Reuters Morning Digest: December 17, 2015

Click to View in Browser Thursday, December 17, 2015 Stocks, dollar rise in turbulence-free Fed lift off LONDON (Reuters) - World stock markets jumped on Thursday as investors chose to take the first hike U.S. interest rates since 2006 as a mark of confidence in the world's largest economy, also lifting the dollar but piling on the pain for oil prices. Gulf Arab defense spending drops for first time in decade: report DUBAI (Reuters) - Low oil prices are eating into defense spending in the Gulf region, one of the world's largest arms markets, with budgets trimmed for the first time in a decade this year and deeper cuts expected in 2016, according to a report published on Thursday. Lufthansa plays down report about new chairman FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German airline Lufthansa played down a report that it could get a new chairman after Merck KGaA Chief Executive Karl-Ludwig Kley was quoted as saying he would take the job if it was offered to him. Facebook partners with Uber for ride-hailing service via Messenger (Reuters) - Facebook Inc said on Wednesday it is testing a service that will allow users of its Messenger app to hail Uber rides directly from the app, without leaving a conversation or downloading the ride-hailing app. Lawmakers call for British trials of genetically modified insects LONDON (Reuters) - Britain should challenge "woefully inadequate" European regulations and launch field trials of genetically modified insects that are designed to wipe out disease-carrying bugs that harm crops and people, lawmakers said on Thursday. Switzerland freezes millions of Swiss francs related to FIFA ZURICH (Reuters) - The Swiss Justice Ministry has frozen millions of Swiss francs related to world soccer body FIFA, a spokesman said on Thursday, confirming a media report. Peppa Pig joins with Spielberg for new film venture (Reuters) - Peppa Pig maker Entertainment One has teamed up with Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Pictures to create a new film, television and digital content company to expand beyond its popular cartoon show. Mystery Santas pay for $484,000 in U.S. shoppers' Walmart purchases CLEVELAND (Reuters) - Secret Santas gave an early Christmas gift to shoppers at Walmart stores in three states by anonymously paying off $484,000 they owed on holiday purchases set aside with the retailer. Related Video China mine blast: miners trapped IS fires rockets at Turkish troops in Iraq Great Debate A conversation with Paul Ryan, Congress' new 'adult in the room' A (fake) bank CEO memo on plans to leave London A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today » » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2015 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add newsletters@email.reuters.com to your address book. Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook