2019-10-17

USA

For Trump, it was some kind of Day 1,000 on the job

First Read is your briefing from "Meet the Press" and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.

17/10/2019

Syria

Turkey's Syria incursion: Can Ankara force NATO to provide assistance?

Western countries have widely condemned Ankara for its military operation in northeast Syria, but Luxembourg's top diplomat said they could be dragged into the conflict should Turkey, a NATO member state, trigger the body's defensive clause.

17/10/2019

United Kingdom

UK PM must ask for Brexit extension after MPs vote for approval delay

It was billed as a decisive day for Brexit, but MPs have voted to delay the approval of Boris Johnson's new deal.

17/10/2019

Germany

Former Nazi concentration camp guard, 93, goes on trial in Hamburg

Bruno D. was 17 years old when he served as a guard at the Stutthof concentration camp, in northern Poland. Now, he is on trial for aiding and abetting 5,230 cases of murder.

17/10/2019

France

Watch: Mysterious 'blob' goes on show at Paris zoo

The blob doesn't have a brain but can solve problems, and has no mouth but can eat food. It heals itself in two minutes, moves 4cm per hour without limbs and has 720 sex organs.

17/10/2019

Green News

Which country has just made plastic-stemmed cotton buds illegal?

The British nation leading the way with a new law banning single-use cotton buds.

17/10/2019

Hungary

Orban says would have to 'use force' if Turkey 'opens gates' to Europe

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Thursday he might have to "use force" if Turkey opens their gates to Europe to refugees.

17/10/2019

No Comment

Climate protesters clash with commuters in London

Extinction Rebellion climate protesters climbed on top of a train in east London during rush hour on Thursday, drawing the ire of commuters.

17/10/2019

USA

Democratic senator says tech companies should offer 'privacy-friendly' versions

The bill from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., would allow tech companies to charge a reasonable fee for the versions without tracking, and the fee would be waived for people with low incomes.

17/10/2019

USA

Climate change protesters spark fight, arrests on London transit

At one station, commuters threw drinks at a protester who was walking on top of a train before pulling him off and launching into a fight.

17/10/2019

USA

Pence set to make ceasefire case to Erdogan, after release of 'tough guy' letter

The diplomatic overture is set to take place just hours after President Donald Trump described the Kurdish forces fighting Turkish troops as "no angels."

17/10/2019

USA

U.S., Turkey agree to cease-fire to allow Kurdish forces to retreat

The diplomatic overture took place just hours after President Donald Trump described the Kurdish forces fighting Turkish troops as "no angels."

17/10/2019

Spain

Catalan leader Quim Torra says there must be a new independence vote

Catalan leader Quim Torra wants a new vote on Catalan independence.

17/10/2019

USA

U.K., E.U. agree to new divorce deal in key Brexit breakthrough

The deal must still be agreed to by European leaders and lawmakers in the British Parliament.

17/10/2019

Belgium

Watch: Brexit deal agreed but Boris Johnson now faces battle back home

London and Brussels have agreed on a Brexit deal... but it still has to get the backing of British MPs and the European Parliament.

17/10/2019

United Kingdom

Euroviews. Like many European Jews living under threat, I am forced to conceal my Jewish heritage ǀ View

Anti-Semitism in Europe didn't end in 1945. Last week’s attack on a synagogue in the German city of Halle is a painful reminder that across Europe, anti-Semitism is alive and well.

17/10/2019

USA

Rep. Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat and House Oversight Chairman, dies at 68

Cummings passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital aged 68.

17/10/2019

World News

Largest ever online child porn bust leads to 337 arrests worldwide

The arrests were made in 38 countries, including the UK, Ireland, Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic.

17/10/2019

Europe News

Here are the five key takeaways from the latest EU summit

Brexit, budget, climate, enlargement, Turkey's military incursion in Syria — what the EU leaders decide on the key issues?

17/10/2019

USA

Egypt says archaeologists uncovered 20 ancient coffins

Egypt's government described it as one of the "biggest and most important" discoveries in recent years.

17/10/2019

USA

Opposition protests suspend Hong Kong assembly session

Pro-democracy lawmakers shouted and waved placards depicting Lam with bloodied hands, prompting their removal by guards and the suspension of proceedings.

17/10/2019

USA

Visitors from deep space are buzzing our solar system. The race is on to explore them.

Interstellar objects such as 'Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov may be raining alien life down on us.

17/10/2019

USA

A secret recording reveals GOP fears that Texas state House could turn blue

Should Democrats flip the lower chamber, they'll play a role in redrawing the state's congressional and legislative maps.

17/10/2019

Bulgaria

Bulgarian police arrest six over Euro 2020 qualifier racist chants

The authorities added that they are trying to identify more suspects over the abuse hurled at England players during Monday's match in Sofia.

17/10/2019

World

French foreign minister travels to Iraq to discuss IS fighters

He will spearhead talks on behalf of European governments who are hoping Baghdad can oversee trials of captured fighters.

17/10/2019

World News

What we've learnt from the European Union's 2019 Gender Equality Index

"The EU continues its snail’s pace when it comes to gender equality progress", report says

17/10/2019

China

Euroviews. Hong Kong protesters are angry. And mainlanders like me are paying the price ǀ View

Hong Kong wants its freedom, and I understand this goal. But I hope protesters do not mimic the behavior of the people they are fighting against.

17/10/2019

USA

Sondland asked Ukrainians during private White House talk about gas firm linked to Hunter Biden

Sondland's meeting with Ukrainian officials just steps from the White House Situation Room came minutes after a larger meeting that included John Bolton.

17/10/2019