The controversial legislation, introduced by the Act Party, seeks to legally define the treaty’s principles, which have been incorporated into laws addressing historic injustices against Māori. Act argues the changes would ensure fairness, claiming the current approach divides the nation by race.  

HRW has accused Israel of committing war crimes by forcibly displacing nearly 90% of Gaza’s population, amounting to about 1.9 million people. In its report, HRW says this constitutes “forcible transfer” and possibly “ethnic cleansing,”

In South Africa, approximately 4,000 illegal gold miners are hiding underground in Stilfontein as the government move to cut off their access to food and water, in an attempt to force them out.

The city is blanketed in thick smog, with pollution levels far exceeding what is considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO). On Thursday, fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in the air was reported at over 50 times the safe limit, posing severe health risks.  

Almost all the main US front pages lead with images of President-elect Donald Trump meeting with Joe Biden at the Oval Office on Wednesday. The pair met to discuss the transition of power – Trump will take office in January. 

The front pages are filled up with various political stories from Donald Trump’s Cabinet appointments, to the new role to be undertaken by billionaire Elon Musk. Online, there is running coverage of Trump’s picks – FOX News host Pete Hegseth will become the country’s new defence secretary, and Congressman Matt Gaetz will become attorney general.

Many of the papers report on the GOP winning the House of Representatives which now means they control both chambers of Congress (House and Senate) and with Trump in power in January, the Republicans will have little issues passing their agenda.

European news is dominated by politics this morning with the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell suggesting suspending EU-Israel political talks as a recent report alleged Israel has violated human rights and international law in the Gaza Strip.

European leaders are preparing to boost support for Kyiv in preparation for Donald Trump as the incoming president has threatened to cut the US’ contributions.

Prosecutors in France are seeking jail time and an election ban for Marine Le Pen. If she is found guilty of misusing public funds she could be ruled out of the 2027 presidential election.

All eyes will be on the France-Israel football match amid fears of violence between clashing groups of pro-Palestine and pro-Israeli supporters attending the match. French authorities have ramped up security ahead of the game.

Germany – Europe’s largest economy – is facing political turmoil of its own following the collapse of its coalition government. The election campaigning has well and truly begun as leaders make their pitches for the snap election in February.

Elsewhere, Spain is preparing for more floods as severe weather warnings are issued.