World News

Russian bank VTB says on track for record profit of $5.5 billion in 2024

Bank said it was still on track to hit profit target of 550 billion roubles in 2024 despite a significant depreciation in the value of many of its assets in November as a result of monetary tightening

China's BYD slams reports of poor conditions at Brazil's factory site

Task force led by Brazilian prosecutors said it had rescued 163 Chinese nationals it said were working in slavery-like conditions

Russia's CBRF to resume regular forex operations under budget rule in 2025

Under Russia's budget rule, the finance ministry sells foreign currency from its rainy day National Wealth Fund (NWF) to make up for any shortfall in revenue from oil and gas exports

World Bank raises China's GDP forecast for 2024, 2025; adds some warnings

Thanks to the recent policy easing and near-term export strength, the World Bank sees China's gross domestic product growth at 4.9 per cent this year, up from its June forecast of 4.8 per cent

Foiled Ukrainian plots to kill senior officials, their families: Russia

FSB, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, said that the Russian citizens had been recruited by the Ukrainian intelligence services

South Korea opposition says it will vote to impeach acting President Han

The court is trying the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his Dec 3 declaration of martial law

Israeli strike kills 5 Palestinian journalists in Gaza, say officials

The strike hit a car outside the Al-Awda Hospital in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in the central part of the territory

China's first batch of 2025 fuel export quota flat compared to a year ago

State-owned oil firms Sinopec and CNPC, the key receivers of these quotas, were given combined allowances of 13.34 million tonnes, or 70 per cent of the 19 million tonnes

Bird strike, Russian missiles among Azerbaijan plane crash conspiracies

As investigators cite a possible bird strike for the plane crash, viral videos and social media speculation raise questions about shrapnel damage and a potential Russian defense system involvement

China approves construction of world's largest hydropower dam in Tibet

The dam, which will be located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, could produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually

Afghanistan summons Pakistani envoy over airstrikes in Paktika province

Pakistani side has been clearly informed that protecting Afghanistan's national sovereignty is a red line for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Trump's Christmas sarcasm: Vows to buy Greenland, and control Panama Canal

Trump shared an unconventional Christmas message with sarcastic remarks targeting political issues such as Panama Canal, Canada's tax policies, Greenland, drawing sharp contrasts with Biden's approach

Decoded: Why Trump wants Panama Canal back and what it means for the world

Donald Trump criticised Panama Canal fees as a 'rip-off' and raised alarms about China's influence near the canal, sparking a renewed debate over its trade role and sovereignty

China keeps interest rates steady, drains record cash in policy adjustment

The authorities also withdrew a net 1.15 trillion yuan ($158 billion) from the financial system with the tool, the most since 2014

South Korea's Constitutional Court to decide fate of impeached president

Constitutional Court must decide within 180 days whether to remove Yoon from office or reject the impeachment and restore his powers

Japan Airlines hit by cyberattack; domestic, international flights delayed

Japan Airlines has apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers and assured that updates would follow as the situation evolves

Mozambique faces chaos as Frelimo's 49-yr rule, disputed polls spark row

The death toll has risen to more than 200 since the unrest began on Oct. 21, according to data from Decide Platform, a local monitoring group, and local authorities

Asia shares rise in holiday trade as dollar holds near two-year high

As the year-end approaches, trading volumes have begun thinning out and the main focus for investors remains that of the Federal Reserve's rate outlook

Japan to unveil record $735 bn budget with ramped-up defence spending

The increase from the current fiscal year's initial annual budget of ¥112.6 trillion is around 2.6 per cent, largely in line with the government's forecast for overall inflation in this fiscal year

Israel seized 85K Hezbollah weapons in Southern Lebanon operations

"The weapons confiscated were used by Hezbollah and were intended to harm the citizens of the State of Israel, IDF said