Monday, September 17, 2018

The Turkish and Russian presidents are to meet in Sochi with Syria on the agenda, and the world's first hydrogen-powered train enters service.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, September the 17th.

Turkish, Russian presidents to meet in Sochi

Turkey's President Erdogan is to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, in Sochi today, with the situation in Syria's Idlib on the agenda.

Turkey and Russia are backing different sides in the Syrian conflict and Turkey is trying to prevent an all-out regime assault on Idlib.

The province is the last major opposition and rebel stronghold in the country, and the UN fears a bloodbath if the assault goes ahead.

Brett Kavanaugh accused of sexual assault

Trump's pick for the US Supreme Court is facing a decades-old accusation of sexual abuse.

Christine Ford said a drunken Brett Kavanaugh tried to grope her and forcibly remove her clothes at a party in the early 1980s.

Ford is now a clinical psychology professor. Her accusation has rocked the nomination process, with some Republican Senators now appearing uncomfortable in backing Kavanaugh.

Typhoon Mangkhut kills dozens in SE Asia

Typhoon Mangkhut is battering southern China after killing dozens in the Philippines.

The super typhoon slid by Hong Kong and Macau before slamming into Guangdong province.

Chinese state media have reported four deaths so far, and said over 2 million people were evacuated ahead of the storm.

Flooding from Florence is now the big danger

Hurricane Florence is still hammering the southeastern United States.

Flooding is the big danger now, with heavy rain and swollen rivers creating havoc for millions of people in several states.

So far at least 17 people are confirmed dead, but officials fear that number could rise.

Hydrogen fuel cell train enters service

And finally,

The world's first hydrogen-powered passenger train is going into service in Germany.

It's made by France's Alstom. The company is using hydrogen fuel cells, so it's probably fair to call it a battery-powered train.

It's climate and environment-friendly too. So, finally some good news for a suffering planet.

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

Monday, September 17, 2018

The Turkish and Russian presidents are to meet in Sochi with Syria on the agenda, and the world's first hydrogen-powered train enters service.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, September the 17th.

Turkish, Russian presidents to meet in Sochi

Turkey's President Erdogan is to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, in Sochi today, with the situation in Syria's Idlib on the agenda.

Turkey and Russia are backing different sides in the Syrian conflict and Turkey is trying to prevent an all-out regime assault on Idlib.

The province is the last major opposition and rebel stronghold in the country, and the UN fears a bloodbath if the assault goes ahead.

Brett Kavanaugh accused of sexual assault

Trump's pick for the US Supreme Court is facing a decades-old accusation of sexual abuse.

Christine Ford said a drunken Brett Kavanaugh tried to grope her and forcibly remove her clothes at a party in the early 1980s.

Ford is now a clinical psychology professor. Her accusation has rocked the nomination process, with some Republican Senators now appearing uncomfortable in backing Kavanaugh.

Typhoon Mangkhut kills dozens in SE Asia

Typhoon Mangkhut is battering southern China after killing dozens in the Philippines.

The super typhoon slid by Hong Kong and Macau before slamming into Guangdong province.

Chinese state media have reported four deaths so far, and said over 2 million people were evacuated ahead of the storm.

Flooding from Florence is now the big danger

Hurricane Florence is still hammering the southeastern United States.

Flooding is the big danger now, with heavy rain and swollen rivers creating havoc for millions of people in several states.

So far at least 17 people are confirmed dead, but officials fear that number could rise.

Hydrogen fuel cell train enters service

And finally,

The world's first hydrogen-powered passenger train is going into service in Germany.

It's made by France's Alstom. The company is using hydrogen fuel cells, so it's probably fair to call it a battery-powered train.

It's climate and environment-friendly too. So, finally some good news for a suffering planet.

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

Turkey’s foreign minister calls on the US to assess who its real allies are in Syria, and VW says it's finally over for the iconic Beetle.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Friday, September the 14th.

Turkey says the US should reconsider its alliances in Syria

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says "It’s time for Washington to assess who its real allies in the region are."

The foreign minister was writing in the New York Times.

Cavusoglu warned that the US-backed YPG has struck an alliance with Syria's Bashar al Assad and is sending fighters to back the regime.

Assad and his allies are reported to be planning to attack Idlib, the last opposition and rebel stronghold in Syria.

Gas explosions rock communities near Boston

Dozens of gas pipelines have exploded in communities near the US city of Boston.

At least one person was killed with several others injured.

The natural gas pipeline blasts destroyed some homes and set others on fire.

The cause is not yet known.

Catholic Church sex abuse scandal spreads

The child sex abuse scandal rocking the Catholic Church is spreading.

A leaked German study says over 3,000 children have been abused by priests and clerics since the end of World War Two.

And that follows major revelations of abuse in the US, Chile, Australia and Ireland.

Pope Francis has called a worldwide Bishops' meeting next year to address the crisis.

Philippines waits for super typhoon to hit

In the Philippines, people are seeking shelter ahead of a super typhoon, expected to hit on Saturday.

Mangkhut, which is a Thai word for a kind of tropical fruit, is packing winds of 250 kilometres per hour.

There are about five million people in its path.

VW to stop making iconic Beetle next summer

And finally,

Volkswagen has decided to finally squash its iconic Beetle.

Next year's production run of the third-generation bug will be the last.

Somehow the Beetle survived its origins in Germany in 1934 as a Nazi idea for a family car.

Since then, it's gone on to become one of the most loved cars of all time.

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

Turkey’s foreign minister calls on the US to assess who its real allies are in Syria, and VW says it's finally over for the iconic Beetle.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Friday, September the 14th.

Turkey says the US should reconsider its alliances in Syria

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says "It’s time for Washington to assess who its real allies in the region are."

The foreign minister was writing in the New York Times.

Cavusoglu warned that the US-backed YPG has struck an alliance with Syria's Bashar al Assad and is sending fighters to back the regime.

Assad and his allies are reported to be planning to attack Idlib, the last opposition and rebel stronghold in Syria.

Gas explosions rock communities near Boston

Dozens of gas pipelines have exploded in communities near the US city of Boston.

At least one person was killed with several others injured.

The natural gas pipeline blasts destroyed some homes and set others on fire.

The cause is not yet known.

Catholic Church sex abuse scandal spreads

The child sex abuse scandal rocking the Catholic Church is spreading.

A leaked German study says over 3,000 children have been abused by priests and clerics since the end of World War Two.

And that follows major revelations of abuse in the US, Chile, Australia and Ireland.

Pope Francis has called a worldwide Bishops' meeting next year to address the crisis.

Philippines waits for super typhoon to hit

In the Philippines, people are seeking shelter ahead of a super typhoon, expected to hit on Saturday.

Mangkhut, which is a Thai word for a kind of tropical fruit, is packing winds of 250 kilometres per hour.

There are about five million people in its path.

VW to stop making iconic Beetle next summer

And finally,

Volkswagen has decided to finally squash its iconic Beetle.

Next year's production run of the third-generation bug will be the last.

Somehow the Beetle survived its origins in Germany in 1934 as a Nazi idea for a family car.

Since then, it's gone on to become one of the most loved cars of all time.

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

Twenty-five years on, the Oslo Accords are in tatters, and Turkey orders that property and vehicle deals be done in lira.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Thursday, September 13th.

Khan Al Ahmar demolition

Israel has torn down structures built by Palestinians protesting the planned demolition of a Bedouin village, Khan Al Ahmar, in the occupied West Bank.

The Bedouin village has not yet been destroyed, but residents fear it's the beginning of the end.

Israel says it will tear their homes down and relocate some 200 people living there.

25 years on the Oslo Accords are in tatters

It was 25 years ago today that Palestinian and Israeli leaders promised peace and a better future for their peoples.

Today the two-state solution in the Oslo Accords is in tatters.

And moves by the current US administration, such as Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, have been especially damaging to the prospects for a lasting peace.

Further proof of 
Syria’s use of chemical weapons

UN war crimes investigators say they have further proof the Syrian regime used chemical weapons three times in Ghouta and Idlib this year.

The report comes as the Assad regime is reported to be preparing an assault to take back Idlib from the opposition and rebels.

Suu Kyi says her government "could have done better" on Rohingya

Myanmar's de facto civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, admits her government could have handled the Rohingya crisis better.

It's something of an understatement, given that the UN is recommending Myanmar's top generals be prosecuted for genocide.

Some 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled to neighbouring Bangladesh after the military targeted the persecuted minority in a brutal crackdown beginning last year.

Turkey mandates lira to be used in property and vehicle deals

And finally,

Turkey's President Erdogan has ordered that the lira be used for property deals and leasing vehicles.

The lira has lost 40 percent of its value against the dollar this year.

The latest move is part of Ankara's strategy to stabilise the currency in the face of a concerted US attack on Turkey's economy.

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

Twenty-five years on, the Oslo Accords are in tatters, and Turkey orders that property and vehicle deals be done in lira.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Thursday, September 13th.

Khan Al Ahmar demolition

Israel has torn down structures built by Palestinians protesting the planned demolition of a Bedouin village, Khan Al Ahmar, in the occupied West Bank.

The Bedouin village has not yet been destroyed, but residents fear it's the beginning of the end.

Israel says it will tear their homes down and relocate some 200 people living there.

25 years on the Oslo Accords are in tatters

It was 25 years ago today that Palestinian and Israeli leaders promised peace and a better future for their peoples.

Today the two-state solution in the Oslo Accords is in tatters.

And moves by the current US administration, such as Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, have been especially damaging to the prospects for a lasting peace.

Further proof of 
Syria’s use of chemical weapons

UN war crimes investigators say they have further proof the Syrian regime used chemical weapons three times in Ghouta and Idlib this year.

The report comes as the Assad regime is reported to be preparing an assault to take back Idlib from the opposition and rebels.

Suu Kyi says her government "could have done better" on Rohingya

Myanmar's de facto civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, admits her government could have handled the Rohingya crisis better.

It's something of an understatement, given that the UN is recommending Myanmar's top generals be prosecuted for genocide.

Some 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled to neighbouring Bangladesh after the military targeted the persecuted minority in a brutal crackdown beginning last year.

Turkey mandates lira to be used in property and vehicle deals

And finally,

Turkey's President Erdogan has ordered that the lira be used for property deals and leasing vehicles.

The lira has lost 40 percent of its value against the dollar this year.

The latest move is part of Ankara's strategy to stabilise the currency in the face of a concerted US attack on Turkey's economy.

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

Daily News Brief

The UN is warning of a potential disaster in Syria's Idlib, and Turkey's First Lady is honoured for her humanitarian work.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Wednesday, September 12th.

UN warns of a potential disaster in Idlib

The UN Secretary General says a regime military offensive in Idlib would “unleash a humanitarian nightmare” and result in a “bloodbath” for the three million people living there.

Antonio Guterres also called on Turkey, Russia and Iran to continue their work to bring security to Syria through the Astana peace process.

His words contrasted with those of US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, who said the Astana process had failed.

Brazil's Lula pulls out of presidential race after court ban

Brazil's former head of state, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has pulled out of next month's presidential election.

He's currently in jail, and serving 12 years for corruption.

However, he's also the country's most popular politician and was leading in the presidential opinion polls.

But, the country's top electoral court ruled against his bid to take part.

Lula's running mate, Fernando Haddad, will now head the party ticket.


Putin calls for WWII peace treaty with Japan

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has called for a peace treaty with Japan, without preconditions, to formally end World War Two. And Putin wants to sign it this year.

The apparently unscripted remarks came at a Q & A with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at an economic forum in Russia.

Abe's cabinet secretary later said Tokyo still wants Moscow to return islands ceded to the Soviet Union at the end of the war, before any peace treaty can be signed.

US eastern seaboard battens down ahead of Hurricane Florence

More than one-and-a-half-million people have been ordered to evacuate their homes as Hurricane Florence heads towards the US east coast.

The Category 4 storm is expected to make landfall in North and South Carolina in the next few days, with winds up to 220 kilometres an hour.

People not leaving are boarding up their houses and stocking up on food.

Turkish First Lady honoured for her humanitarian work

And finally,

The Global Donors Forum has honoured Turkey's First Lady Emine Erdogan with its Humanitarian Service Recognition Award.

It's for her efforts for the needy, and in particular for her work with the Rohingya people.

Turkish Airlines and the Turkish Red Crescent were also honoured at the awards in London for their contributions to humanitarian aid distribution around the globe.

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

Daily News Brief

The UN is warning of a potential disaster in Syria's Idlib, and Turkey's First Lady is honoured for her humanitarian work.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Wednesday, September 12th.

UN warns of a potential disaster in Idlib

The UN Secretary General says a regime military offensive in Idlib would “unleash a humanitarian nightmare” and result in a “bloodbath” for the three million people living there.

Antonio Guterres also called on Turkey, Russia and Iran to continue their work to bring security to Syria through the Astana peace process.

His words contrasted with those of US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, who said the Astana process had failed.

Brazil's Lula pulls out of presidential race after court ban

Brazil's former head of state, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has pulled out of next month's presidential election.

He's currently in jail, and serving 12 years for corruption.

However, he's also the country's most popular politician and was leading in the presidential opinion polls.

But, the country's top electoral court ruled against his bid to take part.

Lula's running mate, Fernando Haddad, will now head the party ticket.


Putin calls for WWII peace treaty with Japan

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has called for a peace treaty with Japan, without preconditions, to formally end World War Two. And Putin wants to sign it this year.

The apparently unscripted remarks came at a Q & A with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at an economic forum in Russia.

Abe's cabinet secretary later said Tokyo still wants Moscow to return islands ceded to the Soviet Union at the end of the war, before any peace treaty can be signed.

US eastern seaboard battens down ahead of Hurricane Florence

More than one-and-a-half-million people have been ordered to evacuate their homes as Hurricane Florence heads towards the US east coast.

The Category 4 storm is expected to make landfall in North and South Carolina in the next few days, with winds up to 220 kilometres an hour.

People not leaving are boarding up their houses and stocking up on food.

Turkish First Lady honoured for her humanitarian work

And finally,

The Global Donors Forum has honoured Turkey's First Lady Emine Erdogan with its Humanitarian Service Recognition Award.

It's for her efforts for the needy, and in particular for her work with the Rohingya people.

Turkish Airlines and the Turkish Red Crescent were also honoured at the awards in London for their contributions to humanitarian aid distribution around the globe.

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

Turkey calls on the world to prevent a catastrophe in Syria's Idlib, and Robert Redford bids goodbye to acting.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Tuesday, September 11th.

Erdogan’s warning to the world

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is calling on the world to prevent an assault on Syria's Idlib by the Assad regime and its allies.

"We cannot leave the Syrian people to the mercy of Bashar Assad," Erdogan wrote in an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal.

The appeal comes as the regime is reported to be ramping up for an attack.

UN says thousands have already fled Idlib

Staying with Syria, and in Idlib, fears are mounting as Russia and the regime step up air strikes after a stakeholder meeting in Tehran on Friday failed to agree a ceasefire.

The UN says some 30,000 people have already fled their homes ahead of the expected assault.

The UN also says if it happens, the world could face its worst humanitarian disaster of the 21st century.


US closes PLO's Washington office

The US is closing the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington.

The US says it's shuttering the PLO office over Palestinian attempts to prompt an investigation of Israel by the International Criminal Court, or ICC.

The US is also threatening sanctions against the court and its officers if it tries to investigate alleged war crimes by US forces and contractors in Afghanistan.

17th anniversary of the Al Qaeda assault on the US

Still in the US, and today marks 17 years since Al Qaeda attacked the United States, targeting New York City and Washington with four passenger planes it hijacked and turned into missiles.

Almost 3,000 people were killed in the assault that prompted a War on Terror.

Today, that war is visible in the actions of groups like Daesh, Al Shabab and the remnants of Al Qaeda, still fighting in Syria where they are part of the rebellion against Bashar al Assad.

Robert Redford bows out

And finally,

American actor Robert Redford is bidding farewell to a 50-year career.

He's at the Toronto Film Festival, where he said his latest film, 'The Old Man & the Gun', will be his last.

A "wonderful film to go out on," is how the 82-year-old announced the end to an illustrious career.

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

Turkey calls on the world to prevent a catastrophe in Syria's Idlib, and Robert Redford bids goodbye to acting.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Tuesday, September 11th.

Erdogan’s warning to the world

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is calling on the world to prevent an assault on Syria's Idlib by the Assad regime and its allies.

"We cannot leave the Syrian people to the mercy of Bashar Assad," Erdogan wrote in an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal.

The appeal comes as the regime is reported to be ramping up for an attack.

UN says thousands have already fled Idlib

Staying with Syria, and in Idlib, fears are mounting as Russia and the regime step up air strikes after a stakeholder meeting in Tehran on Friday failed to agree a ceasefire.

The UN says some 30,000 people have already fled their homes ahead of the expected assault.

The UN also says if it happens, the world could face its worst humanitarian disaster of the 21st century.


US closes PLO's Washington office

The US is closing the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington.

The US says it's shuttering the PLO office over Palestinian attempts to prompt an investigation of Israel by the International Criminal Court, or ICC.

The US is also threatening sanctions against the court and its officers if it tries to investigate alleged war crimes by US forces and contractors in Afghanistan.

17th anniversary of the Al Qaeda assault on the US

Still in the US, and today marks 17 years since Al Qaeda attacked the United States, targeting New York City and Washington with four passenger planes it hijacked and turned into missiles.

Almost 3,000 people were killed in the assault that prompted a War on Terror.

Today, that war is visible in the actions of groups like Daesh, Al Shabab and the remnants of Al Qaeda, still fighting in Syria where they are part of the rebellion against Bashar al Assad.

Robert Redford bows out

And finally,

American actor Robert Redford is bidding farewell to a 50-year career.

He's at the Toronto Film Festival, where he said his latest film, 'The Old Man & the Gun', will be his last.

A "wonderful film to go out on," is how the 82-year-old announced the end to an illustrious career.

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