This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, April 1st.

*)AK Party, MHP alliance leads nationwide in Turkey’s local elections

The governing AK Party-led People’s Alliance is leading the vote count nationwide in Turkey's local elections.

According to unofficial results, the alliance has almost 52 percent of the vote.

The opposition CHP-Iyi alliance has won about 38 percent of the vote.

Vote count confirms comic’s lead in Ukraine elections

*)Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky has won the first round of Ukraine’s presidential election.

But it wasn't enough to prevent a run-off on April 21.

Zelensky's won just over 30 percent of the vote, with incumbent president Petro Poroshenko trailing on 17 percent.

*)Vietnamese woman pleads guilty to lesser charge in Kim killing

A Vietnamese woman accused of killing the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has escaped the death penalty in Malaysia.

30-year-old Doan Thi Huong pleaded down to causing harm by dangerous means.

She was sentenced to three years four months, but is expected to be out soon, given continued good behaviour.

*)Algeria’s Bouteflika reported to be set to resign this week

Algerian media are reporting that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is likely to step down this week.

Bouteflika has faced weeks of anti-government protests, mainly against him personally and his 20-year rule.

Some in the opposition are, however, calling for a change of the entire leadership, not just a new president.

And finally,

*)Rapper Nipsey Hussle shot dead

Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle has been shot dead outside his clothing store in south Los Angeles.

Police said two other people were wounded in the shooting and they were in stable conditions.

Hussle was 33. His debut studio album "Victory Lapé" was nominated for Best Rap Album at this year’s Grammys.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Friday, March 29th.

*)New Zealand holds memorial service for massacre victims

A national memorial service was held in Christchurch for the victims of the New Zealand terrorist attacks.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joined the event with representatives from 59 nations, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Around 20,000 people, including Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison attended the event to honour the dead and those who survived the March 15 attacks.

*)May rolls the dice again on Brexit deal

Maybe May will be third time lucky? British Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking to get her Brexit deal approved by parliament.

The deal has already been defeated twice, but the EU has said it will only grant the longer extension if parliament votes yes.

Brussels sees no point in taking it any further if there continues to be no parliamentary support for the agreement.

*)Venezuela bars Guaido from public office for 15 years

The Venezuelan government barred opposition leader Juan Guaido from holding public office for 15 years.

The government cited irregularities in the self-proclaimed interim president’s financial records for the move.

Guaido and his main backer the US dismissed the announcement as an attempt by President Nicolas Maduro to derail the opposition.

*)Bangladesh skyscraper inferno death toll rises to 25

The death toll from a horrific blaze that ripped through a skyscraper in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka has risen to 25, including some who leaped to their deaths.

Officials said around 70 people were injured while at least six people, including a Sri Lankan national, who died after jumping from the 22-storey building to escape the blaze.

Police said they intended to talk to the owner of the FR Tower as part of their inquiry.

And finally,

*)UN says ocean heat hit record high in 2018

Ocean heat hit a record high in 2018, the United Nations said, raising urgent new concerns about the threat global warming is posing to marine life.

In its latest State of the Climate overview, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reaffirmed that the last four years have been the hottest on record.

But the final version of the report highlights worrying developments in other climate indicators beyond surface temperature.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Friday, March 29th.

*)New Zealand holds memorial service for massacre victims

A national memorial service was held in Christchurch for the victims of the New Zealand terrorist attacks.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joined the event with representatives from 59 nations, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Around 20,000 people, including Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison attended the event to honour the dead and those who survived the March 15 attacks.

*)May rolls the dice again on Brexit deal

Maybe May will be third time lucky? British Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking to get her Brexit deal approved by parliament.

The deal has already been defeated twice, but the EU has said it will only grant the longer extension if parliament votes yes.

Brussels sees no point in taking it any further if there continues to be no parliamentary support for the agreement.

*)Venezuela bars Guaido from public office for 15 years

The Venezuelan government barred opposition leader Juan Guaido from holding public office for 15 years.

The government cited irregularities in the self-proclaimed interim president’s financial records for the move.

Guaido and his main backer the US dismissed the announcement as an attempt by President Nicolas Maduro to derail the opposition.

*)Bangladesh skyscraper inferno death toll rises to 25

The death toll from a horrific blaze that ripped through a skyscraper in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka has risen to 25, including some who leaped to their deaths.

Officials said around 70 people were injured while at least six people, including a Sri Lankan national, who died after jumping from the 22-storey building to escape the blaze.

Police said they intended to talk to the owner of the FR Tower as part of their inquiry.

And finally,

*)UN says ocean heat hit record high in 2018

Ocean heat hit a record high in 2018, the United Nations said, raising urgent new concerns about the threat global warming is posing to marine life.

In its latest State of the Climate overview, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reaffirmed that the last four years have been the hottest on record.

But the final version of the report highlights worrying developments in other climate indicators beyond surface temperature.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Friday, March 29th.

*)New Zealand holds memorial service for massacre victims

A national memorial service was held in Christchurch for the victims of the New Zealand terrorist attacks.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joined the event with representatives from 59 nations, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Around 20,000 people, including Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison attended the event to honour the dead and those who survived the March 15 attacks.

*)May rolls the dice again on Brexit deal

Maybe May will be third time lucky? British Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking to get her Brexit deal approved by parliament.

The deal has already been defeated twice, but the EU has said it will only grant the longer extension if parliament votes yes.

Brussels sees no point in taking it any further if there continues to be no parliamentary support for the agreement.

*)Venezuela bars Guaido from public office for 15 years

The Venezuelan government barred opposition leader Juan Guaido from holding public office for 15 years.

The government cited irregularities in the self-proclaimed interim president’s financial records for the move.

Guaido and his main backer the US dismissed the announcement as an attempt by President Nicolas Maduro to derail the opposition.

*)Bangladesh skyscraper inferno death toll rises to 25

The death toll from a horrific blaze that ripped through a skyscraper in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka has risen to 25, including some who leaped to their deaths.

Officials said around 70 people were injured while at least six people, including a Sri Lankan national, who died after jumping from the 22-storey building to escape the blaze.

Police said they intended to talk to the owner of the FR Tower as part of their inquiry.

And finally,

*)UN says ocean heat hit record high in 2018

Ocean heat hit a record high in 2018, the United Nations said, raising urgent new concerns about the threat global warming is posing to marine life.

In its latest State of the Climate overview, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reaffirmed that the last four years have been the hottest on record.

But the final version of the report highlights worrying developments in other climate indicators beyond surface temperature.

Daily News Brief for Thursday, March 28th:

*) Theresa May to quit if Brexit deal pushed through

British PM Theresa May has made a last-ditch effort to push Brexit through, offering up her job in exchange for a divorce deal.

This comes after her colleagues twice rejected her EU agreement, both times by large majorities.

It's unclear whether her offer to resign will be enough to get Brexit sorted.

*) More backs turned on Algeria’s Bouteflika

A key coalition ally of Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is calling for him to resign.

The party joins a slew of civilian and military voices calling for the 82-year and ailing president be declared unfit to rule.

However, many in Algeria's opposition are against these latest moves, since they want the country's entire political elite out of power.

*) Facebook to ban far-right speech

Facebook is banning promotion and support for white nationalism and white separatism.

The ban which will be enforced from next week comes as part of a stepped-up crackdown on hate speech.

It follows the live streaming of a terrorist attack by a white supremacist on two mosques in New Zealand.

*) Rescued migrants hijack ship

Migrants hijacked a cargo ship on Tuesday that rescued them in the Mediterranean.

A Turkish oil tanker picked up around 120 migrants on its way to Tripoli. It was forced to change course to Malta.

Maltese armed forces moved in and restored control to the captain, who then steered the ship to Malta, where it has now docked.

*) Hagia Sophia to be called a mosque again

And finally,

Istanbul's Hagia Sophia will be called a mosque again, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says.

The building is an architectural masterpiece, almost 1,500 years old.

It started life as a church, was then converted to a mosque, was then made a museum, and now, will again be called a mosque.

Daily News Brief for Thursday, March 28th:

*) Theresa May to quit if Brexit deal pushed through

British PM Theresa May has made a last-ditch effort to push Brexit through, offering up her job in exchange for a divorce deal.

This comes after her colleagues twice rejected her EU agreement, both times by large majorities.

It's unclear whether her offer to resign will be enough to get Brexit sorted.

*) More backs turned on Algeria’s Bouteflika

A key coalition ally of Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is calling for him to resign.

The party joins a slew of civilian and military voices calling for the 82-year and ailing president be declared unfit to rule.

However, many in Algeria's opposition are against these latest moves, since they want the country's entire political elite out of power.

*) Facebook to ban far-right speech

Facebook is banning promotion and support for white nationalism and white separatism.

The ban which will be enforced from next week comes as part of a stepped-up crackdown on hate speech.

It follows the live streaming of a terrorist attack by a white supremacist on two mosques in New Zealand.

*) Rescued migrants hijack ship

Migrants hijacked a cargo ship on Tuesday that rescued them in the Mediterranean.

A Turkish oil tanker picked up around 120 migrants on its way to Tripoli. It was forced to change course to Malta.

Maltese armed forces moved in and restored control to the captain, who then steered the ship to Malta, where it has now docked.

*) Hagia Sophia to be called a mosque again

And finally,

Istanbul's Hagia Sophia will be called a mosque again, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says.

The building is an architectural masterpiece, almost 1,500 years old.

It started life as a church, was then converted to a mosque, was then made a museum, and now, will again be called a mosque.

Daily News Brief for Thursday, March 28th:

*) Theresa May to quit if Brexit deal pushed through

British PM Theresa May has made a last-ditch effort to push Brexit through, offering up her job in exchange for a divorce deal.

This comes after her colleagues twice rejected her EU agreement, both times by large majorities.

It's unclear whether her offer to resign will be enough to get Brexit sorted.

*) More backs turned on Algeria’s Bouteflika

A key coalition ally of Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is calling for him to resign.

The party joins a slew of civilian and military voices calling for the 82-year and ailing president be declared unfit to rule.

However, many in Algeria's opposition are against these latest moves, since they want the country's entire political elite out of power.

*) Facebook to ban far-right speech

Facebook is banning promotion and support for white nationalism and white separatism.

The ban which will be enforced from next week comes as part of a stepped-up crackdown on hate speech.

It follows the live streaming of a terrorist attack by a white supremacist on two mosques in New Zealand.

*) Rescued migrants hijack ship

Migrants hijacked a cargo ship on Tuesday that rescued them in the Mediterranean.

A Turkish oil tanker picked up around 120 migrants on its way to Tripoli. It was forced to change course to Malta.

Maltese armed forces moved in and restored control to the captain, who then steered the ship to Malta, where it has now docked.

*) Hagia Sophia to be called a mosque again

And finally,

Istanbul's Hagia Sophia will be called a mosque again, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says.

The building is an architectural masterpiece, almost 1,500 years old.

It started life as a church, was then converted to a mosque, was then made a museum, and now, will again be called a mosque.

TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Wednesday, March 27:

*)Algerian army chief calls for Bouteflika to be impeached

Algeria's army chief Ahmed Gaed Salah has called for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to be impeached.

Salah called for activation of Article 102 of the Constitution.

That would allow for the president to be declared unfit to serve.

The 82-year-old and ailing Bouteflika has been in power for 20 years.

He is facing increasing popular pressure to step down.

*)Israel, militants break unofficial ceasefire

Israel launched more air strikes overnight against Gaza, as militants launched more rockets against Israel.

A top Palestinian official says some 500 houses in the Gaza Strip have been damaged in the latest strikes.

However, as of the time of writing an unofficial ceasefire appears to be holding again. It's a stand-off the UN is warning could have catastrophic consequences.

*)Syrian regime wants UNSC to discuss Golan Heights

Damascus wants the UN Security Council to take up the Golan Heights issue.

This comes after Trump's attempt to legitimise Israel's occupation of the Syrian territory.

Three UN Security Council resolutions have in the past called on Israel to withdraw from Golan.

Israel seized the territory from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War.

*)Thailand's election sends mixed signals

Thailand's opposition parties say they have enough support from lawmakers to form the next government.

At the same time, the party backed by the military junta says it's leading in the vote count and should form the next government.

First official preliminary results of last Sunday's election are expected on Friday.

And finally,

*)Case against Jussie Smollet dropped

Chicago prosecutors have dropped all charges against Jussie Smollett.

The city's mayor Rahm Emanuel and the police have slammed the decision.

The actor faced 16 felony counts, after police accused him of staging a racist, anti-gay attack on himself.

Prosecutors have not said why they're dropping the case.

TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Wednesday, March 27:

*)Algerian army chief calls for Bouteflika to be impeached

Algeria's army chief Ahmed Gaed Salah has called for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to be impeached.

Salah called for activation of Article 102 of the Constitution.

That would allow for the president to be declared unfit to serve.

The 82-year-old and ailing Bouteflika has been in power for 20 years.

He is facing increasing popular pressure to step down.

*)Israel, militants break unofficial ceasefire

Israel launched more air strikes overnight against Gaza, as militants launched more rockets against Israel.

A top Palestinian official says some 500 houses in the Gaza Strip have been damaged in the latest strikes.

However, as of the time of writing an unofficial ceasefire appears to be holding again. It's a stand-off the UN is warning could have catastrophic consequences.

*)Syrian regime wants UNSC to discuss Golan Heights

Damascus wants the UN Security Council to take up the Golan Heights issue.

This comes after Trump's attempt to legitimise Israel's occupation of the Syrian territory.

Three UN Security Council resolutions have in the past called on Israel to withdraw from Golan.

Israel seized the territory from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War.

*)Thailand's election sends mixed signals

Thailand's opposition parties say they have enough support from lawmakers to form the next government.

At the same time, the party backed by the military junta says it's leading in the vote count and should form the next government.

First official preliminary results of last Sunday's election are expected on Friday.

And finally,

*)Case against Jussie Smollet dropped

Chicago prosecutors have dropped all charges against Jussie Smollett.

The city's mayor Rahm Emanuel and the police have slammed the decision.

The actor faced 16 felony counts, after police accused him of staging a racist, anti-gay attack on himself.

Prosecutors have not said why they're dropping the case.

TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Wednesday, March 27:

*)Algerian army chief calls for Bouteflika to be impeached

Algeria's army chief Ahmed Gaed Salah has called for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to be impeached.

Salah called for activation of Article 102 of the Constitution.

That would allow for the president to be declared unfit to serve.

The 82-year-old and ailing Bouteflika has been in power for 20 years.

He is facing increasing popular pressure to step down.

*)Israel, militants break unofficial ceasefire

Israel launched more air strikes overnight against Gaza, as militants launched more rockets against Israel.

A top Palestinian official says some 500 houses in the Gaza Strip have been damaged in the latest strikes.

However, as of the time of writing an unofficial ceasefire appears to be holding again. It's a stand-off the UN is warning could have catastrophic consequences.

*)Syrian regime wants UNSC to discuss Golan Heights

Damascus wants the UN Security Council to take up the Golan Heights issue.

This comes after Trump's attempt to legitimise Israel's occupation of the Syrian territory.

Three UN Security Council resolutions have in the past called on Israel to withdraw from Golan.

Israel seized the territory from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War.

*)Thailand's election sends mixed signals

Thailand's opposition parties say they have enough support from lawmakers to form the next government.

At the same time, the party backed by the military junta says it's leading in the vote count and should form the next government.

First official preliminary results of last Sunday's election are expected on Friday.

And finally,

*)Case against Jussie Smollet dropped

Chicago prosecutors have dropped all charges against Jussie Smollett.

The city's mayor Rahm Emanuel and the police have slammed the decision.

The actor faced 16 felony counts, after police accused him of staging a racist, anti-gay attack on himself.

Prosecutors have not said why they're dropping the case.