Wednesday, January 23, 2019

New York police arrest four men over a terror plot against a Muslim community, and the Oscar nominations are out.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Wednesday, January 23rd.

Plot targeted Muslim community in New York

US police have arrested four men over an alleged plot targeting a Muslim community.

Police say the four were planning to bomb Islamberg, a rural community that’s home to several hundred Muslims in New York state.

Authorities have so far found 23 rifles and shotguns and three home-made explosives that could be linked to the plot.

Erdogan scheduled to visit Moscow, meet Putin

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to travel to Moscow today to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The two leaders are set to discuss Syria, and bilateral and regional issues.

It will be their first face-to-face meeting this year.

World Economic Forum opens in Davos

The 49th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum has opened in Davos.

Turkey is sending a high-level delegation that is expected to include Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan.

Global economic turbulence amid tariff wars, the growing gap between rich and poor, and climate change are some of the key issues on the agenda.

Venezuela’s Maduro orders review of diplomatic ties with US

President Nicolas Maduro is reviewing Venezuela's diplomatic ties to the US after Vice President Mike Pence called him a “dictator with no legitimate claim to power.”

Venezuela's opposition, which controls Congress, is calling for more protests on Wednesday, as the government struggles with inflation and a failing economy.

'Roma' and 'The Favourite' top Oscar nominations

And finally,

Alfonso Cuaron’s 'Roma' – an ode to his childhood in 1970s Mexico City, and offbeat royal romp 'The Favourite' are topping this year's Oscar nominations.

The winners will be announced in Hollywood on February 24.

And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World... For more, head to TRTWORLD.com

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Prominent Saudi cleric dies in prison, and WhatsApp limits message forwarding fo fight misinformation.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Tuesday, January 22nd.

Saudi cleric and scholar dies in prison

Activists and his son say prominent Saudi cleric Ahmed al Amiri has died in prison.

Amiri was a preacher at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.

He was detained five months ago in a Saudi crackdown on dissent.

Amiri's death comes as the kingdom is facing criticism for the murder of critic Jamal Khashoggi at its consulate in Istanbul last October.

Riyadh has not commented on Amiri's death.

Taliban attack kills dozens in eastern Afghanistan

Dozens of police and soldiers died in a Taliban attack on government forces in Afghanistan on Monday.

The militants hold sway in almost half the country after 17 years of war.

They're also in direct talks with US officials in Qatar on ending what the Taliban call the "invasion."

Venezuela quashes officers' revolt

The government in Venezuela says it's put down a revolt by a group of officers.

The incident comes as President Nicolas Maduro is facing growing opposition from Congress.

Maduro was sworn in for a second term this month as Venezuela grapples with a failing economy and widespread social unrest.

Indonesia weighs early release of cleric jailed under anti-terror laws

Indonesia is considering the early release of cleric Abu Bakar Bashir from prison.

Bashir, now 81, was jailed in 2010 for 15 years under anti-terrorism laws.

Last week the president said he's considering the cleric's early release on health and age grounds.

WhatsApp limits message forwarding to fight misinformation

And finally,

WhatsApp is limiting worldwide the number of times a user can forward a message. The number is five.

Previously, a WhatsApp user could forward a message to 20 individuals or groups.

WhatsApp says it's to fight "misinformation" and comes after rumours spread on social media in India led to violence and killing.

And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World... For more, head to TRTWORLD.com

Monday, January 21, 2019

Israel hits Syria, and Hindus celebrate Thaipusam.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, January 21st.

Israel carries out air strikes on Iranian targets in Syria

Israel says it's hit Iranian targets in Syria in strikes over Sunday into Monday.

Russia's military says regime air defences intercepted 30 missiles in the attack.

A war monitor said at least 11 people died in the assault.

Erdogan tells Trump Turkey ready to take over Manbij

President Erdogan has told his US counterpart that Turkey is ready to take over security in Syria's Manbij.

Erdogan spoke to Trump by phone on Sunday. They agreed to work together to clear Daesh's remnants in Syria.

Erdogan also said Turkey will not allow the PKK and its Syrian affiliate the PYD/YPG to destabilise the northeast of its southern neighbour.

Philippines’ Mindanao votes in autonomy referendum

A region in the southern Philippines is voting for autonomy.

The referendum could end decades of bloodshed and give the country's minority Muslims a greater say over their affairs.

A 'yes' vote is expected to set up the Bangsomoro region in Mindanao, home to most of the country's Muslims.

Manila agreed the referendum with the largest rebel group in the region, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, in a bid to prevent in-roads into the relatively poor region by terror groups like Daesh and Abu Sayyaf.

Oxfam says world wealth gap widening

Anti-poverty campaigner Oxfam is warning that the wealth gap between rich and poor is “out of control” and doing particular harm to women.

Oxfam released its latest report today, ahead of this week's Davos, the annual gathering of some of the world's richest people.

Oxfam said another new billionaire is created every two days. Meanwhile, every day, the poorest half of the planet, 3.8 billion people, lose another $500 million.

Hindus celebrate Thaipusam

And finally,

Hindu devotees of Murugan, or Lord Muruga, have been piercing themselves with rods, needles and hooks in an annual religious ritual of thanksgiving and atonement.

The festival is known as Thaipusam.

It's celebrated during the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February), which this year is today.

Devotees ask Murugan, son of Lord Shiva, for forgiveness, good health and peace in the new year.

And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World... For more, head to TRTWORLD.com

Friday, January 18, 2019

A car bomb kills at least 20 at a police academy in Colombia, and the moon is taking a break this weekend.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Friday, January 18th.

Police say at least 20 killed in Bogota blast

Colombia has declared three days of mourning after a car-bomb at a police academy in the capital Bogota killed 21, including the attacker.

Authorities named the suspected assailant as Jose Rojas.

They're investigating whether he was a member of the ELN, the country’s last active rebel group.

US Senator Graham scheduled to visit Turkey

Turkey’s President Erdogan is expected to meet US Senator Lindsey Graham, who is scheduled to arrive in Ankara today.

The pair is expected to discuss Syria amid US plans to withdraw its forces.

Graham is usually considered a reliable Trump ally. But earlier this week, he questioned the US president's decision to pull troops out of Syria.

Palestinian protests expected to continue

Gazans are expected to gather at the border with Israel today for the Great March of Return protests.

At least two people died in last week's confrontation.

Since Palestinians began the weekly demonstrations in March last year, Israeli forces are estimated to have killed over 240 protesters.

The protesters are demanding an end to Israel's abuse and occupation, and for the right to return to their homes.

Thousands more children separated at US border

Thousands more children may have been taken from their parents after families illegally crossed from Mexico to the US in the past two years.

The Trump administration admits it took close to 3,000 children from their parents.

Now the US government is saying it may have taken another 3,000. But it can't be sure, and doesn't know where it's sent them.

A total eclipse of the moon

And finally,

Stay up late this weekend for a supermoon wrapped up in a total lunar eclipse.

The moon, Earth and sun will line up this weekend for the only total lunar eclipse this year and next.

The optics promise to be great too, if you're lucky enough to be in the path of this rare event.

And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World... For more, head to TRTWORLD.com

Thursday, January 17, 2019

A suicide blast killed at least 16 people in the northern Syrian city of Manbij, and it turns out that humans are coffee's worst nightmare.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Thursday, January 17th.

At least 16 killed in Manbij blast

A suicide bombing killed at least 16 people in the Syrian city of Manbij on Wednesday.

The dead include two US soldiers and two US civilians working with the military.

Daesh said it carried out the attack.

Turkey’s President Erdogan says he believes the assault will not deter the US from its planned withdrawal from Syria.

British government survives no-confidence vote

The government of British Prime Minister Theresa May has survived a no-confidence vote.

But that doesn't solve the problem May has with Brexit.

The same parliament gave the PM's plan for the divorce the big thumbs down on Tuesday.

So now she needs to cobble together a plan that is acceptable to most, a difficult task with the UK's exit from the EU set for March.

At least five dead in Libya clashes

Rival militias clashed in Libya’s capital Tripoli on Wednesday, splintering a four-month-old UN-brokered ceasefire.

The health ministry said at least five people were killed and 20 wounded.

Ethnic violence in DRC killed 900 in December

The UN says three days of ethnic violence in the DRC in December left close to 900 people dead.

The fighting between the Banunu and Batende communities in Mai-Ndombe province was some of the worst in the area for years.

Arabica and Robusta coffee at risk of extinction

And finally,

Scientists say three in five species of wild coffee could go extinct because of climate change, deforestation and disease.

So if you jones for a cuppa joe to start your day, you might just want to consider going green.

And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World... For more, head to TRTWORLD.com

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

More than a dozen dead in Nairobi hotel siege, and two cats get cosy in a $1,500 flat.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Wednesday, January 16th.

At least 14 dead in Kenya hotel attack

At least 14 people were killed in an hours-long militant siege at a Nairobi hotel complex. Details are sketchy, so that number could go up.

The terror group Al Shabab claimed responsibility for the assault on the Dusit hotel and office compound in the Kenyan capital.

Sporadic gunfire was being reported in the area early Wednesday, although police say the area has been secured.

‘The 'nos' have it’

Brexit is in chaos after the government was crushed in a vote on British PM Theresa May's divorce deal.

Now she faces a no-confidence vote called for Wednesday by the Labour opposition.

Even if she wins that, it isn't clear what her mandate is any more for taking the UK out of the EU.

Turkey would control proposed Syria safe-zone

President Erdogan says he views a proposed 32-kilometre “security zone” in northern Syria positively and that he might expand it further.

Erdogan spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said any such zone would be under Turkey's control.

The president and his US counterpart discussed setting up the zone in a phone call on Monday.

Zimbabwe suspends internet amid deadly protests

Zimbabwe’s largest mobile operator Econet Wireless has confirmed internet services have been cut off amid protests over crippling fuel prices.

Police said at least three people died in clashes on Tuesday, while Amnesty International put the death toll at eight.

Cats score slick Silicon Valley studio apartment

And finally,

This one man in Silicon Valley decided to shell out $1,500 a month to pamper his daughter's cats after she left for college.

He rented a studio flat there for her two pets when he found out they didn't get along with his dog.

We love our pets. But seriously, has anyone heard of this massive housing crisis in Silicon Valley for humans...

And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World... For more, head to TRTWORLD.com

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Presidents Erdogan and Trump discuss a possible safe zone in northern Syria, and Japan's largest overseas community loses its newspaper.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Tuesday, January 15th.

Erdogan and Trump discuss terror-free zone for northern Syria

Turkey and the US are discussing a possible terror-free zone in northern Syria.

That was one result from a telephone call Turkey's President Erdogan had on Monday with US President Trump.

Erdogan also reminded Trump that Turkey doesn't have a problem with Kurds in Syria, only terrorists.

Fuel price protests in Zimbabwe turn deadly

Banks, schools and businesses are shut in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare today, and in Bulawayo city, a day after deadly protests over a sharp increase in the price of fuel.

Mobile phone networks and the internet were also reported to be partially shut down on Tuesday.

The protests broke out after the government more than doubled fuel prices.

New migrant caravan sets out for US

Another caravan of Central American migrants has set out from Honduras in a bid to reach the US border.

Half of the caravan, mainly women and children, will attempt the journey by bus. The rest started out on foot in steady rain.

Many of the migrants are fleeing violence and poverty and are looking for a better life to the north.

Iran satellite launch fails

Iran tried to launch a satellite on Monday but failed.

The rocket carrying the satellite did not make it into orbit.

Iran says it plans to launch two satellites.

The one that failed on Monday was called Payam, which means “message” in Farsi. The other one is Doosti which means “friendship.”

Iconic Japanese newspaper in Brazil closes

And finally,

In Brazil, the newspaper serving the largest Japanese community overseas has shuttered its print edition.

It's called the Sao Paulo Shimbun.

The owner Helena Mizumoto says she was forced to close the 72-year-old paper because of an aging readership and decline in circulation.

And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World... For more, head to TRTWORLD.com