Plus: Riots in Papua New Guinea, and love across the Taiwan Strait.
| | | | | | | Hello. As you're receiving this newsletter, South Africa is presenting its case accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. My colleagues help us understand what's at stake. I have one more story from China and Taiwan, ahead of the election taking place on the island this Saturday. But this time, it's about love. We're also reporting on Mozambican masonry and Antarctic fungi. |
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| | | | Top of the agenda | | South Africa presents genocide case at the Hague | | | | The legal counselor of Israel's foreign ministry, Tal Becker (left), will present Israel's defence on Friday. |
| | There have been heated exchanges between rival supporters outside the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, where South Africa is presenting its case accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The ICJ could rule quickly on the request for Israel to suspend its military campaign - and international law professor William Schabas told the BBC there was a low bar for the court to issue such an injunction. A final ruling on whether Israel is committing genocide, however, could take several years. But there's nuance between theory and practice. In theory, a ruling would be legally binding on Israel. But in practice, it can't be enforced, and it's virtually certain Israel would disregard it. Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the accusations "atrocious and preposterous". Israel will be heard in court on Friday. "We will present proudly our case of using self-defence… under humanitarian law", Mr Herzog said. | | • | The basics: Read more on South Africa's motivations and the intricacies of international law in our simple explainer. | | • | Al-Aqsa hospital: Doctors from a British charity who have been pulled out of a hospital in central Gaza tell of their "deep concern" for patients and staff remaining there. | | • | On the Red Sea: The US and UK have hinted they could take military action against Yemen's Houthi rebels, after they repelled the largest attack yet on commercial ships. |
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| | | | | | World headlines | | • | Rioting and looting: At least 15 people have died after major riots in Papua New Guinea, where a 14-day state of emergency has been declared. Drone footage shows mass looting in Port Moresby after police went on strike over a pay dispute. | | • | Ukraine: Two Russian missiles have struck a hotel in Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, injuring 11 people, the Kharkiv governor says. | | • | Republican rivals: US presidential candidates Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley squared off in a tense debate on Wednesday, trading barbs just days before the Iowa caucuses. Meanwhile, Chris Christie bowed out of the race with a parting shot at frontrunner Donald Trump. | | • | 'There could be war in Sweden': A warning to Swedes from two top defence officials to prepare for war has prompted concern and accusations of alarmism. | | • | Wonders of nature: Three species of Antarctic lichen are among dozens of new plants and fungi discovered by scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens in London. Take a look here. |
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| | AT THE SCENE | Fujian, China | | Love across the Taiwan Strait | | Online romance is commonplace between Chinese and Taiwanese citizens. But to take things to the next level, lovers face many hurdles and tedious paperwork - even as China says it wants a reunification with the self-governed island that considers itself distinct from the mainland. | | | | Laura Bicker, China correspondent |
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| | Shanshan, from Changsha City in central China, and Guodong, from Taiwan, have very different views on the future of the island. "My boyfriend just wants to maintain the status quo and doesn't want independence or unification. But I support our country's position and hope for unification one day." she says. Their differing views have not affected their relationship. And yet, the issue has created very real barriers for the couple. China banned "individual tourists" from visiting Taiwan in 2019. That means Shanshan cannot visit her partner's home or his parents, and she wonders if that will ever change. |
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| | | | Beyond the headlines | | How to cyclone-proof your life | | | | José Joaquim is building his growing family a new house that can withstand massive gusts of wind. Credit: BBC |
| | In 2019, Cyclone Idai caused massive devastation and a heavy loss of life in east Africa - 1,500 people died and another three million were affected across three countries. Some of them have become building apprentices, learning to build stronger homes in Mozambique. Nomsa Maseko tells their story. | | | | |
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| | | | Something different | | Microplastics invasion | | Tiny plastic fragments are increasingly infiltrating every part of human existence. | | |
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| | | | And finally... | | Ghanian chef Failatu Abdul-Razak has laid claim to a world record by cooking non-stop for 227 hours. The previous title holder, Irishman Alan Fisher, had earned the title after cooking for 119 hours and 57 minutes. He beat a record previously set by Nigeria's Hilda Baci. Ms Abdul-Razak called the challenge a "national assignment", saying that she was doing it for Ghana. |
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| | | | | | Tech Decoded Newsletter | | Decode the biggest developments in global technology with a twice-weekly email. | | |
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– Jules |
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