The Dow Jones Index closed down 20.56 points, or 0.05%, at 37689.54 points on December 29 (Friday); the S&P 500 Index closed down 13.52 points, or 0.28%, at 4769.83 points on December 29 (Friday); Nas The Dak Composite Index closed down 83.79 points, or 0.56%, on December 29 (Friday), at 15011.35 points.

According to Ukrainian Pravda: Ukrainian cyber organizations have obtained a letter confirming that 74 Russian sailors were killed and 27 injured on the Russian landing ship "Novocherkassk" which was destroyed by Ukrainian troops on December 26.

According to Ukrainian Pravda: Ukraine and 30 other United Nations member states called for an emergency meeting of the Security Council in response to Russia’s crazy attacks on Ukrainian cities on December 29.

According to Korean media ETNews, Samsung may skip the two-way satellite communication function on the upcoming Galaxy S24 model for some unknown reasons.

Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said that the response of U.S. government representatives to the Russian Aerospace Forces’ strikes on military installations of the Kiev regime proved the effectiveness of Moscow’s special military operations.

The settlement price of WTI crude oil futures February 2024 contract was at US$71.65/barrel, a decrease of 0.17% or US$0.12. The settlement price of Brent crude oil futures for February 2024 was US$77.04 per barrel, a decrease of 0.14% or US$0.11.

Market news: Major U.S. airlines urge the Biden administration to take more measures to address flight delays, air traffic control staff shortages, private jet cancellations and other issues.

The U.S. 2-year Treasury bond yield closed at 4.254% in 2023, down 11.3 basis points from the same period last year.

Hang Seng Index futures closed up 0.16% in night trading at 17,160 points, a 113-point premium.

Statement from the German Federal Government: Chancellor Scholz stressed that there is still an urgent need to improve the humanitarian situation of the people in the Gaza Strip and to make every effort to protect civilian lives. He also emphasized the importance of avoiding the spread of conflicts within the region.

German federal government statement: Benny Ganz briefed Chancellor Scholz on the latest developments on the northern border between Gaza and Israel.

The German federal government stated: German Chancellor Scholz had a telephone conversation today with Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet and leader of the National Unity Party.

The Fed accepted a total of $1.018 trillion from 102 counterparties in fixed-rate reverse repurchase operations.

Baker Hughes: U.S. drillers are adding oil and gas rigs for the first time in three weeks.

Baker Hughes: U.S. drillers cut oil and gas drilling rigs in 2023 after adding rigs in 2021 and 2022.

The total number of rigs drilled in the United States in the week ending December 29 was 622, compared with the previous value of 620.

Market News: Italian Parliament approves budget before end of 2023 deadline.

Market news: South Africa filed a legal case against the State of Israel at the International Court of Justice under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.