Global News
- Stock Markets Steady Ahead of Christmas: Major indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq saw slight increases, while the Dow Jones remained largely unchanged. Notably, American Airlines experienced a 2% drop following a brief nationwide grounding due to technical issues. In Asia, Chinese and Hong Kong markets rose over 1%, driven by China’s commitment to increased government spending in 2025.
- Slovak PM Meets Putin in Surprise Moscow Visit: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss “the possibilities of an early, peaceful end of the war” in Ukraine.
UK General News
- Prince Andrew’s Alleged Ties to Chinese Spy: Reports have surfaced linking Prince Andrew to an alleged Chinese spy, Yang Tengbo, who was reportedly invited into Buckingham Palace. Yang has denied any wrongdoing.
- Severe Weather Disrupts Christmas Travel: Strong winds have led to flight cancellations at Heathrow Airport, causing disruptions for travelers ahead of Christmas.
UK Business News
- UK Economy Contracts for Second Month: The UK economy shrank by 0.1% in October, marking the second consecutive month of contraction, raising concerns about a potential recession.
- Royal Mail Takeover Approved: The takeover of Royal Mail by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský has been approved, signaling significant changes for the UK’s postal service.
Nigeria General News
- Deadly Stampedes at Charity Events: At least 67 people have died in Nigeria following stampedes at charity events offering free food, marking the third such incident this week.
- Tacha Explains Decision to Relocate to UK: Nigerian celebrity Tacha has explained her decision to relocate to the UK, citing personal and professional reasons.
Nigeria Business News
- UK-Vietnam Trade Relations Boosted: The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) are set to enhance trade relations between the UK and Vietnam, potentially impacting Nigerian markets.
Technology & AI News
- Sega Considers Subscription Service: Gaming giant Sega is exploring the possibility of launching a Netflix-like game subscription service, indicating a shift in the industry’s business model.
- Albania Bans TikTok for a Year: Albania has announced a one-year ban on TikTok, citing concerns over the app inciting violence and bullying.
Entertainment News
- Blake Lively Accuses Co-star of Smear Campaign: Actress Blake Lively has accused her “It Ends With Us” co-star Justin Baldoni of a smear campaign, allegations that Baldoni’s lawyer has denied.
- Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr Reunite on Stage: Former Beatles members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr reunited on stage in London, performing classic songs together to the delight of fans.
Bible Verse for Reflection:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18