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Turkish President Erdogan met with US Secretary of State Blinken in Ankara.China and the United States renewed the agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between the two governments. On December 13, 2024, representatives of the Chinese and American governments exchanged notes and signed the Protocol on Amending and Extending the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the Two Governments, which extended the Agreement for five years from August 27, 2024. (Ministry of Science and Technology)Brazilian President Lula is in good condition after undergoing surgery again. The medical team of Brazilian President Lula said on the 12th that Lula was in good condition and "very stable" after undergoing intracranial vascular surgery on the same day, and he is expected to be discharged on the 16th or 17th. Roberto ahmed khalil, a member of the President's medical team, said at the press conference: "The operation was very successful, which is a supplement to the surgery on the 10th." He said that Lula is awake and has eaten, and his condition is very stable. He is expected to be discharged on the 16th or 17th. (Xinhua News Agency)

It is reported that the European Central Bank is considering cutting interest rates by 25 basis points in the next two meetings. According to informed sources, as the inflation rate stabilizes at the target of 2% and economic growth is sluggish, ECB officials plan to cut interest rates by another 25 basis points in January, and there may be another one in March. People familiar with the matter said that as long as the economic development meets current expectations, gradually reducing the borrowing cost is the most appropriate path. They believe that cutting interest rates by 50 basis points at a time in an emergency is still an option, but this move may convey an unexpected sense of urgency. According to people familiar with the matter, officials have not yet made any decision, and every meeting will be evaluated based on all available information, even after March. They stressed that once the situation becomes clearer after Trump takes office in January, the policy inclination of the central bank may change.Market News: Argentine President Milei met with Rio Tinto CEO Meloni in Rome.French Hill will lead the Financial Services Committee of the US House of Representatives, and Punchbowl reporter posted on social media X that Congressman French Hill will become the new chairman of the Financial Services Committee of the House of Representatives.

Canada is considering imposing tariffs on key resources exported by the United States, calling this a "last resort". It is reported that Canada is currently studying the imposition of export taxes on its main commodities exported to the United States, including uranium, oil and potash fertilizer. According to officials familiar with the internal discussions in the Canadian government, export tariffs will be Canada's last resort (if US President-elect Trump fulfills his promise to impose extensive tariffs). Retaliatory tariffs on American-made goods and export controls on some Canadian products will be more likely to be introduced first. But these officials said that if Trump decides to launch a full-scale trade war, Canada's export tax on goods is a practical choice. The Trudeau government may also propose to expand the power of export control.Ukrainian energy facilities were attacked by large-scale air strikes. Ukrainian President Zelensky said on the 13th that Ukrainian energy facilities were attacked by Russian missiles and drones again that morning. The Russian Defense Ministry announced on the 13th that the Russian army launched a large-scale attack on the energy infrastructure to ensure the operation of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex by using long-range space-based and sea-based high-precision weapons and attack drones, which was a response to Ukraine's attack on the Russian Taganrog military airport on the 11th using the US Army tactical missile system. Zelensky said on social media that 93 missiles were fired by Russian troops and 81 were intercepted by Ukrainian air defense fire. In addition, the Russian army also launched nearly 200 attack drones into Uzbekistan. DTEK, Ukraine's largest private power company, issued a statement on the morning of the 13th, saying that many thermal power plants under the company were seriously damaged by large-scale air strikes, and no casualties have been found. It is reported that this is the 12th round of large-scale air strikes launched by the Russian army against Ukrainian energy facilities this year. (Xinhua News Agency)Market information: Turkey appointed a chargé d 'affaires for its embassy in Damascus, which was closed during the Syrian civil war.