New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she hoped to find the energy and heart during the Christmas break to stay in the job, 'but I have not been able to do that'.

MOSCOW (Reuters) -An ally of President Vladimir Putin warned NATO on Thursday that a defeat of Russia in Ukraine could trigger a nuclear war, while the head of the Russian Orthodox Church said the world would end if the West tried to destroy Russia. Such apocalyptic rhetoric is intended to deter the U.S.-led NATO military alliance from getting even more involved in the war, on the eve of a meeting of Ukraine's allies to discuss sending Kyiv more weapons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin could be ready to announce another mobilization round, as Moscow looks to bolster its armed forces in Ukraine, analysts believe.