The U.S. State Department says diplomats have arrived in Syria to speak with the country's new leaders. The diplomats will try to encourage a moderate and inclusive path forward and find clues on missing Americans.

Chinese President Xi Jinping says "one country, two systems" is a sound policy that must be adhered to for a long time. He made the remarks while addressing a gathering in Macao to mark the 25th anniversary of the city's return to China.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has forecast the country’s economy to grow by around four percent this year.

The U.S. Federal Reserve has slashed interest rates by 25 basis points, the third consecutive rate cut in this easing cycle.

Two Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station have broken the world record for the longest single spacewalk.

A major earthquake in Vanuatu has killed at least 14 people and injured hundreds more. Rescuers are still searching for survivors in the Pacific island nation's capital Port Vila.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has vowed to position China as a force for peace, unity, openness, justice and inclusion.

China has further relaxed its visa-free transit policy, extending the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers to 240 hours.

China's job market has remained generally stable, with the jobless rate falling in the first 11 months of the year.

Official data shows China's national economy has sustained the recovery momentum since September. The value-added industrial output expanded 5.4 percent year on year in November.