Four things to know as Taiwan goes to the polls

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 […]

January 12, 2024 5

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 […]

January 12, 2024 17

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.

January 12, 2024 12

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 […]

January 12, 2024 6

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 […]

January 12, 2024 16

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.

January 12, 2024 44

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 […]

January 12, 2024 3

World

Sunak to visit Kyiv Friday to set out new ‘support package’

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will visit Kyiv on Friday to launch "a major new package of support" for Ukraine and increase military funding for this financial year to £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion), his office said. The figure is an increase of 200 million pounds over the last two years and will ensure the "largest ever commitment of drones," a statement said, adding that he was also due to […]

January 12, 2024 4

World

US and Western allies launch attacks in Yemen

The United States, alongside coalition forces including the UK, have launched air strikes against Houthi-rebel targets in Yemen, marking a major development in a region engulfed by tensions since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. US President Joe Biden says the action was taken because the Iran-backed militants were "endangering freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways" — a reference to continued Houthi attacks in past […]

January 12, 2024 9