The UK is facing the prospect of more snow and icy conditions in the lead up to Christmas, according to the latest predictions from the Met Office. After a week of wintry weather last week that brought up to 30cm of snow in parts of the country, the long range forecast warns of another spell of unsettled and potentially hazardous weather. It says there is an increased chance of cold conditions, snow and ice setting in from late December into early January. Though temperatures are expected to briefly rise this weekend, colder air could arrive next week. The Met Office has told Britons to brace for disrupted travel and slippery conditions over the holidays. Last year saw snow recorded at 9% of monitoring stations on December 25.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly urged the United States to exercise restraint in responding to Yemen's Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea amid escalating tensions. The Houthis, aligning with Iran, target ships and attack Israel, further complicating the regional conflict. Riyadh seeks to prevent further escalation, with sources indicating satisfaction with the US handling so far. As Houthi attacks threaten vital shipping lanes, including those crucial for oil transport, Saudi Arabia's plea aligns with its efforts for stability. The situation unfolds against the backdrop of broader regional dynamics, with Saudi Arabia navigating peace talks in Yemen amid the Hamas-Israel war.

After seizing Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and maintaining dominance in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP grapples with appointing Chief Ministers in a crucial meeting at PM Narendra Modi's residence. The 12 MPs, resigning post-assembly victories, heightened anticipation for decisions. Sources suggest PM Modi favors candidates chosen by class, emphasizing youth, working classes, or women. The states, contributing 65 Lok Sabha seats, underscore the significance of strategic selections for the 2024 elections. Front-runners include Vasundhara Raje, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, with speculation swirling around potential dark horses. The outcome holds substantial implications for the BJP's electoral trajectory.

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed remorse for the "pain and loss" caused by the Covid-19 pandemic during a public inquiry. Facing criticism for alleged indecisiveness, Johnson acknowledged "unquestionable" mistakes and took personal responsibility. Protesters disrupted his testimony, but he continued, stating, "Inevitably we got some things wrong." Johnson emphasized decisions aimed at saving lives and preventing healthcare overload. With nearly 130,000 UK Covid deaths, he defended actions, claiming success in preventing NHS overwhelm. The inquiry probes his pandemic handling, scrutinizing timing, understanding of advice, and critiques from former aides Cummings and Cain.

The UK government has chosen veteran television executive Samir Shah to be the new chairman of the BBC. The 71-year-old Shah previously held senior roles at the BBC including head of current affairs and political journalism. He currently serves as CEO of an independent production company that supplies programming to the BBC and other broadcasters. Shah said he was “delighted” to be selected and emphasized the BBC’s cultural importance in British life. If approved, he will replace former chairman Richard Sharp who resigned earlier this year over controversy related to his ties with Boris Johnson. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer stated Shah has the experience and ambition to guide the BBC through today’s challenging media landscape. His journalistic background was welcomed by observers who see it as an asset for upholding the BBC’s independence and public mission during a difficult financial period.

Business magazine Forbes named 4 Indian women among the World's Most Powerful for 2023 - recognizing their glass ceiling-shattering achievements despite systemic gender barriers. The Indians on the prestigious global list that tracks money, media impact, and influence spheres are: India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (ranked 32); HCL Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra (ranked 60) as India's first woman IT company head; Steel Authority Chairperson Soma Mondal (ranked 70) who made history in a male-dominated role; and Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics Limited founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (ranked 76) who also chaired IIM-Bangalore previously. These extraordinary Indians prominently lead governments and multi-billion dollar businesses while catalyzing change. Their presence signals the rise of influential Indian women thriving on the global stage through enterprise, philanthropy, and policymaking.

“With the war between Israel and Hamas and the polarisation it causes in our society, with the upcoming holiday season, there is a huge risk of terrorist attacks in the European Union,” Home Affairs Chief Ylva Johansson warned ahead of ministerial talks in Brussels as online extremism surges amid recent violence. Johansson pledged an additional €30 million to protect places of worship from the divisiveness fueled by the conflict. She also urged implementing EU measures to crack down on hate speech and funding of militant networks. Spain's Home Affairs Minister Fernando Grande Marlaska said the tensions "could sharpen polarisation and fuel terrorism", asserting "Clearly, we can't permit this." With EU alarm over terror risks from worsening societal splits caused by the Gaza war, urgent coordination was underlined to counter radicalization and bitterness spreading online. [Video Courtesy: euronews X handle]

The situation remains tense amidst the Rajasthan 'bandh' on Wednesday, called by Karni Sena over the murder of chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi shot dead at home Tuesday. The BJP has claimed the murder to be a "revenge plan" of the Congress for its poll loss. On December 3, Gogamedi wrote on social media X that the Congress lost Rajasthan because it 'ignored Karni Sena'. On Tuesday, three bikers came to Gogamedi's Jaipur house and shot him after having tea with him. The incident took the state by storm as CCTV footage of the shooting was made public. Calling for a Wednesday bandh Karni Sena supporters are resolute for a statewide stir if action is not taken. Congress and BJP figures like Ashok Gehlot and Vasundhara Raje slammed the violence amid BJP government formation. While the BJP pins the murder as Congress's 'revenge plan', Congress leader Supriya Shrinate termed it as the "return of jungle raj" with BJP taking over the reins of the state. 

As the BJP deliberates over Chief Ministers, Madhya Pradesh's four-time CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan appeared signaling his achievements without openly pushing for a fifth stint. Speaking at an event in Bhopal to  mark the death anniversary of BR Ambedkar, Chouhan stated: "We are working for the welfare of the last person under PM Modi, following the path shown by BR Ambedkar." Many perceived it as subtly spotlighting his pro-poor schemes like 'Ladli Behna' that powered the election victory. It comes as the BJP mulls new faces instead of veterans for the CM role in the state. Insisting "I'm not in the race," Chouhan highlighted his next aim was BJP's 2024 Lok Sabha sweep in Madhya Pradesh. Careful to avoid seeming to lobby for CM, he has avoided Delhi. Through a remark citing welfare delivery, Chouhan vaguely indicated his feats ahead of BJP's final leadership picks.

10 of 12 BJP Parliamentarians elected as MLAs in the November polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chattisgarh - including Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Prahlad Patel - resigned from the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Multiple MPs from these states are in CM contention too, NDTV reports. Prahlad Patel, who is, for now, Minister of State for Food Processing, told news agency ANI, "I have resigned as MP and will resign from cabinet soon." The Constitution does not permit occupying both state and parliamentary positions simultaneously. Baba Balaknath and Renuka Singh are the two MP-MLAs yet to quit. Today's resignations intensified buzz around possible Chief Minister picks with BJP sources indicating a new face could replace 4-time Madhya Pradesh CM Chouhan. Announcements may come today itself. Amit Shah and Nadda huddled for five hours at the PM's residence Wednesday, further signaling critical leadership decisions are imminent.