London Tube workers, represented by the RMT union, will stage strikes between 5 and 12 January due to a disagreement over a 5% pay offer. Employees from various sections of the Underground will walk out on different days during the first two weeks of 2024. The dispute arises as Transport for London insists the pay rise is "the most we can afford." RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch urges TfL to improve their offer, emphasizing the contribution of Tube workers to the London economy and expressing discontent with what he deems "modest below-inflation offers."

Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia has publicly announced his decision to return the Padma Shri award in protest against the election of Sanjay Singh, a loyalist of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India. Punia shared a detailed letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, expressing concern over the denial of justice to female wrestlers. "I am returning my Padma Shri award to the Prime Minister. This is a letter to say that," Bajrang Punia wrote on X. The letter highlights the unresolved issues, particularly allegations of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan Singh, prompting Punia's symbolic act of returning the prestigious award as a form of protest.

Satellite images, initially reported by The New York Times and subsequently obtained by NDTV, indicate potential reactivation of China's Lop Nur nuclear test facility in Xinjiang. The images raise concerns about China conducting full-fledged nuclear tests or subcritical experiments simulating nuclear explosions. Dr. Renny Babiarz, an international geospatial intelligence expert, analyzed the evidence, suggesting China's interest in testing new nuclear warhead designs on advanced missiles. The timing coincides with sensitive US-China relations, adding geopolitical significance to the developments at the historically significant Lop Nur facility.

Moscow has warned it is prepared to cut diplomatic ties with Washington if the US confiscates frozen Russian assets, Sky News reported on Friday. Kremlin's stern response comes in response to discussions in the West proposing the allocation of $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. Russia vowed not to peacefully coexist with any country seizing its assets, warning of potential retaliatory actions against Western assets. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that such a move would significantly impact the international financial system. The Kremlin, on Friday, also accused the Wall Street Journal of publishing "pulp fiction" after it reported that the death of Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash had been orchestrated by Russian security official Nikolai Patrushev. The paper reported that the mercenary group leader's private plane was downed by a small bomb placed under a wing. 

Human Rights Watch alleges Meta's "systemic and global" censorship of pro-Palestinian content since October amid the Israel-Gaza war. The 51-page report outlines six censorship patterns, including post removals and shadow banning. Meta responds, acknowledging errors but denying deliberate suppression. This follows Senator of Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren's inquiry into similar claims. Meta's oversight board recently criticized content removals, reinstating two videos. Users report bias favoring pro-Israel content. Instagram's translation inaccuracies and WhatsApp's AI generating armed Palestinian children images are highlighted. Meta asserts its unique transparency on Israel-Palestine issues, amid rising concerns over online censorship.

Indian cricket player Virat Kohli has returned home from South Africa for personal reasons but is expected to rejoin the squad ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Centurion. Kohli missed the intra-squad match, while opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the two-Test series due to a finger injury. Abhimanyu Easwaran, on stand-by, might replace Gaikwad. The Test squad, under coach Rahul Dravid, has been in Pretoria preparing for the series, with KL Rahul and Mukesh Kumar set to join after a day's rest from the ODI series.

In a shocking incident, 24-year-old history student David Kozak unleashed a deadly attack at Charles University in Prague, claiming the lives of at least 14 people and injuring over 20. The gunman, who had no prior criminal record, reportedly started the shooting on the fourth floor of the philosophy department using legally-owned weapons. Kozak is also suspected of murdering his own father and, earlier in December, a man and his two-month-old daughter. Authorities are investigating potential links to Russian-language Telegram posts expressing inspiration from recent mass shootings in Russia. The nation mourns as Saturday is declared a national day of mourning.  

Revised data reveals a 0.1% shrinkage in the UK's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between July and September, intensifying fears of an impending recession. Initial estimates suggesting flat growth were disproven, with consecutive quarters of contraction now posing a significant economic challenge. The broader picture indicates a year of almost stagnant growth, prompting calls for strategic interventions to revitalize the economy. Despite Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's reassurances about the "medium-term outlook," the revised figures hint at the onset of a mild recession. The potential impact on unemployment and general economic well-being raises questions about the government's ability to navigate through these challenging times.

The FBI is amplifying its efforts to uncover the whereabouts of 29-year-old Indian student Mayushi Bhagat, who vanished without a trace from Jersey City in 2019. Bhagat, enrolled at the New York Institute of Technology, was last seen donning colorful pyjama pants and a black T-shirt. The FBI, in collaboration with the Jersey City Police Department, is now offering a substantial reward of $10,000 for any information that could lead to her location or safe return. Born in India and proficient in English, Hindi, and Urdu, Bhagat's sudden disappearance has left authorities and her family in a state of distress. Authorities encourage individuals with relevant information to contact the FBI Newark or the Jersey City Police Department.            

Rajkumar Hirani's "Dunki," headlined by Shah Rukh Khan, commenced its box office journey with a respectable Rs 30 crore on the first day, despite a diverse range of reviews. The comedy-drama, exploring the theme of illegal immigration through the quirky lens of 'donkey flight,' faces a formidable challenge from Prabhas' simultaneous release, "Salaar." While "Dunki" falls short of Khan's earlier 2023 blockbusters in opening day earnings, industry analyst Sumit Kadel predicts a weekend upswing driven by positive word of mouth. Boasting a star-studded cast including Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal, the film promises a blend of humor, emotion, and a unique narrative.