Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia's "conscious choice" to launch a major attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, calling the strikes "inhumane." Russia fired 184 missiles and drones, many of which were intercepted by Ukraine's air force, but some still caused casualties, with damage reported in several regions. The attack resulted in widespread power cuts, including in Kyiv, where residents took shelter in metro stations as air raid alarms sounded.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced Monday that the country has received $1.1 billion in financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into an incident involving drones crashing into a crowd during a Christmas drone light show over Eola Lake in Orlando, Florida.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which killed 103 people and caused an estimated $53 billion in damages, North Carolina has received significant aid for recovery efforts, including over $1.1 billion in state relief and billions more in federal requests. The storm, considered the state’s worst natural disaster, has prompted both state and federal governments to take action, though criticism has followed regarding the adequacy of those efforts.
A $70 million furniture manufacturing plant planned by SBA Home, a Lithuanian company that produces furniture for IKEA, will bring 250 new jobs to Mocksville, North Carolina, thanks to significant state and local incentives. The North Carolina Economic Investment Committee approved a $1.4 million job development investment grant, to be distributed over the next 12 years, while Mocksville and Davie County contributed $800,000 in incentives to support the project.
Congress is preparing to vote on legislation that would restrict U.S. investments in China as part of a broader government funding bill, lawmakers announced Tuesday.
