China's economic growth sinks to lowest level in decades

China's economic growth sank to a new multi-decade low of 6.1 per cent in 2019 as consumer demand weakened and Beijing fought a trade war with Washington.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/china-economy-weakens-1.5430363?cmp=rss

Israel hits Hamas target in Gaza after incendiary balloon attacks resume

The Israeli military said an attack helicopter struck a Hamas target in the northern Gaza Strip late Thursday in response to the launch of incendiary balloons into Israeli territory earlier in the day.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/israel-hits-hamas-after-balloon-resume-1.5430314?cmp=rss

Parts of Australia finally get some much-needed heavy rain

Intense thunderstorms with heavy rains dampened bushfires on Australia's east coast on Friday and brought relief to farmers in three states battling a drought that has left much of the country tinder dry.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/australia-wildfires-rain-1.5430292?cmp=rss

Google parent, Alphabet, just became trillion-dollar company

As Google parent, Alphabet Inc. became the fourth U.S. company to top a market value of more than $1 trillion Thursday, some fund managers holding its shares are wondering whether now is the time to cash in on the stock's extraordinary gains.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/google-trillion-dollar-company-1.5429960?cmp=rss

Ash still coming from Philippine volcano prompts mass evacuations

A Philippine volcano that erupted last weekend shuddered frequently with earthquakes Thursday, belching smaller plumes of ash, but prompting authorities to block access to nearby towns due to fears of a bigger eruption.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/volcano-philippines-evacuations-taal-1.5429720?cmp=rss