Russia’s Desire for Cars Grows, and Foreign Makers Take Notice
As Russia’s middle class becomes a force in commerce, G.M., Ford and other automakers have been expanding, or plan to expand, in the country with new factories.
On this day
Revisit the music, news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.
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As Russia’s middle class becomes a force in commerce, G.M., Ford and other automakers have been expanding, or plan to expand, in the country with new factories.
The credit score, once a little-known metric, has become a factor in dating decisions, eclipsing traditional priorities like a good job or shared interests.
A flurry of revelations suggests that China’s new leadership may be serious about trying to tame the cronyism and bribery that afflicts state-run companies and local governments.
Law enforcement officials say that in theory the A.T.F. could take a lead role in reducing gun crime, but that it is hampered by politically driven laws and by the ferocity of the debate over gun regulation.
Salaries of $50,000 a year have drawn many high school seniors away from higher education amid the frenzied pace of oil drilling.
Music on My Birthday
The Top 50 albums for the chart week of December 26, 2012, covering December 26, 2012.
Taylor Swift
Bruno Mars
Michael Buble
One Direction
Rod Stewart

2012Gerry Anderson, English director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1929)[†]
Gerald Alexander Anderson was an English television and film producer, director, writer and occasional voice artist, who is known for his futuristic television programmes, especially his 1960s productions filmed with "Supermarionation".
2012Gerald McDermott, American author and illustrator (born 1941)[†]
Gerald McDermott was an American film-maker, creator of children's picture books, and expert on mythology. His creative works typically combine bright colors and styles with ancient imagery. His picture books feature folktales and cultures from all around the world.

2012Ibrahim Tannous, Lebanese general (born 1929)[†]
Ibrahim Tannous was a former commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces. General Tannous earned a reputation for honesty and was seen as “a general willing to get his uniform dirty to build a fighting Lebanese Army,” in the words of one Arab authority.
2012China opens the world's longest high-speed rail route, which links Beijing and Guangzhou.[†]
The high-speed rail network in the People's Republic of China (PRC) is the world's longest and most extensively used. The HSR network encompasses newly built rail lines with a design speed of 200–380 km/h (120–240 mph). China's HSR accounts for two-thirds of the world's total high-speed railway networks. Almost all HSR trains, track and service are owned and operated by the China Railway Corporation under the brand China Railway High-speed (CRH).
In 2012, the world population was approximately 7,201,202,485 people[†]