UK ticket-holder has claimed a £177 million EuroMillions jackpot, becoming the third-biggest National Lottery winner. The draw took place on 26 November, and the winner has chosen to remain anonymous. Lottery operator Allwyn confirmed the £177,033,699.20 prize has been paid.   Andy Carter, a senior winners’ adviser, said, “The possibilities with this kind of money are endless. It’s a life-changing win, especially before Christmas.” The winner now surpasses celebrities like Dua Lipa (£104m) and Michael Bublé (£63m) in wealth. The record UK lottery prize remains £195m, won by another anonymous ticket-holder in July 2022.

A shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, US, left 5 people dead, including the 15-year-old suspect, who was found dead at the scene. The shooting occurred around 11 a.m. on Monday. Five others were injured and taken to local hospitals. The school serves about 400 students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes described the tragedy as a "sad day" for the community. This incident is part of a troubling rise in school shootings across the U.S., with 322 reported this year.

Ukraine has claimed responsibility for the death of Russian general Igor Kirillov, who was in charge of Russia's nuclear troops. The 54-year-old was killed this morning when a bomb hidden in an electric scooter exploded outside an apartment building in Moscow. His assistant was also killed in the blast. The attack, reportedly triggered remotely, has been described as an embarrassment for President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine had opened a case against Kirillov for alleged chemical weapon use the day before his death. The incident is seen as a significant blow to Russia's military leadership.

  Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces (NBC), was killed in a bomb explosion in Moscow on December 17, 2024. The bomb, hidden in an electric scooter, detonated as Kirillov left a residential building. The explosion also killed his assistant. The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a murder investigation. Kirillov, previously sanctioned by the UK for overseeing chemical weapon use in Ukraine, was also charged by Ukraine’s secret service with mass chemical weapon deployment. Russia denies the accusations. Investigations continue into the incident.

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, was killed in a Moscow explosion on December 17, 2024. The bomb, hidden in an electric scooter, detonated outside a building near the Kremlin, resulting in Kirillov's death and that of his assistant. Kirillov had been recently charged in absentia by Ukrainian prosecutors for allegedly using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, a claim Russia denied. The explosion is under investigation, with a criminal case filed. Kirillov's troops, known for operating in hazardous conditions, were responsible for Russia's defense against chemical and radioactive threats.

A 15-year-old female student opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, killing a teacher and a student, and injuring six others. The shooter, identified as Natalie Rupnow, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Two students remain in critical condition. The attack, which occurred during a study hall, prompted a large emergency response, with 15 ambulances dispatched. Authorities are investigating the motive and are seeking witness accounts. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and President Joe Biden expressed condolences and called for action on gun violence. The school remains closed during the investigation.

A New York judge rejected US President-elect Donald Trump’s appeal to overturn his felony conviction in a hush money case. Judge Juan Merchan ruled that Supreme Court immunity for official acts doesn't cover Trump's unofficial conduct, such as paying a porn star to secure silence before the 2016 election. This decision, reported by CNN, raises the possibility of Trump assuming office with a felony conviction, pending appeal. Prosecutors argued Trump's attempt to dismiss the case was excessive and unnecessary to protect the presidency. Trump's sentencing remains indefinitely postponed since his November 5 election victory.

Bangladesh's interim government head, Muhammad Yunus, announced that the next parliamentary elections could take place between late 2025 and mid-2026. This statement comes amid growing pressure from Khaleda Zia’s BNP, which has been demanding an earlier election date. Yunus shared this timeline during a speech on Victory Day, citing the need for reforms. BNP leaders, including acting chairman Tarique Rahman, criticized the delay, accusing influential groups of conspiring to undermine their electoral prospects. Differing views within the interim government on election timing have further fueled debate, with the public demanding clarity on the election roadmap.

Bashar al-Assad, in his first statement since losing power, said he planned to keep fighting rebels but left Syria at Russia’s request. He revealed he was evacuated from the Hmeimim base on December 8 after it came under attack. Assad stated he had stayed in Damascus until that morning, denying claims he fled in the conflict's final hours. He clarified he never considered stepping down or seeking refuge, calling his presidency meaningless after rebels took control. Russia has granted asylum to Assad and his family. The rebel offensive, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, marked a major setback for Moscow.

Russia is testing the Kalinka monitoring system, labeled the "Starlink killer," targeting drones connected to Elon Musk's Starlink network. Developed by the Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies (CBST), Kalinka detects aerial and maritime drones within a 15 km range. CBST chairman Andrey Bezrukov revealed it disrupts Starlink and Starshield terminals, critical for Ukraine's military operations. The system’s effectiveness depends on terrain and enemy electronic countermeasures. Musk's Starlink, a satellite-based internet service, has been vital for Ukraine, enabling drone operations, battlefield communications, and artillery coordination. Kalinka poses a significant threat to Ukraine's reliance on Starlink's connectivity.