Biden meeting congressional leaders to try and agree on Ukraine, Israel and border

Biden meeting congressional leaders to try and agree on Ukraine, Israel and border

U.S. President Joe Biden is meeting with members of Congress at the White House on Wednesday to try and come to a resolution on major security spending that includes aid for Ukraine and Israel. Republican representatives want more border security before agreeing to his requests. Caroline Malone reports.

January 18, 2024 3

World

WHO says situation in Gaza is “catastrophic”

The World Health Organisation says the health system in Gaza is on the brink of collapse. A WHO health emergency officer described the dire nature of the health system saying the organisation needs more aid and medical supplies desperately to assist with the unfolding "catastrophe". Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York.

January 18, 2024 4

World

Another relocated Cheetah dies in India

India's cheetah reintroduction project has suffered another blow – the death of a 10th cheetah in less than a year. The cheetah, which was brought from Namibia in September 2022, has died at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. With the death of Shaurya, seven adult cheetahs and three cubs born in India have died since March 2023. In a statement, the director of the project overseeing the cheetah […]

January 17, 2024 37

World

Senate votes against call for human rights report on Israel-Gaza conflict

The US Senate has rejected a resolution that would have required the State Department to report on human rights violations that possibly occurred, using American equipment in Israel’s war in Gaza. The resolution, which was rejected by 72 votes to eleven, was led by progressive independent Bernie Sanders who said that it was to limit the war’s devastation.

January 17, 2024 25

World

VFS Global wins contract for UK visa services

VFS Global has secured the global contract for overseas UK visa and citizenship services. The company, recognised as a leading provider of visa, passport, and citizen services, has been appointed as the UK Government's visa agent in 142 countries, including Namibia. The UK Government implemented a visa requirement for all Namibian nationals traveling to the United Kingdom, effective from July 2023.

January 17, 2024 59

Environment

Elton John achieves EGOT status with Emmy win

Music icon Elton John has become the 19th person to become an EGOT, winning all four major entertainment awards: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. He secured EGOT status when his Disney Plus special, Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium, took home the award for outstanding variety special at the 75th Emmy Awards. The Smithsonian Magazine reports that he now has two Oscars, five Grammys, one […]

January 17, 2024 16

World

China’s population shrinks for a second year in a row

China's population fell in 2023 for the second year in a row – down by two million, as births and deaths continue to drop. The overall population fell in 2023 to 1.409 billion, down 2.08 million people from the previous year. Although the economy grew last year slightly faster than the government's target. Here's Andrew Wood in Hong Kong.

January 17, 2024 11

Health / Medical

WHO calls for urgent regulation of e-cigarettes

The World Health Organisation has issued a call against the alarming rise in e-cigarette use, especially in young children and teenagers. The WHO warns against the tobacco industry’s interest in promoting e-cigarettes as harm-reduction tools while profiting from the sale of both traditional and electronic cigarettes.

January 17, 2024 17

World

US condemns Iran strikes in Iraq

The United States has condemned Iran for missile strikes in northern Iraq, calling them "reckless and imprecise." Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Monday struck what they claimed were Israeli "spy headquarters" in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region. Four civilians were killed. Benji Hyer reports.

January 17, 2024 14