‘Busiest Christmas I have seen’: families turn to food banks in Australia’s cost-of-living crisis (www.theguardian.com)
"They've left me behind," American Paul Whelan says from Russian prison after failed bid to secure release (www.cbsnews.com)
Argentina’s president announces economy deregulation as thousands protest against austerity (apnews.com)
India's Parliament votes on key bills with over 140 opposition members suspended (www.npr.org)
Somalia says U.S. drone strike killed mastermind of attack on Americans (www.washingtonpost.com)
War in Ukraine Has China Cashing In (www.nytimes.com)
The country’s trade with Russia this year has exceeded $200 billion, and makers of cars and trucks are the big winners....
After approving blessings for same-sex couples, Pope asks Vatican staff to avoid 'rigid ideologies' (www.independent.co.uk)
Pope Francis has urged Vatican bureaucrats to avoid “rigid ideological positions” that prevent them from understanding today’s reality...
Japan to sell missiles to US in ‘really welcome’ easing of arms export rules (www.scmp.com)
China’s imports of Dutch chip-making equipment surged tenfold in November after Washington tightened restrictions (www.scmp.com)
China’s biggest banks lower deposit rates for third time in 2023 with eye on improving profitability (www.scmp.com)
Malaysia ‘can handle’ Israel cargo ban losses, as Anwar stays firm on Gaza (www.scmp.com)
Energy Vault Wins Big With Gravity Storage In China (www.forbes.com)
Italy schools that scrap nativity could face fine (www.bbc.co.uk)
Some Mexican pharmacies are selling full bottles of Adderall. But it's actually meth. (www.latimes.com)
Plumber Adelaide (futurology.today)
Introducing ‘Plumber Adelaide’ — the go-to guide for all plumbing related services in the city. Traditionally, plumbers are mainly employed to install, maintain and repair pipes, drains and other water/gas networks to ensure safety and functionality. In Adelaide, most of these works have been around since the early...
Life in Israel After Oct. 7 in 5 Charts (news.gallup.com)
Houthi attacks upend trade as ships are forced long way around Africa (www.washingtonpost.com)
Pakistan: Hundreds arrested, tear gas fired as female-led protests reach capital (www.bbc.com)
British tourist sentenced to three months in Dubai jail for ‘insulting’ airport staff (www.independent.co.uk)
A UK citizen has been sentenced to three months in jail in Dubai after “insulting” airport staff who were slow to bring his mother a wheelchair....
China's cold snap reaches Shanghai with chilliest year-end in 40 years (www.channelnewsasia.com)
UN report says more than 570,000 people in Gaza are now 'starving' due to fallout from war (abcnews.go.com)
What Palestinian Children Face in Israeli Prisons (time.com)
United Nations adopts resolution towards eliminating the use of unilateral economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries (press.un.org)
Poland’s new government sacks state TV, radio and news bosses (www.theguardian.com)
The new Polish government has gutted the top management of public television, making good on a campaign promise to reform a broadcaster that functioned as a mouthpiece of its rightwing populist predecessor, but also prompting criticism of their methods from some quarters....