US Navy helicopters sank three Houthi rebel boats and killed their crews after the boats fired upon and tried to board a Singapore-flagged container ship in the Red Sea early Sunday. The Maersk Hangzhou issued a distress call after coming under attack by four Houthi vessels at around 3:30am GMT. The boats got within 20 meters of the ship in an apparent hijacking attempt. A security team returned fire as the crew tried to fend off the boarding. US Navy helicopters responding to the distress call then sunk three rebel boats in self-defense after being fired upon. The fourth boat fled. The incident was the second attack on the Maersk ship in 24 hours amid a rise in Houthi assaults on commercial vessels near Yemen.

Enrollment of international students at the University of Birkbeck in London has declined 10% this term after prospective students pulled out of attending. The drop comes after the UK government announced in May it would bar most foreign students from bringing dependents to the UK starting in 2024. Birkbeck's vice-chancellor said the visa restriction created an "unfavorable atmosphere" that led accepted students to withdraw before classes began, without even applying for visas. He warned the funding model for UK universities is unsustainable if policies discourage full-fee-paying international students. Universities have increasingly relied on international enrollment as domestic tuition is capped, but overseas numbers fell across the UK this year.

Ukraine witnessed heightened conflict as Russian air strikes, primarily targeting Kharkiv, unfolded in response to Ukrainian offensives on Belgorod. The Ukrainian air force reported the destruction of 21 out of 49 Russian drones overnight, strategically countering attacks on Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia. Russia defended its actions, attributing the strikes to Ukrainian assaults that claimed 24 lives in Belgorod. In Kharkiv, at least 28 people were injured, and civilian structures, including homes, cafes, and hospitals, suffered damage. Ukrainian air defenses engaged in repelling a Russian drone attack near Kyiv. These developments follow the deadliest day in Kyiv, where air strikes claimed 22 lives, bringing the overall death toll in Ukraine to at least 45 since Friday's assaults.

Starting January 31, 2024, XL bully dogs must be leashed and muzzled in public under fresh restrictions. The UK government imposes a ban on breeding, selling, or abandoning these dogs, urging owners to secure exemption certificates before January 31. Owning an XL bully dog without a certificate becomes a criminal offense in England and Wales from February 1. This follows a surge in fatal dog attacks, prompting concerns from animal welfare groups. While the government claims swift action, critics argue the ban poses challenges for rescue centers and vets, potentially overwhelming them.

UK is set to revise its Visitor Visas, allowing individuals on tourist visas to engage in remote work starting January 31, 2024. This update emphasizes that tourist primary intent should be of non-work intent, tourism, family visits, or other non-work-related activities. Notable expansions include the eligibility for client work, the ability to work from the UK (with non-work being the primary reason for the visit), and extended permissions for professionals like scientists, researchers, academics, lawyers, and speakers. These changes aim to enhance business opportunities and tourism while aligning with broader reforms expected in 2024.

The NHS faces its lengthiest strike as junior doctors plan a six-day walkout, posing a significant challenge to UK PM Rishi Sunak's commitment to eliminate lengthy waiting lists by March. Health leaders express concern over potential cancellations, impacting progress on the 7.7 million-strong waiting list. The British Medical Association hints at future strikes in 2024 without a satisfactory government offer. Matthew Taylor from NHS Confederation anticipates a precarious situation for many trusts during this demanding week, making the March target unlikely due to the cumulative impact of industrial action. Ensuring patient care amid disruptions remains a key concern for the NHS.

A government investigation into Nepal's January plane crash reveals pilot error as the cause of the tragedy that claimed 72 lives. The report points to pilots mistakenly cutting power, causing an aerodynamic stall. Due to a lack of awareness, they incorrectly positioned control levers, leading to the engine running idle. The aircraft flew for 49 seconds before crashing near Pokhara International Airport. The report cites human factors, including high workload and stress, contributing to the misidentification. The aircraft was deemed well-maintained with qualified crew. This marks Nepal's deadliest air crash since 1992, highlighting ongoing safety challenges in the region.

The US successfully thwarted two anti-ship ballistic missiles launched by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, responding to a distress call from the Maersk Hangzhou, a Singapore-flagged container ship. The vessel reported a missile strike, prompting the US to intercept the threats. This incident marks the 23rd attack by Houthis on international shipping since November 19. The US, along with other nations, maintains a maritime task force to address the growing challenges posed by such attacks in the Red Sea. No injuries were reported in this latest interception, according to the US Central Command.

Russia reports 20 fatalities, including 2 children, and 111 injuries in alleged "indiscriminate" Ukrainian strikes on Belgorod. The Russian provincial capital faced unprecedented shelling, including cluster bombs, escalating tensions. Ukraine suggests responding to Russian bombardment. Belgorod witnesses damaged infrastructure, with missiles hitting a skating rink, shopping center, and residential areas. Both sides trade accusations, with Ukraine claiming defensive measures. Security Council meeting requested at the UN. Hours later, Russia reports missile strikes on Kharkiv, injuring 21. Conflict continues to escalate, leaving civilian casualties on both sides. International concerns rise as the region grapples with the aftermath.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares intentions to secure Gaza's border with Egypt amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, projecting a conflict lasting months. The Palestinian death toll surpasses 21,000, with over 56,000 injured. Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians seek refuge in Rafah. Netanyahu emphasizes the necessity of controlling the Gaza-Egypt border for demilitarization. The conflict intensifies on multiple fronts. In related developments, an IDF strike reportedly kills a Hezbollah fighter in southern Lebanon, and Israel plans to demolish homes of Hamas operatives. The situation remains volatile with ongoing military actions and casualties.