EUROPE

RUSSIA LAUNCHES 'INHUMANE' CHRISTMAS MISSILE ATTACKS ON UKRAINE

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Amid festive celebrations worldwide, Ukraine faced another harsh chapter in its ongoing conflict with Russia. A ballistic missile struck a residential block in Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown, killing one person and injuring 15. This tragedy highlights the relentless attacks Ukrainians endure even during the holiday season.

HONDA AND NISSAN TO BEGIN TALKS ON MERGING

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Japanese auto giants Honda Motor and Nissan Motor are set to begin talks on a potential merger. This move aims to enhance their competitiveness against Tesla and other electric vehicle manufacturers, as reported by the newspaper Nikkei early Wednesday.

KING CHARLES HOLDS PRIVATE MEETING WITH KATE MIDDLETON AS PALACE PLANS FOR SMOOTH ASCENSION

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Buckingham Palace has reportedly begun planning Prince William's ascension to the throne. Sources indicate King Charles III, at 76, has been actively involved in discussions to ensure a seamless transition for his son and daughter-in-law, Princess Catherine. This proactive approach follows a challenging year for the monarch, marked by his cancer diagnosis in February and Middleton's own health battle revealed a month later.

RUSSIAN CHEMICAL WEAPONS CHIEF IGOR KIRILLOV KILLED IN MOSCOW BLAST, UKRAINE CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY

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Ukraine's covert operations, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Forces, was assassinated in Moscow on December 17, 2024. The incident, which Ukrainian intelligence claims responsibility for, marks a significant and rare attack on Russian soil amidst the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

FRANCE HOLDS NATIONAL MOURNING DAY FOR MAYOTTE CYCLONE VICTIMS

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Following the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte earlier this month, France observed a national day of mourning on Monday. President Emmanuel Macron led the nation in a minute of silence to honor the storm's victims.

ROYAL MAIL TAKEOVER APPROVED

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The UK government has approved the £3.6 billion takeover of Royal Mail's parent company by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group, following agreement on legally binding commitments. The government will retain a so-called "golden share" that will require it to approve any major changes to Royal Mail's ownership, HQ location and tax residency.

KING CHARLES III's CANCER TREATMENT WILL CONTINUE INTO NEXT YEAR

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King Charles III's cancer treatment is progressing positively, according to Buckingham Palace, and his "treatment cycle will continue into next year." This update comes almost a year after his diagnosis was publicly disclosed in February. The 76-year-old monarch chose to share his health status "to prevent speculation and assist public understanding for all those affected by cancer worldwide," the Palace stated.

TIM COOK DECLARES NEW IPHONE ERA DURING U.K. VISIT, HIGHLIGHTING AI INNOVATIONS

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Recently in London, Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, envisioned a transformational future with the latest revolutions in AI and marked a new epoch for the IPhone. It was during his weeklong trip to the UK and a slew of commitments that underlined how Apple had made well over $22 billion of investment in the region during the past five years and underlined the company’s growing ambition on innovation, community development, and AI-enabled strides.