A Pentagon draft signals China's rapid nuclear expansion, with its arsenal potentially exceeding 1,000 by 2030, amid stalled arms-control talks. This growth, combined with strategic missile deployments and an anti-corruption purge affecting military readiness, raises U.S. security concerns, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

The UK government has increased the inheritance tax threshold for farming families from £1 million to £2.5 million, effective April next year, reducing affected estates significantly. This decision, aimed at protecting rural communities, follows intense lobbying and protests, highlighting the political sway of farming advocates and ongoing debate over the government's rural policies.

Japan is set to launch a pioneering deep-sea mining trial for rare-earth-rich mud near Minamitori Island, starting January 11, to enhance its resource security. This move comes as China enforces export controls, raising global interest and concern over environmental impacts and regulatory challenges.

The Louvre is bolstering security after a $102 million jewel heist, installing window bars and planning new surveillance measures. This follows the arrest of four suspects, though the stolen jewels remain missing.

Europe's security strategy emphasizes strong support for Ukraine and increased defense budgets to deter Russian aggression, with a focus on timelines between 2027-2031. NATO leaders, at the Den Haag summit, stress that Ukraine's defense is crucial for regional stability, urging robust US and EU cooperation to prevent a future Kremlin threat.

Portugal has relaunched its Green Mobility program with a €17.6 million budget to promote zero-emission vehicle purchases from January 2025. This initiative aims to cut transport emissions and supports new vehicle buys, offering subsidies and charger installation grants.

Missouri faces a critical legal battle over its new congressional map, as the ACLU challenges the timing of referendum petitions that could delay its certification. The case is part of a broader national effort by Republicans to leverage mid-decade redistricting to shift political power ahead of the 2026 elections.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority unveils a new data lab to enhance transport monitoring and decision-making, aiming to solidify its smart city status. The lab integrates over 150 performance indicators from 35 data sources, leveraging AI to improve traffic flow, safety, and resource allocation across multiple transit modes.

China's Phase II Beijing Humanoid Robot Data Training Center in Shijingshan is operational, training robots for industries, homes, and public spaces with a high success rate. The facility, the largest of its kind in China, uses a scenario-based approach to generate quality data for large-model development, addressing a key robotics industry challenge.

IIT Delhi and international partners have introduced AILA, an AI capable of autonomously conducting lab experiments, marking a shift to AI-driven science. Published in Nature Communications, AILA aims to democratize advanced research, despite challenges in real-world adaptability.