You will learn about the latest news in Ukraine, key events shaping the world order, and the support provided by international partners to Ukraine to strengthen its economy and defense capabilities. We will tell you about significant global and local events that are changing the world and affecting our future.
240 people stuck on a ski lift in a French resort
On Christmas Eve, a ski lift broke down in the French Alps. Almost 240 tourists got stuck in the chairs and waited for help for several hours. This was reported by BFMTV.
The accident occurred on the slopes of the Super Dévoluy ski resort on December 25. Many vacationers came there to celebrate Christmas with their families. However, suddenly the lift stopped.
People complained that they were starting to freeze – they had been waiting for rescue for more than three hours. Eventually, rescuers evacuated them by helicopter.
1,530 people escape from prison in Mozambique during protests
A prison riot has broken out in the Mozambican capital of Maputo, leaving dozens dead and injured. About 1,530 people have escaped from prisons, CNN reports.
Residents of Mozambique disagree with the results of the October elections, which prolonged the power of the ruling Frelimo (Frente de Libertação de Moçambique) party. The protests escalated after the Supreme Court confirmed its victory. Frelimo has been ruling the country for 49 years, the BBC writes. The opposition and its supporters say the vote was falsified.
Bernardino Rafael, the country’s police commander general, said that anti-government protesters approached the prison in Maputo on December 25. Then the prisoners broke down the wall and escaped. It is known that 150 fugitives have already been re-arrested. As a result of clashes with the guards, 33 people were killed and 15 others were injured.
Mozambique’s Justice Minister Helena Kida told local media that the unrest in the prison seemed to have nothing to do with political protests.
In different parts of the country, some offices of the Frelimo party, as well as police stations, banks and factories were looted, destroyed and burned. People do not take to the streets unless they have to.
14 police officers killed by Assad supporters in Syria
Forces loyal to the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria ambushed law enforcement officers, killing and wounding them.
This was reported by Reuters, citing the country’s transitional authorities.
According to the Syrian Interior Minister, the attackers killed 14 law enforcement officers and wounded 10 others. It happened in the rural area of Tartus. The Interior Ministry promised to take tough measures against people who undermine the security of Syria or threaten the safety of its citizens.
Canadians’ taxes will be cut by 60% if they join the US, – Donald Trump
In his Christmas greetings, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a governor and said that if the Canadian territories become the 51st state of the United States, taxes for Canadians will be reduced by more than 60%, Suspilne reports.
He announced this on his own social network Truth Social.
Merry Christmas, Canadian Governor Justin Trudeau. The taxes of its citizens are too high, but if Canada became the 51st state, their taxes would be reduced by more than 60%, their businesses would double, and they would be protected like no other country in the world, – Trump wrote.
In addition, the US president-elect wished a Merry Christmas to the “wonderful Chinese soldiers who carefully but illegally manage the Panama Canal”. Trump also wished a Merry Christmas to Greenland, which, according to him, “needs the United States for national security and wants the United States to be there”.
38 dead: the plane crash in Kazakhstan was caused by a Russian missile
At least 38 people died in a plane crash in Kazakhstan on the morning of December 25. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Qanat Bozumbayev, Tengrinews.kz reports.
He also added that 29 people, including two children, were injured and are in hospitals. Of these, about 11 are consistently serious, while the rest are in moderate condition.
In total, there were 67 people on board, including five crew members.
On December 26, sources in the Azerbaijani government told Euronews that a Russian surface-to-air missile caused the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Aktau, Kazakhstan.
According to the sources, the missile was fired at Flight 8432 during drone activity over Grozny. During the flight, the missile exploded, and its fragments hit the plane.
The damaged plane was not allowed to land at any Russian airport, despite the pilots’ request for an emergency landing, sources say. Instead, it was ordered to fly across the Caspian Sea toward Aktau in Kazakhstan.
The plane’s GPS navigation systems were jammed the entire way over the sea.
The missile was fired from the Pantsir-S anti-aircraft missile system, AnewZ reported, citing Azerbaijani government sources.
Chechen Security Council Chairman Khamzat Kadyrov confirmed that a drone attack on Grozny took place on Wednesday morning, noting that there were no casualties or damage.
1.2 billion dollars: Ukraine received financial assistance from Japan
Ukraine has received about $1.2 billion from Japan through World Bank projects. The funds were received in November-December and are aimed at projects in the social, medical, and educational sectors, as well as at restoring and supporting businesses.
This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
According to the Prime Minister:
- $602 million was provided under the INSPIRE project to provide social protection for low-income and vulnerable populations.
- 400 million under the SURGE program to finance Ukraine’s recovery and resilience.
- 250 million under the RISE project for private sector development.
- 220 million under the THRIVE project to increase the efficiency of public health spending.
- 200 million under the LEARN project to build a safe and comfortable educational environment.
