Business

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia has got a strong edge in designing new weapons and that it has become the only country in the world to deploy hypersonic weapons.

Speaking at a meeting with top military brass, Putin said that for the first time in history Russia is now leading the world in developing an entire new class of weapons unlike in the past when it was catching up with the United States.

24 Dec 2019; MEMO: A sheep in Kuwait has been sold at auction for a record 40,000 dinars ($131,600).

This is not the first time that the sheep known as Al-Naama for her white colour and rare breed has received such a high price. In a previous auction, bidders reportedly offered its owner a whopping 50,000 dinars ($164,746) to sell her, however he declined claiming she is worth more.

Livestock auctions are very common in Kuwait.

Mumbai, Dec 24 (PTI) Benchmark equity gauges furthered losses on Tuesday after investors fretted over IMF's comment that the Indian economy is in the middle of a "significant" slowdown.

Participants also appeared cautious ahead of December month F&O expiry and year-end holidays.

After trading on a volatile note through the day, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended 181.40 points, or 0.44 per cent, lower at 41,461.26.

Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty closed 48.20 points, or 0.39 per cent, down at 12,214.55.

Beijing, Dec 23 (AP) Rising space power China on Monday attacked the newly created US Space Force as a "direct threat to outer space peace and security".

Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters that China is "deeply concerned about it and resolutely opposed to it".

"The relevant US actions are a serious violation of the international consensus on the peaceful use of outer space, undermine global strategic balance and stability, and pose a direct threat to outer space peace and security," Geng said at a regular briefing.

KERCH (Crimea), Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Vladimir Putin has heralded the opening of a railway bridge to the Russian-annexed Crimea peninsula by posing in the driver’s cab and praising construction workers.

But the opening of the railway was immediately condemned by the European Union as “another violation” by Russia of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territory.

Russia’s 19km bridge to Crimea first opened in May last year.

Putin marked that occasion by driving a lorry over it.

PARIS, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French train and metro drivers took their crippling transport strike into its 19th straight day on Monday in a standoff with the government over pension reform, casting a pall over Christmas plans with many unable to reach loved ones.

Talks between the government and unions last week failed to find middle ground, and strikers vowed there would be no holiday truce unless the overhaul plan is scrapped.

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Argentina’s government approved a package of emergency measures aimed at lifting the South American country out of its worst economic crisis in years.

Argentina is in a recession caused by a currency collapse that struck 18 months ago.

Poverty levels in the country of 44 million still top 40 per cent – in a country that was among the world’s wealthiest in the early 20th century.

ROME, Dec 23 (NNN-ANSA) — Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj, whose Tripoli-based administration is recognised by the United Nations, has confirmed that he asked Italy for weapons to repel the offensive staged by Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar.

“We asked for weapons from many countries, including Italy, which has the right to choose the policy it likes most,” Serraj said in an interview published Monday in Milan’s newspaper Corriere della Sera when asked about the assistance being provided by Turkey.

KHARTOUM, Dec 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — Sudan and South Sudan on Monday signed an agreement to extend an oil deal and related economic arrangements until March 2022, official SUNA news agency reported.

The agreement, signed in Khartoum, stipulates that South Sudan pays 26 U.S. dollars for each oil barrel passing through the Sudanese pipeline operator, Petrolines for Crude Oil Ltd. which belongs to the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company, and 24.1 dollars for each oil barrel transported through Bashayer Pipeline Company which belongs to Petrodar Operating Company.

LONDON (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II plans to acknowledge that both Britain and her family have endured a difficult year by saying during her Christmas message that it has been a “bumpy” time.

The pre-recorded message will be broadcast in Britain and the Commonwealth nations on Christmas Day. It was recorded before the queen’s husband, Prince Philip, was hospitalized in London as a precautionary measure.

Excerpts released by Buckingham Palace before the speech show the queen admits difficulties during the course of the year.