Ukrainian drones targeted high-rise buildings in the Russian city of Kazan on Saturday, drawing unsettling comparisons to the September 11 attacks in the U.S. when planes struck New York’s Twin Towers in 2001.

Tatarstan’s governor, Rustam Minnikhanov, reported that eight drones were deployed, with six striking residential buildings, one hitting an industrial site, and another being shot down over a river.

Local officials stated that there were no reported casualties. In response to the attacks, flights at Kazan’s airport were suspended, and all public events were canceled for the weekend. The Defence Ministry indicated that the city experienced three waves of drone strikes between 7:40 a.m. and 9:20 a.m., with no casualties reported according to local authorities.

The mayor of Kazan announced on Telegram that all planned mass gatherings would be canceled and temporary accommodations would be provided for evacuees.

The Baza Telegram channel, linked to Russian security sources, released video footage that purportedly shows an aerial object colliding with a high-rise building, resulting in a substantial explosion. The authenticity of the footage has not been verified.

These attacks were not acknowledged by Ukraine, aligning with its security policy, and followed a Ukrainian strike on Friday that targeted a town in Russia’s Kursk border region, killing six individuals, including a child, using U.S.-supplied missiles.

In a separate development, Moscow launched 113 drones into Ukraine overnight on Saturday, according to Ukrainian officials. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that 57 of these drones were shot down, while an additional 56 were considered “lost,” likely due to electronic jamming.

Additionally, Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, stated that eight people were injured in drone strikes on the regional capital, also named Kharkiv, on Friday night.

The incident occurred amidst increasingly bold attacks following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s comments during his end-of-year news conference on Thursday, where he proposed a “high-tech duel” with Kyiv. He claimed that Russia’s new hypersonic ballistic missile was immune to air defenses.

On Friday, a Russian hypersonic missile strike on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, resulted in at least one death and seven injuries. On the same day, Ukraine launched an attack on the town of Rylsk in Russia’s Kursk border region using United States-supplied missiles, which killed six people, including a child.

Ukrainian officials said that overnight into Saturday, Moscow unleashed 113 drones on Ukraine, with 57 of them being intercepted. An additional 56 drones were deemed “lost,” likely due to electronic jamming.

Rey Mysterio Sr., a revered name in the world of Mexican professional wrestling, has passed away at the age of 66. The tragic news was confirmed by his family on December 20, 2024. Mysterio Sr. was not only a prominent figure in the wrestling world but also the beloved uncle of WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio and grand uncle to current WWE star Dominik Mysterio.

Mysterio Sr., born Miguel Angel Lopez Dias, carved out a remarkable career spanning more than three decades in the lucha libre scene. Known for his high-flying style and unparalleled athleticism, he became a legendary figure in Mexican wrestling. He secured multiple championship titles, notably with leading organizations such as the World Wrestling Association and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, a company often referred to as Mexico’s version of WWE.

In addition to his success in Mexico, Mysterio Sr. also showcased his skills on the international stage, including a memorable appearance at the prestigious World Championship Wrestling (WCW) event, Starrcade, in 1990. His legacy is one of great influence, inspiring countless fans and future athletes with his innovative moves and dedication to the craft of wrestling.

The news of his passing was shared by Lucha Libre AAA on social media, where they expressed their condolences and sent heartfelt prayers to his family. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of Rey Mysterio Sr.,” the organization wrote in a tribute.

Lucha Libre, a vibrant form of professional wrestling native to Mexico, is known for its flamboyant masked wrestlers and breathtaking aerial maneuvers. Mysterio Sr.’s contributions to this unique style of wrestling will be remembered by fans around the world, ensuring his place as one of the sport’s most cherished figures.

Google has made significant cuts to its managerial workforce, reducing it by 10% in a move aimed at streamlining operations and redefining its corporate culture. This reduction, part of a broader efficiency drive, impacts roles at the manager, director, and vice president levels.

Reports indicate that during an all-hands meeting, CEO Sundar Pichai outlined the rationale behind the decision, emphasizing the need for efficiency and redefining the company’s core values, often referred to as “Googleyness.”

A Google spokesperson revealed that some affected employees would transition to individual contributor roles, while others faced role eliminations. These adjustments come amidst growing challenges in the tech industry, particularly with rapid developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and fierce competition from rivals like OpenAI.

The AI race and Google’s response

The tech giant has recently intensified its focus on AI innovations, unveiling Gemini 2.0, its most advanced AI model yet. Sundar Pichai described the new model as heralding a “new agentic era” in which AI systems are designed to comprehend and make decisions about the world.

This announcement boosted Google’s stock, which surged by over 4% following the news, a day after a 3.5% increase attributed to breakthroughs in its quantum chip technology.

Previous layoffs in 2024

The latest layoffs mark Google’s fourth round of job cuts in 2024. Earlier in January, Google eliminated several hundred positions in its global advertisements team. In June, its cloud unit also saw workforce reductions. By January of this year, Google had already cut 12,000 roles, equivalent to 6.4% of its global workforce.

In a letter addressed to employees during the earlier layoffs, Pichai took responsibility for the decisions, stating that the company had experienced dramatic growth that required adjustments to sustain operations. Despite efforts, he acknowledged the process could have been managed better.

Redefining ‘Googleyness’

At the same meeting, Pichai stressed the need to revisit and reshape the concept of “Googleyness.” This term, often used to define the company’s unique culture and hiring philosophy, will now play a pivotal role in transforming corporate dynamics to adapt to new challenges.

The adjustments highlight Google’s commitment to staying competitive while reshaping its operational framework to remain aligned with its long-term vision.