Israel-Palestine, China, North Korea.
Today's three stories you should know.
Israel-Palestine
You’ll have likely heard by now that Ireland, Norway and Spain today announced they would formally recognize the State of Palestine. It’s an important move. While most countries in the world - about 140 in all - recognize Palestine, very few in Europe and elsewhere in the West do. Reaction came in fast. Israel was unsurprisingly furious, calling it “a reward for terrorism” and quickly recalling its ambassadors to Dublin, Oslo and Madrid. Both the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, and Hamas, which governs Gaza, welcomed the news. Al Jazeera today had a useful round-up that included reaction from across the world. And the AP published an explainer on the significance of recognition.
More from Al Jazeera here.
More from AP here.
China
Chinese blogger Zhang Zhan has been freed four years after she was imprisoned for her reporting on the outbreak of Covid-19 in Wuhan province, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Zhang travelled to Wuhan in February 2020 as Covid first began to spread and her reporting quickly went viral. She was later arrested and convicted of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” a charge that is often levelled against rights activists in the country. RSF described her freedom as limited, though, and supporters said she was still being closely monitored.
More from BBC here.
North Korea
An interesting read from AP on the fact that portraits of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are now being displayed in public. Previously, only portraits of his father and grandfather were ween in public buildings and private homes. But, since Wednesday, he has been seen alongside them. Why? Is he now so sure of himself he’s going for mythical status like those who’ve come before ? Or is he preparing the ground to eventually hand power to his daughter Kim Ju Ae?
More from AP here.