Reuters: Senate rebukes Trump, advances measure on Syria troops
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a rebuke of President Donald Trump, the Republican-led U.S. Senate advanced largely symbolic legislation on Thursday opposing plans for any abrupt withdrawal of troops from Syria and Afghanistan.
The Senate voted 68-23 in favor of a non-binding amendment, drafted by Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell saying it was the sense of the Senate that Islamic militant groups in both countries continue to pose a “serious threat” to the United States.
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MIDDLE EAST
Lebanon factions form government, ending nine-month deadlock.
Bipartisan US senators press Trump for strategy to protect Syrian Kurds.
US wants three allies to help protect Kurds from Turkey - Report.
US lawmakers renew fight with Trump over Saudi Arabia, Yemen.
Six Arab foreign ministers meet in Jordan 'to align policy'.
Saudi Arabia: Corruption crackdown 'ends with $106bn recovered'. Saudi Arabia ends major anti-corruption campaign.
Netanyahu challenger leaps in polls after maiden speech.
Iran welcomes new EU trade entity as 'first step'.
Iran to mark 40th anniversary of revolution.
Israel's giant offshore gas field gets platform jacket.
ASIA
Xi’s tough talk on Taiwan backfires, as Tsai support surges.
Trump plans to meet Xi after US-China talks end with no deal.
Pompeo says team heading to Asia for 2nd Trump-Kim summit.
Trump to say when, where he’ll hold 2nd North Korean summit.
Afghan forces lose ground as peace efforts continue: Report. Report: Afghan forces still shrinking, security gaps growing.
Myanmar rebel groups consider alliance against government.
Getting warmer: Mike Pompeo says a Kim summit is on the books for late February - and it will take place somewhere in Asia.
A map showing Taiwan and China as separate countries rattled some nerves from behind China's Great Firewall.
China's factory activity shrinks as slowdown worries rise.
India unemployment rate highest in 45 years: Report.
437 Bangkok schools closed due to smog.
AFRICA
Zimbabwe’s teachers unions to strike next week over pay.
Sudan police fire tear gas as protesters launch new rallies.
Sudan's Omar al-Bashir mocks 'Facebook protesters'.
Sudan's army says it will 'not allow state to fall' amid protests.
'Raped by soldiers': Zimbabwean women live in fear.
UN sets course towards easing CAR arms embargo.
Detained Cameroon opposition head accused of rebellion.
Algeria PM's party backs Bouteflika for fifth term.
Death toll at 52 after migrant boats sink off Djibouti.
EUROPE
U.S. to announce suspension of compliance with nuclear pact: officials.
Russia says 'no progress' on nuclear treaty ahead of deadline.
Italy slides into recession as eurozone struggles. Italy in recession amid sluggish eurozone.
INSTEX: Europe sets up transactions channel with Iran. UK, France and Germany create payments system to trade with Iran.
EU parliament recognises Venezuela's Guaido as interim president.
French MPs condemn 'authoritarian' plans to curtail gilets jaunes protests.
'Trauma packs' being stockpiled in UK over fears of no-deal Brexit.
AMERICAS
Trump, Pelosi stances on wall suggest deal will be difficult.
Pelosi: No wall money in U.S. border deal talks.
Trump: More troops going to border but wall would be 'much easier'.
Trump: China trade talks going well, will meet Xi in near future.
Venezuelans take to streets in walkout to push Maduro out.
Venezuela's Guaidó urging west to keep up pressure, says Hunt.
Venezuela crisis: Juan Guaidó says family has been threatened.
Venezuela detains foreign journalists amid crackdown on protests.
Canada withdraws half of its embassy staff from Cuba after another mystery illness.
Polar vortex claims eight lives as US cold snap continues.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
US military says airstrike kills 24 al-Shabab extremists in central Somalia.
In former IS bastion, displaced Syrians clamour to go home.
The story of a US raid on al-Qaeda in Yemen.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
S&P 500 index delivers biggest monthly gain since 2015.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin upbeat after first day of US-China trade war talks in Washington.
US, China lead race for artificial intelligence patents: UN.
Oil prices extend rise as OPEC cuts tighten supply.