More young people in South Korea consider marriage, childbirths as nonessential (www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Shipping firms MSC and CMA CGM are latest to suspend passage through Red Sea (www.timesofisrael.com)
Putin wants a US president who is ‘more constructive,’ Kremlin says (www.politico.eu)
Vladimir Putin would prefer an American leader who understands the ‘importance of dialogue,’ Kremlin spokesman says....
Ukraine's European borders are being blockaded by discontented truckers (www.lemonde.fr)
Details of thousands of individuals referred to the government’s controversial anti-radicalisation Prevent programme are being shared far more widely than was previously known (www.theguardian.com)
The stated aim of Prevent, which is a voluntary programme, is to divert people from terrorism before they offend. Most people do not even know that they have been referred, with about 95% of cases resulting in no further action.
Killing of USAID contractor in Gaza fuels internal protest (www.washingtonpost.com)
Before he was killed alongside his wife and two children in Gaza last month, Hani Jnena, 33, sent a final message to his colleagues in the West Bank....
World watches as landmark Jimmy Lai trial set to begin in Hong Kong (www.theguardian.com)
Territory’s global reputation on the line as media mogul and democracy activist finally tried over alleged national security crimes
Palestinian poll shows a rise in Hamas support and close to 90% wanting US-backed Abbas to resign (apnews.com)
More than 60 migrants feared drowned off Libya, IOM says (www.bbc.com)
More than 60 migrants are believed to have drowned in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said....
Iran lifts visas for 33 countries including Vietnam (e.vnexpress.net)
Surrounded and low on ammo, the elite troops out to spoil Putin’s New Year (www.thetimes.co.uk)
Beijing and Shanghai cut down payments as part of stimulus aimed at reviving housing markets (www.scmp.com)
Beijing subway crash leaves 102 with broken bones (www.bbc.com)
Ukraine war: Soldier tells BBC of front-line 'hell' (www.bbc.com)
Israeli strike on school kills Al Jazeera cameraman in southern Gaza, network says (apnews.com)
US and Britain say their navies shot down 15 attack drones over the Red Sea (apnews.com)
A U.S. warship shot down 14 suspected attack drones over the Red Sea on Saturday, and a Royal Navy destroyer downed another drone that was targeting commercial ships, the British and American militaries said....
Video shows stripped Palestinian men detained in Gaza (www.bbc.com)
With fighting raging around Khan Younis and in the north of Gaza, a video has emerged on social media showing dozens of Palestinian men detained by Israel.
Hungary blocks €50bn of EU funding for Ukraine (www.bbc.com)
Hungary has blocked €50bn ($55bn; £43bn) in EU aid for Ukraine hours after agreement was reached on starting membership talks....
Seasonal flu can cause persistent health problems similar to long Covid, study warns (www.scmp.com)
New gene therapies for sickle cell out of reach in countries they're needed most (apnews.com)
Israel’s Netanyahu hints new truce talks under way to recover Gaza hostages (www.scmp.com)
Dollarization Challenges Prompting Multinationals' Exit from Nigeria (www.riotimesonline.com)
Far-right outsider Milei wins Argentina presidential run-off election (www.bbc.com)
Mr Milei’s rival, economy minister Sergio Massa, called him to concede....