World News of the Week – March 12 to March 18, 2018

xi jin.jpg
China’s President Xi Jinping votes on constitutional amendment lifting presidential term limits (via Reuters)

What You Need To Know:

1. Chinese President Xi Jinping reappointed President with no limit on the number of terms he can serve.

2. Russian President Vladimir Putin overwhelmingly re-elected President for 4th term. Many irregularities in the election process were reported.

3. The United States slapped sanctions on Russian individuals and entities for meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections.

4. Turkish military and allied Syrian forces captured the Syrian Kurdish town of Afrin nearly 2 months after launching their offensive.

5. Slovenian Prime Minister Cerar resigned after a top Court annulled the result of a September referendum that approved a 1-billion-euro railway project.

6. British Prime Minister Theresa May expelled 23 Russian diplomats over spy poisoning.

7. A roadside bomb struck the convoy of Palestinian Prime Minister Hamdallah in Gaza. No injuries were reported.

8. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Fico resigns amid protests over corruption linked to journalist’s murder.

9. A plane carrying 71 people from Bangladesh crashed in Nepal killing at least 50 people.

10. Thousands march in Brazil after execution-style murder of a popular Rio de Janeiro councilwoman and outspoken critic of police killings.

Afghanistan

Albania

Australia

Austria

Bolivia

Botswana

Brazil

Burundi

China

Colombia

Congo

Czech Republic

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Finland

Germany

Greece

Guinea

India

Iraq

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Kuwait

The Maldives

Mauritius

Moldova

Nepal

North Korea

Pakistan

Palestine

Panama

Peru

Philippines

Russia

Saudi Arabia

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Slovakia

Slovenia

Somalia

South Africa

South Sudan

Spain

Sri Lanka

Syria

Uganda

Ukraine

United Kingdom

United States of America

Yemen

Zimbabwe

Follow @TheZenCorner on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for Breaking News.

PS: Subscribe to the newsletter to receive it directly by email. 

Help Support ‘The Zen Corner’

$5.00

World News of the Week – March 6 to March 11, 2018

kim south.jpeg
North Korea’s Supreme Leader shakes hands with Chung Eul-yong, who is leading the South Korean delegation (via Reuters)

What You Need To Know:

1. Chinese lawmakers abolish term limits paving way for President Xi Jinping to rule for life.

2. Afghan security forces and police officers suffer severe casualties as conflict with Taliban intensifies.

3. Private jet flying from U.A.E. to Turkey crashes in Iran killing all 11 on board.

4. Hundreds of journalists and opposition members jailed in Turkey as crackdown on freedom continues.

5. Syrian Government troops seize large portions of territory in the opposition held-suburb of Damascus, dividing the besieged enclave in two. Civilians casualties are severe.

6. Conservative billionaire Sebastian Piñera begins new term as President of Chile, vows to combat economic stagnation.

7. Mauritius President Gurib-Fakim to resign after being accused of using a credit card issued by an international non-governmental organization to buy clothes and jewelry.

8. U.S. President Trump accepts an invitation by North Korean leader to meet amid nuclear standoff.

9. At least 21 people hospitalized after a nerve-agent attack on former Russian spy in the United Kingdom.

10. At least 44 pro-Islamic state militants killed in clashes with Philippine soldiers.

Afghanistan

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Bulgaria

Cambodia

Chile

China

Colombia

Cuba

DR Congo

Eritrea

Ethiopia

France

Germany

Hungary

India

Iraq

Iran

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Ivory Coast

Japan

Kenya

Libya

Malaysia

Malta

Mauritius

Mexico

Myanmar

Nigeria

North Korea

Pakistan

Panama

Papua New Guinea

Peru

The Philippines

Romania

Russia

Rwanda

Sierra Leone

Slovakia

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Spain

Sri Lanka

Syria

Turkey

The United Kingdom

The United States of America

Venezuela

Follow @TheZenCorner on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for Breaking News.

PS: Subscribe to the newsletter to receive it directly by email. 

Help Support ‘The Zen Corner’

$5.00

World News of the Week – February 26 to March 4, 2018

Damascus.jpeg
Smoke rises from the besieged Eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria (via Reuters)

What You Need To Know: 

1. Al Shabaab militants killed 5 police officers in Northeast Kenya. The attackers destroyed a mobile phone transmission mast to disrupt communications.

2. Italy faces a prolonged period of political instability after voters delivered a hung parliament. Anti-establishment and far-right groups won record numbers.

3. Afghanistan‘s President Ghani offered recognition as a legitimate group to Taliban in peace talks.

4. Islamic extremists attacked the French Embassy in Burkina Faso, killing 8 people and wounding 80 others.

5. Germany‘s Chancellor Angela Merkel is set for a 4th term as Social Democrats voted overwhelmingly to remain in the coalition.

6. A massive earthquake in Papua New Guinea killed at least 31 people. Authorities declared a state of emergency as 150,000 people are in need of urgent aid.

7. At least 30 civilians were killed by government airstrikes in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta this week. Syrian troops gained territory in the rebel-held region near Damascus.

8. President Trump claimed he would impose tariffs on steel and aluminum, risking retaliation from major trade partners.

9. At least 8 Turkish soldiers were killed in its offensive against the U.S. backed Kurdish YPG militia.

10. An investigative journalist and his girlfriend were murdered in their home in Slovakia. Police raided houses linked to the Italian mafia in connection with the murders.

Afghanistan

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bangladesh

Bosnia

Botswana

Brazil

Burkina Faso

Cambodia

Central African Republic

China

Colombia

Croatia

DR Congo

Egypt

Ethiopia

France

Germany

Greece

Honduras

India

Indonesia

Iran

Israel

Italy

Japan

Kenya

Macedonia

The Maldives

Mali

Mexico

Morocco

New Zealand

Nigeria

North Korea

Pakistan

Palestine

Papua New Guinea

Peru

The Philippines

Poland

Romania

Russia

Rwanda

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

Slovakia

Somalia

South Africa

South Korea

Syria

Tanzania

Turkey

Ukraine

Uganda

United Kingdom

United States of America

Venezuela

Yemen

Follow @TheZenCorner on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for Breaking News.

PS: Subscribe to the newsletter to receive it directly by email. 

 

Help Support ‘The Zen Corner’

$5.00

World News of the Week – February 20 to February 25, 2018

 

 

Screen Shot 2018-02-25 at 6.13.00 PM.png
Man carries a child he rescued from the rubble in Hamouria, Syria (via AFP)

 

What You Need To Know: 

1. Syrian Government airstrikes continued in the Eastern Ghouta region as over 500 civilians were killed this week. In response, the U.N. Security Council adopted a 30-day ceasefire.

2. In Nigeria, 110 girls have gone missing after a Boko Haram attack on a school.

3. Two car bombs in Somalia‘s capital Mogadishu killed at least 45 people. Al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants claimed responsibility.

4. Australia‘s Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce resigned after weeks of pressure over an affair with a staffer and a new allegation of sexual harassment.

5. China‘s communist party considers scrapping term limits for President Xi Jinping.

6. Thousands protest in DR Congo against President Kabila. At least 2 protesters were killed by security forces.

7. The Russian Government admits that “several dozen” Russian citizens were killed in a recent battle in Syria. Some reports claim that over 100 Russian mercenaries were killed by U.S. airstrikes.

8. One of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu‘s closest confidant agrees to testify against him in a corruption and bribery investigation.

9. Members of the North Korean delegation visiting South Korea for the Winter Olympics said North Korea was open to talks with the United States.

10. A wave of attacks across Afghanistan has left more than 25 people dead, most of them soldiers.

Afghanistan

Argentina

Australia

Bahrain

Belgium

Brazil

Burkina Faso

Cambodia

China

The Czech Republic

DR Congo

Ecuador

Egypt

Ethiopia

France

Greece

India

Indonesia

Iran

Iraq

Israel

Italy

Japan

Jordan

Latvia

Malaysia

The Maldives

Mexico

Montenegro

Mozambique

Myanmar

Nigeria

North Korea

Pakistan

Palestine

Papua New Guinea

Peru

The Philippines

Russia

Rwanda

Saudi Arabia

Serbia

Somalia

South Africa

South Korea

Sri Lanka

Sweden

Switzerland

Syria

Uganda

Ukraine

The United Kingdom

The United States of America

The Vatican

Yemen

Zimbabwe

Follow @TheZenCorner on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for Breaking News.

PS: Subscribe to the newsletter to receive it directly by email. 

Help Support ‘The Zen Corner’

$5.00

World News of the Week – February 12 to February 19, 2018

 

42603175_401
Cyril Ramaphosa is sworn-in as President of South Africa in Cape Town on February 15, 2018 (via Reuters)

 

What You Need To Know:

1. Syrian Government forces killed at least 94 people in bombing of Eastern Ghouta in ‘extreme escalation of hostilities.

2. Civilian plane crashes into Mount Dena in Southern Iran killing all 65 on board.

3. Israeli police recommend that Prime Minister Netanyahu be indicted on bribery and breach of trust charges in two separate corruption cases.

4. 17 people killed high-school shooting in Parkland, Florida. The gunman was a former student at the school who had been expelled.

5. Egyptian military continues offensive in Sinai, at least 53 militants killed.

6. In Nigeria, three suicide bombers kill 18 at Maiduguri fish market. In a separate incident, armed bandits killed 35 villagers.

7. ISIS militants ambush a group of Iraq‘s Shiite paramilitary fighters killing at least 27 people.

8. In South Africa, President Zuma resigned after 9 years in office. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa replaces him.

9. A truck packed with Eritrean and Somali migrants crashed in Libya leaving at least 19 dead and nearly 80 injured.

10. Ethiopian Prime Minister resigns after massive anti-government protests. Authorities immediately call 6-month state of emergency.

Israel

Nigeria

Egypt

Serbia

Austria

Ukraine

South Sudan

Belgium

Iraq

Indonesia

Afghanistan

Pakistan

Lebanon

Bolivia

North Korea

Palestine

South Korea

China

New Zealand

Syria

Australia

Tongo

Thailand

South Africa

The United Kingdom

Guatemala

Netherlands

Brazil

Czech Republic

Turkey

Ethiopia

France

Greece

Kenya

Russia

Myanmar

India

Colombia

The United States of America

Mexico

Haiti

Sri Lanka

Germany

Congo

Iran

Japan

Denmark

Libya

Cambodia

Venezuela

Zimbabwe

Tanzania

Zambia

Saudi Arabia

Latvia

Vatican

The Maldives

Sudan

Bulgaria

Sweden

Mozambique

Peru

Follow @TheZenCorner on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for Breaking News.

PS: Subscribe to the newsletter to receive it directly by email. 

World News of the Week – February 5 to February 11, 2018

Rescue workers are seen by a damaged building after an earthquake hit Hualien
At least 6 killed, 76 missing as buildings collapse after magnitude 6.4 earthquake in Taiwan (via Reuters)

What You Need To Know:

  1. In Syria, at least 230 civilians were killed by Syrian Government and Russian airstrikes in past week.
  2. Turkish offensive in Syria stalls as dozens of Turkish soldiers are killed by Kurdish fighters.
  3. Russian plane crashes near Moscow shortly after takeoff killing all 71 passengers.
  4. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un invites South Korean President Moon to Pyongyang in signs of de-escalation.
  5. State of Emergency declared in the Maldives as President Yameen calls Supreme Court actions a ‘coup attempt.’ Authorities detain Chief Justice and Supreme Court Judge in retaliation.
  6. Israel shot down an Iranian drone encroaching on its territory. The Israeli military responded by striking Iranian facilities in Syria but lost an F-16 jet in the process.
  7. Pressure mounts on South African President Zuma to resign. The Deputy President is set to replace him.
  8. In Yemen, Government forces retook the southwestern province of Hodeidah killing at least 85 people.
  9. Egyptian forces launched a massive attack on the Sinai region. At least 16 militants were killed in the process.
  10. Germany center-left Social Democrats agree to a coalition with Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union. Martin Schulz, the leader of the Social Democrats, abandoned plans to become foreign minister.

Syria

Turkey

Russia

Iraq

Uganda

Italy

South Korea

Indonesia

Kenya

Guinea

Maldives

Japan

Pakistan

Israel

Ethiopia

Iran

Venezuela

Colombia

Nigeria

Lebanon

South Africa

India

Yemen

The United Kingdom

Poland

Palestine

Egypt

The United States of America

Bermuda

France

Mali

Somalia

South Sudan

Congo

The Philippines

Taiwan

Vietnam

Macedonia

Afghanistan

Germany

North Korea

Latvia

Australia

Saudi Arabia

Myanmar

China

Bangladesh

Libya

Brazil

Sudan

Follow @TheZenCorner on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for Breaking News.

PS: Subscribe to the newsletter to receive it directly by email. 

World News of the Week – January 29 to February 4, 2018

 

 

may china 2
British Prime Minister Theresa May meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China (via AP)

 

What You Need To Know:

1. Battle intensifies in Syria’s Afrin province between Turkish and Kurdish forces. Many casualties reported on both sides.

2. About 90 migrants feared dead as boat capsizes off Libya‘s coast. Over 300 migrants rescued in a separate incident.

3. In Kenya, opposition leader Odinga held an unofficial swearing-in ceremony; President Kenyatta calls the event treasonous. Authorities shut down TV stations in response despite court order.

4.  Yemeni separatists capture the port city of Aden after two days of fighting, confining President Mansour Hadi to the presidential palace.

5. Authorities in Saudi Arabia net $106 billion in settlements from anti-corruption campaign; 56 people remain in custody.

6. In Italy, a far-right gunman shot 6 African immigrants in a two-hour drive-by shooting spree.

7. Suicide bombing in northwestern Pakistan kills 11 soldiers in what authorities say was the first attack in over three years in the region once ruled by militants.

8. Conservative Evangelical Christian leads presidential vote in Costa Rica, will face run-off against TV anchor.

9. Well over 100,000 people from across Greece converged on Athens’ main square to protest against use of the name Macedonia.

10. 71-year-old Cyprus President Anastasiades wins run-off presidential election with 56% of the vote. This will be his second five-year term.

Syria

Turkey

Russia

The United States of America

Afghanistan

Australia

Libya

Argentina

North Korea

Portugal

Cuba

Palestine

The Czech Republic

South Sudan

Austria

Kenya

India

Nigeria

Tunisia

Vietnam

Brazil

Germany

China

Colombia

Ireland

Yemen

Egypt

Saudi Arabia

Spain

Italy

Iran

Brunei

Pakistan

Liberia

Kiribati

South Korea

Israel

Eritrea

Romania

Congo

France

Chile

Poland

The Philippines

Japan

Cambodia

Maldives

Venezuela

Myanmar

Lebanon

Zimbabwe

Costa Rica

The United Kingdom

Canada

Singapore

Haiti

Indonesia

Greece

Mexico

Ecuador

Cyprus

Follow @TheZenCorner on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for Breaking News.

PS: Subscribe to the newsletter to receive it directly by email. 

World News of the Week – January 22 to January 28, 2018

Trump davos
U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland (AP)

In Brief: Suicide bombing in Afghanistan kills at least 103 people, Civilian death toll rises in Syria, Hundreds of Kurds killed by Turkish forces, Clashes intensify between Yemeni rebels and government forces, Pro-Russia incumbent Milos Zeman re-elected President of Czech Republic, Egyptian military arrests presidential candidates, Members of Israeli Parliament ejected for protesting Pence in support of Palestinians, Double car bombing in Libya kills 35, Russian opposition candidate Navalny arrested amid election protests, Former Brazilian President Lula loses appeal in corruption conviction, Multiple terrorist attacks kill dozens in Mali, Fire at South Korean hospital kills 37 people, U.S. plane mistakenly kills 10 Iraqi civilians, Ferry with 50 people on board disapears in Kiribati, Moderate incumbent Sauli Niinisto re-elected President of Finland.

Afghanistan

Syria

Turkey

The United States of America

Yemen

The Czech Republic

Palestine

Poland

Spain

Vietnam

Liberia

Japan

Pakistan

Germany

Mexico

Iran

Saudi Arabia

Bangladesh

The United Arab Emirates

Malaysia

Zimbabwe

France

Egypt

Israel

Guatemala

Switzerland

Libya

Costa Rica

Venezuela

Russia

Belgium

India

Ethiopia

Sweden

Nigeria

Brazil

North Korea

Uruguay

Colombia

Italy

Cameroon

Mali

China

South Korea

Ukraine

Algeria

Cambodia

Canada

Honduras

Iraq

Kiribati

Cyprus

Finland

New Zealand

Peru

Denmark

South Africa

Jordan

Follow @TheZenCorner on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for Breaking News.

PS: Subscribe to the newsletter to receive it directly by email. 

World News of the Week – January 15 to January 21, 2018

Turkey protest
Turkish forces and Syrian opposition fighters prepare to attack Kurdish forces in Syria (via AP)

In Brief: ISIS suicide bombings in Iraq kill 38 people, Turkish forces attack U.S. backed Kurdish forces in Syria, At least 18 dead in attack on hotel in Afghanistan, U.S. Government shuts down as spending bill fails in Senate, Social Democrats agree to coalition negotiations with Merkel, U.S. withholds $65 million in Palestinian aid, At least 20 dead as clashes shutdown airport in Libya,  4 Pakistani soldiers killed by Indian forces near Kashmir border, North and South Korea agree to form first unified Olympic team, Suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers kill 12 in Nigeria, Tens of thousands protest against corruption in Romania, Bus fire kills 52 Uzbeks traveling to Kazakhstan.

Iraq

Turkey

Russia

Afghanistan

United States of America

Germany

Japan

The United Kingdom

Spain

Switzerland

Indonesia

Tunisia

Venezuela

Greece

Palestine

Libya

Pakistan

India

Israel

North Korea

United Arab Emirates

Iran

Syria

Belgium

Nigeria

Colombia

Denmark

Romania

France

Chile

Kosovo

Czech Republic

Bangladesh

Sudan

China

Thailand

Yemen

Ethiopia

The Netherlands

Guatemala

The Philippines

Uganda

Bulgaria

Myanmar

Mexico

Kenya

Brazil

Italy

Kazakhstan

Niger

Zimbabwe

Somalia

Cambodia

South Africa

New Zealand

Jordan

Saudi Arabia

Peru

Egypt

Honduras

Congo

Australia

Follow @TheZenCorner on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for Breaking News.

PS: Subscribe to the newsletter to receive it directly by email. 

President Trump’s Report Card – Year 1

Trump
President Donald Trump is introduced to speak to U.S. military troops at Naval Air Station Sigonella, May 27, 2017, in Sigonella, Italy. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Economy:

Trump claimed he would be the “greatest” on the economy. In his first year, he mostly succeeded. The economy is strong, unemployment is at 4.1%, GDP increased 3%, and the Stock Market hit all-time highs (Dow Jones +25% in 2017, S&P +19%, Nasdaq +28%). Additionally, Trump signed the GOP tax bill into law significantly cutting the corporate tax rate. It is yet to be determined whether this move boosts the economy even further. Grade A.

Health Care:

Trump vowed to immediately repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. In his first year in office, he has been unable to achieve this goal as Congress failed repeatedly to come up with a replacement. However, the tax bill did include a repeal of the individual mandate causing a significant blow to ACA. Grade F.

Immigration: 

Trump claimed he would build a wall along the Southern U.S. border and make Mexico pay for it, as well as reduce illegal immigration. Although Congress has refused to allocate money for the wall, and Mexico has vowed to never pay for it, illegal immigration was dramatically reduced in 2017. Indeed, arrests along the Southwest border fell by nearly 24%, and the number of deportations fell 6%. In sum, illegal immigration on the U.S.-Mexico border is at its lowest point in 17 years. Grade B.

Trade:

During the campaign, Trump vowed to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), re-negotiate NAFTA, and confront China over its currency manipulations. In his first year, Trump withdrew from TPP, and began negotiations with NAFTA partners. However, these negotiations stalled, and Trump largely refused to deal with China. In addition, Trump failed to conclude any significant trade deals. Grade D.

Judiciary:

During the campaign, Trump promised Republicans he would nominate a conservative judge to the Supreme Court. Trump fulfilled his promise by appointing Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, arguably the most conservative judge currently on the Court. Additionally, Trump has appointed more federal appeals judges in his first year than any other President. Grade A.  

Foreign Policy:

Trump’s first year as Commander-in-Chief has had mixed results. Trump granted the military more freedom in its use of airstrikes causing ISIS to lose most of its territory in Iraq and Syria (which led to a rise in civilian deaths the region). Unfortunately, Trump seemed uninterested in human rights, and failed to promote American ideals around the world. This has led to a leadership vacuum to Russia and China’s benefit. Additionally, Trump criticized his closest allies (Canada, Great Britain, Germany), and caused turmoil in the Middle East by declaring Jerusalem the capital of Israel. If that was not enough, tensions with North Korea have increased as Kim Jong Un is closer than ever to building a nuclear ICBM capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Grade D.

Conclusion:

Trump’s first year in office was unprecedented and disruptive. Although he followed through with many of his promises, he failed to accomplish his two major campaign promises: to repeal the Affordable Care Act and build a wall along the Southern border. His war with the press and the frequency of his lies hurt his credibility with world leaders. He seems uninterested in showing any sign of bipartisanship, and therefore failed to unite the country. Despite his un-presidential behavior, the economy is healthy, ISIS territories vanished, and no major world incidents occurred on his watch. Grade C+.