On Politics: Trump Calls His Own Intelligence Officials ‘Naïve’

By Unknown Author from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2RZBYZV

Another Go for Charles and Di, This Time With Music

By SARAH LYALL from NYT Theater https://nyti.ms/2RoY8zC

A Black Legacy, Wrapped Up in Fur

By JASMINE SANDERS from NYT Style https://nyti.ms/2sYq1os

Rescue Pets

By KATHERINE SCHULTEN from NYT The Learning Network https://nyti.ms/2G91nt3

How Much Do You Know About Your Family’s History?

By KATHERINE SCHULTEN from NYT The Learning Network https://nyti.ms/2TpuAU8

Word + Quiz: upstage

By THE LEARNING NETWORK from NYT The Learning Network https://nyti.ms/2CXxwQO

What’s on TV Thursday: ‘30 for 30’ and ‘The Big Lebowski’

By LAUREN MESSMAN from NYT Arts https://nyti.ms/2FVZlgo

After Death on Subway Stairs, New Yorkers Lament Accessibility Issues

By YOUSUR AL-HLOU, ROBIN LINDSAY and NATE SCHWEBER from NYT New York https://nyti.ms/2BbTfVb

Las principales noticias del jueves

By Por ALBINSON LINARES from NYT Universal https://nyti.ms/2FZFZqK

St. Louis Prosecutor Accuses Police of Obstructing Inquiry Into Killing of Officer

By LIAM STACK from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2TlYgl3

An Angry Trump Pushes Back Against His Own ‘Naive’ Intelligence Officials

By MARK LANDLER from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2Gcqb3g

Jury Awards Rand Paul Over $580,000 in Damages From Attack

By NOAH WEILAND from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2GgXDp8

Undocumented Immigrant Who Worked at a Trump Golf Club Will Attend State of the Union

By MATT STEVENS from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2S0FxyM

Quotation of the Day: A Merciless Cold Lingers in the Midwest

By Unknown Author from NYT Today’s Paper https://nyti.ms/2sUhliK

Mavericks Thump Knicks as Dirk Nowitzki Comes Alive at the Garden

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/2sWxuUX

Corrections: January 31, 2019

By Unknown Author from NYT Corrections https://nyti.ms/2Rt3aey

Palindromic Number

By DEB AMLEN from NYT Crosswords & Games https://nyti.ms/2FYVr6q

Samsung Forecasts Earnings Weakness Throughout 2019

By REUTERS from NYT Business https://nyti.ms/2G9LOkO

China, Venezuela, Climate Change: Your Thursday Briefing

By PENN BULLOCK from NYT Briefing https://nyti.ms/2S1jVCw

Venezuela opposition 'has met military', says Juan Guaidó

Opposition leader Juan Guaidó says his team has held talks with the army about regime change.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SeYuxi

Polar vortex brings deadly cold snap to US states

At least eight people have died in the deep freeze, which has paralysed transport services.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2FYNLkW

'American Dying' cooled Earth's climate

European settlement of the Americas killed so many people, it disturbed Earth's climate.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2RsVJ75

Facebook users continue to grow despite privacy scandals

The number of people who logged into the site at least once a month rose 9% last year.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Uu7wUu

Tom Brady 'cheater' slur costs TV producer his job

The New England Patriots quarterback was labelled a "known cheater" during a Pittsburgh broadcast.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2GbzBvV

Sarah Sanders says 'God wanted Trump to be president'

In an interview, the White House press secretary says Donald Trump had divine support.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Bm9a3B

Saudi Arabia ends major anti-corruption campaign

Hundreds of princes and billionaires were held and more than $100bn recouped by the state since 2017.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2S0hQGQ

Bastia attack: Gunman found dead in police raid

France's interior minister says "the fanatic committed suicide" after killing one and injuring five.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2B96bLC

Senator Rand Paul wins damages after neighbour attack

Senator Rand Paul was awarded more than $580,000 (£441,000) in damages after his neighbour attacked.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2UopeIW

Mystery illness sees Canada halve its Cuba embassy staff

A 14th employee at Canada's embassy in Havana falls ill, and the country cuts staff there by half.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2sWTxuQ

China's factory activity shrinks as slowdown worries rise

The data comes as several global firms warn China's slowing economy will hit their bottom line.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2UvE5l2

Emiliano Sala: Missing Cardiff striker's former club Nantes pay tribute

Nantes pay tribute to missing former striker Emiliano Sala during their 1-1 draw with Saint Etienne.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SbuBxT

The story of a US raid on al-Qaeda in Yemen

The BBC has gained rare access to Athlan village, the site of a major US attack on al-Qaeda in Yemen.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2UqHYHO

Polar vortex: What is it and how does it happen?

The deep freeze gripping much of the US has been blamed on a polar vortex. Here's what that means.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Sex5LW

Actor 'tasted brutality of hatred'

Stars support Empire actor Jussie Smollet, the victim of a suspected hate crime in Chicago.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2CRvIJi

The Afghan Invictus athletes claiming asylum in Australia

The fears of six athletes who claimed asylum in Australia after the 2018 Invictus Games.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2S8Sgz1

Zimbabwe women raped as government crackdown continues

Six women tell the BBC they were raped by security forces as part of a government crackdown.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2CRqD3G

MP defends unmasking shot reporter

Kennedy Agyapong tells the BBC he regrets journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale’s death, but has a clear conscious.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2sVKNEY

'Why I fled Saudi Arabia and sought asylum in the UK'

Two Saudis who sought asylum in the UK explain why they risked everything.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SdhEnb

Richard E Grant in tears over Barbra Streisand's reply to 1970s fan letter

The actor and superfan was "overcome with emotion" when Streisand replied to his childhood letter.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2MGAb66

The Lord of the Ringos? Peter Jackson to direct a Beatles film

The Lord of the Rings director will use unseen footage of the tense sessions for their final album.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SdIgEx

Bulgarians decry ‘eco vandalism’ on coast

Social media outcry puts controversial construction on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast under scrutiny.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Uxh9C1

Why some Japanese pensioners want to go to jail

Japan is in the grip of an elderly crime wave. Poverty and loneliness are two of the possible causes.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2sUSv2f

How do you compost a human body - and why would you?

A US state could become one of the first places in the world to allow corpses to become fertile soil.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2S04WbU

The Indians sharing their villages with crocodiles

In most places, a crocodile would send people scurrying in fear. But not in this part of India.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Sbqv8X

Maduro and Guaidó: Who is supporting whom in Venezuela?

The international community is split over who it recognises as the country's current president.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2BbqOqp

Nastya Rybka: Model who got caught up in the Trump-Russia row

The story of Nastya Rybka, who was questioned in a Thai jail by the FBI about the Trump-Russia inquiry.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2HHJ9kz

Why Dutch fear Brexit no deal will leave onions to rot

Imagine onions - tonnes of them, rotting in a customs queue. It's a Dutch farmer's Brexit nightmare.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2DLoiZL

Testimony by intelligence chiefs on global threats highlights differences with president - Philly.com

1. Testimony by intelligence chiefs on global threats highlights differences with president  Philly.com
2. Dem lawmaker: Trump is 'becoming a national security threat' | TheHill  The Hill
3. Trump's slow-building war on intelligence  The Washington Post
4. Trump Faults Intelligence Chiefs As Break Widens Between Them  NPR
5. The TERRIFYING countries most likely to spark WORLD WAR 3 - shock US spy warning  Express.co.uk
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2TmtqJf

Mueller: Sensitive Election Meddling Evidence Handed Over to Lawyers for Russian Defendant Leaked Online to Discredit Probe - Slate

1. Mueller: Sensitive Election Meddling Evidence Handed Over to Lawyers for Russian Defendant Leaked Online to Discredit Probe  Slate
2. Non-public materials from special counsel case used in pro-Russian effort to discredit Russia probe  CNN
3. Michael Cohen Is Ready to Talk Russia to Congress  The Atlantic
4. Mueller says evidence against Russian firm was used in 'disinformation campaign' apparently to discredit special counsel's Russia probe  CNBC
5. Pro-Russian Twitter account tried to discredit Mueller probe  CNN
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2MGau5t

Undocumented worker fired from Trump golf club to attend State of the Union: report | TheHill - The Hill

1. Undocumented worker fired from Trump golf club to attend State of the Union: report | TheHill  The Hill
2. Undocumented worker fired from Trump golf club to attend State of the Union  NBC News
3. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2MIfbMq

Federal Judge Blasts PG&E's Commitment To California Wildfire Safety - NPR

1. Federal Judge Blasts PG&E's Commitment To California Wildfire Safety  NPR
2. PG&E Judge Sees a ‘Clear-Cut Pattern’ of Utility Starting Fires  Yahoo! Finance News
3. The Deadliest Wildfire In California History | VICE on HBO  VICE News
4. Are California’s solar and wind projects at risk in PG&E bankruptcy?  Chico Enterprise-Record
5. PG&E Violated Probation, Federal Judge Says in Heated Hearing  The Wall Street Journal
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://n.pr/2UrMMwD

Officer Alix's family weighs legal action as search for answers continues - KMOV.com

1. Officer Alix's family weighs legal action as search for answers continues  KMOV.com
2. St. Louis Prosecutor Accuses Police of Obstructing Inquiry Into Killing of Officer  The New York Times
3. Prosecutor says St. Louis police obstructed investigation into officer's alleged Russian roulette killing  CNN
4. RAW: Officer Katlyn Alix's family speaks for the first time since her death  KSDK News
5. Family of Officer Alix hires attorney to act as watchdog over police investigation  KTVI Fox 2 St. Louis
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2MFkk7X

Sen. Rand Paul awarded more than $580,000 in suit over neighbor's attack - NBCNews.com

1. Sen. Rand Paul awarded more than $580,000 in suit over neighbor's attack  NBCNews.com
2. Sen. Rand Paul awarded over $580G after he was attacked by neighbor  Fox News
3. Jury Awards Sen. Rand Paul More Than $580000 In Damages In Attack By Neighbor  NPR
4. Sen. Rand Paul awarded $580,000 after neighbor broke six of his ribs in attack  The Washington Post
5. Jury awards Rand Paul more than $580K after attack by neighbor in Kentucky  CBS News
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://nbcnews.to/2CTOBv1

White House's Bolton says he met with Citgo executives - Reuters

1. White House's Bolton says he met with Citgo executives  Reuters
2. Bolton warns of 'serious consequences' if harm comes to Guaido  CNN
3. Cotton suggests Bolton was sending message to Venezuela about 5,000 troops  Washington Times
4. Don't deal in Venezuelan gold, White House says, in anti-Maduro push  Reuters
5. Venezuela gold: White House warns STAY AWAY from gold 'STOLEN from people by Maduro mafia'  Express.co.uk
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://reut.rs/2G0IkBU

Extreme Weather Is Already Breaking Records Around The World In 2019 - HuffPost

Extreme Weather Is Already Breaking Records Around The World In 2019  HuffPost

In just a few weeks' time, extreme temperatures have smashed records around the world this year, with parts of the Midwestern U.S. seeing the mercury drop as ...

View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2Sf4GVP

U.S. Asks Western Allies to Help Form Buffer Zone in Northern Syria - The Wall Street Journal

1. U.S. Asks Western Allies to Help Form Buffer Zone in Northern Syria  The Wall Street Journal
2. Trump singled out Dan Coats in morning rant about intelligence community  CNN
3. Bipartisan House group introduces bills to stall Syria, South Korea troop withdrawals | TheHill  The Hill
4. What Keeps the Spies Up at Night  The New York Times
5. Trump’s 2020 rivals: Tell us why he’s unfit as commander in chief  The Washington Post
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://on.wsj.com/2S2SvMz

The Hot Topic in Markets Right Now: ‘Quantitative Tightening’ - The New York Times

1. The Hot Topic in Markets Right Now: ‘Quantitative Tightening’  The New York Times
2. US economy is in a good place: Fed Chair Jerome Powell  Fox Business
3. Fed holds rates stable, pledges 'patient' approach, expects 'ample' balance sheet  CNBC
4. Fed Signals End of Interest Rate Increases  The New York Times
5. Fed holds rates, updates balance sheet policy after 'extensive deliberations'  Yahoo Finance
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://nyti.ms/2G1qVJ6

China says its manufacturing activity contracted for the second-straight month in January - CNBC

1. China says its manufacturing activity contracted for the second-straight month in January  CNBC
2. China Manufacturing Shows Resilience Amid Trade War, Slowdown  Bloomberg
3. Is it more bad news for China’s economy as manufacturing contracts again?  South China Morning Post
4. China’s Manufacturing Remains Listless, if Slightly Improved  The Wall Street Journal
5. China's factory activity shrinks as slowdown worries rise  BBC News
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://cnb.cx/2t0wsXP

A handy list of ways Facebook has tried to sneakily gather data about you - The Next Web

1. A handy list of ways Facebook has tried to sneakily gather data about you  The Next Web
2. Facebook paid users to collect data from their phones  Yahoo Finance
3. Google is disabling its app that lets users earn gift cards in exchange for their data  INSIDER
4. Apple rips Facebook for phone app it says is 'clear breach' of agreement  Fox News
5. Apple bars app whose users allowed Facebook to track them for $20 a month  MarketWatch
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2FYyIYf

Nintendo cuts Switch sales forecast despite strong holiday season - The Verge

1. Nintendo cuts Switch sales forecast despite strong holiday season  The Verge
2. Switch worldwide sales top 32.27 million, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate sales top 12.08 million  Gematsu
3. Nintendo Shipped 32.27 Million Switch Units Worldwide; Drops Full-Year Prediction to 17 Million  Twinfinite
4. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2HI7siB

New Overwatch map, Paris, goes live on PTR - Polygon

1. New Overwatch map, Paris, goes live on PTR  Polygon
2. Overwatch Gets New Paris Map  Kotaku
3. New ‘Overwatch’ Map Drops Players Into Elegant Paris  Variety
4. 'Overwatch' heads to Paris in latest map  Engadget
5. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2RuBTZf

2 ways you can avoid future privacy breaches like the FaceTime bug - KSL.com

1. 2 ways you can avoid future privacy breaches like the FaceTime bug  KSL.com
2. Apple Gets Sued Over FaceTime Bug That Lets People Eavesdrop  Bloomberg
3. Apple Was Slow to Act on FaceTime Bug That Allows Spying on iPhones  The New York Times
4. How to stop iPhone's eavesdropping bug  KRCRTV.COM
5. How to disable app that could enable iPhone to eavesdrop on you  8News
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2FXvPHi

Shifting Stories Cloud Claims of Alleged Hate Crime Attack Targeting 'Empire' Actor Jussie Smollett - PJ Media

1. Shifting Stories Cloud Claims of Alleged Hate Crime Attack Targeting 'Empire' Actor Jussie Smollett  PJ Media
2. Police Release Photos Of "Persons Of Interest" In Jussie Smollett Attack  HuffPost
3. More Security for 'Empire' Cast After Jussie Smollett Attack  Inside Edition
4. Kevin Hart criticized for telling Jussie Smollett to 'stand strong' after homophobic attack  Yahoo Entertainment
5. 'Potential Persons of Interest' Seen on Camera, Sought For Questioning in 'Empire' Star's Alleged Attack: Cops  NBC Chicago
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2Ti5Qxi

'Masked Singer' recap: Who was unmasked this week? - USA TODAY

1. 'Masked Singer' recap: Who was unmasked this week?  USA TODAY
2. Fifth 'Masked Singer' Celeb Revealed; Guesses (& Spoilers) for Remaining Stars!  Just Jared
3. ‘The Masked Singer’ renewed for season 2 by FOX  TV by the Numbers
4. ‘Masked Singer’ Renewed for Season 2 at Fox  Variety
5. ‘The Masked Singer’ spoiler: The Rabbit is …  Gold Derby
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2SfMJXd

‘Picard’ Will Be Set ’20-Plus Years’ After ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation,’ Alex Kurtzman Says - TheWrap

1. ‘Picard’ Will Be Set ’20-Plus Years’ After ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation,’ Alex Kurtzman Says  TheWrap
2. Patrick Stewart teases the return of Jean-Luc Picard  Yahoo Entertainment
3. Captain Pike's here and Spock's due, so will Romulans make it to 'Star Trek: Discovery'?  USA TODAY
4. CBS All Access Sees Double-Digit, Young-Skewing Subscriber Growth  Variety
5. Patrick Stewart teases return of Jean-Luc Picard, says new 'Star Trek' series 'is a 10-hour movie'  Yahoo Entertainment
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2Ga0SyM

Forget it, guest star Kelly Ripa, it's Extra-Reverent Noir Homage Week on Riverdale - The A.V. Club

1. Forget it, guest star Kelly Ripa, it's Extra-Reverent Noir Homage Week on Riverdale  The A.V. Club
2. Kelly Ripa Leaves Cheeky Comment on Hubby Mark Consuelos' Instagram  E! NEWS
3. 'Riverdale' Recap: Season 3, Episode 11 — Who Shot Hiram?  TVLine
4. Kelly Ripa Leaves Steamy Message for Mark Consuelos on Instagram: ‘Daddy, I Love When You Take Over’  Us Weekly
5. Kelly Ripa leaves flirty message on husband Mark Conseulos’ Instagram post: ‘Daddy, I love when you take over’  Fox News
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2CTDPVL

Nick Wright Destroys Critics Of Tom Brady's Super Bowl Record - NESN

1. Nick Wright Destroys Critics Of Tom Brady's Super Bowl Record  NESN
2. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft open to extension for Tom Brady  ESPN
3. Trump praises Brady, Belichick and Kraft ahead of Super Bowl 53  New York Post
4. Football Still Exists: Why This Super Bowl Is Still Worth Getting Excited About  Battle Red Blog
5. Ranking the Best Super Bowl Performances of All Time  Bleacher Report
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://foxs.pt/2DLhPht

Gurley beats Gronk in 'Madden' Super Bowl matchup - Fox News

1. Gurley beats Gronk in 'Madden' Super Bowl matchup  Fox News
2. The Secret To The Rams’ Blocking Success Isn’t The Linemen. It’s Sean McVay.  FiveThirtyEight
3. Todd Gurley says he may regret teaching Sony Michel everything he knows  Yahoo Sports
4. Pro Football Focus releases top 2019 free agents  Turf Show Times
5. Mike Freeman's Super Bowl 10-Point Stance: Can Todd Gurley Recapture His Mojo?  Bleacher Report NFL
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://fxn.ws/2MJ6lOj

Dustin Poirier: UFC is ‘No. 1 bullsh*t company,’ demands Conor McGregor or Tony Ferguson next - MMA Mania

1. Dustin Poirier: UFC is ‘No. 1 bullsh*t company,’ demands Conor McGregor or Tony Ferguson next  MMA Mania
2. Khabib Nurmagomedov Says He's Done Fighting In Las Vegas  HotNewHipHop
3. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2RuaoPc

Scientists Have Detected an Enormous Cavity Growing Beneath Antarctica - ScienceAlert

1. Scientists Have Detected an Enormous Cavity Growing Beneath Antarctica  ScienceAlert
2. Huge Cavity in Antarctic Glacier Signals Rapid Decay  Jet Propulsion Laboratory
3. Giant cavity found eating away at Antarctic glacier from underneath  New Atlas
4. Fears rise 'world's most dangerous glacier' could soon collapse  Daily Mail
5. Journey to Antarctica: Jeff Goodell Begins His Trip to Thwaites Glacier  Rolling Stone
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2Ux3fjg

Regulate social media to protect children, MPs urge

A cross-party committee says social media companies should have a legal "duty of care" to children.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2BaE9iK

Facebook users continue to grow despite privacy scandals

The number of people who logged into the site at least once a month rose 9% last year.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2Uu7wUu

Scruff gay dating app bans underwear photos

The app bans images of men in underwear and swimwear after "repeated suspensions by app store distributors".

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2SgJDCi

Kwik Fit garages hit by computer virus

The car repair chain's IT system went offline on Saturday and has been experiencing problems since.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2Bbhenr

PledgeMusic: The day the music died?

Crowdfunding site PledgeMusic seems to have run out of money, leaving musicians wondering what to do.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2sShPG9

DJI pledges painful action to tackle corruption

The world's bestselling drone-maker says it must tackle cases of employee theft.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2BbV4Sh

Fifa to stop selling in-game currency in Belgium

The move comes after the Belgian Gambling Commission threatened legal action over in-game loot boxes.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2MFq3uk

Children 'afterthought' for social media companies

England's children's commissioner writes to social media companies, urging them to tackle disturbing content.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2TlA6Hr

Facebook: Dissident republicans Saoradh take legal action

Saoradh claims the social media giant removed a number of its pages from its platform.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2FYq7oy

Cost-conscious Chinese tourists staying closer to home for Lunar New Year

Trade tensions with the United States and a slowing economy are keeping Chinese tourists to budget-friendly destinations closer to home for the Lunar New Year holiday, with more likely opting for Bangkok than Sydney or San Francisco.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2WydHIP

China's military-run space station in Argentina is a 'black box'

LAS LAJAS, Argentina - When China built a military-run space station in Argentina's Patagonian region it promised to include a visitors' center to explain the purpose of its powerful 16-story antenna.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2FZcWn8

Russia, U.S. last-ditch talks to break nuclear pact deadlock fail: agencies

Russia and the United States failed to bridge their differences over a landmark Cold War-era arms treaty at last-ditch talks in Beijing, Russia's deputy foreign minister was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies on Thursday.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2HICNBH

Watchdog shows Afghan defense forces declining as peace talks edge forward

The strength of the embattled Afghan defense forces has declined to its lowest level in four years, a U.S. watchdog said on Thursday, as talks between Washington and the Taliban continue over the possible withdrawal of foreign troops.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2Tn7PjV

African churches boom in London's backstreets

On a cold, grey Sunday morning, in a street lined with shuttered builders' yards and storage units, songs of prayer in the West African language of Yoruba ring out from a former warehouse that is now a church.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2Ghioky

Soft power: Australia uses hard game to tackle China in Pacific

Australia will direct more foreign aid to develop the sport of rugby league in the Pacific, officials say, bolstering a soft power offensive against China's growing influence in the region.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2CZMGp4

Myanmar court rejects appeal by jailed Reuters reporters

A Myanmar court on Friday rejected the appeal of two Reuters reporters sentenced to seven years in jail on charges of breaking the Official Secrets Act, saying the defense had not provided sufficient evidence to show they were innocent.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2H6IGIw

Don't deal in Venezuelan gold, White House says, in anti-Maduro push

The White House warned traders on Wednesday not to deal in Venezuelan gold or oil following its imposition of stiff sanctions aimed at forcing socialist President Nicolas Maduro from power.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2Sfmksz