1. Rescuers Pull First Body From Rubble of China Landslide
Rescuers pulled one body from a mountain of rubble on Tuesday after working through the night with drones and heavy machinery in search of more than 80 people missing after a giant flow of mud and construction waste engulfed buildings in southern China.
2. US FDA Overturns 30-Year Ban on Blood Donations by Gay Men
The United States government overturned its 30-year ban on blood donations by gay men, saying they can now donate 12 months after their last sexual contact with another man.
3. Oil Prices Hit 11-Year Low as Global Supply Balloons
Brent oil cratered to its lowest price in more than 11 years, as demand for heating oil slumped on warmer-than-normal temperatures and traders tested for a bottom.
4. Spain’s Rajoy Reaches Out to Rivals in Tough Bid to Govern
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said his centre-right People’s Party (PP) will talk to like-minded rivals in a bid to form a government after an inconclusive election, but his chances looked slim without support from left-wing parties.
5. Motorbike Suicide Bomber Kills Six US Troops in Afghanistan
Six American troops were killed in Afghanistan on Monday when a suicide bomber on a motorbike struck their patrol near Bagram air base, officials say, the deadliest attack on US forces this year.
6. Fearing Pollution, Chinese Families Build “Bubbles” at Home
China’s persistent pollution and regular product safety scandals are driving an increasing number of consumers to build bubbles of clean air, purified water and safe products at home and in their cars.
7. Mall of America Seeks Order Blocking Planned Black Lives Matter Protest
The Mall of America asked a judge to block a protest planned by the group Black Lives Matter Minneapolis over the fatal shooting of an African-American man by a Minneapolis police officer in November.
8. UN Mulls ‘Light’ Options to Monitor Possible Syria Truce: Envoys
The United Nations is mulling “light touch” options for monitoring a possible ceasefire in Syria that would keep its risks to a minimum by relying largely on Syrians already on the ground, diplomatic sources said.
9. New Leader Plays Santa Claus to Poor Argentines Hit by Inflation
Argentina’s new President Mauricio Macri said that the country’s poorest families would receive a cash handout over the Christmas holiday to compensate for an increase in prices after a near 30 percent devaluation of the peso last week.
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