The Turkish Parliament's foreign affairs committee approved Sweden's bid to join NATO on Tuesday.
Why it matters: The vote that brings Sweden closer to achieving NATO membership comes after a series of delays in its attempt to become part of the alliance, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's initial refusal to accept Sweden's bid.
Why it matters: Apple continues to be the largest smartwatch seller in the world and while the company saw a decline in revenue last quarter, it also touted 2 billion active devices, which Tim Cook attributed to "a lot of first-time buyers in the case of the Apple Watch."
Israel said on Monday that it will deny a UN employee's visa request and not extend the visa of another UN employee.
The big picture: The UN has been critical of Israel's military actions in Gaza since Oct. 7, particularly regarding civilian deaths, and this is an example of Israel's government bristling at the blowback.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Tuesday made his first public statement since going missing for two weeks in Russia's prison system and being located at a Siberian penal colony.
Driving the news: Navalny, a vocal adversary of Russian President Vladimir Putin, posted a nine-part message on X (formerly Twitter) detailing his transport to the Arctic facility.
President Biden ordered retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian-backed militia groups after three U.S. service members were wounded, one critically, in a Christmas Day drone attack in northern Iraq, the White House said Monday.
Why it matters: The fighting illustrates the broader effects of the Israel-Hamas war across the Middle East — and how U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria have become targets, Reuters notes.
Israel's government has awarded a $3.2 billion grant to Intel as part of a $25 billion investment the chip company is making in a manufacturing facility roughly 40 miles south of Tel Aviv, both sides reportedly said Tuesday.
Why it matters: Confirming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's preliminary June announcement, Intel's increased investment in Israel comes at a tumultuous time for the country's economy amid the ongoing war with Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday vowed to continue waging war against Hamas in Gaza, despite a growing number of international calls for a ceasefire.
Driving the news: While visiting Israeli troops in northern Gaza, Netanyahu said: "Whoever talks about stopping, there is no such thing."
Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is expected in Washington on Tuesday for meetings at the White House and State Department about Israel's plans for eventually scaling down the war and transitioning to a low-intensity operation in Gaza, two Israeli and U.S. officials told Axios.
Why it matters: The meetings Dermer, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's closest confidant, is expected to have will take place amid growing tensions between the Biden administration and the Israeli government over when the high-intensity phase of the war should end and what will happen in Gaza after it does.
Pope Francis on Monday took aim at the weapons industry as part of a Christmas Day message that also called for peace in Israel and Palestine.
What he's saying: "The human heart is weak and impulsive; if we find instruments of death in our hands, sooner or later we will use them," the pope said.
Maersk announced plans Sunday to resume shipments through the Red Sea after suspending operations earlier this month due to missile and drone attacks on vessels in the region.
Why it matters: Maersk was one of several global shipping giants to reroute vessels away from the key commercial route due to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels' attacks from Yemen, but the firm cited the deployment of a U.S.-led multinational maritime security force as the reason why it had decided to return.
Two men were arrested on suspicion of theft of a Banksy traffic sign that went missing in London, England, soon after the anonymous street artist unveiled the artwork, British police said Sunday.
The big picture: London's Metropolitan Police said they're "aware of footage being shared" to social media showing the removal of the stop sign that features three drones, which has been widely interpreted as calling for a cease-fire in Gaza as it's reminiscent of artwork in Banksy's Walled Off hotel in Bethlehem that was established in 2017.
Pope Francis addressed the Israel-Hamas war and raised his concerns about Jesus' message of peace during Christmas Eve mass on Sunday evening.
What he's saying: "Tonight, our hearts are in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace is once more rejected by the futile logic of war, by the clash of arms that even today prevents him from finding room in the world," Francis said during his homily watched by some 6,500 people in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, and more viewing screens outside in the square.
