The Newsmakers

Several countries around the world are running a groundbreaking experiment to see whether a universal wage could work. It's called a universal basic income. It gives everyone the same fixed salary, whether they work or not. Those involved in the pilot schemes are allowed to spend the money on whatever they like. The idea is by taking away the stress of rent and bills, people will become more innovative and entrepreneurial. But is it fair, or practical? Critics say it will only make people lazy and dependent. But could it work?

A massive collection of leaked documents out of a Bermuda law firm has once again shed some light on how the uber-elite use a complex system of offshore accounts to avoid paying billions of dollars to the government. Among them are the Queen of England, Madonna, and Bono, along with multinational corporations such as Facebook and Apple. Is it illegal? No. But is it right? We asked if the top one percent has withdrawn from a system that pays for schools and roadways.

Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile heading towards Riyadh's international airport. Houthi fighters across the border in Yemen say it was a fair target. And in response, the Saudi crown prince ordered a full blockade on the country, whose people are already suffering through a war. Aid agencies are livid. The Red Cross says Saudi Arabia is not just blocking weapons from coming in, but keeping food aid from millions on the verge of starvation.

China's communist party came to power promising to end rural poverty. Decades later, President Xi Jinping says he'll make good on that promise. The challenge? Lift 43 million people out from under the poverty line. In China, that's a man or woman making less than 95 cents a day. And that goal could be within reach. China's poverty rate has halved in the past five years, helped by farming co-operatives, billions of dollars in loans, and cash subsidies. But critics say Xi's target is not ambitious enough, arguing that half a billion people don't make enough money for a decent standard of living.

The Israeli President Reuvin Rivlin has launched a scathing attack on Benjamin Netanyahu and his government. Rivlin comes from the same rightwing Likud party as the Prime Minister. But that didn't stop him from accusing Netanyahu and his allies of trying to weaken the Supreme Court and silence the media. Now while his Presidency is largely ceremonial, his words have outraged other politicians - who've called his comments dangerous and undemocratic. So are divides in the Israeli government widening?

Tensions in the Arab world are growing by the day. Saudi Arabia has accused Lebanon of declaring war against the kingdom following so-called acts of aggression by Hezbollah. This comes just days after the shock announcement that Lebanon's prime minister is stepping down.

In a televised address from the Saudi capital, Saad Hariri resigned. He said he feared for his life, before criticising Iran and Hezbollah for meddling in Arab affairs. But Tehran dismissed the allegations, saying Hariri was pressured into stepping down by the United States and Saudi Arabia. So what does this all mean for Lebanon and the region?

In Madagascar, there have been more than 1800 suspected cases of the plague since August. In that time more than 120 people have died, and with the plague season expected to last another five months, the death toll is expected to rise.

The World Health Organisation says it could be the worst outbreak in 50 years, and to help treat the infection, the World Bank has released an extra five million dollars. But is that enough? And does the outbreak pose a global threat?

Donald Trump and Shinzo Abe may be toasting to their friendship during the U.S. President’s first tour of Asia. But can their shared hardline stance on North Korea carve out a path to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions? Or will Trump have to settle for more tough talk?

Police have arrested some of Saudi Arabia’s most powerful men. They include two dozen royal family members, cabinet ministers and billionaire businessmen. The government calls it a crackdown on corruption, but sceptics say it’s a far-reaching purge of the crown prince’s critics. Regardless, it’s the kingdom’s biggest political shake up in 80 years. So what does it mean for the country's future?

Did police kill 28 protesters in Eritrea? While video of a rare protest captured the sounds of gunfire, the country’s tight grip on the media means no one knows for sure. The Newsmakers explore the allegations.