6 people, including a child, died in a Ukrainian attack on Rylsk, in Russia’s Kursk region. Homes, a school, and a cultural centre were damaged, officials said. Several people were taken to hospital. The strike followed a Russian missile attack on Kyiv, which damaged buildings housing embassies and killed one person. Nine others were injured. Kyiv’s St. Nicholas Cathedral and nearby homes were also hit. Ukraine’s military said Russia fired 65 drones and missiles overnight. Many were intercepted. Russia claims it targeted a Ukrainian Security Service building in Kyiv. Tensions remain high as both sides exchange attacks.

Russian missile strikes on Kyiv early Friday killed 1 person and injured 9, damaging 630 buildings, 16 medical facilities, and 30 schools. Kyiv officials reported debris caused fires across three districts. Russia stated its attack retaliated against a Ukrainian missile strike on Rostov using U.S.-made ATACMS and U.K.-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. The Kremlin condemned the use of Western arms on Russian soil. Moscow claimed its precision strikes targeted Ukrainian intelligence facilities, Neptune missile production, and Patriot air defense systems. Ukrainian retaliation escalates the ongoing conflict, highlighting increasing reliance on Western weaponry in the war.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings, forecasting gusts of up to 85mph across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and England's western regions this weekend. Coastal areas face dangerous conditions with large waves. The disruptive weather coincides with holiday travel, potentially causing significant delays in road, rail, air, and ferry services. The strongest winds are expected Saturday afternoon in northern Scotland. The RAC warns drivers to avoid major routes during peak hours (1-7 PM) on Friday and Saturday. While winds ease next week, Christmas Eve and Day will be mild with rain likely in northern areas.

The US has dropped a $10M bounty on Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's new de facto leader, following high-level diplomatic talks in Damascus. Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf described the discussions with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader as "pragmatic." The US delegation also sought information on missing Americans, including journalist Austin Tice. This marks Washington's first formal visit to Syria in over a decade, aiming to influence post-Assad governance. Meanwhile, CENTCOM confirmed the death of IS leader Abu Yusif in an airstrike. The US insists on conditions for HTS before lifting its terrorist designation.

A gas tanker crash on Jaipur-Ajmer highway triggered a massive fire, killing 11 people and critically injuring several others. The blaze, caused by a damaged LPG outlet nozzle, engulfed 37 vehicles and nearby buildings. Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes of people trapped in burning vehicles. Hospitals reported 43 injured, with 7 on ventilator support. Rajasthan’s government announced ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh for the injured. Fire brigades faced difficulty reaching the site as chaos unfolded. The tragedy underscores safety concerns on India’s highways, demanding stricter measures to prevent such incidents.

Indians became the second-largest group to obtain US citizenship in FY24, with 49,700 Indians naturalised, accounting for 6.1% of new citizens, as per USCIS data. Mexico led with 13.1%. Naturalisation grants foreign-born individuals the same rights as native-born Americans. Most Indians reside in California, Florida, New York, and Texas. The Indian-American community now numbers 5 million, reflecting their growing influence in the US. Naturalisation primarily occurs through family sponsorship, employment-based visas, or refugee status. India is also home to the second-largest group of foreign-born US nationals, totalling 2.83 million, after Mexico’s 10.6 million.

Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan shared a heartfelt story about Virat Kohli, revealed by Anushka Sharma during their time on the sets of Sui Dhaaga. Speaking on a podcast, Varun said Anushka recounted how Kohli cried after India’s Nottingham Test loss, blaming himself despite being the highest scorer. Anushka praised Kohli’s dedication and self-reflection. Known for her spiritual journey, Anushka also left a strong impression on Varun with her authenticity. Married since 2017, the couple has two children, Vamika (2021) and Akaay (2024), reflecting a strong personal and professional bond.

The United States conducted an airstrike in Syria's Deir Ezzor province, killing Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Yusif and an operative, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to counter IS resurgence after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government earlier this month. Washington has intensified military actions, targeting areas previously shielded by Syrian and Russian defenses. CENTCOM reported the strike aims to disrupt IS's ability to organize attacks. The US recently doubled its military presence in Syria, increasing troop numbers from 900 to approximately 2,000 to bolster anti-IS campaigns.

Malaysia has approved a new search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which vanished in 2014 with 239 people aboard. The $70M deal with US-based Ocean Infinity operates on a "no find, no fee" basis. Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated that new credible data identified a 15,000 sq km search area in the southern Indian Ocean. Previous efforts in 2017 and 2018 yielded no results. Families of victims expressed mixed emotions, hoping for closure after nearly 11 years of uncertainty. Ocean Infinity plans to begin the search next year. Investigators believe deliberate actions caused the flight's disappearance.

India has lodged a formal protest with Bangladesh over a now-deleted Facebook post by Mahfuj Alam, an aide to Muhammad Yunus. Alam suggested India should acknowledge the uprising that led to Sheikh Hasina's resignation as Prime Minister. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized caution in public discourse and reiterated its commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh. The protest comes amidst rising violence against minorities, with 2,200 incidents reported in Bangladesh in 2024, including attacks on Hindu temples. The MEA urged Bangladesh and Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of Hindus in their respective countries.