* Hamas releases second group of Israeli hostages in Gaza

The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas has released a second group of Israeli hostages, four women, who were received by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the city of Gaza. Israeli authorities also released 200 Palestinian prisoners. (more here)

* Orbán: EU sanctions against Russia will only be extended if Ukraine restores gas transit

The Hungarian Ministry of the Interior is investigating bomb threats made on Thursday to nearly 300 schools. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in a regular interview on the public Kossuth Radio that further provocations are to be expected. (more here)

* In 2024, solar energy surpassed coal for the first time in the EU, and natural gas production fell for the fifth year in a row

In a report on last year's energy production in the 27 European countries, the research institute Ember stated that the electricity sector's transition in the EU maintained its pace 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

According to him, it is clear that the opposition does not want to engage in fair political competition. He claims that there is a group of experts in the territory of the Slovak Republic who participated in "events in Georgia" and also in the Ukrainian Maidan. (more here, here and here)

* Petr Hannig, the discoverer of Lucie Bílá, a composer, producer, and politician, died a day after his 79th birthday

Petr Hannig was a Czech singer, composer, producer, music publisher, and politician, former chairman of the Rozumní party. On the day of his 79th birthday, he released a Supraphon compilation album. Last year, he suffered a severe stroke. He was subsequently transferred to the Malvazinky Rehabilitation Clinic, where he died. (more here)

* Trump took the oath of office and is the 47th President of the United States. The golden age of America is beginning, he said in his inaugural address

Donald Trump, the November election winner, took the presidential oath of office before Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts. The oath of office was also administered to his deputy, James David Vance. (more here)

* Electricity production in the Czech Republic fell year-on-year for the second year in a row, this time by approximately 4%, due to lower production in coal-fired power plants

The year 2024 can be considered the first post-crisis year for the energy sector in the European Union. How the energy sector will develop in 2025 remains to be seen, but we already know that there are a number of uncertainties that could affect the daily lives of residents of the Czech Republic. (more here)

* Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire agreement.

Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners from the Ofer prison, located west of Ramallah in the West Bank, just hours after three Israeli hostages were returned to Israel, having been released from Hamas captivity in Gaza. (more here)

* Biden granted preemptive pardons to Milley, Fauci, and members of the January 6th committee.

President Joe Biden used his extraordinary executive powers as a shield against potential retribution from his successor, Donald Trump. (more here)