Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples that must not resemble marriage

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples. The Vatican issued a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it. The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office was released Monday. It elaborates on a letter Francis sent to two conservative cardinals and published in October. In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if they didn’t confuse it with the ritual of marriage.

At least 11 dead, 88 badly injured after a fuel depot explosion in Guinea’s capital

CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — An explosion and inferno at Guinea’s main fuel depot in the capital of Conakry has left at least 11 people dead and more than 80 seriously injured. It is not clear what caused the explosion that damaged the heart of the Kaloum administrative district that’s home to most government offices. The depot supplies most of the fuel in the West African nation, raising fears of a major supply disruption. The depot had been in the process of being relocated to a remote site in a bid to avoid such a disaster.

A suspected cyberattack paralyzes the majority of gas stations across Iran

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s state TV says nearly 70% of the nation’s gas pumps are out of service after possible sabotage — a reference to cyberattacks. The report said a “software problem” caused the irregularity. It urged people not to rush to the operational filling stations. Israeli media, including the Times of Israel, blamed the problem on an attack by a hacker group dubbed “Gonjeshke Darande” or predatory sparrow. Iran has some 33,000 gas stations. In recent years, Iran has seen a series of cyberattacks on its filling stations, railway system and industries. Surveillance cameras in government buildings, including prisons, have also been hacked in the past.

Serbia’s opposition takes to the streets claiming election fraud in Sunday’s vote

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia’s weekend snap election was held in “unjust conditions,” with multiple reports of irregularities, international observers said on Monday, as opponents of populist President Aleksandar Vucic took to the streets claiming the vote was rigged. Political tensions spiked in the Balkan country over the parliamentary and local elections on Sunday. In Belgrade, several thousand people gathered in front of the state election commission headquarters, chanting “thieves,” as opposition leaders moved to lodge formal complaints claiming fraud in the city election.