A large-scale overnight Russian attack on Ukraine caused civilian casualties and widespread disruptions to electricity, heating, and water supplies as temperatures fell below minus 10 degrees Celsius. The United Nations condemns these attacks against critical civilian infrastructure. Humanitarian organizations are providing emergency assistance and monitoring urgent needs in Kyiv and other affected areas amid extremely challenging conditions and low temperatures.
UKRAINE
The Spokesman said we expect a statement on Ukraine today. We have seen that another large-scale overnight Russian attack struck Ukraine, causing civilian casualties and widespread disruption to electricity, heating and water supplies, all this as temperatures dropped to -10°C and below. We once again condemn these attacks against critical civilian infrastructure.
In the capital Kyiv, a health worker was killed, and rescuers and other health workers were also injured while trying to help people impacted by the attacks, which also killed and injured several civilians. This is what local authorities are telling us. Since the start of the year, the World Health Organization reports that nine attacks on health care in Ukraine.
Humanitarian organizations are continuing to support people in Kyiv and other impacted cities and towns, providing emergency assistance and monitoring urgent needs as conditions remain extremely challenging due to low temperatures.
SYRIA
On Syria, we continue to be gravely alarmed by the hostilities in Aleppo. Despite ongoing efforts to try to calm the fighting, the dangers of renewed and further escalation and the impact on civilians are extremely concerning.
We underscore that all parties are bound by international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure at all times and we urge all to avoid further escalation. We urge them to demonstrate restraint, and take concrete steps to prevent any additional civilian casualties.
We call on all parties to show genuine flexibility and good faith and to swiftly return to negotiations to ensure the full implementation of the 10 March agreement.
On the humanitarian front, our colleagues tell us that the heightened insecurity in parts of Aleppo has disrupted access to key roads, limiting the ability to move around and delaying humanitarian access. We are coordinating with relevant groups so we can continue to deliver humanitarian aid.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight
Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Website: https://www.un.org/sg/en/spokesperson
This landmark trade deal will create growth, opportunities and greater prosperity for European citizens and businesses.
We are creating the largest free trade zone in the world – a market of 700 million people.
And Europe is starting a new era of cooperation with our partners in Latin America and beyond.
I will soon travel to Paraguay to sign the agreement.
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Commenting on the recent protests in Iran, UN Human Rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said, “The right to peaceful protest, as enshrined in international law, must be protected.”
President von der Leyen reaffirms the European Union’s commitment to supporting Syria and the Syrian people, one year after the beginning of a new path toward hope, recovery, and renewal.
President von der Leyen proposes a new framework for cooperation built on three pillars: a renewed political partnership through high-level dialogue; strengthened economic cooperation, including access to European markets; and a substantial financial support package of around €620 million for humanitarian aid, early recovery, and institutional rebuilding.
The EU is committed to supporting Syria’s reviving economy and bringing communities back together.
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X’s owned AI tool Grok generating sexual images of children and anti-semitic content is illegal and unacceptable. The European Commission has immediately taken action.
A detailed request for information about Grok has been sent to X.
An order to retain all internal documents and data relating to Grok’s features until the end of 2026 has also been sent to X.
The Commission stress that compliance with EU law is not an option. It’s an obligation.
The Focus Session on the digital euro aim to outline the pilot’s objectives, timeline, and payment service providers (PSPs) selection process. In November 2025, the ECB announced its plan to launch a call for expressions of interest in 2026, inviting European payment service providers to join a digital euro pilot expected in the second half of 2027.
The event is for all stakeholders, including PSPs, technical service providers, merchants and consumers who would like to learn more about the digital euro pilot.
