Honda and Nissan take into account a merger. And, Russia’s Christmas Day assault in Ukraine

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As we speak’s high tales

Honda and Nissan are starting talks a couple of merger because the auto sector experiences two seismic modifications: an increase in electrification and a surge of Chinese language automakers. A deal between these two corporations may create the world’s third-biggest automaker.

• 🎧 The 2 corporations have had problem producing the type of buzzy electrical automobiles that Tesla, Hyundai and Kia have, NPR’s Rafael Nam tells Up First. A merger would enable them to pool their experience and manufacturing collectively within the hopes of turning into stronger. Chinese language corporations have pivoted to producing EVs, that are seen as the way forward for the business, and so they’re promoting them for cheaper with improved high quality. To have the ability to compete, analysts consider firm measurement issues, which is why extra merger offers may occur over the subsequent few years.

Ukrainian crews are cleansing up this morning after a lethal Christmas Day assault by Russia. Moscow launched round 70 missiles and over 100 drones filled with explosives concentrating on Ukraine’s vitality grid.

• 🎧 Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says they shot down 50 of the missiles and blocked many of the drones utilizing digital jammers that may trigger them to crash. Zelensky known as the timing of the assault “inhumane” and “evil” in a public assertion. The strike, which killed a minimum of one individual, was the thirteenth large-scale assault on the vitality grid this 12 months alone, NPR’s Brian Mann says. If Russia’s purpose is to make Ukrainians so depressing they lose the need to defend their nation — there is not proof that is taking place, Mann says, noting that the response he is heard is one in all anger and never worry after the assault.
• ➡️ In a distant area of western Ukraine, removed from the violent battle, Ukrainians are going through one other battle: preserving their tradition. This is an intimate look at how they’re doing that.

Nigeria is at the moment going through one in all its worst financial crises in many years. The federal government imposed a set of controversial financial reforms that critics say have made poverty worse. Inflation has soared by 34%, in line with the Central Financial institution, even with latest quarters of financial progress.

• 🎧 Rising prices of meals, vitality and different requirements have made the 12 months brutal for a lot of, NPR’s Emmanuel Akinwotu says. Stunning occasions have crystallized the troubles of the individuals who dwell there. About 60 folks died in three stampedes at completely different charity occasions round Nigeria. The string of recent reforms launched devalued the forex, lower an electrical energy subsidy and ended a gas subsidy, which have been among the few advantages Nigerians obtained. The federal government has known as for endurance and says the financial ache is short-term.

Life recommendation

It may be tough to supply condolences to somebody who’s grieving. You wish to present your good friend you like them, however you additionally know there is not a lot you may say to heal their ache.

Jorm Sangsorn/Getty Photographs

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Jorm Sangsorn/Getty Photographs

It is onerous to know what to say to a good friend whose beloved one has died. Life Package‘s viewers shared what phrases of consolation they’ve shared with others — or want they’d heard themselves. Listed here are some concepts about what to say to a grieving good friend.

• 💛 A easy method to break the ice is by letting your good friend know it’s good to see them as a substitute of asking how they’re doing.
• 💛 Let your good friend know they’re fantastic – in individual or on a card.
• 💛 As a substitute of “Sorry for your loss,” attempt making a extra unique, private message. As your self: What would you need somebody to say to you in case you have been in an analogous scenario?
• 💛 Mark the loss of life anniversaries in your calendar. It may be comforting to that individual to obtain a message from somebody who remembers that day as nicely.

Learn the complete checklist of concepts right here.

Image present

Portraits of Paul Ninson, founder and govt director of Dikan Middle, Accra.

Nana Kofi Acquah for NPR

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Nana Kofi Acquah for NPR

Paul Ninson arrived in New York from Ghana to check pictures 5 years in the past and located heaps of photographs of life in Africa. The photographs, from the previous and the current, have been within the archives of the town’s libraries, galleries and museums. 1000’s of miles away from his homeland, he was surrounded by extra visible historical past of Africa than he’d ever seen again house. Ninson had an thought: to create a library of photobooks in Ghana, permitting folks to study their historical past.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

An enlarged cartoon of Tintin pictured on show at Paris’ Pompidou Cultural Middle in 2006. The Belgian cub reporter is among the many characters and works coming into the general public area in 2025.

Jacques Brinon/AP

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Jacques Brinon/AP

1. Popeye and Tintin are among the many hundreds of copyrighted characters, Twentieth-century movies, books, compositions and sound recordings that can enter the general public area on Jan. 1. Listed here are among the different works that can quickly be accessible for anybody to adapt.
2. Years in the past, Karleen was bodily attacked by her then-boyfriend and unnoticed within the chilly alone. A couple of minutes later, a driver and her unsung hero, Mark Shub, stopped to ask her if she was OK. He invited her to his house for heat and his household’s Hanukkah dinner.
3. NASA’s Parker Photo voltaic Probe got here inside 3.8 million miles of the solar’s floor this week. This distance marks the closest humanity has ever been to the star that makes life attainable on Earth.

This text was edited by Obed Manuel.