This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Wednesday, April 5th.

*) Israel strikes Gaza after troops storm Al Aqsa Mosque, attack worshipers

Israeli planes have struck Gaza in response to rocket fire from the Palestinian enclave after Israeli police raided the Al Aqsa Mosque compound overnight.

Hamas Radio reported that the Israeli strikes hit several targets within Gaza city and in a refugee camp. There were no immediate reports on casualties.

The air strikes come after Israeli troops stormed Islam's third holiest site in occupied East Jerusalem while Palestinians pray on the second week of Ramadan.

Witnesses and Palestinian Red Crescent also reported that Israeli troops have beaten up worshipers, leaving many wounded, raising fears of wider tensions.

*) France, US want to engage China to end Russia-Ukraine conflict

French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden have agreed in a phone call to engage China to hasten the end of the war in Ukraine.

The Elysee said the leaders both hoped China could contribute to solidarity efforts ahead of a visit by Macron to Beijing from Wednesday to Friday.

The latest push to end the war comes as Ukraine’s armed forces repelled 45 Russian attacks during the past 24 hours while fighting raged in and around the city of Bakhmut.

*) Taiwan leader set to meet US House Speaker despite China warning

Taiwan has pushed back against threats of retaliation by China, ahead of an expected meeting between the self-ruled island's president and the US House speaker.

The meeting on Wednesday comes during a stopover for President Tsai Ing-wen, after her two-country trip in Latin America.

China warned US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who is second in line to the US presidency, that he was "playing with fire" by meeting Tsai.

*) Donald Trump slams criminal charges as 'insult to our country'

Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts in a hearing in New York that began the countdown to the first ever criminal trial of an American president.

Manhattan prosecutors say Trump "repeatedly and fraudulently falsified… business records to conceal criminal conduct” ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Trump blasted the criminal prosecution as "an insult to our country” and said "radical left" prosecutors across the country were out to get him "at any cost."

And finally…

*) ​​Webb telescope discovers four oldest galaxies ever observed

The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered the four most distant galaxies ever observed, one of which formed just 320 million years after the Big Bang.

In two new studies in the Nature Astronomy journal, astronomers revealed they have "unambiguously detected" the four galaxies.

The galaxies are from what is called "the epoch of reionisation," a period when the first stars are believed to have emerged.

The epoch came directly after the cosmic dark ages brought about by the Big Bang.

*) Finland to become 31st NATO member

Finland's flag will be hoisted outside NATO headquarters as it becomes the newest member of the Western alliance today.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced the news on Monday, the eve of a historic meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels.

Objections from Türkiye and Hungary over legitimate security concerns held up Helsinki's bid for months but were ultimately concluded.

Completing the ratification in well under a year makes Finland’s membership process the fastest in the alliance's recent history.

*) Russia accuses Ukraine, Navalny 'agents' of killing blogger Tatarsky

Russia has blamed Ukrainian intelligence agencies for the bombing attack that killed well-known Russian military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky..

Tatarsky was killed on Sunday as he was leading a discussion at a cafe in the historic heart of St. Petersburg. Over 30 people were wounded by the blast.

Russia’s top counterterrorism body called it a “terrorist act…planned by Ukrainian special services”.

Tatarsky, whose real name was Maxim Fomin, was born in Ukraine's Donbass and was previously sentenced to prison for robbing a bank before fleeing to Russia and joining an anti-Kiev separatist movement.

*) Russian drones strike Ukraine's port of Odessa

Meanwhile, on the war’s 405th day, Ukrainian defence forces have destroyed 14 out of 17 Iranian-made Shahed drones Russia launched.

Ukraine's military said 13 of the drones were destroyed over the Odessa region in the country's southwest.

Earlier, Ukrainian authorities had reported that Russian drones struck and damaged the strategic Ukrainian port of Odessa.

*) Trump flies to New York to surrender after indictment

Donald Trump has left Florida for New York where he will surrender to authorities after being criminally charged.

The 76-year-old Republican is the first American president ever to be criminally indicted.

He will be formally charged on Tuesday over hush money paid to an adult movie actress during the 2016 election campaign.

New York police were on high alert ahead of his arrival, with security cordons and Secret Service agents outside Trump Tower and the criminal court where he will appear.

*) ​​Australia bans TikTok app on government-owned devices

Australia has decided to ban TikTok on government devices.

It joins a growing list of Western nations cracking down on the Chinese-owned app due to national security fears.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the decision followed advice from the country's intelligence agencies and would begin "as soon as practicable".

Australia is the last member of the secretive Five Eyes security alliance to pursue a government TikTok ban – joining its allies the US, Britain, Canada and New Zealand.

*) Oil prices jump after OPEC+ cuts daily production by more than a million barrels

Oil prices have soared almost six percent in Asian trade after major producers led by Saudi Arabia announced a surprise cut of more than one million barrels per day.

The move led by Saudi Arabia will be in effect from next month until the end of the year, and marks the biggest reduction in output since the OPEC plus slashed two million barrels per day in October.

The reduction came on top of a Russian decision to extend a cut of 500,000 barrels per day, and in spite of US calls to increase production.

The announcement is expected to fan fresh fears about inflation and put more pressure on central banks to hike interest rates further.

*) Wagner group claims it captured Bakhmut; Ukraine denies report

The head of pro-Russian Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has claimed that his forces have captured Ukraine’s Bakhmut, raising the Russian flag over the city’s administration building.

In a message posted on Telegram, Prigozhin said that "from a legal point of view” Bakhmut has been taken.

Prigozhin has previously made claims that were premature.

Ukraine's army also denied the report saying it still "holds" the city.

In a video address on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave no indication that the city had fallen, saying fighting remained “particularly hot”.

*) Finland's centre-right National Coalition Party claims election victory

Finland's centre-right opposition National Coalition Party leader Petteri Orpo has claimed victory in the Nordic country's tightly-fought parliamentary election on Sunday.

With 99 percent of votes counted, the centre-right was credited with 48 of the 200 seats in parliament, the far-right with 46 and the Social Democrats with 43.

The biggest party in parliament traditionally gets the first chance to build a government, and since the 1990s that party has always claimed the prime minister's office.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin who secured for Finland a NATO membership, has conceded defeat and congratulated the victorious conservatives, saying “democracy has spoken."

*) Milatovic wins Montenegro presidency beating veteran leader

In another election-related development, Montenegro's former minister of economic development Jakov Milatovic has won the country's presidential runoff, according to results from a leading pollster, beating long-time leader Milo Djukanovic in a landslide.

The Center for Monitoring and Research said Milatovic won around 60 percent while Djukanovic won around 40 percent. Official results are not expected before Monday.

Analysts said the results could change slightly as the vote count progresses but that the gap between the two is too wide for major changes.

Djukanovic’s defeat on Sunday means that both he and his party will be in opposition for the first time since late 1980s’.

And finally…

*) The mobile phone turns 50

Today marks the 50th anniversary since the first mobile phone call was made on April 3, 1973.

From brick-sized handsets popular with stockbrokers to intensely powerful computers that sit in all our pockets today, mobile phones have been forged by a half-century of innovation.

Martin Cooper is the man who developed the technology and made the first call using a Motorola phone.

Cooper is now 94 years old and uses the latest iPhone. However, he said that the world has become too obsessed with his invention.

He confessed that he will “never, ever understand” how to use the cell phone the way his grandchildren and great-grandchildren do.

*) New York grand jury votes to indict Donald Trump

A New York grand jury has voted to indict former US president Donald Trump over hush money payments made to an adult movie actress, Stormy Daniels, ahead of the 2016 election.

He is the first ever US president to face a criminal charge.

Within minutes of the indictment, Trump issued a statement raging against the decision, which comes as he makes a bid to return to the White House in the 2024 election.

Trump is expected to be arraigned on Tuesday, his lawyer said.

*) Türkiye parliament ratifies Finland's NATO membership

Türkiye becomes the final NATO nation to ratify Finland's membership of the defence alliance in the wake of Russia's offensive in Ukraine.

Turkish lawmakers unanimously backed the Nordic country's accession.

Türkiye's ratification leaves Finland — which shares over a thousand kilometres of border with Russia — only a few steps from becoming the 31st member of the world's most powerful military bloc.

Following the vote, the Finnish president thanked NATO's member states for "their trust and support."

*) Malaysia court rejects Najib Razak's bid to review 1MDB graft conviction

Malaysia's top court has rejected with finality ex-prime minister Najib Razak's bid to overturn a conviction for corruption.

Najib, who is the son of another former prime minister, had appealed his case claiming that he did not receive a fair hearing while accusing the judge of conflict of interest.

His wife Rosmah, who was also found guilty of graft last year, attended the proceedings on Friday.

With the decision, the 69-year-old former leader will continue to serve his 12-year jail sentence for abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust over the transfer of millions of dollars to his personal bank account.

*) India temple collapse leaves 35 dead, 16 injured

At least 35 people have been killed and 16 others injured after the roof of a temple collapsed in central India.

The incident occurred in Madhya Pradesh state where devotees gathered at a temple to celebrate a Hindu festival.

At least 75 army and rescue personnel worked through the day to remove debris, using ropes and ladders to pull out people who had fallen into the well.

*) ​​TRT Afrika: Türkiye's public broadcaster launches Africa edition

Türkiye’s public broadcaster TRT has launched a new digital news platform, TRT Afrika, to highlight stories of and from the continent to a global audience.

Under the slogan “Afrika as it is” the digital platform will be published in four languages: Swahili, English, Hausa and French.

TRT Afrika hopes to provide its audience with an alternative narrative about Africa and feature global stories of significance to the continent with rich, timely and balanced information

The channel went live during the second day of a summit organised by TRT and The African Union of Broadcasting in Istanbul. The three-day summit began on March 30.

*) Ukraine says Russian forces making progress in frontline Bakhmut

Russian forces have had some success in the eastern frontline city of Bakhmut, Ukrainian military officials said.

The mining city of Bakhmut and surrounding towns in the eastern industrial region of Donetsk have been the focal point of assault for much of the war.

Neither side yet has full control with heavy losses suffered by both but Russian officials say their forces are still capturing ground in street-by-street fighting.

*) Mexico detention cell officials 'did nothing' to save migrants amid blaze

The deaths of 39 migrants in a fire at a Mexican detention centre are being investigated as suspected homicides, a prosecutor has said.

In a video, whose authenticity was confirmed by the government, three guards were seen rushing to leave migrants in their cell as flames spread.

Eight people have been identified as allegedly responsible for the failure, Security Minister Rodriguez said at a news conference.

They are two federal agents and a state immigration official, as well as five members of a private security company.

*) Uganda deploys 1,000 troops to DRC's troubled east

Uganda has deployed 1,000 troops to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo under the regional East African Community force.

The deputy spokesperson of Uganda people's defence forces said the Ugandan army will be operating from Ituri province.

Burundi and Kenya have already sent their troops to DRC for the same mission.

Fighting in eastern DRC has been simmering for decades as more than 120 groups fight for valuable resources — while others try to defend their communities.

*) UAE president designates his eldest son as crown prince of Abu Dhabi

The president of the United Arab Emirates has appointed his eldest son as crown prince of Abu Dhabi. He is now next in line to take over as the leader of the federation.

The state-run WAM news agency reported Sheikh Khaled’s appointment as crown prince, without providing further details.

The new crown prince has risen to prominence at the country's state security service and as chairman of the powerful Abu Dhabi Executive Office.

*) ​​UN adopts landmark resolution on climate justice

The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution calling for the world body's top court to outline legal obligations related to the climate crisis.

The measure asks the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to lay out nations' obligations for protecting Earth's climate and the legal consequences if they don't.

The adoption marked an emotional moment for the Pacific youth who spearheaded the initiative.

*) Taiwan president heads to US, Central America amid China's threats

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen is set to leave for the United States, a stop on her way to firm ties with Guatemala and Belize.

Belize and Guatemala are among just 13 countries that officially recognise democratic Taiwan over China, after Honduras opened diplomatic relations with Beijing on Sunday.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he will meet Tsai in the US, which China's Taiwan Affairs Office called "a provocation".

In response, a senior US official said that China should not "overreact" and use a stopover as a "pretext" for aggression against the democratically ruled island of Taiwan.

*) Several killed as fire breaks out at migrant centre near Mexico-US border

At least 39 people have been killed and 29 others injured when a fire broke out at a facility for migrants in Mexico’s city of Ciudad Juarez.

A rescuer explained that there were about 70 migrants, mostly Venezuelans, at the site.

Ciudad Juarez, which neighbours El Paso city in Texas, is one of the border towns where numerous undocumented migrants seeking refuge in the United States remain stranded.

*) Russia kicks off exercises with Yars missile system

Russia has begun exercises with its Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system and several thousand troops. It is likely to be seen as another attempt by Moscow to show off its nuclear strength.

President Vladimir Putin has aimed to make the Yars missile system part of Russia's "invincible weapons" and the mainstay of the ground-based component of its nuclear arsenal.

"In total, more than 3,000 military personnel and about 300 pieces of equipment are involved in the exercises," according to a statement by the defence ministry.

*) Fresh clashes erupt in France in pension protests

Fresh clashes have erupted in France between protesters and police as tens of thousands took to the streets to show their anger against President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform that has sparked a major domestic crisis.

Tuesday's nationwide protests and strikes called by unions is the tenth since mid-January against the law, which would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.

Police said at least 27 people were arrested in the capital by the afternoon

*) ​​Gun violence in US killed 'over 10,000' so far in 2023

Gun Violence Archive have reported 130 mass shootings in three months as a fresh shooting in southern state of Tennessee claimed six more lives.

According to the archive, more than 10,000 people in the US have died from gun violence as of March 28, 2023. That's an average of more than 111 deaths everyday.

On Monday, Tennessee made headlines with the latest mass school shooting, where three children and three adults were killed at a private Christian elementary school in Nashville.

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

*) Russia test fires supersonic anti-ship missile at mock target in Sea of Japan

Russia's defence ministry has announced that it test-fired anti-ship missiles in the Sea of Japan.

The test involved the firing of two Moskit missiles, a supersonic anti-ship cruise weapon with conventional and nuclear warhead capacity,

The latest test comes just a week after two Russian strategic bomber planes flew over Japan for more than seven hours.

*) North Korea's Kim orders more production of ‘weapon-grade nuclear material’

North Korea’s Kim Jong-un is calling on his country to expand production of “weapon-grade nuclear materials” and build more powerful weapons, the country’s state media reports.

Kim’s latest threat, a doubling-down on an earlier promise to ramp up nuke production “exponentially,” comes ahead of a US Navy carrier strike group’s arrival in South Korea today.

Kim has been briefed by officials from the country’s nuclear weapons institute, the official Korean Central News Agency reports, saying Pyongyang should prepare to use its nukes “anytime and anywhere.”

*) Thousands protest as Netanyahu delays judicial overhaul

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces a delay to the controversial judicial reform plans after reaching a deal with his cabinet.

In a speech, Netanyahu says there is an “extremist minority” that is trying to divide Israel.

As part of the deal to delay the bill, Netanyahu agreed to give far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir control of the National Guard, which is involved with the border patrol in Israel.

*) Children, adults dead in Nashville school shooting

At least three children and three adults have been killed in a shooting at a private Christian grade school in Nashville, police say.

The killings come as communities around the nation are reeling from a spate of school violence, including the massacre at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, last year.

Police said that the 28-year-old suspect appeared to have carefully planned the attack and was "prepared for a confrontation with law enforcement.”

And finally…

*) Hungarian parliament gives nod to Finland NATO accession

After months of debate, Hungary’s parliament has approved a bill allowing Finland to join NATO once its application is ratified by all 30 members of the alliance.

The bill on Finland’s NATO accession gets the nod with 182 in favour and six votes against.

Finland and Sweden asked to join the trans-Atlantic military alliance last year in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But the process has been held up by Türkiye and Hungary for national security reasons.

*) Israeli president urges immediate halt to judicial overhaul

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is urging PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to halt its bitterly contested judicial overhaul.

This comes a day after Netanyahu sacked his defence minister for opposing the move, sparking mass street protests.

Tens of thousands of Israelis are staging protests in several cities in a spontaneous outburst of anger against the prime minister’s plans, deepening a months-long crisis that has drawn concern from the US and other close allies.

*) US Vice President Harris visits Africa with eye on countering China

US Vice President Kamala Harris vows that the US will increase investment in Africa and help spur economic growth.

The US vice president is embarking on a week-long tour of the continent, aimed at offering a counter to the growing influence of China.

China has been investing heavily in Africa in recent decades, including in infrastructure and resource development. The Biden administration seeks to strengthen ties with Africa, in part to offer an alternative to rival powers.

*) Kiev slams Putin’s nuclear plans, calls for UNSC session

Ukraine is calling for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council over Russia’s announcement that it would station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry says: “Russia once again confirms its chronic inability to be a responsible steward of nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence and prevention of war, not as a tool of threats and intimidation.”

Ukraine says it expects effective actions to counteract the Kremlin’s nuclear blackmail from the United Kingdom, China, the United States and France, further demanding an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council.

*) Tunisia coast guard recovers dozens of bodies after migrant vessels capsize

Tunisia’s coast guard announces the recovery of the bodies of at least 29 migrants and asylum seekers from sub-Saharan African countries after three vessels capsized.

The Tunisian coast guard says it has also rescued 11 irregular migrants of “various African nationalities” after their boats sank off the central eastern coast, citing three different incidents.

Separately, in the last four days, five migrant boats have sunk off the coast of the southern city of Sfax, leaving 67 missing and nine dead.

*) Erdogan vows to rebuild Türkiye’s quake-hit southern region

The Turkish president vows to rebuild the country’s southern region in the wake of powerful earthquakes last month that claimed the lives of more than 50,000 people.

President Erdogan says: “Our aim is to raise-up the earthquake zone.”

Türkiye plans to construct enough buildings in a year to meet the needs of the quake victims, the Turkish president says, adding that 319,000 houses will be built in the first year and 650,000 in total.

*) Ukraine prepares counteroffensive as Russia's assault on Bakhmut flags

Ukraine's top ground forces commander Oleksandr Syrskyi has said his forces would soon begin a counter offensive after withstanding Russia's brutal winter campaign.

He said Russia's Wagner mercenaries, who have been at the front line of Moscow's assault on eastern and southern Ukraine, "are losing considerable strength and are running out of steam".

However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that without a faster supply of arms from Europe, the war could last years.

*) North Korea tests new underwater 'nuclear attack drone'

North Korea has tested a new nuclear underwater attack drone this week, according to state news agency KCNA, as a US amphibious assault ship arrived in South Korea for joint drills.

The drone system designed to unleash a "radioactive tsunami" is intended to make sneak attacks in enemy waters and destroy naval striker groups and major operational ports, KCNA said.

The state news agency also confirmed the firing of cruise missiles during the weapons test and firing drill that took place from Tuesday to Thursday.

*) Burundi army contingent takes over areas vacated by M23 rebels in DRC

Troops from the Burundi National Defense Forces deployed under the East African Community Regional Force have taken over three villages that had been occupied by M23 rebels.

The withdrawal of the rebels is in compliance with a communique of the East Africa Community Heads of State, marking a significant milestone towards restoring peace and stability in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The M23 rebel group, which was formed in 2012 by disgruntled Congolese militants who wanted to be enlisted in the national army, has often attacked areas in eastern DRC.

In June last year, they attacked areas in eastern DRC and occupied them until recently.

*) 'Discussion under way' between Saudi Arabia, Syria over consular services

Saudi Arabia and Syria are in talks on resuming consular services, Saudi state media have said, more than a decade after the Gulf kingdom cut ties with Bashar al Assad's regime.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said in February that a consensus was building in the Arab world that a new approach to Syria would be needed to address humanitarian crises.

Damascus has seen amplified Arab engagement since two earthquakes struck southeastern Türkiye and northern Syria on February 6.

*) Biden in Canada to meet with Trudeau on issues including immigration, Haiti

US President Joe Biden has arrived in Canada’s capital Ottawa for talks that will focus on a range of issues including immigration and defense co-operation.

According to reports, Biden and Trudeau are expected to announce a deal that would restrict certain migrants from seeking protection in Canada as well as a new refugee admission program.

Canada's contributions to the North American Air Defense Command and NATO as part of defense spending are also expected to be on the agenda.

*) Israel ratifies law limiting conditions for a possible Netanyahu ouster

Israel has ratified a law limiting the circumstances in which a prime minister can be removed, despite worries voiced by a government jurist that it may be meant to shield the incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu from any fallout from his corruption trials.

The amended definition for the "incapacity" of national leaders is among legislative measures by the religious-nationalist coalition that have tipped Israel into crisis, with the opposition arguing that judicial independence is in peril.

The coalition says the overhaul is aimed at pushing back against Supreme Court over-reach and restoring balance among branches of government.

*) California may become first US state to outlaw caste discrimination

California may become the first US state to outlaw caste-based discrimination, a safeguard that people of South Asian descent, especially Indians, say is necessary to protect them from discrimination in housing, education and the tech sector where they hold key roles.

State Senator Aisha Wahab, the first Muslim and Afghan American elected to the state legislature, introduced the bill on Wednesday.

It adds caste — a division of people related to birth or descent — as a protected category in the state's anti-discrimination laws.

*)Australia's Albanese appeals referendum voters to back Aboriginal 'voice'

Australia's prime minister has made a tearful appeal to voters, asking them to support the creation of an Aboriginal "voice" in lawmaking as he announced the wording of the referendum question.

Anthony Albanese said on Thursday Australians had a chance to make up for centuries of injustice, formally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island groups, and give them a voice in decision-making at a vote later this year.

This is "about how our nation sees ourselves. Whether we have the confidence to embrace our history", said Albanese, painting the vote as a chance for Australians to make their country fairer.

*) Biden vows to support disaster-hit Türkiye, Syria, Pakistan in Ramadan wish

US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden have marked the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, wishing Muslims worldwide "Ramadan Kareem."

"We will continue to stand with the people of Türkiye and Syria — who have lost many loved ones during the recent devastating earthquakes — and with the people of Pakistan, who are rebuilding their lives following last summer's floods.

"To my fellow Americans observing Ramadan, and to Muslims around the world: Ramadan Kareem — we wish you a blessed and peaceful Ramadan," said Biden.

*) Qatari banker, British billionaire prepare fresh bids for Man Utd takeover

The battle to buy Manchester United football club has heated up as Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe prepared to raise bids for the 20-time English champions.

Both parties were expected to increase their initial offers on Wednesday after the submission deadline of 2100 GMT was extended by merchant bank Raine, which is assisting with the sale of the club, following confusion over the timing, the British media reported.

It is also reported that Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe had been granted extensions to submit fresh bids.