Top 10 world news: Israel used 2,000-pound bombs to kill Gazans, Macron to be chief guest at India's R-Day

American media reports have claimed that the Israeli military used its most destructive MK-84 bombs in the first week of counter-offensive military operations in the Gaza Strip after Hamas launched an attack on Oct 7. A report by The New York Times (NYT) on Friday (Dec 22) said that Israel used these bombs on areas it called "safe" for civilians.

Gadi Haggai, a 73-year-old US-Israel dual national whom the Hamas terrorists had taken hostage by Hamas militants has died in captivity. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said Haggai's wife was still held by Hamas, adding she was injured

In other news from around the world, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Friday that he would be the chief guest for the 2024 Indian Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

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Israel used 2,000-pound bombs to kill civilians in Gaza: Reports

Israel used its most destructive MK-84 bombs in the first week of counter-offensive military operations in Gaza, following the events of October 7, US media reports have claimed.

Macron thanks 'dear friend' Modi for Republic Day invite, says will 'celebrate with you'

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday (Dec 22) confirmed that he would be the chief guest for the 2024 Indian Republic Day parade in New Delhi. In a post on X, President Macron said, "Thank you for your invitation, my dear friend Narendra Modi. India, on your Republic Day, I’ll be here to celebrate with you!"

US-Israeli citizen Gadi Haggai taken hostage by Hamas, dies in captivity

Gadi Haggai, a 73-year-old US-Israel dual national whom the Hamas terrorists had taken hostage after the events of October 7 has died in captivity, a group representing hostages’ families said on Friday (Dec 22). Haggai was among the 240 people abducted by Hamas from southern Israel and used as a bargaining chip in the ongoing truce deal negotiations.

Mainland China resumes fish imports from Taiwan weeks before polls

Just weeks before the Taiwanese elections, Beijing announced that it will permit imports of high-value fish from the island, a problem which was raised specifically by the main opposition party Kuomintang on his visit to mainland China earlier this year.

Second North Korean nuclear reactor appears to be operating, says IAEA

A North Korean nuclear reactor at the country's Yongbyon complex appears to be operating for the very first time, said the UN nuclear watchdog and independent experts on Thursday (Dec 21).This indicates an additional potential source of plutonium for nuclear weapons.

Hong Kong court refuses to drop sedition charges against pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai

A court in Hong Kong rejected a request to lift sedition charges levelled against pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai on Friday (Dec 22). During the hearing, Lai' lawyer Robert Pang argued that the charges should be dropped as the prosecution did not lay themwithin six months of the alleged crime.

Kerala: More than 200 fresh Covid cases, a death recorded in last 24 hours

Kerala, the southern Indian state, has reported 265 new Covidcases a one death in the last 24 hours, says the data from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This has brought the total active cases of Covid-19 to 2997. The country recorded 594 fresh COVID-19 cases.

US President Biden pardons thousands convicted of using or possessing marijuana

United States President Joe Biden has pardoned thousands of American citizens convicted of using or possessing marijuana on certain federal lands. According to a report by the news agency Bloomberg on Friday (Dec 22), President Biden commuted the sentences of nearly a dozen non-violent drug offenders.

Rebel Moon review: Stunning visuals can't save Zack Snyder's vacuous odyssey

Zack Snyder, the mastermind behind visually stunning yet narratively vacuous epics, has graced us once more withRebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire. Snyder, working with fellow screenwriters Kurt Johnstad and Shay Hatten, unleashes a torrent of clichés and derivative tropes from the opening moments.

Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia to return Padma Shri in protest of WFI election results

Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia is set to return his Padma Shri award after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections on Thursday (Dec 21). The decision was announced by the Indian grappler on Friday, a day after the elections to protest against new President Sanjay Singh.