1. Vanuatu Earthquake and Rescue Efforts: A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Vanuatu on December 17, 2024, causing at least 14 deaths and injuring more than 200 people. Rescue efforts are ongoing to find survivors and provide aid to affected communities. (Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/18/vanuatu-earthquake-death-toll-rises-to-fourteen-as-rescuers-scramble-for-survivors?traffic_source=rss)

2. Bitcoin and Crypto Market: Bitcoin's funding rate is showing no signs of "late-cycle overheating," according to an analyst, and a Bitcoin and Ethereum combo fund is expected to lead a wave of crypto ETFs in 2025. (Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-funding-rate-signs-no-late-cycle-overheating-analyst?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound)

3. US-China Tensions in the Arctic: The US is reportedly feeling left out in the cold as China and Russia develop the Arctic region. (Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-left-out-cold-china-and-russia-develop-arctic)

4. Nissan and Honda Merger Talks: Nissan and Honda are reportedly in talks for a potential merger, which could shake up the global car industry. (Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/nissan-motors-shares-jump-22-companies-confirm-talks-116892535)

5. Trump Lawsuits and Controversies: Former President Donald Trump has sued the Des Moines Register newspaper, claiming "election interference," and has also nominated Herschel Walker and Nicole McGraw to ambassador positions. (Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/election-interfering-fiction-trump-sues-des-moines-register-over-poll-results/articleshow/116415274.cms)