Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture: It is estimated that Ukraine's grain output will be close to 55 million tons in 2024, compared with the previous estimate of 54 million tons. It is estimated that Ukraine's grain exports in 2024/25 may include 16.2 million tons of wheat, 20.5 million tons of corn and 2.9 million tons of barley. It is estimated that Ukraine's total grain export in 2024/25 will be 40.3 million tons, compared with 51 million tons in 2023/24.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)U.S. policy outlook is uncertain. Lagarde lamented that the EU would "ask for it" for political uncertainty. European Central Bank President Lagarde said that the monetary policy decision of policymakers on Thursday was shrouded in the turbulent political situation in Europe. Although Lagarde did not directly mention the collapse of the French and German governments in recent weeks, she pointed out that it is not conducive to the central bank's decision-making to keep the fiscal plan and election results in suspense. At present, policymakers are still paying attention to the impact of Donald Trump's return to power. "We hope that many things will become clear in the coming months," Lagarde told reporters. "If we have discussed anything in the past two days, it is the uncertainty we are facing, whether it is the political situation from some member States or the US policy."
Guterres: Syria's credible, orderly and inclusive transitional arrangements must be supported. UN Secretary-General Guterres issued a statement through a spokesman, expressing deep concern about the recent widespread violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The statement specifically mentioned hundreds of air strikes by Israel against Syria, and said that there is an urgent need to alleviate violence in all aspects of Syria. Guterres said that the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement is still valid, and he condemned all actions inconsistent with the Agreement and called on the parties to the Agreement to fulfill their obligations, including ending all unauthorized presence in the separation zone. The statement stressed that while maintaining public order, it is necessary to support Syria's credible, orderly and inclusive transitional arrangements.The Brazilian Senate approved the main text of the tax reform bill passed last year.White House: Biden's approval of an aid program to Ukraine will provide more air defense systems, etc. On December 12, local time, John Kirby, strategic communication coordinator of the US White House National Security Council, said at the White House briefing that day that US President Biden approved a new Ukrainian security assistance program on the 12 th, which will provide Ukraine with more air defense systems, artillery, drones and armored vehicles. Kirby said that this is the 72nd such material deployment assistance announced by the United States, and the United States will continue to provide additional aid packages until the end of the current government.
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.Blinken said that the United States is trying to bring back the citizens found in Syria. When meeting in Jordan to discuss the political transition in Syria, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that the United States is trying to bring back an American citizen found in Syria on Thursday.Morgan Stanley raised the opening target price from $950.00 to $1,150.00.