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  • Ukraine, US sign energy resilience memorandum worth $825 million

    Ukraine, US sign energy resilience memorandum worth $825 million

    Ukraine, US sign energy resilience memorandum worth $825 million

    Ukraine and the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in ensuring the resilience of Ukraine's energy system in Brussels on Dec. 3, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said.

    The document, signed by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the NATO foreign ministers' meeting, includes U.S. aid totaling up to $825 million.

    Ukraine’s energy system has been repeatedly targeted since the start of Russia’s full-scale war. Earlier strikes devastated coal, oil, and hydroelectric power plants, making the remaining nuclear facilities critical to the country’s electricity supply.

    According to the ministry, the memorandum aims to restore Ukraine's critical infrastructure, introduce distributed generation, reform the energy sector, and facilitate the post-war transition to a low-carbon, competitive, and European-integrated economy.

    The news came as Kyiv is calling on its partners to provide additional air defense assets as Russia intensifies its strikes against cities ahead of winter.

    Russia launched nearly 100 drones and 90 missiles against Ukraine overnight on Nov. 28, targeting energy infrastructure. Ukraine introduced emergency blackouts across the country following the recent attack.

    Latest strikes on Ukraine’s electricity substations threaten ‘power failure,’ Greenpeace warnsGreenpeace has warned that Ukraine’s power grid faces a “heightened risk of catastrophic failure” after a mass missile and drone attack on Nov. 17 targeted electrical substations essential for nuclear power plants, the Guardian reported on Nov. 20.Ukraine, US sign energy resilience memorandum worth $825 millionThe Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news deskUkraine, US sign energy resilience memorandum worth $825 million
  • China has banned the export of strategic metals to the United States in response to trade restrictions imposed by Washington

    China has banned the export of strategic metals to the United States in response to trade restrictions imposed by Washington

    China has banned the export of strategic metals to the United States in response to trade restrictions imposed by Washington

    Beijing has banned the supply of gallium, germanium and other metals to the United States after new US restrictions on chips. Chinese trade associations have called for a reduction in purchases of American chips.

    After the United States on Monday imposed another round of large-scale export controls designed to make it harder for China to develop artificial intelligence for its military, Xi Jinping's government is ready to target Western economic interests.

    Passes UNN with reference to FT.

    Details

    China has banned the supply to the United States of several minerals and metals used in the production of semiconductors and in the military industry.

    On Tuesday, China's Commerce Ministry said it would ban exports to the United States of dual-use goods that include gallium, germanium, antimony and Superhard Materials, as well as impose stricter controls on graphite.

    A Russian submarine was found near the Philippines: the president of the island country expressed concernDec 2 2024, 09:17 AM • 15173 views

    Separately, China's four major trade associations, which represent the internet, automotive, semiconductor and communications industries, responded to U.S. moves by telling members to cut purchases of U.S. chips.

    American chip products are no longer safe and reliable, and relevant Chinese industries should be careful when purchasing US chips

    – stated in the Semiconductor Industry Association of China.

    The retaliatory measures were taken after the United States imposed export controls on Monday, in order to complicate China's development of artificial intelligence for its military.

    addition

    China has already tightened export controls in response to tougher sanctions on chips from the United States and its allies. Existing restrictions on the supply of germanium and gallium have led to almost twice the price of minerals in Europe.

    Trump threatens BRICS countries with 100% duties for abandoning the dollarNov 30 2024, 09:57 PM • 29404 views

    China's latest ban on U.S. shipments clearly shows that President Xi Jinping's government is ready to target Western economic interests to respond to Washington's restrictions on chips.

    China has previously concluded that deterring fire will slow the pace of secession, but now they have concluded that deterring fire simply leads to tougher US sanctions and that they need to step back to impose costs

    – said Scott Kennedy, a Chinese expert at CSIS. Washington think tank.

    According to the U.S. Geological Survey, China produces 98% of the world's gallium reserves and 60% of germanium.

    recall

    UNN reported that the United States is introducing the third sanctions regime in three years against the Chinese semiconductor industry.the restrictions will affect 140 companies, including Piotech, which will need a special license to cooperate with American suppliers.

    U.S. controls unveiled on Monday included tougher export restrictions on critical Semiconductor Manufacturing Tools and a ban on exports to China of advanced high-bandwidth memory chips (HBM), key components of artificial intelligence products.

    Burbok warned China against supplying drones to Russia: it would be a "new escalation"Dec 2 2024, 09:33 AM • 15095 views

  • Donetsk directions require significant strengthening – Zelensky

    Donetsk directions require significant strengthening – Zelensky

    Donetsk directions require significant strengthening - Zelensky

    The president stated the need to strengthen the Donetsk direction, especially in the supply of weapons from partners. Ukraine is also working to increase its own defense production and range.

    Currently, the directions in the Donetsk region require significant strengthening, including in the supply of weapons from partner countries. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in an evening address, reports UNN.

    At the beginning of the day-the commander-in-chief, a report on the situation, the main tasks that need to be implemented now, and difficulties on the front line. Donetsk directions require significant strengthening. And this applies, in particular, to the supply of weapons from partners – this is a direct dependence: the greater the firepower of our army, the more technological capabilities we have, the more we will be able to destroy the Russian offensive potential and protect the lives of our soldiers. And we talk about this in detail with our partners. And we are working on our own-we are increasing our production, our Ukrainian defense industry. There will be more of our range

    Zelensky said.

    Recall

    President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that he had heard the report of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky on the situation at the front, indicating that the Ukrainian army has good defensive results in the Zaporozhye direction.

    Also today, at the Headquarters meeting, they discussed contracts for the production of weapons in Ukraine, in particular drones and missiles. They also considered the issue of protecting energy facilities and strengthening air defense.

  • Russian foreign minister to attend OSCE meeting in Malta

    Russian foreign minister to attend OSCE meeting in Malta

    Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has been invited to attend an OSCE ministerial meeting in Malta on 5-6 December in what could be his first visit to the EU since 2022.

    Source: Radio Liberty, as reported by European Pravda

    Details: OSCE officials told Radio Liberty that Lavrov's invitation was intended to start a dialogue to reach agreement on matters such as the filling of four vacant leadership positions in the organisation, future presidencies, and the budget.

    According to Radio Liberty, the Russian foreign minister will attend the lunch on the first day of the OSCE summit but will not be at the dinner, which will focus on Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

    In terms of the order of statements, which is determined by drawing lots, Ukraine will speak first and Russia fourth, having changed places with Tajikistan.

    Furthermore, Radio Liberty's sources say that this time EU representatives are unlikely to pointedly boycott the Russian speech. Instead, they will "answer Lavrov and the huge amount of lies that he usually comes with".

    Background:

    • If Lavrov is allowed to visit Malta, it will be his first visit to an EU country since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Poland refused to let Lavrov attend a ministerial summit in Łódź when it held the OSCE presidency in 2022.
    • Lavrov has however been permitted to visit the United States to attend UN events, and last year he attended an OSCE ministerial meeting in North Macedonia, which is not yet a member of the EU.

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  • Ukraine accelerating missile production, Zelensky says

    Ukraine accelerating missile production, Zelensky says

    Ukraine accelerating missile production, Zelensky says

    Ukraine is accelerating the country's missile production, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec. 3 following a meeting with top officials.

    Zelensky was briefed on contracts for the production of Ukrainian-made weapons. There is a "significant volume" of new and long-term orders for first-person-view (FPV) drones, reconnaissance drones, long-range drones, and missile-drones, he added.

    The officials also discussed the missile program and testing of new types of missiles.

    "We can thank our Ukrainian missile developers. We are accelerating production," Zelensky said.

    Ukraine began actively developing its missile program after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. As of early November, Kyiv has produced its first 100 missiles, according to Zelensky.

    Previously, the president revealed that Ukraine had tested a domestically-produced ballistic missile and missile-drone, Palianytsia.

    Domestic artillery production contracts were also a subject of the recent meeting, as Ukraine finds itself in an increasingly difficult situation on the battlefield.

    The European Union has delivered 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine, fulfilling the pledge it initially promised to deliver by the spring of 2024, the EU’s new top diplomat Kaja Kallas told the Kyiv Independent on Dec. 1.

    To become more independent from Western partners, Kyiv tries to ramp up its own domestic ammunition production.

    Ukraine asking NATO for 20 air defense systems to prevent blackoutsThe provision of HAWK, NASAMS, and IRIS-T batteries will help avert blackouts, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said as Ukraine braces for fresh attacks in the third winter of the full-scale war.Ukraine accelerating missile production, Zelensky saysThe Kyiv IndependentMartin FornusekUkraine accelerating missile production, Zelensky says
  • Military leaves the South Korean parliament building-mass media

    Military leaves the South Korean parliament building-mass media

    Military leaves the South Korean parliament building-mass media

    The military leaves the South Korean parliament building after the lifting of martial law by 190 votes of Deputies. Thousands of protesters gathered outside Parliament to demand the impeachment of President Yule.

    The military is leaving the South Korean parliament building. This is reported by Yonhap with reference to the speaker of the National Assembly, reports UNN.

    Previously

    The South Korean parliament held a vote on the abolition of martial law. The decision was supported by 190 deputies.

    According to Reuters, thousands of people gathered outside the South Korean parliament, shouting "impeachment of President Yule.

    Police buses blocked the main entrance to the parliament.

    "Lift martial law, protect democracy," the protesters chanted.

    We will win.

    The crowd booed as the military bus left the scene.

    Causes of the political crisis in South Korea

    According to the BBC, in the parliamentary elections held in South Korea this spring, 192 of the 300 seats in the National Assembly were won by the Democratic Party.

    As a result of the crushing defeat that the president's power of the People Party received in the elections, the leader of this party, Han Dong Hong, resigned and the country's Prime Minister, Han dok su, resigned.

    The media wrote that the vote in the spring elections could be considered as an interim referendum on confidence in President Yoon Sok Yule, who still has three years in power.

    The BBC's Seoul correspondent Jake Kwon recalls that after the parliamentary elections lost by his party, the president was unable to pass the laws he needed, but he had to desperately veto any laws passed by the opposition.

    This week, the Democratic Party reduced the budget proposed by the government and the president's party, but Yoon Sok Yule cannot veto it.

  • Man Utd offer rubbished as ‘a market lie’ with striker given ‘no chance’ of joining

    Man Utd offer rubbished as ‘a market lie’ with striker given ‘no chance’ of joining

    Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim

    There is “no chance” that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen will end up at Man Utd in the January transfer window, according to reports.

    The Red Devils have been struggling to score goals in the Premier League this season with Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling to get the numbers required of them.

    However, Rashford and Zirkzee got a brace each as Man Utd beat Everton 4-0 in the Premier League on Saturday as Ruben Amorim won his first home league game in charge of the Red Devils.

    That has relieved some of the pressure around the strikeforce and calmed the need for a new centre-forward in the January transfer window, although Man Utd could still consider potential options.

    One player rumoured to be a possibility in the January transfer window for Man Utd is Osimhen with the Napoli striker currently on loan at Turkish side Galatasaray.

    There were claims that Man Utd were preparing an ‘offer’ including Zirkzee and a ‘substantial balancing payment to get Osimhen’ in the winter transfer window.

    But Italian journalist Paolo del Genio insists there is “no chance” that Zirkzee could be used in negotiations to bring Osimhen to Old Trafford with the Red Devils’ interest in the Nigeria international a “market lie”.

    Del Genio told Kiss Kiss (via Arena Napoli): “I’ll go out on a limb and say that this is nothing more than a market lie.

    “There is no chance, at the moment, that the striker now at Manchester United could end up at the court of mister Antonio Conte in the possible negotiations between the Red Devils and the Neapolitans for Victor Osimhen.”

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    And transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio insists that Napoli striker Osimhen wants to see out the season at Galatasaray before considering his options again next summer.

    Di Marzio told bettingexpert.com: “First of all, Osimhen wants to finish the season at Galatasaray. He is very happy to be there and doesn’t want to talk about other clubs.

    “He wants to play and win there. I will leave a small percentage for Galatasaray to try to buy him and I will discuss with Napoli to find an agreement.

    “It would probably be less than the release clause, but Galatasaray are so happy with him that they plan to find a solution with Napoli.

    “I also know that a club in Saudi Arabia wants him. I don’t know the name of the club, but they are prepared to buy him for Napoli and get him back at the end of the season.

    “The problem is that they want to sign him now and Osimhen doesn’t want to sign now, he wants to wait. He wants to use this season as an opportunity to let the Premier League club decide whether to make an offer to Napoli.

    “PSG are always an opportunity, and they’re the only club who have made an offer for him this summer. They offered €220m for Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia, so maybe they’ll try to get both again.

    “But he wants to finish the season at Galatasaray, even if the Saudi Arabian club want to sign him now.”

  • Chinese ZTE base stations continue to operate in the Russian – occupied territories of Ukraine – mass media

    Chinese ZTE base stations continue to operate in the Russian – occupied territories of Ukraine – mass media

    Chinese ZTE base stations continue to operate in the Russian - occupied territories of Ukraine - mass media

    The Chinese company ZTE supports the operation of telecommunications equipment in the occupied territories of Zaporizhia region. The occupation authorities confirmed the use of 2,969 base stations, including 989 new ones installed in 2024.

    The Chinese telecommunications company ZTE, a major supplier of equipment for mobile operators in Ukraine, continues to cooperate with Russian mobile operators in the occupied territories of Ukraine, in particular, in the Zaporozhye region. This is evidenced by the message of the Russian news agency TASS dated December 2, 2024, with reference to the so-called "minister" of digital development, appointed by the occupation authorities of the Zaporozhye region Grigory Prokhvatilov, reports UNN.

    He says that in 2024, 989 new mobile base stations were installed in the Russian-occupied territory of the Zaporizhia region, and the total number now, according to him, is 2,969 units.

    "In addition to building new stations, we are also upgrading existing ones. Previously, base stations on ZTE equipment operated in the Zaporozhye region. Now everyone is switching to new modern equipment, including Chinese brands, which allows you to better control the network, identify problems remotely, and in some cases automatically reconfigure the network without accessing the site," said Prokhvatilov.

    Such a report may indicate that since the beginning of the occupation, ZTE base stations in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine have not been turned off, and it would have been impossible to continue their operation until the end of 2024 without regularly issuing appropriate licenses to mobile operators by ZTE, as a manufacturer.

    Recall that ZTE is a Chinese company that manufactures telecommunications equipment and mobile phones. 51.8% of the shares belong to China, 31.5% is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, 16.7% is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

  • Invaders accumulate forces near Chasoviy Yar: what is happening at the front

    Invaders accumulate forces near Chasoviy Yar: what is happening at the front

    Invaders accumulate forces near Chasoviy Yar: what is happening at the front

    Russian troops are concentrating personnel and equipment near Chasovyi Yar in the Donetsk region. Heavy urban battles continue in the Turkish direction, and the enemy is looking for weak points in the Ukrainian Defense.

    Near Chasovyi Yar in the Donetsk region, Russian invaders are accumulating their resources, personnel and equipment. This was announced by the anniversary of the operational and tactical group "Lugansk" Anastasia Bobovnikova on the air of the telethon, reports UNN.

    "Heavy city battles are taking place in the Toretsk direction. Near Chas Yar, the enemy accumulates its resources, personnel, and equipment. They do not conduct active assaults, but they are already trying to Storm, try different tactics and try to find weak points in the Ukrainian defense, which they do not succeed in," Bobovnikova said.

    Add

    On December 2, Bobovnikova reported that the Russians occupied one street in Toretsk in a month, before that they completely wiped it off the face of the Earth.

    Addition

    Andrey Otchenash, crew commander of the Kara heavenly UAV of the 4th Rubezh brigade of NSU, reported on December 3 that the Storming of the Russian occupiers of Chasovyi Yar in the Donetsk region has been taking place for more than six months. The situation is quite tense.

  • Ukrainians will be able to apply for reparations for Russian war crimes starting next year

    Ukrainians will be able to apply for reparations for Russian war crimes starting next year

    Ukrainians will be entitled to seek reparations for Russia's war crimes beginning in 2025.

    Source: Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, on Telegram

    Details: Fedorov stated that in the first half of 2025, the ministry intends to open all 45 categories of compensation applications for damage caused by Russia.

    Quote: "We will add applications for reparations for those who were forced to flee their home, who were caused harm to their lives and health, who had their cars destroyed and suffered other kinds of damage," Fedorov said.

    The minister also announced that information on destroyed housing had been collected in the relevant register since the beginning of April 2024. Most applications came from Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kherson oblasts.

    "This is an important mechanism, and it serves as the foundation for future reparations. The more applications are filed, the greater the world's understanding of Russia's harm to Ukraine will be," Fedorov said.

    Frontline warfare, artillery bombardment, aerial attacks, Russian occupation, and the collapse of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant were the most common causes of damage cited by the applicants.

    Background: The Diia app, developed by Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, recently surpassed 21 million unique users, offering 24 documents and over 30 services.

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