Daily News Brief for Monday, February 11th:

*)China releases footage purportedly of Uighur poet

China has released a video it says shows that Uighur artist and activist Abdurehim Heyit is alive.

The video could not be authenticated but came after reports that the revered poet and singer had died in a Chinese detention camp.

Turkey is leading international calls for China to close the so-called 're-education camps' in the country's far west.

UN experts believe close to a million Uighurs and other Turkic language-speaking minorities may have been detained.

*)US says its troops will soon start leaving Syria

A top US general says the withdrawal of American troops from Syria is just weeks away.

General Joseph Votel made the comment after the Wall Street Journal reported that the US military is planning to withdraw all ground troops by the end of April.

*)Venezuelan crisis shows no sign of resolution

The political crisis in Venezuela continues with each side looking for ways to bolster its position.

Reuters is reporting that the state oil company is calling on customers to funnel oil sales through a Russian bank to avoid US sanctions.

Analysts see continued military support for President Nicolas Maduro as key to his tenure.

But a second ranking officer has now defected to the camp of opposition leader Juan Guaido.

*)Sudanese forces break up women's protest with tear gas

Sudanese security forces have used tear gas to break up a large protest of mostly women.

The demonstrations were against the detention of women who were arrested at previous protests.

The protests are part of a wider movement calling on President Omar al Bashir to step down.

*)Cardi B makes Grammy history

And finally,

Cardi B has made Grammy history by becoming the first solo female rapper to win best rap album award.

Childish Gambino was the night's big winner, bagging four awards, including best music video and best rap/sung performance.

Daily News Brief for Friday, February 8th:

*)UN report blames Saudi for Khashoggi murder

The UN says journalist Jamal “Khashoggi was the victim of a brutal and premeditated killing…” committed by “the state of Saudi Arabia.”

UN investigator Agnes Callamard's initial report says Saudi Arabia “undermined” Turkey’s prompt efforts to investigate the crime.

Khashoggi was killed in Istanbul on October 2; intelligence agencies believe crown prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the hit.

Callamard’s final report will be presented in June.

*)First aid shipment blocked from entering Venezuela

The first trucks carrying humanitarian aid for Venezuela are stuck at the border with Colombia.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called the US aid a “cheap and bad show”.

But, opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is backed by the US and EU, is determined to allow foreign help into the financially-strapped country.

Protestors on both sides of the border are demanding the trucks be allowed to cross the bridge connecting the two countries.

*)Emiliano Sala’s body identified

Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala’s body has been identified after it was recovered from a plane wreck.

Sala was on his way from France to make his debut for Premier League side Cardiff City when his plane vanished over the English Channel.

Pilot David Ibbotson is still missing.

*)Yemen’s warring sides to remove forces from Hudaida

The UN says an agreement has been reached by Yemen's government and Houthis.

Forces from both sides will be redeployed from the key port city of Hudaida.

The warring sides are attending talks in Jordan’s capital Amman.

*)Amazon boss accuses National Enquirer of blackmail

And finally,

Amazon boss Jeff Bezos is accusing the National Enquirer of attempting to blackmail him.

Bezos says the tabloid is threatening to publish "intimate photos" of him if he doesn’t end an investigation into how they accessed messages he sent his girlfriend.

Bezos, who’s anti-Trump, says the Enquirer’s story on his extra-marital affair, is politically motivated.

The National Enquirer is already under scrutiny for helping pay hush money to women Trump allegedly had affairs with.

Daily News Brief for Friday, February 8th:

*)UN report blames Saudi for Khashoggi murder

The UN says journalist Jamal “Khashoggi was the victim of a brutal and premeditated killing…” committed by “the state of Saudi Arabia.”

UN investigator Agnes Callamard's initial report says Saudi Arabia “undermined” Turkey’s prompt efforts to investigate the crime.

Khashoggi was killed in Istanbul on October 2; intelligence agencies believe crown prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the hit.

Callamard’s final report will be presented in June.

*)First aid shipment blocked from entering Venezuela

The first trucks carrying humanitarian aid for Venezuela are stuck at the border with Colombia.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called the US aid a “cheap and bad show”.

But, opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is backed by the US and EU, is determined to allow foreign help into the financially-strapped country.

Protestors on both sides of the border are demanding the trucks be allowed to cross the bridge connecting the two countries.

*)Emiliano Sala’s body identified

Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala’s body has been identified after it was recovered from a plane wreck.

Sala was on his way from France to make his debut for Premier League side Cardiff City when his plane vanished over the English Channel.

Pilot David Ibbotson is still missing.

*)Yemen’s warring sides to remove forces from Hudaida

The UN says an agreement has been reached by Yemen's government and Houthis.

Forces from both sides will be redeployed from the key port city of Hudaida.

The warring sides are attending talks in Jordan’s capital Amman.

*)Amazon boss accuses National Enquirer of blackmail

And finally,

Amazon boss Jeff Bezos is accusing the National Enquirer of attempting to blackmail him.

Bezos says the tabloid is threatening to publish "intimate photos" of him if he doesn’t end an investigation into how they accessed messages he sent his girlfriend.

Bezos, who’s anti-Trump, says the Enquirer’s story on his extra-marital affair, is politically motivated.

The National Enquirer is already under scrutiny for helping pay hush money to women Trump allegedly had affairs with.

Daily News Brief for Friday, February 8th:

*)UN report blames Saudi for Khashoggi murder

The UN says journalist Jamal “Khashoggi was the victim of a brutal and premeditated killing…” committed by “the state of Saudi Arabia.”

UN investigator Agnes Callamard's initial report says Saudi Arabia “undermined” Turkey’s prompt efforts to investigate the crime.

Khashoggi was killed in Istanbul on October 2; intelligence agencies believe crown prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the hit.

Callamard’s final report will be presented in June.

*)First aid shipment blocked from entering Venezuela

The first trucks carrying humanitarian aid for Venezuela are stuck at the border with Colombia.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called the US aid a “cheap and bad show”.

But, opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is backed by the US and EU, is determined to allow foreign help into the financially-strapped country.

Protestors on both sides of the border are demanding the trucks be allowed to cross the bridge connecting the two countries.

*)Emiliano Sala’s body identified

Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala’s body has been identified after it was recovered from a plane wreck.

Sala was on his way from France to make his debut for Premier League side Cardiff City when his plane vanished over the English Channel.

Pilot David Ibbotson is still missing.

*)Yemen’s warring sides to remove forces from Hudaida

The UN says an agreement has been reached by Yemen's government and Houthis.

Forces from both sides will be redeployed from the key port city of Hudaida.

The warring sides are attending talks in Jordan’s capital Amman.

*)Amazon boss accuses National Enquirer of blackmail

And finally,

Amazon boss Jeff Bezos is accusing the National Enquirer of attempting to blackmail him.

Bezos says the tabloid is threatening to publish "intimate photos" of him if he doesn’t end an investigation into how they accessed messages he sent his girlfriend.

Bezos, who’s anti-Trump, says the Enquirer’s story on his extra-marital affair, is politically motivated.

The National Enquirer is already under scrutiny for helping pay hush money to women Trump allegedly had affairs with.

Daily News Brief for Friday, February 8th:

*)UN report blames Saudi for Khashoggi murder

The UN says journalist Jamal “Khashoggi was the victim of a brutal and premeditated killing…” committed by “the state of Saudi Arabia.”

UN investigator Agnes Callamard's initial report says Saudi Arabia “undermined” Turkey’s prompt efforts to investigate the crime.

Khashoggi was killed in Istanbul on October 2; intelligence agencies believe crown prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the hit.

Callamard’s final report will be presented in June.

*)First aid shipment blocked from entering Venezuela

The first trucks carrying humanitarian aid for Venezuela are stuck at the border with Colombia.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called the US aid a “cheap and bad show”.

But, opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is backed by the US and EU, is determined to allow foreign help into the financially-strapped country.

Protestors on both sides of the border are demanding the trucks be allowed to cross the bridge connecting the two countries.

*)Emiliano Sala’s body identified

Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala’s body has been identified after it was recovered from a plane wreck.

Sala was on his way from France to make his debut for Premier League side Cardiff City when his plane vanished over the English Channel.

Pilot David Ibbotson is still missing.

*)Yemen’s warring sides to remove forces from Hudaida

The UN says an agreement has been reached by Yemen's government and Houthis.

Forces from both sides will be redeployed from the key port city of Hudaida.

The warring sides are attending talks in Jordan’s capital Amman.

*)Amazon boss accuses National Enquirer of blackmail

And finally,

Amazon boss Jeff Bezos is accusing the National Enquirer of attempting to blackmail him.

Bezos says the tabloid is threatening to publish "intimate photos" of him if he doesn’t end an investigation into how they accessed messages he sent his girlfriend.

Bezos, who’s anti-Trump, says the Enquirer’s story on his extra-marital affair, is politically motivated.

The National Enquirer is already under scrutiny for helping pay hush money to women Trump allegedly had affairs with.

Daily News Brief for Friday, February 8th:

*)UN report blames Saudi for Khashoggi murder

The UN says journalist Jamal “Khashoggi was the victim of a brutal and premeditated killing…” committed by “the state of Saudi Arabia.”

UN investigator Agnes Callamard's initial report says Saudi Arabia “undermined” Turkey’s prompt efforts to investigate the crime.

Khashoggi was killed in Istanbul on October 2; intelligence agencies believe crown prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the hit.

Callamard’s final report will be presented in June.

*)First aid shipment blocked from entering Venezuela

The first trucks carrying humanitarian aid for Venezuela are stuck at the border with Colombia.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called the US aid a “cheap and bad show”.

But, opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is backed by the US and EU, is determined to allow foreign help into the financially-strapped country.

Protestors on both sides of the border are demanding the trucks be allowed to cross the bridge connecting the two countries.

*)Emiliano Sala’s body identified

Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala’s body has been identified after it was recovered from a plane wreck.

Sala was on his way from France to make his debut for Premier League side Cardiff City when his plane vanished over the English Channel.

Pilot David Ibbotson is still missing.

*)Yemen’s warring sides to remove forces from Hudaida

The UN says an agreement has been reached by Yemen's government and Houthis.

Forces from both sides will be redeployed from the key port city of Hudaida.

The warring sides are attending talks in Jordan’s capital Amman.

*)Amazon boss accuses National Enquirer of blackmail

And finally,

Amazon boss Jeff Bezos is accusing the National Enquirer of attempting to blackmail him.

Bezos says the tabloid is threatening to publish "intimate photos" of him if he doesn’t end an investigation into how they accessed messages he sent his girlfriend.

Bezos, who’s anti-Trump, says the Enquirer’s story on his extra-marital affair, is politically motivated.

The National Enquirer is already under scrutiny for helping pay hush money to women Trump allegedly had affairs with.

Daily News Brief for Thursday, February 7th:

*)UN warns against politicising Venezuela aid

The UN has warned the United States not to use humanitarian aid for political purposes in Venezuela.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has blocked shipments from entering the country. He said aid is a precursor for an invasion in support of the opposition.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido earlier urged for international aid to be allowed into Venezuela as the country grapples with poverty and medical shortages.

*)Trump foresees eliminating Daesh in Syria by next week

US President Donald Trump says complete victory over the Daesh Caliphate in Iraq and Syria will soon be announced by next week.

Speaking to 74 countries and five organisations that form the Global Coalition to defeat Daesh, Trump asked for more contributions to be made towards the cause.

Earlier, the CIA suggested Daesh still command thousands of fighters in Syria.

*)Sri Lanka to resume executions

Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena says a 42-year moratorium on state executions will end within two months with the hanging of five drug convicts.

The president made the announcement months after vowing to crack down on the country’s spiralling narcotics-linked crimes.

Sri Lankan criminals are given death sentences for murder, rape and drug-related crimes, but sentences have been commuted to life jail.

*)It’s only going to get hotter

The past four years might have been the hottest in recorded history, but not for long. Scientists predict it's only going to get hotter.

A new study by the US, UK and the World Meteorological Organization says increasing temperatures are a clear sign of long-term climate change.

The study confirms global warming is a man-made crisis, mostly caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

*)Roaring to life! Taronga Zoo welcomes new bundles of joy

And finally,

Taronga Zoo in Australia has new residents — three Sumatran tiger cubs.

There are fewer than 400 of the critically-endangered big cats left in the wild.

There’s hope the birth of the cubs will help preserve the species.

The cubs are expected to make their first public appearance in late March.

Daily News Brief for Thursday, February 7th:

*)UN warns against politicising Venezuela aid

The UN has warned the United States not to use humanitarian aid for political purposes in Venezuela.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has blocked shipments from entering the country. He said aid is a precursor for an invasion in support of the opposition.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido earlier urged for international aid to be allowed into Venezuela as the country grapples with poverty and medical shortages.

*)Trump foresees eliminating Daesh in Syria by next week

US President Donald Trump says complete victory over the Daesh Caliphate in Iraq and Syria will soon be announced by next week.

Speaking to 74 countries and five organisations that form the Global Coalition to defeat Daesh, Trump asked for more contributions to be made towards the cause.

Earlier, the CIA suggested Daesh still command thousands of fighters in Syria.

*)Sri Lanka to resume executions

Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena says a 42-year moratorium on state executions will end within two months with the hanging of five drug convicts.

The president made the announcement months after vowing to crack down on the country’s spiralling narcotics-linked crimes.

Sri Lankan criminals are given death sentences for murder, rape and drug-related crimes, but sentences have been commuted to life jail.

*)It’s only going to get hotter

The past four years might have been the hottest in recorded history, but not for long. Scientists predict it's only going to get hotter.

A new study by the US, UK and the World Meteorological Organization says increasing temperatures are a clear sign of long-term climate change.

The study confirms global warming is a man-made crisis, mostly caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

*)Roaring to life! Taronga Zoo welcomes new bundles of joy

And finally,

Taronga Zoo in Australia has new residents — three Sumatran tiger cubs.

There are fewer than 400 of the critically-endangered big cats left in the wild.

There’s hope the birth of the cubs will help preserve the species.

The cubs are expected to make their first public appearance in late March.

Daily News Brief for Thursday, February 7th:

*)UN warns against politicising Venezuela aid

The UN has warned the United States not to use humanitarian aid for political purposes in Venezuela.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has blocked shipments from entering the country. He said aid is a precursor for an invasion in support of the opposition.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido earlier urged for international aid to be allowed into Venezuela as the country grapples with poverty and medical shortages.

*)Trump foresees eliminating Daesh in Syria by next week

US President Donald Trump says complete victory over the Daesh Caliphate in Iraq and Syria will soon be announced by next week.

Speaking to 74 countries and five organisations that form the Global Coalition to defeat Daesh, Trump asked for more contributions to be made towards the cause.

Earlier, the CIA suggested Daesh still command thousands of fighters in Syria.

*)Sri Lanka to resume executions

Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena says a 42-year moratorium on state executions will end within two months with the hanging of five drug convicts.

The president made the announcement months after vowing to crack down on the country’s spiralling narcotics-linked crimes.

Sri Lankan criminals are given death sentences for murder, rape and drug-related crimes, but sentences have been commuted to life jail.

*)It’s only going to get hotter

The past four years might have been the hottest in recorded history, but not for long. Scientists predict it's only going to get hotter.

A new study by the US, UK and the World Meteorological Organization says increasing temperatures are a clear sign of long-term climate change.

The study confirms global warming is a man-made crisis, mostly caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

*)Roaring to life! Taronga Zoo welcomes new bundles of joy

And finally,

Taronga Zoo in Australia has new residents — three Sumatran tiger cubs.

There are fewer than 400 of the critically-endangered big cats left in the wild.

There’s hope the birth of the cubs will help preserve the species.

The cubs are expected to make their first public appearance in late March.

Daily News Brief for Thursday, February 7th:

*)UN warns against politicising Venezuela aid

The UN has warned the United States not to use humanitarian aid for political purposes in Venezuela.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has blocked shipments from entering the country. He said aid is a precursor for an invasion in support of the opposition.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido earlier urged for international aid to be allowed into Venezuela as the country grapples with poverty and medical shortages.

*)Trump foresees eliminating Daesh in Syria by next week

US President Donald Trump says complete victory over the Daesh Caliphate in Iraq and Syria will soon be announced by next week.

Speaking to 74 countries and five organisations that form the Global Coalition to defeat Daesh, Trump asked for more contributions to be made towards the cause.

Earlier, the CIA suggested Daesh still command thousands of fighters in Syria.

*)Sri Lanka to resume executions

Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena says a 42-year moratorium on state executions will end within two months with the hanging of five drug convicts.

The president made the announcement months after vowing to crack down on the country’s spiralling narcotics-linked crimes.

Sri Lankan criminals are given death sentences for murder, rape and drug-related crimes, but sentences have been commuted to life jail.

*)It’s only going to get hotter

The past four years might have been the hottest in recorded history, but not for long. Scientists predict it's only going to get hotter.

A new study by the US, UK and the World Meteorological Organization says increasing temperatures are a clear sign of long-term climate change.

The study confirms global warming is a man-made crisis, mostly caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

*)Roaring to life! Taronga Zoo welcomes new bundles of joy

And finally,

Taronga Zoo in Australia has new residents — three Sumatran tiger cubs.

There are fewer than 400 of the critically-endangered big cats left in the wild.

There’s hope the birth of the cubs will help preserve the species.

The cubs are expected to make their first public appearance in late March.