Friday, January 22, 2021 - a podcast by TRT World

*) Death toll climbs in twin suicide attack in Baghdad

At least 32 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in two suicide bombings in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

It's believed that two assailants detonated their explosive vests in an outdoor market. It's the first such attack in the city's commercial area in several years.

The bombings come amid heightened political tensions as Iraq looks to have early elections in October.

*) Biden orders masks, travel clampdown in new war on Covid

US president Joe Biden has signed a series of executive orders aimed at bringing the coronavirus pandemic under control.

Working with top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci, Biden has asked people to wear a face mask for the first 100 days of his presidency.

New quarantine rules for those arriving in the US have also been introduced.

*) Turkish foreign minister meets EU counterpart in Brussels

After a year that produced numerous disagreements between Turkey and the EU, the signs for 2021 are more encouraging.

EU's Chief of Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell says the atmosphere between the two countries has improved.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is currently in Brussels, meeting officials from the EU and also NATO.

*) Opposition leader Bobi Wine's lawyers barred from seeing him

Lawyers for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine have been blocked from seeing him a week after he was placed under house arrest.

Security forces have been surrounding Wine's home in the capital Kampala since last week's election. President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner, but Wine rejected the results.

Officials say Wine can only leave his home under military escort because his presence threatens public safety.

And finally…

*) Japan refutes report of Olympics cancellation

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga says his government is determined to go ahead with this year's delayed Tokyo Olympics.

His comments follow a report in The Times newspaper which claimed the government's focus is now on securing the games for Tokyo in the next available year, which is 2032.

The International Olympic Committee has said there is 'no Plan B' and It's also 'fully committed' to starting the Tokyo Games on schedule.

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