Israel Goes to Polls - 22nd January 2013

- Benjamin Netanyahu is to seek re-election in the general election with predictions that he will be voted back in be it with a reduced majority.

- Barack Obama speech in his Washington DC inaugurating speech pleas for political unity on subject such as gay rights, climate change, and immigration reform and told his fellow Americans to seize the moment.

- The MOD are planning further cuts in the army with an expected third round of job losses up to 5000 jobs could go.

- The UK are helping France with its fight against Islamist rebels in Mali.

- Prince Harry returns from his 5 month deployment in Afghanistan where he has been on active duty.

- Lindsay Sandiford has received the death sentence in Indonesia for drug trafficking.

News 14th Jan 2013

Christine Lagard, Head of the IMF, has indicated that the eurozone should see growth in 2013.  Borrowing rates for key eurozone countries such as Italy and Spain have also been falling, reflecting broader optimism.

 

France's involvement in the campaign against Islamist rebels in Mali, which started on Friday, will last "a matter of weeks", according the French Foreign Minister. 

 

The International Rescue Committee has warned that the Middle East faces a "staggering" humanitarian crisis as a result of the Syrina conflict.  The UN estimates that more than 60,000 people have been killed, with a further 600,000 leaving the country since March 2011.

 

Argo won best film drama at the Golden Globes, with the film's director, Ben Affleck named best director.

World News Update - 10th January 2013

- In the UK, following a three month consultation process, the Office for National Statistics has decided not to make any changes to the way the retail prices index is calculated. This is a surprise, as changes were widely expected.

- Research by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers has concluded that up to 50% of the four billion tonnes of food produced worldwide each year ends up being thrown away. The study also concluded that 550 billion cubic metres of water is used to grow crops that are never eaten.

- In China, better than expected December import and export data indicates the economy may be rebounding, alleviating earlier concerns caused by growth falling to a three-year low. Exports were 14% higher than in December 2012, whilst imports rose by 6%. These figures point to an increase in demand both inside China and worldwide.

- Following a visit to North Korea, Google's Chairman, Eric Schmidt, has urged the country to allow its citizens to use the internet

Trouble Brewing Between India and Pakistan - 9th January 2013

- Trouble is brewing between India and Pakistan after a cross-border attack and where 2 Indian soldiers were killed in disputed territory of Kashmir.

- The President of Venezuela has had approval from the National Assembly to delay his inauguration which was scheduled to happen on Thursday because he has just undergone surgery for Cancer and has had problems with a lung infection.

- Women have criticised the BBC saying that if you are a certain age they are unlikely to use you as a presenter with news readers such as Alice Arnold suggesting that the BBC are more interested in the shape of your legs than your intelligence.

- Belfast City will be flying the Union Flag to mark the Duchess of Cambridge's birthday. This of course is amidst the anger after an agreement not to raise the flag everyday that has caused riots.

- There has been a sharp rise of sex offenders being sent to jail which has caused overcrowding and a need for extra space. Calls on the Justice Minister to investigate the problem urgently.

- The recent cooling of weather in Australia has helped with the fired that have devastated vast areas of the country