Tuesday, April 23, 2019

The bombers in Sri Lanka appear to have had outside help, and India continues its general election.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Tuesday, April 23rd.

*) Death toll in Sri Lanka blasts rises to 310

Funerals are continuing in Sri Lanka following Sunday's terror attacks across the country.

Today has been declared a day of national mourning.

More than 300 people were killed when suicide bombers blew up three churches and three hotels on Easter Sunday. Hundreds more were wounded.

Police have arrested 40 suspects. A Syrian national is among them. Officials say the bombers appear to have had outside help.

*) Top Myanmar court rejects appeal by journalists

Myanmar's top court has rejected the final appeal of two jailed Reuters journalists who were investigating crimes against humanity in Rakhine state.

They were imprisoned for seven years for violating the official secrets' act. The veteran reporters say they were set up by police.

They were investigating the murder of ten villagers by the military in Rakhine state.

The UN says the military's crackdown on Myanmar's muslim minority is textbook ethnic cleasing and tantamout to genocide.

*) US to end waivers for Iranian oil importers

The US says all importers of Iranian oil will have to stop or face sanctions.

The US is attempting to block all exports of Iranian oil.

Some countries, including Turkey, were granted import waivers. That will now end.

Iran says it will work with partner countries to find a solution.

*) Another earthquake strikes in the Philippines

A second earthquake hit the south of the Philippines this morning.

The 6.1 magnitude quake came as rescue workers are still searching for signs of life after yesterday's tremblor.

At least 11 people died in Tuesday's 6.1 magnitude quake.

*) India holds third phase of its general election

And finally,

Millions more people head to the polls in India, including Prime Minister Nahendra Modi, as the country votes in phase three of its general election.

Nearly 16 hundred candidates are contesting the polls in 15 states today.

About 900 million people will vote in the seven-stage election and world's biggest democratic exercise which ends on May 19.

And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World... For more, head to TRTWorld.com.