U.S. stocks ended lower on Tuesday, as the U.S. equity market failed to end 2024 on a high note. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 29.51 points, or 0.07%, to 42,544.22. The S&P 500 sank 25.31 points, or 0.43%, to 5,881.63. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 175.99 points, or 0.90%, to 19,310.79. Six of the…
A new tourist tax has come into effect across Russia on Wednesday, replacing the previous resort fee, RIA Novosti news agency reported on Wednesday. From January 1, 2025, travelers staying in hotels and other accommodations will contribute an additional 1% of their lodging costs, marking the start of a phased plan to bolster regional tourism…
The Indonesian government has announced the allocation of a six-month rice aid program for 2025, aimed at supporting low-income communities and stabilizing the economy, according to a press release from the National Food Agency on Wednesday. The program, approved by President Prabowo Subianto, will distribute 960,000 tons of rice to 16 million food assistance recipients,…
The Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka has opened the world’s first attraction area based on Nintendo Co.’s popular Donkey Kong game series, seeking to attract more overseas as well as domestic visitors. The Donkey Kong Country area, which opened on December 11 , expands by 70% the park’s existing Super Nintendo World area,…
Both Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokic posted triple-doubles in a Monday NBA game as the Denver Nuggets won against hosts Utah Jazz 132-121 in Salt Lake City. Serbian All-Star center Jokic scored a game-high 36 points, grabbed 22 rebounds, and made 11 assists for the Nuggets at the Delta Center. His Nuggets teammate Westbrook tallied…
Basketball in 2024 was firmly under U.S. control as both the men’s and women’s teams captured gold at the Paris Olympic Games. The men’s team, dubbed the “New Dream Team,” claimed the top spot after defeating host France 98-87 in the final. The victory marked their fifth consecutive Olympic title and 17th overall, continuing the…
Beijing rejected accusations on Tuesday that a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group was responsible for breaching the U.S. Treasury Department, calling the claims “false” and “unfounded.” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing that the allegations were unsupported by evidence. “China has always opposed all forms of hacking attacks, and we are even more…
United Nations (UN) Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, on Tuesday criticized the international community for failing to take decisive action to alleviate the suffering of children in conflict zones. “The cries of these children echo across conflict zones, but far too often, the world remains silent. Their pain is a stain…
Developed nations battled high inflation in 2024 following the COVID-19 pandemic that began in late 2019, and achieving target inflation rates will be challenging in 2025. The war in Ukraine, combined with the pandemic’s aftermath, further complicated efforts to meet inflation targets, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Supply chain disruptions…
The amount of assistance provided by the government and its local counterparts to families affected by the ongoing restiveness of Mount Kanlaon has now reached P149.9 million, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday. In its situation report, the agency said this includes P45.72 million for Western Visayas and P104.21 million…