insert_link Opinion Pieces Houthi militant attacks in the Red Sea raise fears of Somali piracy resurgence By Samuel Oyewole, Federal University, Oye Ekiti Renewed attacks on ships by suspected Somali pirates since November 2023 have fuelled fear of a new threat of piracy off the east coast of Africa. The area at risk stretches from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. At least four ships have been hijacked off the Somalia coast since November 2023. Concern has risen […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 5
insert_link World U.S. interest rates holding steady as central bank waits for consistent inflation The U.S. Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged in their meetings this week– although the committee is hinting that they are likely to cut rates overall this year by 0.75%. Caroline Malone reports. todayFebruary 1, 2024 9
insert_link World Guyana, Leading the UN Security Council, Is Not Giving Up on a Ceasefire in Gaza Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, permanent representative of Guyana, photographed at the country’s mission to the UN, Jan 22, 2023. “We would very much like to see a ceasefire for the people to receive the necessary humanitarian aid,” she said about Gaza in an interview. “We are not at that point yet, and that is really regrettable.” JOHN PENNEY/PASSBLUE By Damilola Banjo via PassBlue The United Nations Security Council’s continuing failure to agree […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 5
insert_link World More than 40-thousand without water a month on from Noto quake Tens of thousands of people remain without steady access to water a month on from the deadly earthquake in Japan’s Noto Peninsula. The tremor destroyed 44-thousand homes and killed more than 230 people. About 14-thousand remain evacuees as the region struggles to rebuild reliable access to essentials. Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo. todayFebruary 1, 2024 10
insert_link World Algeria plans to table fresh ceasefire resolution at the Security Council There's increasing calls for an urgent and immediate ceasefire in Gaza in the United Nations Security Council. The council convened a meeting on Wednesday at the request of Algeria to discuss the provisional measures announced by the International Court of Justice last week. It now plans to table a fresh ceasefire resolution in the coming days. Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York. todayFebruary 1, 2024 14
insert_link World Hamas vows retaliation following Israeli military operation Hamas is vowing to respond, after the Israeli military assassinated three Palestinian men in the West Bank early Tuesday morning, accusing them of plotting an imminent terror attack. Security footage is being shared online, appearing to show an undercover special forces team entering a hospital before killing the trio. todayFebruary 1, 2024 43
insert_link Business / Economics UK unveils post-Brexit deal with Northern Ireland The UK government is expected to publish details of a post-Brexit deal later designed to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland. The new agreement is expected to remove checks on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Former Brexit negotiator Rory O'Donnell says he expects the European Union also to accept the agreement. todayFebruary 1, 2024 45
insert_link World Former Pakistan PM and his wife jailed 14 years for corruption Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been sentenced to 14 years in prison, a day after the former Pakistan prime minister was jailed for 10 years. According to the BBC, on Tuesday he was seeing state secrets, and on Wednesday given 14 years in another corruption case. Khan has said the numerous cases against him are politically motivated. todayFebruary 1, 2024 4
insert_link Business / Economics IMF forecasts Asia-led global economic soft landing in 2024 The International Monetary Fund is forecasting growth in Asia will help guide the global economy to a ‘soft landing’ in 2024. The IMF on Wednesday released its regional outlook for the Asia-Pacific which expects China and India to drive growth in the region. todayFebruary 1, 2024 14