World

UN court hears genocide case against Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country is fighting Hamas terrorists, not the Palestinian population, and they are doing so in full compliance with international law. His comments come as the International Court of Justice is hearing South Africa’s case accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The case is currently being heard by the UN’s International Court of Justice which is based in the Hague in […]

11 January, 2024

World

United Kingdom and Rwanda asylum Bill sparks political tensions

As UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces scrutiny and Tory revolt over the Rwanda asylum seekers Bill, Sir Keir Starmer says Sunak was originally against the Rwanda plan.

11 January, 2024

South Africa

Israel accused at UN court of Gaza ‘genocide’

South Africa on Thursday accused Israel of breaching the UN Genocide Convention, arguing that even the deadly October 7 Hamas attack could not justify such alleged actions, as it launched a landmark case at the top UN court. Pretoria has lodged an urgent appeal at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to force Israel to "immediately suspend" its military operations in Gaza. Israel has dismissed the case as "atrocious" and […]

11 January, 2024

World

Russia detains far-left leader for ‘justifying’ terror

Russian police on Thursday detained the leader of a far-left opposition group and a vocal opponent of the Kremlin's domestic policies for allegedly "justifying terrorism," his lawyer said. Sergei Udaltsov, 46, supports Moscow's offensive in Ukraine but the leader of the "Left Front" group has been a prominent government critic and has been jailed for organising rallies against Russian President Vladimir Putin. His home was raided earlier Thursday and he […]

11 January, 2024

World

UK maternal deaths reaches highest level in 20 years: study

The number of women in Britain dying during pregnancy or soon afterwards has reached its highest level in almost two decades, a new study reported Thursday. The figures from MBRRACE-UK, which monitors maternal deaths, stillbirths and infant deaths, and their causes, showed black women and those from deprived areas remained the most severely impacted. MPs reported last year that although the UK has one of the lowest maternal mortality ratios […]

11 January, 2024

World

U.S. President’s son appears unexpectedly at Congress hearing on him not showing for private testimony

Hunter Biden surprised members of Congress on Wednesday, appearing at a meeting calling for him to be held in contempt for not testifying at an impeachment inquiry. The President's son had agreed to appear publicly but not behind closed doors. Caroline Malone reports.

11 January, 2024

World

World Bank says China’s economy will slow down further this year

Some diverging predictions for China's economy: the World Bank says it will slow down even further this year, compared to 2023, but a Chinese state institute says things are going to get better. Here's Andrew Wood in Hong Kong. ENG CHINAS ECONOMY WORLD BANK

11 January, 2024

Environment

How 2023’s record heat worsened droughts, floods and bushfires around the world

By Albert Van Dijk, Australian National University 2023 was a year of record-breaking heat, devastating storms and floods, deepening droughts and raging wildfires. These events showed how climate change is affecting the global water cycle and our livelihoods. Our international team of researchers today released a report, the Global Water Monitor, documenting the impact of the record heat in 2023 on the water cycle. We used data from thousands […]

11 January, 2024

Opinion Pieces

South Africa’s Legal Quest at the World Court Could Further Banish Israel

Early into the Israel-Hamas war: a burst water pipe amid the annihilation of Gaza, Oct. 10, 2023. South Africa has filed a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice alleging that Israel is intentionally committing genocide in Gaza. The bar is high to prove it, experts say. MOHAMMED BABA/MSF By Damilola Banjo via PassBlue The Genocide Convention was codified in 1948 in response to the atrocities committed against Jewish people and others […]

11 January, 2024