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Russia

This Happened—December 31: The Path Is Cleared For Putin

After a referendum held in March 1991, the creation of the post of president of Russia was created. Boris Yeltsin was elected Russia's first president in an election of that kind. On this day in 1999, he resigned and was succeeded by Vladimir Putin.

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Why did Boris Yeltsin resign from office?

Within a few years of his presidency, many of Yeltsin's initial supporters started to criticize his leadership, which had caused a downturn in Russia’s economy, affecting not only the country itself, but the entire world. Tensions with the Russian parliament began in 1993, when Yeltsin ordered the unconstitutional dissolution of the parliament. The parliament then attempted to impeach Yeltsin but was unsuccessful.

Who took over for Boris Yeltsin?

During his second term, the government defaulted on its debt and the ruble collapsed in the 1998 Russian financial crisis. In December 1999, Yelstin announced his resignation and his chosen successor: Vladimir Putin took power.

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Society

How Gen Z Is Breaking Europe's Eternal Alcohol Habit

Young people across Europe are drinking less, which is driving a boom in non-alcoholic alternatives, and the emergence of new, more complex markets.

photo of a beer half full on a bar

German beer, half-full?

Katarzyna Skiba

Updated Dec. 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

PARIS — From Irish whisky to French wine to German beer, Europe has long been known for alcohol consumption. Of the top 10 countries for drinking, nine are in the European Union, according to the World Health Organization.

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But that may be starting to change, especially among Gen Z Europeans, who are increasingly drinking less or opting out entirely, out of concern for their health or problematic alcohol use. A recent French study found the proportion of 17-year-olds who have never consumed alcohol has multiplied, from less than 5% to nearly 20% over the past two decades.

The alcohol-free trend is propping up new markets for low- or zero-alcoholic beverages, including in one of Europe’s beer capitals: Germany.

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