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  • Six European foreign ministers pledge increased aid: Ukraine must win

    Six European foreign ministers pledge increased aid: Ukraine must win

    Foreign ministers from the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland and France, along with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, have pledged to increase support for Ukraine.

    Source: a joint statement following a meeting with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Berlin on 12 December, as cited by European Pravda

    Details: In their statement, the ministers emphasised that the goals of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine and strong security for Europe are inseparable, asserting that "Ukraine must win".

    Quote: "We will continue to support Ukraine on its irreversible path towards full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership. We will also continue to support Ukraine on its path to joining the European Union."

    More details: The ministers pledged to strengthen military, economic and financial aid to Ukraine, including "mobilising additional European funding".

    The six European diplomats stressed the need to further curb Russia's military build-up and increase pressure on the Kremlin's revenue streams.

    Quote: "There can be no peace talks about Ukraine without Ukrainians and without Europeans standing by their side. We are committed to providing Ukraine with ironclad security guarantees, including reliable and long-term military and financial support."

    Background: Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha travelled to Berlin on 12 December for discussions with his European counterparts on providing further support for Ukraine in countering Russian aggression, increasing the cost of the war for Russia, and achieving a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace.

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  • Premier League player stats: Salah, Saka, Van Dijk, Palmer flying; Watkins misfiring

    Premier League player stats: Salah, Saka, Van Dijk, Palmer flying; Watkins misfiring

    Cole Palmer statistics graphic

    The 2024/25 Premier League season is in full swing and we have some lovely statistics for you. Here are the leading players across 29 metrics.

    Stats come courtesy of FBRef, with a little help from the official Premier League website.

    Who has scored the most goals in the Premier League this season?

    Erling Haaland (Man City) – 13
    Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 13
    Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 11
    Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) – 10
    Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) – 9
    Yoane Wissa (Brentford) – 9
    Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) – 8
    Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 7
    Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) – 7
    Liam Delap (Ipswich) – 6
    Danny Welbeck (Brighton) – 6
    Jorgen Strand Larsen (Wolves) – 6
    Brennan Johnson (Tottenham) – 6
    Jamie Vardy (Leicester) – 6
    Alexander Isak (Newcastle) – 6

    Who has made the most assists in the Premier League this season?

    Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – 10
    Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 8
    Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 6
    Amad Diallo (Man Utd) – 6
    Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) – 5
    Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford) – 4
    James Maddison (Tottenham) – 4
    Jarrod Bowen (West Ham) – 4
    Bernardo Silva (Man City) – 4
    Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) – 4
    Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth) – 4
    Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) – 4
    Heung-min Son (Tottenham) – 4
    Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) – 4
    Antonee Robinson (Fulham) – 4
    Jacob Murphy (Newcastle) – 4

    Who has the highest xG in the Premier League this season?

    Erling Haaland (Man City) – 12.9 (13 goals)
    Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 10.4 (13)
    Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 10.1 (11)
    Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) – 8.7 (7)
    Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) – 7.4 (8)
    Dominic Solanke (Tottenham) – 6.7 (5)
    Brennan Johnson (Tottenham) – 6.6 (6)
    Yoane Wissa (Brentford) – 6.3 (9)
    Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) – 6.1 (10)
    Kai Havertz (Arsenal) – 5.8 (5)

    Who has taken the most shots in the Premier League this season?

    Erling Haaland (Man City) – 68 (36 on target)
    Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) – 58 (13)
    Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 50 (20)
    Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 43 (23)
    Noni Madueke (Chelsea) – 42 (19)
    Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) – 42 (18)
    Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – 42 (16)
    Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) – 42 (13)
    Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 41 (15)
    Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) – 40 (8)

    Who has the most big chances missed in the Premier League this season?

    Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) – 15
    Erling Haaland (Man City) – 13
    Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 9
    Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) – 9
    Noni Madueke (Chelsea) – 9
    Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 9
    Dominic Solanke (Tottenham) – 8
    Alejandro Garnacho (Man Utd) – 8
    Liam Delap (Ipswich) – 8
    Kai Havertz (Arsenal) – 8
    Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) – 8

    👉 Arne Slot’s Liverpool have actually beaten zero Proper Teams so far this season

    Who has been called offside the most times in the Premier League this season?

    Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) – 19
    Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) – 13
    Jamie Vardy (Leicester) – 12
    Evanilson (Bournemouth) – 11
    Kai Havertz (Arsenal) – 10
    Raul Jimenez (Fulham) – 9
    Alexander Isak (Newcastle) – 8
    Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) – 8
    Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) – 8
    Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 7
    Jorgen Strand Larsen (Wolves) – 7
    Marcus Rashford (Man Utd) – 7
    Heung-min Son (Tottenham) – 7
    Mohammed Kudus (West Ham) – 7

    Who has completed the most passes in the Premier League this season?

    Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 1014
    Ruben Dias (Man City) – 1006
    Josko Gvardiol (Man City) – 970
    Levi Colwill (Chelsea) – 934
    Jan Bednarek (Southampton) – 888
    Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton) – 886
    William Saliba (Arsenal) – 846
    Manuel Akanji (Man City) – 844
    Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton) – 799
    Calvin Bassey (Fulham) – 797

    Who has made the most key passes in the Premier League this season?

    Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 40
    Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – 39
    Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) – 36
    Leif Davis (Ipswich) – 36
    Jarrod Bowen (West Ham) – 35
    Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham) – 33
    Andreas Pereira (Fulham) – 32
    Dwight McNeil (Everton) – 32
    Bernardo Silva (Man City) – 32
    Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) – 31

    👉 Top 10 creators in the Premier League

    Who has made the most progressive passes in the Premier League this season?

    Josko Gvardiol (Man City) – 122
    Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) – 106
    Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) – 104
    Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle) – 96
    Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton) – 92
    Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 90
    Manuel Akanji (Man City) – 89
    Alex Iwobi (Fulham) – 85
    Destiny Udogie (Tottenham) – 85
    James Maddison (Tottenham) – 83

    Who has made the most tackles in the Premier League this season?

    Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace) – 53 (37 won)
    Joao Gomes (Wolves) – 49 (25)
    Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) – 48 (28)
    Moises Caicedo (Chelsea) – 47 (30)
    Mario Lemina (Wolves) – 47 (29)
    Noussair Mazraoui (Man Utd) – 47 (27)
    Victor Kristiansen (Leicester) – 45 (30)
    Antonee Robinson (Fulham) – 45 (28)
    Destiny Udogie (Tottenham) – 43 (28)
    Idrissa Gueye (Everton) – 41 (22)

    Who has made the most interceptions in the Premier League this season?

    Kenny Tete (Fulham) – 28
    Antonee Robinson (Fulham) – 28
    Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – 28
    Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 28
    Mario Lemina (Wolves) – 26
    Lisandro Martinez (Man Utd) – 25
    Moises Caicedo (Chelsea) – 23
    Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace) – 23
    Lewis Cook (Bournemouth) – 23
    Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham) – 22
    Diogo Dalot (Man Utd) – 22

    Who has made the most clearances in the Premier League this season?

    Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) – 96
    Murillo (Nottingham Forest) – 91
    Wout Faes (Leicester) – 85
    James Tarkowski (Everton) – 84
    Max Kilman (West Ham) – 83
    Nathan Collins (Brentford) – 80
    Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) – 77
    Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 68
    Illia Zabarnyi (Bournemouth) – 68
    Dara O’Shea (Ipswich) – 66

    Who has the most touches in the Premier League this season?

    Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 1243
    Josko Gvardiol (Man City) – 1204
    Ruben Dias (Man City) – 1161
    Levi Colwill (Chelsea) – 1152
    Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton) – 1116
    Pedro Porro (Tottenham) – 1072
    Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) – 1067
    Jan Bednarek (Southampton) – 1052
    Nathan Collins (Wolves) – 1045
    Antonee Robinson (Fulham) – 1025

    Who has the most touches in the attacking penalty area in the Premier League this season?

    Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 116
    Erling Haaland (Man City) – 107
    Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – 106
    Bernardo Silva (Man City) – 98
    Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) – 96
    Brennan Johnson (Tottenham) – 85
    Noni Madueke (Chelsea) – 84
    Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham) – 81
    Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) – 78
    Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) – 77

    Who has completed the most dribbles in the Premier League this season?

    Mohammed Kudus (West Ham) – 38 (73 attempted)
    Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) – 36 (78)
    Jeremy Doku (Man City) – 35 (66)
    Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) – 34 (60)
    Jarrod Bowen (West Ham) – 30 (69)
    Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich) – 29 (68)
    Abdul Fatawu (Leicester) – 29 (69)
    Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves) – 27 (53)
    Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 27 (59)
    Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – 27 (66)

    Who has the most progressive carries in the Premier League this season?

    Jeremy Doku (Man City) – 83
    Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) – 76
    Noni Madueke (Chelsea) – 68
    Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham) – 67
    Savinho (Man City) – 66
    Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – 65
    Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) – 60
    Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham Forest) – 59
    Alejandro Garnacho (Man Utd) – 58
    Bernardo Silva (Man City) – 55

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    Who has won the most aerial duels in the Premier League this season?

    Nathan Collins (Brentford) – 55 (21 lost)
    Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) – 54 (55)
    Tomas Soucek (West Ham) – 49 (35)
    Dara O’Shea (Ipswich) – 48 (26)
    Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 45 (16)
    Dan Burn (Newcastle) – 45 (26)
    Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) – 44 (30)
    James Tarkowski (Everton) – 42 (15)
    Max Kilman (West Ham) – 42 (19)
    Kai Havertz (Arsenal) – 42 (55)

    Who has the most ball recoveries in the Premier League this season?

    Diogo Dalot (Man Utd) – 87
    Ryan Christie (Bournemouth) – 87
    Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) – 83
    Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest) – 82
    Joelinton (Newcastle) – 81
    Joao Gomes (Wolves) – 80
    Moises Caicedo (Chelsea) – 80
    Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle) – 79
    Illia Zabarnyi (Bournemouth) – 78
    Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) – 78

    Who has won the most fouls in the Premier League this season?

    Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle) – 56
    Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 35
    James Maddison (Tottenham) – 35
    Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) – 34
    Ryan Yates (Nottingham Forest) – 32
    Tyler Dibling (Southampton) – 31
    Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – 30
    John McGinn (Aston Villa) – 30
    Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) – 29
    Joel Veltman (Brighton) – 27
    Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 27

    Who has committed the most fouls in the Premier League this season?

    Liam Delap (Ipswich) – 36
    Joao Gomes (Wolves) – 35
    Joelinton (Newcastle) – 34
    Lewis Cook (Bournemouth) – 30
    Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) – 30
    Moises Caicedo (Chelsea) – 30
    Flynn Downes (Southampton) – 28
    Ryan Yates (Nottingham Forest) – 28
    Kai Havertz (Arsenal) – 27
    San Morsy (Ipswich) – 27

    Who has the most errors leading to a goal in the Premier League this season?

    Arijanet Muric (Ipswich) – 4
    Robert Sanchez (Chelsea) – 3
    Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) – 3
    Bart Verbruggen (Brighton) – 3
    Diego Carlos (Aston Villa) – 2
    Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) – 2
    Trevoh Chalobah (Crystal Palace) – 2
    Wout Faes (Leicester) – 2
    Casemiro (Man Utd) – 2
    Nick Pope (Newcastle) – 2
    Flynn Downes (Southampton) – 2
    Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton) – 2
    Alex McCarthy (Southampton) – 2

    Who has the most errors leading to a shot in the Premier League this season?

    Robert Sanchez (Chelsea) – 4
    Arijanet Muric (Ipswich) – 4
    Nick Pope (Newcastle) – 4
    Alex McCarthy (Southampton) – 4
    Radu Dragusin (Tottenham) – 4
    David Raya (Arsenal) – 3
    Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) – 3
    Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) – 3
    Bart Verbruggen (Brighton) – 3
    Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) – 3
    Trevoh Chalobah (Crystal Palace) – 3
    Calvin Bassey (Fulham) – 3
    Bernd Leno (Fulham) – 3
    Wout Faes (Leicester) – 3
    Bernardo Silva (Man City) – 3
    Casemiro (Man Utd) – 3
    Joe Lumley (Southampton) – 3
    Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton) – 3
    Flynn Downes (Southampton) – 3
    Lucas Paqueta (West Ham) – 3
    Jean-Clair Todibo (West Ham) – 3
    Mario Lemina (Wolves) – 3

    Who has scored the most own goals in the Premier League this season?

    Craig Dawson (Wolves) – 2
    Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) – 1
    Matt O’Riley (Brighton) – 1
    Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) – 1
    Issa Diop (Fulham) – 1
    Victor Kristiansen (Leicester) – 1
    Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) – 1
    Ruben Dias (Man City) – 1
    Dan Burn (Newcastle) – 1
    Alphonse Areola (West Ham) – 1

    Who has played the most minutes in the Premier League this season?

    17 players – 1,170

    Who has the most yellow cards in the Premier League this season?

    Wesley Fofana (Chelsea) – 6
    Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) – 6
    Will Hughes (Crystal Palace) – 6
    Sasa Lukic (Fulham) – 6
    Flynn Downes (Southampton) – 6
    Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) – 5
    Ryan Christie (Bournemouth) – 5
    Pedro Neto (Chelsea) – 5
    Calvin Bassey (Fulham) – 5
    Facundo Buonanotte (Leicester) – 5
    Boubakary Soumare (Leicester) – 5
    Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 5
    Lisandro Martinez (Man Utd) – 5
    Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd) – 5
    Dan Burn (Newcastle) – 5
    Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton) – 5
    Tyler Dibling (Southampton) – 5
    Yves Bissouma (Tottenham) – 5
    Emerson Palmieri (West Ham) – 5
    Nelson Semedo (Wolves) – 5
    Joao Gomes (Wolves) – 5

    Who has the most red cards in the Premier League this season?

    Jack Stephens (Southampton) – 2
    Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 1
    Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) – 1
    William Saliba (Arsenal) – 1
    Jaden Philogene (Aston Villa) – 1
    Christian Norgaard (Brentford) – 1
    Carlos Baleba (Brighton) – 1
    Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace) – 1
    Ashley Young (Everton) – 1
    Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 1
    Tom Cairney (Fulham) – 1
    Harry Clarke (Ipswich) – 1
    Kalvin Phillips (Ipswich) – 1
    Rico Lewis (Man City) – 1
    Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) – 1
    Fabian Schar (Newcastle) – 1
    Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest) – 1
    James Ward-Prowse (Nottingham Forest) – 1
    Ryan Fraser (Southampton) – 1
    Edson Alvarez (West Ham) – 1
    Mohammed Kudus (West Ham) – 1

    Who has the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season?

    Andre Onana (Man Utd) – 6
    Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest) – 5
    David Raya (Arsenal) – 5
    Jordan Pickford (Everton) – 5
    Robert Sanchez (Chelsea) – 3
    Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace) – 3
    Alisson (Liverpool) – 3
    Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool) – 3
    Nick Pope (Newcastle) – 3
    Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham) – 3

    Which goalkeeper has made the most saves in the Premier League this season?

    Mark Flekken (Brentford) – 70
    Mads Hermansen (Leicester) – 60
    Nick Pope (Newcastle) – 53
    Arijanet Muric (Ipswich) – 53
    Robert Sanchez (Chelsea) – 45
    Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace) – 44
    Mats Sels (Nottingham Forest) – 43
    Bernd Leno (Fulham) – 41
    David Raya (Arsenal) – 40
    Bart Verbruggen (Brighton) – 39

    Which goalkeeper has saved the most penalties in the Premier League this season?

    Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) – 1
    Robert Sanchez (Chelsea) – 1
    Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace) – 1
    Jordan Pickford (Everton) – 1
    Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool) – 1
    Andre Onana (Man Utd) – 1

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  • A banner “The country of Russia does not exist” appeared on the State Duma website: how the GUR “congratulated” Russians on the Constitution Day

    A banner “The country of Russia does not exist” appeared on the State Duma website: how the GUR “congratulated” Russians on the Constitution Day

    A banner “The country of Russia does not exist” appeared on the State Duma website: how the GUR “congratulated” Russians on the Constitution Day

    DIU cyber specialists established control over the web servers of the State Duma and the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation. A banner “The country of Russia does not exist” appeared on the State Duma website, and the website of the Constitutional Court was blocked.

    Cyber specialists of the Ukrainian intelligence established full control over the web servers of the official government portals of the Russian Federation and on the occasion of the Russian "holiday" "Constitution Day" a banner with the words "The country of Russia does not exist" was posted on the website of the State Duma. This was reported to UNN journalist by his own sources.

    "On December 12, cyber specialists of the Main Intelligence Directorate, as a result of a successful operation, established full control over the web servers of official government portals of the Russian Federation – the website of the State Duma, the website of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, as well as the official website of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Court of the Russian Federation," the source said.

    The source noted that on the occasion of the official state holiday of the Russian Federation "Constitution Day", which is celebrated on December 12, cyber specialists of the GUR posted a banner on the website of the State Duma of the Russian Federation with the words "The country of Russia does not exist", and the website of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation was blocked and gave users an "error" when they tried to enter it.

    "The DDoS attack on these Russian web resources completely paralyzed their work and disabled the servers. The successful cyber operation was confirmed by Russian propagandists, who spread a message from the "Government of the Russian Federation" on their resources that "an organized group of hackers struck, disabled the servers of the sites, and compromised important databases," the source said.

    The occupiers are forcing schoolchildren to take tests on the knowledge of the Constitution of the Russian FederationDec 11 2024, 11:56 PM • 17856 views

  • Biden announces pardon of 39 people and commutation of sentences for almost 1.5 thousand prisoners

    Biden announces pardon of 39 people and commutation of sentences for almost 1.5 thousand prisoners

    Biden announces pardon of 39 people and commutation of sentences for almost 1.5 thousand prisoners

    U.S. President Joe Biden has granted pardons to 39 people convicted of non-violent crimes. He will also commute the sentences of nearly 1,500 prisoners who have successfully reintegrated during house arrest.

    US President Joe Biden announced that he would pardon 39 people convicted of non-violent crimes and commute the sentences of nearly 1,500 people serving long prison terms.

    UNN reports this with reference to Biden's statement on the White House website .

    As President, I have the great privilege of showing mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring the ability for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking action to eliminate sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug crimes. That is why today I will pardon 39 people who have successfully completed rehabilitation and demonstrated a commitment to making their communities stronger and safer

    – Biden said in a statement.

    He is also commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people serving long prison terms. Biden noted that many of them would have received lower sentences if they had been charged under current laws, policies and practices.

    These compensation recipients, who were placed under house arrest during the COVID pandemic, have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities and have shown that they deserve a second chance. I will take additional steps in the coming weeks. My administration will continue to review clemency petitions to ensure equal justice under the law, promote public safety, support rehabilitation and reentry, and provide meaningful second chances

    – Biden said.

    AddendumAddendum

    US President Biden has signed a decree to pardon his son Hunter Biden. A number of human rights and religious organizations are calling on Joe Biden in the last days of his presidency to exercise the right to overturn death sentences for American convicts.

  • NATO chief warns alliance ‘unprepared’ for Russian threats, calls for increased defense spending

    NATO chief warns alliance ‘unprepared’ for Russian threats, calls for increased defense spending

    NATO chief warns alliance 'unprepared' for Russian threats, calls for increased defense spending

    NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned on Dec. 12 that the alliance is not ready for the threats it will face from Russia in the coming years, urging a shift to a wartime mindset with significantly higher defense spending.

    Rutte highlighted that NATO members spent more than 3% of GDP on defense during the Cold War and argued that future spending should exceed the current 2% target.

    “Russia is preparing for a long-term confrontation with Ukraine and with us,” he said, adding that its hostile actions against allied states are escalating.

    While NATO’s current deterrence is effective, Rutte expressed concern about the alliance’s future readiness.

    “We are not prepared for what awaits us in four or five years. The danger is heading our way at full speed. What is happening in Ukraine could happen here,” he cautioned.

    Rutte also pointed out that Russia has already shifted its economy to a wartime footing, with defense spending projected to reach 7-8% of GDP by 2025, the highest since the Cold War.

    Though there is no immediate threat to NATO’s 32 member states, Rutte insisted that preparedness is essential regardless of the war’s outcome in Ukraine.

    European NATO foreign ministers are reportedly considering gradually raising the alliance’s defense spending target to 3% of GDP by 2030, according to Financial Times.

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has exposed significant manufacturing and procurement gaps in Western defense industries, prompting urgent calls to bolster production capabilities.

    The urgency of these efforts could increase under U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has previously criticized NATO allies for not meeting defense spending criteria.

    Trump has suggested reducing U.S. support for NATO countries that fail to meet their commitments and has hinted at scaling back aid for Ukraine.

    His presidency, beginning in January 2025, may push European countries to take on greater responsibility for their defense.

    Trump hints he won’t ‘abandon’ Kyiv but opposes Ukraine launching US missiles inside Russia“I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing that?” Donald Trump told Time.NATO chief warns alliance 'unprepared' for Russian threats, calls for increased defense spendingThe Kyiv IndependentMartin FornusekNATO chief warns alliance 'unprepared' for Russian threats, calls for increased defense spending
  • Air Defense Forces work on enemy drones in Kyiv region

    Air Defense Forces work on enemy drones in Kyiv region

    Air Defense Forces work on enemy drones in Kyiv region

    Movement of enemy drones was spotted in the airspace of Kyiv region. Air defense forces are working on targets, and there is a threat of attacks from the eastern and northeastern directions.

    Movement of enemy drones has been spotted in Kyiv region, air defense forces are working on targets, UNN reports with reference to the Kyiv RMA.

    "Kyiv region. A UAV was spotted in the airspace. Air defense forces are working on targets," the statement said.

    In addition, the RMA urged to stay in shelters until the end of the air raid.

    Add

    According to the Air Force, the enemy launched several groups of UAVs.

    In addition, the Air Force warned that Kyiv region faces the threat of enemy attack UAVs from the eastern/northeastern directions.

  • Russia has built 15 times fewer civilian aircraft than promised to Putin

    Russia has built 15 times fewer civilian aircraft than promised to Putin

    The Russian aviation industry has been able to produce only seven aircraft suitable for civil aviation, the SuperJet 100, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

    Source: BBC Russian Service

    Details: The plan was to produce 108 aircraft by 2025. However, the Russian government's ambitious programme of complete import substitution in the aviation industry was a mere "imitation of activity".

    In addition, seven SuperJet 100 passenger aircraft were assembled after the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine from pre-war stocks.

    In addition to these SuperJets, two more prototype aircraft were built: the Il-96-400M and Il-114. They are currently conducting test flights.

    According to the Comprehensive Programme for the Development of the Air Transport Industry until 2030, adopted in June 2022, the Russian aviation industry was supposed to produce 1,032 passenger aircraft by the end of this period, including 14 aircraft by the end of 2022, 25 in 2023, and 69 by the end of 2024. However, sanctions made it impossible to meet the plan, and the deadlines were postponed twice.

    In the spring of 2022, 1,101 passenger aircraft flew to Russia. 738 of them were foreign, accounting for about 95% of passenger traffic.

    Currently, airlines are staying afloat by repairing aircraft by removing spare parts from other machines or through grey import schemes.

    Background:

    • Russian authorities are launching a "purge" of top aviation industry managers after the sector failed to deliver on the Kremlin's plan to produce domestic civil aircraft as replacements for Western models.
    • Russia continues to purge top managers in the aviation industry. Following the heads of PJSC Yakovlev and JSC Tupolev, Nikolai Savitskykh, the director of the Kazan Aircraft Plant (KAP), lost his position.

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  • Scientists discover a new deep-sea predator at a depth of 7900 meters

    Scientists discover a new deep-sea predator at a depth of 7900 meters

    Scientists discover a new deep-sea predator at a depth of 7900 meters

    Scientists from the United States and Chile have discovered a new species of amphipod Dulcibella camanchaca in the Atacama Trench. The 4-cm-long predator preys on smaller amphipods and is the first active predator found at such a depth.

    In a new study, researchers from the United States and Chile have discovered a new deep-sea predator. It was named “Darkness,” UNN reports, citing Sciencealert .

    Details [1

    In a new study, researchers from the United States and Chile have introduced a species of fast, ghostly predators from the Atacama Basin off the west coast of South America.

    The creature, called Dulcibella camanchaca, is an amphipod, a diverse group of shrimp-like crustaceans that typically feed on detritus or search for food in marine or freshwater bodies of water. The researchers found four individuals of this species at a depth of 7902 meters.

    According to the authors of the study, Dulcibella camanchaca is the first large, active carnivorous amphipod found at this depth. This discovery in the Hadal Zone hints at how little we still know about marine subterranean worlds.

    The study of extreme habitats on Earth also informs the search for alien life on ocean satellites, such as Enceladus. However, for now, the discovery of this unique animal is big news in itself.

    All the other amphipods found in the darkest depths of the Atakam Trench are still a significant discovery.

    D. camanchaca is not only descended from a previously unknown species, but its morphology and DNA suggest that it is also a newly discovered genus.

    Two similar genera of waders are named after characters from the 17th-century Spanish novel Don Quixote, so the team continued this tradition by naming the novel genus Dulcibella after a character named Dulcinea del Toboso. The name of the species camanchaca was translated as “darkness” from the indigenous languages of neighboring western South America, the researchers note. They chose it to denote the black depths in which this creature prowls.

    Dulcibella camanchaca is a fast-swimming predator that we named after “darkness” in the languages of the Andean region to refer to the deep, dark ocean from which it comes

    – says co-author Johanna Weston, an ecologist at Hadal.

    The white coloration of amphipods is a standard coloration in dark habitats such as caves.The size of this find was just under 4 centimeters. Unlike less agile amphipods, it darts nimbly in pursuit of food.

    D. camanchaca hunts and feeds using specialized predatory appendages called gnathopods. Food options are limited in ocean trenches, but this species appears to prey on other, smaller amphipods.The new species was discovered during a 2023 research expedition that is part of the new Chilean Integrated Deep Ocean Observing System. The researchers collected the specimens using a lander or untethered platform that ferries scientific equipment to and from the Gadal Zone.

    The collaborative effort and integrated approach in this study confirmed Dulcibella camanchaca as a new species and highlights ongoing biodiversity discoveries in the Atacama Basin

    – says one of the lead authors, Carolina Gonzalez, an oceanographer at the University of Concepcion.

    This discovery underscores the importance of continuing deep ocean exploration, especially in the outskirts of Chile. More discoveries are expected as we continue to explore the Atacama Trench

    Recall

    Researchers from Kyoto University and Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered a new species of lily called Lilium pacificum – the first new species of Japanese lilyfound in 110 years, growing in coastal areas that face the Pacific Ocean on the island of Honshu.

  • EBRD co-launches $116 million guarantee for Ukraine war-risk insurance

    EBRD co-launches $116 million guarantee for Ukraine war-risk insurance

    EBRD co-launches $116 million guarantee for Ukraine war-risk insurance

    The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Aon risk management firm launched a 110-million-euro ($116 million) guarantee program to help insurers cover some war-related risks in Ukraine, the EBRD announced on Dec. 12.

    Ukraine's insurance companies have struggled to offer war insurance services as international reinsurers have largely withdrawn from the market after the outbreak of Russia's full-scale war in 2022.

    The EBRD's new Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Guarantee Facility will help reinsurance companies cover risks connected to land-based transport, focusing on small and medium businesses.

    It currently does not extend to fixed assets or maritime transport, though the bank said in a press release that the program may evolve based on market demand.

    In August, the Marsh McLennan risk management company launched a $50 million insurance facility for grain shipped via the Black Sea.

    The EBRD's facility was launched with the support of European donors and in partnership with the Ukraine-based insurance companies INGO, Colonnade, and Uniqua, as well as the international reinsurer MS Amlin, enabling the companies to ensure higher amounts.

    The program does not include a pre-determined list of companies that will be involved, meaning that it will respond to market demand. The EBRD said the facility should enable insurance coverage for over 1 billion euros ($1.05 billion) in vehicles and goods in transit annually.

    Active in Ukraine throughout the full-scale war, the EBRD is an international investment institution that has invested more than $5.6 billion in Ukraine since February 2022.

    Aon is a British-American professional services company founded by American billionaire Pat Ryan.

    "The EBRD’s guarantee will enable private-sector reinsurers to re-engage on Ukrainian war risk and build a resilient insurance market in Ukraine," EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said in a statement.

    "This is crucial to giving businesses confidence that their assets are protected, which, in turn, will unlock and accelerate investment in Ukraine."

    The program was coordinated with Ukraine's Economy Ministry and the National Bank.

    "We are sincerely grateful to the EBRD and all parties involved in launching this insurance mechanism. The market has been eagerly anticipating it," Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said.

    "I am confident that this mechanism will provide much-needed support for small and
    medium-sized businesses, which have been severely affected by the war."

    Opinion: War risk insurance bridges the gap in Ukraine’s reconstructionUkraine is at a crucial turning point. As we focus on reconstruction amid ongoing Russian aggression, one aspect is pivotal to our success: war risk insurance. This tool is indispensable for attracting foreign investment and ensuring the resilience of local businesses. War risk insurance is designe…EBRD co-launches $116 million guarantee for Ukraine war-risk insuranceThe Kyiv IndependentLisa YaskoEBRD co-launches $116 million guarantee for Ukraine war-risk insurance
  • About 400 people were killed and wounded: Syrskyi reveals daily losses of occupants in the Pokrovske direction

    About 400 people were killed and wounded: Syrskyi reveals daily losses of occupants in the Pokrovske direction

    About 400 people were killed and wounded: Syrskyi reveals daily losses of occupants in the Pokrovske direction

    The Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief reported enemy losses of about 400 people daily in the Pokrovsk sector in December. Syrskyi noted that this area remains one of the most difficult.

    In December, the enemy is reportedly losing about 400 people killed and wounded in the Pokrovsk sector on average per day. This was announced by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, UNN reports.

    Details

    According to Syrsky, the Pokrovske direction has been one of the most difficult in the context of the confrontation with the Russian occupiers for several months.

    "We are calculating and preparing for all possible options for further actions of the enemy," emphasized the Chief of Staff.

    Syrsky thanked the servicemen for their effective combat work.

    The losses of the Russian occupiers in the Pokrovsk sector are consistently high, especially in manpower. Thus, in December, the enemy averaged about 400 people killed and wounded per day

    – summarized the Commander-in-Chief.

    Recall

    Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi arrived in the Pokrovsk sector, where fierce fighting continues. According to him, to increase the resilience of the defense, non-standard solutions have to be adopted.