Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has been nominated for the prestigious Arjuna Award on the recommendation of the BCCI after his record-breaking 2023 ODI World Cup campaign. Despite initially missing selection, Shami’s nomination comes after he topped the wickets charts with 24 scalps. He also became the leading wicket-taker in ODI World Cup history, surpassing Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath in just 14 innings. Shami made his debut in 2015 and took 17 wickets. He snared 14 more in the 2019 edition across just 4 matches. Though India fell short of the title, Shami earned praise for his unplayable performances that had many questioning his initial omission. He now joins athletes like Asian Games 2023 excel Aishwary Pratap Singh Topar among Arjuna Award nominees.

Foreign exchange firm RationalFX, founded by ex-London deputy mayor and current Labour parliamentary candidate for Leicester East Rajesh Agrawal, has entered special administration, prompting a warning from regulators that customer funds are uninsured. Administrators will assess holdings to determine protected client assets versus company capital. RationalFX blocked customer access last week before the appointments of Ed Boyle and Kristina Kicks to handle proceedings. They will manage claims and seek to return funds where possible. Agrawal, who exited RationalFX in 2016 and its board in 2022, expressed regret that market conditions forced lost trading. 

President Joe Biden plans a meeting with families of Americans held by Hamas as Israel resumes its Gaza military campaign. Despite over 100 hostages released in a recent truce, eight Americans remain unaccounted for since the October attack. Biden, actively engaged, collaborates with Israeli leaders for their release. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan addresses the hostage issue during his Israel trip. Notably, two hostages were released in October, and additional releases occurred during a Gaza war truce. Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners under the agreement with Hamas. Gaza casualties surpass 18,000 amid escalating tensions.

Delhi Police reveal that six individuals, acquainted for four years, meticulously planned the Lok Sabha security breach. Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D leaped from the visitors' gallery, releasing yellow gas during Zero Hour. Simultaneously, Anmol and Neelam chanted slogans outside. All four, arrested promptly, had stayed in a Gurugram house. Lalit and Vikram, suspected accomplices, are being sought. A parliament secretariat request for a security review and high-level inquiry follows the breach. Leaders highlight security protocol shortcomings at an all-party meeting. The incident coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attacks, raising heightened concerns.

Israel's Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, asserts, "Israel will continue the war against Hamas with or without international support." Despite a UN call for a humanitarian ceasefire and President Biden's warning to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Cohen argues that a ceasefire now would empower Hamas. The conflict has devastated northern Gaza, claiming over 18,000 Palestinian lives and displacing 80% of the population. President Biden expresses concerns about eroding global support, urging restraint. Cohen also calls on the international community to safeguard shipping lanes, while Houthi rebels in Yemen consider Israeli-linked shipments in the Red Sea as legitimate targets.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's courageous moment unfolded during a security breach in Parliament, as captured by National Spokesperson Supriya Shrinate's shared photo. Two intruders released yellow gas inside the Lok Sabha chambers, causing chaos. Despite the disturbance, Gandhi stood undeterred, symbolizing resilience. The intruders, identified as Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D, were overpowered by MPs. Another duo, Anmol and Neelam, staged a parallel protest outside. All four detainees, connected through social media, planned the breach coinciding with a significant historical date. Investigations reveal their acquaintance and premeditation. Security measures have been heightened in the aftermath.    

Nine Israeli soldiers, including the esteemed Col. Itzhak Ben Basat and Lt. Col. Tomer Grinberg, were killed in a meticulously planned Hamas ambush in Gaza City. The incident occurred as IDF troops, engaged in searching Shejaiya, were attacked with gunfire and explosives. A subsequent rescue mission led to a protracted three-hour battle. While air support managed to save many, the loss of these officers, particularly Col. Ben Basat, marks a significant blow. The conflict's toll rises to 115 Israeli soldiers, with Israel reaffirming its commitment to pursue the war independently of US support. Meanwhile, separate incidents, including a Red Sea tanker targeted by speedboat gunfire and a looming public health disaster in Gaza, add to the complexities of the situation.

According to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, India leads in global hiring optimism with a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 37%, surpassing 41 nations. Strong domestic demand fuels this surge, projecting a robust job market for January-March 2024. The Financial and Real Estate industry exhibits the brightest outlook (45%), followed by IT and Consumer Goods. However, a talent shortage persists, with 81% of Indian employers facing challenges in finding skilled talent. To address this, companies are embracing work flexibility, raising wages, and seeking talent with expertise in IT, Sales, Engineering, Operations, and HR.

Brace for impact as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) considers a staggering 2000% hike in H-1B visa fees starting January 2024. The proposed increase, outlined in a 469-page document since January 2023, targets various immigration processes. If approved, the electronic registration fee for sponsoring employers could soar from $10 to $215, a 2050% jump. USCIS cites the necessity of recovering agency costs and addressing pandemic-induced processing backlogs. With nearly 96% of funding reliant on filing fees, the proposed rule aims to bridge the financial gap, generating an additional $1.9 billion annually compared to the current baseline.

The Icelandic Met Office warns of a likely volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula as crustal uplift persists near Grindavík. Evacuated since November 10, over 3,000 residents await news on when it's safe to return. Damages to homes and infrastructure in Grindavík could hit ISK 10 billion, with 230 properties reported damaged. Blue Lagoon, a popular tourist spot, extends closure amid uncertainty. Seismic activity remains stable near Hagafell, but the risk persists. Authorities must reassess zoning plans before compensating damages. The community's fate hinges on when, or if, the impending eruption materializes.