Quebec to raise university fees and mandate French for out-of-province students (www.bbc.com)
Al-Qaeda releases SA hostage Gerco van Deventer after six years (www.news24.com)
Bank Of Korea warns Korea's economy may enter negative territory in 2040s (www.koreatimes.co.kr)
A research institute of the Bank of Korea (BOK) said Sunday that Korea may be forced to record negative economic growth in the 2040s unless the nation improves its productivity, as its working-age population is rapidly shrinking....
Shipping firms MSC and CMA CGM are latest to suspend passage through Red Sea (www.timesofisrael.com)
Dutch school phone ban to come into force next month (www.euronews.com)
Samer Abudaqa: Al Jazeera cameraman killed in Gaza drone strike (www.bbc.com)
Rishi Sunak warns of migrant threat 'overwhelming' European countries as UK and Italy agree to fund Tunisia plan (www.lbc.co.uk)
61 people found dead in 'shipwreck' off Libyan coast, UN agency says (news.sky.com)
Jungle between Colombia and Panama becomes highway for migrants from around the world (apnews.com)
Once nearly impenetrable for migrants heading north from Latin America, the jungle between Colombia and Panama this year became a speedy but still treacherous highway for hundreds of thousands of people from around the world....
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.
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
IDF sniper kills two women inside Gaza church, Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem says (edition.cnn.com)
Paris mayor plans to triple SUV parking tariffs to cut air pollution (www.theguardian.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....
Cardinal convicted of embezzlement in Vatican financial trial sentenced to 5 1/2 years (www.nbcnews.com)
Kuwait's ruling emir dies at age 86, three years after assuming power (www.abc.net.au)
The cause of death was not immediately disclosed, but last month he was admitted to hospital. His half-brother is the designated successor.
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....
Three Thousand Russians Were Killed Or Wounded For Every Square Mile They Captured Around Avdiivka (www.forbes.com)
One Russian soldier fighting near Avdiivka recently said his unit started their assault with 70 people—and lost 56 of them.
Sudan Is Unraveling as the World Looks Away (time.com)
A brutal war since April has left at least 10,000 dead and displaced 6 million but remains a mere footnote on the international agenda.
'A Spectacle, A Farce, A Rigged Clown Show': Russia Watches As Putin Cruises Toward A Fifth Term (www.rferl.org)
With all political opposition eliminated and Russia firmly in the grip of what analysts call “mature authoritarianism,” the country prepares for a March presidential vote devoid of competition and, if the Kremlin has its way, ushers Vladimir Putin into another six-year term without surprises.
Mother, daughter killed by Israel army in Gaza church grounds: patriarchate (www.france24.com)
A Christian mother and daughter were shot dead by an Israeli soldier on the grounds of a Catholic church in Gaza City on Saturday, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said.
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)
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....
Surrounded and low on ammo, the elite troops out to spoil Putin’s New Year (www.thetimes.co.uk)
