Monday, January 6, 2020

Iran mourns as it pulls out completely from the 2015 nuclear deal, and awards season begins in Hollywood

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, January 6th.

*)Iran pulls out from 2015 nuclear deal

Iran has announced it is lifting all limits placed on its uranium enrichment programme, as decided under the 2015 nuclear deal.

Tehran's move follows the Pentagon's assassination of Iran's top military general Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al Muhandis.

On Sunday, thousands of mourners packed the streets of Tehran for Soleimani’s funeral.

*)Australia commits more than $1 billion to wildlife recovery

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison has committed $1.4 billion to help the country recover from bushfires.

The money will be used over two years to rebuild devastated towns.

At least two people have gone missing, 24 people were killed and more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed by the blazes.

*)Turkish troops deployed to Libya

Turkish military units have started moving to Libya to support Libya’s UN recognised government in Tripoli, according to Turkey’s President Erdogan.

The deployment follows deals that Libya and Turkey struck last November on maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean, and on military cooperation.

Forces loyal to Libya’s government are trying to prevent warlord Khalifa Haftar and his illegal militia from capturing the capital Tripoli.

*)Weinstein faces life in prison over sexual assault charges

Harvey Weinstein has reached a tentative $25 million settlement with his accusers in a civil lawsuit.

This comes as the media mogul's criminal trial begins today with him facing life in prison.

Weinstein is being tried on charges of sexual assault involving two women, but around 80 women accuse him of misconduct.

And finally,

*) ‘1917,’ ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ win Golden Globes

The 77th Golden Globe Awards have been held in Los Angeles – with Joaquin Phoenix and Renee Zellweger winning Best Actor awards.

South Korean movie "Parasite" took home the award for best foreign-language film, while Sam Mendes’ “1917” bagged the most prizes.

"Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood," "Joker," "Knives Out" and "Marriage Story" also received nods of approval.

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

Daily News Brief for Friday, January 3rd:

*)Top Iran commander Qasem Soleimani killed in US strike

The US has killed the head of Iran’s elite Al Quds force Qasem Soleimani in an air strike near the international airport in Iraq’s Baghdad.

Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, a Hashd al Shaabi leader, an Iraqi paramilitary force closely allied with Iran, was also killed in the attack.

Iran has vowed “severe revenge,” saying Soleimani was killed by "the most cruel of those on earth".

*) Mass evacuations in Australia as weather threatens more fires

The Australian navy has begun evacuating around one thousand people stranded on the east coast of the fire-ravaged country.

This comes as weather this weekend threatens to push more fires with high temperatures and strong winds.

At least 20 people have died, dozens are missing, and more than 1,300 homes have been damaged as fires burned an area nearly double the size of Belgium.

*) Turkish parliament ratifies Libya troop deployment

Turkey’s parliament has approved the deployment of troops to Libya with a 60 percent majority.

The decision to send military assets came at the request of the UN-backed government in Tripoli, which is struggling to maintain its grip on power.

The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord is facing an incursion into the capital by warlord Khalifa Haftar's militia.

*) Indonesia plans cloud seeding as flooding death toll hits 43

Indonesia will carry out cloud seeding to prevent rain over capital Jakarta after deadly flooding and landslides.

Indonesia will shoot salt flares into clouds in an attempt to break up rain clouds over Jakarta.

This attempt at weather modification comes as floods and landslides have killed over 43 people and displaced tens of thousands.

And finally,

*) Female directors in Hollywood reach record highs in 2019

Women are inching closer to at least denting Hollywood’s towering glass ceiling.

Women directors reached record levels in 2019 as they made up 10.6 percent of top movies with 12 directing top-grossing films, studies show.

These films include "Frozen II," "Captain Marvel" and "Hustlers".

Women comprised 20 percent of directors, writers, producers, editors and cinematographers on the top 100 grossing films of 2019.

*)Mass evacuations ordered in Australia

A heatwave fanning wildfires in Australia triggered mass evacuations in coastal towns.

Military ships and helicopters are also deployed to rescue trapped people.

A state of emergency has been declared in both New South Wales and Victoria states.

*)2019 civilian death toll in Syria

3,364 civilians were killed in Syria during 2019, Syrian Network for Human Rights says in its latest report.

The report claims 1,497 civilians were killed Syria’s regime and allied militias.

Russian forces killed 452 and US-backed YPG/PKK terrorists killed 268.

The rest were killed by other terror groups.

The document accuses the regime and extremist groups of violating international human rights law.

*)Protesters withdraw from US embassy in Iraq

Pro-Iranian protesters have withdrawn from outside the US embassy compound in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad.

The demonstrations were in response to US air strikes which killed Iran-backed militants.

US and Iran have exchanged threats, but Iran’s supreme leader denied orchestrating violence at the US embassy.

*)Indonesia flooding kills at least 21

Indonesia is urging its disaster mitigation agency to prioritise people’s safety after severe flooding killed at least 21.

The agency says at least 19,000 people were evacuated after water levels rose in several provinces.

Authorities have in the last few years sought to improve the city’s low-lying areas vulnerable to flooding.

And finally,

*)Legendary NBA commissioner David Stern dead at 77

David Stern, the man who turned the NBA into a $5 billion enterprise, has died at age 77.

When he became commissioner in 1984, the NBA was lagging behind other major US sports in profile and revenue.

But Stern focused his marketing vision on stars like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, which turned the NBA into a global brand.

*)US to deploy troops to Iraq

The US is deploying 750 troops to its embassy in Iraq's capital, Baghdad.

The boost comes after the embassy was attacked by pro-Iranian protesters demonstrating against US air strikes on Iran-backed militia that killed a US contractor.

Washington says it will continue to take decisive action if its interests are threatened.

*)North Korea steps up nuclear programme

North Korea's Kim Jong-un says his country will introduce a new nuclear weapon in the near future.

His remarks come after the US missed a year-end deadline to restart denuclearisation talks.

Kim says there's no grounds for his country to be bound to any nuclear restrictions if the US continues joint military drills with South Korea.

*)Deadly wildfires kill at least 12 in Australia

Deadly wildfires in Australia's states of Victoria and New South Wales have decimated suburbs.

Residents now face the monumental task of rebuilding their homes and their communities.

At least 12 people have died since the bushfires broke out in September.

*)Hong Kong protesters to continue fighting

Protesters in Hong Kong welcomed the New Year by urging people not to give up the fight for democracy in 2020.

Police have been deployed in force across the city to quell any unrest.

Authorities cancelled the popular midnight fireworks for the first time in a decade, citing security concerns.

And finally,

*)Happy New Year!

Night skies around the world dazzled with fireworks and light displays to usher in 2020.

Billions cheered in the new decade after a thunderous year dominated by anti-government protests and action on climate change.

We wish all our listeners a less belligerent and more harmonious 2020.

*)Raging wildfires trap 4,000 at Australian town’s waterfront

Wildfires in Australia’s two most-populous states have trapped 4,000 people in a seaside town and left at least two people dead.

The fires in Mallacoota town are part of several burning across Victoria state's East Gippsland region, an area half the size of Belgium.

Australia's bushfire crisis has destroyed more than 4 million hectares since the start of the summer season.

*)Iraq warns US ties at stake after deadly strikes

Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi has condemned US air strikes on several bases belonging to Kataib Hezbollah militia group.

Mahdi has warned the attacks will have dangerous consequences. The militia says nearly 30 fighters were killed on Sunday.

The US strikes were launched against five targets in Iraq and eastern Syria belonging to the Shia group that has close ties to Iran.

*)Police charge Hannukah suspect with hate crimes charges

Authorities in New York charged a man suspected of stabbing five Jewish people with hate crimes.

Police say Grafton Thomas attacked a rabbi's home north of New York City during Hannukah celebrations on Saturday night.

Police say the 37-year-old’s journals and mobile phone contained searches related to Nazis, Adolf Hitler and antisemitism.

*)Bolivia expels Mexican ambassador and two Spanish diplomats

Bolivia's interim President Jeanine Anez has announced the country is expelling Mexico's ambassador and two Spanish diplomats.

Bolivia accuses the Spanish embassy staff of trying to extract the former aid of ex-president Evo Morales out of the Mexican mission.

The Mexican embassy has become the centre of a diplomatic row after it gave refuge to nine officials from Morales's former government

And finally,

*)Former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn leaves Japan for Lebanon

Former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn has arrived in Lebanon after leaving Japan in what he calls an escape from "injustice and political persecution".

He was awaiting trial in Tokyo over charges of financial misconduct and was barred from travelling abroad under strict bail conditions.

The charges include the allegation that he diverted money for his own gain.

*)Air strikes target militants after Somalia bombing kills dozens

US warplanes kill four al Shabab militants in Somalia, a day after a truck bombing in Mogadishu left nearly 80 people dead.

US Africa Command said two strikes killed two militants in Qunyo Barrow while a separate strike killed another two in Caliyoow Barrow.

No group has claimed responsibility for the deadly Mogadishu bombing.

*)Taliban council agrees to ceasefire in Afghanistan

The Taliban in Afghanistan denied agreeing to a temporary ceasefire.

The US have demanded a ceasefire before considering signing a peace deal.

A peace deal would allow the US to bring home troops from Afghanistan and end its 18-year war there - America's longest.

*)US strikes hit Iraqi militia blamed in contractor's death

US forces carry out what they say were “defensive strikes” against an Iran-linked militia group in Iraq and Syria on Sunday.

Iraqi security sources say at least 25 members of the Kataib Hezbollah were killed in the attacks.

Washington blames the Kataib for a series of attacks on joint US-Iraq military facilities that house American troops.

*)Suspect denies stabbing five at New York rabbi's home

Grafton Thomas has been arrested and charged with five counts of attempted murder in New York.

The 37-year-old is accused of stabbing five people at a rabbi's home during a Hanukkah celebration on Saturday night.

Ramapo Town Court ordered Thomas to be held in custody. He denied the charges.

And finally,

*)Mexico City zoo welcomes second baby giraffe of the year

The Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico City is celebrating its second baby giraffe of the year, already as tall as a full-grown human.

The female giraffe was unveiled last week after a mandatory quarantine period following her October 23 birth.

She will be named via a public vote to generate empathy with the little cow.

*)Plane crash kills at least 15 in Kazakhstan

The death toll is expected to climb from 15 in a deadly passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan.

The Bek Air flight, carrying 95 passengers and 5 crew, crashed shortly after take-off.

Officials say the aircraft lost height, struck a concrete fence and then a two-storey building.

*)Libya requests Turkish military support - officials

Libya’s government has formally requested “air, ground and sea” military support from Turkey, a Libyan official has said.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said earlier his country will send troops to Libya to join the fight against warlord Khalifa Haftar.

Deployment legislation is expected to be presented to Turkey's parliament early next year.

*)Netanyahu wins Likud leadership race

Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu has won a landslide victory in his Likud Party's leadership race.

Official results show the party leader of 14 years, claim 72 percent of the vote.

Netanyahu has failed to form a government twice this year and is under pressure to step down after being indicted on bribery and fraud charges.

*)Muslim traders killed by militia in CAR

At least 30 people were killed in fighting between Christian militia and Muslim traders in Central African Republic.

As many as 50 shops were burned down in the capital, Bangui.

A Muslim cleric says fighting began over taxes imposed on the Muslim traders by militia groups.

And finally,

*)Ancient Mayan palace discovered in eastern Mexico

Archaeologists discovered a new Mayan palace in eastern Mexico.

The palace in Kuluba is said to be from over 1,000 years ago and was used by Mayan elites.

Mayans reached their peak between 250 and 900 AD when they ruled large swaths of what is now southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras.

*)Asia commemorates deadly tsunami

Countries around Asia are commemorating the 15th anniversary of the world's deadliest tsunami.

In 2004, an earthquake triggered 17-metre-high tidal waves that decimated the coastline of 14 countries.

Around 230,000 people were killed in a day.

*)Israeli warplanes retaliate to Gaza rocket fire

Gaza officials say Israeli warplanes attacked military posts belonging to Palestinian resistance groups.

The air strikes follow a rocket fired from Gaza towards a campaign rally held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The rocket was shot down, but the rally was called off.

*)Turkey believes Tunisia can assist with Libyan stability

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Tunisia will make “valuable and constructive” contributions towards establishing stability in Libya.

Erdogan and Tunisian President Kais Saied discussed a possible ceasefire in Libya during Christmas Day talks.

Libya's UN-backed government is currently under attack by warlord Khalifa Haftar.

*)Typhoon Phanfone brings kills at least 13

At least 13 people are dead after Typhoon Phanfone hit central Philippines over Christmas.

Thousands were evacuated ahead of the storm packing winds of 195 km/h.

The typhoon destroyed homes and disrupted power, internet and mobile services.

And finally,

*)Wisconsin firefighters face chilly challenge

A video of Wisconsin firefighters saving a puppy has gone viral.

The men can be seen carefully sliding across a frozen pond to reach Pepper, an 8-month-old German Shepherd, who’d fallen in.

They broke through the ice and lifted Pepper out from the freezing water.

*)Militant attack kills 35 civilians in Burkina Faso

We start in Burkina Faso where a double terror attack has left at least 35 people dead.

Most of the victims of the militant attack were women. The government declared two days of mourning.

Burkina Faso has been struggling with armed militancy.

*)India approves funds for population survey amid protests

India has approved funds for a census and population survey, amid fears that the database could be used to build a discriminatory citizens register.

Nationwide protests continue across India against a new citizenship law widely seen as anti-Muslim.

Some of these protests have led to clashes between the police and demonstrators in which at least 21 people have been killed.

*)Turkey will take steps needed to stand with Libyans

“Turkey will not forsake the Libyan people,” Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said after a cabinet meeting in Ankara.

Support for Libya's internationally-recognised government could be in the form of troop training or political back-up, Kalin said.

Libya's Tripoli-based government has been fighting off a months-long offensive by warlord Khalifa Haftar's forces, which are based in the east.

*)Hong Kong police tear-gas protesters

Hong Kong riot police used tear gas to disperse protesters after scuffles broke out in two shopping centres on Christmas Eve.

Thousands of anti-Beijing protesters –– some wearing Santa hats and reindeer horns –– responded with flashmob rallies in the financial hub.

The demonstrations against China’s involvement in the semi-autonomous territory look set to continue into 2020 as protesters press on.

And finally,

*)Christmas is celebrated globally

From Australia to the Americas, people around the world have begun to celebrate Christmas.

Pope Francis kicked off Christmas for the world’s 1.3 billion Roman Catholics, urging them not to let the Church’s failings distance them from God.

Pilgrims gathered at the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, regarded as the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

*)Saudi court sentence five to death over Khashoggi murder

Saudi Arabia has sentenced five people to death and three to jail over the murder of critic and journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s top two aides, thought to have played a more significant role in the killing, have been exonerated.

A UN investigator says Saudi Arabia made a “mockery” of justice by allowing the masterminds behind Khashoggi’s murder to go free.

*)Residents of NW Syria flee new regime offensive

Syrian regime forces continue to bomb Idlib, the country’s last rebel stronghold.

Syrian troops have been pushing toward the town of Maarat al Numan which lies on a highway linking Damascus with Aleppo, Syria’s largest city.

Idlib is home to 3 million civilians, and the UN has warned of the growing risk of a humanitarian catastrophe along the Turkish border.

*)Modi's party loses Indian state election amid protests

India’s ruling BJP loses control of the eastern state of Jharkhand, with an alliance of the main opposition Congress Party.

The loss in Jharkhand comes amid deadly nationwide protests triggered by a citizenship law widely seen as discriminatory against Muslims.

The law has brought thousands of people out on to the streets in opposition and more than 20 people have died in the protests.

*)Bosnia gets a government

Bosnia's lawmakers have approved a central government after a 14-month-long deadlock.

Bosnia’s three presidents — an Orthodox Serb, a Catholic Croat and a Muslim Bosniak — spent a year arguing over relations with NATO.

Prime Minister Zoran Tegeltija, a Bosnian Serb economist, took power in a deal which saw the Serbs approve a reform plan demanded by NATO.

And finally,

*)Boeing ousts CEO Dennis Muilenburg

Boeing has fired CEO Dennis Muilenburg in the wake of the two fatal crashes of its bestselling plane, the 737 Max.

Chairman David Calhoun will take over as CEO, effective January 13, 2020.

Boeing recently halted production of new 737 Max aircraft, pending recertification for service.