US plans open-ended military presence in Syria
The US will maintain an open-ended military presence in Syria to ensure the enduring defeat of the jihadist group Islamic State, counter Iranian influence, and help end the civil war.
bbc.com
Damascus warns it may shoot down Turkish planes attacking Kurds within Syrian borders
The Syrian government warned Turkey against launching a bombing campaign in the Syrian province of Afrin, saying its air defenses may be used. Ankara had threatened airstrikes against Afrin-based Kurdish militias.
rt.com
India test-fires nuclear-capable ICBM Agni-V
India on Thursday morning successfully conducted the "first pre-induction trial" of its over 5,000-km range Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile, which brings the whole of Asia and China as well parts of Europe and Africa within its nuclear strike envelope.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
President denies changing view on Mexico border plan
Donald Trump has denied changing his views on a border wall after his top aide reportedly said the president was "uninformed" when he made the promise.
bbc.com
Approval of U.S. Leadership Under Trump Tumbles Globally in Poll
An annual Gallup poll of international support for U.S. leadership, conducted after President Donald Trump’s election and published Thursday, shows a sharp fall in approval since 2016.
bloomberg.com
Last Year Was One of Three Hottest Ever Recorded, WMO Says
Last year turned out to be one of the three warmest ever.
bloomberg.com
Senate Vote in Doubt as Trump Blames Democrats: Shutdown Update
Temporary government funding runs out at midnight Friday and the House and Senate must pass a temporary extension to avoid a partial shutdown, but those efforts are increasingly in doubt. Democrats are demanding to include a provision permanently shielding about 690,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation.
bloomberg.com
Trump administration bars Haitians from U.S. visas for low-skilled work
Haitians will no longer be eligible for U.S. visas given to low-skilled workers, the Trump administration said on Wednesday, bringing an end to a small-scale effort to employ Haitians in the United States after a catastrophic 2010 earthquake.
reuters.com
Poland: Thousands of Women March for Abortion Rights
Despite freezing temperatures Polish women took to the streets to protest a proposed law that would further restrict abortion access.
telesurtv.net
Tide Pod challenge: YouTube blocks videos after poisoning fears
YouTube says it will remove videos of people taking part in the 'Tide Pod challenge', a dangerous craze proving popular in the US.
bbc.co.uk
