*) Two admin buildings damaged in drones attack on Kiev

Kiev administration has said that two of its buildings in Ukraine's capital have been damaged in a drone attack.

The city’s mayor Vitali Klitschko said that air-defence systems shot down 10 Iranian-made Shahed drones and that there were explosions in the city's central Shevchenkivskyi district.

He said there was still no information about potential injuries or fatalities.

*) Latin America leaders ask Peru to protect ousted leader Castillo

The presidents of Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia and Mexico have signed a joint statement calling for the rights and health of Peru's ousted President Pedro Castillo to be guaranteed.

The statement also called for the "popular will" of the Peruvian people to be respected amid the volatile political situation in the country.

Street protests broke out after Castillo was removed from office by Congress following his attempt to dissolve parliament before impeachment proceedings against him

*) US scientists announce fusion milestone raising hopes for clean power

US researchers have announced a historic nuclear fusion breakthrough in the quest for a source of unlimited, clean power and an end to reliance on fossil fuels.

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory used the world's largest laser to create, for the first time, a fusion reaction that generated more energy than it took to produce.

US Department of Energy described the achievement as a "major scientific breakthrough" that will lead to "advancements in national defence and the future of clean power."

*) Floods kill at least 120 in DRC capital Kinshasa

At least 120 people have been killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo capital Kinshasa after heavy rains unleashed floods and caused landslides.

Entire neighbourhoods were flooded with muddy water, and houses and roads were ripped apart by sinkholes on Tuesday.

One of these roads was the N1 highway that connects Kinshasa to the chief seaport of Matadi. The prime minister's office said the N1 could be closed for 3-4 days.

*) 'Formidable opponents': Giant-slayers Morocco to face France at World Cup

Lionel Messi’s Argentina, who beat Croatia 3-0, will face either defending champions France or surprise package Morocco at the World Cup finals.

The game on Wednesday will have added spice given France was Morocco's colonial power and more than a million Moroccans live in the country.

Victory for defending champions France would leave them just one win away from becoming the first team in 60 years to successfully defend the trophy.

*) Cavusoglu: Türkiye won't allow terror groups to take shelter in Syria, Iraq

Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said that Ankara will not allow the PKK/PYD/YPG terrorist organisation to take shelter in Syria and Iraq.

Cavusoglu told parliament on Monday that if the Syrian regime acts “realistically,” Türkiye is ready to work together on the fight against terrorism, the political process and the return of Syrians.

Türkiye follows the same policy in Iraq, Cavusoglu said, adding that Ankara offers both Iraq's central and regional governments cooperation in fighting terrorism.

Last month, Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Sword in northern areas of Iraq and Syria.

*) US sends first shipment of power gear to aid Ukraine

The United States has shipped the first part of its power equipment aid to Ukraine, according to US officials.

The first tranche was power equipment worth about $13 million. Two more planeloads of equipment will leave from the US this week.

Russia has been carrying out widespread attacks on Ukraine's electricity transmission and heating infrastructure since October. Kiev and its allies say it is a deliberate campaign to harm civilians.

*) Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried arrested in the Bahamas

Authorities in the Bahamas have arrested Samuel Bankman-Fried, the founder of a now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange, at the request of the US government.

US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said the FTX founder was arrested based on a sealed indictment filed by his office.

US authorities expect to unseal the indictment on Tuesday morning, and more will be said at that time.

*) Thousands of UK rail workers go on strike again

Thousands of rail workers have launched a strike across the UK as part of a wave of industrial action planned for the festive period.

The strikes were called by Britain's largest rail union RMT. They will be held over two 48-hour periods this week. They will see picket lines at major stations and cancelled or disrupted journeys.

The latest round of rail strikes comes as the UK is experiencing a wave of industrial action on a scale not seen since the 1980s, fuelled by energy and food price hikes.

*) 'Avatar,' 'Top Gun' and 'Elvis' to compete for top prize at Golden Globes

"Avatar: The Way of Water," "Top Gun: Maverick" and "Elvis" have been nominated for best drama film at the upcoming Golden Globe awards.

"The Banshees of Inisherin," a nominee for best comedy or musical film, led all movies with eight nominations from members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Globe-nominated actors included Austin Butler for his portrayal of rock music legend Elvis Presley, Daniel Craig for "Glass Onion" and Colin Farrell for "Banshees."

*) Ukraine strike hits Wagner group headquarters – official

Ukrainian forces have attacked a hotel where members of Russia's private Wagner military group were based, killing many of them.

Serhiy Gaidai, governor of the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, said forces launched a strike on a hotel in the town of Kadiivka.

Photos posted on Telegram channels showed a building largely reduced to rubble.

*) Bangladesh's opposition lawmakers quit parliament, demand fresh vote

Seven lawmakers of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party have submitted their resignations to the parliament speaker.

They are demanding fresh elections under a neutral government and dissolution of the existing parliament.

This comes as tens of thousands of Bangladeshis gathered in the capital Dhaka to support the main opposition party in its protests against the government.

*) Several killed in firing by Afghan forces on Pakistan border

Heavy shelling by Afghan forces have killed at least six civilians across the border in Pakistan and wounded another 17.

The Pakistan army said its troops retaliated at the Chaman border crossing, without giving details of any losses on the other side.

It termed the incident an "uncalled for aggression" but an Afghan official in Kandahar said it was accidental and the situation had returned to normal.

The latest violence follows a series of deadly incidents and attacks that have skyrocketed tensions with Afghanistan's Taliban rulers.

*) Suspected Lockerbie bomber in US custody: Scotland

A Libyan man accused of making the bomb that blew up a flight over Scotland’s Lockerbie in 1988 has been captured, according to Scottish prosecutors.

Scotland's Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said that Abu Agila Mohammad Masud was now in custody. The United States had announced charges against Masud two years ago.

The bomb on board Pan Am flight 103 en route to New York from London on December 21, 1988 killed all 259 people on board and 11 on the ground.

And finally…

*) Morocco top Portugal to become first ever African World Cup semi-finalists

Morocco have become the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals by beating Portugal 1-0.

They will play against reigning champions France who defeated England 2-1 in the last quarter-final match in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Croatia beat Brazil in a 4-2 shootout win, setting up their semi-final match with Argentina who won against the Netherlands in a penalty shootout.

*) China, Saudi Arabia sign strategic deals as Xi heralds 'new era'

Saudi Arabia and China have showcased deepening ties with a series of strategic deals during a visit by President Xi Jinping.

King Salman signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership agreement" with Xi, who received a lavish welcome in a country forging new global partnerships beyond the West.

News reports estimated that the deals between the two countries are worth as much as $30 billion.

*) Moscow frees US basketball star Griner in swap with Russian arms dealer

Russia has freed US female basketball star Brittney Griner in a high-level prisoner exchange, with the US releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The prisoner swap achieved a top goal for US President Joe Biden, but carried a heavy price — and left behind an American jailed for nearly four years in Russia.

Biden said Griner will need time to recover from the "trauma" of imprisonment in Russia.

*) Bangladesh's BNP says top opposition leaders taken by police

The two top leaders of Bangladesh's main opposition party have been taken from their homes by police a day before a planned rally was to call for the prime minister's resignation.

Protests sparked by power cuts and fuel price hikes have erupted across the country in recent months, demanding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina step down.

Police action comes two days after security forces in the capital Dhaka fired rubber bullets and tear gas into a crowd of thousands of Bangladesh Nationalist Party supporters.

*) World's longest-serving president begins sixth term in Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea's long-serving President Teodoro Obiang has been sworn-in for his sixth seven-year term.

Obiang said, "As long as I am president and with our resources, the people's desires and needs for well-being will be fully realised."

He marked the beginning of his next seven-year term in a ceremony in the capital Malabo which began after a military parade attended by top officials and a host of foreign African leaders.

And finally…

*) 6th TRT World Forum 2022 kicks off in Istanbul

The 6th TRT World Forum 2022 has kicked off in Istanbul to "tackle the most pressing issues in tomorrow's world".

Under the theme of Mapping the Future: Uncertainties, Realities and Opportunities, the annual event gathers academics, journalists, intellectuals, politicians, and members of civil society from around the world.

Renowned experts are also attending a total of 10 public sessions.

*) Boluarte becomes Peru's first ever female president after Castillo's ouster

Peruvian politician Dina Boluarte has been sworn in as interim president, hours after Pedro Castillo was removed in an impeachment trial and arrested.

Boluarte, elevated from vice president, becomes Peru's first ever female president, following Castillo's attempt to dissolve the legislature by decree to avoid the impeachment vote.

Boluarte said she was taking office "in accordance with the Constitution of Peru.”

*) Putin warns of prolonged Russian military operation against Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that his country's military could be fighting against Ukraine for a long time.

Putin said, "As for the long process of seeing results of the special military operation, of course, this is a lengthy process."

Moscow had expected the fighting to last just days before Ukraine's surrender.

*) China's Xi starts landmark visit to Saudi Arabia

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Saudi Arabia on a visit, which China hailed as its biggest-ever diplomatic initiative in the Arab world.

The meeting between the global economic powerhouse and Gulf energy giant comes as Saudi ties with Washington are strained by US criticism on some issues, including Riyadh's support for oil output curbs.

Xi's trip includes direct talks with Saudi Arabia, a wider meeting with the six-nation Gulf Arab alliance and a summit with Arab leaders.

*) Afghan Taliban carries out first public execution since takeover

The Taliban administration has publicly executed a man accused of murder in Afghanistan’s western Farah province.

This is the first officially confirmed public execution since the group took over the country last year. The man was accused of stabbing another man to death in 2017.

The execution was carried out by the father of the victim, who shot the man three times, according to a statement by a Taliban spokesperson.

And finally…

*) Oldest DNA reveals life in Greenland two million years ago

Scientists in Greenland have announced the discovery of DNA dating back two million years in sediment from the Ice Age, opening a new chapter in paleogenetics.

Co-author of the study Mikkel Winther Pedersen, said the research is breaking the barrier of “what we thought we could reach in terms of genetic studies.”

He said: “It was long thought that one million years was the boundary of DNA survival, but now we are twice as old as that.”

*) Xi set to arrive in Riyadh to meet Saudi and Arab leaders

Chinese President Xi Jinping is embarking on a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia where he will hold meetings with regional leaders likely focused on energy.

The overseas trip is only Xi's third since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020.

It is also his first to Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest crude oil exporter, since 2016.

*) US says it has not 'enabled' Ukraine strikes inside Russia

The United States says it hadn't "enabled" Ukraine to carry out strikes inside Russia.

This comes after a spate of drone attacks on military-linked facilities deep within Russian territory.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters the US has “neither encouraged nor enabled the Ukrainians to strike inside of Russia."

Kiev did not directly claim responsibility but neither did it criticise the action, which killed three people, according to reports from Russia.

*) China announces nationwide loosening of Covid-19 restrictions

China has announced a nationwide loosening of Covid-19 restrictions following protests against the hardline strategy that grew into calls for greater political freedoms.

Under the new guidelines announced by the National Health Commission, the frequency and scope of PCR testing will be reduced.

Lockdowns will also be scaled down and people with non-severe Covid cases can isolate at home instead of centralised government facilities.

*) Honduras suspends rights in two largest cities to fight gangs

Honduran police have moved en masse into poor urban areas to tackle criminal gangs after a decree by the president to temporarily suspend certain rights.

The 30-day lifting of constitutional guarantees allows police to make arrests without warrants in 89 districts of the capital and 73 districts of San Pedro Sula, the industrial capital.

President Xiomara Castro, a leftist, declared last week the lifting of the constitutional rights due to what she called a "national emergency" over gang violence.

*) Morocco dump Spain out of World Cup after thrilling penalty shootout win

Morocco have dumped Spain out of the World Cup in a last-16 penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes.

Achraf Hakimi scored the decisive spot-kick after Spain squandered all three of their attempts.

Morocco has been the biggest surprise of the tournament and is the only team from outside Europe or South America to make it to the last eight.

With the historic victory, the Moroccan team, also known as the Atlas Lions, earns a quarter-final clash berth with Portugal, who defeated Switzerland 6-1.

*) Sudan's generals, civilian factions sign initial deal to end crisis

Sudan's military and civilian leaders have signed an initial deal aimed at ending a deep crisis that has gripped the northeast African country since a coup a year ago.

In a first phase, the framework agreement lays the groundwork for establishing a transitional civilian authority, said the civilian group the Forces for Freedom and Change.

A final deal tackling issues including transitional justice and reforms to the military should be completed "within weeks," it said.

*) Kiev hits Russian air bases, Kremlin confirms

A drone has attacked an airfield in Russia's Kursk region bordering Ukraine, according to the local governor.

This comes a day after Moscow blamed Ukraine for drone strikes at two other Russian airfields.

Governor Roman Starovoyt said there were no casualties. He did not specify where the drone originated.

*) Several dead as blast targets vehicle in northern Afghanistan

A roadside bomb has killed seven petroleum company employees aboard a bus in northern Afghanistan.

A provincial police spokesman in Mazar-i-Sharif said the bomb was placed in a cart by the roadside and it was detonated as the bus arrived.

Although the Taliban claim to have improved security across the nation since coming to power last year, there have been scores of bomb blasts and attacks – many claimed by the local chapter of Daesh.

*) Oil prices rise after price cap on Russian crude, OPEC+ meeting

Oil prices have edged higher after a G7 price cap on Russian seaborne oil came into force on top of a European Union embargo on imports of Russian crude by sea.

The Group of Seven price cap comes as the West tries to limit Moscow's ability to finance its war in Ukraine.

But Russia has said it will not abide by the measure even if it has to cut production.

*) Brazil beats South Korea 4-1 at World Cup

Brazil has defeated South Korea 4-1 and will face Croatia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals.

Brazil hit top gear with Neymar back in the line-up to brush aside South Korea 4-1 and ease into the quarter-finals of the World Cup where they will face Croatia.

Neymar had been sidelined for two matches with a sprained ankle.

Vinicius Junior opened the scoring inside seven minutes before Neymar added another from the penalty spot to move to 76 goals for his country, leaving him just one away from equalling Pele's all-time record tally.

*) West African leaders agree to create regional force

West African leaders have agreed to create a regional force to intervene against terrorism and in the event of coups.

The president of the Economic Community of West African States, Omar Alieu Touray, said the leaders of the group decided to act to take control of the security in the region.

Several countries in the region are suffering from the spread of militancy and terrorism, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and southwards to the Gulf of Guinea.

*) Blinken vows to oppose Israel settlements, annexation in occupied West Bank

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has promised to counter Israeli settlements and annexation in the occupied West Bank just days before Benjamin Netanyahu’s return to power.

Netanyahu has sealed a coalition deal with extreme-right movements including Religious Zionism, which is set for a post in charge of settlements in the West Bank.

Speaking to J Street, a pro-Israel US advocacy group, Blinken said President Joe Biden's administration will continue to unequivocally oppose any acts that undermine the prospects of a two-state solution.

*) China reports more Covid deaths as some restrictions eased

China has reported two additional deaths from Covid-19 as some cities moved cautiously to ease pandemic restrictions following increasingly vocal public frustrations.

The National Health Commission said that one death was reported each in the provinces of Shandong and Sichuan.

Authorities fear that lifting Covid restrictions entirely could lead to millions of deaths in the country, but an outpouring of public anger appears to have prompted authorities to lift some of the more heavy restrictions.

*) Flash flood in South Africa kills more than a dozen at religious gathering

In South Africa, at least 14 people have died and others are still missing after a flash flood swept away members of a church congregation along the Jukskei River in Johannesburg.

Officials said a group of 33 worshippers was conducting religious rituals along the river on Saturday.

Rescue workers said that a precise figure for the number still missing could not be given.

*) England reaches World Cup quarterfinals with 3-0 win over Senegal

England captain Harry Kane has scored his first goal of this year’s World Cup, helping his team beat Senegal 3-0 and setting up a match against France in the quarter-finals.

Kane scored for the 52nd time for his country to move within one of Wayne Rooney’s England record. He also overtook Gary Lineker as his country’s leading scorer in major tournaments with 11 goals.

Jordan Henderson and Bukayo Saka also scored at Al Bayt Stadium while Jude Bellingham played a key role in the opening two goals.

*) Up to 13,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed so far

As many as 13,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed since Russia's incursion into the country in February, a senior adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says.

Mykhailo Podolyak told a local media outlet that the number of casualties range from 10,000 to 13,000 dead.

President Zelenskyy would make the official data public when the right moment comes, he added.

*) DRC accuses M23 rebels of civilian massacre

The Democratic Republic of Congo's military has accused M23 rebels of killing 50 civilians and breaching a five-day-old truce in the country's restive east.

General Sylvain Ekenge said the M23 group was carrying out massacres, the most recent of which is that of 50 Congolese civilians, heinously murdered this week in Kishishe - a village some 70 kilometres north of the eastern city of Goma.

The rebel group issued a statement denying the alleged massacre of civilians.

*) Türkiye will not allow existence of any terror group in region: NSC

Türkiye will not allow the existence and activities of any terrorist group in its region, the country’s National Security Council has said.

“The existence and activity of any terrorist group will not be allowed in our region, and every necessary step will be taken decisively for this," the country's security body has said in a statement after over three-hour meeting, which was chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the capital Ankara.

To ensure the defence and security of the Turkish nation and its borders, the only target in the operations, which are being carried out along its southern borders in line with the right of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, are terrorist organisations, it added.

*) Peru's Congress approves motion to begin President Castillo's impeachment

Peru's Congress has approved a motion to start impeachment proceedings against President Pedro Castillo.

The move promoted by opposition lawmakers marks the third formal attempt to oust the leftist leader since he took office last year.

And finally…

*) Germany is out of World Cup

Four-time champions Germany have sensationally crashed out of the FIFA World Cup despite a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica in their last Group E match.

It is the first time in their World Cup history that Germany has failed to win any of their first two group matches.

Meanwhile, Japan and Spain have qualified for the knockout stage of the tournament.

*) School bombing in Afghanistan kills 15

At least 15 people have been killed in a bombing at a religious school in the north of Afghanistan. Most of the victims were students.

At least 20 people were also wounded in the explosion, which happened in the city of Aybak during prayer time.

No group has claimed responsibility so far. Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August last year, there have been multiple attacks targeting civilians across the country. Most were claimed by the local chapter of Daesh terror group.

*) Ukraine calls for longer-range weapons as NATO meeting draws to a close

A two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers has ended with a promise the alliance will increase support for eastern European partners who are not yet full NATO members.

Ukraine again called for longer-range weapons, but there are still concerns it may use them to hit Russian territory, which could draw NATO members directly into the conflict.

Fierce fighting continues in the eastern Donetsk region while Ukraine reports Russian shelling in southern areas of the country.

*) EU threatens to ban Twitter

The European Union has threatened to ban Twitter in its territory, unless the company's owner Elon Musk abides by its laws on content moderation.

The EU could be setting the scene for a regulatory battle over the future of the social network.

*) Daesh leader killed in Syria

Washington says the leader of the Daesh terrorist organisation was killed in a raid in the Syrian province of Daraa in October.

In a statement, the US central command says: “we are pleased to see the removal of Daesh's top leaders in such quick succession.”

And finally…

*) Messi fights on

Virtuoso striker Messi is set to grace the World Cup stage at least once more, as Argentina secured a place in the knockout stage of the World Cup.

The South American side will face Australia in the last-16 while Poland will take on reigning champions France.