WORLD

Washington, United States | AFP | The US military has started moving non-essential equipment out of Syria but it is not withdrawing troops for now, a defense official said Friday as the Pentagon sought to clarify an earlier statement. “We are not withdrawing troops at this stage,” the official said …

Los Angeles, United States | AFP | SpaceX on Friday blasted off a payload of global communications satellites for Iridium, marking the first launch of 2019 for the California-based company headed by Elon Musk. “Three, two, one, ignition, liftoff of Falcon 9,” Iridium CEO Matt Desch said on a live …

Wadi al-Kharrar, Jordan | AFP | Hundreds of Catholic worshippers attended a special mass Friday on the banks of the Jordan River in an annual pilgrimage to the site where many believe Jesus was baptised. Before the ceremony started on the Jordanian side of the river, dozens of priests filled …

Shanghai, China | AFP | At least 145 children were administered expired polio vaccines in eastern China, state media reported, despite the government promising to prevent such lapses in the industry following a major scandal last year. Thirteen county-level health officials in Jiangsu province have been dismissed since the case …

Paris, France | AFP | French officials said Friday they expect this weekend’s “yellow vest” demonstrations to be bigger and more violent than a week ago, as the protest movement which had shown signs of fatigue gains fresh impetus. National police chief Eric Morvan told France Inter radio he expected …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City star Raheem Sterling sent a letter to a 13-year-old goalkeeper after hearing he had been racially abused advising him to “stand tall and be proud of who you are”. Sterling himself was the subject of alleged racist abuse from Chelsea fans in a Premier League match in …

Berlin, Germany | AFP | Bayern Munich said Friday they will appeal the two-match Champions League suspension handed to Thomas Mueller which means the Germany international will miss both legs of their last-16 tie against Liverpool. European football’s governing body UEFA handed Mueller a two-match ban on Friday following his sending-off in the 3-3 draw …

Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Las Vegas police have asked football star Cristiano Ronaldo to submit a DNA sample as part of their investigation into rape allegations made against him. The five-time world player of the year — who plays for Italian league champions Juventus — has vehemently denied the accusations, and his …

Beirut, Lebanon | AFP | The Idlib area in northern Syria is now fully ruled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a jihadist organisation dominated by members of Al-Qaeda’s former affiliate. Some of the other factions in the region are already allies, the others will either have to leave to other areas or be absorbed into …

Washington, United States | AFP | Federal Bureau of Investigation agents warned Thursday that the ongoing partial shutdown of the government is threatening their ability to investigate crimes and maintain staffing. “Special Agents remain at work for the American people without being paid, and FBI leadership is doing all it …