Honda-Nissan merger; Ukraine-Russia war; Nigeria : NPR

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As we speak’s high tales

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

🎧 The 2 firms 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 permit them to pool their experience and manufacturing collectively within the hopes of turning into stronger. Chinese language firms have pivoted to producing EVs, that are seen as the way forward for the trade, they usually’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 full of 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 at the very least one individual, was the thirteenth large-scale assault on the vitality grid this yr alone, NPR’s Brian Mann says. If Russia’s objective is to make Ukrainians so depressing they lose the desire 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 dealing with one other battle: preserving their tradition. Here is an intimate take a look at how they’re doing that.

Nigeria is at present dealing with one in all its worst financial crises in a long time. The federal government imposed a set of controversial financial reforms that critics say have made poverty worse. Inflation has soared by 34%, in response to the Central Financial institution, even with latest quarters of financial development.

🎧 Rising prices of meals, vitality and different requirements have made the yr brutal for a lot of, NPR’s Emmanuel Akinwotu says. Stunning occasions have crystallized the troubles of the individuals who reside there. About 60 individuals died in three stampedes at totally different charity occasions round Nigeria. The string of latest reforms launched devalued the foreign money, lower an electrical energy subsidy and ended a gasoline subsidy, which have been a few of the few advantages Nigerians acquired. The federal government has known as for persistence and says the financial ache is non permanent.

Life recommendation

It is laborious to know what to say to a pal whose beloved one has died. Life Equipment’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 pal.

💛 A easy strategy to break the ice is by letting your pal know it’s good to see them as an alternative of asking how they’re doing.💛 Let your pal know they’re fantastic – in individual or on a card.💛 As an alternative of “Sorry to your loss,” attempt making a extra authentic, private message. As your self: What would you need somebody to say to you if you happen to have been in the same state of affairs?💛 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 total record of concepts right here.

Image present

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

3 issues to know earlier than you go

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 a few of the different works that can quickly be accessible for anybody to adapt.Years in the past, Karleen was bodily attacked by her then-boyfriend and ignored 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 dwelling for heat and his household’s Hanukkah dinner.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 article was edited by Obed Manuel.