😻📹Pallas’ cat from the Moscow Zoo demonstrates his ‘predator skills’ (video courtesy of the zoo).

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⚡️Fifty Russian soldiers in mortal danger in captivity have been returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime - Russian Defense Ministry

❗️ Parcel, presumably with explosives, found at US embassy in Madrid; building cordoned off - reports

Spanish Defense Ministry Receives Package With Explosives Amid Mail Bomb Frenzy, Reports Say

The Spanish Defense Ministry received a package with explosive materials, similar to five other packages previously sent to different places in Spain over the past two days, Spanish media reported on Thursday.

According to Spanish press, the explosive mechanism in the package was supposed to blow up in the ministry and could be activated if someone pulled the rope on it.

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🔥 In Bucharest, a Coca Cola truck which had featured in numerous TV commercials caught fire.

▪️ The driver managed to escape and also disconnect the trailer, which was engulfed in flames.

EU Gas Demand Fell by 50 Bln Cubic Meters in 11 Months, Gazprom Says

Global gas demand decreased by 55 billion cubic meters in 11 months, of which about 50 billion fell on the EU countries, Russian energy giant Gazprom said on Thursday.

"For 11 months of 2022, according to the first preliminary estimates and available operational data, global demand has decreased by 55 billion cubic meters. It should be noted that a decrease in gas consumption in the 27 EU countries amounted to about 50 billion cubic meters, in the UK — more than 6 billion cubic meters," the statement read.

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Osama Bin Laden Tested Chemical Weapons on My Puppies, Son Says

Toxic parents may inflict severe psychological trauma on their children, but for Omar bin Laden, the eldest son of former terrorist №1, this is especially true. His upbringing reportedly consisted not only of beatings and desert survival courses.

Omar bin Laden has revealed details of his traumatic childhood in an interview with British media.

According to him, his upbringing included regular beatings and even his father Osama testing chemical weapons on his pet puppies.

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🇫🇷 French President Emmanuel Macron told the US media that a sustainable solution to the Ukraine crisis would require decisions from Moscow and Kiev, as well as international guarantees to back them.

▪️ When asked what a successful peace would look like, Macron replied: "A sustainable one."

▪️ "It is [up to the] two parties to decide and the rest of the international community to be here to guarantee and to protect," he added.

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As Late Queen's Lady-in-Waiting Resigns, What Other Racism Claims Have Plagued British Royals?

The British royal family is no stranger to controversy, especially around the subjects of race and the UK's colonial history. Now a new scandal has revived the issues just months into the reign of King Charles III.

A member of the British royal household has resigned in a row over allegedly racially-charged comments — but is that the first race controversy the monarchy has faced?

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❗️ World cup shock: Belgium fails to qualify for the playoffs for the World Cup in Qatar

UK Strikes Raise Fears of Christmas Cash Supply Shortages

Cash may be scarce this Christmas after one of Britain’s largest unions warned that banknotes and coins could be in short supply if more than 1,000 security workers who deliver them to the UK’s biggest banks and supermarkets go on a 48-hour strike as planned this December 5.

GMB and industry-leaders G4S Cash have been conducting negotiations on a wage increase for months. The union has requested a 15% pay rise for G4S workers due to the 11.1% inflation rate, but the company only offered a 6.5% increase from January. After G4S announced its decision, GMB members voted 97% in favor of industrial action.

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❗️ Biden, Macron to expand defense cooperation on advanced capabilities, technologies that will be critical to defense in the future - joint statement

💬 ‘’[The US authorities] have a large influence on the African continent and they want to maintain that influence and what they've lost, they want to try to bring back. And I think they're also concerned about Russia and its influence in Africa, as well as China and other countries which have sought to develop bilateral relations with not only individual African countries but also with the African Union," Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African Newswire, comments on what makes Africa important to a country like France.

🎧Listen to more of Abayomi Azikiwe’s analysis in our podcast: Jeffries Replaces Pelosi, NYC Hospitalizes Mentally Ill, Macron in DC

❗️ The official statements made after the French president’s meeting with his US counterpart:

▪️ US and France to coordinate with allies on Ukraine aid, including the aim to provide "robust budget support".

▪️ Washington and Paris remain committed to addressing the effects of the conflict in Ukraine, build resilience to food and energy disruptions.

▪️ US and France to step up coordination on maritime security in Pacific Islands, boost support for air and maritime deployments by EU in region.

❗️ Macron on American Inflation Reduction Act that sparked EU trade concerns: US, France agreed to resynchronize approaches

❗️ Biden says he is prepared to talk to Putin if there is interest in ending the conflict in Ukraine

😍 📹 Just have a look at this young elephant and its cute way to escape the heat!

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Jeffrey Epstein's Estate Will Pay $105 Million to US Virgin Islands

Denise George, the US Virgin Islands' attorney general, on Wednesday said Epstein's estate will pay $105 million in cash plus half the proceeds from the sale of Little St. James, a private island bought by Epstein in 1998 near Great St. James (bought in 2016), where Epstein lived and allegedly committed many crimes.

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‼️US has issued fresh anti-North Korea sanctions against three individuals: Il Ho Jon, Su Gil Kim and Jin Yu

📹WATCH: Russian troops from the continue their tactical preparation in Belarus (video courtesy of Russia’s MoD)

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⚽World Cup Group E Round-Up:

Japan beats Spain 2-1

Germany beats Costa Rica 4-2

➡️Japan advances to knockout round as the winner of Group E, with Spain as runner-up. Despite its win against Costa Rica, Germany crashes out of second consecutive World Cup.