IMF DOWNGRADES UK GROWTH FORECAST

The UK economy will perform worst of any major economy in 2023, according to the International Monetary Fund.

The IMF has revised its predictions for the UK down due to high inflation and energy costs.

The Labour Party says the government is causing the country to 'lag behind its peers'.

Government minister Richard Holden believes the IMF will be proven wrong.

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59 killed in mosque blast in Pakistan

A suicide bomb blast in the Pakistani city of Peshawar has killed 59 people.

The mosque is located in the heavily guarded police headquarters area and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif has said the attackers want to create fear by targeting those who defend the country.

Our South Asia correspondent Neha Poonia reports.

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China Blames US for Starting Crisis in Ukraine

China has hit back at reports suggesting some of its state-owned companies may be providing support to Russia's war in Ukraine.

At a press briefing in Beijing the foreign ministry said the US is "the one who started the Ukraine crisis and the biggest factor fueling it."

It's raised doubt of progress in ties between Washington and Beijing ahead of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's upcoming visit to the Chinese capital.

The development comes also despite China appearing to soften its approach on foreign policy following the appointment of Qin Gang as foreign minister in Beijing.

He's believed to be behind China's efforts to discard the so-called "wolf-warrior approach".

Alfred Wu is an Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore.

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Contaminants found in Tokyo residents' blood near US bases

A citizens' group in Tokyo is sounding the alarm over possible contamination from a US army base poisoning local residents. 

The group says it has found high concentrations of harmful substances in the blood of those living near the Yokota airforce base.

The US military has previously dismissed similar allegations, and said there's no proof its bases are responsible.

Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo. 

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Tech sector slumps ahead of earnings

It was a difficult day of trading on Monday which saw US stock indexes fall.

They were dragged down by the tech sector, where several major companies are due to report earnings later this week.

Sally Patterson has more in New York.

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Grand Jury to hear evidence in Trump hush money investigation

According to the New York Times, an investigation into Donald Trump's
role in paying hush money to a porn star is gaining momentum.

Manhattan's district attorney is reportedly presenting evidence to a grand jury.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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UN: Six million close to starvation in Afghanistan

The U.N says the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is becoming
extremely concerning.
The world body and its partners say millions of people are on the
brink of starvation.
A U.N delegation met with the Taliban-led government last week.
Jody Jacobs has more from the UN.

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New York snow drought hits fresh record

New York City is now in a record-breaking snow drought.

It is yet to snow in the city this winter breaking a record that has
been in place for around 50 years.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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Blinken meets Netanyahu in Jerusalem

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is meeting (15.20GMT) newly re-elected Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem amid spiraling violence in the region.

At least 22 people have been killed in the past week in retaliatory attacks targeting Israelis and Palestinians, including shootings and the burning of cars and property.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington

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TikTok boss to appear before Congress

The head of Tiktok will appear before US lawmakers later this year amid growing concerns over the Chinese-owned platform.

Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew is due to testify before the Energy and Commerce Committee in March.

Some senators have pushed for the video sharing app to be banned from the US completely.

TikTok stresses it is in negotiations with US officials on how to restructure its business to alleviate national security and data concerns.

Sally Patterson has more.

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German economy contracts 0.2% in fourth quarter

Germany's GDP fell 0.2% in the final quarter of last year, raising fears of a recession.

The government maintains the dip at the end of 2022 is likely to be temporary, as wholesale energy prices fall thanks to a milder winter and increased storage levels.

From Berlin, Trent Murray has more.

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BP: global CO2 emissions to fall faster than previously expected

British oil major BP says global carbon emissions will drop faster than it predicted just a year ago.

The company highlighted the war in Ukraine and new legislation in the U.S. as major factors driving the switch to green energy.

Giles Gibson reports.

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REPORTS UK WARNED ARMY NO LONGER 'TIER ONE' FORCE

A US General is reported to have told the UK's Defense Secretary that the British army is no longer a top-level fighting force. Speaking to Sky News, sources warned the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, is at risk of 'failing' as a wartime leader. Laura Makin-Isherwood has more from London.

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Civil Society Organisations Say Nigeria’s Election Critical to Liberia and Sierra Leonean 2023 Polls

A coalition of pro democracy civil society organisations in West Africa say next month's general election in Nigeria will have implications for other polls in the region.

Correspondent Tesem Akende reports from Jos.

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NATO chief urges South Korea to "step up" military support to Ukraine

The Secretary General of the NATO military alliance has called on South Korea to "step up" military support to Ukraine.

South Korea has provided millions of US dollars in humanitarian aid to Kyiv and has imposed sanctions on Moscow over the invasion -- but Seoul has so far stuck to offering non-lethal assistance in line with a longstanding policy of not sending arms to countries at war. 

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg made the comments during a visit to South Korea on Monday.

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'MORE BEDS AND AMBULANCES' FOR NHS

Thousands more hospital beds and hundreds of new ambulances are being promised for the NHS in England.

The UK government's announcing a two-year plan aimed at helping under-strain emergency services - including providing more care for patients at home.

But health leaders have warned problems in the National Health Service won't be fixed without more staff.

Care minister Helen Whately says healthcare will need to change.

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Rahul Gandhi's pan-India march ends today

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi's pan-India march is ending today in the country's northernmost region of Kashmir.

The former leader of the Congress party has walked the length of India for more than 135 days- in what he's calling an attempt to 'unite the country' against politics of hate.

Neha Poonia has more.

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NZ braces for more rain following severe flooding

New Zealand’s biggest city Auckland is bracing for yet more torrential rain after the city was crippled by severe flooding.

Waist-deep water throughout the central city has claimed at least four lives, destroyed homes, and resulted in cancelled flights.

Chris Gilbert reports. 

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India's Adani hits back at fraud claims

India's Adani Group has hit back at claims by US-based Hindenburg Research of financial irregularities – following a report which led to some $50 billion being wiped off the value of Adani's listed companies.

The conglomerate led by Asia's richest man, the Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, has described the report as a "calculated attack" on India.

Rebecca Bundhun reports from Mumbai.

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US Secretary of State visits Middle East amid renewed tensions between Israelis and Palestinians

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is in the Middle East for a three day visit which has coincided with a renewed flare up of tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.

He is in Jerusalem on Monday with plans to visit the West Bank.

Our US Correspondent Jagruti Dave reports.

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