World News
US shootings: Highest average casualties at educational institutions
Educational institutions record the highest average casualties in US shooting incidents, highlighting persistent safety risks for students and faculty
 "US shootings: Highest average casualties at educational institutions")
Putin's India visit reaffirms strategic alignment and mutual trust: Russia
The statement also mentioned Russia's "practical cooperation" with China, which demonstrated resilience in the face of external pressures
 "Putin's India visit reaffirms strategic alignment and mutual trust: Russia")
China opens world's longest expressway tunnel through Xinjiang mountains
According to Song Hailiang, chairman of China Communications Construction Company, the tunnel has set two world records
 "China opens world's longest expressway tunnel through Xinjiang mountains")
Mosque bombing in Syria's Homs kills 6, wounds 21 during Friday prayers
The country has experienced several waves of sectarian clashes since the fall of President Bashar Assad last year in attacks by insurgents led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
 "Mosque bombing in Syria's Homs kills 6, wounds 21 during Friday prayers")
Putin open to territory exchange while demanding full control of Donbas
In essence, Putin wants the whole of Donbas but outside that area "a partial exchange of territories from the Russian side is not ruled out," Kolesnikov wrote in the newspaper
 "Putin open to territory exchange while demanding full control of Donbas")
Why Myanmar is going to hold elections on December 28 amid a civil war
Critics argue the polls neither restore Myanmar's fragile democracy, dismantled by the military takeover in 2021, nor offer a pathway to ending the violence triggered by continued army rule
 "Why Myanmar is going to hold elections on December 28 amid a civil war")
At least 15 injured in knife and chemical attack at factory in Japan
A man was arrested after stabbing eight people and injuring seven others with what was believed to be bleach at a rubber factory in central Japan on Friday, officials said.
 "At least 15 injured in knife and chemical attack at factory in Japan")
China sanctions 20 US defence firms, executives over Taiwan arms package
Under the sanctions, the affected companies' all assets within China will be frozen and Chinese organisations and individuals are also prohibited from conducting transactions with these firms
 "China sanctions 20 US defence firms, executives over Taiwan arms package")
South Korean prosecutors seek 10-yr sentence for ex-Prez Yoon in 1st trial
Yoon faces other trials on accusations ranging from corruption and favour trading to rebellion, a grave charge that is punishable by life imprisonment or execution
 "South Korean prosecutors seek 10-yr sentence for ex-Prez Yoon in 1st trial")
Meeting with Trump likely in near future as war talks progress: Zelenskyy
We are not losing a single day. We have agreed on a meeting at the highest level with President Trump in the near future, Zelenskyy wrote on X
 "Meeting with Trump likely in near future as war talks progress: Zelenskyy")
Yemen separatists accuse Saudi Arabia of airstrikes against their forces
The Council's satellite channel AIC aired what appeared to be mobile phone footage it described as showing the strikes. In one video, a man speaking could be heard blaming the strike on Saudi aircraft
 "Yemen separatists accuse Saudi Arabia of airstrikes against their forces")
Ex-Malaysian PM Najib Razak convicted in trial over 1MDB corruption scandal
The nation's High Court found Najib, 72, guilty on three counts of abuse of power. Rulings on additional charges were still being delivered Friday afternoon
 "Ex-Malaysian PM Najib Razak convicted in trial over 1MDB corruption scandal")
US revives graphite mining amid battery boom, China trade tensions
With federal officials concerned about the steady supply of a number of critical minerals, several companies have plans to mine graphite
 "US revives graphite mining amid battery boom, China trade tensions")
More than 2 million Afghan refugees still living in Pakistan: UNHCR
Also in November, over 31,500 Afghan Proof of Registration Cards (PoRs) card holders were sent to Afghanistan through UNHCR's repatriation centres
 "More than 2 million Afghan refugees still living in Pakistan: UNHCR")
US futures dip, Asian shares trade mixed; gold, silver hit record highs
The price of gold gained 0.8 per cent to 4,538.80 a troy ounce, while silver jumped 4.5 per cent to $74.90 per ounce
 "US futures dip, Asian shares trade mixed; gold, silver hit record highs")
'Merry Christmas to dead terrorists': Trump on ISIS strike, warns more to come
Trump claimed ISIS fighters in northwest Nigeria had been killing civilians, "primarily innocent Christians," and said US strikes would continue if the violence does not stop
 "'Merry Christmas to dead terrorists': Trump on ISIS strike, warns more to come")
Indian-origin man dies after 8 hour wait for treatment at Canada hospital
Family and friends want answers over how could a man with severe chest pain could fall through the cracks in such a shocking way
 "Indian-origin man dies after 8 hour wait for treatment at Canada hospital")
'Sleazebags': Trump slams Democrats over Epstein files in Christmas post
Trump claimed that those facing scrutiny are largely Democrats, asserting that when names emerge from what he described as 'ongoing Radical Left Witch Hunt,' there would be a lot of explaining to do
Snow storm disrupts hundreds of flights at New York City airports
At least 400 international and domestic flights have been canceled and many delayed, according to FlightAware, an airline tracking service
 "Snow storm disrupts hundreds of flights at New York City airports")
Myanmar to hold 1st election in 5 years as criticism of military rule grows
The military has framed the polls as a return to multi-party democracy, likely seeking to add a facade of legitimacy to its rule
 "Myanmar to hold 1st election in 5 years as criticism of military rule grows")
