Daily News Brief for 26 November, 2018:

*)Conflicting reports over chlorine attack in Syria

Dozens of people were injured in Syria’s Aleppo after being attacked by chlorine-filled bombs.

The Syrian regime and its Russian backers are accusing rebel groups in Idlib of using chemical mortars, and have used this as a catalyst to launch fresh air strikes in the buffer zone.

However, opposition groups are refuting these claims.

Military specialists say mortars and rebels do not have the technology or ignition power to turn chlorine into gas.

This is why chemical attacks are carried out through planes or powerful missiles, which the Assad regime and its allies possess.

*)UNSC to resolve Russia-Ukraine standoff

The UN Security Council will meet to resolve a standoff between Russia and Ukraine.

Russia fired on and captured three Ukrainian naval vessels in the Black Sea, which it said entered its waters illegally.

The attack happened off the coast of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014.

Ukraine’s president is calling for martial law and insists the vessels were trying to get through the Kerch Strait, into the Sea of Azov which is shared by the two countries.

Russia has since blocked the strait with a tanker.

*)Taliban ambush and kill 20 policemen

At least 20 police officers, including a newly appointed police chief, were ambushed and killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan’s Farah province.

The police convoy was on its way to introduce its new chief to the public, when it came under attack.

Four other officers, including the deputy provincial police chief, were wounded.

The Taliban, who have retaken control of nearly half of Afghanistan, claimed responsibility for the attack.

*)Uganda boat accident

At least 35 people were killed and dozens remain missing after a Ugandan boat capsized on Lake Victoria.

Authorities say the 50-capacity boat was overloaded with 120 people.

Police say the party cruiser was also in poor mechanical shape and got caught in bad weather.

Recovery operations are still under way.

And finally,

*)NASA robot to land on Mars

After a six-month journey, NASA's InSight robotic lander is expected to touchdown on Mars.

Its job is to drill and explore the interior of the red planet according to InSight engineer, Ravi Prakash:

“InSight is the first mission that's going to study the deep interior of Mars and try to understand how active are the quakes on Mars.”

Daily News Brief for 26 November, 2018:

*)Conflicting reports over chlorine attack in Syria

Dozens of people were injured in Syria’s Aleppo after being attacked by chlorine-filled bombs.

The Syrian regime and its Russian backers are accusing rebel groups in Idlib of using chemical mortars, and have used this as a catalyst to launch fresh air strikes in the buffer zone.

However, opposition groups are refuting these claims.

Military specialists say mortars and rebels do not have the technology or ignition power to turn chlorine into gas.

This is why chemical attacks are carried out through planes or powerful missiles, which the Assad regime and its allies possess.

*)UNSC to resolve Russia-Ukraine standoff

The UN Security Council will meet to resolve a standoff between Russia and Ukraine.

Russia fired on and captured three Ukrainian naval vessels in the Black Sea, which it said entered its waters illegally.

The attack happened off the coast of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014.

Ukraine’s president is calling for martial law and insists the vessels were trying to get through the Kerch Strait, into the Sea of Azov which is shared by the two countries.

Russia has since blocked the strait with a tanker.

*)Taliban ambush and kill 20 policemen

At least 20 police officers, including a newly appointed police chief, were ambushed and killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan’s Farah province.

The police convoy was on its way to introduce its new chief to the public, when it came under attack.

Four other officers, including the deputy provincial police chief, were wounded.

The Taliban, who have retaken control of nearly half of Afghanistan, claimed responsibility for the attack.

*)Uganda boat accident

At least 35 people were killed and dozens remain missing after a Ugandan boat capsized on Lake Victoria.

Authorities say the 50-capacity boat was overloaded with 120 people.

Police say the party cruiser was also in poor mechanical shape and got caught in bad weather.

Recovery operations are still under way.

And finally,

*)NASA robot to land on Mars

After a six-month journey, NASA's InSight robotic lander is expected to touchdown on Mars.

Its job is to drill and explore the interior of the red planet according to InSight engineer, Ravi Prakash:

“InSight is the first mission that's going to study the deep interior of Mars and try to understand how active are the quakes on Mars.”

Daily News Brief for 26 November, 2018:

*)Conflicting reports over chlorine attack in Syria

Dozens of people were injured in Syria’s Aleppo after being attacked by chlorine-filled bombs.

The Syrian regime and its Russian backers are accusing rebel groups in Idlib of using chemical mortars, and have used this as a catalyst to launch fresh air strikes in the buffer zone.

However, opposition groups are refuting these claims.

Military specialists say mortars and rebels do not have the technology or ignition power to turn chlorine into gas.

This is why chemical attacks are carried out through planes or powerful missiles, which the Assad regime and its allies possess.

*)UNSC to resolve Russia-Ukraine standoff

The UN Security Council will meet to resolve a standoff between Russia and Ukraine.

Russia fired on and captured three Ukrainian naval vessels in the Black Sea, which it said entered its waters illegally.

The attack happened off the coast of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014.

Ukraine’s president is calling for martial law and insists the vessels were trying to get through the Kerch Strait, into the Sea of Azov which is shared by the two countries.

Russia has since blocked the strait with a tanker.

*)Taliban ambush and kill 20 policemen

At least 20 police officers, including a newly appointed police chief, were ambushed and killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan’s Farah province.

The police convoy was on its way to introduce its new chief to the public, when it came under attack.

Four other officers, including the deputy provincial police chief, were wounded.

The Taliban, who have retaken control of nearly half of Afghanistan, claimed responsibility for the attack.

*)Uganda boat accident

At least 35 people were killed and dozens remain missing after a Ugandan boat capsized on Lake Victoria.

Authorities say the 50-capacity boat was overloaded with 120 people.

Police say the party cruiser was also in poor mechanical shape and got caught in bad weather.

Recovery operations are still under way.

And finally,

*)NASA robot to land on Mars

After a six-month journey, NASA's InSight robotic lander is expected to touchdown on Mars.

Its job is to drill and explore the interior of the red planet according to InSight engineer, Ravi Prakash:

“InSight is the first mission that's going to study the deep interior of Mars and try to understand how active are the quakes on Mars.”

Daily News Brief for 23 November, 2018 -

*)Gunmen attack Chinese consulate in Pakistan

Gunmen killed at least three people during an attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.

A separatist group from the country’s restive Balochistan province claimed responsibility.

*)Saudi under pressure to come clean about Khashoggi killing

International pressure mounts on Saudi Arabia to come clean about Jamal Khashoggi’s killing.

Denmark has suspended approvals to send military equipment and weapons to the monarchy.

Last week, 18 Saudi agents accused of the killing were barred entry into Europe’s Schengen zone, including the UK.

World leaders will also question Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G20 meeting in Argentina later this month.

*)Over 900 Palestinian children arrested in 2018

Over 900 Palestinian children have been arrested by Israeli forces since the beginning of 2018.

Swiss-based NPO, Palestinian Prisoners Society, say most children were released, but 270 remain incarcerated.

The NPO accuses Israel of using excessive force, including live ammunition against Palestinian children.

It says Israeli forces have killed at least 52 children in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since the year began.

*)Rain helps firefighters contain Northern California wildfire

At least 95% of the last burning wildfire in California has been contained thanks to a Pacific storm.

The Camp Fire, which has claimed 83 lives, was the deadliest wildfire in the state’s history.

And finally,

*)Samsung’s cancer-ridden workers get settlement

A decade-long standoff between global tech giant Samsung, and its sick employees ended with a settlement deal, and an apology.

Dozens of workers at Samsung’s South Korean factories were diagnosed with chronic illness, like cancer and tumours over the years.

Samsung apologised to its staff, and admitted it had failed to create a safe work environment.

Daily News Brief for 23 November, 2018 -

*)Gunmen attack Chinese consulate in Pakistan

Gunmen killed at least three people during an attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.

A separatist group from the country’s restive Balochistan province claimed responsibility.

*)Saudi under pressure to come clean about Khashoggi killing

International pressure mounts on Saudi Arabia to come clean about Jamal Khashoggi’s killing.

Denmark has suspended approvals to send military equipment and weapons to the monarchy.

Last week, 18 Saudi agents accused of the killing were barred entry into Europe’s Schengen zone, including the UK.

World leaders will also question Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G20 meeting in Argentina later this month.

*)Over 900 Palestinian children arrested in 2018

Over 900 Palestinian children have been arrested by Israeli forces since the beginning of 2018.

Swiss-based NPO, Palestinian Prisoners Society, say most children were released, but 270 remain incarcerated.

The NPO accuses Israel of using excessive force, including live ammunition against Palestinian children.

It says Israeli forces have killed at least 52 children in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since the year began.

*)Rain helps firefighters contain Northern California wildfire

At least 95% of the last burning wildfire in California has been contained thanks to a Pacific storm.

The Camp Fire, which has claimed 83 lives, was the deadliest wildfire in the state’s history.

And finally,

*)Samsung’s cancer-ridden workers get settlement

A decade-long standoff between global tech giant Samsung, and its sick employees ended with a settlement deal, and an apology.

Dozens of workers at Samsung’s South Korean factories were diagnosed with chronic illness, like cancer and tumours over the years.

Samsung apologised to its staff, and admitted it had failed to create a safe work environment.

Daily News Brief for 23 November, 2018 -

*)Gunmen attack Chinese consulate in Pakistan

Gunmen killed at least three people during an attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.

A separatist group from the country’s restive Balochistan province claimed responsibility.

*)Saudi under pressure to come clean about Khashoggi killing

International pressure mounts on Saudi Arabia to come clean about Jamal Khashoggi’s killing.

Denmark has suspended approvals to send military equipment and weapons to the monarchy.

Last week, 18 Saudi agents accused of the killing were barred entry into Europe’s Schengen zone, including the UK.

World leaders will also question Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G20 meeting in Argentina later this month.

*)Over 900 Palestinian children arrested in 2018

Over 900 Palestinian children have been arrested by Israeli forces since the beginning of 2018.

Swiss-based NPO, Palestinian Prisoners Society, say most children were released, but 270 remain incarcerated.

The NPO accuses Israel of using excessive force, including live ammunition against Palestinian children.

It says Israeli forces have killed at least 52 children in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since the year began.

*)Rain helps firefighters contain Northern California wildfire

At least 95% of the last burning wildfire in California has been contained thanks to a Pacific storm.

The Camp Fire, which has claimed 83 lives, was the deadliest wildfire in the state’s history.

And finally,

*)Samsung’s cancer-ridden workers get settlement

A decade-long standoff between global tech giant Samsung, and its sick employees ended with a settlement deal, and an apology.

Dozens of workers at Samsung’s South Korean factories were diagnosed with chronic illness, like cancer and tumours over the years.

Samsung apologised to its staff, and admitted it had failed to create a safe work environment.

Daily News Brief for Thursday, 22 November 22, 2018:

*)Top EU officials in Turkey for talks

Top EU officials are in Turkey for talks with Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

A host of issues including the Syrian civil war, Middle East peace process and Turkey's accession into the Europe, will be discussed.

Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987 while accession talks began in 2005.

Talks stalled in 2007 due to objections over the divided island of Cyprus, as well as opposition from Germany and France.

*)Saudi says calls to remove MbS are a red line

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir says calls to remove Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, are a red line:

"We have made it very clear that Saudi Arabia's government is not involved in this, the Crown Prince is not involved in this at all. We have made it very clear that this was an operation that went wrong, where people exceeded their authorities. We have made it very clear that we're investigating, that those who committed this crime will be brought to justice."

Pressure is mounting from around the world for Saudi to remove MbS from office after a CIA report concluded his involvement in the killing.

*)Heavy rainfall hits Northern California

Heavy rainfall in Northern California is helping an ongoing battle against deadly wildfires, but has raised the risk of flash floods.

Forecasters fear the Pacific storm could trigger mud and rock slides and hinder efforts to recover the bodies of those killed by the fires.

At least 83 people have been killed statewide according to Cal Fire’s Rick Carhart:

"We've just come out of a very difficult firefight, but nobody's letting their guard down because we know now that some of those dangers are being mitigated by the fact that we have more containment and with the weather, but we now know that the other dangers are out there so everybody's on the lookout and everybody is doing everything they can to make sure they're safe."

And finally,

*)US missionary killed by tribe on remote island

There are some places on earth that we just don’t go to, or we’ll end up dead, like 26-year-old US missionary, John Allen Chau.

The North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean by law is a no-go zone, as it is home to the world’s last pre-Neolithic tribe.

Chau was killed and buried by the aggressive tribe who’ve made it clear in the past, that they just want to be left alone.

Irony is, Chau bribed his way to the island via a fishing trawler, so he could convert the tribe to Christianity.

Daily News Brief for Thursday, 22 November 22, 2018:

*)Top EU officials in Turkey for talks

Top EU officials are in Turkey for talks with Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

A host of issues including the Syrian civil war, Middle East peace process and Turkey's accession into the Europe, will be discussed.

Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987 while accession talks began in 2005.

Talks stalled in 2007 due to objections over the divided island of Cyprus, as well as opposition from Germany and France.

*)Saudi says calls to remove MbS are a red line

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir says calls to remove Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, are a red line:

"We have made it very clear that Saudi Arabia's government is not involved in this, the Crown Prince is not involved in this at all. We have made it very clear that this was an operation that went wrong, where people exceeded their authorities. We have made it very clear that we're investigating, that those who committed this crime will be brought to justice."

Pressure is mounting from around the world for Saudi to remove MbS from office after a CIA report concluded his involvement in the killing.

*)Heavy rainfall hits Northern California

Heavy rainfall in Northern California is helping an ongoing battle against deadly wildfires, but has raised the risk of flash floods.

Forecasters fear the Pacific storm could trigger mud and rock slides and hinder efforts to recover the bodies of those killed by the fires.

At least 83 people have been killed statewide according to Cal Fire’s Rick Carhart:

"We've just come out of a very difficult firefight, but nobody's letting their guard down because we know now that some of those dangers are being mitigated by the fact that we have more containment and with the weather, but we now know that the other dangers are out there so everybody's on the lookout and everybody is doing everything they can to make sure they're safe."

And finally,

*)US missionary killed by tribe on remote island

There are some places on earth that we just don’t go to, or we’ll end up dead, like 26-year-old US missionary, John Allen Chau.

The North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean by law is a no-go zone, as it is home to the world’s last pre-Neolithic tribe.

Chau was killed and buried by the aggressive tribe who’ve made it clear in the past, that they just want to be left alone.

Irony is, Chau bribed his way to the island via a fishing trawler, so he could convert the tribe to Christianity.

Daily News Brief for Thursday, 22 November 22, 2018:

*)Top EU officials in Turkey for talks

Top EU officials are in Turkey for talks with Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

A host of issues including the Syrian civil war, Middle East peace process and Turkey's accession into the Europe, will be discussed.

Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987 while accession talks began in 2005.

Talks stalled in 2007 due to objections over the divided island of Cyprus, as well as opposition from Germany and France.

*)Saudi says calls to remove MbS are a red line

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir says calls to remove Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, are a red line:

"We have made it very clear that Saudi Arabia's government is not involved in this, the Crown Prince is not involved in this at all. We have made it very clear that this was an operation that went wrong, where people exceeded their authorities. We have made it very clear that we're investigating, that those who committed this crime will be brought to justice."

Pressure is mounting from around the world for Saudi to remove MbS from office after a CIA report concluded his involvement in the killing.

*)Heavy rainfall hits Northern California

Heavy rainfall in Northern California is helping an ongoing battle against deadly wildfires, but has raised the risk of flash floods.

Forecasters fear the Pacific storm could trigger mud and rock slides and hinder efforts to recover the bodies of those killed by the fires.

At least 83 people have been killed statewide according to Cal Fire’s Rick Carhart:

"We've just come out of a very difficult firefight, but nobody's letting their guard down because we know now that some of those dangers are being mitigated by the fact that we have more containment and with the weather, but we now know that the other dangers are out there so everybody's on the lookout and everybody is doing everything they can to make sure they're safe."

And finally,

*)US missionary killed by tribe on remote island

There are some places on earth that we just don’t go to, or we’ll end up dead, like 26-year-old US missionary, John Allen Chau.

The North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean by law is a no-go zone, as it is home to the world’s last pre-Neolithic tribe.

Chau was killed and buried by the aggressive tribe who’ve made it clear in the past, that they just want to be left alone.

Irony is, Chau bribed his way to the island via a fishing trawler, so he could convert the tribe to Christianity.

Daily News Brief for 21 November, 2018:

*)Khashoggi killing: Trump stands firm with Saudi

Donald Trump is facing a massive fallout within his own Republican party over the Jamal Khashoggi killing.

He voiced his support for the Saudis despite acknowledging that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may have had knowledge of the plan to kill Khashoggi.

Senior Republicans want serious sanctions imposed on the monarchy and a multi-billion dollar arms deal to be cancelled.

*)Suicide attack kills at least 50 in Afghanistan

At least 50 people have been killed by a suicide bomb attack in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

80 others were injured when the bomb went off at a public hall during a ceremony to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammed.

The Taliban has denied any involvement and condemned the attack.

*)Save the Children report on Yemen

Humanitarian group Save the Children says almost 85,000 children have died from acute malnutrition since early 2015 in Yemen.

A new report from the group says out of 14 million people at risk of famine, 2.2 million are children.

The war has left the nation on the edge of mass starvation.

*)Pacific storm to hit northern California

Northern California residents left homeless by deadly wildfires are facing another challenge.

An impending Pacific storm is expected to plunge encampments of evacuees into rain-soaked fields of mud.

Search efforts will also be hindered in a disaster that has already claimed at least 81 lives.

And finally,

*)Plastic garbage kills whale in Indonesia

We normally try to end these news briefs with a light-hearted story, but today, we bring you a story on the harms of dumping plastic into the ocean:

At an Indonesian National Park, a 9.5 metre sperm whale was found dead.

The cause of death? vets found nearly six kilograms of plastic garbage in its stomach, mostly plastic cups and plastic bags.

That’s because marine wildlife cannot tell the difference between plastic and food.

These animals often starve to death because plastic cannot be digested.

We all can make a change by making more earth-friendly choices.