California was hit by severe winter storms, bringing abnormal precipitation and gusty winds, disrupting Christmas travel for millions. Authorities declared an evacuation, and forecasters warn of critical danger from landslides and infrastructure damage.
Paramount has updated its offer to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery with Larry Ellison's personal guarantee of $40.4 billion. The total value of the deal is $78 billion, exceeding Netflix's offer.
Uber, in partnership with Chinese giant Baidu, will launch robotaxis in the UK, starting a pilot project with Apollo Go RT6 autonomous vehicles in the first half of 2026. The company plans to make the service available to Londoners by the end of next year and will offer it in more than 10 markets.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the launch of a program to create a new generation aircraft carrier (PANG), which is to replace the Charles de Gaulle in 2038. The project, worth 10 billion euros, will be implemented by Naval Group SA, involving hundreds of enterprises, despite financial uncertainty in the country.
Heavy rains and thunderstorms are raging in the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, causing traffic jams and accidents. Police urge drivers and pedestrians to be careful on the roads.
Sovereign wealth funds from Gulf countries have joined forces to finance Warner Bros. Discovery's potential acquisition of Paramount. This move underscores their growing desire for Hollywood assets and influence in the global media market.
Donald Trump has tasked trusted individuals without diplomatic training, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with negotiating a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. They are scheduled to meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, despite criticism over their ties to Russian officials.
The main parameters of the US-backed peace plan for Ukraine and Russia were handed over to the Kremlin after negotiations in Geneva. The plan will be discussed next week in Moscow.
Minister of Youth and Sports Matviy Bidnyi stated that it is too early to talk about the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Winter Olympic Games. He emphasized that war is a crime, and Russian athletes should not be allowed to have an international arena.
Donald Trump set a deadline for Ukraine to agree to the White House's 28-point plan to end the war, which he later postponed. Expert Stanislav Zhelikhovsky believes that the plan needs refinement, as Ukraine, as a party to the conflict, needs to be heard.
Russian propaganda, through a pocket 'American expert', threatens General Kyrylo Budanov with murder amid negotiations in Abu Dhabi.
The IJF Executive Committee voted to restore full national representation for Russian athletes. They will be eligible to compete under their national flag, with anthem and symbols, starting from the Grand Slam tournament in Abu Dhabi in 2025.
Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov, stated that the Kremlin had not discussed the US peace plan, having received several unofficial options. He added that representatives of the Russian and Ukrainian special services periodically meet in the UAE to discuss sensitive issues, including prisoner exchanges.
Changes to the US peace plan, which emerged after meetings between American and Ukrainian negotiators in Geneva, could force Putin to reject the proposal. Russia will resist any deviation from the maximalist positions that were in the original plan.
US President Trump expressed confidence in progress towards a peace deal for Ukraine, speaking in the White House Rose Garden. He noted that he had expected an easier end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The eruption of the Hayli-Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia has subsided, causing destruction in villages in the Afar region and widespread disruptions to air traffic. Residents complained of coughing, and livestock could not find clean water due to volcanic ash.
The heads of Ukrainian and Russian military intelligence were supposed to meet in Abu Dhabi on another topic, but the arrival of US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll came as a surprise. This changed the initial plan for the meeting, which was supposed to take place in the UAE.
Ukraine has agreed to a peace deal with the US, although some details still need to be clarified. The Ukrainian delegation contacted US Army Secretary Driscoll, who met with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi.
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, after talks with Russian officials, will also meet with Ukrainian representatives in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This comes amid intensive efforts by the Trump administration to end the war in Ukraine.
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll met with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi for the second time. This happened against the backdrop of a reduction in the US peace plan between Ukraine and Russia from 28 to 19 points, which the Russian side called a non-starter.
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll held a unique meeting with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi. This is an important step by the Trump administration to end the Russian-Ukrainian war.
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is meeting with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi to discuss the peace process. These meetings come amid increased efforts by US President Donald Trump to secure a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war.
International Holding Company from the UAE, led by the brother of the UAE president, has expressed interest in acquiring assets of "Lukoil", which is under US sanctions. The US Treasury Department has allowed companies to negotiate with "Lukoil" until December 13.
A self-portrait by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo titled "El sueño (La cama)" was sold at Sotheby's auction in New York for $54. 7 million. This made it Kahlo's most expensive work and the most expensive piece of Latin American art in history.
Marco Rubio called on the world to stop supplying weapons to Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, accused of mass killings. The RSF have been fighting the Sudanese army since April 2023, capturing El Fasher after an 18-month siege.
The updated IUCN Red List shows that 10% of wild bees and 15% of butterflies in Europe are threatened with extinction. Habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change threaten not only insects but also food security and biodiversity on the continent.
The US has approved export licenses for Nvidia to sell chips to the UAE. These are the first permits for the sale of advanced microchips to the Persian Gulf country since Donald Trump took office as president.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on September 25 allowing TikTok to continue operating in the US. The business was valued at $14 billion, with Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX becoming the main investors.
ChatGPT developer, OpenAI, plans to create one of the largest data centers in India. This facility will be part of the global Stargate initiative and the state program IndiaAI.
The monarch returned 4 million euros to businessmen who lent him funds to pay taxes. The funds were obtained from the sale of rights to documentaries and commercial operations.
