VOA: Turkey Steps Up Offensive Against Kurdish Militia in Syria
Turkish forces have intensified an offensive against Kurdish militia targets in northwestern Syria.
The operation is aimed at removing the People’s Protection Units, or YPG, from Afrin. The United States-supported Kurdish group controls the town.
Turkey says it plans to create a 30-kilometer “secure zone” in Afrin to protect Turkish towns from attacks.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said a rocket attack Saturday on the Turkish border town of Kilis demonstrated the need for a secure zone. Two houses and a workplace were hit during the attack. One person was wounded.
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MIDDLE EAST
Syria regime accused of chemical attack in rebel enclave.
Erdogan vows 'no step back' in operation against Kurdish militia in Syria.
UN Security Council refrains from condemning Turkey.
Turkish troops face fierce battles in Syrian Kurdish enclave.
Turkey stifles anti-Syria operation protests after Erdogan warning.
Iraq's Islamists dump religion for upcoming elections.
Iran says warplanes warned off two western vessels during drill.
Rebel fire kills 9, including journalist, in Yemen's Taez.
UAE-backed group vows to 'overthrow' Yemen's government.
Yemen's children face 'worst diphtheria outbreak'.
Gazans call for strike over collapsing economy.
Abbas to ask EU to recognise Palestinian state: minister.
Pence arrives in Israel on visit overshadowed by Trump's Jerusalem declaration.
Pence promises Israeli lawmakers that U.S. embassy will open in Jerusalem next year.
ASIA
Mayon volcano alert in The Philippines is raised again, hazardous eruption believed imminent.
Afghanistan searches for answers to deadly hotel attack.
Taliban attack on Afghan hotel ends after 13 hours, 18 dead. Kabul hotel attack toll at least 22: officials. Taliban militants 'searched for foreigners' in Kabul hotel attack.
China says US forcing it to strengthen presence in South China Sea.
Boom goes bust in Chinese border city as UN sanctions on North Korea bite.
Rohingya leader shot dead as repatriation tensions flare.
UN official: Rohingya camps at risk of deterioration.
Thailand: Three killed in Yala market bombing.
China: Oil slick from Iranian tanker triples in size.
Philippine news site Rappler head Maria Ressa meets investigators over 'suspicious' complaint.
Tokyo holds its first military attack evacuation drill since WWII as tensions rise over North Korea's nuclear programme.
AFRICA
Weah sworn in as Liberian president, vows to end corruption.
Uganda's Museveni regrets halting death penalty.
US wants Africa to shun North Korea.
DRC: Protesters killed in anti-Kabila protests.
Amid 'dramatic deterioration' in DR Congo, UN and partners launch $1.68 billion aid appeal.
Ethiopia to ease tensions with Egypt over Nile dam.
Kenya: Explosive kills 4 more children grazing livestock.
Sudan's press freedom: Concern about confiscations.
EU open to send Zimbabwe vote monitors, wants credible polls.
EUROPE
EU confirms new sanctions on seven senior Venezuela officials.
Trump, US delegation now likely to attend Davos meeting.
‘Of course Putin gets nervous, he is human’ – Press Secretary Peskov.
‘Collapse’ but ‘favorable contact’: Kremlin spokesman talks US relations.
Carles Puigdemont: Fugitive Catalan ex-leader called to form government.
Spain urges ex-Catalan leader's arrest if heads to Denmark. Spain renews arrest bid as Catalonia's Puigdemont travels to Denmark.
Merkel readies for intense German coalition talks after tight SPD vote.
France, Germany to mark Elysee Treaty with resolution to step up cooperation.
Macron admits France would vote to LEAVE EU if country held referendum.
Teens roam streets with rifles as crime swamps Sweden.
AMERICAS
Brazil holds breath for court ruling on Lula's future.
NAFTA's fate uncertain ahead of Montreal round of talks.
U.S. Senate approves funding measure to end shutdown.
US shutdown: Government services closed as working week begins.
Senator says FBI lost crucial texts tied to Clinton probe.
2 IEDs explode at Florida mall, police say.
Four months after Maria, military veterans still on a mission in Puerto Rico.
With 25,339 murders in 2017, Mexico suffers record homicide tally.
Mexico senator quits party to join leftist presidential frontrunner.
Colombian negotiator returning to Ecuador for talks with ELN rebels.
Deadly violence over disputed Honduras election result.
US arrests ex-Guatemalan presidential candidate Manuel Baldizon for graft charge.
Pope apologizes for sex abuse comments, but defends Chile bishop.
Pope ends Latin American trip with warning about political corruption.
Flu outbreak: 100 people a week dying in US as virus continues to spread.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Terror concerns prompt stricter TSA scrutiny of air cargo from five mostly Muslim countries.
Delhi Police say they've captured most-wanted terrorist known as 'India's Bin Laden'
Tunisia kills senior Al-Qaeda member.
Mattis: US national security focus no longer terrorism.
Malaysian arrests 'IS-linked militants planning attacks'.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Stocks hit record as senators reach deal to end shutdown.
Oxfam: Richest one percent banked 82 percent of wealth created in 2017. 'World's richest 1% get 82% of the wealth', says Oxfam.
Contrite Facebook executives seek to ward off more European rules.
Exclusive: U.S. sanctions curb Microsoft sales to hundreds of Russian firms.
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