* Hamas releases second batch of Israeli hostages in Gaza
The Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas has released a second batch of Israeli hostages, four women who were taken in by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza City. Israeli authorities also released 200 Palestinian prisoners. (more here)
* Orbán: EU sanctions against Russia will be extended only if Ukraine resumes gas transit
Hungary's Interior Ministry is investigating Thursday's bomb threats at nearly 300 schools. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in a regular interview with public radio Kossuth Rádió that further provocations could be expected. (more here)
* In 2024, solar power overtook coal for the first time in the EU and gas fell for the fifth consecutive year
In message on last year's power generation developments in 27 European countries, the Ember Research Institute said the EU's electricity sector transition maintained its momentum in 2024, despite challenging political and economic conditions. (more here)
* The situation in Slovakia is serious. Prime Minister Robert Fico convened a meeting of the Slovak Security Council
He said it is clear that the opposition does not want to enter into a fair political contest. He claims that there is a group of experts on the territory of the Slovak Republic who took part in the "events in Georgia" and in the Ukrainian Maidan. (more here, here a here)
* The day after his 79th birthday, the discoverer of Lucie Bílá, composer, producer and politician Petr Hannig died
Petr Hannig was a Czech singer, composer, producer, music publisher and politician, former chairman of the Rozumní party. On his 79th birthday he released Supraphon triple album selection. He had a massive stroke last year. He was subsequently transferred to the Malvasky Rehabilitation Clinic, where he died. (more here)
* Trump is sworn in and is the 47th President of the United States. America's golden age begins, he said in his inauguration speech
November's election winner Donald Trump takes the presidential oath of office at the hands of US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. His aide James David Vance was also sworn in as Vice President. (more here)
* Electricity production in the Czech Republic recorded a second consecutive year-on-year decline, this time by about 4 %, lower production in coal-fired power plants
The year 2024 can be described as the first fully post-crisis year in the European Union's energy sector. How the energy sector will develop in 2025 remains to be seen, but we already know that there are a number of uncertainties that may affect the daily lives of the people of the Czech Republic. (more here)
* Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a ceasefire
Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners from Ofer prison, located west of Ramallah in the West Bank, just hours after three Israeli hostages who were released from Hamas captivity in Gaza returned to Israel. (more here)
* Biden granted preventive pardons to Milley, Fauci and committee members on January 6
President Joe Biden has used emergency executive powers as a bulwark against his successor Donald Trump's revenge. (more here)
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