Polar vortex: Fire used to melt ice on Chicago train tracks

Flames from gas-fed heaters stop snow and ice from clogging up the track at railway intersections.

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2RsdKSK

The GP substitute will see you now

Some 20,000 physios, pharmacists and paramedics are to be recruited to work with under-pressure GPs.

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2RW3OGg

‘Meeting the stranger who saved my life’

Liv Pontin had decided to take her own life, when a train driver stopped her. Now they are reuniting.

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2TsPbqZ

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 - Home https://bbc.in/2Bm9a3B

MPs say fast fashion brands inaction on ethics is shocking

JD Sports, Sports Direct, TK Maxx, Amazon, Boohoo and Missguided must do more, say MPs.

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2HHsiyB

Brexit: How ready is the UK government for no deal?

A think tank report assesses how ready the government is to leave the EU without a deal.

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2BmiJQ3

Brexit: Car investment halves as industry hits 'red alert'

The UK industry's trade body warns of "permanent devastation" if Britain leaves the EU without a deal.

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2BbLdM1

House price growth at near six-year low

The annual rise in house prices "almost ground to a complete halt" in January, the Nationwide says.

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2DJKi77

The Papers: 'May woos Labour MPs with cash'

Thursday's front pages feature stories on Brexit, Facebook, stalkers and a new NHS recruitment plan.

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2RsrFZh

News Daily: Knife crime crackdown, cold weather and fast fashion

Your morning briefing for Thursday 31 January 2019.

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2G9SEGO

It's deadline day - can you handle the pressure?

Nearly two million people are estimated to have left it until the last minute to fill in their tax returns.

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2Gabtd6

'Women are seen as home cooks - not chefs'

Meet the professional chefs changing the way people think about women in the kitchen.

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2RZhkJp

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 - Home https://bbc.in/2Sex5LW

Kate Spade's niece Rachel Brosnahan is the new face of her label

Rachel Brosnahan, star of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, honours her late aunt in the new collection.

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2MFzERJ

How to de-ice your car - and other questions

How should I drive in the snow? Why does salt melt ice? How can I boost my immune system?

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2DJP0lG

Inflatable puffer fish pill 'could track patient's health'

US scientists say it could be used to monitor tumours or ulcers for a month in the stomach.

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2ShkLdJ

Gay dating app Scruff bans underwear photos

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

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

Attacked Empire actor Jussie Smollett 'has tasted brutality of hatred'

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

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

The city with no homeless on its streets

What can UK cities learn from Finland, where the number of rough sleepers has fallen dramatically?

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2TofSwO

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 - Home 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 - Home https://bbc.in/2S04WbU

The unlikely stars bucking the High Street slump

Museum and gallery shops are reporting rising sales and greater interest. What is their recipe for growth?

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2CRvcuO

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 - Home https://bbc.in/2HHJ9kz

On the buses? Where and how often are we travelling?

Councils say they are "desperate" to protect services but funding cuts forced "difficult decisions".

from BBC News - Home https://bbc.in/2Saz4AQ

Purported hackers stole U.S. evidence to discredit Mueller probe: filing - Reuters

1. Purported hackers stole U.S. evidence to discredit Mueller probe: filing  Reuters
2. Non-public materials from special counsel case used in pro-Russian effort to discredit Russia probe  CNN
3. Mueller says Russians are using his discovery materials in disinformation effort  NBC News
4. Michael Cohen Is Ready to Talk Russia to Congress  The Atlantic
5. Pro-Russian Twitter account tried to discredit Mueller probe  CNN
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://reut.rs/2sUrT1k

Don't bring the debt ceiling into border negotiations - Washington Examiner

1. Don't bring the debt ceiling into border negotiations  Washington Examiner
2. Border security talks begin with no sign of compromise to avert a government shutdown  ABC News
3. 'Get this done': McConnell moves to avoid new shutdown  POLITICO
4. Trump’s latest rage tweets give Democrats an opening. Here’s how they’ll respond.  The Washington Post
5. The ‘Ethics’ of Trump’s Border Wall  The New York Times
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://washex.am/2Rsp01M

Kim Davis Must Pay Legal Fees After Same-Sex Marriage Battle, Kentucky Governor Says - HuffPost

1. Kim Davis Must Pay Legal Fees After Same-Sex Marriage Battle, Kentucky Governor Says  HuffPost
2. Al Roker calls Kentucky governor a 'nitwit': Watch  AOL
3. Kentucky Governor Says America’s “Getting Soft” for Canceling School During Polar Vortex  Slate
4. Kentucky Governor: 'We're Getting Soft' For Closing Schools In Subzero Weather  HuffPost
5. Matt Bevin, Kentucky governor, roasts schools for closing over cold weather: 'We're getting soft'  Washington Times
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2t0pORn

2020 Democrats' fuzzy Medicare math — let's spend $32 trillion more! - Washington Examiner

1. 2020 Democrats' fuzzy Medicare math — let's spend $32 trillion more!  Washington Examiner
2. Poll: Kamala Harris gaining among Democratic voters  POLITICO
3. Trump Keeps Quiet on Kamala Harris While Dems Fret Over Her First Campaign Bump  The Daily Beast
4. What the reaction to Kamala Harris' 'Medicare for all' position tells us about the 2020 race  CNN
5. Harris and progressives are pitching Medicare-for-all. They could give us four-more-years.  The Washington Post
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://washex.am/2sVL6Qr

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. Drones To Aid In Wildfire Prevention  MyMotherLode.com
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. Parents of slain St. Louis officer want answers in killing by fellow officer  NBC News
6. View full coverage on Google News

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

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. Bipartisan House group introduces bills to stall Syria, South Korea troop withdrawals | TheHill  The Hill
3. Trump’s Syria Gambit Risks Freeing ISIS Fighters Nobody Wants  Bloomberg
4. Trump can't bully his intelligence agencies into submission  CNN
5. Trump pushes back on intel chiefs: ISIS ‘will soon be destroyed’ | TheHill  The Hill
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

The forthcoming WarnerMedia streaming service will be partially supported by ads - TechCrunch

1. The forthcoming WarnerMedia streaming service will be partially supported by ads  TechCrunch
2. AT&T Sheds Pay-TV Customers, but Wireless Profits Surge  The Wall Street Journal
3. AT&T's wireless growth stung by tablet losses, but Aquaman did great  CNET
4. AT&T Is Testing Investors’ Patience  Bloomberg
5. AT&T’s DirecTV Now is losing the cord cutters  TechCrunch
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://tcrn.ch/2BasErN

China's factory activity shrinks as slowdown worries rise - BBC News

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

from Top stories - Google News https://bbc.in/2sTvT28

Apple busts Facebook for distributing data-sucking app - KSBY San Luis Obispo News

1. Apple busts Facebook for distributing data-sucking app  KSBY San Luis Obispo News
2. A handy list of ways Facebook has tried to sneakily gather data about you  The Next Web
3. Facebook paid users to collect data from their phones  Yahoo Finance
4. Google is disabling its app that lets users earn gift cards in exchange for their data  INSIDER
5. Facebook accused of paying teens to spy on their phones  CBS News
6. View full coverage on Google News

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

Overwatch PTR patch notes include more Armor Changes, a new Map and more - Full Patch Notes - Dexerto.com

1. Overwatch PTR patch notes include more Armor Changes, a new Map and more - Full Patch Notes  Dexerto.com
2. New Overwatch map, Paris, goes live on PTR  Polygon
3. New ‘Overwatch’ Map Drops Players Into Elegant Paris  Variety
4. Overwatch Gets New Paris Map  Kotaku
5. 'Overwatch' heads to Paris in latest map  Engadget
6. View full coverage on Google News

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

Facebook’s VPN app puts spotlight on kids’ consent - TechCrunch

1. Facebook’s VPN app puts spotlight on kids’ consent  TechCrunch
2. Report: Facebook has been paying some teens for permission to track everything they do  BGR
3. Facebook is paying some kids to access their data  Gizchina.com
4. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://tcrn.ch/2MIgxqa

Police have images of people they'd like to question in Jussie Smollett attack - CNN

1. Police have images of people they'd like to question in Jussie Smollett attack  CNN
2. Kevin Hart criticized for telling Jussie Smollett to 'stand strong' after homophobic attack  Yahoo Entertainment
3. More Security for 'Empire' Cast After Jussie Smollett Attack  Inside Edition
4. 'Potential Persons of Interest' Seen on Camera, Sought For Questioning in 'Empire' Star's Alleged Attack: Cops  NBC Chicago
5. Jussie Smollett’s Attack Is A Reminder That All Black Lives Have To Matter  Essence
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://cnn.it/2sYgjm0

'The Masked Singer': Alien, Rabbit, Lion and Unicorn bless us with show's first group performance (exclusive video) - AOL

1. 'The Masked Singer': Alien, Rabbit, Lion and Unicorn bless us with show's first group performance (exclusive video)  AOL
2. Fox’s ‘The Masked Singer’ Reveals Fifth Celebrity Masked Singer: And the Unicorn Is… (Video)  TheWrap
3. Donna Martin graduates: ‘Masked Singer’ Unicorn is ‘90210’ star  Yahoo Entertainment
4. ‘The Masked Singer’ Recap: [Spoiler] Shockingly Revealed As The Unicorn In Week 5  Hollywood Life
5. ‘The Masked Singer’ episode 5 recap: It’s time for ‘Mix and Masks’ as Lion and Unicorn meet Alien and Rabbit [UPDATING LIVE BLOG]  Gold Derby
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News https://aol.it/2CRiZ9s

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

What Royal Police Are Doing to Protect Prince Harry and Meghan Markle After Terror Threats - The Cheat Sheet

1. What Royal Police Are Doing to Protect Prince Harry and Meghan Markle After Terror Threats  The Cheat Sheet
2. See How Meghan Markle Snuck in a Romantic Nod to Prince Harry During Her Solo Outing Today  PEOPLE.com
3. Meghan Markle visits London's National Theatre as new royal patron  Global News
4. Meghan Markle re-wears Aquazzura heels from her engagement announcement to the National Theatre  Evening Standard
5. Meghan Markle's Latest Look May Be Her Most Gorgeous Ever  E! News
6. View full coverage on Google News

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

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. In St. Louis, former fans aren’t just rooting against the Rams — they’re suing them  SB Nation
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

New York Knicks vs. Dallas Mavericks - 1/30/19 NBA Pick, Odds, and Prediction - Sports Chat Place

1. New York Knicks vs. Dallas Mavericks - 1/30/19 NBA Pick, Odds, and Prediction  Sports Chat Place
2. 3 things from the Dallas Mavericks 114-90 thumping of the New York Knicks  Mavs Moneyball
3. Full Game Recap: Mavericks vs Knicks | Dennis Smith Jr. Records 2nd Career Triple-Double  NBA
4. Knicks play like NBA's worst team in ugly loss to Mavericks  New York Post
5. Luka Doncic shines in MSG debut, Dirk gets standing ovation in Mavs' win vs. Knicks | NBA Highlights  ESPN
6. View full coverage on Google News

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

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

Canadian Glacial Melt Uncovers Ancient Landscapes Hidden For 40,000 Years - Tech Times

1. Canadian Glacial Melt Uncovers Ancient Landscapes Hidden For 40,000 Years  Tech Times
2. Baffin Island glacier melt unmasks land covered for 40000 years: study  New York Daily News
3. Melting glaciers reveal land unseen in 40,000 years  WTNH.com
4. Retreating ice exposes arctic landscape unseen for 120,000 years  Fox News
5. Canadian Arctic glacial melt: Landscapes revealed for first time in 40,000 years  CNN
6. View full coverage on Google News

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2Gbp4Rp

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

Tehran bans dog walking in public spaces

The Iranian capital has banned walking pet dogs over public safety concerns.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2WsCP3R

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

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

Saudi Arabia winds down 15-month anti-corruption campaign

Saudi Arabia has ended a sweeping crackdown on corruption ordered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that it said had recovered more than $106 billion through settlements with scores of senior princes, ministers and top businessmen.

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

Tug-of-war: U.S. refiner Citgo caught in Venezuela political upheaval

Citgo Petroleum Corp, the eighth largest U.S. refiner and Venezuela's top foreign asset, is in the middle of a tug-of-war as the Trump administration tries to use the company as leverage to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

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

Citgo expatriate workers in U.S. ordered to return to Venezuela: sources

Venezuela has told dozens of expatriate staff working for Citgo Petroleum Corp in the United States that they must return to Caracas by the end of February, people familiar with the matter said, following U.S. sanctions aimed at forcing socialist President Nicolas Maduro from power.

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

BHP, Rio call for permanent indigenous voice in Australia's parliament

Australia's two biggest mining firms on Thursday backed calls for an indigenous advisory body in parliament, saying Prime Minister Scott Morrison's opposition to the proposal did not "stand up to scrutiny."

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2FVWJz6

Need for speed: Carts on rails help Manila's commuters dodge gridlock

Thousands of commuters flock to Manila's railway tracks every day, but rather than boarding the trains, they climb on to wooden carts pushed along the tracks, to avoid the Philippine capital's infamous traffic gridlock.

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