BBC News Briefing

10 April, 2024

Jules Darmanin

Hello. Today we're covering Joe Biden's renewed criticism of his Israeli ally, as the US president addresses more pointed criticism towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Stephen Sackur is reporting from Guyana, the world's fastest-growing economy - although it would be hard to tell upon visiting the country's border with Venezuela. We' also have stories on South Korean politics, flooding in Russia, and modern art shenanigans.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Biden dials up criticism of Netanyahu over Gaza

Joe Biden looks concerned in front of Israeli and American flags.

The US president has sharpened his rhetoric towards Israel over the past few weeks. Credit: EPA

US President Joe Biden says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making a "mistake" in his handling of Gaza. "I don't agree with his approach," he told Univision in an interview recorded last Wednesday and aired on Tuesday night. The word represents "a significant shift in tone", writes Hugo Bachega, as well as a sign of intensifying pressure on Israel to agree to a ceasefire. Mr Biden himself faces domestic pressure over the Israel-Hamas war, not only from some parts of the Democratic electorate, but, as Tom Bateman reports, from within his administration. Speaking anonymously, one official told him internal opposition had become "deeper, wider and more despairing" than ever. The continuing supply of US arms to Israel is a sticking point for some dissenting civil servants. As the international pressure increases, there seems to be a "mood of defiance" in Israel, writes Jeremy Bowen. Mr Netanyahu is preparing for an offensive in Rafah, where 1.5 million Gazans are sheltering, despite warnings that it could lead to high civilian casualties.
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Ceasefire talks: The head of the CIA, William Burns, is in Cairo for the latest round of negociations between Israel and Hamas. But can US pressure deliver a truce?

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Eid al-Fitr: Gazans are marking the end of Ramadan, but it's a joyless celebration, reports Rushdi Abualouf. Footage shows Rafah residents praying outside a destroyed mosque.

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Diplomacy: Australia's foreign minister has suggested the country could recognise Palestinian statehood, a move also backed by Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez.

WORLD HEADLINES

Boeing: The airplane manufacturer is facing new pressure after a whistleblower reported safety concerns over some of its planes to US regulators.

Spring floods: Thousands of people have been evacuated as water levels surge to over nine metres in Russia's Orenburg region. Drone footage shows the record-breaking flooding.

Abortion ban: The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that the state can enforce a 160-year-old law punishing abortion by prison, except when the mother's life is at risk.

Perks of the job: A modern art gallery in Germany has fired an employee after discovering the budding artist had hung his own work in an exhibition.

Banned from banning: An Australian museum has been ordered to allow men into a women's-only exhibit, following a high-stakes court case over the matter. I happen to know a German artist who would surely benefit from the exposure.

AT THE SCENE

Smith Creek, Guyana

Making both ends meet amid oil and gold

Guyana's newly found oil wealth means it is the fastest-growing economy in the world. But the western part of the country, which gives offshore access to some of the subsea petrol, is not really getting richer - and is under threat from neighbouring Venezuela.

Stephen Sackur, HARDtalk

In Smith Creek it is hard to believe Guyana can lay claim to being the world's fastest growing economy. No sign here that the country has become a premier-league petrostate. Eleven billion barrels of oil lie in the Stabroek Block subsea reserve off Guyana's coast, but fossil fuel riches are not yet flowing to the people of Smith Creek. Instead they eke out a living as best they can. Fishing, farming, relying on the remittances of family members who go to work in the gold mines far to the south. Look closely though and there are the first signs of change in Smith Creek.

Read in full

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Is this K-drama? No, it's election night

Two South Korean political candidates are included in a CGI sketch parody showing them sitting on a top of an open-deck bus at night.

Politicians are filmed in front of green screens to create funny scenes like this one. Credit: SBS

South Koreans are voting to renew their parliament on Wednesday, in an election seen as a referendum on President Yoon Suk Yeol. But on the night, the public's attention will be captured by goofy animated sketches of candidates. Some critics wonder whether the CGI distracts voters from more substantial issues.

Here's why

A supermarket fridge aisle displays various brands of butter

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Butter vs margarine

Determining which of the spreads is healthiest is extremely tricky.

Here's why

And finally...

When Alan Baxter found a medieval ring in a field he knew there could be more ancient artefacts nearby - but the stubble from the thick oat crop made it difficult for his metal detector to get anywhere near the ground. So he waited, planted carrots, and eventually succeeded in unearthing a treasure trove.

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– Jules

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