EU reaches asylum deal that rights groups say will create ‘cruel system’ (www.theguardian.com)
Vatican approves blessings for same-sex couples in landmark ruling (www.reuters.com)
Russia summons Finland ambassador over US border accord (www.bbc.com)
Russia has summoned the Finnish ambassador in Moscow, after Finland signed a new agreement on military co-operation with the US....
Malaysia bans Israeli-flagged ships in response to Gaza war (www.businesstimes.com.sg)
BP halts oil and gas shipments through Red Sea after rebel attacks (www.theguardian.com)
Energy company follows decisions by five big shipping firms as Houthi militants step up attacks on vessels...
Jewish man expelled by UK Labour claims discrimination over antisemitism accusation (www.middleeasteye.net)
Quebec to raise university fees and mandate French for out-of-province students (www.bbc.com)
Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples if the rituals don't resemble marriage (apnews.com)
Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it....
Narendra Modi responds to assassination claims (www.ft.com)
Narendra Modi has for the first time responded to allegations of an Indian assassination plot in the US, saying he will “look into” any evidence but a “few incidents” would not derail US-India ties....
A Palestinian baby girl, born 17 days ago during Gaza war, is killed with brother in Israeli strike (apnews.com)
Egypt's Sisi sweeps to third term as president with 89.6% of vote (www.reuters.com)
Australia court finds Melbourne man guilty of foreign interference (www.reuters.com)
An Australia court on Tuesday found a Melbourne man who held prominent positions in Chinese community associations guilty of planning an act of foreign interference, the first verdict of its kind under a law introduced in 2018.
Russian courts halt cases against Alexei Navalny after jailed activist disappears | Alexei Navalny | The Guardian (www.theguardian.com)
Israel warns war with Hamas could take 'several' more months (www.bbc.com)
Doctor who treated freed Hamas hostages describes physical, sexual and psychological abuse (www.cbsnews.com)
X to be investigated for allegedly breaking EU laws on hate speech and fake news (www.theguardian.com)
US announces naval coalition to defend Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks (www.theguardian.com)
Egypt and Saudi Arabia notably absent from Operation Prosperity Guardian as more shipping companies forgo route...
After Weeks of Warnings, Iceland Volcano Erupts in Plumes of Fire (www.nytimes.com)
While Monday’s eruption was not unexpected, it was larger than volcanologists had been predicting and took place not far from an evacuated town and a power plant.
Iraqi resistance will fight until last US soldier expelled: Official (new.thecradle.co)
A Rwandan doctor in France faces 30 years in prison for alleged role in his country's 1994 genocide (abcnews.go.com)
Just Stop Oil activist jailed for six months for taking part in slow march [UK] (www.theguardian.com)
China rights activist goes on trial for ‘inciting subversion of state power’ (www.theguardian.com)
Li Qiaochu, a human rights activist detained for nearly three years in China, has gone on trial in Shandong province charged with “inciting subversion of state power”....
Parliament winter session: India opposition fury as 141 MPs suspended (www.bbc.com)
On Monday, the opposition accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of attacking democracy after a record 78 MPs were suspended in one day....