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Russia launches Christmas Day attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Honda and Nissan are in merger talks, and Nigeria's president defends economic reforms despite worsening crisis.

Among the vast destruction of buildings in Gaza, some historically valuable and irreplaceable sites are now in ruins. In a story we first brought you in February, our correspondent visited some of these places before the war and brings us to them, then and now. Click here to see photos of some of the places referenced in this story.

Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message urged "all people of all nations" to find courage "to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions" plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to Asia.(Image credit: Andrew Medichini)

Street gangs forced the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince to close earlier this year. As journalists gathered to cover its reopening, suspected gang members opened fire. (Image credit: Odelyn Joseph)

In the Transcarpathia region, some locals embrace a traditional lifestyle and cultural identity. After surviving Soviet threats, now they fear President Vladimir Putin seeks to erase their culture.(Image credit: Claire Harbage)

Russia's massive missile and drone barrage struck a thermal power plant and prompted Ukrainians to shelter in metro stations on Christmas morning.(Image credit: AP)

He wants to give hope to the tens of thousands of Ukrainians who have lost limbs since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.(Image credit: Oksana Parafeniuk for NPR)

In Syria, some Christians aren't decorating their homes or putting up Christmas trees because they fear retaliation from rebels.

It's another Christmas in Bethlehem with the war raging in Gaza. The severity of Sudan's famine has worsened. A review of what happened this year in space -- from an eclipse to minor malfunctions.

An Azerbaijani airliner has crashed in the Kazakhstani city of Aktau with 30 people likely dead and at least 28 survivors, according to Kazakhstan's Emergency Ministry.(Image credit: AP)