Biden admin officials see proof their strategy is working in hostage deal (www.politico.com)
Some officials say the agreement is a “vindication,” while others insist it was just the necessary move at this point in the war.
Putin may start sourcing ballistic missiles from Iran, warns White House (www.independent.co.uk)
The White House said on Tuesday it was concerned that Iran might be providing Russia with ballistic missiles for use in its war against Ukraine....
China closes hundreds of mosques to ‘sinicise Muslims’ (guardian.pressreader.com)
Chinese authorities have closed or altered hundreds of mosques in the northern regions of Ningxia and Gansu, areas with the highest Muslim populations in China after Xinjiang, as part of a broader effort to “sinicise” religious minorities, finds a report....
Japan officials say N. Korea’s satellite launch likely failed (www.asahi.com)
Japanese government officials on Nov. 22 criticized North Korea’s purported rocket launch and disputed Pyongyang’s claim that it had successfully put a spy satellite in orbit.
Striking Bangladesh garment workers clash with police as factories reopen (www.france24.com)
Rohingya refugees reaching Indonesia by boat pushed back to sea (thesun.my)
BRICS calls for immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza, South Africa decries Israeli ‘war crimes and genocide’ (www.dawn.com)
Dawn.com
US thwarts plot to kill Sikh Separatist, issues warning to India -FT (www.msn.com)
South Korea suspends no-fly zone near border after purported North Korea spy satellite launch (thehill.com)
South Korea approved suspending a military agreement with North Korea that created a no-fly zone near the demilitarized border after Pyongyang claimed its first successful launch of a spy satellite on Tuesday....
Biden and Netanyahu to discuss Potential economic plans for Gaza centred around offshore natural gas fields (www.haaretz.com)
Latest peace talks between Ethiopia's government and Oromo militants break up without an agreement (www.aol.com)
Transgender players banned from international women’s cricket by ICC (www.theguardian.com)
The International Cricket Council has become the latest sports body to ban transgender players from the elite women’s game if they have gone through male puberty....
Civilian death toll in Ukraine tops 10,000 - U.N. Human Rights Office (www.reuters.com)
Myanmar shadow government urges more pressure on junta (www.japantimes.co.jp)
Death toll from floods in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia rises to 130 (apnews.com)
Argentina's president-elect wants public companies in private hands, with media first to go (apnews.com)
Truce deal raises hopes of freeing hostages in Gaza and halting worst Mideast violence in decades (apnews.com)
Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for a four-day halt to the devastating war in Gaza, accompanied by the release of dozens of hostages held by the militant group in return for Palestinian prisoners jailed by Israel, mediators said Wednesday....
Bangladesh convicts 139 opposition officials, activists: Lawyers (www.courthousenews.com)
Bangladesh goes to a general election on Jan. 7, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina eyeing her fourth consecutive term in power, despite concerns voiced by the United States and other countries over whether the vote will be free and fair....
Opinion: ‘Nothing prepares you to cover a war at home’: The vital mission to report on Sudan’s conflict | CNN (edition.cnn.com)
‘People are dying like insects’: Paramilitary forces accused of atrocities in Darfur (www.irishtimes.com)
North Korea claims its 3rd attempt to put a spy satellite into orbit was successful (apnews.com)
Gaza: Indonesia condemns Israeli attack on Indonesian Hospital (en.antaranews.com)
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia condemns the Israeli attack on the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, which has left several civilians dead, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said on Monday....
UN report says world is racing to well past warming limit as carbon emissions rise instead of plunge (english.elpais.com)
On Friday, the globe hit 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees) above pre-industrial levels for the first time in recorded history
Thailand's Cabinet approves a marriage equality bill to grant same-sex couples equal rights (apnews.com)
Thailand’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved an amendment to its civil code to allow same-sex marriage, with an expectation for the draft to be submitted to Parliament next month....