Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday denounced an "inhumane" attack from Russia, which launched dozens of missiles and drones on his war-torn country's energy grid on Christmas Day. More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones.
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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend his impeachment hearing due to safety concerns. His lawyer stated that the President is willing to appear once safety issues are addressed. Yoon previously resisted arrest after declaring, then quickly rescinding, martial law due to perceived 'anti-state activities' and North Korean threats.
US President Donald Trump held his first cabinet meeting, discussing various topics including government spending, immigration, and the economy. Elon Musk, also present, emphasized DOGE's role in updating government technology. Trump confirmed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s White House visit and announced a 25% tariff on EU goods. He also addressed potential workforce reductions within federal agencies.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency canceled over $180 million in administrative contracts, including a $170,000 contract for an exhibit on Anthony Fauci. The exhibit was scheduled for completion in 2025. "Can you believe your taxpayer dollars were being spent on a Fauci exhibit," Elon Musk said reacting to the news.
US President Trump suggested Ukraine should hold elections to potentially remove President Zelenskyy, who he inaccurately claimed has a 4% approval rating. Trump criticized Zelenskyy's handling of the war with Russia and the use of US funds. He also implied Ukraine began the conflict, despite Russia's invasion in February 2022.
A Polish court sentenced a 51-year-old Ukrainian man, Serhyi S, to eight years in prison for planning acts of sabotage and arson on behalf of Russia. Arrested in January 2024, he was found guilty of preparing to set fire to structures, including a US-owned paint factory. He denied the charges but admitted to accepting orders for arson in exchange for money. Four others are charged, and more arrests have been made in connection with similar crimes linked to Russia's hybrid warfare against Poland.
Musk posted on X, questioning Starmer’s accountability for the CPS’s inaction, and criticized Labour MP Jess Phillips for her reluctance to push for further investigation. "Who was the head of the CPS when rape gangs were allowed to exploit young girls without facing justice? Keir Starmer, 2008–2013," Musk wrote. He implied that exposing these failings would reflect poorly on Starmer, now leader of the Labour Party as well the premier.
Up to 350 employees of the US National Nuclear Security Administration were abruptly fired, but their terminations were reversed within 24 hours in a sudden policy shift. The move, part of a broader staff cut by the Department of Energy, led to confusion and concerns about national security.
​Greenland’s prime minister, Múte Egede, reacted to President-elect Donald Trump's ambition to buy Greenland and said that the country is not for sale and never will be. “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom,†Múte Egede, said in a written comment.
A federal appeals court overturned a previous ruling that had blocked cuts to the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which were influenced by Elon Musk's department. The court found Musk acted as an advisor to President Trump, not making the final decisions himself.
Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology have discovered a new coronavirus in bats named HKU5-CoV-2, which closely resembles the Covid-19 strain. The virus has the potential for animal-to-human transmission, although no human infections have been recorded so far. The discovery raises concerns about the virus's similarity to SARS-CoV-2 and its potential implications.