TOP NEWS

The future of the BRICS pact
Indonesia joins BRICS as tenth member

Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, has become the tenth member of the intergovernmental cooperation organization BRICS, the country holding the presidency, Brazil, announced according to Reuters.

The country, with a population of 277 million, had previously expressed a desire to join to strengthen the interests of the so-called global south.

"Indonesia and the other members share support for a reform of global governance," the Brazilian government writes.

BRICS was formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, and the following year South Africa also joined. Since then, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and now Indonesia have joined.

The organization is increasingly seen as a "counterweight to the West," writes AFP.

Middle East crisis Israel-Hezbollah
Israel withdraws more troops from Lebanon

Israeli soldiers began withdrawing from the Lebanese border town of Naqura on Monday, US envoy Amos Hochstein said, according to the AP.

This is the second time the IDF has withdrawn troops during the fragile ceasefire that began on November 27, and follows last month's call by the UN and the Lebanese prime minister to speed up the process.

- These withdrawals will continue until all Israeli forces have completely left Lebanon, Hochstein said.

Political situation in Austria
FPÖ gets chance to form new government in Austria

For the first time since World War II, a far-right party gets a chance to form a government in Austria. On Monday, the country's President Alexander van der Bellen gave the Freedom Party (FPÖ) and party leader Herbert Kickl the exploratory mission, several media outlets report.

The FPÖ became the country's largest party when Austria went to the polls in September. The conservative ÖVP and the social democratic SPÖ have tried unsuccessfully to agree on a coalition government.

Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the ÖVP chose to resign after government talks with the SPÖ collapsed. Christian Stocker took over as party leader and has opened talks with the FPÖ.

Political situation in the UK
Macron latest leader to point the boot at Musk

French President Emmanuel Macron has become the latest European leader to criticize Elon Musk's interference in European politics, reports Politico.

The statement, which did not mention the tech billionaire by name, came during a foreign policy speech at the Élysée Palace on Monday.

“Who would have thought ten years ago that the owner of one of the world's largest social media networks would support a new, international, reactionary movement and directly interfere in elections, including in Germany,” the president said.

Similar sentiments have been heard from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has recently been in Musk's crosshairs, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

North Korea crisis
North Korea sent a missile into the sea ahead of Blinken's visit

North Korea fired a ballistic missile last night that landed in the sea between South Korea and Japan, according to the South Korean military. It was the first launch of the year.

The launch took place just hours before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to land in Seoul. The threat from the neighboring country will be discussed during the meeting, not least given the political chaos that prevails in South Korea.

Bird flu alert
US reports first death from bird flu

The first death from H5N1 bird flu has been confirmed in the US, the Louisiana state health department wrote in a press release.

The patient was over 65, had underlying illnesses, and contracted the virus in December through close contact with various domestic poultry and wild birds.

“The current public health risk remains low,” the agency wrote.

Between 2003 and 2024, WHO has confirmed 948 human cases of H5N1 globally, resulting in 464 deaths. However, the fatality rate may be lower because mild cases may have gone undetected.