World News
La Nina finally arrives at Pacific, but with weak periodic cooling
La Nina, the flip side of the better-known El Nino, is an irregular rising of unusually cold water in a key part of the central equatorial Pacific that changes weather patterns worldwide
 "La Nina finally arrives at Pacific, but with weak periodic cooling")
India's ranking drops to 85th in Henley Passport Index, Singapore tops
As per the index for 2025, India stands at 85th while the ranking of Pakistan and Bangladesh stood at 103rd (101st in 2024) and 100th (97th in 2024), respectively
 "India's ranking drops to 85th in Henley Passport Index, Singapore tops")
China's consumer prices stall in 2024 due to feeble domestic demand
A combination of job insecurity, a prolonged housing downturn, debt and tariff threats from the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump has hit demand
 "China's consumer prices stall in 2024 due to feeble domestic demand")
US 'notorious markets' report warns of risks from online pharmacies
The report also singled out 19 countries over concerns about counterfeit or pirated products
 "US 'notorious markets' report warns of risks from online pharmacies")
UK lawmakers vote against new inquiry into 'grooming gangs' scandal
Grooming gangs scandal: The ruling Labour Party criticised the Conservatives for attempting to derail the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill
 "UK lawmakers vote against new inquiry into 'grooming gangs' scandal")
Trump's inaugural committee raises record $170 million in donations
Trump's inaugural committee is expected to raise more than $200 million by the end of the effort
 "Trump's inaugural committee raises record $170 million in donations")
NY's appeals court declines to block Trump's sentencing in hush money case
One judge of the New York Court of Appeals issued a brief order declining to grant a hearing to Trump's legal team
 "NY's appeals court declines to block Trump's sentencing in hush money case")
Is Elon Musk seeking tactics to remove UK PM Keir Starmer ahead of UK polls
Musk has reportedly sought information on how to back alternative political parties in the UK ahead of elections
 "Is Elon Musk seeking tactics to remove UK PM Keir Starmer ahead of UK polls")
Biden cancels his Italy trip to focus on response to Los Angeles wildfires
President Biden decided to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said
 "Biden cancels his Italy trip to focus on response to Los Angeles wildfires")
Outgoing Prez Biden to further limit Nvidia's AI chip exports in final push
The result would be an expansion of semiconductor trade restrictions to most of the world - an attempt to control the spread of AI technology at a time of soaring demand
 "Outgoing Prez Biden to further limit Nvidia's AI chip exports in final push")
Pakistan security forces rescue 8 of 16 mine workers abducted by militants
Pakistani security forces recovered at least eight out of 16 mine workers who were kidnapped by militants in the country's restive northwest Thursday morning, police and two security officials said.
 "Pakistan security forces rescue 8 of 16 mine workers abducted by militants")
Wall Street expected to slash 200,000 jobs as AI encroaches human roles
Back office, middle office and operations are likely to be most at risk, according to Tomasz Noetzel, the BI senior analyst who wrote the report
 "Wall Street expected to slash 200,000 jobs as AI encroaches human roles")
Ending 2-yr impasse, Lebanon Parliament picks army chief Aoun as President
The session was the legislature's 13th attempt to elect a successor to former President Michel Aoun - no relation to the army commander - whose term ended in October 2022
 "Ending 2-yr impasse, Lebanon Parliament picks army chief Aoun as President")
Lawyers try hard for bail plea of accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Mohammed
Mohammed is due to enter his plea Friday morning in the attacks, in which 19 al-Qaida hijackers smashed airliners into the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon
 "Lawyers try hard for bail plea of accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Mohammed")
California fires: Hollywood Hills burn as 'the big one' engulfs Los Angeles
More than 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate as dry, hurricane-force winds spread flames across parched ground that has seen no rain for months
 "California fires: Hollywood Hills burn as 'the big one' engulfs Los Angeles")
S Korean lawmakers seek independent probe over President Yoon's impeachment
Yoon's lawyers argued against bringing him to custody, claiming he isn't a threat to flee or destroy evidence
 "S Korean lawmakers seek independent probe over President Yoon's impeachment")
Malala Yousafzai to visit Pakistan for conference on girls' education
Malala will be one of the keynote speakers at the two-day conference scheduled for January 11-12
 "Malala Yousafzai to visit Pakistan for conference on girls' education")
No pvt discussion with Musk: Meloni on Italy's telecom security system deal
If the deal is sealed, SpaceX would provide encryption services for the Italian government and communications infrastructure for the military and emergency services
 "No pvt discussion with Musk: Meloni on Italy's telecom security system deal")
India my most extraordinary job, has captured my heart: US envoy Garcetti
Garcetti, whose term as the US ambassador to India is ending soon, said his stint in the country was the most extraordinary job of his life
 "India my most extraordinary job, has captured my heart: US envoy Garcetti")
China's auto exports may be slow in 2025, EV shipments to face zero growth
The outstanding growth in China in a largely stalling global EV landscape bode well for local leaders such as BYD , Geely and Xiaomi
 "China's auto exports may be slow in 2025, EV shipments to face zero growth")
