insert_link South Africa Israel hits back at ‘distorted’ genocide case Israel said Friday it was not seeking to destroy the Palestinian people, as it hit back at what it called a "profoundly distorted" and "malevolent" genocide case against it at the UN's top court. South Africa has launched an emergency case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) arguing that Israel stands in breach of the UN Genocide Convention, signed in 1948 in the wake of the Holocaust. Pretoria wants […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 6
insert_link Opinion Pieces US election: third party candidates can tip the balance in a tight race – here’s why Robert F Kennedy Jr matters By Thomas Gift, UCL US politics will start with a bang in January 2024. The long-awaited Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries promise to provide early clarity on a likely Donald Trump v Joe Biden rematch for the presidential election this year. But beneath the hoopla of the first-tier White House candidacies will be another race – the sprint to get on the ballot for those not running as Republicans […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 10
insert_link World Four things to know as Taiwan goes to the polls Taiwan votes for a new president, and parliament, on Saturday in an election that will be closely watched around the world. The winner will lead the democracy of 23 million people as it manages bellicose threats from China, which claims the island as its own. Here are some key facts about self-ruled Taiwan, which has its own currency, flag, military and government but is not recognised as an independent state […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 4
insert_link World China’s Xi says wants closer EU ties in meeting with Belgium PM China is willing to strengthen relations with Europe, President Xi Jinping said on Friday, at a meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo in Beijing. De Croo arrived in China on Thursday, attending the inauguration of the new Belgian embassy in Beijing and meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the same day. "China is willing to work with the European Union to promote steady progress in China-EU […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 11
insert_link World Netflix pulls Tamil film over backlash in India Netflix has pulled a Tamil film from its platform after receiving complaints from right-wing Hindu activists over allegedly 'hurting religious sentiments'. The OTT giant faced backlash on social media as the film reportedly depicts the daughter of a Hindu priest eating meat. Priyata Brajabasi has more. todayJanuary 12, 2024 8
insert_link World US, UK strikes pound Yemen rebels, adding to fears of wider war US and British forces struck rebel-held Yemen early on Friday after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Iran-backed Huthis who say they act in solidarity with Gaza. The pre-dawn air strikes add to escalating fears of wider conflict in the region, where violence involving Tehran-aligned groups in Yemen as well as Lebanon, Iraq and Syria has surged since the Israel-Hamas was began in early October. Iran […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 4
insert_link Business / Economics IMF on G7 and the US debt ceiling https://youtu.be/WOlz3Uh8HCo The IMF warned of negative consequences to the global economy if US leadership is unable to resolve its political impasse over negotiations to extend the debt ceiling, spokesperson Julie Kozack told reporters Thursday in Washington, DC. “We encourage all of the interested parties to come together, reach consensus to urgently resolve the matter. And of course, the reason that we're calling for this is because we are concerned about […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 13
insert_link World Russian group to be first North Korean tourists since before pandemic Reports suggest that a group of Russians will soon become the first tourists to visit North Korea since before the covid pandemic started. North Korea had some of the strictest border controls to stop the spread of coronavirus, and is still not fully open to foreigners. Andrew Wood has more. todayJanuary 12, 2024 31
insert_link Business / Economics UK economy rebounds in November: official data Britain's recession-threatened economy rebounded in November from the previous month, official data showed on Friday. Gross domestic product expanded 0.3 percent in November after contracting by 0.3 percent in October, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement. "GDP bounced back..., led by services with retail, car leasing and computer games companies all having a buoyant month," noted ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner. "The longer-term picture remains one […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 3
