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.

deadly aerial assault on Kyiv, Ukraine retaliates with a significant drone offensive on Russia's border regions. The 18-hour onslaught by Moscow resulted in at least 30 civilians killed, 144 injured, and widespread destruction, including a maternity hospital and schools. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned Russia's attack, and the UK swiftly announced sending defense missiles to Kyiv. The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting to address the escalating situation. As tensions rise, Ukraine's President Zelensky urges global leaders to react, while the world watches the ongoing crisis with increasing concern.

Early Saturday, the Israeli army launched strikes in Syria after two rockets from Syria landed in northern Israel. Confirming the incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated they are targeting the sources of the rocket fire. The exact impact locations remain undisclosed. Israel considers the Golan Heights, annexed from Syria, as part of its northern region. While Israel rarely comments on specific strikes, it consistently opposes Iran's presence in Syria. Tensions persist with frequent exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah along the Lebanon-Israel border, resulting in casualties on both sides. Israel warns of escalated military action if Hezbollah does not withdraw.

In a shocking escalation, Russia has launched its largest air attack on Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale invasion, according to Ukrainian military sources. The onslaught, utilizing 158 drones and missiles, included hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, cruise missiles, and Shahed drones, resulting in at least 12 deaths and numerous injuries. The strikes occurred nationwide, hitting key cities such as Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Lviv, marking a substantial intensification of the conflict. Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat described the situation as unprecedented, emphasizing the widespread nature of the attacks across various regions and directions. “It’s been a long time since we have seen so many enemy targets on our monitors in all regions and all directions,” he said.

An Israeli military investigation concluded that Israeli soldiers mistakenly killed three hostages during an offensive in Gaza in December 2022. The soldiers had raided a building days earlier but ignored cries for "help" from the hostages inside, believing it to be a deception by Hamas. After exiting and killing five escaping Hamas members on December 10, the hostages likely fled. On December 15th, soldiers shot dead two instantly and wounded a third, who cried "they're shooting at me" before commanders asked him to approach and he was killed. The findings reveal Israeli forces failed to properly identify the hostages when storming the building, leading to their deaths by friendly fire.

The U.S. military shot down a drone and anti-ship missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels toward a U.S. Navy warship in the Red Sea. According to the U.S. Central Command, the USS Mason destroyer intercepted the weapons in the Southern Red Sea. The Houthis have targeted vessels in the vital shipping lane in recent weeks in what they claim is support of Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. The failed strike was the 22nd attack by the rebels on international shipping since mid-October. As the U.S. bolsters naval defenses in the area, the Treasury also announced new sanctions against those financing Houthi operations. The rebels say their aim is to pressure Israel over civilian deaths in Gaza. (Image Source: NDTV)

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has ruled that Donald Trump cannot appear on the state's 2024 presidential ballot, citing his role in inciting the January 6th attack on the Capitol as disqualifying him under the Constitution's insurrection clause. Trump's campaign objected to the decision and vowed legal action, while Bellows stated Trump "engaged in insurrection." As a swing state, losing ballot access in Maine holds significance for Trump's viability as the frontrunner, and increases pressure on the Supreme Court to weigh in as his eligibility faces challenges in multiple states.