World News
US Congress approves funding bill hours before govt shutdown deadline
Johnson insisted Congress would "meet our obligations" and not allow federal operations to shutter ahead of the Christmas holiday season
 "US Congress approves funding bill hours before govt shutdown deadline")
Republicans in US Congress mount third attempt to fund govt, shutdown looms
Republicans might break up elements that had previously been bundled together, according to a source familiar with internal discussions. That could see the House holding separate votes
 "Republicans in US Congress mount third attempt to fund govt, shutdown looms")
Trump transfers nearly $4 billion of Trump Media shares to revocable trust
Trump Media shares have been extremely volatile since the company began trading in March. They reached intraday highs close to USD 80 on the first day of trading, then slumped to all-time lows in Sept
 "Trump transfers nearly $4 billion of Trump Media shares to revocable trust")
Russia targets Kyiv in response to Ukrainian strike using US-made weapons
Ukraine's air force said it intercepted five Iskander short-range ballistic missiles fired at the city
 "Russia targets Kyiv in response to Ukrainian strike using US-made weapons")
Luxury brands bulk up on low-priced products for middle-class shoppers
The companies' renewed focus on more affordable products is meant to appeal to middle-class aspirational customers who are more price sensitive
 "Luxury brands bulk up on low-priced products for middle-class shoppers")
US' commerce dept asks Nvidia to probe how chips ended up in China
The chip giant has asked big distributors such as Super Micro Computer and Dell Technologies to conduct spot checks of their customers in Southeast Asia, the report said
 "US' commerce dept asks Nvidia to probe how chips ended up in China")
Russia keeps rates at 21% amid inflation struggles fueled by war spendings
High rates can dampen inflation but also make it more expensive for businesses to get the credit they need to operate and invest
 "Russia keeps rates at 21% amid inflation struggles fueled by war spendings")
Total 2,200 cases of violence against Hindus, minorities in B'desh: Govt
India's expectation is Dhaka will take necessary measures to ensure their safety, the government said on Friday
 "Total 2,200 cases of violence against Hindus, minorities in B'desh: Govt")
WWE set to shift Indian media rights from SPNI to Netflix in $5 bn deal
Netflix India is set to stream WWE content starting April 2025, marking its debut in Indian sports entertainment and ending WWE's two-decade partnership with SPNI
 "WWE set to shift Indian media rights from SPNI to Netflix in $5 bn deal")
Malaysia govt agrees to resume 'no find, no fee' hunt for flight MH370
Satellite data showed the plane deviated from its flight path to head over the southern Indian Ocean, where it is believed to have crashed
 "Malaysia govt agrees to resume 'no find, no fee' hunt for flight MH370")
Netanyahu eyes Iran after triumphs over Hamas, Hezbollah, and Syria
Without Syria, the alliances Tehran has nurtured for decades have unraveled
 "Netanyahu eyes Iran after triumphs over Hamas, Hezbollah, and Syria")
One in every 127 people globally had autism in 2021, study estimates
The estimates come from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) Study, the largest and most comprehensive ones to assess health loss around the world over time
 "One in every 127 people globally had autism in 2021, study estimates")
US deportations reach highest level since 2014, surpassing Trump-years
The latest numbers are higher than deportations in any single year during President-elect Donald Trump's first administration (2017-2021) and represent the highest since 2014
 "US deportations reach highest level since 2014, surpassing Trump-years")
China's Xi swears in Macao's new leader, urges economic diversification
New Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai Macao's first leader born in mainland China vowed to address the territory's unbalanced and uncoordinated economic development
 "China's Xi swears in Macao's new leader, urges economic diversification")
US diplomats and hostage envoy in Syria on first visit since Assad ouster
The team is also the first group of American diplomats to formally visit Syria in more than a decade since the US shuttered its embassy in Damascus in 2012
 "US diplomats and hostage envoy in Syria on first visit since Assad ouster")
US has 2,000 troops in Syria, increase from previous 900, says Pentagon
He explained that such fluctuations in numbers of personnel are often quite common, and that the additional forces have been in place since before the December 8 downfall of Syrian President
 "US has 2,000 troops in Syria, increase from previous 900, says Pentagon")
Bangladesh receives $1.16 bn World Bank financing for inclusive development
These new financing will bring to the people of Bangladesh essential services such as health and water
 "Bangladesh receives $1.16 bn World Bank financing for inclusive development")
Int'l students urged to return to US campuses before Trump inauguration
More than a dozen schools have issued advisories, even though Trump's plans remain uncertain
 "Int'l students urged to return to US campuses before Trump inauguration")
Democratic governors hammered Trump earlier, now they hope to work with him
A New York jury convicted Trump earlier this year on all 34 charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex
Turkey, Russia engage in delicate manoeuvre over Syria after Assad's fall
Russia and Turkiye share economic and security interests along with an intense rivalry
 "Turkey, Russia engage in delicate manoeuvre over Syria after Assad's fall")
