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EU countries on Monday backed a significant tightening of Europe's immigration policy, including endorsing the concept of setting up "return hubs" outside the 27-nation bloc for failed asylum-seekers.

Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton was spared jail on Monday after being given a suspended sentence for grossly offensive social media posts concerning British broadcaster Jeremy Vine and television pundits Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko.

Regions hit by floods that killed hundreds in Indonesia were suffering from food and medical shortages, authorities said, as elephants pitched in on Monday to help clear up debris.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies prepared to hold talks in London on Monday, after President Donald Trump accused him of not reading the US proposal to end the war with Russia.

Major stock markets mostly rose Monday as investors geared up for an expected cut to US interest rates and clues over how many more reductions, if any, could happen next year as inflation stays high.

Mohamed Salah is "absolutely destroying his Liverpool legacy" following an extraordinary outburst at manager Arne Slot, according to Wayne Rooney.

Trade unions at the Louvre Museum in Paris on Monday called for a rolling strike next week over working conditions, piling more bad news on the beleaguered institution.

The hotels are booked and final preparations for the festivals and concerts are under way, as Lagos prepares for "Detty December", Nigeria's end-of-year frenzy.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Monday urged Syrians to work together to rebuild their country, still marred by insecurity and divisions, as they marked a year since the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.

Thailand launched air strikes Monday on its neighbour Cambodia, with both sides trading blame for renewed fighting on their disputed border that has killed four Cambodian civilians and a Thai soldier.

Most markets rose Monday as investors gear up for an expected US interest rate cut this week, with debate centring on the likelihood the Federal Reserve will continue easing monetary policy further into the new year.

Officials in flood-hit parts of Indonesia reported shortages of food, shelter, and medicine as the death toll reached 950 Monday following weeks of heavy rain.

Sri Lanka has almost doubled its military deployment to regions struck by a cyclone that has killed 627, sending tens of thousands of troops to help areas hit by a wave of destruction, the army said Monday.

Mohamed Salah was an unused substitute when Liverpool drew 3-3 away to Leeds at the weekend, but it did not stop the Egypt captain capturing the media spotlight.

Thailand launched air strikes on its neighbour Cambodia on Monday, the Thai army said, with both sides trading blame for the latest eruption of fighting on their disputed border, which has killed a Thai soldier.

Asian equities drifted Monday as investors gear up for an expected US interest rate cut this week, with debate centring on the likelihood the Federal Reserve will continue easing monetary policy further into the new year.

US President Donald Trump took center stage on Sunday as host of the storied Kennedy Center's flagship awards program, praising select entertainers and his own forceful overhaul of the storied arts venue.

China's towering annual trade surplus surpassed $1 trillion for the first time last month, data showed Monday, as a sharp drop in shipments to the United States was offset by surging exports to other major markets.

Morocco have home advantage, a team that has won a world record 18 consecutive internationals and an inspirational captain in Achraf Hakimi as they seek 2025 Africa Cup of Nations glory.

Ten Africa Cup of Nations records:

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky was due to meet with European allies in London on Monday, after President Donald Trump accused him of not reading the US proposal to end the war with Russia.

The United Nations on Monday hit out at global "apathy" over widespread suffering as it launched its 2026 appeal for humanitarian assistance, which is limited in scope as aid operations confront major funding cuts.

The Southeast Asian Games officially open in Bangkok on Tuesday against a backdrop of chaotic organisation and with fresh border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia threatening to overshadow the sporting showpiece.

AFP Sports looks at the winners and losers in the 2025 season which came to a tense end on Sunday with Lando Norris winning the three-way title showdown in Abu Dhabi:

Luka Doncic returned with a triple-double and LeBron James came up big in the clutch to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 112-108 NBA victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Thailand launched air strikes on its neighbour Cambodia on Monday, the Thai army said, with both sides trading blame for the latest eruption of fighting on their disputed border which killed a Thai soldier.

Asian equities drifted Monday as investors gear up for an expected US interest rate cut this week, with debate centring on the likelihood the Federal Reserve will continue easing monetary policy further into the new year.

England's cricketing woes deepened Monday when their second-tier team crashed to Australia A by an innings and 127 runs, emphasising the tourists' alarming lack of depth.

Australia's ability to adapt and rise in key moments has thrust them to the cusp of retaining the Ashes, with Steve Smith saying it is a process they have fine-tuned.

Thailand launched air strikes on its neighbour Cambodia on Monday, the Thai army said, with both sides trading blame for the latest eruption of fighting on their disputed border which killed a Thai soldier.

Australia's landmark move to ban under-16s from social media will be closely watched by other countries, which could follow suit with similar laws.

EU countries on Monday are expected to approve a significant tightening of Europe's immigration policy, including endorsing the concept of setting up "return hubs" for migrants outside the 27-nation bloc.

Olympic figure skaters will perform for a matter of mere minutes at February's Milan-Cortina Games but the process of creating and honing their routines takes months of consideration and effort.

US President Donald Trump commented Sunday on Netflix's effort to acquire storied Hollywood studio Warner Bros., saying the streaming giant already has "a very large market share" and "it could be a problem."

Hollywood's awards season shifts into high gear Monday when nominations for the Golden Globes are unveiled, with hit musical "Wicked: For Good," Shakespeare family tragedy "Hamnet" and period horror movie "Sinners" leading the charge.

Venezuela acknowledged Sunday an opposition figure died while in custody, as the Trump administration slammed Caracas as "vile" and the South American country's army swore in thousands of new soldiers amid mounting US military pressure.

England captain Ben Stokes has demanded his players toughen up after another embarrassing defeat to Australia left the Ashes hanging by a thread, making clear the team is "not a place for weak men".

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