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Zelenskyy Set to Seal Major Air Defence and Warplane Deals in France

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Paris to finalise major defence agreements with France, aiming to boost Ukraine’s long-term air defence and aviation capabilities amid intensified Russian attacks. Speaking ahead of the visit, Zelenskyy said a “historic agreement” would be signed on Monday, covering combat aviation, air defence systems and other military support. The visit comes as Russia increases drone and missile strikes while reporting ground advances in the Zaporizhzhia region.

According to sources, France is preparing a 10-year strategic aviation agreement that could include the provision of Rafale multi-role fighter jets, supplementing Ukraine’s future fleet alongside U.S. F-16s and Sweden’s Gripen aircraft. Paris is also expected to announce additional SAMP/T air-defence systems and Aster 30 missiles, with some deliveries drawn from French stocks and others through long-term orders. Macron had already pledged more Mirage jets and new missile batches, though questions remain over how the expanded assistance will be financed.

Zelenskyy is set to meet defence manufacturers including Dassault before signing letters of intent and contracts. A separate forum will bring together Ukrainian and French drone-sector companies to deepen cooperation. French officials say the goal is to align the country’s defence industry with Ukraine’s needs and strengthen its capacity to counter Russian aggression. France and Britain continue to push for forming a coalition of nations prepared to deploy troops and assets to Ukraine or its borders once a peace deal is reached.

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German Auction of Nazi Camp Artefacts Cancelled After Global Outcry

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A controversial auction in Germany featuring more than 600 artefacts from Nazi concentration camps has been cancelled following intense backlash from Holocaust survivors, politicians and the public. Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radoslaw Sikorski confirmed the decision on Sunday, thanking his German counterpart Johann Wadephul for stepping in and insisting that “such a scandal must be prevented”. Items reportedly included a prisoner’s letter from Auschwitz and documents related to forced sterilisation at Dachau.

The planned sale by auction house Auktionshaus Felzmann had prompted strong condemnation, with critics arguing that these items were not suitable for private collections and should instead be preserved in museums or memorial institutions. Christoph Heubner of the International Auschwitz Committee said the sale was “cynical and shameless”, deeply hurting survivors and families of victims. Germany’s State Minister for Culture echoed the concerns, stating that such documents must remain out of private hands.

Poland’s culture ministry has now launched a probe into how these artefacts surfaced and whether any should be repatriated. Many of the items were believed to originate from Auschwitz and Buchenwald, two of the most infamous Nazi concentration camps where millions of Jews, Poles, Roma and Soviet prisoners lost their lives. Advocates insist that the objects belong to victims’ families or public remembrance spaces, not commercial auctions.

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Apple Ramps Up Succession Planning as Tim Cook Considers Exit

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Apple is accelerating its succession planning as CEO Tim Cook prepares to potentially step down as early as next year, according to a report. Discussions within the company have intensified in recent months, signaling that the transition at the top of the world’s most valuable tech firm may be approaching sooner than expected.

John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, has emerged as the leading contender to take over the role. People familiar with internal conversations say the board and senior leadership have been closely evaluating candidates, though Apple is unlikely to announce a successor before its January earnings report, which covers the crucial holiday season.

Cook, who took charge in 2011 after Steve Jobs stepped down, has led Apple through more than 14 years of major product launches and record financial growth. While Apple has not commented publicly on the report, the renewed focus on succession marks a significant moment for the company as it prepares for leadership beyond Cook’s tenure.

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Berkshire Unveils $4.3 Billion Alphabet Stake, Trims Apple Holdings Ahead of Buffett’s Exit

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Berkshire Hathaway has disclosed a new $4.3 billion investment in Alphabet while continuing to reduce its long-time Apple holdings, according to its latest SEC filing. The conglomerate revealed ownership of 17.85 million Alphabet shares as of September 30, making it Berkshire’s tenth-largest U.S. stock holding. The move is notable given Warren Buffett’s long-time hesitance toward tech companies, although Apple — which he views as a consumer products business — still remains Berkshire’s biggest investment at $60.7 billion.

The filing also confirmed that Berkshire slashed its Apple stake from 280 million to 238.2 million shares during the third quarter, meaning it has now sold roughly three-quarters of the more than 900 million Apple shares it once held. The company was again a net seller of stocks, selling $12.5 billion and buying $6.4 billion between July and September, while cash reserves climbed to a record $381.7 billion. Berkshire also trimmed its Bank of America position by 6%, exited homebuilder DR Horton, and increased holdings in firms such as Chubb and Domino’s Pizza.

This disclosure marks the last major portfolio update before Buffett hands over the CEO role to Greg Abel on January 1, closing out his 60-year leadership. Buffett and the late Charlie Munger had previously expressed regret about not investing in Google earlier, even noting similarities between its ad business and Berkshire-owned Geico’s model. The new stake sent Alphabet shares up 1.7% in after-hours trading, as markets often interpret Berkshire’s moves as a sign of confidence.

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Auger-Aliassime Beats Zverev to Enter ATP Finals Semis Against Alcaraz

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Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime secured a place in the ATP Finals semi-finals for the first time after defeating Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) in a must-win group match. Despite both players struggling with unforced errors, Auger-Aliassime held his nerve at crucial moments, saving all four break points he faced. The victory ensured he finished second in the Bjorn Borg Group behind defending champion Jannik Sinner.

Auger-Aliassime enters the semi-finals on strong indoor form, with 19 wins in 24 indoor matches this season, including titles in Brussels and Montpellier. His next challenge, however, is world number one Carlos Alcaraz — a player Felix has not beaten since 2022. Meanwhile, Sinner continued his flawless run in Turin, advancing without dropping a set after a clinical win over Ben Shelton to extend his winning streak to 13 matches.

In the other semi-final, Sinner will face Alex de Minaur, who defeated Taylor Fritz to secure his spot despite a 0–12 head-to-head record against the Italian. On the doubles side, British tennis celebrated a historic moment as five British players reached the semi-finals — the most since 1992 — with Joe Salisbury, Neal Skupski, Julian Cash, Lloyd Glasspool, Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara all progressing.

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Fatal Bus Crash in Central Stockholm Leaves Multiple Casualties

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Several people were killed and injured on Friday when a bus crashed into a bus stop in central Stockholm, according to Swedish police. Authorities emphasised that there is currently no indication of the incident being an attack. Rescue services confirmed six casualties but did not disclose how many were fatalities or injuries, and noted that the bus had no passengers at the time of the crash.

Police have opened an investigation into involuntary manslaughter and said the bus driver has been arrested as part of standard procedure in such cases. Emergency services, including police, ambulances and rescue teams, responded swiftly to the scene near the Royal Institute of Technology. Images from local media showed a blue double-decker bus surrounded by debris as responders worked around it.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson reacted to the incident on X, expressing condolences to the victims and their families while noting that the cause of the crash remains unclear. Authorities continue to withhold details regarding the identities or ages of those affected as the investigation progresses.

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Nexperia Assures Continued Chip Supply Through Alternative Routes Amid Europe–China Standoff

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Dutch chipmaker Nexperia has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining wafer deliveries despite the ongoing dispute between its Europe-based unit and packaging plant in China. In a statement, the company clarified that shipments have not been halted entirely and that it is actively offering alternative supply chain routes to minimise disruption for customers.

The standoff, triggered by the Dutch government’s seizure of Nexperia over concerns of technology transfer, has led to significant strain on global automotive manufacturing. While Europe has paused wafer shipments to the Dongguan facility, the Chinese arm is believed to have enough wafers and finished products to operate for several months. Nexperia said any interruption in shipments from China is the responsibility of its Chinese units, adding that it continues to work closely with customers to reduce pressure on the auto sector.

In response to the supply bottleneck, China temporarily eased export controls on chips produced at the Dongguan plant, offering short-term relief to carmakers. Meanwhile, a Dutch delegation is scheduled to visit China next week to advance discussions aimed at resolving the impasse and restoring smooth supply chain operations.

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Azerbaijan Protests After Russian Missile Damages Kyiv Embassy

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Azerbaijan has summoned Russia’s ambassador, Mikhail Yevdokimov, to lodge a formal protest after a Russian Iskander missile strike damaged its embassy in Kyiv. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said the blast destroyed part of the perimeter wall and caused significant structural damage to the diplomatic compound.

According to the ministry, the incident occurred during a wave of Russian missile and drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital. Despite the extent of the damage, no injuries were reported among embassy personnel.

Azerbaijan called the situation unacceptable and demanded a clear explanation from Russia. The protest adds a new diplomatic strain as regional tensions continue to escalate amid the ongoing conflict.

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Apple’s China iPhone Sales Jump 22% After iPhone 17 Launch

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Apple’s iPhone sales in China surged 22% year-on-year in the first month following the iPhone 17 launch, according to Counterpoint Research. The new lineup, released on September 19, 2025, accounted for nearly 80% of Apple’s total smartphone sales during the period, driving strong consumer demand even as the overall market softened.

The performance marks a sharp contrast to the previous year, when iPhone 16 sales fell 5% in the first month after launch. Large crowds gathered at Apple’s Beijing flagship store on release day, underscoring continued brand loyalty despite growing competition from Xiaomi and Huawei in the premium segment.

China’s broader smartphone market remains weak, with Q3 sales declining 2.7% year-on-year amid cautious consumer spending. Still, Apple’s strong momentum with the iPhone 17 series highlights its ability to stand out in a challenging market environment.

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Russian Strikes Devastate Kyiv as Ukraine Reports Rising Casualties

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A massive wave of Russian drone and missile strikes on Kyiv has left four people dead and dozens injured, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed. More than 430 drones and 18 missiles were launched, damaging high-rise buildings across nearly every district and leaving parts of the capital without heat as energy infrastructure took heavy hits. Emergency crews rescued more than 40 people from burning and collapsed structures.

The strikes also targeted several other Ukrainian regions, while Kyiv’s air defences intercepted multiple incoming threats. Fires, falling debris, and widespread destruction hit residential blocks, a hospital and administrative facilities, with some victims pulled from under rubble. Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned that parts of the city’s power, water and heating network had been disrupted.

In a parallel escalation, Ukraine struck Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, igniting a major oil refinery and damaging ships and apartment buildings. Local authorities declared a state of emergency and halted oil exports. The attacks follow another deadly Russian barrage less than a week earlier, prompting Zelensky to urge Western allies to tighten sanctions on Russian energy amid stalled ceasefire talks.

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