The Guardian

The organizers of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina have resolved a technical problem with medals that were cracking, breaking, or coming apart. The cause was a safety-designed lanyard breakaway mechanism, which has now been adjusted.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the global economic model needs transformation. He emphasized the need to move beyond GDP as the main indicator of progress.

WADA is investigating the possible injection of hyaluronic acid into the genitals of Olympic ski jumpers for aerodynamic advantage. Experts warn of the risks of infection, disfigurement, and gangrene from such injections.

China has commuted the death sentence of Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, convicted of drug trafficking, signaling a diplomatic thaw. This follows Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China to strengthen trade ties.

Berlin is giving away free potatoes due to a record harvest. 174 distribution points are open throughout the city, two trucks were sent to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine will be technically ready to join the EU by 2027. He stated that by the end of 2026, Ukraine will have completed the main steps required for membership.

British band Arctic Monkeys released the song "Opening Night" for the album HELP(2). All proceeds from the release will go to support children affected by military conflicts.

Ukraine, the US, and Russia are planning trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi regarding conflict resolution. The main issue remains territorial control in eastern Ukraine.

This is due to growing concerns about the wealthiest members of society buying political influence.

Donald Trump has heightened uncertainty about the acquisition of Greenland, stating that NATO would be pleased with his plan. He refused to give assurances about the stability of the transatlantic alliance.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that the defense of Greenland is a common NATO concern. This is due to the arrival of troops on the island following threats from Donald Trump and discussions on ways to strengthen security in the Arctic.

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.