Putin grows concerned by Russia's economy

Plus, executives look for new ways to describe DEI initiatives.

Sign up for Reuters newsletters  Daily Briefing Daily Briefing By Edson Caldas Russia's economy grew over the past two years, but things are changing. That has contributed to the view within a section of the elite that a settlement to the war is desirable, sources say. Elsewhere, we cover a bid to block Trump's birthright citizenship order, Mozambique's financial crisis and Thailand's first same-sex weddings. Today's Top News   Weak economy contributing to view that negotiated end to the war is desirable, sources say. REUTERS/Alexey Malgavko/File Photo War in Ukraine President Vladimir Putin has grown increasingly concerned about distortions in Russia's wartime economy, five sources with knowledge of the situation told Reuters. Here are five key challenges for the country's economy in 2025. US President Donald Trump, who has vowed to swiftly resolve the Ukraine conflict, has said more sanctions and tariffs on Russia are likely unless Putin negotiates, adding that Russia was heading for "big trouble" in the economy. United States Four Democratic-led states will urge a federal judge in Seattle to block the Trump administration from enforcing his executive order curtailing the right to automatic birthright citizenship in the US. His administration has also urged government employees to inform on each other in an effort to root out any attempts to hide diversity programs. On today's Reuters World News podcast, Editor Leela de Kretser shares how business leaders in Davos plan to recalibrate in the face of Trump's DEI cuts. In other news Palestinians in northern Gaza prepared tent encampments for displaced families, two days before they are expected to return to their home areas in accordance with the timeline of a ceasefire deal agreed between Israel and Hamas. Follow the latest on the war. Syria's new authorities are using Islamic teachings to train a fledgling police force, a move officers say aims to instill a sense of morality as they race to fill a security vacuum after dismantling Bashar al-Assad's notoriously corrupt and brutal security forces. The former South Korean defense minister charged with insurrection for his role in a short-lived martial law attempt told a court today that he wanted a broader military deployment but was overruled by President Yoon Suk Yeol. As much of the world moves to reduce the use of fossil fuels, pollution in Western Balkan countries remains stubbornly high. This has costly health impacts, and could also jeopardize such nations' prospects of joining the EU, which has stricter emissions standards. Business & Markets   Samsung unveils AI smartphones with Qualcomm chips. REUTERS/Laure Andrillon Samsung unveiled its newest Galaxy S25 smartphones, powered by Qualcomm's chips and Google's artificial-intelligence model, hoping its upgraded AI features can reinvigorate sales and fend off Apple and Chinese rivals. ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, has earmarked over $20 billion in capital expenditure for this year, much of which will be centered on AI, two people briefed on the matter said. HSBC's decision to shutter international payments app Zing is likely to trigger around 400 job losses, a source familiar with the matter said, as CEO Georges Elhedery steps up cost-cutting efforts at Europe's largest bank. Norway's central bank held its policy interest rate unchanged at a 17-year high of 4.50% and maintained plans to start cutting borrowing costs in March. Economists expect its monetary policy to start catching up this year with that of other Western central banks, most of which began cutting rates in 2024. Mozambique's international bonds tumbled earlier this week after a news report that the new government in Maputo is weighing a debt restructuring following months of post-election turmoil. We look at some of the issues facing the southern African country. In Pictures   Flames rise behind vehicles as the Hughes Fire burns in Castaic Lake, California. REUTERS/David Swanson A new wildfire broke out north of Los Angeles and rapidly spread to more than 9,400 acres. The Hughes fire, which forced mandatory evacuation orders for more than 31,000 people, sent huge flames and plumes of smoke over a hilly area, further taxing firefighters. See our photo gallery And Finally... Thailand holds its first same-sex weddings. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa After decades of campaigning by activists, Thailand just became the first country in Southeast Asia to hold legal same-sex weddings, with LGBT groups aiming to mark the occasion with more than 1,000 marriage registrations in a single day. 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