Trump denies ‘plans to kill Bashar al-Assad’, and ICC claims jurisdiction on Rohingya exodus

US President Donald Trump denied Wednesday that he had discussed with defence secretary Jim Mattis plans to kill Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, a key claim made by journalist Bob Woodward in his new book, Fear, reports Al Jazeera.

Trump said the quotes attributed to him in the book had been made up by “frauds”. “The book means nothing. It’s a work of fiction,” he said.

In his official response, Mattis called the book “fiction”.

Statement from Secretary of Defense, James Mattis: pic.twitter.com/OneaxKCneV

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2018

ICC says it has jurisdiction over Rohingya ‘deportation’

The International Criminal Court said Thursday it had jurisdiction to investigate the alleged deportation of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar to Bangladesh as a possible crime against humanity, reports Reuters.

“Although Myanmar is not a member of the Hague-based court, Bangladesh is, and the cross-border nature of deportation was sufficient for jurisdiction, the court said,” the report said.

The ICC ruling came after chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda’s unprecedented move of asking judges for an opinion on whether she could investigate the deportations as a crime against humanity.

A special UN investigative panel has accused Myanmar’s military of carrying out numerous atrocities during a crackdown against the Rohingya after a series of Rohingya militant attacks on security outposts. Millions of Rohingya subsequently left the country for Bangladesh.

According to the report, the Myanmar military actions were “grossly disproportionate to actual security threats”.

FB takes down translation feature after it fails to stop hate posts for Rohingya

Facebook has removed a feature to translate Burmese posts and comments to English after it failed to detect spiteful content about Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims, reports Reuters.

An investigation by Reuters found more than 1,000 examples of hate speech on Facebook, including instances where the Rohingya and other Muslims were referred to as dogs, maggots and rapists, and calls made to “exterminate” them.

Facebook, which the Reuters describes as the most prominently used internet platform in Myanmar, has come under criticism from several quarters, including United Nations investigators, for failing to check vitriolic posts aimed at the country’s Muslims.

A Facebook spokesperson said the Burmese translation feature was taken off on 28 August following the Reuters investigation.

After the report was published, Facebook issued a statement, saying it had been “too slow to prevent misinformation and hate” in Myanmar. It also said that it would be taking more steps, like investing in artificial intelligence to police posts.

Brazil’s presidential front-runner stabbed at campaign rally

Brazilian presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro, a Right-winger notorious for his sexist, racist and homophobic comments, was stabbed as he greeted crowds during a campaign event in the state of Minas Gerais, reports BBC.

The alleged assailant has been arrested.

According to hospital officials, Bolsonaro had suffered a “life-threatening” stab wound in his intestines, but described his condition as “serious but stable”. The politician has undergone a surgery and is expected to recover soon.

President Michel Temer condemned the attack.

UK’s chief rabbi guides Orthodox schools on supporting LGBT students

Ephraim Mirvis, the UK’s chief rabbi or priest of the Jewish faith, has published the first ever guidebook to help orthodox schools provide support for LGBT students of the community, reports the BBC.

Mirvis said the document is “an extremely significant milestone” that will have a lasting impact.

“Our children need to know that at school, at home and in the community, they will be loved and protected regardless of their sexuality or gender identity,” he added.