The United Kingdom is imposing new sanctions on Iran, targeting the financial, energy, and other sectors. This comes amid protests and reports of the country's violent response.
China criticized the US for its interest in Greenland, urging Washington not to use other countries to advance its own interests. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that China's activities in the Arctic are aimed at peace and stability.
US President Donald Trump said he could block ExxonMobil's investments in Venezuela after the company's CEO called the country "unsuitable for investment. " Trump noted that his administration would decide which companies would be allowed to operate in the country.
The Nordic countries stated that issues concerning Denmark and Greenland should only be resolved by Denmark and Greenland. This is in response to Trump's proposal to transfer the island to US control.
The draft statement by Western allies states that multinational forces will ensure Ukraine's security in the air, at sea, and on land, and will guarantee the revival of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The US will lead ceasefire monitoring and support Ukraine in case of an attack.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro publicly rejected Donald Trump's threats and accusations regarding his involvement in drug trafficking. Trump threatened Colombia with military action, accusing Petro of facilitating the production and sale of cocaine.
English club Manchester United sacked head coach Ruben Amorim, who had been in charge of the team since November 2024. Darren Fletcher will prepare the team for the next Premier League round.
Polls show that 59. 6% of Poles do not expect the war in Ukraine to end by 2026. This trend has been growing since 2024, reflecting war fatigue and expectations of peace among voters.
A five-day mourning period has been declared in Switzerland following a bar fire at the Crans-Montana ski resort on January 2. More than 40 people died, and 115 were injured, many of them teenagers and tourists.
George Clooney, his wife Amal, and their two children have been granted French citizenship, confirmed by an official decree. The actor previously expressed his admiration for French privacy laws, which protect his family from paparazzi.
A Kapwing study found that over 20% of videos recommended by YouTube to new users are low-quality, AI-generated content. 278 of the 15,000 most popular YouTube channels contain only AI content, generating $117 million in revenue annually.
19-year-old Kateryna Endeberia left a college in the UK after being advised to replace challenging subjects with learning Russian. She has applied to take her A-level exams as a private candidate in 2026.
Throughout 2025, US President Donald Trump exhibited unpredictable and erratic behavior, raising questions about his mental state. The White House repeatedly defended his mental acuity, despite numerous instances of unusual conduct.
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.
The atmosphere for Ukrainians in Poland is deteriorating, as reflected in incidents and surveys. Support for Ukrainian refugees has fallen from 94% to 48%, and support for Ukraine's accession to the EU has dropped to 35%.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov announced "slow progress" after talks in Miami on a plan to end the war in Ukraine. Negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and Donald Trump's envoys were productive, but without significant breakthroughs due to contentious issues.
The US presidential administration has begun recalling career diplomats, terminating the mandates of mission chiefs in 29 countries by January 2026. This decision aims to replace personnel appointed during the Biden era with individuals who support Trump's ideology.
An employee of the Élysée Palace, responsible for storing silverware, has been arrested in Paris on suspicion of stealing silver items and porcelain worth approximately 40,000 euros. The stolen items, some of which are considered national cultural heritage, were allegedly offered for sale through online auctions.
The Danish postal service PostNord will deliver its last paper letter on December 30, ending more than 400 years of history due to a sharp decline in demand. The company will cut 1,500 jobs and remove mailboxes, focusing on parcels.
The United Kingdom has cut funding for countering Russian propaganda in the Western Balkans from £40 million to £24 million for 2025-26. This funding is aimed at combating national security threats and strengthening democratic institutions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw. Tusk stated that Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression protects Poland's independence, and Zelenskyy noted that the Kremlin will not defeat Ukraine and Poland if they stand together.
Russian intelligence organized a campaign to intimidate Belgian politicians and Euroclear top managers to block the use of frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine. The attack targeted key Euroclear officials, where most of Russia's frozen assets are held.
The Marshall Islands has launched a universal basic income program, where every resident will receive $200 USD quarterly. This is the world's first national scheme, funded by a trust fund of over $1.3 billion.
Glaciers in the European Alps will reach their fastest melting rate within the next eight years, with over 100 of them disappearing by 2033. This is one of the most obvious manifestations of the climate crisis caused by anthropogenic global warming.
The White House will hold a press conference on peace talks in Berlin regarding the war in Ukraine. Earlier, the second round of negotiations took place with the participation of President Zelenskyy and US representatives.
New South Wales Police have identified 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Navid Akram as the attackers on the Jewish community in Sydney. The terrorist attack resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including one of the attackers, and injured 38 others.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to appoint a new ambassador to the US due to escalating tensions with Washington. The decision is linked to political tensions, particularly due to differing approaches to the war in Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that it is difficult to name the timeline for a peace agreement regarding the war in Ukraine. He noted that there are complex issues regarding reconstruction, security guarantees, and territory.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban fully supported the US criticism of the EU, calling it the most important document of recent years. He noted that Americans see Europe's economic dead end and civilizational crisis.
The President of the European Commission also emphasized that "Europe's defense is our responsibility," summarizing plans to increase defense spending and production.
