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Global concern rises over bird flu as experts warn of potential human pandemic (www.irishstar.com)

China testing ability to ‘seize power’ in second day of military drills around Taiwan (www.theguardian.com)

China has begun its second day of military drills targeting Taiwan, in what it says is punishment for “separatist acts” after the inauguration of its new president on Monday....

Japanese town overrun with tourists puts up view-blocking barrier near Mount Fuji (www.cnn.com)

The Japanese town of Fujikawaguchiko has erected a giant black net to block views of Mount Fuji, a reaction to the town’s huge popularity on Instagram and other social media platforms....

Organizers of Eurovision Song Contest ready to remove Palestinian flags or symbols (apnews.com)

Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest said Thursday they reserve the right to remove any Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian symbols at the show next week in Sweden....

Britain Is Leaving the U.S. Gender-Medicine Debate Behind (www.theatlantic.com)

Russian TV airs fake video alleging Ukrainian involvement in terrorist attack, featuring Ukrainian official (www.pravda.com.ua)

Putin links Ukraine to Moscow massacre without evidence (www.politico.eu)

The suspected gunmen “tried to hide and moved toward Ukraine,” Russian president says in televised address. Kyiv denies any involvement....

Denmark to send its 'entire artillery' to Ukraine, the country's prime minister says (www.businessinsider.com)

Denmark is sending all of its artillery to Ukraine, the Danish prime minister has said....

Can money buy happiness? Income may boost emotional well-being more than we thought (www.cbc.ca)

Money does indeed buy happiness, and it increases with a bigger paycheque more than economists previously believed, a recent analysis has found.

Xi says China will ‘surely be reunified’ with self-ruled Taiwan in New Year’s address (apnews.com)

Chinese President Xi Jinping said China would “surely be reunified” with Taiwan during his televised New Year’s address, renewing Beijing’s threats to take over the self-ruled island, which it considers its own....

German property prices plummet as housing bubble bursts (www.telegraph.co.uk)

Russian courts halt cases against Alexei Navalny after jailed activist disappears | Alexei Navalny | The Guardian (www.theguardian.com)

France bans ministers from WhatsApp, Signal; demands French alternatives (www.politico.eu)

Mexico’s first openly non-binary magistrate and prominent LGBTQ activist found dead (www.cnn.com)

White House suggests 'pauses' in Israel-Hamas conflict to get people out (www.reuters.com)

The White House on Thursday said it was exploring a series of pauses in the Israel-Hamas conflict to help people safely exit Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to get in, but reiterated its opposition to a full ceasefire....

Netanyahu declares a ‘second war of independence’ as fears for Gazans grow (www.theguardian.com)

Are social media giants censoring pro-Palestine voices amid Israel’s war? (www.aljazeera.com)

Israel shows Hamas bodycam attack footage to journalists (www.bbc.com)

This article contains descriptions of violence which some readers may find distressing....

Israel-Palestine war: Israel set to ban Al Jazeera after attorney general approval (www.middleeasteye.net)

Hamas releases first video of a hostage taken to Gaza (www.cnn.com)

The short video clip shows Mia Schem lying on a bed, her right arm being bandaged by someone out of the frame. A long, fresh scar is clearly visible....

Hamas steals UN fuel, medical equipment kept for humanitarian purposes in Gaza city (www.thestatesman.com)

U.S. is sending a carrier strike group closer to Israel and will begin supplying munitions starting today (www.nbcnews.com)

The U.S. military is moving an aircraft carrier strike group and military aircraft closer to Israel as a show of support, and will also begin supplying Israel with munitions and other military supplies immediately, said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin....

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