In the world

Russia will achieve the liberation of territories by military means if Ukraine refuses dialogue, - Putin

On December 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the country's intention to reclaim its territories by military means if Ukraine does not show readiness for constructive dialogue to resolve the conflict. This statement was made at an expanded meeting of the Ministry of Defense's board, as reported by Russian media. The head of state noted: "If the opposing side and their foreign allies refuse serious discussion, Russia will be forced to seek the liberation of its

17.12.2025, 17:28

In the world

The Kremlin expects information from the U.S. on the results of work regarding the Ukrainian settlement, - Peskov

Dmitry Peskov The press secretary noted: "We hope that our American colleagues will share with us the results of their interactions with Ukrainians and European partners at a convenient time." Meetings discussing ways to resolve the conflict in Ukraine took place on December 14 and 15 in Berlin. On Sunday, the negotiations lasted about five hours, and on Monday — approximately two hours. On Monday, the progress of these negotiations was discussed with several European leaders,

17.12.2025, 16:47

In the world

Russian and Belarusian Skiers Allowed to Compete at the Olympics in Italy in 2026

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) partially upheld the appeals of skiers from Russia and Belarus, declaring invalid the decision of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) that prohibited them from participating in international competitions. The case concerns the FIS ruling made on October 21, which denied athletes from Russia and Belarus entry to competitions under the federation's auspices, even in a neutral status. This decision affected both the Olympic and

17.12.2025, 16:42

In the world

In western Kazakhstan, 3 people died in a traffic accident

Three people died as a result of a traffic accident that occurred in the West Kazakhstan region. This is reported by Kazakhstani media, citing data from the local police department. According to law enforcement agencies, the tragedy happened on December 16 at 20:30 on the Uralsk — Kirsanova highway, near the village of Volodarskoye. The driver of a KIA K5, born in 1989, lost control, crossed into the oncoming lane, and collided with a VAZ-2104, driven by a man born in 1974.

17.12.2025, 15:55

In the world

Louvre Employees Announce Strike Due to Working Conditions and Safety Issues

About 400 employees of the Louvre, including curators and restorers, strongly supported the strike on Monday, protesting against deteriorating working conditions and insufficient funding, as reported by Euronews. This action occurred against the backdrop of an increase in tourist numbers ahead of Christmas, resulting in the world's most visited museum closing its doors for at least a day. A representative of the CFDT union, Valérie Baud, expressed concern that working conditions at the

17.12.2025, 15:38

In the world

The Chinese Foreign Ministry opposed the EU's use of frozen Russian assets

Illustrative photo During the briefing, Guo Jiakun emphasized that China consistently opposes unilateral sanctions that contradict international law and have not received approval from the UN Security Council. He also noted that the potential use of frozen Russian assets could negatively impact China's trust in the investment climate in EU countries. Guo Jiakun added that Beijing insists on the necessity of creating a constructive atmosphere for dialogue and negotiations, involving all

17.12.2025, 15:00

In the world

NYT: The EU and US Plan Envisions Strengthening the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Deploying European Troops on Ukrainian Territory

Illustrative photo According to the publication, the proposed plan includes not only an increase in the Armed Forces of Ukraine but also the deployment of European troops on its territory, as well as a more active use of intelligence information from the US. Sources from the NYT report that these documents could form the basis for a future ceasefire agreement. According to the newspaper, these measures are aimed at convincing Ukraine to make territorial compromises with Russia and to abandon

17.12.2025, 14:40

In the world

Trump announced a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers from Venezuela

Trump claims that Caracas uses funds from oil sales to finance drug trafficking and other illegal activities. He also promised to increase the U.S. military presence until Venezuela agrees to concessions. In his post on the social media platform Truth Social, the president stated that Venezuela is "surrounded by the largest armada ever assembled in South America." In response to these actions, the Venezuelan government issued a statement accusing Trump of violating international law

17.12.2025, 14:29

In the world

Politico: The EU is discussing the possibility of granting Ukraine access to frozen Russian assets bypassing Belgium's position

The issue of access to Russian assets continues to face resistance from Belgium, prompting EU ambassadors to gather for a meeting on Wednesday morning. The goal of this meeting is to try to agree on important details ahead of the EU summit taking place in Brussels on Thursday. According to information from Politico, some of Ukraine's allies are considering actions that do not require Belgium's participation. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina noted in this context: "It is

17.12.2025, 13:29

In the world

An international body for reparations to Ukraine has been established in The Hague

At the international conference held on December 16, a decision was made to establish the International Claims Commission for Ukraine. This was reported by European media, including information about the new body. This commission, created under the Council of Europe, will perform an important function in the mechanism for compensating damages caused by military actions on the territory of Ukraine. The conference was attended by representatives of European states as well as international

17.12.2025, 12:25

In the world

Trump expanded the travel ban to the US for citizens of Syria and several other countries

The new restrictions will take effect on January 1, 2026, and will apply to 20 countries and territories, effectively doubling the previously existing list. A complete travel ban is being imposed on citizens of Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Syria, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan, as well as on individuals holding travel documents from the Palestinian National Authority. Partial restrictions will be introduced for citizens of Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Gabon, Gambia, the Dominican

17.12.2025, 11:52

In the world / Exclusive

Thai authorities report a stable situation in the tourism sector

In the context of the border conflict with Cambodia, Thailand's tourism industry is demonstrating resilience. According to information provided by Nithi Sipra, Deputy Head of the Tourism Authority of Thailand for Marketing and Communications, foreign travelers continue to visit the country without any changes to their plans. “Tourism in Thailand is in a stable condition. We do not observe cancellations of bookings at popular resorts,” he emphasized, referring to data from the government’s

17.12.2025, 11:46

In the world

The USA recognized the authorities of Venezuela as a "terrorist organization." And imposed a blockade on tankers.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the introduction of a maritime blockade for oil tankers heading to or leaving Venezuela. The announcement was posted on his social network Truth Social on December 16. According to DW, Trump cited the actions of the Venezuelan regime as the reason for this decision, including "asset theft, terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking." Washington has officially recognized Nicolás Maduro's regime as terrorist.

17.12.2025, 08:47

In the world

Mongolia Calls for Global Transparency in Political Campaign Financing at UN Summit

In his speech at the conference on December 16, Lkhanaajav emphasized that the fight against corruption is a priority for Mongolia. He pointed out that corruption threatens citizens' trust in the state, democratic governance, and fair economic competition. In his address, he also spoke about recent initiatives aimed at revitalizing the National Anti-Corruption Program, adding that 2026 will be declared the "Year of Strengthening Discipline and Accountability in Public Service"

17.12.2025, 08:31

In the world

The Supreme Court of Russia denied Larisa Dolina the return of the sold apartment

Larisa Dolina. Photo - Pavel Kashaev / Global Look Press. The Judicial Panel for Civil Cases of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation rejected the lawsuit of singer Larisa Dolina, which concerned the recognition of the apartment sale transaction as invalid and the termination of Polina Lurye's ownership rights to the property. This was reported by RBC. At the same time, the counterclaim from Lurye for the eviction of the singer and the termination of her right to use the apartment

17.12.2025, 08:24

In the world

Events in Ukraine and the World. Main Highlights by the Morning of December 17

International media and agencies reported on key events in Ukraine and the world related to the ongoing conflict. Here are the main points from the past 24 hours. A multi-story building in Zaporizhzhia, damaged by drones. Photo by Darya Nazarova / AFP. As a result of two days of meetings in Berlin, delegations from the USA, Ukraine, and Europe agreed on a security package inspired by NATO's Article 5. However, the issue of territorial concessions remains open. President Volodymyr Zelensky

17.12.2025, 07:59

In the world

More than 290 Mongolian prosecutors participated in the ILO training

This training is focused on developing the skills of prosecutors in the area of labor rights protection and compliance with international labor standards, with an emphasis on eradicating child and forced labor. More than 290 prosecutors and prosecution staff participated in the event organized in collaboration with the Research Institute under the General Prosecutor's Office of Mongolia. The training aims to strengthen the capacity of the prosecution in enforcing labor legislation and

17.12.2025, 07:18

In the world

The State Duma ratified the temporary trade agreement between the EAEU and Mongolia

This agreement was signed on June 27, 2025, in Minsk and aims to simplify trade for a specific list of goods. It is expected that the volume of Russian exports subject to Mongolia's tariff commitments under this agreement in 2024 will amount to $2.3 billion. According to the conclusion of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs and Eurasian Integration, the implementation of this agreement will enhance the competitiveness of Russian goods in the Mongolian market. Furthermore, it will

17.12.2025, 06:15

In the world

The Foreign Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia met with the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar

// Gulf Times During the discussion, the focus was on issues of bilateral cooperation, as well as possible ways to further develop and strengthen it. Diplomatic relations between Qatar and Mongolia were established on January 23, 1998. In 2019, the countries actively worked on expanding cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, culture, and sports, with Qatari representatives showing interest in investment opportunities in Mongolia.

17.12.2025, 04:37

In the world

ChainUp, a leading provider of blockchain technology, signed an MoU with the Mongolian AIGroup

ChainUp, founded in 2017 in Singapore, is a leading provider of comprehensive blockchain technology solutions, covering infrastructure development and ecosystem support. The agreement between AIGroup and ChainUp involves collaboration to create infrastructure for next-generation digital assets. The partnership aims to establish a technological foundation for digital assets at the institutional level, implement best practices in tokenization, and support the development of Mongolia's

17.12.2025, 04:09

In the world

Mongolians Competing for Australia Took Second Place at the World Memory Championship

At the 34th World Memory Championship, organized by the World Federation of Sports Games in this field, Mongolia took first place, Australia second, and China third. From December 12 to 14, the 34th World Memory Championship took place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with 169 athletes from 15 countries participating, including Mongolia, Australia, Germany, and Russia. The competitions were held in 10 disciplines aimed at testing visual and auditory memory over three days. Mongolia, winning 27

17.12.2025, 04:03

In the world

54-year-old Mongolian woman wins gold medal at the Honolulu Marathon

The Honolulu Marathon is one of the largest and most welcoming marathons in the USA. Iris Chuluunbat-naski, a Mongolian runner residing in Seattle and celebrating her 54th birthday this year, won the gold medal with an impressive time of 3:08:05. She was followed by Japanese athletes Yasoka Sato (03:22:52) and Oke Kazué (03:23:22), who took second and third places, respectively.

17.12.2025, 03:33

In the world

The American project "Compact Agreement on Water Resources" brought advanced global technologies to Mongolia

An important aspect of our cooperation with the United States is the "Improvement of Water Supply in Ulaanbaatar" program, which focuses on the protection and enhancement of Mongolia's water resources. The project is being implemented by the Millennium Challenge Corporation, with the completion of key construction works scheduled for March 31, 2026. This jointly funded project includes $350 million (₮1.2 trillion) in assistance from the United States and $112 million in

17.12.2025, 03:17

In the world

Astana announced that Russia is considering the possibility of laying a gas pipeline through Kazakhstan bypassing Mongolia.

At a press conference, Kazakhstan's Minister of Energy Erlan Akkenzhenov announced that Russia continues to explore the possibility of laying the "Power of Siberia-2" gas pipeline through Kazakhstan, despite China's preference for the route through Mongolia. Akkenzhenov noted that Russian colleagues are interested in constructing the pipeline through Kazakhstan, which would allow for an increase in gas consumption volumes. It is expected that an additional 35 billion cubic

17.12.2025, 02:57

In the world

Elon Musk became the first person in the world with a net worth of $600 billion

According to Forbes, in early December, SpaceX conducted a tender offer, resulting in its valuation reaching $800 billion. This event increased Musk's fortune, who owns about 42% of the company's shares, by $168 billion, bringing it to approximately $677 billion. This share buyback proposal has become relevant against the backdrop of SpaceX's plans to conduct an IPO in 2026, which, according to investors, could lead to the company's value rising to $1.5 trillion.

16.12.2025, 22:16

In the world

Ukraine and the USA Align Positions on Security Guarantees. Statements by Trump and Zelensky

During the two-day negotiations in Berlin, reported by Axios, Ukraine and the United States demonstrated progress in discussing security issues, but were unable to reach an agreement on the territorial aspects of the conflict. American officials noted that intensive discussions with representatives from Ukraine and European countries led to significant results in security matters for Kyiv. However, as experts emphasize, the territorial issue remains the most complex and requires further

16.12.2025, 22:08

In the world

In Brazil, a replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed during a storm

Information about the incident was received from the publication Brazil247. The statue, located in front of the Havan store, was part of the facade of the shopping area. The collapse occurred under a red level of danger, when expected wind gusts reached 90 km/h. Fortunately, at the time of the incident, the parking lot was almost empty, which helped avoid injuries among people.

16.12.2025, 21:59

In the world

Trump signed an order classifying illegal fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction

During the award ceremony for American servicemen in the Oval Office, Trump announced the signing of an executive order that classifies illegal fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. According to CNN, the implications of this decision remain uncertain. The President emphasized: "Today I am taking another step to protect Americans from the influx of deadly fentanyl that has flooded our country. No bomb causes as much damage as this."

16.12.2025, 21:08

In the world

Visa launched cryptocurrency payments in the USA

Visa has announced the ability to make payments using the cryptocurrency USDC in the United States, which is tied to the US dollar. This innovation will facilitate interactions between Visa and its banking partners, as reported on the company's website. In the press release, it is emphasized that the use of USDC provides issuers with the ability to transfer funds more quickly via blockchain, as well as to settle transactions at any time, including weekends and holidays, without any changes

16.12.2025, 20:57

In the world

The Russian Drama Theatre has become a laureate in the nomination "Best Russian Theatre Abroad"

This became possible thanks to the XVIII International Audience Award "Star of the Theater" The award ceremony took place on December 15, 2025, as reported by the press service of the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports, and Youth Policy.

16.12.2025, 19:16

In the world

UN calls for the use of artificial intelligence in the fight against corruption

In Doha (Qatar), the largest anti-corruption conference in the world has begun, where participants called for the use of the latest technologies in the fight against corruption and highlighted its connection to organized crime. This was reported by the UN News Service. More than 2,500 delegates from 170 countries are participating in the 11th session of the conference.

16.12.2025, 18:15

In the world

Avalanche Danger Declared in Six Regions of Uzbekistan from December 17 to 22

Illustrative photo The avalanche threat will affect the following areas: Kashkadarya Region: Dehkanabad, Kitab, Kamashinsky, and Shahrihansky districts;

16.12.2025, 16:26

In the world

"Roscosmos" denied the cessation of the manned program due to damage at the launch site in Baikonur

Baranov called for an end to speculation on this topic. Currently, the necessary parts and equipment for replacing the service cabin at launch pad 31 have already been delivered to Baikonur. Work is currently underway on priming and painting. The project involves 130 employees from Roscosmos, who are working in two shifts. It is expected that the work will be completed by the end of winter 2026. The cabin, intended for pre-launch servicing of the rocket, was damaged during the launch of

16.12.2025, 16:18

In the world / Exclusive

Heavy rains and floods hit Bolivia, there are casualties

As a result of heavy rains and subsequent floods in Bolivia, 20 people have died. This is reported in materials from Kazinform, citing information from Anadolu Ajansı. Bolivia's Deputy Minister of Civil Defense, Alfredo Troche, informed local media about flooding in Santa Cruz, which was caused by the overflow of the Pirai River. As a result of this disaster, not only have human losses been recorded, but many people are also reported missing.

16.12.2025, 16:03

In the world

In the Moscow Region, a teenager came to school with a knife and injured several people, one student died

According to information from Telegram channels, the incident occurred at the Uspenskaya Secondary School located in the village of Gorki-2. The school itself confirmed that an attack took place at the educational institution, but noted that the situation is currently under control, and parents will soon receive the necessary information through chats. According to sources, a teenager injured three students and a security guard who tried to stop him. As reported by "Baza," one of the

16.12.2025, 15:14

In the world / Exclusive

Volkswagen Closes Factory in Germany for the First Time in 88 Years

For the first time in its 88-year history, the Volkswagen Group has decided to close one of its factories in Germany. This was reported by the Financial Times, citing information from the Kazinform agency and BELTA. The closure of the factory in Dresden is due to financial difficulties arising from declining sales in Europe and China, as well as high import tariffs imposed by the United States. This decision is part of a broader program by Volkswagen aimed at cutting 35,000 jobs in Germany.

16.12.2025, 15:01

In the world

Elon Musk became the first person in history with a net worth of $600 billion, - Forbes

This new estimate is related to recent data on the value of Musk's company — SpaceX, which is engaged in space launches and is developing the satellite internet system Starlink. In August, SpaceX had a market capitalization of $400 billion, but by early December, according to an investor pitch prior to the stock offering, its value had risen to $800 billion.

16.12.2025, 14:55

In the world / Exclusive

In India, seven buses and three cars collided due to fog, there are fatalities.

As a result of a mass traffic accident in India, four people died and another 25 were injured. This information was reported by the ANI agency. According to BELTA, the accident occurred on the Delhi-Agra expressway in the state of Uttar Pradesh. In the morning, due to dense fog, seven buses collided with three cars, resulting in the buses catching fire.

16.12.2025, 14:51

In the world / Exclusive

The Louvre in Paris Closed Due to Employee Strike

On December 15, the Louvre suspended its operations due to a strike initiated by its employees. This information was published on the museum's official website. The statement reads: "Due to the employees' strike, the museum is temporarily closed. We apologize for the inconvenience caused."

16.12.2025, 13:37

In the world

Trump filed a $5 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC

The reason for the lawsuit, according to the plaintiff, was the biased editing of his speech, which he believes created a false impression that he was urging his supporters to storm the Capitol. According to the agency, Trump "opened an international front in his fight against those who, in his opinion, misrepresent or unfairly cover events in the media."

16.12.2025, 13:14

In the world

Tokaev congratulated Kazakhstanis on Independence Day

Tokayev Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the citizens of Kazakhstan on Independence Day, reports the press service of Akorda. “Dear compatriots, I sincerely congratulate you! This holiday is significant for our people, who have chosen the path of sovereign development. Independence is paramount! Adhering to this principle is our historical duty to future and past generations,” the president emphasized.

16.12.2025, 12:42

In the world

A Million-Subscriber Blogger Had a Home Water Birth. Her Baby Died.

Aisha Chigga, a popular blogger with a TikTok handle, lost her child during a home birth that took place in an inflatable pool. This tragic event was first reported by the media, and then Chigga herself shared details with her followers. Throughout her pregnancy, she actively informed her fans about every stage, including organizing a vibrant gender reveal party, where it was announced that she and her partner were expecting a boy. The couple had decided in advance that the birth would take

16.12.2025, 12:20

In the world

Frost and Snow. Forecasters Presented the Weekly Forecast for Uzbekistan

From December 16 to 20, Uzbekistan is expected to experience a drop in temperature accompanied by snow and rain. Winds will come from both the east and west, with gusts up to 12 meters per second. In Karakalpakstan and Khorezm, the cloud cover will be variable, with no precipitation expected, except for possible snow on December 19. Fog may also occur in some areas. The wind will be from the east, shifting to the west, with a speed of 7–12 meters per second. At night on December 17, the

16.12.2025, 12:17

In the world

Shooting on the Beach in Australia: Tokayev Sent a Telegram of Condolences

In his address, President Tokayev expressed support for the families and loved ones of the victims, as well as wishing a speedy recovery to all those injured. He strongly condemned this act of violence and confirmed that Kazakhstan stands with the people of Australia during this difficult time, as noted in the official statement.

16.12.2025, 11:28

In the world

Zelensky: We currently have different positions with the USA regarding the division of territories

Volodymyr Zelensky According to Zelensky, some issues regarding the peace plan are complex, especially concerning territories. He described this topic as "principled and painful" for Ukraine. At a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the President of Ukraine noted: "We have already discussed the issues regarding territories enough. At the moment, my colleagues and I have different positions, but I hope they heard my point of view."

16.12.2025, 09:59

In the world

Turkish military shot down a drone over the Black Sea that "lost control"

Illustrative photo The malfunctioning drone was spotted by the military as it began to approach the Turkish border. According to ministry representatives, the drone was initially under observation, but a decision was later made to destroy it. The agency clarified that F-16 fighter jets, operated by NATO and national command, were ordered to respond to ensure the safety of the airspace. As a result, it was determined that the unmanned aerial vehicle had lost control and posed a threat. It was

16.12.2025, 09:13

In the world

Ukraine stated that it blew up a Russian submarine in the port of Novorossiysk. Russia responded that the sabotage attempt "did not achieve its goals."

screenshot from SBU video According to information provided by the Security Service of Ukraine, Ukrainian underwater drones "Sub Sea Baby" successfully attacked the Russian submarine of the 636.3 class "Varshavyanka" (or Kilo according to NATO classification), which was located in the port of Novorossiysk. The SBU claims that the video published on social media shows the alleged explosion of the underwater vessel. As noted in the SBU reports, as a result of the incident,

16.12.2025, 09:05

In the world / Exclusive

Trump filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC

In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Miami, Trump is seeking damages of up to $10 billion, claiming that the BBC distorted his words in the documentary "Panorama," which aired ahead of the 2024 elections. He insists that the editing led viewers to believe he was urging his supporters to storm the Capitol. In the film, his statements about the march on the Capitol and the phrase "fight like hell" were edited together, while the part where he called for peaceful protests was

16.12.2025, 08:08