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

Monday, January 14, 2019

Turkey warns the US not to conflate Kurds with terrorists, and Hindus celebrate the festival of the pot.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, January 14th.

Equating Kurds with YPG is a ‘fatal mistake’ - Turkey

Ankara is calling on the US to honour its “strategic partnership” with Turkey.

Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin made the comments after Trump said the US would “devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds," as the US pulls out of Syria.

Kalin said it was a "fatal mistake" to equate Kurds with the YPG, which is the Syrian wing of the PKK, a group Ankara and Washington agree is a terrorist organisation.

Iran cargo plane crash near Tehran

The Iranian military says a cargo plane that crashed near Tehran was one of its aircraft, and that 16 people were on board.

The Boeing 707 was flying from Kyrgyzstan when it crashed in heavy weather.

Fuel price hike angers people in Zimbabwe

Anger and frustration are building at petrol stations in Zimbabwe, after fuel prices were increased by 150 percent overnight. Cars are reported to be queuing for kilometres.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa says the decision to more than double the price of gas was necessary for the economy.

Eight years since Tunisia’s popular uprising

Today marks eight years since Tunisia’s popular uprising brought down the government of president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

People who took part in the uprising, the first of several in the region, say their post-uprising freedom of expression is nice, but crippling inflation and unemployment are not.

Despite the hardships, they say they're planning to celebrate.

Hindus mark Kumbh Mela

And finally,

Pilgrims from across the world are gathering in India for Kumbh Mela, a major Hindu festival.

Up to 150 million people, including a million foreigners are expected to take part in the gathering.

Hindus believe that dipping in the waters of the Ganges during Kumbh Mela, or festival of the pot, brings salvation from the cycle of life and death.

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

Friday, January 11, 2019

US Secretary of State Pompeo tells Arab allies it's all Obama's fault, and justice remains elusive for Jamal Khashoggi.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Friday, January 11th.

Pompeo blames Obama for Middle East problems

The US state secretary is continuing his whistle stop tour of Arab allies.

He's telling them the US won't retreat from the region until the terror fight is over.

Mike Pompeo blamed Donald Trump's predecessor Barack Obama for problems in the Middle East.

Maduro begins 2nd term as Venezuelan president

Nicolas Maduro is starting his second term as Venezuela's president.

Maduro is vowing to continue the country's socialist revolution, which critics say is beggaring the country.

Justice remains elusive for Jamal Khashoggi

Thursday marked 100 days since journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed by a Saudi hit squad at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul.

US lawmakers held a moment of silence for the slain Washington Post columnist.

Amnesty is calling for an international investigation into his death, as justice remains elusive for the Saudi government critic.

Myanmar court rejects Reuters' journalists appeal

A Myanmar court has rejected the appeal of two Reuters reporters sentenced to seven years in jail, for investigating the military's repression of the Rohingya.

The pair were sentenced for breaking the Official Secrets Act.

They were reporting on ethnic cleansing in Rakhine state that sent 700,000 of the oppressed Muslim minority fleeing to Bangladesh.

The reporters next avenue of appeal would be the Supreme Court.

Nevada police seek Ronaldo's DNA in rape investigation

And finally,

Police in the US state of Nevada are asking Italian authorities for a DNA sample from Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese football star plays for Juventus.

He's been accused of raping a woman in Las Vegas in 2009.

Ronaldo says the sex was consensual.

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