UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to "clamp down" on immigration after net migration to the UK reached record levels of over 700,000 last year. With the figures fueling anger within his Conservative Party, Sunak admitted in an interview there is "obviously a lot more to do" to reduce immigration numbers and fulfill the 2019 Tory manifesto commitment. The PM pointed to his recent move to limit student dependents as "the single biggest measure of restriction on legal migration in years." However, Sunak faces resistance from sectors battling labor shortages. He defended his track record on curbing small boat Channel crossings but faces ongoing legal barriers to implementing the Rwanda asylum plan. The comments suggest immigration will remain a divisive issue for the embattled Sunak government.

Russia has placed Meta Platforms' spokesperson Andy Stone on a wanted list under unspecified charges, as reported by state-run TASS. The Russian Interior Ministry initiated a criminal investigation against Stone, yet details remain undisclosed. Meta's major platforms, Facebook and Instagram, were banned in Russia after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The investigative committee accused Stone of "lifting a ban on calls for violence," prompting the criminal probe. Meta's response is awaited. The move escalates tensions between the tech giant and Russia, emphasizing the broader challenges faced by international tech companies navigating geopolitical complexities.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is set to embark on a visit to India and the UAE, commencing Monday, to enhance collaboration in space exploration. Scheduled meetings with key government officials and space agencies aim to deepen bilateral cooperation in innovation and research, particularly in human exploration and Earth science. The visit to India will fulfill commitments under the anticipated US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology. Nelson plans to visit Bengaluru-based facilities overseeing the NISAR spacecraft, a joint Earth-observing mission with ISRO, crucial for climate change and hazard mitigation. The upcoming trip also includes participation in the UN Climate Change Conference and STEM education discussions with students. [Screengrab from @SenBillNelson /X]

Pope Francis discloses his battle with lung inflammation, prompting concerns for his health. Despite a mild flu, he delivers the noon blessing from the Vatican, indicating plans to attend the COP28 climate change conference in Dubai. The Pope emphasizes the gravity of climate issues, especially for the youth. His bandaged hand raises questions about his well-being, and the Vatican's response to potential intravenous treatment remains unclear. This revelation follows a recent negative CT scan after a Vatican-reported case of bronchitis. Grateful for prayers, Francis assures his commitment to the three-day Dubai trip amid unusual weather conditions in Rome.

Hamas' military wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, confirms the death of Ahmed Al-Ghandour, commander of its northern brigade, along with three other senior leaders during Israel's offensive. Ghandour, designated a "specially designated global terrorist" by the US, had a history of involvement in terrorist operations, including a 2006 attack on an Israeli military outpost. The statement pledges to continue their path. This revelation comes amid a temporary ceasefire, with Hamas releasing Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The conflict, ongoing since October, has claimed numerous lives, prompting concerns for regional stability.

In the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue mission, authorities anticipate that vertical drilling will extend over four days, with the Indian Army actively engaged in the operation. Vertical drilling has already been started. The initial plan faced a setback as the auger machine, tasked with breaking through nearly 60 meters of debris in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel, collapsed. The damaged equipment necessitated a shift to manual drilling for the last stretch. A unit from the Madras Sappers, an engineer group of the Indian Army, is on-site to support the rescue efforts. The trapped workers, safe with essential provisions, now face a prolonged wait for their evacuation.

In the West Bank, Palestinian militants executed two alleged informers for Israel in Tulkarem refugee camp. The victims, Hamza Mubarak and Azam Juabra, were accused of aiding Israeli security forces. A mob kicked and dragged their bodies through alleys, eventually hanging them on an electric pole. Videos of the incident surfaced on social media, with the crowd chanting insults. The executions occurred amid the Israel-Hamas truce, with no formal statements from Hamas or the IDF. The incident coincided with the release of hostages by Hamas, following a brief delay over alleged ceasefire violations by Israel. [ photo : screengrab from Twitter]

During a pro-Palestine protest in London, 18 individuals were arrested, with four detained for displaying Nazi symbols, including a swastika inside a Star of David. While the majority of protesters were peaceful, the Metropolitan Police deployed 1,500 officers to prevent potential incidents. The force issued warnings against hate speech and antisemitism, emphasizing a crackdown on criminal offenses. Organizers called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, with the first arrest occurring at the march's onset. The police also discovered a stall distributing literature featuring a swastika inside a Star of David, resulting in the arrest of all four individuals manning the stall.

Israeli forces, in a surge of violence, claim the lives of at least 8 Palestinians in the West Bank within 24 hours, jeopardizing a fragile ceasefire with Hamas. The conflict, escalating since Hamas attacked on Oct. 7, has led to dozens of Palestinian casualties and increased settler attacks. The latest casualties include a teenager. Israel's military cites a Jenin operation, aiming to arrest a suspect, while reports indicate damage to infrastructure. Despite the recent ceasefire for aid and hostage release, tensions persist, highlighting the challenges in achieving lasting peace in the region.

Rescue operations at Uttarkashi's Silkyara-Dandalgaon tunnel witness a crucial development as vertical drilling yields an 8-metre breakthrough in the last one and a half hours. The drill, now 46 meters deep, inches closer to the 12-meter target to establish a passage for the 41 trapped workers. Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government sustains the trapped laborers with hot meals via a 6-inch pipe, extending support amid the challenging rescue. Families, wait anxiously at the site for updates on the ongoing rescue, now in its 14th day since the collapse on November 12.