World News
US weekly jobless claims fall as labour market remains stable in December
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 224,000 for the week ended December 13, the Labor Department said on Thursday
 "US weekly jobless claims fall as labour market remains stable in December")
US core inflation unexpectedly eases to slowest pace since 2021
The report was complicated by the federal government shutdown, which prevented the BLS from collecting much of the October price data
 "US core inflation unexpectedly eases to slowest pace since 2021")
OpenAI talks funding at $750 bn valuation, could raise up to $100 bn
The ChatGPT maker could raise as much as $100 billion, the report said, citing people with knowledge of the discussions
 "OpenAI talks funding at $750 bn valuation, could raise up to $100 bn")
Venezuela inflation soars 500% as Trump intensifies pressure on Maduro
The inflation rate soared to 556 per cent in the 12 months through Dec. 17, up from 219 per cent at the end of June and 45 per cent in 2024, according to a weekly index compiled by Bloomberg News
 "Venezuela inflation soars 500% as Trump intensifies pressure on Maduro")
Trump announces $1,776 'Warrior Dividend' for troops amid inflation fears
Trump announced the plan Wednesday during a prime-time address from the White House meant to extol his accomplishments this year and assuage Americans increasingly worried about their cost of living
 "Trump announces $1,776 'Warrior Dividend' for troops amid inflation fears")
China launches $113 billion free-trade experiment on Hainan island
Foreign direct investment into China fell 10.4 per cent year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2025, official data shows
 "China launches $113 billion free-trade experiment on Hainan island")
US approves up to $11 bn arms sale to Taiwan, risking China backlash
The total value of the sales is up to $11.154 billion, according to a separate statement from Taiwan's Defense Ministry
 "US approves up to $11 bn arms sale to Taiwan, risking China backlash")
Pulitzer-winning war correspondent Peter Arnett passes away at 91
Born November 13, 1934, in Riverton, New Zealand, Peter Arnett got his first exposure to journalism when he landed a job at his local newspaper, the Southland Times, shortly after high school
 "Pulitzer-winning war correspondent Peter Arnett passes away at 91")
How BP's new boss O'Neill became the most powerful woman in fossil fuels
Under her watch, Woodside doubled oil and gas output, leaned aggressively into seaborne LNG, and shelved lower-carbon projects that failed to clear commercial hurdles
 "How BP's new boss O'Neill became the most powerful woman in fossil fuels")
ECB keeps interest rates steady, raises growth and inflation forecasts
The ECB now sees inflation at 1.9% in 2026, above its previous projection for 1.7% while 2027 inflation is projected at 1.8%, below the 1.9% seen in September
 "ECB keeps interest rates steady, raises growth and inflation forecasts")
Bank of England cuts key interest rate to 3.75% amid easing inflation
Policymakers at Britain's central bank voted 5-4 to reduce the base rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.75% on Thursday, the lowest since February 2023
 "Bank of England cuts key interest rate to 3.75% amid easing inflation")
Trump Media to merge with TAE in $6 bn deal to build nuclear fusion company
Upon completion of the deal, shareholders of each company will own about 50% of the combined firm on a fully diluted equity basis
Oil, sanctions, and war. US blockade on Venezuela recalls past conflicts
The US has ordered a total blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, stepped up naval presence and seized ships, raising fears that it may be moving towards a military conflict with Caracas
Russian ban on Roblox stirs debate about limits of online censorship
For many young Russians, Roblox was a window onto a vast world of games and potential friends around the globe
 "Russian ban on Roblox stirs debate about limits of online censorship")
Japan's JAPEX buys US tight oil and gas assets in $1.3 billion deal
JAPEX will buy VRIH, which holds assets in Colorado and Wyoming, from Verdad Resources Feeder LLC using a mix of its own funds and debt. The transaction is expected to close by the end of Feb 2026
 "Japan's JAPEX buys US tight oil and gas assets in $1.3 billion deal")
Rare smog surge hits Beijing after years of costly pollution clean-up
Beijing was shrouded in heavy smog on Thursday with AQI climbing to very unhealthy levels of 215, a rare spike in pollution in the Chinese capital after years of expensive cleaning up.
 "Rare smog surge hits Beijing after years of costly pollution clean-up")
Russia wants to drain Europe's investigations with sabotage campaign
So far in this hybrid war, most known acts of sabotage have resulted in minimal damage nothing compared to the tens of thousands of lives lost and cities decimated across Ukraine.
 "Russia wants to drain Europe's investigations with sabotage campaign")
How China's 'Manhattan Project' aims to break Western control of AI chips
China has secretly built a prototype machine to make advanced AI chips, aiming to end Western dominance, with working chips expected by 2028-2030
 "How China's 'Manhattan Project' aims to break Western control of AI chips")
Kneejerk reactions not enough to stop the next Bondi Beach attack
Faced by such a targeted act of violence after years of increasing antisemitic attacks, it's unsurprising that Jewish Australians feel they've been left unprotected
 "Kneejerk reactions not enough to stop the next Bondi Beach attack")
Asian shares follow Wall Street lower as AI worries drag tech stocks lower
South Korea's Kospi sank 1.8 per cent to 3,989.06, also pulled lower by selling of shares in electronics companies and automakers
 "Asian shares follow Wall Street lower as AI worries drag tech stocks lower")
