In the UK, recent official figures indicate that regular pay, excluding bonuses, has increased at an annual rate of 5.2% for the first time in over a year, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Despite a decline in the number of job vacancies, the unemployment rate remains stable at 4.3%, though concerns have been raised regarding the reliability of the employment data.
In Moscow, a significant incident occurred early on December 17, resulting in the death of General Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical, and biological protection troops. The explosion, attributed to an improvised explosive device, took place on Ryazansky Avenue as Kirillov and his assistant exited their building. Reports suggest the device was concealed in a scooter. The blast caused damage to residential windows and the general's service vehicle.
Kirillov had been in his position since May 2017 and had been involved in various military roles since 2009. Prior to his death, he had been accused by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) of ordering the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces. This accusation was made just a day before the explosion, amid ongoing tensions related to the conflict in Ukraine.