UK PM Rishi Sunak announces the delay of the planned rule, requiring individuals to earn £38,700 before bringing family to the UK. The increase, initially set for spring, will now occur in two stages, with £29,000 next spring and £38,700 in 2025. Sunak defends the delay, stressing the importance of financially supporting dependents, stating, "The principle here is absolutely right that if people are bringing dependants into this country, they must be able to support them." The government aims to reduce migration levels, addressing concerns about the initial increase disrupting households and allowing time for applicants to meet the new threshold.

In a new documentary, King Charles humorously references his swollen "sausage fingers." Medical experts, including GP Chun Tang, attribute the condition, known as dactylitis, to water retention linked to various health issues. The monarch's lighthearted approach to his hands' condition is evident, as seen in a letter after Prince William's birth. Queen Elizabeth also acknowledged Charles' hands in a letter, noting their size but with fine long fingers. The medical community highlights possible causes like arthritis, infections, or autoimmune diseases contributing to the pronounced swelling affecting fingers and toes.

Tory MPs, including former minister Jonathan Gullis, express disappointment as UK PM Rishi Sunak backtracks on visa rules. The Home Office decision to stagger the introduction of the spousal visa salary threshold, from £18,600 to £29,000, diverging from the initially proposed £38,700, raises concerns. The government pledged to reduce net migration, but MPs fear these adjustments may undermine that goal. With the official forecast exceeding 400,000 by the next election, critics stress the need for decisive action. The delay in implementing changes could impact efforts to demonstrate a commitment to immigration reduction before the anticipated autumn or winter election.

Amid escalating Houthi assaults on commercial ships in the Red Sea, the Royal Navy and Portuguese helicopters executed a successful joint operation to reclaim a seized vessel. In a three-week training initiative near Lisbon, Merlin helicopters deployed troops to rescue hostages and regain control. The collaboration enhances NATO allies' capabilities for vital maritime interdiction operations. This comes as Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have targeted over 100 attacks on 12 vessels. In response, a multinational force led by the US aims to secure the vital trade route, prompting shipping companies, including Maersk, to divert from the Suez Canal.

At least 14 people were killed, and 25 others sustained injuries in a mass shooting at the Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, on Thursday. The shooter, David Kozak, 24, lived in a village almost 20 km outside Prague and was getting his Masters Degree in Polish History at Charles University. He was an "excellent student", Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said. He legally owned several guns and was heavily armed during the incident. The Police Chief said what he did was a "well thought out and horrible act." Kozak is suspected to have also killed his father in the nearby town, Houston, before going on a killing spree in Prague. He talked about planning a school shooting on the messaging app Telegram, treating his channel like a "diary" of his life before the shooting. "I want to do school shooting and possibly suicide," he wrote in a post, as per The Telegraph, adding, "I always wanted to kill. I thought I would become a maniac in the future."

In the first week of the Gaza counter-offensive, Israel allegedly utilized its most destructive MK-84 bombs, weighing 2,000 pounds, according to US media reports. An investigation by The New York Times, utilizing AI to analyze satellite imagery, identified 208 bomb craters in south Gaza, suggesting usage in areas supposedly deemed "safe" for civilians and evacuation routes. The report, citing munitions experts, indicates the MK-84 bombs were used over 200 times, raising concerns about civilian safety even for those complying with evacuation orders. CNN corroborated these findings, comparing the bombing intensity to levels "not seen since Vietnam." CNN and Synthetaic's analysis suggests Israel dropped over 500 massive bombs, with impact craters consistent with 2,000-pound bombs. These bombs, four times heavier than the largest US bombs used in Iraq against ISIS, are blamed by experts for the high death toll in densely populated Gaza.

London Tube workers, represented by the RMT union, will stage strikes between 5 and 12 January due to a disagreement over a 5% pay offer. Employees from various sections of the Underground will walk out on different days during the first two weeks of 2024. The dispute arises as Transport for London insists the pay rise is "the most we can afford." RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch urges TfL to improve their offer, emphasizing the contribution of Tube workers to the London economy and expressing discontent with what he deems "modest below-inflation offers."

Satellite images, initially reported by The New York Times and subsequently obtained by NDTV, indicate potential reactivation of China's Lop Nur nuclear test facility in Xinjiang. The images raise concerns about China conducting full-fledged nuclear tests or subcritical experiments simulating nuclear explosions. Dr. Renny Babiarz, an international geospatial intelligence expert, analyzed the evidence, suggesting China's interest in testing new nuclear warhead designs on advanced missiles. The timing coincides with sensitive US-China relations, adding geopolitical significance to the developments at the historically significant Lop Nur facility.

Moscow has warned it is prepared to cut diplomatic ties with Washington if the US confiscates frozen Russian assets, Sky News reported on Friday. Kremlin's stern response comes in response to discussions in the West proposing the allocation of $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. Russia vowed not to peacefully coexist with any country seizing its assets, warning of potential retaliatory actions against Western assets. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that such a move would significantly impact the international financial system. The Kremlin, on Friday, also accused the Wall Street Journal of publishing "pulp fiction" after it reported that the death of Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash had been orchestrated by Russian security official Nikolai Patrushev. The paper reported that the mercenary group leader's private plane was downed by a small bomb placed under a wing. 

Human Rights Watch alleges Meta's "systemic and global" censorship of pro-Palestinian content since October amid the Israel-Gaza war. The 51-page report outlines six censorship patterns, including post removals and shadow banning. Meta responds, acknowledging errors but denying deliberate suppression. This follows Senator of Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren's inquiry into similar claims. Meta's oversight board recently criticized content removals, reinstating two videos. Users report bias favoring pro-Israel content. Instagram's translation inaccuracies and WhatsApp's AI generating armed Palestinian children images are highlighted. Meta asserts its unique transparency on Israel-Palestine issues, amid rising concerns over online censorship.