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Jimmy Carter, former US President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, has died at the age of 100 at his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter was President of the United States from 1977 to 1981 and gained international recognition for his mediation of the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, as well as his humanitarian work after his term in office. Although his presidency was burdened by economic problems and the Iran hostage crisis, he was later appreciated worldwide for his commitment to human rights, democracy and the fight against poverty. Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. His wife Rosalynn Carter died in November 2023.

A plane crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea has claimed 179 lives, making it the worst in the country's history. Jeju Air flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800, was coming from Bangkok and attempted to land at 9:00 a.m. local time. The plane touched down without its landing gear extended and burst into flames. Two crew members survived with serious injuries. Initial investigations are focusing on possible bird strikes that could have caused technical problems. Acting President Choi Sang-mok promised comprehensive support for the investigation and the families of the victims.

An Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed after it was accidentally shot at by Russian air defense forces, according to President Aliyev. Despite severe damage, the pilots rescued 29 passengers and were posthumously honored as national heroes. Russia apologized while the cause continues to be investigated.

Israeli forces called on the remaining residents of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza to evacuate, as rockets are being fired at Israel from there. According to Israel, the offensive is aimed at Hamas fighters, but has dramatically worsened the humanitarian situation, according to the UN and Palestinian authorities. Air strikes killed at least 23 people on Sunday, including victims in hospitals that Israel claims were used by Hamas. In total, over 45,300 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, triggered by the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 dead in Israel.

Finnish investigators found drag marks on the bottom of the Baltic Sea, where the tanker *Eagle S* presumably damaged power and telecom cables. The ship was impounded and an anchor is missing. Estlink 2 remains out of service until August. NATO increases its presence.

Zoran Milanovic leads in Croatia's presidential election with 51.4% according to post-election polls and is likely to be re-elected in the first round. His challenger Dragan Primorac (HDZ) has 19.29%. Voter turnout was low at 39%, presumably due to the date between the public holidays. Milanovic is seen as a critic of the EU and remains controversial, while Croatia is struggling with inflation and labor shortages.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz criticized Elon Musk's guest article in “Welt am Sonntag”, in which he described the AfD as the “last spark of hope” for Germany, as “overbearing and presumptuous”. Merz emphasized that historically there had never been comparable interference in the election of a friendly country. The SPD and Greens also voiced harsh criticism, warning of a danger to democracy and calling for resistance against such interference. The editors-in-chief of “Die Welt” defended the publication and emphasized the importance of freedom of opinion and journalism.

FDP leader Christian Lindner has suggested that the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bundesbank should include cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin in their reserves. He cites similar considerations in the US, where the new Trump administration is pursuing a progressive stance towards crypto assets. Lindner emphasizes that Germany and Europe should not lag behind the US. Despite the known risks of cryptocurrencies, such as price fluctuations, he sees their inclusion as a contribution to strengthening the resilience of reserves. Lindner had already emphasized the importance of cryptocurrencies in the economy in the past.

Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, outlined a plan for the country's future that includes a new constitution and elections in about four years. He announced the dissolution of the HTS militia and a restructuring of the Assad-era intelligence services to end decades of oppression. Al-Sharaa also hopes that the US will lift its sanctions against Syria and emphasized strategic relations with Russia.

Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in as President of Georgia after being elected on December 14. The previous president, Salome Zurabishvili, does not recognize the election and is calling for new elections. Protests were held against Kavelashvili, as the opposition sees him as a puppet of the Russia-friendly billionaire Ivanishvili and accuses the government of electoral fraud.

One of the oldest piano manufacturers from Lower Saxony, Grotrian-Steinweg, is laying off all its employees as the company is in insolvency proceedings, reports NDR.  The reason: the creditors' claims must be met. This could be made possible by a new purchase offer from the Chinese Parsons Group.

Afghan forces have attacked several areas in Pakistan in response to an airstrike in which 46 people were killed, according to Kabul. Islamabad described the targets as militant hideouts. Fighting has been taking place on the border between the two countries since Friday evening. Afghan forces attacked “centers and hideouts of enemy forces and their supporters” in response to airstrikes on the country, the Afghan Defense Ministry said on X. The ministry's statement said the attacks targeted several locations across the “imaginary line” - a term used by the Afghan authorities to describe the border with Pakistan.

Parliament has voted in favor of impeachment proceedings against incumbent South Korean President Han Dak Su. He has been removed from power - BBC. The impeachment was voted for by 192 MPs, with 151 votes required. Parliament had previously initiated impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol following his failed attempt to declare a state of emergency on December 3.

Slovakia will assess the situation with the transit stop of gas supplies after January 1 and consider the possibility of countermeasures against Ukraine, including the suspension of electricity supplies, said the Prime Minister of the Republic, Robert Fico, in a video address on social media.

The Russian Gazprom Group is preventing the end of gas transit through Ukraine by stopping deliveries. Moldova is now facing an energy crisis. The population is already preparing for this.

Poland is planning to complete the construction of its border wall along the 400 km border with Belarus by summer 2025. The project, which was announced by Donald Tusk's government at the beginning of this year, is intended to prevent a further influx of migrants. The initiative to build the border wall began at the end of 2021, when Belarusian President Lukashenko encouraged the arrival of thousands of migrants to Poland and neighboring Baltic states.

Russia is dissatisfied with US President-elect Donald Trump's proposals to postpone Ukraine's accession to NATO for 20 years and to deploy a peacekeeping mission made up of EU and British forces in Ukraine. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview with Tass. “In light of numerous reports and Donald Trump's own interview with Time magazine on December 12, he is talking about 'freezing' the fighting along the line of contact and giving the Europeans additional responsibility in dealing with Russia. However, we strongly disagree with the President-elect's team's proposals to postpone Ukraine's NATO accession for 20 years and to deploy a peacekeeping mission of 'British and European forces' in Ukraine,” Lavrov said.