On December 20, 2025, Uzhhorod will host one of the key events of the year in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery — the “Live Surgery Transcarpathian: Difficult Cases 2.0” conference.
The organizer is the plastic surgery clinic Lita Plus, with the support of UPRADAS — Ukrainian Plastic Reconstructive Aesthetic Dermatosurgeons Association.
The event will bring together more than 100 plastic and reconstructive surgeons, dermatologists, and dermatosurgeons from all over Ukraine to share practical experience, discuss complex clinical cases, and present new approaches to treatment.
During the conference, cases of reconstructive surgery performed by the military will be discussed.
In addition to the main scientific program, participants can expect discussion panels, practical case studies, and professional networking.
For the second time, the Difficult Cases 2.0 conference will be a unique platform for lively professional dialogue, where more than 20 speakers will analyze clinical cases from their own practice, complex cases, and solutions.
“We have created a format where doctors can learn from other doctors. This is what shapes the new quality of medicine — when the professional environment does not compete, but develops together,” notes Sergey Derbak, founder of the Lita Plus clinic and president of the UPRADAS association.
Speakers at the event include Sergey Derbak, Ruslan Gumenny, Alexander Karpinsky, Ilya Kirichenko, Alexander Turkevich, Sergey Romanyuk, Vladimir Shapovaluk, Evgeny Simulik, Denis Pominchuk, Alexander Pasechnik, Vasily Pasechnik, Anna Barinova, Irina Shmygina, and other leading surgeons of Ukraine.
Traditionally, the event will take place in Uzhhorod, at the Camelot hotel complex.
“Transcarpathia is becoming an important hub for the development of medical education. It is a place that combines tranquility, focus, and community — exactly what is needed for professional growth,” comments Alexander Karpinsky, plastic surgeon at the Lita Plus clinic.
The conference is supported by the UPRADAS association, which brings together plastic, reconstructive, aesthetic, and dermatological surgeons from Ukraine.
The association promotes the development of postgraduate education, the improvement of surgical standards, and the integration of Ukrainian doctors into the international professional community.
“We support events that not only shape knowledge but also the culture of communication between specialists. Difficult Cases is exactly the format that changes the approach to medical education,” notes Sergey Derbak.
In addition to its educational value, the conference has a charitable mission — all funds raised will be used to purchase vehicles and equipment for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Traditionally, the event will include a gala evening with a charity auction, the proceeds of which will also go to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
A separate category of participation is open to medical university students and interns.
This is a unique opportunity to see the work of leading surgeons, communicate with mentors, and take the first steps in professional development.
Date: December 20, 2025
Venue: Camelot Hotel Complex, Uzhhorod
Start time: 9:00 a.m.
Online registration and program details: https://livesurgery-transcarpathian.com
Media accreditation: +38 050 172 35 00
Contact person: Kira Skrypnyk, Head of PR Department, Lita Plus Clinic — pr@litaplus.com.
Interfax-Ukraine is the information partner of the conference
China’s actual gold purchases this year may exceed officially declared volumes by several times and have already become one of the key drivers of record growth in precious metal prices, the Financial Times writes, citing analysts and market data.
According to official statistics from the People’s Bank of China, in 2025 the regulator purchased only about 25 tons of gold, with an increase in reserves of approximately 2 tons in some months. However, analysts at Société Générale, assessing trade flows of large bars and import data, believe that Beijing’s actual purchases could reach up to 250 tons per year, or more than a third of the total demand of global central banks. According to their estimates, actual purchases may exceed the officially disclosed figures by ten times or more.
Bruce Ikemizu, director of the Japan Precious Metals Market Association, said that market participants this year “practically do not believe official statistics, especially for China,” and estimates the country’s current gold reserves at nearly 5,000 tons — about twice the level reported publicly by the Chinese authorities.
According to the FT and experts, a significant portion of purchases are made opaquely — through the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), the sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corporation, and other entities that are not required to publish detailed reports on gold reserves. This makes it difficult to assess the real scale of operations and increases market uncertainty.
Analysts note that the secretive accumulation of gold is linked to a strategy of de-dollarization. “China is buying gold as part of its strategy to reduce its dependence on the dollar,” the press quotes Jeff Currie, a strategist at Carlyle, as saying. Gold is seen as a hedge against currency and geopolitical risks, including against the backdrop of tensions with the US.
According to estimates by the World Gold Council, over the past decade, the share of gold in the international reserves of countries outside the US has grown from about 10% to 26%, making the metal the second most important reserve asset after the US dollar. Large-scale purchases by central banks have helped push the price of gold above $4,300 per troy ounce, according to the FT and industry publications.
China remains the world’s largest producer and consumer of gold, accounting for about 10% of global production, which allows Beijing to increase its reserves not only through imports but also through the domestic market.
Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has stopped accepting printed boarding passes: a digital boarding pass in the myRyanair app is now required for boarding, the airline has announced. Online check-in is available on the website and in the app, after which the boarding pass is automatically generated in myRyanair. According to the carrier, the share of passengers with mobile boarding passes previously exceeded 80%.
The company explains the move as an effort to speed up boarding and reduce costs. The information page notes that Ryanair is “moving to 100% Digital Boarding Passes from 12 Nov 2025” and paper boarding passes will no longer be issued. Local exceptions may apply at certain airports, a list of which is published by the company in its explanations.
A number of European publications specify that passengers without a smartphone or without access to the app at the airport will be able to obtain a paper boarding pass after online check-in, and some national regulators remind of the need to respect passenger rights when introducing the digital format.
The cryptocurrency market remained quite volatile during the week of November 10-16 and ended the period in the red. According to consolidated quotes from exchange trackers, Bitcoin fell from the $106,000 range to $95,000–96,000, with daily lows dropping to $94,000. Ethereum fell from approximately $3,570 to $3,170, and Solana fell from around $167 to $141. The dynamics were accompanied by irregular flows in spot ETFs: days of net inflows and outflows alternated, which intensified price volatility. Additional pressure was created by the growth in US government bond yields and investor caution ahead of inflation releases.
By segment, BTC is holding the support zone of $94,000–96,000, but the momentum is weak and sensitive to daily flows in ETFs. ETH remains under pressure from outflows and capital rotation into individual altcoins. SOL is showing increased beta volatility amid relatively stable inflows into ecosystem products.
Short-term outlook for 1–2 weeks: the base scenario assumes BTC consolidation in the range of $92–105 thousand with a reaction to daily ETF flows and treasury yields. Several days of steady inflows into funds could return the price to the upper end of the range, while new outflows threaten a retest of $94,000–95,000. ETH is likely to move sideways between $3,050 and $3,350 until flows reverse, while SOL is likely to move between $135 and $155, remaining highly sensitive to ecosystem news.
Assessment until the end of 2025: in a bullish scenario, a series of net inflows into BTC-ETFs and an improvement in global risk appetite could bring BTC back to 105–112 thousand and pull ETH up to 3.4–3.7 thousand. Against a neutral backdrop, trading is likely to remain in the $95,000–107,000 range for BTC, with high-quality altcoins dominating. The bearish scenario envisages a strengthening of the dollar and yields, with the risk of BTC testing the $90,000 level and ETH falling below $3,000.
Key indicators for the coming week: daily reports on inflows and outflows in spot ETFs on BTC, ETH, and the largest alt products, leverage and liquidation metrics on derivatives exchanges, as well as the US macro calendar (inflation, Treasury auctions, Fed comments). For tactical strategies, the advantage of range trading and quick reactions to flows is noted. For strategic positions, it is better to gradually build up long positions as inflows stabilize and volatility decreases.
Ukraine’s negative foreign trade balance in goods in January-September 2025 increased by 50% compared to the same period in 2024, to $30.619 billion from $20.403 billion, the State Statistics Service (SSS) reported on Friday.
According to its data, exports of goods from Ukraine during the specified period decreased by 4.1% compared to January-September last year, to $29.572 billion, while imports increased by 17.5%, to $60.191 billion.
The statistics agency specified that in September 2025, compared to August 2025, seasonally adjusted export volumes decreased by 1.0%, and imports by 4.2%.
The seasonally adjusted foreign trade balance in September 2025 was negative and amounted to $3.612 billion, while in the previous month it was also negative at $3.874 billion.
The export-to-import coverage ratio was 0.49 (0.60 for the first nine months of 2024).
Foreign trade operations were conducted with partners from 222 countries around the world.
Imports of electric telephone or telegraph apparatus and videophones (UKTZED 8517) to Ukraine in January-October increased by 26.9% compared to the same period in 2024, reaching $1.28 billion, according to statistics from the State Customs Service.
According to statistics, the largest volume of these products was imported from China (55.3%, or $706.2 million), Vietnam (15.2%, $194.5 million), and the United States (8.4%, $107 million). Last year, it was also China (63.7%, $640.5 million), Vietnam (16.3%, $163.5 million), and the United States (4.3%, $43.2 million).
In October this year, Ukraine imported telephone and telegraph equipment worth $152.04 million, which is 48% more than a year ago.
At the same time, exports of these products from Ukraine in January-October 2025 reached $100.9 million, which is 38.3% more than in the first 10 months of last year. Supplies were mainly to Hungary (71%), Poland (24%), and the Netherlands (less than 1%). During the same period in 2024, products were exported mainly to the same countries, but Hungary’s share was 60.8%, Poland’s 30%, and the Netherlands’ 4%.
According to the State Customs Service, in 2024, telephone or telegraph apparatus and videophones worth almost $1.26 billion were imported into Ukraine, which is 10% more than in 2023.
