Euro zone inflation is projected to rise to 2.4% in December, underscoring economic pressures despite stable core inflation. This comes amid political upheaval in Germany, with federal elections set for February.

Donald Trump plans to impose steep tariffs on global imports, specifically targeting China, Canada, and Mexico, which could raise consumer costs and increase inflation risks. These measures may prompt retaliatory actions from trade partners and complicate U.S. monetary policy, potentially affecting industries like electric vehicles and semiconductors.

Microsoft is investing $3 billion in India's cloud and AI infrastructure to position the country as an 'AI-first nation.' This includes training 10 million people and supporting 5,000 startups by 2030.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled against Greece for illegally deporting a Turkish asylum seeker, A.R.E., highlighting the systematic use of 'pushbacks.' The court's decision, awarding €20,000 in damages, may influence future cases and challenges Greece's denial of such practices.

The tanker Eagle S, implicated in damaging critical underwater cables, is under investigation in Finland. NATO is enhancing its Baltic Sea presence as Finland and Estonia seek support against suspected Russian hybrid attacks.

The Georgia Republican Party has expelled former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, citing disloyalty over his support for Kamala Harris and opposition to GOP candidates. Duncan's endorsement of Biden and criticism of Trump further alienated him from the party, leading to his ban from GOP events and properties.

Online holiday spending in 2024 jumped 8.7% to $241.4 billion, driven by discounts and early promotions, says Adobe Analytics. Mobile shopping and AI integration were pivotal in this surge, despite a 28% increase in return rates.

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have intensified, killing at least 18 people on January 7, 2025, including children and women. The ongoing conflict since October 2023 has resulted in over 45,800 Palestinian deaths, straining Gaza's humanitarian resources.

Russian casualties in Ukraine surged to 790,000, with December 2024 being the deadliest month at 48,670 losses. Despite capturing significant territory, Russia faces recruitment challenges amid high losses.

Princeton and IIT researchers have developed an AI that dramatically accelerates wireless microchip design, reducing costs and time. Published in Nature Communications, the AI designs complex electromagnetic structures in hours, a task that previously took weeks, opening new possibilities for energy-efficient circuits.