World News
UAE to withdraw troops from Yemen following clash with Saudi Arabia
Abu Dhabi had earlier denied allegations by Riyadh that it's been directing a separatist group in the south of Yemen in a way that threatened the kingdom's border
 "UAE to withdraw troops from Yemen following clash with Saudi Arabia")
China's factory activity rises in December, ending record 8-month slump
The official manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose to 50.1 from 49.2 last month, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics
 "China's factory activity rises in December, ending record 8-month slump")
Trump admin freezes child care funds to Minnesota over fraud schemes
The announcement comes after years of investigation that began with the $300 million scheme at the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, for which 57 defendants in Minnesota have been convicted
 "Trump admin freezes child care funds to Minnesota over fraud schemes")
Trump's covert Venezuela strike raises new questions on next steps
The attack is likely to inject additional energy into heated discussions in US Congress about the strategy toward Venezuela, and the debate about how far Trump can go without seeking authorisation
 "Trump's covert Venezuela strike raises new questions on next steps")
Elon Musk's xAI buys third building to expand 'Colossus' data centre
Musk has already built one data center in Memphis, known as Colossus, and is currently constructing a second nearby site dubbed Colossus 2
 "Elon Musk's xAI buys third building to expand 'Colossus' data centre")
US commits $480 mn to Ivory Coast health sector under 'America First' pact
The signing in Ivory Coast's capital of Abidjan covers areas such as HIV, malaria, maternal and child health, and global health security
 "US commits $480 mn to Ivory Coast health sector under 'America First' pact")
Thieves drill into German bank vault, steal property worth millions
Some 2,700 bank customers were affected by the theft in Gelsenkirchen, police and the Sparkasse bank said
 "Thieves drill into German bank vault, steal property worth millions")
Warner Bros likely to reject Paramount's $108.4 bn hostile bid: Report
Paramount had said that Ellison was open to personally guarantee equity financing backing the bid, a move aimed at easing doubts that had dogged its earlier proposal
 "Warner Bros likely to reject Paramount's $108.4 bn hostile bid: Report")
Louis Gerstner, who steered IBM through historic turnaround, dies at 83
IBM chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna announced Gerstner's death in an email sent Sunday to employees, but did not provide a cause of death
 "Louis Gerstner, who steered IBM through historic turnaround, dies at 83")
Pentagon announces $8.6 billion Boeing contract for F-15 jets for Israel
The Pentagon said the contract involved foreign military sales to Israel. The U.S. has long been by far the largest arms supplier to its closest Middle East ally
 "Pentagon announces $8.6 billion Boeing contract for F-15 jets for Israel")
China mandates chipmakers use 50% domestic equipment for new capacity
China's industry ministry did not respond to a request for comment. The sources did not wish to be identified as the measure is not public.
 "China mandates chipmakers use 50% domestic equipment for new capacity")
US clears Samsung, SK Hynix chip tool shipments to China for 2026
The approval is a temporary relief for the South Korean firms and follows a U.S. decision earlier this year to revoke licence waivers given to some tech companies
 "US clears Samsung, SK Hynix chip tool shipments to China for 2026")
Protests spread across Iran with demands to overthrow the govt: Here's why
A sharp fall in the rial, soaring prices and economic uncertainty have sparked protests across Iran, with demonstrators in several cities calling for regime change
 "Protests spread across Iran with demands to overthrow the govt: Here's why")
Europe to discuss US-led peace push as Ukraine-Russia tensions rise
Russia and Ukraine have throughout the war exchanged accusations about attacks that cannot be independently verified because of the fighting
 "Europe to discuss US-led peace push as Ukraine-Russia tensions rise")
'National security is a red line': Saudi Arabia warns UAE over Yemen
Saudi Arabia said its national security is a red line, backed a call for UAE forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours, and warned it will act against any threat
 "'National security is a red line': Saudi Arabia warns UAE over Yemen")
Who is Ranjit 'Ricky' Gill, Trump official awarded for India-Pak ceasefire?
Ranjit Gill, a senior NSC official and special assistant to Donald Trump, received a Distinguished Action Award amid US claims of brokering an India-Pakistan ceasefire denied by New Delhi
 "Who is Ranjit 'Ricky' Gill, Trump official awarded for India-Pak ceasefire?")
Russia's nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system enters active service
Russia's missile forces chief has also declared that the Oreshnik, which can carry conventional or nuclear warheads, has a range allowing it to reach all of Europe
 "Russia's nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system enters active service")
China's economy shows resilience, but ordinary citizens feel strain
China's ruling Communist Party is promoting leader Xi's push for high-quality growth and domestic innovation as it shifts investment and policies toward a consumption-driven growth model
 "China's economy shows resilience, but ordinary citizens feel strain")
Boardrooms, billions, and AI: Global business leaders who headlined 2025
From Elon Musk's empire to Warren Buffett's final act at Berkshire, 2025 was shaped by bold moves, trillion-dollar deals, and global business leaders who made headlines worldwide
 "Boardrooms, billions, and AI: Global business leaders who headlined 2025")
Zia's funeral to be held on Dec 31; B'desh announces 3-day state mourning
In a televised address to the nation, Yunus urged people to maintain discipline and order during the funeral prayers and the observance of mourning across the country
 "Zia's funeral to be held on Dec 31; B'desh announces 3-day state mourning")
