Japan: Man sentenced to death for Kyoto anime fire which killed 36 (www.bbc.com)
A Japanese man has been sentenced to death for an arson attack at a Kyoto animation studio in 2019 which killed 36 people and injured dozens more....
Orbán: 'There is no war in Ukraine' as no declaration of war from Russia (dailynewshungary.com)
South Korea Expects Its Already-World’s-Lowest Fertility Rate to Keep Falling (time.com)
The latest forecast by Statistics Korea puts the population in 2072 at 36.2 million, a 30% decline from the current 51.7 million, even though the fertility rate may recover a bit to 0.68 in 2026. The population is expected to fall every year starting in 2025.
On Friday 8 December, the speed limit on most roads in Amsterdam will be lowered to a maximum of 30 kilometres per hour (km/h) (www.amsterdam.nl)
At least 10 freed hostages were sexually abused in Hamas captivity, doctor says (www.timesofisrael.com)
At least 10 of the Israeli civilians released by Hamas, both men and women, were sexually assaulted or abused while in captivity, the Associated Press reported Wednesday....
Queer Afghans cry for help under Taliban rule, citing private prisons, torture & death (www.lgbtqnation.com)
Israeli rabbis work around the clock -- even on the Sabbath -- to count the dead from Hamas attack (apnews.com)
Hamas built a mock Israeli town in Gaza and practiced its attack in plain sight — but Israel didn't react, report says (www.businessinsider.com)
Hamas duped Israel into thinking it cared more about economic stability than a war, Reuters said....
Sunak may ban cigarettes in UK for future generations (www.reuters.com)
South Korea raids US military bases in drugs probe (www.bbc.com)
Dog disease that can jump to humans is spreading in Britain (www.telegraph.co.uk)
Anger in Sweden as Nobel Prize organizers invite Russia and Belarus to the award ceremonies. (news.yahoo.com)
Several Swedish lawmakers said Friday they will boycott this year’s Nobel Prize ceremonies after the private foundation that administers the prestigious awards changed its policy and invited Russia, Belarus and Iran who had previously been barred from attending.
Putin Cuts Off Governor Who Admitted Ukraine Advancing in Russia (www.bloomberg.com)
47% of U.K. Millionaires Say They’re More Likely to Leave the Country After the Recent Election: Report (freedomproject.pages.dev)
At least 11 people injured after projectiles reportedly fired from Lebanon into Israel | CNN (edition.cnn.com)
From the photos on twitter, it looks like it hit the only soccer field in town, landing between the field and the playground next to it. Hezbollah first claimed the attack, but now that there are 10 kids dead, and another several dozen kids injured they’ve backpedaled on it....
"America First" foreign policy: JD Vance wants to abandon Ukraine but bomb Mexico and Iran (www.salon.com)
Live updates: Trump injured in shooting at Pennsylvania rally; attendee and gunman killed (www.cnn.com)
Wikipedia link
China tells NATO not to create chaos in Asia and rejects label of 'enabler' of Russia's Ukraine war (apnews.com)
China accused NATO on Thursday of seeking security at the expense of others and told the alliance not to bring the same “chaos” to Asia, a reflection of its determination to oppose strengthening ties between NATO members and Asian nations such as Japan, South Korea and the Philippines....
Iranian warship rolls over in port, could be out of action for six months (www.cnn.com)
One of Iran’s newest warships capsized in port over the weekend while undergoing repairs, an incident that could damage key warfighting systems and put the ship out of commission for up to half a year, a naval analyst said....
North Korean troops will become 'cannon fodder' if they aid Russia in Ukraine, Pentagon says (www.businessinsider.com)
North Korean soldiers sent to aid Russia in Ukraine would be “cannon fodder,” the Pentagon said....
Housing crisis: The hottest political issue European politicians aren’t talking about (www.politico.eu)
The Continent’s housing crisis has gone from being a slow burn to a four-alarm fire — but some countries are handling it better than others....
Chinese coast guard ram and puncture Philippine military boats in disputed shoal (apnews.com)
French conservatives move toward far-right alliance (www.dw.com)
The leader of France’s Republicans party has said he would be open to an alliance with Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally in snap French elections. Such an alliance would break a decades-old taboo....
South Korea fires warning shots after North Korea soldiers briefly cross border - CNA (www.channelnewsasia.com)
Japan’s births just fell to a new record low. Tokyo hopes a dating app can turn that around (www.cnn.com)
Japan’s fertility rate, which has seen a precipitous fall for many years, has reached another record low as the government ramps up efforts to encourage young people to get married and start families — even launching its own dating app....
