The Russian economy has been growing much faster than expected in 2023, despite numerous rounds of sanctions – in what many see a failure of Western policy. RT reviews the economic performance through the outgoing year.

The Chinese government has named the commander-in-chief of its naval forces as defense minister. The move comes after the previous holder of the role was fired in late October amid reports of his involvement in a corruption scandal.

Including transgender issues in discrimination laws would reportedly have “detrimental” effects on biological women Rule changes to sexual discrimination legislation proposed by the US government designed to prevent the banning of transgender athletes in schools and colleges would violate the rights of biological women, a United Nations (UN) expert, Reem Alsalem, warned on Wednesday.