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EU Approves €90 Billion Loan for Ukraine, Sidesteps Use of Frozen Russian Assets

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European Union leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan to support its military and economic needs over the next two years, following intense negotiations at a summit in Brussels. The funding will be backed by the EU’s common budget after member states failed to reach consensus on using frozen Russian assets. European Council President Antonio Costa said the deal demonstrated unity and commitment, calling it a delivery on promises made to Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had pushed for the use of around €200 billion in frozen Russian assets, most of which are held in Belgium. However, concerns over legal risks and liability-sharing prevented agreement, with Belgium seeking guarantees that other EU countries were unwilling to provide. While expressing gratitude for the loan, Zelensky stressed that Russian assets should remain immobilised and said the support would significantly strengthen Ukraine’s resilience at a critical time.

The loan offers a vital lifeline as Ukraine faces a looming cash crunch, with EU estimates suggesting the country needs €135 billion over the next two years and could begin running short of funds by April. European leaders said the agreement avoided division within the bloc, while Germany’s Chancellor said it sent a strong signal to Moscow. The decision comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts, including upcoming US-Russia talks and continued discussions between Ukrainian and US officials on security guarantees.

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Australia’s ‘Bondi Hero’ Receives $1.65 Million Raised by Global Donors

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Ahmed al Ahmed, the bystander hailed as the “Bondi hero” for disarming a gunman during a deadly mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, has been handed more than A$2.5 million ($1.65 million) raised through an online fundraiser. Tens of thousands of people worldwide contributed to the campaign, organised by social media influencer Zachery Dereniowski, who presented the oversized cheque to Ahmed at his hospital bed.

During the attack, Ahmed hid behind parked cars before charging one of the gunmen from behind, seizing his rifle and knocking him to the ground. He was later shot by a second attacker and remains in hospital recovering from surgery. More than 43,000 donors contributed to the fundraiser, including billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, while Australia’s prime minister and state premier visited Ahmed to commend his bravery.

Speaking from hospital, Ahmed urged people to stand together and protect life, saying he acted “from the heart.” A 43-year-old tobacco store owner who migrated from Syria nearly two decades ago, Ahmed did not say how he plans to use the money. Fifteen people were killed and dozens wounded in the attack, which police allege was carried out by a father and son during Hanukkah celebrations at the popular beach.

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Sarajevo Imposes Curbs After Ranking as World’s Most Polluted City

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Sarajevo authorities issued an air quality warning and introduced emergency restrictions after the Bosnian capital was ranked the world’s most polluted city on two consecutive evenings by Swiss air quality monitor IQAir. The move came as hazardous air conditions gripped the city of around 350,000 people, following days of dense fog and smog. Officials said pollution levels had risen sharply, prompting immediate intervention to protect public health.

The cantonal government banned trucks weighing over 3.5 tonnes and vehicles that fail to meet European Union emissions standards from entering the city, while also suspending construction work in open areas and prohibiting outdoor public gatherings. Experts say pollution in Sarajevo is largely driven by winter heating, with around 40,000 households relying on firewood and coal, as well as heavy traffic, with nearly 180,000 registered vehicles in the city.

Sarajevo’s location in a valley surrounded by mountains worsens the problem due to temperature inversion, which traps cold air and pollutants near the ground for days. Bosnia ranks among Europe’s worst countries for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution, which the World Bank links to thousands of premature deaths annually and significant economic losses. Health experts warn that prolonged exposure increases the risk of lung cancer and poses serious dangers to vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women and the elderly.

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French ‘Doctor Death’ Jailed for Life for Poisoning Patients

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A French court has sentenced former anaesthetist Frédéric Péchier, 53, to life imprisonment for deliberately poisoning 30 patients, 12 of whom died. The verdict was delivered at the end of a four-month trial in Besançon, marking one of the most serious medical crime cases in France’s history. Péchier will serve a minimum of 22 years in prison and has 10 days to appeal the ruling.

The court found that Péchier secretly injected substances such as potassium chloride or adrenaline into patients’ infusion bags, triggering cardiac arrests or severe haemorrhaging during routine surgeries. In several cases, he intervened during emergencies to present himself as a lifesaver, but in 12 instances the victims could not be saved. Prosecutors argued that his actions were driven by personal grudges against colleagues, whom he sought to discredit.

Investigators uncovered a disturbing pattern of unexplained medical emergencies at clinics where Péchier worked between 2008 and 2017, with incidents stopping whenever he left and resuming upon his return. Despite denying wrongdoing throughout the trial, Péchier admitted there must have been a poisoner at the clinics, insisting it was not him. Survivors and families of victims welcomed the verdict, calling it the end of a long and painful ordeal.

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Zelensky Urges EU to Unlock Frozen Russian Funds as Ukraine Faces Financial Crunch

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukraine faces a severe financial crisis unless the European Union agrees to loan billions of euros from frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv’s military and economy. Speaking in Brussels as EU leaders gathered for a critical summit, Zelensky said a positive decision was essential, noting that without additional funding Ukraine’s finances could run dry within months. Around €210bn of Russian assets are frozen in the EU, most of them held in Belgium through financial services firm Euroclear.

The European Commission has proposed loaning Ukraine about €90bn over the next two years using these frozen assets, arguing it would strengthen Kyiv’s position both on the battlefield and in ongoing peace talks. Supporters believe the move would also send a strong signal to Moscow that continuing the war is futile. However, Belgium and several other EU members remain cautious, citing legal and financial risks, while Hungary has openly opposed any further EU funding for Ukraine.

As discussions continue, EU leaders are under pressure to find consensus, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisting a solution must be reached. While some countries are willing to provide guarantees to address Belgium’s concerns, doubts remain over the legal basis and potential consequences if courts later order the money returned to Russia. Despite the uncertainty, EU officials stress that the coming hours are decisive for Ukraine’s ability to sustain its war effort or prepare for recovery.

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Spain Plans Nationwide Climate Shelters to Protect People From Extreme Heat

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Spain will establish a nationwide network of climate shelters in public buildings to help people cope with extreme heat before next summer, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced at a climate conference in Madrid. Highlighting that prolonged heatwaves and droughts are becoming the “new normal”, Sánchez said the shelters will provide safe, cool spaces accessible to everyone during periods of intense heat.

The government-backed shelters will be prioritised in areas most affected by rising temperatures and will complement existing regional initiatives in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Murcia. Barcelona already operates around 400 climate shelters in air-conditioned venues such as libraries, museums, sports centres and shopping malls, offering seating and free drinking water, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Sánchez also unveiled additional climate measures, including funding for flood prevention and €20 million earmarked for wildfire prevention plans in small towns. Spain faced its hottest summer on record in 2025, with temperatures exceeding 45°C, more than 3,800 heat-related deaths, and over 400,000 hectares destroyed by wildfires, underscoring the urgency of long-term climate adaptation.

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Lukashenko Says US Acknowledgment of 2020 Election Outcome Could Reset Ties

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said relations with the United States could improve if Washington acknowledges that efforts to overturn his 2020 re-election had failed. In an interview with U.S. outlet Newsmax, Lukashenko suggested that such an admission could serve as a starting point for renewed dialogue between the two countries.

Official results declaring Lukashenko re-elected to a sixth term in 2020 triggered mass protests in Belarus, with demonstrators alleging electoral fraud. Western nations refused to recognise the result, while Russia backed Lukashenko. The Belarusian leader responded to the unrest with widespread arrests, deepening tensions with the West.

The United States and its allies later imposed sanctions on Belarus over the election, human rights concerns and Minsk’s role in allowing Russia to use its territory to launch the invasion of Ukraine. Despite this, U.S. officials have engaged Belarus in recent years, including efforts to secure the release of detainees. Lukashenko said Belarus wanted constructive relations with Washington and even suggested the two sides could cooperate on international issues such as Venezuela.

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Finland PM Apologises to Asian Nations Over Racism Controversy

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Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has issued an apology to Asian nations after a racism controversy involving members of the far-right Finns Party, part of his governing coalition. The incident, labelled the “slanted eyes” scandal by Finnish media, centres on derogatory images shared online by several lawmakers, prompting diplomatic concern and backlash abroad.

Orpo said the remarks and images did not reflect Finland’s values of equality and inclusion. In statements released through Finnish embassies in China, Japan and South Korea, he stressed that the government takes racism seriously and is committed to combating it. The controversy began when the Miss Finland titleholder was photographed making an offensive gesture in a social media post, later leading to her being stripped of her crown despite an apology.

The situation escalated when multiple Finns Party politicians shared similar images online, drawing criticism at home and overseas. Finland’s national airline Finnair said the widely reported incident had triggered negative reactions in Asian markets, a key region for its long-haul business. The Finns Party is set to discuss the matter internally, while the episode has revived scrutiny of Orpo’s coalition, which has faced previous no-confidence votes linked to racist remarks by party members.

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German Business Confidence Slips Unexpectedly in December, Ifo Survey Shows

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German business sentiment unexpectedly weakened in December, highlighting ongoing struggles in Europe’s largest economy, according to a survey released by the Ifo Institute. The Ifo business climate index fell to 87.6 from a slightly revised 88.0 in November, defying expectations of a rise to 88.2. Commenting on the data, Ifo survey head Klaus Wohlrabe said the year was ending without any positive surprises for the German economy.

Economists said the latest reading reinforces concerns that Germany remains stuck in stagnation after two years of contraction, with only modest growth expected. Analysts noted that the decline aligns with recent drops in purchasing managers’ indexes and indicates that a long-anticipated recovery has yet to take hold. Fiscal stimulus measures announced by the government have so far failed to deliver a meaningful boost, partly due to delays in infrastructure spending and rising costs linked to an ageing population.

Outlook indicators also pointed to growing pessimism among companies for the first half of 2026, while assessments of the current situation remained unchanged. Ifo President Clemens Fuest said the year ended without renewed confidence, and economists added that the lack of broad-based economic reforms has weighed on sentiment. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged further reforms, but businesses remain cautious as tangible policy action has yet to materialise.

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Zaporizhzhia Plant Operating on Single Power Line

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The Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is currently running on only one of its two external power lines, Russian management reported on Tuesday. The second line was disconnected due to ongoing military activity, though officials confirmed that radiation levels remain normal. Repair work is planned to restore full power as soon as possible.

Europe’s largest nuclear facility, under Russian control since March 2022, is not generating electricity but depends on external power to keep nuclear material cooled and prevent a meltdown. The plant has experienced multiple power outages recently, including earlier this month, though connections were restored after each incident.

Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of shelling the site, raising concerns over safety. In September and October, the plant was without external power for 30 days, relying on backup diesel generators until a damaged line was repaired during a temporary local ceasefire coordinated with the U.N. nuclear agency.

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