World News
Nothing to talk, canal belongs to Panama: Prez Mulino on Trump's threats
Mulino also ruled out lowering canal tolls for US ships and refuted claims that China held any sway over the crucial waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
 "Nothing to talk, canal belongs to Panama: Prez Mulino on Trump's threats")
China probes personal disputes after mass killings; more curbs feared
The attacks, where drivers mow down people on foot or knife-wielding assailants stab multiple victims, are not new in China, but the latest surge drew attention
 "China probes personal disputes after mass killings; more curbs feared")
Israeli police to probe Netanyahu's wife over TV show allegations
The acrimony escalates a lingering clash between Netanyahu and the judiciary
 "Israeli police to probe Netanyahu's wife over TV show allegations")
Bird flu virus shows mutations in first severe human case in US: CDC
Last week, the United States reported its first severe case of the virus, in a Louisiana resident above the age of 65, who was suffering from severe respiratory illness
 "Bird flu virus shows mutations in first severe human case in US: CDC")
Japan's cabinet approves record $730 billion budget for next fiscal year
But record tax revenue is likely to help reduce new bond issuance to 28.6 trillion yen, the lowest since 2008
 "Japan's cabinet approves record $730 billion budget for next fiscal year")
Jeff Bezos' Miami neighbor seeks $200 million for empty 1.8 acre lot
Even if the land ultimately fails to sell for $200 million, Reznik believes it will still set a record for the region
 "Jeff Bezos' Miami neighbor seeks $200 million for empty 1.8 acre lot")
China's President Xi Jinping will visit Russia in 2025, says Russian envoy
China, working with Brazil, has put forward a peace plan for the Ukraine war, calling for a freezing of battle lines and taking into account the security interests of both sides
 "China's President Xi Jinping will visit Russia in 2025, says Russian envoy")
China's industrial profits set for steepest annual drop since 2000
Industrial profits at large Chinese companies fell 7.3 per cent last month compared to a year ago, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement on Friday
 "China's industrial profits set for steepest annual drop since 2000")
Workers at BYD construction site victims of human trafficking: Brazil
BYD and contractor Jinjiang Group have agreed to assist and house the 163 workers in hotels until a deal to end their contracts is reached, Brazil's Labour Prosecutor's Office said
 "Workers at BYD construction site victims of human trafficking: Brazil")
New York to charge fossil fuel firms for damage from climate change
Climate Change Superfund Act is now law, and New York has fired a shot that will be heard round the world: the companies most responsible for the climate crisis will be held accountable
 "New York to charge fossil fuel firms for damage from climate change")
Russia's air defence likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash: Aviation experts
Cellphone footage circulating online appeared to show the aircraft making a steep descent before crashing into the ground and exploding in a fireball
 "Russia's air defence likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash: Aviation experts")
Pak army officer dies, 13 terrorists killed in 3 ops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
A second operation in North Waziristan resulted in the neutralisation of five terrorists, with eight others injured, however, Major Muhammad Awais, 31, was killed in the gun battle
 "Pak army officer dies, 13 terrorists killed in 3 ops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa")
FDA proposes new testing guidelines to ensure asbestos-free cosmetics
It follows years of lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and other companies alleging links between talc-based baby powder and cancer
 "FDA proposes new testing guidelines to ensure asbestos-free cosmetics")
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
