World News
Altercation erupts at high-level meeting of Russia-dominated economic union
Eurasian Economic Union was formed a decade ago to encourage stronger business ties and facilitate trade between its members, but it has been marred by economic and other dispoutes between members
 "Altercation erupts at high-level meeting of Russia-dominated economic union")
Powerful thunderstorms rumble across Texas delaying holiday travel
Nearly 90 flights were delayed and more than two dozen cancelled at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport early Thursday
 "Powerful thunderstorms rumble across Texas delaying holiday travel")
Hindu-Americans in US launch B'desh religious violence awareness campaign
Over the next three months, digital billboards at six key locations across the Bay Area, including high-traffic zones and major bridges, will display messages designed to raise awareness
 "Hindu-Americans in US launch B'desh religious violence awareness campaign")
2004 Indian Ocean tsunami set off work to be ready for the next big wave
That changed the day after Christmas in 2004, when a 9.1-magnitude earthquake west of the Indonesian island of Sumatra set off a mammoth wave that was recorded as high as 16 stories
 "2004 Indian Ocean tsunami set off work to be ready for the next big wave")
Forces loyal to ex-Assad regime kill 14 as Syria sees upsurge in violence
Several deadly incidents in recent days underscore the fragile security situation in Syria following the downfall of Assad's long-standing regime
 "Forces loyal to ex-Assad regime kill 14 as Syria sees upsurge in violence")
It's up to Trump team to make first move to improve ties, says Russia
Trump's designated Ukraine envoy, retired Lieutenant-General Kellogg, told Fox News on Dec. 18 that both sides were ready for peace talks and that Trump was in a perfect position to execute a deal
 "It's up to Trump team to make first move to improve ties, says Russia")
Azerbaijan Airlines flight likely downed by Russian air defences: Reports
Flight J2-8243 crashed down on Wednesday in a ball of fire near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan after diverting from an area of southern Russia
 "Azerbaijan Airlines flight likely downed by Russian air defences: Reports")
China approves construction of world's largest dam over Brahmaputra River
The dam will be built in one of the rainiest parts of mainland China bringing bountiful flows of water.
 "China approves construction of world's largest dam over Brahmaputra River")
Israel announces new strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital
The Israeli military said it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports at Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib along with power stations
 "Israel announces new strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital")
Nato calls for investigation of Azerbaijan Airlines crash that killed 38
An Embraer passenger jet crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, killing 38 people
Turkiye's central bank lowers key interest rate to 47.5%, 1st cut in 2 yrs
Citing slowing inflation, the bank's Monetary Policy Committee said it was reducing its one-week repo rate to 47.5 per cent from the current 50 per cent
 "Turkiye's central bank lowers key interest rate to 47.5%, 1st cut in 2 yrs")
US weekly jobless claims fall 1,000 to 219,000: Labour department
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell by 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 219,000 for the week ended Dec. 21, the Labor Department said
 "US weekly jobless claims fall 1,000 to 219,000: Labour department")
Over 10k migrants died in 2024 trying to reach Spain by sea, says aid group
Tens of thousands of migrants left West Africa in 2024 for Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago close to the African coast that has increasingly been used as a stepping stone to continental Europe
 "Over 10k migrants died in 2024 trying to reach Spain by sea, says aid group")
Republicans plan to move quickly in efforts to overhaul voting procedures
In the new year, Republicans will be under pressure to address Trump's desires to change how elections are run in the US, something he continues to promote despite his win in November
 "Republicans plan to move quickly in efforts to overhaul voting procedures")
China revises up 2023 GDP by 2.7%, sees little impact on 2024 growth
In previous five-yearly economic censuses, China revised up the size of the economy for 2018 by 2.1 per cent and for 2013 by 3.4 per cent
 "China revises up 2023 GDP by 2.7%, sees little impact on 2024 growth")
Trump endorses 'The Great' Wayne Gretzky to run for 'Governor of Canada'
Who is Wayne Gretzky and why does President-elect Donald Trump want him in politics
 "Trump endorses 'The Great' Wayne Gretzky to run for 'Governor of Canada'")
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
 "Russian bank VTB says on track for record profit of $5.5 billion in 2024")
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
 "China's BYD slams reports of poor conditions at Brazil's factory site")
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
 "Russia's CBRF to resume regular forex operations under budget rule in 2025")
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
 "World Bank raises China's GDP forecast for 2024, 2025; adds some warnings")
