Iran disputes Israel's nuclear allegations

Iran dismisses Israeli claims of an ongoing nuclear weapons' programme as "childish and ridiculous."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said Tehran was lying over its promise to stop its program as part of a 2015 accord with the US, Russia, Germany, France, Britain and China.

Most of the evidence Netanyahu presented was dated prior to the seven-party agreement.

Tehran says Israel is trying to pressure US President Donald Trump not to renew the accord when it comes up for review on May 12.

Vatican’s George Pell to stand trial for alleged sexual offences

Vatican Treasurer George Pell will stand trial on charges of historical sexual offences, an Australian court ruled on Tuesday.

Pell pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is the most senior Catholic official to be tried on such allegations.

A court in Melbourne will decide on Wednesday how to proceed with the case against the former Australian archbishop.

Pope Francis has said he will not comment on the case until it is over.

Battle against Daesh ends in Iraq

The US-led coalition has announced the end of major operations against Daesh in Iraq.

The land forces command headquarters were formally closed in Baghdad on Monday.

But the US says it will not withdraw from Iraq immediately.

The US-led coalition is also fighting Daesh in neighbouring Syria.

North and South Korea turn off DMZ loudspeakers

The two Koreas have started dismantling loudspeaker systems that blare propaganda at each other across their border, known as the demilitarised zone, or DMZ.

The psychological warfare included praise of socialism from the North, and K-pop hits from the South.

Tuesday's move comes after last week's summit when the North's Kim Jong-un and South's Moon Jae-in pledged to make the Korean peninsula nuclear free, and work towards peace.

Turning the loudspeakers off doesn't necessarily mean peace. But it will be a lot more peaceful on the DMZ, and definitely quieter.

WhatsApp co-founder quits

Jan Koum, the co-founder of WhatsApp, says he is leaving the company.

This comes after an apparent clash with parent company Facebook over the use of WhatsApp personal data and an alleged attempt to weaken its encryption.

Koum is known as one of the strongest advocates for privacy at Facebook.

The social media giant is under scrutiny over its use and monetisation of user data, often without their knowledge.

Iran disputes Israel's nuclear allegations

Iran dismisses Israeli claims of an ongoing nuclear weapons' programme as "childish and ridiculous."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said Tehran was lying over its promise to stop its program as part of a 2015 accord with the US, Russia, Germany, France, Britain and China.

Most of the evidence Netanyahu presented was dated prior to the seven-party agreement.

Tehran says Israel is trying to pressure US President Donald Trump not to renew the accord when it comes up for review on May 12.

Vatican’s George Pell to stand trial for alleged sexual offences

Vatican Treasurer George Pell will stand trial on charges of historical sexual offences, an Australian court ruled on Tuesday.

Pell pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is the most senior Catholic official to be tried on such allegations.

A court in Melbourne will decide on Wednesday how to proceed with the case against the former Australian archbishop.

Pope Francis has said he will not comment on the case until it is over.

Battle against Daesh ends in Iraq

The US-led coalition has announced the end of major operations against Daesh in Iraq.

The land forces command headquarters were formally closed in Baghdad on Monday.

But the US says it will not withdraw from Iraq immediately.

The US-led coalition is also fighting Daesh in neighbouring Syria.

North and South Korea turn off DMZ loudspeakers

The two Koreas have started dismantling loudspeaker systems that blare propaganda at each other across their border, known as the demilitarised zone, or DMZ.

The psychological warfare included praise of socialism from the North, and K-pop hits from the South.

Tuesday's move comes after last week's summit when the North's Kim Jong-un and South's Moon Jae-in pledged to make the Korean peninsula nuclear free, and work towards peace.

Turning the loudspeakers off doesn't necessarily mean peace. But it will be a lot more peaceful on the DMZ, and definitely quieter.

WhatsApp co-founder quits

Jan Koum, the co-founder of WhatsApp, says he is leaving the company.

This comes after an apparent clash with parent company Facebook over the use of WhatsApp personal data and an alleged attempt to weaken its encryption.

Koum is known as one of the strongest advocates for privacy at Facebook.

The social media giant is under scrutiny over its use and monetisation of user data, often without their knowledge.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, April 30th.

Double tap attack kills 25 in Kabul

Two blasts hit the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday, killing at least 25 people and wounding 45 others.

At least nine journalists are thought to be among those killed. They were all victims of the second blast, which appears to have targeted responders to the first attack.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the assault which comes a week after a blast at a voter registration centre killed 60 people.

Pro-regime soldiers hit in Syria

An overnight missile attack in northern Syria has killed 26 pro-regime fighters, mostly Iranians, according to reports from the area.

A war monitor said the attack appears to be the work of Israel, and targeted an arms depot at a base known as Brigade 47.

Iran has sent thousands of fighters to back Bashar al Assad's forces in the country's civil war, now in its eighth year.

UNSC delegation in Myanmar

A UN Security Council delegation is visiting Bangladesh and Myanmar to investigate violence against Rohingya Muslims.

It's the highest-level UN team to visit the region since last August when a military operation in Myanmar's Rakhine state triggered an exodus of some 700,000 Rohingya into neighbouring Bangladesh.

Rohingya refugees have described murder, rape and arson, all charges the Myanmar military denies.

Palestinian National Council summit

A three-day meeting of the Palestinian National Council starts today.

The PNC is the parliament of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. Its executive committee is the cabinet of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The 700-member body is meeting for the first time in decades.

Some observers say the 83-year-old Abbas is on his way out. Others says he will use the meeting to try to strengthen his position.

Hamas, which is not part of the PLO, but governs Gaza, is also likely to be on the agenda.

Sprint and T-Mobile merger

And finally…

After 4 years of 'will they or won't they,' Sprint and T-Mobile say they're tying the knot.

The $26 billion all-stock merger gives T-Mobile majority owner Deutsche Telekom

42 percent of the company and control of the board.

Analysts expect the news company to be able to better compete with current industry leaders Verizon and AT&T.

The telecoms battle is now moving to 5G, which offers the kind of speed needed to handle drones and self-driving cars.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, April 30th.

Double tap attack kills 25 in Kabul

Two blasts hit the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday, killing at least 25 people and wounding 45 others.

At least nine journalists are thought to be among those killed. They were all victims of the second blast, which appears to have targeted responders to the first attack.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the assault which comes a week after a blast at a voter registration centre killed 60 people.

Pro-regime soldiers hit in Syria

An overnight missile attack in northern Syria has killed 26 pro-regime fighters, mostly Iranians, according to reports from the area.

A war monitor said the attack appears to be the work of Israel, and targeted an arms depot at a base known as Brigade 47.

Iran has sent thousands of fighters to back Bashar al Assad's forces in the country's civil war, now in its eighth year.

UNSC delegation in Myanmar

A UN Security Council delegation is visiting Bangladesh and Myanmar to investigate violence against Rohingya Muslims.

It's the highest-level UN team to visit the region since last August when a military operation in Myanmar's Rakhine state triggered an exodus of some 700,000 Rohingya into neighbouring Bangladesh.

Rohingya refugees have described murder, rape and arson, all charges the Myanmar military denies.

Palestinian National Council summit

A three-day meeting of the Palestinian National Council starts today.

The PNC is the parliament of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. Its executive committee is the cabinet of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The 700-member body is meeting for the first time in decades.

Some observers say the 83-year-old Abbas is on his way out. Others says he will use the meeting to try to strengthen his position.

Hamas, which is not part of the PLO, but governs Gaza, is also likely to be on the agenda.

Sprint and T-Mobile merger

And finally…

After 4 years of 'will they or won't they,' Sprint and T-Mobile say they're tying the knot.

The $26 billion all-stock merger gives T-Mobile majority owner Deutsche Telekom

42 percent of the company and control of the board.

Analysts expect the news company to be able to better compete with current industry leaders Verizon and AT&T.

The telecoms battle is now moving to 5G, which offers the kind of speed needed to handle drones and self-driving cars.

A Korean peace?

The leaders of North and South Korea have pledged to free the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons, and to bring a lasting peace to the region.

At the end of an historic summit, the North's Kim Jong-un and President Moon Jae-in of South Korea announced the news to their peoples and the world.

The two Koreas are technically still at war. Now they're on the path to peace and a nuclear weapons-free future, if other major stakeholders like China and the United States back today's breakthrough.

Modi in China

In Friday's other big meeting, but one that isn't getting a lot of press globally, Chinese President Xi Jinping is hosting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the city of Wuhan.

They lead the world two most populous countries and China is the world's number two economy while India...is a regional power.

It's being billed as an informal summit, but any movement on their differences, including a long-simmering border dispute, would be good news.

Syria OPCW

Russia and the Assad regime claim rebels in the Syrian town of Douma staged a recent suspected gas attack that killed dozens.

To prove their point, they presented apparently unharmed people allegedly from eastern Ghouta to the world chemical weapons watchdog in The Hague on Thursday.

France said it was "obscene," and Britain called it a "stunt."

The OPCW is investigating the attack, but have yet to report its findings.

Gaza protests

Palestinians are holding their fifth weekly "Right of Return" protests at the Gaza-Israeli border.

Israeli forces have so far killed at least 39 unarmed demonstrators, and two journalists, since the protests began on March 30th.

The protesters are demanding the right to cross into present-day Israel to return to their homes in historical Palestine.

Cosby guilty

And finally…

A court in the US has found Bill Cosby guilty of drugging a victim and sexually assaulting her in 2004.

Andrea Constand was a friend of Cosby's at the time. She is only one of dozens of women who accuse him of similar offences.

The 80-year-old ex-comedian faces up to 30 year in prison.

Cosby says he will appeal the conviction.

Cosby was once known as "America's Dad" for his character Dr. Cliff Huxtable in "The Cosby Show" a TV sitcom about the perfect family.

His conviction is a landmark moment for the #MeToo movement in its bid to hold abusive men to account for their behaviour.

A Korean peace?

The leaders of North and South Korea have pledged to free the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons, and to bring a lasting peace to the region.

At the end of an historic summit, the North's Kim Jong-un and President Moon Jae-in of South Korea announced the news to their peoples and the world.

The two Koreas are technically still at war. Now they're on the path to peace and a nuclear weapons-free future, if other major stakeholders like China and the United States back today's breakthrough.

Modi in China

In Friday's other big meeting, but one that isn't getting a lot of press globally, Chinese President Xi Jinping is hosting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the city of Wuhan.

They lead the world two most populous countries and China is the world's number two economy while India...is a regional power.

It's being billed as an informal summit, but any movement on their differences, including a long-simmering border dispute, would be good news.

Syria OPCW

Russia and the Assad regime claim rebels in the Syrian town of Douma staged a recent suspected gas attack that killed dozens.

To prove their point, they presented apparently unharmed people allegedly from eastern Ghouta to the world chemical weapons watchdog in The Hague on Thursday.

France said it was "obscene," and Britain called it a "stunt."

The OPCW is investigating the attack, but have yet to report its findings.

Gaza protests

Palestinians are holding their fifth weekly "Right of Return" protests at the Gaza-Israeli border.

Israeli forces have so far killed at least 39 unarmed demonstrators, and two journalists, since the protests began on March 30th.

The protesters are demanding the right to cross into present-day Israel to return to their homes in historical Palestine.

Cosby guilty

And finally…

A court in the US has found Bill Cosby guilty of drugging a victim and sexually assaulting her in 2004.

Andrea Constand was a friend of Cosby's at the time. She is only one of dozens of women who accuse him of similar offences.

The 80-year-old ex-comedian faces up to 30 year in prison.

Cosby says he will appeal the conviction.

Cosby was once known as "America's Dad" for his character Dr. Cliff Huxtable in "The Cosby Show" a TV sitcom about the perfect family.

His conviction is a landmark moment for the #MeToo movement in its bid to hold abusive men to account for their behaviour.

Macron in Congress

French President Emmanuel Macron is urging the United States to reject nationalism and re-engage with the world.

Macron was speaking to Congress on the last day of what has otherwise been a very friendly state visit to the US.

He also called on President Donald Trump to turn away from trade war as a policy instrument, and get back on board with the global consensus on climate change.

Armenian crisis

Armenia's parliament will elect a new prime minister on May 1, in a bid to defuse ongoing anti-government protests.

Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan is shaping up as the likely winner.

The demonstrations were driven by public anger over perceived political cronyism and corruption.

They continued on Thursday, with protesters saying nothing less than a complete overhaul of the political system will get them off the streets.

Syrian war

International donors raised $4.4 billion in emergency aid for Syria and its neighbours this year, at a conference in Brussels.

But the total was well short of the more than $6 billion requested by the UN for 2018, after the US pledged nothing.

On the ground in Syria, backed by Russia and Iran, Bashar al Assad's forces continue to consolidate their grip on former rebel strongholds near Damascus.

Cosby trial

Jurors at Bill Cosby's sexual assault retrial finished day one of deliberations without reaching a verdict.

The 80-year-old ex-comedian is charged with drugging and molesting a woman at his home in 2004. He says it was consensual.

The 12-member jury deliberated for ten hours on Wednesday, and will continue the process today.

Migrant caravan

And finally...

Hundreds of Central American migrants from a caravan through Mexico have reached the US border. They plan to try to cross it on the weekend.

The men, women and children began the Mexico leg of their trek a month ago. But the caravan dwindled after Trump began attacking them on Twitter.

Many of the migrants say they fled their homes in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras because of violence and persecution, and they want refuge in the United States.

Trump has ordered US officials to prevent them from crossing the border.

Macron in Congress

French President Emmanuel Macron is urging the United States to reject nationalism and re-engage with the world.

Macron was speaking to Congress on the last day of what has otherwise been a very friendly state visit to the US.

He also called on President Donald Trump to turn away from trade war as a policy instrument, and get back on board with the global consensus on climate change.

Armenian crisis

Armenia's parliament will elect a new prime minister on May 1, in a bid to defuse ongoing anti-government protests.

Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan is shaping up as the likely winner.

The demonstrations were driven by public anger over perceived political cronyism and corruption.

They continued on Thursday, with protesters saying nothing less than a complete overhaul of the political system will get them off the streets.

Syrian war

International donors raised $4.4 billion in emergency aid for Syria and its neighbours this year, at a conference in Brussels.

But the total was well short of the more than $6 billion requested by the UN for 2018, after the US pledged nothing.

On the ground in Syria, backed by Russia and Iran, Bashar al Assad's forces continue to consolidate their grip on former rebel strongholds near Damascus.

Cosby trial

Jurors at Bill Cosby's sexual assault retrial finished day one of deliberations without reaching a verdict.

The 80-year-old ex-comedian is charged with drugging and molesting a woman at his home in 2004. He says it was consensual.

The 12-member jury deliberated for ten hours on Wednesday, and will continue the process today.

Migrant caravan

And finally...

Hundreds of Central American migrants from a caravan through Mexico have reached the US border. They plan to try to cross it on the weekend.

The men, women and children began the Mexico leg of their trek a month ago. But the caravan dwindled after Trump began attacking them on Twitter.

Many of the migrants say they fled their homes in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras because of violence and persecution, and they want refuge in the United States.

Trump has ordered US officials to prevent them from crossing the border.

Godman guilty

Indian godman Asaram Bapu has been found guilty for the 2013 rape of a 16-year-old girl.

Asaram sexually assaulted the teenager at his ashram in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The victim was from Uttar Pradesh. She was living in the ashram as a student.

The 77-year-old godman has hundreds of ashrams and millions of followers around the world. Police were on alert in Jodhpur ahead of the verdict to prevent violence.

Asaram is also on trial in India's Gujarat state for rape. He is expected to appeal today's verdict.

Syria's war

The EU is urging Russia and Iran to pressure the Assad regime to engage in serious talks to end Syria's civil war.

Top EU diplomat Federica Mogherini said Bashar al Assad's key supporters, Moscow and Tehran, had a duty to help wind down the war, now in its eighth year.

The call came at an international donors' conference in Brussels. More than 80 countries, NGOs and the UN are seeking a way to address what the UN says is a humanitarian crisis in Syria.

Macron/Trump

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran not to restart its nuclear programme, as he threatens to torpedo the nuclear agreement between Tehran and world powers.

Trump was speaking as he welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House.

Standing alongside Macron, the US president said the deal was "insane," and "ridiculous."

The US signed up for it under President Barack Obama.

Macron and his European colleagues favour keeping it, as Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.

Malaria day

Today is World Malaria Day. The WHO is hoping to raise awareness about a disease which is completely preventable and completely curable, but still deadly.

The UN health body's latest statistics are from 2016. That year, the WHO says there were 216 million malaria cases in 91 countries. About half a million people died of the mosquito-borne disease.

Africa was home to 90 percent of malaria cases in 2016 and 91 percent of malaria deaths.

Paradise lost

And finally...

The last tourists on Boracay in the Philippines are leaving today. The country's most popular tourist destination is closing for six months in an attempt clean up the paradise lost.

President Duterte ordered the closure after warning of an environmental disaster, calling the resort island a "cesspool."

How did it get to this? Beauty meant tourists. Tourists meant business. That led to development, then over-development, leading to today's squalor.

Boracay locals and businesses are welcoming the shut down. But the beaches will open again in six months. Whether the makeover can lead to permanent change remains to be seen.

Godman guilty

Indian godman Asaram Bapu has been found guilty for the 2013 rape of a 16-year-old girl.

Asaram sexually assaulted the teenager at his ashram in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The victim was from Uttar Pradesh. She was living in the ashram as a student.

The 77-year-old godman has hundreds of ashrams and millions of followers around the world. Police were on alert in Jodhpur ahead of the verdict to prevent violence.

Asaram is also on trial in India's Gujarat state for rape. He is expected to appeal today's verdict.

Syria's war

The EU is urging Russia and Iran to pressure the Assad regime to engage in serious talks to end Syria's civil war.

Top EU diplomat Federica Mogherini said Bashar al Assad's key supporters, Moscow and Tehran, had a duty to help wind down the war, now in its eighth year.

The call came at an international donors' conference in Brussels. More than 80 countries, NGOs and the UN are seeking a way to address what the UN says is a humanitarian crisis in Syria.

Macron/Trump

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran not to restart its nuclear programme, as he threatens to torpedo the nuclear agreement between Tehran and world powers.

Trump was speaking as he welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House.

Standing alongside Macron, the US president said the deal was "insane," and "ridiculous."

The US signed up for it under President Barack Obama.

Macron and his European colleagues favour keeping it, as Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.

Malaria day

Today is World Malaria Day. The WHO is hoping to raise awareness about a disease which is completely preventable and completely curable, but still deadly.

The UN health body's latest statistics are from 2016. That year, the WHO says there were 216 million malaria cases in 91 countries. About half a million people died of the mosquito-borne disease.

Africa was home to 90 percent of malaria cases in 2016 and 91 percent of malaria deaths.

Paradise lost

And finally...

The last tourists on Boracay in the Philippines are leaving today. The country's most popular tourist destination is closing for six months in an attempt clean up the paradise lost.

President Duterte ordered the closure after warning of an environmental disaster, calling the resort island a "cesspool."

How did it get to this? Beauty meant tourists. Tourists meant business. That led to development, then over-development, leading to today's squalor.

Boracay locals and businesses are welcoming the shut down. But the beaches will open again in six months. Whether the makeover can lead to permanent change remains to be seen.