*) Türkiye inaugurates Joint Coordination Centre for Ukraine grain exports

Türkiye has opened a joint coordination centre for Ukrainian grain exports under an Ankara-brokered deal aimed at resuming shipments halted in the aftermath of Russia's attacks on Ukraine.
 
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar unveiled the centre in front of reporters at a ceremony held at the National Defence University in Istanbul on Wednesday.

The grain deal and the coordination centre will make "significant contributions" to overcoming the food crisis impacting the entire world, he said.

*) ​​Russia 'redeploys' troops to south Ukraine, faces Kherson counter-attack

Russian forces are conducting a "massive redeployment" of troops to three southern regions, according to a Ukrainian official.

The Russian redeployment to the south appears to be a switch to strategic defence from offence, the official said, as Kiev's forces look to recapture Kherson.

Meanwhile, Russian-backed forces said they captured the Vuhlehirsk power plant intact, in what was Moscow's first significant gain in more than three weeks.

*) Kim Jong-un threatens to use nukes amid tensions with US, South Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has warned he’s ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea, state media has said.

Experts say North Korea will likely intensify its threats against the US and South Korea as the allies prepare to expand summertime military exercises.

But while Kim has increasingly threatened his rivals with nuclear weapons, it’s unlikely that he would use them first against the superior militaries of the US and its allies, observers say.

*) Attacks kill dozens of civilians, soldiers in Mali

At least 66 people have been killed in attacks in Mali, according to security sources.

A report on the fighting showed 54 dead, including six soldiers, and 25 soldiers wounded in south-central Mali. There were also reports of 12 fatalities in the Nara region near the Mauritanian border.

The report said a coordinated response was orchestrated against the attackers, who were routed. The assessment of the attack is still ongoing, according to military authorities.

*) Facebook parent Meta’s earnings drop, misses expectations

Facebook parent company Meta has reported that its quarterly revenue dropped year-over-year for the first time ever, as its profit plunged by more than a third.

Meta said revenue in the recently ended quarter ebbed a percent to $28.8 billion when compared to the same period a year ago, missing market expectations.

The news reflects a troubled landscape for the social media powerhouse, which is battling the rising phenomenon of TikTok and a turbulent global economy.

July 28, 2022

*) US rules out joining any Israeli attack against Iran 

The United States has said it will not join any Israeli attack on Iran, with US President Joe Biden warning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "think carefully" about any escalation.

The White House said Biden did not want a wider war after helping key ally Israel repel an aerial attack by Tehran — itself in retaliation for a presumed Israeli strike that killed an Iranian general in Damascus.

*) Israeli war cabinet divided over response to Iran attack

Disagreements have arisen among members of Israel’s war cabinet over the scale and timing of an attack on Iran. 

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that while there is consensus on the necessity of responding to the Iranian attack, the Israeli war cabinet differs on whether to strike Iran at a larger scale or to keep the attack confined to a small area.

Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli public broadcaster KAN said the response to the Iranian attack “was canceled at the last minute” after a phone call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden.

*) Russia aims to capture Chasiv Yar by May 9 

Ukraine's top commander has said Russian forces aimed to capture the town of Chasiv Yar by May 9, setting the stage for an important battle for control of high ground in the east where Russia is focusing its assaults.

Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskiy, who warned this weekend that the situation in the east had deteriorated, said Russia was focusing its efforts west of Bakhmut to try to capture Chasiv Yar before moving towards the city of Kramatorsk.

Kiev's brigades were holding back the assaults in the Donetsk region for now and had been reinforced with ammunition, drones and electronic warfare devices, he said in a statement on the Telegram messenger.

General Oleksandr Syrskiy said "the threat remains relevant, taking into account the fact that the higher Russian military leadership has set its troops the task of capturing Chasiv Yar by May 9".

*) Britain’s 1st migrant deportation flights to Rwanda to take off 'within weeks'

Britain’s health secretary said that the first flights carrying migrants to Rwanda will take off "within weeks" while not disclosing whether the government had found a carrier.

Victoria Atkins said they want flights carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda from Britain to take off "as quickly as possible."

Asked whether the government has found an airline to carry out the flights amid reports that Rwanda's airline would not do so, she replied: "The Home Office is working on this and is ready to go."

*) Türkiye's Fenerbahce win back-to-back EuroLeague Women titles in basketball

Turkish basketball club Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding defended their FIBA EuroLeague Women crown with a 106-73 win against French opponent Villeneuve d'Ascq LM on Sunday.

US small forward Napheesa Collier scored 33 points for Fenerbahce’s women's team to be the highest scorer of the 2024 final held in Mersin, Türkiye. 

Collier, Emma Meesseman and Kayla McBride combined for 72 points for the Istanbul giants as Fenerbahce became the first Turkish club to win the EuroLeague Women title twice.

April 15, 2024

*) Mass grave found at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza

Al Jazeera Arabic has reported that a mass grave at Al Shifa Hospital was discovered by the Palestinian Health Ministry and Civil Defence Forces in Gaza.

The extracted bodies had not fully decomposed, suggesting that the 'executions' took place recently, possibly during Israel’s two-week military invasion. 

The Gaza Emergency Operations Centre Director Motasem Salah said the World Health Organization and OCHA are trying "to identify the decomposed bodies and the body parts that were crushed" from their wallets and documents.

*) Israeli war cabinet divided over response to Iran attack

Following Iran's retaliatory strike against Israel on Saturday, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that “There is consensus on the necessity of responding to the Iranian attack, but disagreements revolve around the scale and timing of the response.” 

The broadcaster noted that some in the war cabinet advocate for an immediate 'eye for an eye' approach, while others emphasise the importance of strategic planning for a robust response. 

*) What unfolded on Day 1 of Donald Trump's historic hush money trial

Donald Trump has entered history as the first American president to stand trial on criminal charges.

The Republican presidential candidate for the upcoming elections faces charges of falsifying business records to conceal "hush money" payments at the height of the 2016 presidential election.

Trump is expected to be in court 4 days a week during the trial, which could last 6 to 8 weeks, including presentations by the parties and witness hearings.

*) Crimes against Muslims in Germany have more than doubled in 2023

The German Press Agency DPA reported that the number of crimes against Muslims in Germany has more than doubled last year. 

According to the DPA, almost 1,500 Islamophobic crimes took place across Germany in 2023, compared to 610 hate crime incidents in 2022. 

The dramatic surge in anti-Muslim hate crimes could be linked to the Israeli war on Gaza, according to the report.

*) Türkiye's tourism booms as millions of visitors flocking in early 2024

Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism stated that over 4.3 million tourists visited the country in the first two months of 2024. 

According to entry/exit statistics, the number of foreign visitors to Türkiye in the first two months increased by 12 percent compared to the same period last year. 

Most foreign visitors came to Türkiye from Iran, Bulgaria, and Russia.

April 16, 2024

*) Israeli aggression in Gaza signals failure of army — Hamas

The Palestinian group Hamas said that the madness directed against Palestinian civilians in Gaza reflects the failure of the Israeli army. 

Hamas leader Izzat al Rishq said in a statement, "The Nazism of the occupation army was revealed in some images at Al Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, where the worst massacre against the health sector in the world was committed'' and that "the Zionist madness against civilians signals the complete failure of the occupation army in front of the resistance and is a reflection of Zionist terror from larger developments.’'

*) Türkiye-Iraq relations to shift positively after upcoming visit: Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emphasised that relations between Türkiye and Iraq will be grounded on a different basis ahead of his upcoming visit to Baghdad.

Erdogan said "The Iraqi side attaches great importance to this visit," further highlighting the significance of enhancing relations with Iraq during the briefing held with press members in Ankara. 
The Turkish president underscored the water issue as a key agenda item, noting that Iraq has raised concerns and requests regarding water resources.

*) Outrage as US university cancels Muslim valedictorian's commencement speech


A top US university has cancelled its plans for a graduation speech by a meritorious Muslim student after pro-Israel groups criticised her selection and the varsity reportedly received threats by email, phone and letter.

The decision announced by the University of Southern California is the latest controversy to roil American higher education since Israel's war on Gaza began in October last year.
Asna Tabassum, who has been attacked online for being "anti-Zionist", had been selected as class valedictorian — an honorary role whose holder traditionally gives a speech in front of up to 65,000 people.

*) Dubai airport diverts flights amid widespread flooding in UAE, Oman

Dubai's major international airport diverted scores of incoming flights as heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates, causing widespread flooding around the desert country.

The world's busiest air hub for international passengers confirmed a halt to arrivals before announcing a "gradual resumption".


And finally… 

*) X blocks India election posts after takedown orders



Social media platform X blocked several posts in India containing political speech after authorities ordered their takedown ahead of the general election that starts Friday.
X, formerly known as Twitter, said the posts would be withheld from Indian audiences until the election was over despite its disagreement with the order.

The posts by elected politicians, political parties and candidates made unverified claims about the private lives of their opponents, which India's election commission said violated its code of conduct.

April 17, 2024

*) Qatar re-evaluating its role as mediator in Gaza ceasefire negotiations

Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said his country is re-evaluating its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas on reaching a ceasefire in Gaza and will take an “appropriate decision”.

Al Thani’s remarks came during a press conference held in Doha with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan.

He said consultations were held with Türkiye’s foreign minister and they agreed on “the necessity for all parties to resort to de-escalation, dialogue and resolving issues in the region logically, not through weapons and violence.”

*) Israeli attack could spark regional war — Jordan

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said an Israeli retaliation against Iranian strikes could bring a real risk of dragging the whole region into a devastating war.

In an interview released by state media, Safadi said his country was lobbying major powers against an escalation that would have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and security.
Safadi said, "The risks are enormous. That could drag the whole region into war, which would be devastating to us in the region and we’ll have very, very serious implications for the rest of the world including the US."

*) Russian missile barrage on Ukraine city kills 18


Rescuers were removing mountains of rubble from the site of a lethal Russian missile strike on Ukraine's historic city of Chernigiv, where at least 18 people were killed in an attack that has prompted fresh pleas for allies to boost Kiev's overstretched air defence systems.

Three Russian missiles hit the northern Ukrainian city, causing casualties and prompting rescue efforts to find survivors and assist the wounded.


*) Columbia university president pushes back over allegations of anti-Semitism

Four months after a heated hearing in Congress caused two Ivy League presidents to step down, Columbia University's president faced the same committee. 

Columbia President Nemat Shafik strongly condemned anti-Semitism at her campus, rejecting accusations that she's allowed Columbia to become a centre of hate.

The Columbia university president said the school suspended 15 students and took disciplinary action against several faculty members.

And finally… 

*) Thousands evacuated as Indonesia volcano erupts



Indonesian rescuers raced to evacuate thousands of people after a volcano erupted five times, forcing authorities to close a nearby airport and issue a warning about falling debris that could cause a tsunami.

The volcano in Indonesia's outermost region was still billowing a column of smoke, prompting authorities to shut the nearest international airport in Manado city on Sulawesi island for 24 hours.

April 18, 2024

*) Iran fires air defence batteries as Israel reportedly strikes Isfahan

Iran has activated its air defence system over several cities after its semi-official Fars news agency reported explosions at the central Isfahan airport.

Spokesman for Iran's civilian space programme Hossein Dalirian said that several small "quadcopter" drones had been shot down following what a senior US official told ABC News were Israeli missile strikes.

*) NY police arrest Columbia University students protesting Israel's Gaza war

NYC police said they arrested several students from Columbia University for protesting Israel’s war on Gaza as they rallied in support of Palestine.

Students had been protesting on campus since last Wednesday, demanding the school divest from companies they claim "profit from Israeli apartheid" and Israeli military actions in besieged Gaza.

Following the arrests, students from Columbia and Barnard College have been suspended from school, including US Representative Ilhan Omar’s daughter.

*) Türkiye urges decisive international action against Israel's war on Gaza

Türkiye's Deputy Foreign Minister and UN representative Ahmet Yildiz has called for decisive international action to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

After condemning Israel's actions in Palestine's Gaza, Yildiz said, “the UN Charter, the bedrock of international law, is still routinely breached.”

He said that no country is immune from its obligations to international law and questioned the lack of action by the UNSC in response to Israel's "brazen violations.” 

*) Pakistan police thwart suicide bombing targeting Japanese nationals

Pakistan police shot down a suicide bomber and a militant during an attempted attack on a vehicle carrying five Japanese nationals.

The police spokesperson, Abrar Hussain Baloch, said the Japanese survivors have been moved to a safe place in police custody.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attempted attack from any militant group.

*) India begins voting in the world's largest election as Modi seeks third term

Over 970 million voters head to the polls in India to elect 543 members for the lower house of Parliament for a five-year term.

The six-week election period began today and will run until June 1, with votes being counted on June 4.

India’s Hindu-nationalist prime minister Narendra Modi will test the limits of his political dominance as he seeks a third term as the country's leader.

April 19, 2024

*) Scores of bodies found in two mass graves at hospital in Gaza’s Khan Younis

Palestinians have exhumed scores of bodies from two mass graves at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis city in southern Gaza, according to officials.

The director-general of Gaza’s government media office said “some 150 bodies have been found in the two graves.”

He said around 700 people are still unaccounted for since the Israeli withdrawal from Khan Younis on April 7th following a four-month ground offensive.

*) Baby in Gaza saved from womb of mother killed in Israeli strike

A baby girl has been delivered from the womb of a Palestinian killed along with her husband and daughter by an Israeli attack in the Gaza city of Rafah.

The baby was delivered in an emergency C-section. Her mother, Sabreen Al Sakani, had been 30 weeks pregnant.

At least 19 people were killed in the overnight Israeli strikes, including 13 children from one family, Palestinian health officials said.

*) US House passes aid to Ukraine, Israel and other allies

The US House of Representatives has passed a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies overseas.

House Speaker Mike Johnson had unveiled a plan to hold votes on four separate foreign aid bills and later combine them into a package, a move that angered some far-right House Republicans.

In addition, the House voted in favour of a bill to effectively ban TikTok in the US – if it is not bought by a US company – with a vote of 360-58.

*) Pro-China leader's party wins Maldives vote

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's party has won control of parliament in an election landslide, results showed.

Muizzu's People's National Congress (PNC) secured more than two thirds in the 93-member parliament, according to provisional results from election officials.

The win indicates voters backed his tilt towards China and away from regional powerhouse and traditional benefactor India.

*) Ecuadorians vote in favour of referendum to extradite mafia bosses

A solid majority of Ecuadorian voters have approved a referendum paving the way for the extradition of organised crime bosses.

Some 65 percent of valid votes were marked "yes" on the matter of extradition, and 35 percent marked "no," according to electoral authorities.

President Daniel Noboa hailed the result as Ecuador continues to grapple with a shocking rise in violence, flaring up due to a rise in narcotics trafficking.

April 22, 2024

*) Israel's claims against UNRWA lack evidence: UN review

Israel has yet to provide any proof of its allegation that some UN agency staff are members of Palestine's resistance groups.

This is according to an independent review of the neutrality of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

The review was led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna to respond to Israeli allegations that some UNRWA staff took part in Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.

*) Pro-Palestine protests spread across US universities

Meanwhile, classes at Columbia University have been shifted online as protests over Israel’s carnage in besieged Gaza heightened tensions across US campuses.

A large group of demonstrators had established a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" on lawns at Columbia.

Protests also spread to other campuses, including MIT, New York University and Yale, where at least 47 people had been arrested after refusing requests to disperse.

*) Outrage as India's Modi, in quest for votes, calls Muslims 'infiltrators'

India's main opposition party has filed a complaint against Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "blatantly targeting" minority Muslims in a campaign speech calling them “infiltrators”.

The complaint, filed to the country's Election Commission, said Modi’s comments were "divisive,” “malicious" and targeted Muslims in India.

The comments were "far worse than any ever made by a sitting Prime Minister in the history of India", it said.

*) UK Parliament passes Rwanda deportation plan for asylum-seekers

The UK government’s plan to deport migrants and asylum seekers to Rwanda has been cleared by Parliament after a marathon tussle.

Members of the upper house repeatedly sent back the plans with amendments to MPs in the lower chamber but eventually agreed to make no further changes, ensuring the bill would now become law.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed to begin sending asylum seekers to Rwanda within 10 to 12 weeks.

*) Militants take 110 civilians hostage in central Mali

Suspected militants in central Mali are holding more than 110 civilians they abducted six days ago.

Three buses carrying the civilians were stopped by "militants", who forced the vehicles and the passengers to head towards a forest.
Mali has since 2012 been ravaged by different factions affiliated with Al Qaeda and Daesh, as well as by self-declared, self-defence forces and bandits.

April 23, 2024

*) UN raises 'war crime' alert as 300+ bodies are found in Gaza mass graves

Reports of mass graves found in Gaza over the weekend at Nasser Hospital and Al Shifa Hospital have prompted renewed concerns about possible war crimes by Israel.

Some of the Palestinian victims were found stripped naked with their hands tied, according to the UN.

UN rights chief Volker Turk said "the intentional killing of civilians, detainees, and others who are hors de combat is a war crime.”

*) US Senate overwhelmingly passes $26.6B military aid for Israel

Meanwhile, the US Senate has passed a $26.6 billion military package for Israel, the American ally accused of carrying out genocide in Gaza using US weapons.

US President Joe Biden pledged to quickly sign the $61 billion bill — which also includes aid packages for Ukraine and Taiwan — after Congress gave its final approval.

Israel's war on Gaza, now in its 201st day, has killed at least 34,183 Palestinians — 70 percent of them children and women.

*) Malaysian navy helicopters collide, killing all crew aboard

Two Malaysian navy helicopters have collided in mid-air during a rehearsal for a naval parade, killing all 10 crew members aboard.

The incident occurred at the Lumut naval base in the western state of Perak on Tuesday morning, the navy said.

All victims were confirmed dead at the scene and sent to the military hospital for identification, the navy said.

*) North Korea officials embark on rare public visit to Iran

A North Korean delegation is visiting Iran, the North's official media has said in a rare public report of an exchange between the two countries believed to have secret military ties.

The minister for external economic relations, Yun Jong-ho, left Pyongyang on Tuesday by air leading a ministry delegation to visit Iran, the North's KCNA news agency said. It gave no other detail.

*) Human rights groups slam UK Rwanda plan after Parliament approves bill

The UK’s plans to send some asylum-seekers to Rwanda has been swiftly condemned by international humanitarian organisations.

This comes after Parliament approved legislation allowing the deportation flights to begin later this year.

Both the UN refugee agency and the Council of Europe called for the UK to rethink its plans because of concerns that the legislation undermines human rights protections.

April 24, 2024

*) Ben-Gvir evacuated from building besieged by Israeli protesters

Israeli police evacuated extremist minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from a building in the occupied West Jerusalem that was surrounded by protesters, including families of hostages in besieged Gaza.

Local media reported that hundreds of Israeli protesters gathered in the area near the building with Ben-Gvir inside.

The police evacuated the notorious minister from the scene after its officers secured him.

*) American-Israeli hostage says Israel killed 70 captives in Gaza strikes

Palestinian resistance group Hamas has released a video of an Israeli-American man who was among the soldiers and civilians captured by the fighters on October 7.

The video shows Hersh Goldberg-Polin calling on PM Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right government to do more to secure the captives' release.

In the video, he also accused the Netanyahu government of abandoning the people who are being held in Gaza by Hamas.. 

*) Tense stand-offs continue as Gaza war protests spread at US campuses

Columbia University has said it was making "important progress" with pro-Palestinian student protesters who set up a tent encampment and was extending a deadline to clear out.

Student anti war protests spread across US universities as demonstrators demanded that their institutions condemn Israel’s war on the besieged Gaza and divest from Israeli firms in response.

*) US military aid for Taiwan increases conflict risk — China

China has warned that US military support for Taiwan only increased the "risk of conflict" along the strait after the US Congress allocated $8 billion in military support for the island.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman has said that the United States and Taiwan strengthening military ties will not bring about security for Taiwan but will only increase tensions and the risk of conflict across the Taiwan Strait.

*) Fury as Malala teams up with pro-war Hillary Clinton

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai is facing a backlash after the premier of a Broadway musical she co-produced with former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The musical, titled "Suffs" and playing in New York since last week, depicts the American women's suffrage campaign for the right to vote in the 20th century.

Yousafzai, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, has been condemned by various quarters for partnering with Clinton, an outspoken supporter of Israel's invasion of Gaza.

April 25, 2024

*) Bodies found in Gaza mass graves suggest 'organ theft' by Israel

Paramedics and rescue teams involved in retrieving civilian bodies from the mass graves discovered at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis have reported organ theft by Israeli military and claimed some Gaza victims were buried alive in the recently discovered graves.

At least 392 bodies, including 165 unidentified individuals, were unearthed from three mass graves following the withdrawal of Israeli military from Khan Younis.

Rights groups expressed concerns over the discoveries around Nasser Hospital where a mutilated body of a young girl in a surgical gown was found, suggesting she may have been buried alive, alongside another victim similarly attired.

*) China warns US of 'downward spiral' in ties during Blinken visit

China has urged US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to address rising disagreements or risk a "downward spiral" between the two powers as talks opened in Beijing.

Blinken, paying his second visit to the rival country in less than a year, voiced hope for progress but said he would directly raise areas of difference, which are expected to include Russia, Taiwan and trade.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, receiving Blinken said relations between the world's two largest economies were "beginning to stabilise" after leaders Joe Biden and Xi Jinping met at a November summit.

*) WCK founder voices frustration over Israel's explanation for killing staff

The seven World Central Kitchen aid workers killed by Israeli air strikes represented the "best of humanity" who risked everything "to feed people they did not know and will never meet," Jose Andres, the celebrity chef who founded the organisation, told mourners who gathered in the US capital to honour the dead.

Speaking at Washington National Cathedral, Andres said the official [Israeli] explanation of their killing is not good enough, and there was no excuse for it.

"I know we all have many unanswered questions about what happened and why," Andres told mourners, demanding an investigation.

*) Students in France join pro-Palestine rally, mirroring US campus protests

Students in Paris have protested again after police broke up a pro-Palestine solidarity demonstration the night before at one of France's most prestigious universities.

Students at Sciences Po [Paris Institute of Political Studies] accused management of calling in police to break up a pro-Palestinian protest by dozens of students gathered on a central Paris campus on Wednesday night.

"The director has crossed a red line by deciding to send in the police," Ines Fontenelle, a member of the Student Union at Sciences Po, said as 150 students gathered again.

*) Philippines blocks 'genetically modified rice' production over safety fears

A Philippine court has blocked the commercial propagation of genetically modified golden rice after it was found unsafe for health and the environment.

Philippines was the first country to approve golden rice, enriched with Vitamin A to combat childhood blindness.

However, the Court in Manila revoked a biosafety permit for commercial rice production after opponents filed a challenge.

April 26, 2024

A summary of today's impactful news stories from around the world hand-picked by our staff at TRT World.

July 28, 2022

Daily News Brief

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