling from a moving car in Vestavia Hills. The young actor, known for his role in the movie “On the Drive,” suffered fatal injuries and died in the hospital on December 21.

The US military carried out an airstrike in southern Somalia, killing two al-Shabaab militants linked to al-Qaeda, including a senior commander. The attack took place 10 kilometres from the town of Quino Barrow.

Elon Musk has stated the need to attract foreign specialists to technology companies due to the lack of local talent. This drew criticism from far-right activist Laura Loomer and supporters of the MAGA movement.

The Russian ambassador to China announced that Xi Jinping will visit Moscow in 2025. According to him, China and Russia plan to jointly counteract the United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

The governments of the United States and Japan have adopted new Extended Deterrence Guidelines to strengthen security in the region. The document is aimed at countering strategic and nuclear threats from China and North Korea.

russia plans to hold a teleconference between the occupied Crimea and Western countries to justify its aggression. The occupiers are looking for partners in the West to spread the narrative of “Nazism in Ukraine.

US President-elect Donald Trump plans to cut US military aid to Ukraine and shift it to European countries. Trump declares the priority of resolving the war, but does not disclose details of the negotiation process.

The Antimonopoly Committee has found a lack of competition in the market of bandages for patients with epidermolysis bullosa. The Swedish company Molnlycke Health Care created a monopoly due to the peculiarities of medical documentation.

MP from the Servant of the People party, Oleksandr Kunitsky, left for the United States on September 23 and has not yet returned to Ukraine. This happened after the State Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation into his previous long stay in Israel.

Putin said that in 2021 Biden proposed to postpone Ukraine's accession to NATO for 10-15 years. The Russian dictator replied that it makes no difference to Russia whether it is now or in 10 years.

Due to Trump's plans for new tariffs on Chinese imports, toy prices in the United States could rise by more than 50%. American consumers will lose about $78 billion annually due to new tariffs on various goods.

In December, Ukraine exported almost 1. 7 million tons of corn, with an expected surplus of 2 million tons. Prices remain at 205-207 USD/t, with the potential to rise to 210-215 USD/t in January.

The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry announced readiness for negotiations with the Trump team.

Netflix has released the second season of The Squid Game with Ukrainian dubbing. Song Ki-hoon returns to the arena to save new participants, and the series will get new rules and the possibility of an early end to the game.

In his Christmas posts, Trump expressed his intentions for US control over Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal. He proposed that Canada become the 51st US state and criticized the current management of the Panama Canal.

Russia's foreign ministry is creating a network of fake advertising agencies to spread disinformation in the West and the Global South. One of these companies, AdNow, founded by a Russian woman named Serebryanskaya, has already been identified by the Financial Times.

The European Parliament has begun preparing a resolution on systemic disinformation and historical falsifications by the Russian Federation. The document exposes Russia's attempts to interfere in the politics of the EU, the US and other countries through cyberattacks and manipulations.

Social network Bluesky has launched a trending topics feature in beta. The feature is available on desktop and mobile devices, but is currently only available in English.

russian companies have officially started using cryptocurrencies for international payments following legislative changes. The Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation confirmed the transactions and announced the expansion of the practice next year.

putin's spokesman calls the $1 billion worth of frozen russian assets transferred to Ukraine “stolen. ” russia intends to launch a legal action over the transfer.

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.