Britain's High Court has ruled in favor of Prince Harry, awarding him £140,600 in damages in a case against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) for phone hacking. Presiding judge Justice Timothy Fancourt described the sum as "modest," considering MGN's limited role in the Duke's suffering. "I consider that his phone was only hacked to a modest extent and that this was probably carefully controlled by certain people at each newspaper," Fancourt said. The court also stated, "A good deal of the oppressive behavior of the Press towards the Duke over the years was not unlawful at all." Of the 33 articles scrutinized during the hearing, only 15 were found to be the result of phone hacking or illegal information gathering, emphasizing that not all content resulted from voicemail interception. 

In a statement on Friday, the Kremlin voiced skepticism about Ukraine's and Moldova's EU accession prospects, dismissing the move as politically motivated and "potentially destabilizing" for the bloc. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, as reported by Reuters, asserted that "negotiations to join the EU can last for years or decades," as neither Ukraine nor Moldova currently meets the EU's stringent criteria. Simultaneously, Peskov expressed Russia's unease over Finland's imminent defense pact with the US, warning that Nato infrastructure near its borders "will pose an obvious threat to us". The Kremlin's stance on both fronts underscores apprehensions about the EU's decisions and the impact of evolving geopolitical alignments, urging careful consideration to maintain regional stability.

On Hamas' 36th founding day, Israel substituted rockets for candles, expressing a wish for the Palestinian group's demise. Israeli spokesperson, in a post on X, stated, "Hamas was founded 36 years ago. May this birthday be its last." The ongoing land, sea, and air offensive against Hamas has lasted three months, resulting in over 18,500 deaths in Gaza. Amid global pressure, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan urged Israel to scale down, emphasizing the need to save civilian lives. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant asserted, "It will last more than several months, but we will win and we will destroy them." Israel's leaders vow to continue "until victory" and "with or without international support."

China has sought clearance from Sri Lanka and Maldives for another research vessel, the Xiang Yang Hong 03, to explore the South Indian Ocean from January till late May 2024 after Shi Yan 6 completed its controversial surveying. While India objected earlier over security concerns of enabling Chinese mapping of the seabed for military operations, the 4813-ton ship plans to dock at Colombo and Male during deep water probing. As Beijing rapidly expands its naval footprint ringing India via bases abroad, New Delhi worries about past missions scanning terrain south of the Andamans towards Africa. Despite PM Modi's protests last year, Ranil's government had greenlit Shi Yan 6 which also patrolled near Chennai. Now with intelligence inputs on the next ship's sensitive agenda, India aims to convince the island nations to deny access to safeguard strategic interests.

In a high-stakes meeting between US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Israeli leaders, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant asserted that the ongoing conflict with Hamas is expected to endure "more than several months." Despite mounting international pressure, including a recent UN General Assembly resolution for a ceasefire, Israel remains resolute in its mission to dismantle Hamas. The war, now entering its third month, has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with Gaza's infrastructure in ruins. As diplomatic tensions rise, the world watches closely, grappling with the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.          

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed willingness to modify his contentious plan to deport migrants to Rwanda, responding to a recent Supreme Court ruling declaring it illegal under international law. The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, a response to the court decision, faced internal Conservative party divisions. Sunak, facing opposition from both right-wing and moderate factions, secured a narrow parliamentary vote. While asserting confidence in the legislation, he acknowledged openness to improvements that align with legal arguments and maintain Rwandan participation, amid concerns about its impact on UK and international law.

A bull's impromptu jaunt along the tracks at Newark Penn Station in New Jersey led to momentary chaos, causing delays of up to 45 minutes for trains bound for New York City. Commuters were taken aback as the bull casually trotted down the railway, prompting police intervention. One of the commuter Jason Monticelli shared, "It was just kinda trotting down the track. We were just trying to figure out where it came from." The situation was swiftly resolved by noon when authorities successfully took the bull into custody, restoring order to the morning commute.

Pope Francis, in a message ahead of the Catholic Church's World Day of Peace, called for world leaders to adopt a binding international treaty regulating the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI). Expressing concerns about the risks AI poses to humanity, he emphasized the need to prevent harm and ensure responsible practices. The 86-year-old pontiff warned against the potential dangers of AI, such as disinformation and blurred responsibility in decision-making. His call aligns with growing global efforts to legislate AI, with the European Union and China already taking steps, and US President Joe Biden issuing AI safety standards.

In a party-line vote of 221-212, the Republican-led House of Representatives initiates a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, focusing on allegations related to his son Hunter Biden's international business dealings. President Biden condemns the move, calling it a "baseless political stunt" aimed at distracting from pressing issues. The vote ensures a platform for Republicans to target Biden in the lead-up to the 2024 reelection campaign. Despite lacking evidence of corruption by the president, Republicans argue the inquiry's importance and legal standing. Democrats criticize the probe as politically motivated, emphasizing the absence of wrongdoing by Biden.

President Biden's National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, lands in Israel amidst heightened tensions over civilian casualties in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Greeted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, talks are anticipated to focus on Israel's military offensive in Gaza. The visit comes after the U.S. vetoed a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire. Sullivan is set to discuss a potential timetable to end the war and advocate for a shift in the intensity of operations. With Gaza's health ministry reporting significant casualties, the conflict, ongoing for over two months, remains a focal point of international concern.