Category: World

The unemployment rate in the euro area remains at 6.3%, while in the EU – 5.9%. The lowest rates were recorded in the Czech Republic, Malta and Poland, while the highest rates were recorded in Spain and Greece.

The unemployment rate in the euro area has remained stable since August 2024 – at 6.3%. In the EU, it is 5.9%.

Transmitted UNN to subscribers on Le Figaro.

Details

In October, unemployment in the European Union as a whole reached 5.9%. This figure has not changed since August, when it was historically the lowest.

The euro area unemployment rate also remained stable in October at 6.3% of the working-age population. This figure has not changed since August 2024, according to Eurostat.

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The lowest rates in the EU were recorded in the Czech Republic (2.6%), Malta (3%) and Poland (3.1%). The highest rates were recorded in Spain (11.2%), Greece (9.8%), Finland and Sweden (8.5%).

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In its latest economic forecasts released in November, the European Commission predicts that the unemployment rate will stabilize at 6.3% in 2025 and 2026 in the euro area. It is also expected 5.9% over the same period – for the EU as a whole.

Germany's unemployment rate is higher than expectedJun 4 2024, 08:55 AM • 18973 views

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is on a visit to Kyiv, visited injured Ukrainian soldiers in a hospital.

Source: German TV news channel n-tv, as reported by European Pravda

Details: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy accompanied Scholz, who conferred awards upon a number of soldiers during the visit.

The further programme of Scholz's visit to Kyiv has not been disclosed for security reasons.

Background:

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Kyiv on Monday, 2 December, marking his second visit to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion.
• Olaf Scholz, during his visit to Kyiv also announced new weapons deliveries for Ukraine, with the overall amount of weaponry and ammunition worth €650 million.

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The Iranian Air Force received the first two Su-35 sen fighters in a closed ceremony in Russia. The planes were transported to Tehran on an AN-124-100, and the total order was increased to 50 units.

The Iranian Air Force received the first two Su-35s at a private ceremony on November 18 . The planes were transported to Tehran on planes of the Russian Aerospace Forces. This is reported by the publication Flug Revue, reports UNN.

Details

The Iranian Air Force reportedly received its first two Su-35se aircraft on November 18 during a private ceremony at the Komsomolsko-Amur Aviation Plant. The multirole fighters were dismantled and transported to Mehrabad airport in the Iranian capital Tehran on an AN-124-100 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

From there, the aircraft will be delivered to the 3rd Tactical Air Force Base near the city of Hamadan for reassembly.

Initially, the Iranian Air Force wanted to replace the Su-35se only with the Grumman F-14A Tomcat in Isfahan, but the order for the Su-35 CE was increased from 25 to 50 aircraft. This will reportedly allow the Air Force to remove from service several outdated F-4E Phantom II, which are currently in service with the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing in Hamadan.

Earlier it was reported that, according to the WSJ, Iran supplied Russia with short-range ballistic missiles . The Institute for the study of war believes that this is an exchange for Su-35 fighters, although the White House has not yet confirmed the fact of deliveries.

NATO foreign ministers will begin a two-day meeting on Tuesday, 3 December, with the situation in the Russo-Ukrainian war set to be one of the key topics.

Source: European Pravda

Details: A meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council will also take place at NATO headquarters, along with discussions on Ukraine during a separate session of Alliance members without partner nations.

The NATO foreign ministers' meeting will be the first chaired by Mark Rutte as NATO Secretary General.

While no formal written decisions are expected, officials at NATO headquarters have indicated that the Alliance will announce a unified stance on supporting Ukraine.

A NATO official, speaking anonymously ahead of the meeting, said ministers are expected to reaffirm the Alliance’s unwavering support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s ongoing brutal war of aggression, in line with its rights under the UN Charter.

The official added that ministers will likely address Russia’s hostile actions against NATO countries and emphasize that such actions will not deter the Alliance from continuing its support for Ukraine or strengthening its defence.

In addition, the ministers will discuss the conflict in the Middle East and its impact on Euro-Atlantic security.

Although the situation in Georgia was not included in the official meeting agenda, NATO headquarters suggested it is highly likely to be raised for discussion at the request of participants.

Background:

• As European Pravda reported, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated that Ukraine could join NATO without Article 5 being applied across its entire territory, marking a significant shift in Kyiv's position.
• Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who is heading to Brussels, held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who will also attend the meeting.

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Zurab Japaridze was detained on Chavchavadze Avenue after clashes with police over road closures. The opposition coalition "for change" is trying to establish the location of its leader.

One of the leaders of the opposition coalition "for change" Zurab Japaridze was detained on Chavchavadze Avenue in Tbilisi. The protesters moved there after the rally on Rustaveli Avenue.

This is reported by SOVA, reports UNN.

Details

In the capital of Georgia, police detained one of the leaders of the opposition coalition "for change" Zurab Japaridze. This happened on Chavchavadze Avenue, where the protesters moved after the rally on Rustaveli Avenue.

The conflict arose due to the fact that the protesters blocked the road with trash cans, which caused a reaction from the police.

During the skirmish, other participants of the rally were also detained. Only a few protesters and patrol police now remain on Chavchavadze Avenue.

Help

Zurab Japaridze is a Georgian politician and former member of the Georgian parliament. He studied at the Medical University and the Institute of Public Affairs, where he later taught. He also worked in international aid programs for Georgia, and in 2010-2012 wrote articles for Tabula magazine.

In 2012, Japaridze became a deputy for the first time, and the following year he ran for president, but lost.

In 2015, he founded his own political party, and in 2018, he again put forward his candidacy for the presidential election, where he took sixth place, receiving 2.26% of the vote.

One of his initiatives was to legalize the use of marijuana. In November 2021, he refused to work in parliament due to disagreement with the actions of the ruling party.

Where is Zurab Japaridze now?

The opposition coalition "for change" said that it is trying to establish the location of its leader. The Ministry of internal affairs of Georgia has not yet provided information about which temporary detention facility Japaridze was taken to.

recall

Clashes between protesters and police continue in Tbilisi. The protests were sparked by a political crisis following the decision of the Georgian Dream government party to suspend the process of European integration.

The protesters demand the resignation of the government, the holding of new elections and the return of the country to the Euro-Atlantic course.

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Protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party have persisted for several days across Georgia, sparked by the authorities' announcement that they would pause the process of European integration until 2028. In Tbilisi, demonstrators continued to actively throw pyrotechnics while police used tear gas.

Source: European Pravda, citing Echo of the Caucasus (Ekho Kavkaza), a Radio Liberty project, and Georgian news outlet NewsGeorgia

Details: The fourth night of protests in Tbilisi ended with a crackdown on protesters on Rustaveli Avenue and new detentions.

Riots continue in Tbilisi, Georgia, late into Sunday night as protests erupt against the pro-Russian Dream party's victory in the parliamentary elections. People demand change and stand up for their future! ✊🔥 #TbilisiProtests #GeorgiaElections #StandUpForDemocracy #Protests… pic.twitter.com/VBXsfCRdko

— Solix Trading (@Solix_Trade) December 2, 2024

At around 05:00 local time on Rustaveli Avenue, special forces reportedly continued to deploy tear gas against protesters, who responded by setting off firecrackers. At least two people were then detained.

According to Echo of the Caucasus, police began detaining protesters in the metro early in the morning. More arrests were reported in Tbilisi's Vake district.

Some arrested by police near Vake#GeorgiaProtests #TbilisiProtests pic.twitter.com/A4jycZBiTq

— Sallu (@SadaSaleel99138) December 2, 2024

NewsGeorgia reported that by 07:00, police and special forces had cleared Rustaveli Avenue. The remaining protesters gathered near a metro station, where violent detentions resumed, with some protesters reportedly beaten during the process.

Previously:

• One of the leaders of the opposition coalition For Change, Zurab Girchi Japaridze, was reportedly detained overnight during the protest in Tbilisi.
• In recent days, large-scale anti-government protests have been taking place in Georgia following the authorities' announcement that they would suspend negotiations on EU accession for the next four years.
• Georgian security forces have taken violent measures against the protesters, which has drawn condemnation from the West.

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ISW: an increase in Russian military spending to 41% of the budget in 2025 does not guarantee an increase in military capabilities. A significant part of the funds will be spent on social payments, which may weaken the country's economy.

Analysts at the Institute for the study of war (ISW) believe that an increase in Russian military spending does not necessarily equal an unambiguous increase in military capabilities, but affects the effectiveness and sustainability of Russian social programs, which may affect the Kremlin's ability to continue the war in Ukraine. This is stated in the ISW report, reports UNN.

Details

As analysts remind, on December 1, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signed a decree approving the federal budget for 2025 and the draft federal budget for 2026-2027.

In the budget for 2025, about 41% of Russia's annual expenditures are allocated for national security and defense. The ISW continues to assess that an increase in Russian defense spending, despite the danger, does not necessarily equal an unambiguous increase in Russian military capabilities, especially given that significant funds are being allocated to pay benefits to Russian soldiers, veterans, and their families. Russia's continued focus on defense spending is likely also affecting the effectiveness and sustainability of Russian social programs, which could affect the Kremlin's ability to continue the war in Ukraine, given the growing pressure on the Russian economy and Putin's observed tendency to avoid risking his regime's stability

– the report says.

addition

rossmi reported that yesterday, December 1, Putin signed the law on the budget of Russia for 2025 with record military spending under the item "National Defense".

Russian budget revenues are estimated at more than 40 trillion rubles. About 32.5% of the Russian budget was allocated for defense, which is 13.5 trillion rubles (more than доларів 145 billion). This is more than in 2024, when Russia allocated 28.3% of the budget for defense.

recall

In September, it was reported that Putin instructed the Russian government to prepare a budget with priority for defense spending. It is planned to increase military spending by 60% compared to last year, which will amount to 30% of the total budget.

At the end of September, the Russian government submitted a draft budget for 2025 with expenditures of 41.5 trillion rubles. It is planned to spend 6.31% of GDP on the war – more than 13.5 trillion rubles, which is 30% more than in 2024.

The Russian military has attacked Nikopol with drones and artillery, damaging residential buildings, cars, a power line and a gas pipeline.

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote from Lysak: "A garage was destroyed. Six residential buildings, a car, a power line and a gas pipeline were damaged."

The aftermath of the Russian attack Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram

Details: Lysak stressed that there were no casualties.

The aftermath of the Russian attack Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram

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Відновлення 2.6 trillion should be invested by the end of the decade to restore degraded land and combat desertification. The private sector currently provides only 6% of the necessary funding.

To restore degraded land and combat the expansion of deserts in the world, it will be necessary to invest at least 2 2.6 trillion by the end of the decade. This is reported by the Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to combat desertification (UNCCD) Ibrahim Tov, reports UNN.

Details

Climate change, frequent droughts and growing food needs amid global population growth pose serious risks to the stability of societies.

Most of the roughly необхідних 1 billion a day needed should come from the private sector, Tiava said. Currently, this sector provides only 6% of the necessary funds, while the main burden of financing lies with public resources. LLC noted that the private sector, being the main driver of land degradation through food production, should be more actively involved in their restoration.

This global challenge requires immediate action and financial involvement from both governments and private companies.

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Russian and Syrian aircraft intensified bombing in the rebel-held northwest of Syria on 1 December.

Source: British news agency Reuters; Russian propaganda agency RIA Novosti

Details: Reuters, citing military sources, reported that Russian and Syrian aircraft struck the rebel-held city of Idlib in Syria’s north on 1 December.

Residents said one of the strikes hit a densely populated residential area in the centre of Idlib, the largest city in the rebel enclave near the Turkish border, where about four million people live in makeshift tents and dwellings.

Rescue workers reported that at least seven people were killed and dozens were injured. Syrian forces and the Russians claimed they were targeting rebel shelters, denying attacks on civilians.

On 30 November, Russian and Syrian planes bombed other towns in Idlib province that are fully under rebel control.

On 1 December, Syrian forces claimed recapturing several towns seized by rebels in recent days.

Meanwhile, rebels announced that they had advanced further south of Aleppo, capturing the town of Khansir in an effort to cut off the army’s main supply route to Aleppo. Rebel sources also reported taking control of Sheikh Najjar estate, one of the country's major industrial zones.

Separately, the Russian propaganda news agency RIA Novosti, citing the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria, claimed that the Syrian forces, with support from Russian Aerospace Forces, were repelling what it called "terrorist aggression" in Idlib, Hama and Aleppo provinces. Over the past day, they reportedly killed at least 320 rebels and destroyed 63 pieces of equipment.

The report mentioned missile and bomb strikes targeting rebel gatherings, equipment, ammunition and weapons depots, MLRS and artillery positions and command centres.

Background:

• Syrian authorities announced a "temporary withdrawal of troops" from the city of Aleppo in the northwest on 30 November to prepare a counteroffensive against the rebels.
• Reuters sources reported that the Syrian forces received orders for a "safe withdrawal" from key areas of Aleppo captured by the rebels.
• The sources added that Russia had promised Damascus additional military support to hinder the rebels, with new equipment expected to arrive within 72 hours.

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