Indonesia blocks Grok platform, EU and Mercosur establish a vast free trade area, US employment growth slows to weakest since Covid-19

Indonesia blocks Grok platform due to explicit content, while the UK faces US sanctions over potential X platform ban, highlighting regulatory challenges posed by AI-generated content. (Reuters )

World: Grok AI chatbot restricts access to paid users amid controversy over explicit content and inappropriate image generation, sparking concerns over platform safety and regulation.

City AM: UK may face US sanctions if Labour's Starmer blocks Elon Musk's X platform due to artificial intelligence concerns, potentially straining US-UK relations.

The EU and Mercosur establish a vast free trade area, marking a significant milestone in global trade relations, after EU nations backed the deal despite initial French opposition. (Atlantic Council )

Buenos Aires Times: EU countries back trade deal with Mercosur, overcoming French objections, paving way for agreement with South American bloc despite environmental concerns.

Buenos Aires Times: The EU has approved a free-trade agreement with Mercosur, a South American trade bloc, paving the way for a formal signing and increased economic cooperation between the regions.

The US Supreme Court has delayed a decision on the legality of Trump-era global tariffs imposed on trade partners, including Mexico, pending further review and consideration. (La Jornada )

US employment growth slows to weakest pace since Covid-19 pandemic in 2025, marking a significant decline in job market expansion, according to recent labor market data and trends. (BBC News )

US President Trump's suggestion to acquire Greenland by force sparks concern, met with resistance from Greenland and Denmark, who reject the idea, citing potential destabilization of NATO and regional security. (Al Jazeera )

News - South China Morning Post: US President Trump suggests taking "hard" measures to acquire Greenland if a deal can't be reached, despite Greenland's insistence that it's not for sale.

NDTV News Search Records Found 1000: Greenland's leaders reject US President Trump's suggestion to use force to seize the territory

Iran's Supreme Leader condemns protesters as "vandals" amid growing anti-government demonstrations, sparking international concern and escalating tensions across the country. (Sydney Morning Herald - World - Yeganeh Torbati)

The Washington Post: Iranians protest despite warnings of a potential crackdown, with the government refusing to back down and a communications blackout in place

The Age - World: Iran's Supreme Leader criticizes protesters, dismissing Trump's promise to intervene, amid ongoing unrest and tensions in the region, sparking concerns over escalating violence and diplomatic fallout.

Russia, China, and Iran launch joint naval exercises in South African waters, escalating global tensions and showcasing growing military cooperation and strategic alliances amidst rising geopolitical rivalries. (via REUTERS - EASTERN THEATRE COMMAND - Azima Bashir Aminu)

The Independent: Iran, Russia, and China conduct joint naval exercises in South Africa, escalating global tensions amidst rising geopolitical rivalries and strategic alliances.

India objects to China's infrastructure development in Shaksgam Valley, asserting its claim over the disputed territory near the Pakistan-India border. (Hindustan Times )

Sudan marks 1,000 days of conflict, sparking a devastating humanitarian crisis with 33.7 million people in need of aid, prompting Caritas Internationalis to urge the international community to act now and prevent further catastrophe. (Vatican News )

North Korea accuses South Korea of crossing border with drones, threatening a response to the alleged incursion, escalating tensions between the two nations. (Boston Herald - Associated Press Spanish)

Russia launches hypersonic Oreshnik missile at Ukraine's Lviv region, escalating conflict near Polish border, amid ongoing US-led peace talks, sparking condemnation and calls for increased Western support. (The Washington Times stories: News - The Washington Times Newsroom)

Українські Національні Новини: Russia escalates Ukraine conflict with Oreshnik use, prompting warnings to Europe and US to strengthen support for Ukraine amidst rising tensions.

The FCC has approved SpaceX's request to deploy 7,500 additional second-generation Starlink satellites to boost global internet service (Reuters )

Japan's household spending sees unexpected uptick, signaling steady consumption recovery and positive economic growth prospects. (Reuters )

China's car sales are expected to be flat in 2026, with domestic demand fading and strong electric vehicle export growth unlikely to continue, according to the China Passenger Car Association. (Reuters - Reuters)

Pakistan and Sudan sign $1.5 billion defense agreement, strengthening bilateral ties and strategic cooperation between the two nations. (Devdiscourse )

Lukoil's assets face liquidation amid emerging sanctions targeting the company's ownership structure, sparking significant market implications and potential industry shifts. (Bitget )

New York State sues the Trump administration for blocking offshore wind projects, citing undue delay and environmental concerns, seeking to revive stalled renewable energy initiatives. (The Independent - Philip Marcelo)

Trump administration blocks AI regulation, while Meta pauses global smart glasses rollout amid growing Anti-Grok backlash, sparking industry-wide concerns and debates on tech governance and innovation. (marketplace.org )

EU-Mercosur trade deal grants access to 700 million consumers, cuts tariffs, and establishes guidelines for sustainable development and investment, promoting economic growth and cooperation between regions. (ΤΟ ΒΗΜΑ )

Mercosur-EU trade deal to eliminate 90% of tariffs on EU exports, benefiting 700 million consumers across both regions, boosting economic cooperation and trade. (ΤΟ ΒΗΜΑ - Σταμούλης Δημήτρης)

Greece faces backlash from farmers over EU-Mercosur trade deal, sparking protests amid concerns of increased competition and potential economic losses for local agricultural producers. (ΤΟ ΒΗΜΑ )

Trump meets with oil executives to discuss $100 billion investment in Venezuela, aiming to boost oil production and strengthen US energy interests in the region. (Báo Thanh Niên )

Germany's exports have declined unexpectedly, while the country's industrial production has seen an increase. (Reuters )

Spain's industrial production rose 4.5% in November year-over-year, indicating a positive trend in the country's manufacturing sector. (Reuters )

South Korea plans to operate its foreign exchange market 24/7 to increase trading volume and attract more foreign investors, in hopes of getting an upgrade from MSCI (Reuters )

Heng Seng Index closes higher amid low trading volume, indicating market consolidation and potential stabilization of recent gains. (富途牛牛 )

Glencore and Rio Tinto discuss potential $260bn merger, boosting FTSE 100 index with significant market implications and possible industry consolidation. (Bloomberg.com )

Japan's copper premium surges to a record $330/mt in 2026, fueled by strong demand and market tightness, impacting global copper prices and trade. (Discovery Alert )

Elon Musk alleges the UK government is using AI deepfake concerns as a pretext for censorship, sparking debate on free speech and technological regulation. (Sky News )

US President Trump to meet Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House to address bilateral tensions and strengthen relations between the two nations. (MercoPress )

Greenland's parties unanimously reject US annexation, reaffirming self-governance and sovereignty, and asserting independence from the US and Denmark. (Πρώτο Θέμα: RSS )

ΤΑ ΝΕΑ: Greenland's political parties reject US acquisition plans following President Trump's comments, reaffirming the island's autonomy and sovereignty.

News - South China Morning Post: Greenland's parliament unifies against US President Trump's claims, stating they want to be Greenlanders, not Americans or Danes

Japanese PM Takaichi Sanae considers calling an early general election to leverage rising public support and solidify her position amidst favorable polls. (Tuổi Trẻ Online - Tin mới nhất - RSS Feed )

French opposition parties submit no-confidence motions against President Macron's government, citing discontent with recent policies and seeking to challenge his administration's authority. (The Local France )

Storm Goretti hits the UK with severe winds, heavy rain, and snow, causing travel disruptions, school closures, and substantial damage, with winds reaching 99mph and resulting in a significant emergency response effort nationwide. (The Guardian - Tom Ambrose (now); Amy Sedghi and Adam Fulton (earlier))

The Independent: Storm Goretti hits the UK, bringing hurricane-force winds and causing flight cancellations, disrupting travel and daily activities across the region.

The Independent: Storm Goretti hits the UK with 99mph winds, resulting in significant damage and disruption across the region, prompting emergency response efforts.

El Nino may cost Hong Kong $300 billion and reduce life expectancy by 5-7 months due to extreme weather (News - South China Morning Post - Ng Kang-chung)

Australia's Victoria state declares emergency due to rapidly spreading bushfires, fueled by high temperatures and strong winds, prompting evacuations and emergency responses amid a severe heatwave. (DIE ZEIT | Nachrichten, News, Hintergründe und Debatten - DIE ZEIT: Zeitgeschehen - Clara Suchy)

News - South China Morning Post: Bushfires ravage Victoria, Australia, destroying homes and forests amid a severe heatwave, prompting emergency responses and evacuations in the affected regions.

The Age - National: Sydney experiences extreme heatwave with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees, firefighters battle flare-ups

The Trump administration proposes options to address Colorado River water shortages, potentially requiring California to make greater sacrifices to mitigate the crisis and ensure a sustainable water supply for the region. (California - Ian James)