ASIA

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Saudi Arabia has officially been named the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup following an uncontested bid. The announcement was made during an online FIFA Congress, marking the culmination of a swift 14-month process that saw the Gulf nation emerge as the sole candidate from the Asia and Oceania regions capable of hosting the expanded tournament, now featuring 104 matches.

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The governments of the UK and US have imposed sanctions on Kamlesh Pattni, a British-Kenyan businessman, accused of involvement in a global illicit gold trade that fuels corruption, human rights abuses, and money laundering. In this crackdown, which freezes his assets and targets his business operations, implicate his wife, brother-in-law, and associates.

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President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea is in the middle of a political crisis after his sudden attempt to impose martial law brought fierce backlash from lawmakers and the general public. On Tuesday night, Yoon announced martial law, invoking the need to save the country from “North Korea’s communist forces” and to quash what he termed “anti-state elements.” But for many, it was an attempt to cling to power with slumping approval ratings and domestic scandals piling up.

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On Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and other key leaders announced that they would take a more "relaxed" stance on monetary policy while discussing strategies to stimulate the economy in the coming year.

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India, is building what it boasts will be the world's largest renewable power plant along its border with Pakistan, an emblem of a determined push to boost solar energy. The Khavda plant in Gujarat state consists of some 60 million solar panels and 770 wind turbines spread over 538 square kilometres (208 square miles) -- almost the size of the sprawling megacity Mumbai.

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Japan's government on Friday approved an extra budget to help pay for a massive stimulus package after the ruling coalition's worst election result in 15 years.