President Joe Biden plans a meeting with families of Americans held by Hamas as Israel resumes its Gaza military campaign. Despite over 100 hostages released in a recent truce, eight Americans remain unaccounted for since the October attack. Biden, actively engaged, collaborates with Israeli leaders for their release. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan addresses the hostage issue during his Israel trip. Notably, two hostages were released in October, and additional releases occurred during a Gaza war truce. Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners under the agreement with Hamas. Gaza casualties surpass 18,000 amid escalating tensions.

Israel's Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, asserts, "Israel will continue the war against Hamas with or without international support." Despite a UN call for a humanitarian ceasefire and President Biden's warning to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Cohen argues that a ceasefire now would empower Hamas. The conflict has devastated northern Gaza, claiming over 18,000 Palestinian lives and displacing 80% of the population. President Biden expresses concerns about eroding global support, urging restraint. Cohen also calls on the international community to safeguard shipping lanes, while Houthi rebels in Yemen consider Israeli-linked shipments in the Red Sea as legitimate targets.

Nine Israeli soldiers, including the esteemed Col. Itzhak Ben Basat and Lt. Col. Tomer Grinberg, were killed in a meticulously planned Hamas ambush in Gaza City. The incident occurred as IDF troops, engaged in searching Shejaiya, were attacked with gunfire and explosives. A subsequent rescue mission led to a protracted three-hour battle. While air support managed to save many, the loss of these officers, particularly Col. Ben Basat, marks a significant blow. The conflict's toll rises to 115 Israeli soldiers, with Israel reaffirming its commitment to pursue the war independently of US support. Meanwhile, separate incidents, including a Red Sea tanker targeted by speedboat gunfire and a looming public health disaster in Gaza, add to the complexities of the situation.

Brace for impact as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) considers a staggering 2000% hike in H-1B visa fees starting January 2024. The proposed increase, outlined in a 469-page document since January 2023, targets various immigration processes. If approved, the electronic registration fee for sponsoring employers could soar from $10 to $215, a 2050% jump. USCIS cites the necessity of recovering agency costs and addressing pandemic-induced processing backlogs. With nearly 96% of funding reliant on filing fees, the proposed rule aims to bridge the financial gap, generating an additional $1.9 billion annually compared to the current baseline.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper slammed into northeast Australia Wednesday with destructive 70mph winds, leaving coastal communities without power and facing "life-threatening" floods. The Category 2 storm made landfall near the Aboriginal settlement of Wujal, whipping dangerous gusts and torrential rain that could cause flash flooding for days. The popular tourist hubs of Cairns and Port Douglas are also imperiled. Around 15,000 homes lost electricity as Jasper neared, with damage expected to infrastructure unable to withstand the cyclone's onslaught. Residents were urged to brace property for the extreme conditions that already forced the risky evacuation of storm forecasters stationed offshore last week as Jasper intensified over the Coral Sea.

American comedian Tou Ger Xiong was stabbed to death in Colombia after being kidnapped when he went to meet a woman he connected with online. The 50-year-old Minnesota resident was vacationing in Medellin when a group of men abducted him on December 10th and demanded a $2,000 ransom from his family. After receiving no payment, Xiong's body was found the next day dumped in a ravine showing stab wounds and blunt trauma, indicating a possible botched escape attempt. Police discovered a mystery woman removing items from his apartment and now seek to identify if she was involved. The brutal murder has shocked Xiong's family and Minnesota elected officials as authorities pursue leads.

Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, opposed the UN General Assembly's resolution for an immediate Gaza ceasefire, asserting it requires Hamas to surrender weapons and release hostages. Erdan displayed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's office phone number, urging assembly members to call for a lasting ceasefire. Expressing disbelief in supporting a resolution without condemning Hamas, he emphasized Israel's commitment to self-defense. The resolution passed with 153 in favor, 10 against (including the US and Israel), and 23 abstentions. Erdan's direct appeal aimed to highlight conditions for what he deemed a "real ceasefire."

The Israeli military has reportedly commenced the pumping of seawater into Hamas' tunnel complex in Gaza, aiming to destroy tunnels where hostages, fighters, and munitions are believed to be concealed. U.S. officials suggest the process may take weeks. While some in the Biden administration see it as a strategy to neutralize threats, concerns are raised about potential risks to Gaza's fresh water supply. Israel's military is yet to comment on the matter, and the Israeli defense ministry spokesperson has not responded to requests for comment. The unconventional move underscores efforts to address security challenges in the region.

British PM Rishi Sunak survived a crucial parliamentary vote on the controversial Rwanda asylum bill as no MPs from his Conservative party voted against it, although several abstained. Sunak had hosted rebels within his party threatening to defeat the bill, which aims to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda. More right-wing Tories felt it wasn't tough enough on immigration while centrists cited human rights concerns. With the opposition voting against, Tory rebels abstaining or voting no could have inflicted an embarrassing loss. Sunak's last-minute charm offensive proved enough as the bill passed, despite over 40 Conservatives still unhappy. Avoiding a historic early defeat on his key immigration legislation will come as a relief for Sunak amid Tory infighting over the issue.

India voted in favor of a UN General Assembly resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire and hostage release amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The draft resolution was backed by Arab countries but didn't mention Hamas. India supported a US-proposed amendment unequivocally condemning Hamas' terrorist attacks in Israel. Earlier, India had abstained on a similar resolution at the UN in October, although calling for humanitarian access to Gaza. The UNGA vote comes after the US vetoed a ceasefire resolution at the Security Council despite widespread support. Over 1,200 Israelis and 18,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed since Hamas launched a major offensive against Israel in October. India's vote signals a subtle shift in its public positioning on the crisis.