BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING

In today’s briefing update, The headlines are: Israeli jets strike Syria – Syrian military has said Israeli jets have struck airbases in Homs. They say their air defence intercepted several missiles. 

A ‘staggering number’ of human rights activists were killed last year in Colombia according to the UN. 

In the UK, the government has struck a deal to save regional airline Flybe.

The Democrats have released new documents on the eve of President Trump’s impeachment trial.

In Pakistan, extreme weather has claimed the lives of at least 73 people – ten people are still missing. 

Entertainment, Billie Eilish, 18, to record the next James Bond theme song – the youngest artist to do so.

All this and more in today’s news briefing – A daily roundup of all the news headlines that you need to know, summarised as part of WTX News Briefing.

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Israeli jets strike Syria

France24 reports the Syrian army has said Israeli jets attacked the main T4 airbase in Homs province and that its air defences downed several missiles in strikes that caused only material damage as Israeli jets strike Syriain2020.

An army spokesman told state media that four Israeli missiles reached the base, but air defences intercepted several others. 

State television earlier did not say who was responsible for the attack. Israel has repeatedly bombed Iranian backed militia targets in Syria – in an attempt to end Tehran’s military presence in the country.

Read the full story on France24

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‘Staggering Number’ of human rights defenders killed in Colombia, UN says

CNN reports human rights activist and community leaders in Colombia are being killed at an alarming rate, the UN warned. The United Nations human rights agency has urged the government to “make a strenuous effort” to prevent attacks on those who are defending fundamental rights.  

“We are deeply troubled by the staggering number of human rights defenders killed in Colombia during 2019,” agency spokeswoman Maria Hurtado said. 

107 activists were killed in Colombia last year, she said and 13 other cases are under investigation, meaning the total could rise to 120.

Read the full story on CNN

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UK: Government strikes a deal to rescue Flybe

BBC News says the government has struck a deal to rescue the troubled regional airline Flybe.

Ministers agreed to work with Flybe to figure out a repayment plan for significant tax debt. And the firm’s owners have agreed to put more money into the airline. 

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said the deal would keep the company operating. 

An estimated 8 million people fly with the airline each year. Flybe services dozens of UK domestic routes that are not flown by other airlines.

Read the full story on BBC News

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Democrats release new documents on eve of Trump’s impeachment trial

Aljazeera says US Democrats have released new documents obtained from Lev Parnas, a close associate of President Trump’s personal lawyer, including a handwritten note that mentions asking Ukraine’s president to investigate “the Biden case.” 

The documents, obtained as part of the impeachment investigation into Trump shows Parnas communicating with Trump’s lawyer and another attorney before the removal of Marie Yovanovitch, who was the US ambassador to Ukraine. 

Read the full story on Aljazeera

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Avalanches, snow wreaks havoc in Pakistan; 73 dead

Arab News reports avalanches and extreme weather has claimed the lives of at least 73 people in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Azad Kashmir regions.

More than 40 people died when two avalanches hit the Neelum Valley of Azad Kashmir on Tuesday. 

The National Disaster Management Authority said 10 people were still missing. 

Search and rescue efforts are underway following a series of landslides in Azas Kashmir’s hilly areas. 

On Tuesday, hundreds of people were rescued after being stranded for three days in the Killa Saifullah district in Balochistan. An emergency was declared after heavy snowfalls in Balochistan province on Sunday. 

Read the full story on Arab News

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Billie Eilish, 18, becomes the youngest artist to record James Bond theme song

Sky News reports Billie Eilish is recording the new James Bond theme song – making her the youngest artist to ever do so. 

Eilish said: “It feels crazy to be a part of this in every way. 

“To be able to score the theme song to a film that is part of such a legendary series is a huge honour.

“James Bond is the coolest film franchise ever to exist. I’m still in shock.”

Eilish is the youngest recording artist to perform the title track, and if previous performers are anything to go by, she could win awards – even an Oscar- for it. 

Read the full story on Sky News

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