Daily News Brief for Friday 30 November, 2018:

*)World leaders gather for G20

The leaders of the world's biggest economies are in Argentina for the two-day G20 summit.

It's being viewed as one of the most important G20s ever held.

There will be a strong focus on a faltering world economy brought on by the US-China trade warm a dying planet, brought on by climate change, and mounting pressure to hold Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accountable for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

*)Trump’ ex-lawyer admits to lying to Congress

Donald Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress regarding the Russia probe.

He also admitted to a federal court that he lied about work he did on a Trump real estate deal in Moscow.

In exchange for a lighter sentence, Cohen could provide crucial information to prosecutors investigating whether Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election.

*)Turkey offers to resolve Ukraine-Russia tensions

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he discussed the possibility of a Turkish mediation to resolve tensions between Russia and Ukraine over a phone call.

Turkey does not want any escalation in the conflict which could bring further instability in the region.

But after the phone call, Russia deployed an S-400 anti-aircraft missile system in Crimea.

Ukraine accuses Russia of trying to annex it and urge NATO to send warships to the Black Sea.

*)Charlottesville trial begins

The trial of racist James Fields began in Virginia.

Fields ploughed his car into a crowd of anti-racism protesters during a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville last year.

32-year-old Heather Heyer was killed during the incident.

A prosecutor told jurors that the 21-year-old had every intention to kill.

Fields was also indicted on 30 counts of hate crime charges.

He faces two life sentences if convicted.

*)UNESCO adds Reggae to global heritage list

And finally,

Some good news to end your week…

UNESCO has added Reggae to its global cultural heritage list.

This means the Jamaican-born genre is a now global treasure which must be protected and promoted.

Reggae music championed the issues of the oppressed, with lyrics addressing socio-political issues, imprisonment and inequality.

Daily News Brief for Thursday 29 November, 2018:

*)US Senate moves to end military support for Saudis in Yemen

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says there's no direct evidence connecting the Saudi crown prince to Jamal Khashoggi’s killing.

Pompeo and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis warned US senators that going after Saudi Arabia would not only strain ties with Riyadh, but would also affect US national security.

Pompeo's comments came after the US Senate voted on a measure to withdraw American support for a Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen.

*)British teen faces charge for attacking Syrian refugee

Two videos showing British school pupils assaulting Syrian refugee students at their Huddersfield school, has gone viral.

The first video shows a Syrian teenage boy being assaulted, dragged on the floor and water poured over his face.

The second shows the teen’s sister being pushed down a hill by other pupils.

A 16-year-old British schoolboy will be charged with assault, while the second video is being investigated.

The Syrian family came to the UK through a UN refugee program in 2016.

*)Pakistan’s Khan intends to mend ties with India

Pakistan PM Imran Khan says his government and the military intend to mend ties with India.

Khan extended the first olive branch by opening a visa-free border corridor for Sikh pilgrims to visit holy sites in Pakistan.

The crossing point will officially open next year for the first time since 1947.

*)Taliban attacks British security firm in Kabul

The Taliban claims responsibility for an attack on a British security compound in Afghanistan’s Kabul that killed 13 people.

A car bomb was detonated outside the G4S security compound and was followed by heavy gunfire which injured 23 people.

*)Welcome to Prague's robot saloon

And finally,

A future where robots do all the labour.

Well, one establishment in the Czech capital has opted to choose a robot over human labour.

They’ve introduced a robotic bartender called Cyberdog, which serves drinks ordered through an app.

As the late Stephen Hawking said, “AI will either be the best, or worst thing for humanity.”

Daily News Brief for Thursday 29 November, 2018:

*)US Senate moves to end military support for Saudis in Yemen

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says there's no direct evidence connecting the Saudi crown prince to Jamal Khashoggi’s killing.

Pompeo and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis warned US senators that going after Saudi Arabia would not only strain ties with Riyadh, but would also affect US national security.

Pompeo's comments came after the US Senate voted on a measure to withdraw American support for a Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen.

*)British teen faces charge for attacking Syrian refugee

Two videos showing British school pupils assaulting Syrian refugee students at their Huddersfield school, has gone viral.

The first video shows a Syrian teenage boy being assaulted, dragged on the floor and water poured over his face.

The second shows the teen’s sister being pushed down a hill by other pupils.

A 16-year-old British schoolboy will be charged with assault, while the second video is being investigated.

The Syrian family came to the UK through a UN refugee program in 2016.

*)Pakistan’s Khan intends to mend ties with India

Pakistan PM Imran Khan says his government and the military intend to mend ties with India.

Khan extended the first olive branch by opening a visa-free border corridor for Sikh pilgrims to visit holy sites in Pakistan.

The crossing point will officially open next year for the first time since 1947.

*)Taliban attacks British security firm in Kabul

The Taliban claims responsibility for an attack on a British security compound in Afghanistan’s Kabul that killed 13 people.

A car bomb was detonated outside the G4S security compound and was followed by heavy gunfire which injured 23 people.

*)Welcome to Prague's robot saloon

And finally,

A future where robots do all the labour.

Well, one establishment in the Czech capital has opted to choose a robot over human labour.

They’ve introduced a robotic bartender called Cyberdog, which serves drinks ordered through an app.

As the late Stephen Hawking said, “AI will either be the best, or worst thing for humanity.”

Daily News Brief for Thursday 29 November, 2018:

*)US Senate moves to end military support for Saudis in Yemen

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says there's no direct evidence connecting the Saudi crown prince to Jamal Khashoggi’s killing.

Pompeo and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis warned US senators that going after Saudi Arabia would not only strain ties with Riyadh, but would also affect US national security.

Pompeo's comments came after the US Senate voted on a measure to withdraw American support for a Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen.

*)British teen faces charge for attacking Syrian refugee

Two videos showing British school pupils assaulting Syrian refugee students at their Huddersfield school, has gone viral.

The first video shows a Syrian teenage boy being assaulted, dragged on the floor and water poured over his face.

The second shows the teen’s sister being pushed down a hill by other pupils.

A 16-year-old British schoolboy will be charged with assault, while the second video is being investigated.

The Syrian family came to the UK through a UN refugee program in 2016.

*)Pakistan’s Khan intends to mend ties with India

Pakistan PM Imran Khan says his government and the military intend to mend ties with India.

Khan extended the first olive branch by opening a visa-free border corridor for Sikh pilgrims to visit holy sites in Pakistan.

The crossing point will officially open next year for the first time since 1947.

*)Taliban attacks British security firm in Kabul

The Taliban claims responsibility for an attack on a British security compound in Afghanistan’s Kabul that killed 13 people.

A car bomb was detonated outside the G4S security compound and was followed by heavy gunfire which injured 23 people.

*)Welcome to Prague's robot saloon

And finally,

A future where robots do all the labour.

Well, one establishment in the Czech capital has opted to choose a robot over human labour.

They’ve introduced a robotic bartender called Cyberdog, which serves drinks ordered through an app.

As the late Stephen Hawking said, “AI will either be the best, or worst thing for humanity.”

Daily News Brief for Wednesday 28 November, 2018:

*)G20 summit: All eyes on trade war, oil prices and MBS visit

Leaders of the world’s biggest economies will meet in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires this weekend.

A number of items are on the summit’s agenda including climate change and the US-China trade war.

But all eyes will be on outcomes from sideline discussions.

Among those meetings, Turkey’s president Erdogan is expected to speak to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman while Donald Trump will be meeting with Russian and Chinese leaders.

The Group of 20, a club formed a decade ago amid the economic crisis, accounts for 85% of global economic output.

*)CIA director in tug-of-war with White House over Khashoggi report

The US secretary of state and defence secretary will brief the entire senate behind closed doors on the Jamal Khashoggi killing.

Senior senators want CIA Director Gina Haspel to brief them after she listened to audio recordings of the killing herself.

But it seems the White House are preventing her from doing so, despite the administration denying this.

The briefing comes ahead of a vote that could cut US support for Riyadh's military campaign in Yemen.

*)Investigators release report into Lion Air crash

An Indonesian government report says the Lion Air jet that crashed, should have been grounded over a technical problem picked up on a prior flight.

All 189 people on board were killed after the plane crashed into the Java Sea last month.

The report says inaccurate information from sensors on the plane may have contributed to the crash, and the pilot had struggled to keep the plane’s nose up, from takeoff.

*)UN's outgoing Syria envoy to join Astana talks

Outgoing UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura, will join the 11th round of Syrian peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Turkey, Russia and Iran together with the Syrian regime and opposition will gather for talks which will take place over the next two days.

*)Refugee ‘airport man’ finds new home

And finally,

Syrian refugee Hassan al Kontar has finally found a new home in Canada after spending almost eight months in a Malaysian airport.

Kontar was stuck in Kuala Lumpur airport after his passport expired, and Syria refused to renew it.

Kontar spent months in the airport as a stateless refugee, who was denied asylum by many countries.

This week, Canada rescued the 37-year-old by granting him asylum, and flying him to his new home in Vancouver.

Daily News Brief for Wednesday 28 November, 2018:

*)G20 summit: All eyes on trade war, oil prices and MBS visit

Leaders of the world’s biggest economies will meet in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires this weekend.

A number of items are on the summit’s agenda including climate change and the US-China trade war.

But all eyes will be on outcomes from sideline discussions.

Among those meetings, Turkey’s president Erdogan is expected to speak to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman while Donald Trump will be meeting with Russian and Chinese leaders.

The Group of 20, a club formed a decade ago amid the economic crisis, accounts for 85% of global economic output.

*)CIA director in tug-of-war with White House over Khashoggi report

The US secretary of state and defence secretary will brief the entire senate behind closed doors on the Jamal Khashoggi killing.

Senior senators want CIA Director Gina Haspel to brief them after she listened to audio recordings of the killing herself.

But it seems the White House are preventing her from doing so, despite the administration denying this.

The briefing comes ahead of a vote that could cut US support for Riyadh's military campaign in Yemen.

*)Investigators release report into Lion Air crash

An Indonesian government report says the Lion Air jet that crashed, should have been grounded over a technical problem picked up on a prior flight.

All 189 people on board were killed after the plane crashed into the Java Sea last month.

The report says inaccurate information from sensors on the plane may have contributed to the crash, and the pilot had struggled to keep the plane’s nose up, from takeoff.

*)UN's outgoing Syria envoy to join Astana talks

Outgoing UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura, will join the 11th round of Syrian peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Turkey, Russia and Iran together with the Syrian regime and opposition will gather for talks which will take place over the next two days.

*)Refugee ‘airport man’ finds new home

And finally,

Syrian refugee Hassan al Kontar has finally found a new home in Canada after spending almost eight months in a Malaysian airport.

Kontar was stuck in Kuala Lumpur airport after his passport expired, and Syria refused to renew it.

Kontar spent months in the airport as a stateless refugee, who was denied asylum by many countries.

This week, Canada rescued the 37-year-old by granting him asylum, and flying him to his new home in Vancouver.

Daily News Brief for Wednesday 28 November, 2018:

*)G20 summit: All eyes on trade war, oil prices and MBS visit

Leaders of the world’s biggest economies will meet in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires this weekend.

A number of items are on the summit’s agenda including climate change and the US-China trade war.

But all eyes will be on outcomes from sideline discussions.

Among those meetings, Turkey’s president Erdogan is expected to speak to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman while Donald Trump will be meeting with Russian and Chinese leaders.

The Group of 20, a club formed a decade ago amid the economic crisis, accounts for 85% of global economic output.

*)CIA director in tug-of-war with White House over Khashoggi report

The US secretary of state and defence secretary will brief the entire senate behind closed doors on the Jamal Khashoggi killing.

Senior senators want CIA Director Gina Haspel to brief them after she listened to audio recordings of the killing herself.

But it seems the White House are preventing her from doing so, despite the administration denying this.

The briefing comes ahead of a vote that could cut US support for Riyadh's military campaign in Yemen.

*)Investigators release report into Lion Air crash

An Indonesian government report says the Lion Air jet that crashed, should have been grounded over a technical problem picked up on a prior flight.

All 189 people on board were killed after the plane crashed into the Java Sea last month.

The report says inaccurate information from sensors on the plane may have contributed to the crash, and the pilot had struggled to keep the plane’s nose up, from takeoff.

*)UN's outgoing Syria envoy to join Astana talks

Outgoing UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura, will join the 11th round of Syrian peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Turkey, Russia and Iran together with the Syrian regime and opposition will gather for talks which will take place over the next two days.

*)Refugee ‘airport man’ finds new home

And finally,

Syrian refugee Hassan al Kontar has finally found a new home in Canada after spending almost eight months in a Malaysian airport.

Kontar was stuck in Kuala Lumpur airport after his passport expired, and Syria refused to renew it.

Kontar spent months in the airport as a stateless refugee, who was denied asylum by many countries.

This week, Canada rescued the 37-year-old by granting him asylum, and flying him to his new home in Vancouver.

Daily News Brief for 27 November, 2018:

*)HRW asks Argentina to probe MbS over Yemen, Khashoggi

Argentinian prosecutors are considering investigating Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman for possible war crimes in Yemen and for Jamal Khashoggi’s killing.

The country’s law allows authorities to investigate allegations of war crimes and torture no matter where they were committed.

Human Rights Watch filed the submission before MbS lands in Buenos Aires for the G20 Summit on Wednesday.

*)Ukraine approves martial law citing Russian invasion

Ukraine approved martial law for 30 days citing an “extremely serious” threat of a land invasion from Russia.

Tensions are high between the two countries after Russia seized three Ukrainian vessels off the Crimean peninsula.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and has since been carrying out a “hybrid war” against the country, Ukraine says.

*)Migrant caravan tear gassed by US

Mexico are demanding a full investigation after migrants were tear gassed by US officers in the Mexican city of Tijuana.

The incident occurred after thousands of migrants were trying to push through the border fence.

An image of a migrant mother pulling her two children away from a canister of tear gas went viral and has split US opinion on Trump’s immigration policies.

*)UK's May fights to sell Brexit deal

British PM Theresa May has a mountain to climb as she now has to convince parliament to accept the Brexit deal.

May’s own Conservative Party parliamentarians are against the deal.

The agreement was approved by EU leaders at the weekend and May has until December 11 to convince the UK parliament to accept it, or the deal will fall through.

And finally,

*)FIFA to pressure Iran to allow females into stadiums

FIFA’s human rights panel is urging the global football body to give Iran a deadline for allowing women to watch football matches.

Iranian females have been prohibited from attending any men’s sporting events since the country’s revolution.

The panel says Iran’s ban on female fans violates FIFA’s own ethics code.

Daily News Brief for 27 November, 2018:

*)HRW asks Argentina to probe MbS over Yemen, Khashoggi

Argentinian prosecutors are considering investigating Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman for possible war crimes in Yemen and for Jamal Khashoggi’s killing.

The country’s law allows authorities to investigate allegations of war crimes and torture no matter where they were committed.

Human Rights Watch filed the submission before MbS lands in Buenos Aires for the G20 Summit on Wednesday.

*)Ukraine approves martial law citing Russian invasion

Ukraine approved martial law for 30 days citing an “extremely serious” threat of a land invasion from Russia.

Tensions are high between the two countries after Russia seized three Ukrainian vessels off the Crimean peninsula.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and has since been carrying out a “hybrid war” against the country, Ukraine says.

*)Migrant caravan tear gassed by US

Mexico are demanding a full investigation after migrants were tear gassed by US officers in the Mexican city of Tijuana.

The incident occurred after thousands of migrants were trying to push through the border fence.

An image of a migrant mother pulling her two children away from a canister of tear gas went viral and has split US opinion on Trump’s immigration policies.

*)UK's May fights to sell Brexit deal

British PM Theresa May has a mountain to climb as she now has to convince parliament to accept the Brexit deal.

May’s own Conservative Party parliamentarians are against the deal.

The agreement was approved by EU leaders at the weekend and May has until December 11 to convince the UK parliament to accept it, or the deal will fall through.

And finally,

*)FIFA to pressure Iran to allow females into stadiums

FIFA’s human rights panel is urging the global football body to give Iran a deadline for allowing women to watch football matches.

Iranian females have been prohibited from attending any men’s sporting events since the country’s revolution.

The panel says Iran’s ban on female fans violates FIFA’s own ethics code.

Daily News Brief for 27 November, 2018:

*)HRW asks Argentina to probe MbS over Yemen, Khashoggi

Argentinian prosecutors are considering investigating Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman for possible war crimes in Yemen and for Jamal Khashoggi’s killing.

The country’s law allows authorities to investigate allegations of war crimes and torture no matter where they were committed.

Human Rights Watch filed the submission before MbS lands in Buenos Aires for the G20 Summit on Wednesday.

*)Ukraine approves martial law citing Russian invasion

Ukraine approved martial law for 30 days citing an “extremely serious” threat of a land invasion from Russia.

Tensions are high between the two countries after Russia seized three Ukrainian vessels off the Crimean peninsula.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and has since been carrying out a “hybrid war” against the country, Ukraine says.

*)Migrant caravan tear gassed by US

Mexico are demanding a full investigation after migrants were tear gassed by US officers in the Mexican city of Tijuana.

The incident occurred after thousands of migrants were trying to push through the border fence.

An image of a migrant mother pulling her two children away from a canister of tear gas went viral and has split US opinion on Trump’s immigration policies.

*)UK's May fights to sell Brexit deal

British PM Theresa May has a mountain to climb as she now has to convince parliament to accept the Brexit deal.

May’s own Conservative Party parliamentarians are against the deal.

The agreement was approved by EU leaders at the weekend and May has until December 11 to convince the UK parliament to accept it, or the deal will fall through.

And finally,

*)FIFA to pressure Iran to allow females into stadiums

FIFA’s human rights panel is urging the global football body to give Iran a deadline for allowing women to watch football matches.

Iranian females have been prohibited from attending any men’s sporting events since the country’s revolution.

The panel says Iran’s ban on female fans violates FIFA’s own ethics code.