From unshakable Jacinda Ardern to Lebanon's strikes: the non-coronavirus news you may have missed

Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu became the country's first prime minister to go on trial as he faces corruption charges and Lebanon's migrant workers speak out about their rare 24-day strike

People pass by an out of service ATM machines at a closed bank in the Lebanese capital Beirut. AP

Israel's prime minister goes on trial 

The trial of Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges began in Jerusalem on Sunday, making him the country's first sitting prime minister to face trial.

He was indicted in November for bribery, breach of trust and fraud after years of investigations into his conduct, with allegations of secret media deals and luxury gifts. Before the long-delayed hearing began, Mr Netanyahu was flanked by his mask-wearing ministers as he hit out at “tainted” investigations into his affairs.

Jacinda Ardern unshaken by earthquake 

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, often hailed for her excellent response to crises, remained completely calm on Monday as her live TV interview was interrupted by a 5.8 magnitude earthquake.

"We’re just having a bit of an earthquake here, Ryan…," she told the host of the show Ryan Bridge, as she, the camera and other things around her shook.

Lebanon's migrant workers suffer from economic crisis 

Lebanon's worst-ever crisis has shined the spotlight on the plight of the country's invisible migrant workers and the gaps in local labour laws, reports The National's Beirut correspondent Sunniva Rose. She spoke to Bangaldeshi workers who went on strike for 24 days – an extremely rare event in Lebanon. They say they are unhappy about their wages losing over half their value because of the country's cash crisis.