President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has for the first time unveiled 20 points of a "basic document on ending the war. "
On December 24, gold surpassed $4,500 per ounce for the first time, while silver and platinum also reached record highs. This is due to investments hedging geopolitical and trade risks, as well as expectations of interest rate cuts in the US.
The US Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's proposal to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, despite objections from local and state officials. The court noted that the president's authority to federalize the National Guard applies only in "exceptional" circumstances.
The US Department of Homeland Security is replacing the lottery system for H-1B work visas with a new approach that prioritizes highly paid foreign workers. The new system will take effect on February 27, 2026, and will apply to the upcoming H-1B registration season.
The proportion of Russian citizens who consider it necessary to continue hostilities against Ukraine has decreased to 25%, which is the lowest figure since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. These are the data from the December survey by the "Levada Center", cited by the Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council, Andriy Kovalenko.
The Pentagon claims that China is undertaking a "historic" military buildup, making the US more vulnerable. This casts doubt on Trump's plans for limiting the nuclear arsenals of the US, China, and Russia.
The United States has deployed a significant number of special purpose aircraft, troops, and equipment to the Caribbean. This provides Washington with additional capabilities for potential military action in Venezuela.
Russia "strongly condemns" the US seizure of tankers off the coast of Venezuela and the imposed naval blockade. Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya called the US actions an act of aggression that could become a template for future forceful actions against Latin American states.
The US wants to reach a final agreement on ending Russia's war against Ukraine, President Zelenskyy said. Kyiv is in constant contact with the US and expects further cooperation, working on realistic documents.
The countries of the "Alliance of Sahel States" are preparing for large-scale military operations, having created a joint battalion of 5,000 personnel. The junta leaders emphasize sovereignty and a break with former Western partners, choosing Russia as their main security ally.
Venezuelan company PDVSA is using tankers as temporary oil storage due to critical overfilling of onshore tanks. This is caused by increased US sanctions and the detention of tankers, which has led to an export blockade.
The US and Iran exchanged remarks at the UN Security Council regarding the resumption of nuclear talks. Washington is ready for direct negotiations, but Tehran rejects conditions related to uranium enrichment.
A Mexican Navy Beech King Air 350i aircraft with eight people on board, including a child with burns, crashed off the coast of Galveston, USA. At least five people died, two were rescued, and one is missing.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense denied the government's intentions to restore civilian settlements in the Gaza Strip, stating that the military presence would be purely for security purposes. This position contradicts the "Trump Plan" for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave.
A patient died on December 14 after taking Pfizer's Hympavzi, which caused serious side effects, including a stroke. Pfizer is gathering information, not expecting an impact on patient safety.
In 2025, assets dependent on the end of the war showed rapid growth, but investors are acting cautiously due to risks to the Ukrainian economy. US activation in the peace process and a loan from the EU stimulated optimism, but large funds remain skeptical about the terms of the agreement.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul believes that Russia could use a ceasefire in Ukraine to prepare for an attack on NATO. He emphasizes the need for reliable security guarantees for Ukraine, especially from the United States, in the event of territorial concessions.
Rating agency Fitch upgraded Ukraine's long-term foreign currency issuer default rating to "CCC" from "restricted default. " This reflects the normalization of relations with commercial creditors and the restructuring of 94% of commercial external debt.
Banks in a number of countries around the world have begun to massively block accounts of Russians and tighten checks on their transactions. This is happening after Russia was included in the list of high-risk countries by the European Commission.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, stated that Russia's economy allows it to produce weapons and hire mercenaries, which enables the Kremlin to continue the war. He emphasized that Putin and his elites do not see Russia's future without Ukraine.
Ukraine ranked 40th among 195 countries in the Government AI Readiness Index 2025, moving up 14 positions. The country surpassed the US and Great Britain in some criteria, particularly in the digitalization of public services.
President Zelenskyy received a detailed report from Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov following meetings with the American team in Miami. Draft documents have been prepared regarding security guarantees, reconstruction, and a basic framework for ending the war.
The price of spot gold rose to $4,476. 15 per ounce, and US gold futures climbed to $4,509.80. Spot silver rose to $69.44 per ounce, renewing its record at $69.98.
Antony Blinken also noted that Donald Trump's approach to pressuring Ukraine is flawed.
Call of Duty series co-founder Vince Zampella died Sunday in a car crash in Southern California. He was known for his work on Medal of Honor, Titanfall, and Apex Legends.
In the first 9 months of 2025, global vehicle production exceeded 68. 7 million units, which is 4% more than last year. China remains the largest producer, having manufactured over 24.3 million units.
A Politico columnist predicts that the Russian-Ukrainian war will end next year on terms extremely unfavorable to Ukraine. This is due to the EU's inability to agree on the use of frozen Russian assets and insufficient funding.
A new Daily Mail investigation claims that the Zodiac serial killer and the Black Dahlia murderer are one and the same person, Marvin Margolis. The FBI and California police are examining this sensational evidence, obtained with the help of AI and cryptography.
Donald Trump has once again expressed his desire for the US to control Greenland, citing its importance for national security. This comes after the appointment of Jeff Landry as a special envoy to the island.
Donald Trump commented for the first time on the release of Jeffrey Epstein's files, stating that the reputations of people who "innocently met" with the convicted pedophile could be harmed. He expressed sympathy for prominent Democrats who have once again come under scrutiny due to their ties to Epstein.
