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Daily Briefing

South Africa accuses Israel at the World Court of genocidal acts in Gaza, Somalia says it's working to rescue hostages from a UN helicopter, and we take a look at a watershed moment for the crypto industry.

Plus, how Russian officials and their collaborators spirit away Ukraine's children.

By Edson Caldas

Today's Top News

People sit inside the International Court of Justice on the day the court opens hearings on Gaza genocide allegations. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen

South Africa accused Israel of subjecting Palestinians to genocidal acts at the opening of hearings in a case brought to the International Court of Justice. The country demands an emergency suspension of Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Anthony Deutsch explains the case on today's Reuters World News podcast.
An oil tanker involved in a dispute between the US and Iran was boarded by armed individuals east of Oman and appeared to be changing course towards Iranian waters, according to a British maritime security firm and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations authority.
Somalia's government is working to rescue the passengers of a U.N. helicopter that was captured by al Shabaab militants, but military officers said it would be difficult to access the area where they were taken. Two Somali men and several foreigners were on board, and many were taken hostage by the militants.

UKRAINE WAR

Reuters reporters have spent six months investigating the fates of missing Ukrainian children who have no relatives to advocate for them because they are orphans or are otherwise separated from their families. This special report shows how Russian officials and their collaborators spirit away Ukraine's children.
New defensive lines visited by Reuters near the northeastern city of Kupiansk on Dec. 28 show how Ukraine has stepped up construction of fortifications in recent months. The defenses aim to help Ukraine weather assaults while regenerating its forces as Moscow takes the battlefield initiative, military analysts said.

US NEWS

Donald Trump's civil fraud trial in New York is set to conclude with closing arguments later today. Separately, during a live Fox News town hall, the former president said that he knows who he wants for his VP in the 2024 race and that his commitment to NATO will depend on how Europeans treat the US.
Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley repeatedly accused each other of lying in an acrimonious debate that mixed policy with insults as the two candidates battled to emerge as the top alternative to Trump. Follow the latest on the US elections.
The Republican-led state of Texas said it has spent more than $100 million since April 2022 to bus tens of thousands of migrants who crossed the US-Mexico border to Chicago, New York, Denver and other Democratic-led cities. This photo essay looks at the toll on migrants of the free bus north from the border.

Business & Markets

The US securities regulator approved the first US-listed exchange traded funds (ETFs) to track bitcoin, in a watershed for the world's largest cryptocurrency. A decade in the making, the ETFs are a game-changer for bitcoin, offering investors exposure to the cryptocurrency without directly holding it.
Alaska Airlines and United Airlines canceled more flights on 737 MAX 9 jets after a cabin panel blowout Boeing suggested was caused by a "quality" issue. These graphics show how a piece of fuselage tore off the left side of an Alaska Airlines jet following takeoff, forcing pilots to turn back and land safely.
Japan's Fujitsu is under growing pressure over its role in a scandal in which hundreds of Post Office workers in Britain were wrongfully convicted due to faulty software developed by the company. Fujitsu representatives are due to appear at a public inquiry into the scandal next week. Here's our explainer.
Google said it is laying off hundreds of employees across multiple teams, with Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman also leaving the company, as the tech giant continues to cut costs. Amazon.com will also lay off several hundred employees in its streaming and studio operations.

The Wider Image

Runa Kurosawa, 20, a soldier with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade. REUTERS/Issei Kato

Hikari Maruyama, Runa Kurosawa and Sawaka Nakano are part of an elite force: Japan's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, meant to lead assaults from the sea in a possible future war. They are three of about 40 women in their 2,400-person unit.

See our photo essay on the female marines Japan is training for war.

And Finally...

An Elvis Presley impersonator waves before boarding a train departing for the Parkes Elvis Festival. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

Hundreds of hip-shaking and wig-wearing Elvis Presley fans began their annual pilgrimage to the Elvis Festival in the Australian outback, the world's largest tribute to the iconic musician. Revelers danced to several of the King's biggest hits at Sydney's Central railway terminal before catching the 'Elvis Express.'

Read more: Elvis train shakes, rattles and rolls out to tribute festival in Australia

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