Myanmar finds Reuters journalists guilty

A court in Myanmar has found two Reuters journalists guilty of illegally obtaining state secrets.

The pair were arrested in December last year and have been held in jail ever since.

They were researching the alleged genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state. They've been sentenced to seven years in prison.

Turkey moves to trade in national currencies

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the country should decrease its dependency on the US dollar in international trade.

Erdogan was speaking at the 6th Summit of the Turkic Council, in Kyrgyzstan.

The Turkish lira has been hit this year by the US war against Turkey's economy.

Iraqi political parties say the can form a governing bloc

In Iraq, a group of political parties say they've forged an alliance to secure a majority in the country's newly-elected parliament.

It includes groups led by Prime Minister Haider al Abadi and cleric Moqtada al Sadr.

The alliance is short of three lawmakers for an outright majority, but looks set to have enough support to take power.

Pakistan responds to US funds cut

Pakistan's foreign minister has responded to Washington's decision to cut 300-million dollars of aid to the country.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi says the funds were not aid, they were money that Pakistan has already spent in its fight against terrorism.

Washington has accused the Pakistani government of supporting the Haqqani terror group, which has links to the Afghanistan Taliban.

Brazil's national museum goes up in flames

And finally,

Rio de Janeiro's 200-year-old National Museum has gone up in flames.

Fire fighters were battling late Sunday to contain the blaze.

The museum has a collection of more than 20-million items, including the oldest human fossil ever found in Brazil.

Myanmar finds Reuters journalists guilty

A court in Myanmar has found two Reuters journalists guilty of illegally obtaining state secrets.

The pair were arrested in December last year and have been held in jail ever since.

They were researching the alleged genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state. They've been sentenced to seven years in prison.

Turkey moves to trade in national currencies

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the country should decrease its dependency on the US dollar in international trade.

Erdogan was speaking at the 6th Summit of the Turkic Council, in Kyrgyzstan.

The Turkish lira has been hit this year by the US war against Turkey's economy.

Iraqi political parties say the can form a governing bloc

In Iraq, a group of political parties say they've forged an alliance to secure a majority in the country's newly-elected parliament.

It includes groups led by Prime Minister Haider al Abadi and cleric Moqtada al Sadr.

The alliance is short of three lawmakers for an outright majority, but looks set to have enough support to take power.

Pakistan responds to US funds cut

Pakistan's foreign minister has responded to Washington's decision to cut 300-million dollars of aid to the country.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi says the funds were not aid, they were money that Pakistan has already spent in its fight against terrorism.

Washington has accused the Pakistani government of supporting the Haqqani terror group, which has links to the Afghanistan Taliban.

Brazil's national museum goes up in flames

And finally,

Rio de Janeiro's 200-year-old National Museum has gone up in flames.

Fire fighters were battling late Sunday to contain the blaze.

The museum has a collection of more than 20-million items, including the oldest human fossil ever found in Brazil.

>Last minute talks to prevent regime assault on Idlib<

Turkey are in talks with Syrian regime backers Russia and Iran to prevent an Aleppo-like disaster in Idlib.

Assad’s regime is preparing for a major assault on the last opposition and rebel-held region in the country’s northwest, claiming former Al Nusra militants are the main targets.

Idlib and surrounding areas are home to almost four million people which include civilian refugees.

The UN warns that an assault could result in the worst humanitarian catastrophe of the war, now in its eighth year.

>Trump threatens to pull US out of the WTO<

US President Donald Trump is threatening to withdraw the US from the World Trade Organization.

Speaking to Bloomberg News, Trump said if the WTO “don't shape up," the US is out.

One of the WTO’s roles as an intergovernmental organisation is to regulate international trade, which Trump feels it hasn't been doing.

So far, Trump has pulled the US out of the Paris Climate Control Agreement, the Iran nuclear deal and has triggered a global trade war by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

>Actor Gerard Depardieu investigated for rape, sexual assault<

One of France’s most recognised actors, 69-year-old Gerard Depardieu, is under investigation for rape and sexual assault.

French media reports that a 22-year-old French actress filed a complaint with police, saying she was sexually assaulted twice, in August, once at one of Depardieu’s Paris residences.

The actor has denied any wrongdoing.

>Australian filmmaker sentenced to prison in Cambodia<

Australian filmmaker James Ricketson has been sentenced to six years in jail by a Cambodian court.

The 69-year-old was found guilty of espionage for flying a drone last June over an opposition party rally before the country's communal elections.

Ricketson's arrest came amid a wider crackdown on freedom of expression by Hun Sen's government.

>UEFA Champions League group stages draw<

This season's UEFA Champions League will showcase the very best football Europe has to offer.

32 of Europe’s biggest clubs are ready to square off after being drawn into their groups.

The biggest group matches will see Liverpool take on PSG, Juventus against Manchester United and Barcelona are in the same group as Tottenham and Inter Milan.

Europe’s most coveted league tournament kicks off on September 18th.

The final will be played on June 1st, 2019 at Spain’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

>Last minute talks to prevent regime assault on Idlib<

Turkey are in talks with Syrian regime backers Russia and Iran to prevent an Aleppo-like disaster in Idlib.

Assad’s regime is preparing for a major assault on the last opposition and rebel-held region in the country’s northwest, claiming former Al Nusra militants are the main targets.

Idlib and surrounding areas are home to almost four million people which include civilian refugees.

The UN warns that an assault could result in the worst humanitarian catastrophe of the war, now in its eighth year.

>Trump threatens to pull US out of the WTO<

US President Donald Trump is threatening to withdraw the US from the World Trade Organization.

Speaking to Bloomberg News, Trump said if the WTO “don't shape up," the US is out.

One of the WTO’s roles as an intergovernmental organisation is to regulate international trade, which Trump feels it hasn't been doing.

So far, Trump has pulled the US out of the Paris Climate Control Agreement, the Iran nuclear deal and has triggered a global trade war by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

>Actor Gerard Depardieu investigated for rape, sexual assault<

One of France’s most recognised actors, 69-year-old Gerard Depardieu, is under investigation for rape and sexual assault.

French media reports that a 22-year-old French actress filed a complaint with police, saying she was sexually assaulted twice, in August, once at one of Depardieu’s Paris residences.

The actor has denied any wrongdoing.

>Australian filmmaker sentenced to prison in Cambodia<

Australian filmmaker James Ricketson has been sentenced to six years in jail by a Cambodian court.

The 69-year-old was found guilty of espionage for flying a drone last June over an opposition party rally before the country's communal elections.

Ricketson's arrest came amid a wider crackdown on freedom of expression by Hun Sen's government.

>UEFA Champions League group stages draw<

This season's UEFA Champions League will showcase the very best football Europe has to offer.

32 of Europe’s biggest clubs are ready to square off after being drawn into their groups.

The biggest group matches will see Liverpool take on PSG, Juventus against Manchester United and Barcelona are in the same group as Tottenham and Inter Milan.

Europe’s most coveted league tournament kicks off on September 18th.

The final will be played on June 1st, 2019 at Spain’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

*Regime planning possible attack on Syria's Idlib

The Syrian regime is reported to be in the final phase of planning an attack on Idlib, the last major opposition and rebel-held area in Syria.

The stakes are bigger than Syria though, with Turkey, Russia, Iran and the US involved, and backing different sides in the war.

Idlib is also home to three million people, many of them refugees after fleeing conflict in other parts of the country.

And the UN has warned that any assault on the region could trigger the worst humanitarian catastrophe of the war, now in its eighth year.

*Another one walks out the revolving door at the White House

The US now, and White House counsel Don McGahn is set to leave his job in the coming weeks.

McGahn is the latest senior adviser to walk out of the revolving door at the Trump White House.

The president's relationship with McGahn soured after reports emerged that the administration's top lawyer was cooperating with the federal probe into the alleged Russian hack of the 2016 US elections.

*Argentina turns to IMF as economic woes intensify

The International Monetary Fund is studying a request from Argentina to speed up a $50 billion loan.

The country is in economic turmoil as investors pull support from President Mauricio Macri's government.

The country’s peso fell seven percent on Wednesday.

In 2002, Argentina defaulted on its debt, plunging many people into poverty.

Macri is promising no default this time, as it seeks the support of the IMF.

*Iran mulls abandoning nuclear deal

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the country could abandon the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers if it no longer serves its interests.

Iran's economy has taken a hit since Trump ripped up the US copy of the accord with five other major powers and Tehran.

Khamenei says Iran should not “pin its hopes” on Europe being able to salvage the deal, opening up the possibility of its collapse.

*Michael Jackson would have been 60 on Wednesday

Michael Jackson would have been 60 on Wednesday.

The 'King of Pop' died almost a decade ago. But fans around the world have not forgotten.

The hashtag #MichaelJacksonDay was trending worldwide, with celebrities and fans sharing their favourite videos, dance moves and quotes from the US singer and pop phenom.

*Regime planning possible attack on Syria's Idlib

The Syrian regime is reported to be in the final phase of planning an attack on Idlib, the last major opposition and rebel-held area in Syria.

The stakes are bigger than Syria though, with Turkey, Russia, Iran and the US involved, and backing different sides in the war.

Idlib is also home to three million people, many of them refugees after fleeing conflict in other parts of the country.

And the UN has warned that any assault on the region could trigger the worst humanitarian catastrophe of the war, now in its eighth year.

*Another one walks out the revolving door at the White House

The US now, and White House counsel Don McGahn is set to leave his job in the coming weeks.

McGahn is the latest senior adviser to walk out of the revolving door at the Trump White House.

The president's relationship with McGahn soured after reports emerged that the administration's top lawyer was cooperating with the federal probe into the alleged Russian hack of the 2016 US elections.

*Argentina turns to IMF as economic woes intensify

The International Monetary Fund is studying a request from Argentina to speed up a $50 billion loan.

The country is in economic turmoil as investors pull support from President Mauricio Macri's government.

The country’s peso fell seven percent on Wednesday.

In 2002, Argentina defaulted on its debt, plunging many people into poverty.

Macri is promising no default this time, as it seeks the support of the IMF.

*Iran mulls abandoning nuclear deal

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the country could abandon the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers if it no longer serves its interests.

Iran's economy has taken a hit since Trump ripped up the US copy of the accord with five other major powers and Tehran.

Khamenei says Iran should not “pin its hopes” on Europe being able to salvage the deal, opening up the possibility of its collapse.

*Michael Jackson would have been 60 on Wednesday

Michael Jackson would have been 60 on Wednesday.

The 'King of Pop' died almost a decade ago. But fans around the world have not forgotten.

The hashtag #MichaelJacksonDay was trending worldwide, with celebrities and fans sharing their favourite videos, dance moves and quotes from the US singer and pop phenom.

Regime attack on Syria's Idlib would be a humanitarian disaster

The UN says if the Assad regime attacks opposition and rebel-held Idlib in northern Syria it could cause the worst humanitarian disaster yet in the eight-year war.

UN humanitarian agencies are calling on the Security Council to prevent this catastrophe from happening.

The area is home to some 3 million people, and the Assad regime has not ruled out an assault on the region.

Puerto Rico raises the death toll from Hurricane Maria to at least 3,000

In a shocking update on last year's Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, the governor's office now says the death toll was closer to 3,000, not the 64 previously reported.

The new figure includes the hurricane and deaths linked to it in the six months after Maria ripped through the US territory.

At the time, the Trump administration said its response to the disaster had been appropriate, despite desperate pleas for more federal help at the time.

Canada wants to negotiate fair terms on revised NAFTA deal

The Trump administration has given Canada until Friday to respond to an ultimatum set by the president on a revised NAFTA deal.

Trump told Canada to sign the deal “by Friday, or else…”

Mexico and the US signed a new agreement on Monday, but Canada is still attempting to negotiate what it sees as a fair deal.

Bomb blamed on Daesh kills at least two in the Philippines

At least two people were killed and 37 injured by a bomb in Mindanao, in the southern Philippines.

The crude device went off during a festival at a night market on Tuesday. Security forces say the attack bore the hallmarks of Daesh.

The Mindanao region is home to most of the Philippines' minority Muslim population.

Serena Williams is just so serene

And finally,

Serena Williams did that serene thing she does so well, responding to criticism of her French Open outfit with a stunning black bodysuit, tutu, fishnet tights, a new pair of shoes, and an easy win.

The outfit and shoes were designed by Nike in collaboration with Virgil Abloh under his brand, Off-White.

Serena Williams is one of the reasons why we love tennis. And a win at the US Open would be a record-equalling 24th major for the American star.

Regime attack on Syria's Idlib would be a humanitarian disaster

The UN says if the Assad regime attacks opposition and rebel-held Idlib in northern Syria it could cause the worst humanitarian disaster yet in the eight-year war.

UN humanitarian agencies are calling on the Security Council to prevent this catastrophe from happening.

The area is home to some 3 million people, and the Assad regime has not ruled out an assault on the region.

Puerto Rico raises the death toll from Hurricane Maria to at least 3,000

In a shocking update on last year's Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, the governor's office now says the death toll was closer to 3,000, not the 64 previously reported.

The new figure includes the hurricane and deaths linked to it in the six months after Maria ripped through the US territory.

At the time, the Trump administration said its response to the disaster had been appropriate, despite desperate pleas for more federal help at the time.

Canada wants to negotiate fair terms on revised NAFTA deal

The Trump administration has given Canada until Friday to respond to an ultimatum set by the president on a revised NAFTA deal.

Trump told Canada to sign the deal “by Friday, or else…”

Mexico and the US signed a new agreement on Monday, but Canada is still attempting to negotiate what it sees as a fair deal.

Bomb blamed on Daesh kills at least two in the Philippines

At least two people were killed and 37 injured by a bomb in Mindanao, in the southern Philippines.

The crude device went off during a festival at a night market on Tuesday. Security forces say the attack bore the hallmarks of Daesh.

The Mindanao region is home to most of the Philippines' minority Muslim population.

Serena Williams is just so serene

And finally,

Serena Williams did that serene thing she does so well, responding to criticism of her French Open outfit with a stunning black bodysuit, tutu, fishnet tights, a new pair of shoes, and an easy win.

The outfit and shoes were designed by Nike in collaboration with Virgil Abloh under his brand, Off-White.

Serena Williams is one of the reasons why we love tennis. And a win at the US Open would be a record-equalling 24th major for the American star.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Tuesday, August 28th.

UN accuses both sides of possible war crimes in Yemen

The UN says the Saudi-led coalition may have committed war crimes as part of its assault on Houthi rebels in Yemen.

It was the first report by the UN Human Rights Council on the conflict which began over three years ago.

The UN also accused the rebels of possible war crimes.

The war, which has become a humanitarian disaster, pits a Saudi-led coalition backing the exiled and internationally recognised government against the Iran-aligned Houthis.

Iranian president remains defiant in the face of new US sanctions

Staying with Iran, and President Hassan Rouhani says his country will overcome economic challenges from new US sanctions.

Rouhani was speaking a day after Iran took the US to the International Court of Justice over the sanctions.

Washington ramped up the pressure on Tehran after President Trump ripped up an international accord.

In that agreement, Tehran had agreed with six major powers, including the US, to curb its nuclear program in exchange for an easing of sanctions.

German far-right protesters take to streets after fatal stabbing

Hundreds of far-right supporters have been protesting on the streets of Germany - following a fatal attack on a local man.

Demonstrators lit flares, and threw bottles at police in the town of KEM-NITZ - on the second day of protests.

They follow the stabbing of a German man at the weekend.

Police have arrested a Syrian and an Iraqi in connection with the incident.

Toyota invests $500 million in Uber

Toyota is investing 500 million dollars in Uber’s self driving cars.

Uber has scaled back on producing self driving cars itself, after a fatal crash in the US earlier this year.

Partnering with Toyota, Uber says one of its goals will be to develop safer technology.

Top women's seed crashes out of US Open

And finally,

It's US Open tennis, and the women's top seed, Simona Halep, has crashed out in her opening match.

Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi, ranked 44 in the world, thrashed the Romanian world number one 6-2, 6-4.

The good news was that Serena Williams cruised through and is still on track for a record-matching 24th major.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Tuesday, August 28th.

UN accuses both sides of possible war crimes in Yemen

The UN says the Saudi-led coalition may have committed war crimes as part of its assault on Houthi rebels in Yemen.

It was the first report by the UN Human Rights Council on the conflict which began over three years ago.

The UN also accused the rebels of possible war crimes.

The war, which has become a humanitarian disaster, pits a Saudi-led coalition backing the exiled and internationally recognised government against the Iran-aligned Houthis.

Iranian president remains defiant in the face of new US sanctions

Staying with Iran, and President Hassan Rouhani says his country will overcome economic challenges from new US sanctions.

Rouhani was speaking a day after Iran took the US to the International Court of Justice over the sanctions.

Washington ramped up the pressure on Tehran after President Trump ripped up an international accord.

In that agreement, Tehran had agreed with six major powers, including the US, to curb its nuclear program in exchange for an easing of sanctions.

German far-right protesters take to streets after fatal stabbing

Hundreds of far-right supporters have been protesting on the streets of Germany - following a fatal attack on a local man.

Demonstrators lit flares, and threw bottles at police in the town of KEM-NITZ - on the second day of protests.

They follow the stabbing of a German man at the weekend.

Police have arrested a Syrian and an Iraqi in connection with the incident.

Toyota invests $500 million in Uber

Toyota is investing 500 million dollars in Uber’s self driving cars.

Uber has scaled back on producing self driving cars itself, after a fatal crash in the US earlier this year.

Partnering with Toyota, Uber says one of its goals will be to develop safer technology.

Top women's seed crashes out of US Open

And finally,

It's US Open tennis, and the women's top seed, Simona Halep, has crashed out in her opening match.

Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi, ranked 44 in the world, thrashed the Romanian world number one 6-2, 6-4.

The good news was that Serena Williams cruised through and is still on track for a record-matching 24th major.