Morning Bid: Optics and Oracles   18-Dec 19:58

By Marc Jones, Global Markets Correspondent

Taiwan rattled by 5.1 magnitude quake, no immediate reports of damage 18-Dec 19:58

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck 18 km (11 miles) off eastern Taiwan's Hualien city on Thursday, the island's weather administration said, with no immediate reports of damage.

China says arms trade with Cambodia, Thailand unrelated to border conflict 18-Dec 19:28

China's defence cooperation with Cambodia and Thailand, including arms trade, "does not target any third party ... and is completely unrelated to the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict," its defence ministry said on Thursday.