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OPEC agrees to first oil cuts in 8 years

As the OPEC members grew weary of a multi-year supply contest with diminishing returns and shrinking financial reserves, the organization finally attempted its first production cut since 2008. Despite many political obstacles, a decision to trim approximately 1 million barrels per day was codified by a new quota agreement at the OPEC conference.

Taylor Swift tops Forbes' list of highest paid musicians

Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter. One of the leading contemporary recording artists, she is known for narrative songs about her personal life, which has received widespread media coverage. In 2016, Swift topped Forbes' annual list of the 100 highest-paid celebrities with $170 million.

Trade summit in Seattle is disrupted by demonstrators

1999 Seattle WTO protests were a series of protests surrounding the WTO Ministerial Conference, when members of the World Trade Organization convened at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, Washington. The Conference was to be the launch of a new millennial round of trade negotiations.

Pepsi partners with Michael Jackson in a $5m deal

One year after ‘Thriller’ was released, Michael Jackson struck a $5m partnership with Pepsi to become the first pop stars to front campaigns for the brand. Jackson moonwalked and boogied in Pepsi’s ‘The New Generation’ TV spot, which featured a reworking of the track Billie Jean.

Barbados becomes independent from the UK

Barbados became the 4th English-speaking country in the West Indies to achieve full independence from the United Kingdom after Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and British Guiana. Barbados' official head of state is the British monarch, who is represented by the Governor-General of Barbados.

The Soviet Union invades Finland

Three months after the beginning of WWII, the Soviets invaded Finland, as they sought to claim parts of Finnish territory. The League of Nations called the attack illegal and as a result, the Soviet Union was expelled from the League later in December that year.

Anniversaries of the (in)famous