Putin is taking questions from ordinary Russians along with journalists as his reelection bid begins December 13, 2023 at 11:35PM

Putin's end-of-year news conference in Moscow included questions from ordinary citizens, focusing on key themes such as the fighting in Ukraine, payments to soldiers and their families, and the economy. This year, Putin allowed international journalists to attend, despite his limited interaction with the foreign media since the conflict began. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's recent plea for more U.S. aid and weaponry adds to the significance of Putin's appearance, which is primarily aimed at a domestic audience and aims to reinforce his power ahead of the March election.

Hungary against EU talks with Ukraine, open to financial aid for Kyiv December 13, 2023 at 11:40PM

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that Hungary would support in providing long-term financial aid to Ukraine outside of the EU budget. Orban reiterated his opposition to starting accession talks with Ukraine. The EU countries, excluding Hungary, aim to offer Ukraine 50 billion euros in budget support until 2027 and advance its membership bid. Orban mentioned that there is no rush to decide on additional financial aid to Ukraine as short-term support is already secured.

1,100 Bangladeshi opposition activists convicted since September: Lawyers December 13, 2023 at 10:59PM

Bangladeshi courts have convicted more than 1,100 opposition officials and activists since September, lawyers said Thursday, a day after scores more of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's opponents were sentenced to prison. "In the past three months at least 1,093 BNP activists and several dozen activists from other opposition parties were convicted in 69 cases," the party's legal affairs chief Kayser Kamal told AFP. That figure includes 127 BNP activists handed prison sentences of up to three years in courts across Dhaka on Wednesday, Ehsanur Rahman, a lawyer for several of the defendants, told AFP.

China's economy forecast to slow sharply in 2024, says World Bank; calls recovery 'fragile' December 13, 2023 at 10:50PM

Despite a recent recovery, China's economy will slow to 4.5% growth next year. The challenges include weakness in the property sector, global demand for exports, high debt levels, and wavering consumer confidence. Growth is expected to slow further in 2025. Job losses and a downturn in the property industry have led to cautious spending. The report emphasizes the need for structural reforms and support for cash-strapped local governments. The real estate investment has fallen.