World News Roundup: Britain's Sunak visits Kyiv to announce step-up in military aid; US and Britain strike Yemen in retaliation for Houthi attacks on shipping and more

In an interview with Reuters, Tomasz Siemoniak said the country's prosecutors have been supplying information to European investigators and could allocate more resources to the probe if requested. Israel rejects genocide charges, tells World Court it must defend itself Israel on Friday rejected as false and "grossly distorted" accusations brought by South Africa at the U.N.'s top court that its military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide campaign against the Palestinian population.

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Britain's Sunak visits Kyiv to announce step-up in military aid

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Kyiv on Friday to announce an increase in military funding to help Ukraine purchase new military drones, including surveillance, long-range strike and sea drones. London has been one of Kyiv's closest allies during Russia's invasion and Sunak said Britain would increase its support in the next financial year to 2.5 billion pounds ($3.19 billion), an increase of 200 million pounds on the previous two years.

British conductor Jan Latham-Koenig charged with child sexual offences

Acclaimed British conductor Jan Latham-Koenig has been charged by police in London with a child sexual offences, authorities said on Friday. Latham-Koenig, 70, was arrested at Victoria train station in London on Wednesday and charged the following day with arranging or facilitating a child sexual offence and sexual communication with a child, police said.

Mass killer Breivik still dangerous and should stay isolated in Norway jail, court hears

Anders Behring Breivik, the far-right fanatic who killed 77 people in twin attacks in Norway in 2011, remains "very dangerous" and should be kept in isolation in prison, a court heard on Friday. The 44-year-old is suing the Norwegian state in a bid to end his years of isolation in prison and lift restrictions on his correspondence with the outside world. The five-day hearing ends on Friday.

Poland is cooperating with Nord Stream probe, minister says

Poland has been cooperating with allies in a probe into the sabotage of the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines, the minister in charge of Polish intelligence services said, denying a newspaper report that it was hindering investigations. In an interview with Reuters, Tomasz Siemoniak said the country's prosecutors have been supplying information to European investigators and could allocate more resources to the probe if requested.

Israel rejects genocide charges, tells World Court it must defend itself

Israel on Friday rejected as false and "grossly distorted" accusations brought by South Africa at the U.N.'s top court that its military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide campaign against the Palestinian population. It called on judges to dismiss South Africa's request to halt its offensive, saying to do so would leave it defenceless.

US and Britain strike Yemen in retaliation for Houthi attacks on shipping

U.S. and British warplanes, ships and submarines launched dozens of air strikes across Yemen overnight in retaliation against Iran-backed Houthi forces for attacks on Red Sea shipping, widening regional conflict stemming from Israel's war in Gaza. Witnesses confirmed explosions at military bases near airports in the capital Sanaa and Yemen's third city Taiz, a naval base at the main Red Sea port Hodeidah and military sites in the coastal Hajjah governorate.

Myanmar rebel alliance agrees to ceasefire with ruling military

A rebel alliance in northern Myanmar has agreed to a ceasefire with the ruling military during China-mediated talks, according to some of the parties involved, after a months-long coordinated offensive that threatened to weaken the junta's grip on power. The military, which overthrew an elected government in 2021, has been battling an alliance of ethnic minority armies fighting to end its control of their regions since late October. In particular, there has been intense violence along the northern border with China.

Thousands to rally for Taiwan election, China vows to 'smash independence plots'

Tens of thousands of people will attend final pre-election rallies in Taiwan on Friday ahead of critical presidential and parliamentary polls, as China's defence ministry warned it would "smash any Taiwan independence plots". Taiwan, a neighbouring island China claims as its own, has been a democratic success story since holding its first direct presidential election in 1996, the culmination of decades of struggle against authoritarian rule and martial law.

'Parasite' director Bong, South Korean artists urge probe into handling of actor case

A group of South Korean filmmakers, actors and industry officials, including "Parasite" director Bong Joon-ho, on Friday called for a probe into the handling by police and media of drug abuse allegations involving late actor Lee Sun-kyun. Lee, who shot to global fame with his performance as the wealthy patriarch in the Oscar-winning film "Parasite", was found dead last month in an apparent suicide.

Israeli air strike kills 11 in Gaza; UN says Israel blocks aid to north

Israel's latest attacks on Gaza have killed at least 151 people, including 11 in a single house, Palestinian health officials said on Friday, while the U.N. humanitarian office accused Israel of blocking its efforts to send aid to the north.

Residents reported continued aerial and ground fire across the territory from Israel, which has come under growing pressure to limit the number of civilian casualties from its war against the Hamas militants who attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7.

(With inputs from agencies.)