TRT World

Follow our Daily News Brief for Monday, August 17th 🎧 Listen here: https://trt.world/c5sp

At least two people have died as fast-moving wildfires tear through the Greek island of Salamina. A total of 502 people have been evacuated from the coastal areas as 260 firefighters continue battling two fires that broke out in the areas of Peristeria and Selinia on August 15.

Israeli tourists in Keflavík, Iceland, attacked Palestinian-owned business Lava Sweets & Cafe, threatening staff and removing a picture from the establishment on August 15. The picture featured a map of Palestine with the words, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” The cafe reported that the group also used offensive language and launched an online campaign through Google Reviews.

A polar bear cub named Momota has gone viral for his fascination with traffic cones at an aquarium in Akita, Japan. Footage shows the cub putting his head inside a cone and poking his mother with it

At least 51 people were killed after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia early on August 15. Rescuers continued searching through rubble for survivors as dozens were injured, thousands fled their homes and hundreds of buildings were damaged

To date, the US has sanctioned ICC judges, prosecutors, a UN rapporteur and Palestinian rights groups to intimidate those documenting Israeli war crimes and prosecuting perpetrators. Now four major US rights groups are fighting back in court, challenging Washington’s sanctions regime https://trt.world/c5s2

Pro-Palestinian protesters marched through the Greek port of Piraeus on Friday, holding Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against cooperation with Israel, as the Israeli cruise ship Crown Iris was docked at the port. Antonis Dalakogiorgos, president of the Panhellenic Union of Merchant Seafarers, said the repeated demonstrations against the Crown Iris at ports across Greece over the past year showed that those aboard the ship were not welcome in the country. Last June, the arrival of another Israeli cruise ship at a port near Athens was also met with protests by pro-Palestinian activists. Last summer, visits by the Crown Iris, to several Greek ports, including Syros, Rhodes, Agios Nikolaos in Crete and Volos, were similarly met with demonstrations

Follow our Daily News Brief for Saturday, August 15th 🎧 Listen here: https://trt.world/c5sm

Washington promised a short war with Iran, but nearly six months later the conflict is taking a growing toll on the US military, from exhausted sailors and stretched deployments to shrinking missile stockpiles and rising defence costs trt.world/c5sc

Europe's economic powerhouse is on the verge of collapse: Germany faces stagnation, industrial decline, an ageing population and an increasingly expensive state, while the far-right AfD party gains ground. Two elections in September could show just how deep the crisis has become. Watch the full explainer video: https://trt.world/c5sv

A masked federal agent pointed a gun at a woman in Falls Church, Virginia, after she shouted at officers detaining people nearby, according to video filmed on August 10. Dashcam footage released by the woman shows agents blocking her vehicle before an armed agent approaches her and points his gun at her. The Department of Homeland Security claimed she attempted to use her car against ICE officers and could face criminal prosecution. The agency said the operation was targeting undocumented immigrants accused of crimes including hit-and-run and drug trafficking, while the woman said she had stopped after witnessing the detentions.

Follow our Daily News Brief for Friday, August 14th 🎧Listen here: https://trt.world/c5sn

ICE plans to spend up to $20 million to purchase thousands of electric shock gloves for officers by March, according to a notice published on Monday by the US Department of Homeland Security. The devices are known as the G.L.O.V.E., which stands for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter, and are manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC of Lexington, Kentucky. Civil rights advocates expressed alarm at the plan, saying ICE officers already face criticism for their use of force with little oversight. “Introducing gloves that can so easily be used to deliver terrible pain in encounters is a recipe for harm to the public,” Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, deputy project director on policing at the American Civil Liberties Union, said.

An Israeli family was denied entry to Samui Exotic Park on Koh Samui, Thailand, on August 12, after staff learned they were from Israel. An employee who had initially greeted them told the group that tourists from Israel were not allowed in, according to the family. In recent months, reports have emerged of growing friction between some Israeli tourists and local communities in Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia. Local residents in certain popular destinations have expressed frustration over disturbances, leading to cases of businesses refusing service to Israeli visitors

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio walked away without answering when asked whether the administration had put Americans at risk by allowing reporters to fly on Air Force One while the aircraft was reportedly under threat. The question related to Trump's secret post-NATO plane switch in Türkiye, after which journalists travelled on the older Air Force One used as a decoy.

Ukrainian drones struck a Wildberries warehouse in Russia’s Bashkortostan region on August 13, causing a fire at the industrial facility. The company said no goods were stored at the premises. The attack is the latest in a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on Wildberries warehouses that began on July 18. Wildberries is Russia’s largest online marketplace and e-commerce company. Founded in 2004, it operates an extensive network of warehouses and distribution centres across Russia and neighbouring countries and is frequently described as Russia’s equivalent of Amazon

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio walked away without answering when asked whether the administration had put Americans at risk by allowing reporters to fly on Air Force One while the aircraft was reportedly under threat. The question related to Trump's secret post-NATO plane switch in Türkiye, after which journalists travelled on the older Air Force One used as a decoy.

Follow our Daily News Brief for Thursday, August 13th 🎧Listen here: https://trt.world/c5cq

Somali referee Omar Artan urged aspiring officials to “never stop dreaming” ahead of making history as the first non-European to referee the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday in Salzburg. Artan was selected for this year’s World Cup but was barred from entering the United States by US Customs and Border Protection despite having a valid visa. “It was a very tough period,” Artan said. “A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something, and then can’t do it, it’s very challenging.” “I believe that if I can succeed, anyone can,” he said. “Don’t ever stop dreaming.” Wednesday’s match in Salzburg pits Champions League winners ‌Paris ⁠St Germain against Europa League holders Aston Villa.

Eurovision Song Contest announces a rule change, excluding any country engaged in an armed conflict from hosting the competition https://www.trtworld.com/article/5c93a1d23f88