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Chasiv Yar (Ukraine) (AFP) – Many towns across eastern Ukraine’s hard-hit Donetsk region have seen dramatic falls in population, with those remaining being primarily the elderly and people with limited mobility. “All the young people left” explains Yulia Tuskova, an 88-year old, as she carries plastic sheeting home to cover her damaged windows, “only the old people remain”. The situation is growing worse as intense fighting in the region continues and winter conditions grow harsher.

Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis wishes a Happy Orthodox Christmas to the Ukrainian people during his Angelus prayer, and wishes for peace in the region. Speaking to crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican after a mass celebrating Epiphany, Francis says “may the birth of the Saviour infuse comfort, infuse hope and inspire concrete steps that can finally lead to the end of the fighting.”

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Rio de Janeiro inaugurates the ‘Avenida Rei Pele’ (‘King Pele Avenue’) in front of the iconic Maracana stadium, in honour of the Brazilian football legend who died on December 29 at the age of 82 after fighting cancer. “I think it’s very important, in front of the Maracana, where he scored his thousandth goal,” says Gomes Quintans, mayor of the Tijuca neighbourhood, “he said goodbye to the Brazilian national team here in 1971 against Yugoslavia,” he adds.

Hawaii Kilauea (United States) (AFP) – Video released by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park shows a lava fountain during the first hour of the eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano. Fissures at the base of Halemaʻumaʻu crater generated lava flows on the surface of the crater floor. The activity remained confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater in Kilauea’s summit caldera.

Mazatlán (Mexico) (AFP) – Smoke billows from a vehicle in flames amid a security operation in northwest Mexico, where security forces captured a son of jailed drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

United Nations (United States) (AFP) – Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Menashe Erdan, speaking ahead of an emergency Security Council meeting on Palestine, says “Israel has not harmed the status quo” on Jerusalem’s holy sites and “has no plans to do so.”

Washington (AFP) – Images from inside the House of Representatives during the first round of voting Thursday as Republican favorite Kevin McCarthy fails again to win the speakership — entrenching a three-day standoff that has paralyzed the lower chamber of Congress.

Washington (AFP) – “Do not just show up at the border,” US President Joe Biden tells those considering immigrating to the United States during a speech at the White House, in his latest attempt to ease pressure at the US-Mexico border. “Starting today, you will not be eligible for this new parole program.” Bidem says he has sent Congress legislation that would completely overhaul what has been a “broken immigration system.”

London (AFP) – People in London react to claims leaked from Prince Harry’s forthcoming memoir “Spare” that he was physically attacked by his older brother Prince William during an argument over Harry’s wife, Meghan. In the latest salvo in the brothers’ bitter feud, Harry says the alleged incident came after the heir to the British throne called Meghan “difficult”, “rude” and “abrasive”.

Riyadh (AFP) – Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo receives a thunderous reception at a packed, 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Erupting in cheers and pyrotechnics as the ex-Manchester United player appears in Al Nassr’s yellow and blue shirt.

Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis leads the funeral of his predecessor Benedict XVI in front of tens of thousands of mourners in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City. An event unprecedented in modern times. Red-clad cardinals, dignitaries and thousands of priests and nuns from around the world gather to say goodbye to the German theologian, who stunned the Catholic church in 2013 by becoming the first pontiff in six centuries to resign. In Germany, his home country, church bells ring in a last tribute. “May your joy be complete as you hear His voice, now and forever,” says Pope Francis.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he “discussed the Russia-Ukraine war in detail” with Russian President Vladimir Putin as his office quoted him as pressing Putin to declare a “unilateral” ceasefire in Ukraine. During an event organised by his party, Erdogan says that he will hold a separate conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later today.