THE World Bank reported that the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip has destroyed approximately 93 per cent of the branches of banks operating in the territory after 15 months of continuous conflict.

IRAN’S envoy to the United Nations (UN) has warned that if Europe “misuses” the snap back mechanism, it will receive the country’s “decisive and proportionate” response, the official news agency IRNA reported early Wednesday. Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s permanent representative to the UN, made the remarks at a UN Security Council meeting Tuesday on the implementation of Resolution 2231, which endorses a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

The newly inaugurated Chancay-Shanghai direct shipping route not only strengthens trade ties between Peru and China but also promotes shared growth across Latin America, Asia and beyond. On Wednesday, the air at Shanghai Port was infused with the sweet fragrance of fresh fruit as a vessel from Peru’s Chancay Port docked, delivering a bounty of Peruvian agricultural delights, including grapes, avocados and blueberries. Since the launch of the Chancay Port in November, shipments between the two coastal cities have highlighted a promising future for trade across the Pacific.

ON 18 December, Myanmar clinched their first victory in the 2024 ASEAN Cup Group B stage with a 3-2 triumph over Laos at Thuwunna Youth Training Centre. This marked both Myanmar’s first win in the tournament and head coach U Myo Hlaing Win’s debut international victory. Myanmar initially led 1-0 through Lwin Moe Aung’s header in 32 minutes but conceded two goals in the second half, falling behind 2-1. However, striker Win Naing Tun’s crucial goals in 87 minutes and during stoppage time ensured the dramatic win.

The  masterminds and organizers of the blast that killed Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, the head of the Troops of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence of the Russian armed forces, are clear, as Kyiv does not hesitate to use terrorist methods, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday. “In this case, our special services, law enforcement agencies, you see, they work efficiently, they work quickly. It is already obvious who the masterminds are, who are the organizers of this terrorist act.

YOUNG startup Databricks, which specializes in scaling and building artificial intelligence, said Tuesday it raised $10 billion, bringing the company’s valuation to $62 billion.
The blockbuster funding round is yet another signal of the unrelenting appetite from investors for potential AI stars. Investors listed as taking part in the funding round included tech sector powerhouses Andreessen Horowitz and Thrive Capital.

YANGON Region Gold Entrepreneurs Association (YGEA) notified necessary documents for seeking a gold trading licence, including a bank statement with 25 per cent of the total assets mentioned.

ERMAN Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost in a vote of confidence in the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, on Monday. The move would dissolve Scholz’s minority coalition government and trigger a process that would lead to early federal elections.
The confidence vote saw 207 parliament members expressing confidence in Scholz, with 394 voting against him and 116 abstaining.

SENIOR General Min Aung Hlaing underlined that only when Myanmar uses cotton textiles in garment industries as well as exports them will the government reduce spending on foreign currency and earn foreign exchange.
A ceremony to inaugurate the 2/80 Thread Factory Branch of the Tatmadaw Textile Factory (Meiktila) took place at the venue yesterday morning, attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min
Aung Hlaing.

Over the past three years, the centre has facilitated two business missions to the UAE, where 11 small and medium-sized enterprises held negotiations.
EXPORTERS from Russia’s Leningrad Region may have the opportunity to participate in an international exhibition in the United Arab Emirates next year to present their products, the regional government’s press service said.