Friday, December 28, 2018


The UAE and Bahrain reopen their Syrian embassies, and the Gaza border protests mark week 40.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Friday, December 28th.

UAE, Bahrain reopen their embassies in Syria

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have announced they're reopening their embassies in Syria.

Both countries closed their missions in 2011 as an uprising against the regime gathered steam.

However, that uprising now seems close to defeat.

Saudi king reshuffles some government posts

Saudi Arabia's King Salman has reshuffled his cabinet.

The move comes as the kingdom attempts to deflect criticism of the killing in Istanbul of Jamal Khashoggi by a hit squad sent from Riyadh.

The foreign minister Adel al Jubeir was one of the people downgraded. He has been the public face of Riyadh's explanation for the government critic's death.

US government closed

The US government shutdown looks like it will continue through the New Year.

It also looks like a showdown is looming between President Trump and the new Democrat-controlled Congress from January 3.

Bangladesh to vote in general election

Campaigning has ended in Bangladesh ahead of a general election on Sunday.

About 100 million people can vote in the Muslim-majority country of some 170 million.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League is seeking its third straight term against the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP.

The BNP boycotted the last vote in 2014.

Its leader - Khaleda Zia - is currently in jail on corruption charges the BNP says were trumped up.

Gaza protests mark week 40

And finally,

Protesters in Gaza will gather on its border with Israel today for the 40th Friday in a row.

The ongoing demonstrations are against Israel's decades-long occupation, and the right of return to lands taken from Palestinians when Israel was set up in 1948.

So far, over 240 people have been killed in the protests and thousands wounded.

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

Friday, December 28, 2018


The UAE and Bahrain reopen their Syrian embassies, and the Gaza border protests mark week 40.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Friday, December 28th.

UAE, Bahrain reopen their embassies in Syria

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have announced they're reopening their embassies in Syria.

Both countries closed their missions in 2011 as an uprising against the regime gathered steam.

However, that uprising now seems close to defeat.

Saudi king reshuffles some government posts

Saudi Arabia's King Salman has reshuffled his cabinet.

The move comes as the kingdom attempts to deflect criticism of the killing in Istanbul of Jamal Khashoggi by a hit squad sent from Riyadh.

The foreign minister Adel al Jubeir was one of the people downgraded. He has been the public face of Riyadh's explanation for the government critic's death.

US government closed

The US government shutdown looks like it will continue through the New Year.

It also looks like a showdown is looming between President Trump and the new Democrat-controlled Congress from January 3.

Bangladesh to vote in general election

Campaigning has ended in Bangladesh ahead of a general election on Sunday.

About 100 million people can vote in the Muslim-majority country of some 170 million.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League is seeking its third straight term against the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP.

The BNP boycotted the last vote in 2014.

Its leader - Khaleda Zia - is currently in jail on corruption charges the BNP says were trumped up.

Gaza protests mark week 40

And finally,

Protesters in Gaza will gather on its border with Israel today for the 40th Friday in a row.

The ongoing demonstrations are against Israel's decades-long occupation, and the right of return to lands taken from Palestinians when Israel was set up in 1948.

So far, over 240 people have been killed in the protests and thousands wounded.

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

Thursday, December 27, 2018


Trump declares an end to any role for the US as a global 'policeman,' and an American man becomes the first person to complete a solo-trek cross the Antarctic.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Thursday, December 27th.

Trump declares end to US 'policeman' role

President Donald Trump has visited US troops in Iraq in a surprise trip. It was his first visit to troops in a conflict zone.

The visit came after he announced last week that he was pulling US troops out of Iraq's neithbour, Syria.

He said the US would no longer be the world's 'policeman.'

Asian shares climb after bumper US session

US markets surged overnight, with the Dow Jones gaining more than a 1000 points in its best day for more than a decade.

Asian shares broadly followed suit, albeit at a less frenetic pace, and European futures are pointing higher.

However, the real test will be the trading day in the US on Thursday.

Indonesia hikes danger level for active volcano

Indonesia has widened the no-go zone near a volcano that is believed to have triggered last Saturday's tsunami that killed over 400 people.

Authorities raised the alert level for the Anak Krakatau volcano to high and rerouted all flights around it.

Authorities fear it could trigger more tsunamis.

UN team holds meeting in Yemen’s Hudaida over ceasefire

Yemeni officials say a UN team has met representatives of the country's warring parties for the first time in Hudaida to monitor a UN-brokered ceasefire.

The truce in the key port city and its surroundings went into effect on December 18, but it remains shaky.

If it holds, it could lead to a broader check on the civil and regional proxy war.

US explorer crosses Antarctica unaided

And finally,

A man from the US has become the first person to walk across Antarctica without any assistance.

Colin O'Brady trekked across the polar continent in an epic 54-day journey that was previously thought to be impossible.

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

Thursday, December 27, 2018


Trump declares an end to any role for the US as a global 'policeman,' and an American man becomes the first person to complete a solo-trek cross the Antarctic.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Thursday, December 27th.

Trump declares end to US 'policeman' role

President Donald Trump has visited US troops in Iraq in a surprise trip. It was his first visit to troops in a conflict zone.

The visit came after he announced last week that he was pulling US troops out of Iraq's neithbour, Syria.

He said the US would no longer be the world's 'policeman.'

Asian shares climb after bumper US session

US markets surged overnight, with the Dow Jones gaining more than a 1000 points in its best day for more than a decade.

Asian shares broadly followed suit, albeit at a less frenetic pace, and European futures are pointing higher.

However, the real test will be the trading day in the US on Thursday.

Indonesia hikes danger level for active volcano

Indonesia has widened the no-go zone near a volcano that is believed to have triggered last Saturday's tsunami that killed over 400 people.

Authorities raised the alert level for the Anak Krakatau volcano to high and rerouted all flights around it.

Authorities fear it could trigger more tsunamis.

UN team holds meeting in Yemen’s Hudaida over ceasefire

Yemeni officials say a UN team has met representatives of the country's warring parties for the first time in Hudaida to monitor a UN-brokered ceasefire.

The truce in the key port city and its surroundings went into effect on December 18, but it remains shaky.

If it holds, it could lead to a broader check on the civil and regional proxy war.

US explorer crosses Antarctica unaided

And finally,

A man from the US has become the first person to walk across Antarctica without any assistance.

Colin O'Brady trekked across the polar continent in an epic 54-day journey that was previously thought to be impossible.

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

Wednesday, December 26, 2018


Turkey says it will step up coordination with Russia as the US withdraws from Syria, and a second child dies in US custody on the border with Mexico.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Wednesday, December 26th.

Turkey to step up coordination with Russia in Syria

Turkey says it will step up coordination with Russia as the US pulls out of Syria.

President Erdogan also dismissed a French plan to patrol YPG-held territory along Syria's northern border.

Erdogan said Turkey will work in coordination with the US to prevent a power vacuum in the area.

Japan resumes commercial whaling

Japan is leaving the International Whaling Commission so it can return to commercial whale hunting.

The move comes after the IWC refused a request from Japan in September to resume whaling.

Japan says it hunts whales for scientific purposes and eating whales is part of its culture.

Sudan's president promises reform

Sudanese President Omar al Bashir has promised reforms as anti-government protests continue.

The announcement comes as the protests over economic hardship have been building.

At least three demonstrators were shot and wounded in the capital Khartoum in a security crackdown on Tuesday.

Second child dies in US custody

A second child has died in US immigration custody.

His death comes as the stand-off continues in Washington over President Trump's demand for a border wall.

A seven-year-old girl died in US custody earlier this month.

Markets continue to track down

And finally,

Global markets are jittery, shaken by political uncertainty in the US.

S&P 500 futures were down on Wednesday after Monday's slide.

President Trump's attack on the nominally independent US Federal Reserve has investors wondering what's next.

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

Wednesday, December 26, 2018


Turkey says it will step up coordination with Russia as the US withdraws from Syria, and a second child dies in US custody on the border with Mexico.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Wednesday, December 26th.

Turkey to step up coordination with Russia in Syria

Turkey says it will step up coordination with Russia as the US pulls out of Syria.

President Erdogan also dismissed a French plan to patrol YPG-held territory along Syria's northern border.

Erdogan said Turkey will work in coordination with the US to prevent a power vacuum in the area.

Japan resumes commercial whaling

Japan is leaving the International Whaling Commission so it can return to commercial whale hunting.

The move comes after the IWC refused a request from Japan in September to resume whaling.

Japan says it hunts whales for scientific purposes and eating whales is part of its culture.

Sudan's president promises reform

Sudanese President Omar al Bashir has promised reforms as anti-government protests continue.

The announcement comes as the protests over economic hardship have been building.

At least three demonstrators were shot and wounded in the capital Khartoum in a security crackdown on Tuesday.

Second child dies in US custody

A second child has died in US immigration custody.

His death comes as the stand-off continues in Washington over President Trump's demand for a border wall.

A seven-year-old girl died in US custody earlier this month.

Markets continue to track down

And finally,

Global markets are jittery, shaken by political uncertainty in the US.

S&P 500 futures were down on Wednesday after Monday's slide.

President Trump's attack on the nominally independent US Federal Reserve has investors wondering what's next.

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

Tuesday, December 25, 2018


Global markets continue to lose ground, and Trump is considering a visit to Turkey.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Tuesday, December 25th.

Stocks slide on chaos in Washington

Asian stocks were battered on Tuesday after Wall Street continued to slide overnight.

Japan was down over 5% on the day. China fell in early trade.

Other key markets in Asia, and major European and US markets were closed on Tuesday for the Christmas holiday.

Trump attacks US Fed

The slide in US stocks accelerated on Monday after US President Donald Trump attacked the Federal Reserve.

The US Fed is normally seen as an independent institution.

Markets had seen it as a bastion of relative stability in an increasingly volatile Washington.

Trump is open to a meeting with Turkey's President Erdogan

The White House says Trump is open to a meeting with Turkey's President Erdogan next year.

Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin on Monday said Erdogan had invited Trump to visit during their phone call on Sunday.

Turkey is stepping up its anti-terror commitment in Syria after Trump last week said he was pulling US troops out of the fight.

At least 43 dead in latest Kabul attack

Afghan authorities have collected 43 bodies so far from a government compound in the capital Kabul that was attacked on Monday.

A suicide bomber and extremists assaulted a public welfare building, slaughtering staff and civilians during a battle with security forces.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Indonesia tsunami death toll tops 400

And finally,

The death toll from Saturday's tsunami in Indonesia is now more than 400.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country. But some 10% of its people are Christian.

On Tuesday they mourned the dead, praying for tsunami victims at traditional Christmas services.

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

Tuesday, December 25, 2018


Global markets continue to lose ground, and Trump is considering a visit to Turkey.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Tuesday, December 25th.

Stocks slide on chaos in Washington

Asian stocks were battered on Tuesday after Wall Street continued to slide overnight.

Japan was down over 5% on the day. China fell in early trade.

Other key markets in Asia, and major European and US markets were closed on Tuesday for the Christmas holiday.

Trump attacks US Fed

The slide in US stocks accelerated on Monday after US President Donald Trump attacked the Federal Reserve.

The US Fed is normally seen as an independent institution.

Markets had seen it as a bastion of relative stability in an increasingly volatile Washington.

Trump is open to a meeting with Turkey's President Erdogan

The White House says Trump is open to a meeting with Turkey's President Erdogan next year.

Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin on Monday said Erdogan had invited Trump to visit during their phone call on Sunday.

Turkey is stepping up its anti-terror commitment in Syria after Trump last week said he was pulling US troops out of the fight.

At least 43 dead in latest Kabul attack

Afghan authorities have collected 43 bodies so far from a government compound in the capital Kabul that was attacked on Monday.

A suicide bomber and extremists assaulted a public welfare building, slaughtering staff and civilians during a battle with security forces.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Indonesia tsunami death toll tops 400

And finally,

The death toll from Saturday's tsunami in Indonesia is now more than 400.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country. But some 10% of its people are Christian.

On Tuesday they mourned the dead, praying for tsunami victims at traditional Christmas services.

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

Tuesday, December 25, 2018


Global markets continue to lose ground, and Trump is considering a visit to Turkey.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Tuesday, December 25th.

Stocks slide on chaos in Washington

Asian stocks were battered on Tuesday after Wall Street continued to slide overnight.

Japan was down over 5% on the day. China fell in early trade.

Other key markets in Asia, and major European and US markets were closed on Tuesday for the Christmas holiday.

Trump attacks US Fed

The slide in US stocks accelerated on Monday after US President Donald Trump attacked the Federal Reserve.

The US Fed is normally seen as an independent institution.

Markets had seen it as a bastion of relative stability in an increasingly volatile Washington.

Trump is open to a meeting with Turkey's President Erdogan

The White House says Trump is open to a meeting with Turkey's President Erdogan next year.

Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin on Monday said Erdogan had invited Trump to visit during their phone call on Sunday.

Turkey is stepping up its anti-terror commitment in Syria after Trump last week said he was pulling US troops out of the fight.

At least 43 dead in latest Kabul attack

Afghan authorities have collected 43 bodies so far from a government compound in the capital Kabul that was attacked on Monday.

A suicide bomber and extremists assaulted a public welfare building, slaughtering staff and civilians during a battle with security forces.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Indonesia tsunami death toll tops 400

And finally,

The death toll from Saturday's tsunami in Indonesia is now more than 400.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country. But some 10% of its people are Christian.

On Tuesday they mourned the dead, praying for tsunami victims at traditional Christmas services.

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

Tuesday, December 25, 2018


Global markets continue to lose ground, and Trump is considering a visit to Turkey.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Tuesday, December 25th.

Stocks slide on chaos in Washington

Asian stocks were battered on Tuesday after Wall Street continued to slide overnight.

Japan was down over 5% on the day. China fell in early trade.

Other key markets in Asia, and major European and US markets were closed on Tuesday for the Christmas holiday.

Trump attacks US Fed

The slide in US stocks accelerated on Monday after US President Donald Trump attacked the Federal Reserve.

The US Fed is normally seen as an independent institution.

Markets had seen it as a bastion of relative stability in an increasingly volatile Washington.

Trump is open to a meeting with Turkey's President Erdogan

The White House says Trump is open to a meeting with Turkey's President Erdogan next year.

Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin on Monday said Erdogan had invited Trump to visit during their phone call on Sunday.

Turkey is stepping up its anti-terror commitment in Syria after Trump last week said he was pulling US troops out of the fight.

At least 43 dead in latest Kabul attack

Afghan authorities have collected 43 bodies so far from a government compound in the capital Kabul that was attacked on Monday.

A suicide bomber and extremists assaulted a public welfare building, slaughtering staff and civilians during a battle with security forces.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Indonesia tsunami death toll tops 400

And finally,

The death toll from Saturday's tsunami in Indonesia is now more than 400.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country. But some 10% of its people are Christian.

On Tuesday they mourned the dead, praying for tsunami victims at traditional Christmas services.

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