Please forgive today's delayed appearance. People are getting sick out here!

The White House says Russia and Iran's relationship has warmed to a fully fledged defense partnership. / Al Jazeera

Interviews with a self-appointed king living inside Germany, a state he doesn't recognize as legitimate. / BBC News 

From May, Japan's fertility rate is now on par with mainland China. / The Economist

Mexico suffered more than 26,000 murders this year. / The Guardian

American soccer writer Grant Wahl dies at 48 while covering a World Cup match. / ESPN

Matthew Herper: If this is going to be biology's century, health care systems need to start conducting clinical trials. / STAT

You'll soon be able to bid on surplus office furniture from Twitter's headquarters. / Bidspotter

Safe deposit boxes are quietly being phased out by major banks. / The Hustle

Related/unrelated: Why did Roman baths disappear? Hyperallergic

Thoughts from John Warner on why AI's ability to produce cogent essays is an opportunity for improving how we teach writing. / Twitter

A long essay by Sarah Marshall on our enduring love for serial killers. / The Believer

Some photographs of clowders of cats in Japan. Beavers are said to be deeply weird. / Colossal, Lithub

It's that time of year again: an online advent calendar of games. / confoundingcalendar

And for your reading and/or shopping pleasure, announcing the shortlist for the 2023 Tournament of Books. / TMN