UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has cleared the controversial resignation honours list submitted by his short-lived predecessor Liz Truss. Truss recommended 11 allies and donors for peerages in the House of Lords, including key Brexit campaign figure Matthew Elliott. Former Truss aide Ruth Porter was also named in the list published alongside the New Year Honours. Truss was forced to resign after just 49 days in October 2022 due to turmoil from her disastrous mini-budget. The opposition Labour Party slammed Sunak's decision as proof of his weakness and a slap in the face of working people suffering economic consequences. The move faced dismay for rewarding Truss loyalists despite her brief, crisis-ridden tenure. But Sunak ultimately approved the customary resignation honours per norm.

In a bizarre incident at London's Gatwick Airport, an impatient passenger waiting for luggage threatened to defecate on the baggage carousel belt after a 15-20 minute delay. The unidentified British traveller shouted into the abyss for handlers to "hurry up" before vowing to "lay a Richard", meaning defecate, if bags didn't promptly emerge. He furiously claimed he would "poo on the f***ing trail." The man later excitedly celebrated his bag arriving first, shouting "It's number one!" Avoiding an unsanitary public act, the traveler's volcanic eruption over a prolonged wait time still astonished onlookers with his meltdown reaching new heights of carousel drama. The vulgar threats and triumphalist glee highlighted frustrations with airport disruptions. (Representative Image)

A strong 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Aceh province on Saturday, centered 362 km east of the coastal town of Sinabang. Occurring at a shallow depth of 10 km, the quake was felt in several areas of Papua province including Jayapura and Wamena, according to reports. Indonesia's meteorology agency issued an aftershock warning but said there was no risk of a tsunami. Indonesia sits on the seismically active Pacific 'Ring of Fire' and frequently experiences seismic events, including November's 5.6-magnitude tremor in West Java that killed over 330 people. With a population of over 270 million, Indonesia has a history of devastating earthquakes like the 2004 Indian Ocean quake that spawned a tsunami killing 230,000 Indonesians in Aceh.

In a comprehensive investigation, the New York Times reveals troubling security lapses during the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel that left dozens dead. Israel's military was caught off guard and slow to respond to the large-scale Hamas assault. Soldiers were underprepared and coordination was poor, with improvised communication methods used. There was no plan to counter such an attack. Hamas strategically targeted key roads and bases, disrupting Israel's response. Standards and training of civilian guards and reservists were inadequate. The report shows Israeli forces relying on bravery over strategy, indicating a concerning lack of readiness. The investigation exposes severe lapses that enabled Hamas to inflict higher casualties during the deadly October attacks.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has appointed Dong Jun, former Navy chief, as the new defense minister, replacing Li Shangfu. Dong's elevation signifies China's focus on challenging the US and reinforcing its stance on Taiwan and the South China Sea. The appointment follows unexplained dismissals within the military and political leadership, highlighting Xi's efforts to enhance China's global dominance. Dong's strategic experience in the East Sea Fleet and the Southern Theatre Command aligns with China's assertiveness in Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. Analysts suggest it reflects China's geopolitical priorities, emphasizing a departure from tradition by appointing a non-Army general to lead military diplomacy.

Pakistan's election body rejects Imran Khan's bid to contest the 2024 national elections, citing his disqualification due to a corruption conviction. The 71-year-old former Prime Minister, ousted in April 2022, faces legal battles and has been out of the public eye since his three-year imprisonment in August for unlawfully selling state gifts while in office. Despite the disqualification, Khan filed nomination papers for the February 8 elections, which were rejected based on non-registration as a voter and his court-convicted disqualification. Khan alleges military targeting, claiming they aim to exclude him from the polls, a charge the military denies.

Thousands of Eurostar and Southeastern train passengers face travel misery due to major flooding in two tunnels beneath the River Thames. The disruption began outside Ebbsfleet International station in Kent on Friday, impacting crucial international links and high-speed services. Eurostar has been forced to cancel 29 services, leaving commuters stranded and disrupting holiday plans. Newlyweds from New York express frustration as their New Year's Eve at Disneyland Paris is jeopardized. Social media outcry highlights inadequate communication from operators. Shuttle services are implemented, but uncertainties persist. Eurostar apologizes, citing ongoing efforts to address the situation as passengers navigate delays and seek compensation.

In a groundbreaking move, California launches a comprehensive healthcare plan, offering free coverage to over 700,000 undocumented immigrants starting Monday, a significant stride towards universal healthcare. However, the ambitious initiative is shadowed by concerns over the state's massive $68 billion budget deficit. Governor Gavin Newsom's 2022 commitment faces scrutiny as the program unfolds, emphasizing economic challenges. Advocates argue the expansion will bridge healthcare gaps, ultimately saving costs. With the potential to reshape healthcare access, California's Monday initiative sparks debates on financial feasibility and its impact on an already strained system. The move positions California as a pioneer in expansive healthcare reform, echoing broader discussions on nationwide healthcare changes.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern over the escalating threat of infectious diseases in the Gaza Strip. With over 21,000 casualties since the onset of the conflict, displaced families face multiple relocations, leading to overcrowded health facilities. Tedros highlighted the risk of diseases amidst such conditions, citing cases of respiratory infections, diarrhoea, lice, scabies, chickenpox, and skin rashes. WHO and partners are actively supporting health authorities to enhance disease surveillance, provide medicines and testing kits, and improve access to essential services. The situation remains critical as the conflict persists.

Israeli forces intensify their campaign in Gaza, striking Khan Younis with tank fire and aerial bombings. Preparing for a further advance into the main southern city, they target key locations. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant notes progress in reaching Hamas command centers. The military destroys a tunnel complex in the house of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The ongoing conflict, triggered by Hamas militants' actions 12 weeks ago, has devastated much of the Gaza Strip, with a toll of nearly 200 in the last 24 hours. Concerns rise over the densely populated area's humanitarian impact and international calls for de-escalation persist.