Reuters World News Summary
Following is a summary of current world news briefs.
Putin meets Chad junta leader as Russia competes with France in Africa
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday met Chadian leader Mahamat Idriss Deby in the Kremlin, courting a country that had previously maintained a pro-Western policy and spurned Russia's recent outreach in Africa's Sahel region. Russia has been moving to edge out the influence of France, the former colonial power in West Africa and the Sahel, and build ties with countries that have been roiled by a wave of coups since 2020.
Former Taiwan ally Nauru re-establishes diplomatic ties with China
China and Nauru re-established diplomatic ties on Wednesday, after the tiny Pacific island nation unexpectedly severed relations with its now former ally Taiwan in a move the United States described as "unfortunate." The Pacific has become a source of intense competition for influence between Washington which has traditionally viewed it as its backyard, and Beijing, which has targeted Taiwanese diplomatic allies there.
Sri Lanka parliament passes bill to regulate online content
Sri Lanka's lawmakers passed a bill to regulate online content on Wednesday, the speaker of the parliament announced, a law which opposition politicians and activists say will muzzle free speech. The Online Safety Bill proposes jail terms for posting content that a five-member commission considers illegal and makes social media platforms such as Google, Facebook and X liable for messages on their platforms.
Exclusive-In Russia, anti-war candidate tries to harness protest vote against Putin
Boris Nadezhdin, a 60-year-old former opposition lawmaker, is running a long-shot campaign to challenge Vladimir Putin for the Russian presidency and says his call to end Russia's war in Ukraine has put rocket boosters under his bid. Nadezhdin, who sometimes appears on state TV where he criticizes the authorities before being swiftly drowned out by TV anchors, must collect 100,000 signatures across Russia by the end of January to be registered as a candidate.
Israel hits Khan Younis amid talks on one-month Gaza truce
Israel and Hamas have made some progress toward agreement on a 30-day ceasefire in Gaza when Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners would be released, sources told Reuters, as Israel pressed ahead with its assault on southern Gaza's main city. Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt have for weeks shuttled between Israel and the militant group that runs Gaza trying to broker terms for a break in fighting, which would also allow in more food and medical supplies.
Explainer-How Ethiopia's quarrel with Somalia could destabilize Horn of Africa
Ethiopia's deal to lease a port in Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland has infuriated the government in Mogadishu and prompted concern it will further destabilize the Horn of Africa region. Under a memorandum of understanding signed on Jan. 1, landlocked Ethiopia would lease 20 km (12 miles) around Somaliland's port of Berbera for 50 years, in exchange for stakes in Ethiopian state-run companies and possible recognition as an independent nation.
Analysis-Netanyahu faces doubts over goals, strategy and post-war plans
More than 100 days into Israel's quest to destroy Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is being challenged by members of his own war cabinet about strategy, pressured by Washington over post-war Gaza plans and hemmed in by his far-right ministers. On Thursday, two hours before the prime-time airing of an interview with an increasingly critical cabinet minister and former military chief, Netanyahu summoned reporters to say he would not relent until Hamas was eradicated.
North Korea fires cruise missiles off west coast, Seoul says
North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles towards the sea off its west coast on Wednesday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, in the latest sign of heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula. The missiles were fired at around 7 a.m. (2200 GMT on Tuesday) and the launches were being analyzed by South Korean and U.S. intelligence, the JCS said in a statement.
Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian cities kill 18, Zelenskiy says
Russian missiles hit Ukraine's two largest cities, killing 18 people, injuring more than 130 and damaging homes and infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said as Moscow's war approaches its third year. The eastern city of Kharkiv suffered three waves of attacks. There were strikes on Kyiv and in central Ukraine and the southern region of Kherson, subject to constant shelling.
Iran bans ex-president Rouhani from running for elite assembly
Iran's hardline Guardian Council has banned former pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani from standing again in an election in March for the Assembly of Experts, which appoints and can dismiss the supreme leader, state media said on Wednesday. The 88-member assembly, founded in 1982, supervises the most powerful authority but has rarely intervened directly in policy-making.
