ON TREND

By CONCEPCIÓN DE LEÓN from NYT Books https://ift.tt/39skRVy

Protesters angry about U.S. air strikes on Iraq hurled stones and torched a security post at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, setting off a confrontation with guards and prompting the United States to send additional troops to the Middle East. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2FaL1hW

Australian authorities on Wednesday confirmed a third person had died in devastating bushfires that engulfed the southeast coastal region this week and said a fourth person was missing and feared dead. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2QDV8Rl

North Korea's leader plans to further develop nuclear programs and to introduce a "new strategic weapon" in the near future, state media said on Wednesday, but he left room for dialogue with the United States after it ignored a year-end deadline he had set for talks. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2QcyMrm

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had signed a contract about denuclearization and that he thought the North Korean leader was a "man of his word." from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/37kC29I

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday the island would not accept a "one country, two systems" political formula Beijing has suggested could be used to unify the democratic island, saying such an arrangement had failed in Hong Kong. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/35aasKR

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he does not want, or foresee, war with Iran, after he earlier threatened to retaliate against the country following violent protests led by Iranian-backed militias at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2SJqI2Q

Kim Jong-un says his country is developing a new 'strategic weapon', but leaves room for US talks. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2ssI5uj

Tens of thousands of Hong Kong protesters are expected to join a New Year's Day march on Wednesday as anti-government demonstrations that have embroiled the Chinese-ruled city for over half a year spill into 2020. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2QEA3qh

Australian authorities on Wednesday confirmed a third person had died in devastating bushfires that engulfed the southeast coastal region this week and said a fourth person was missing and feared dead. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/39qs8oW

While lots of people are celebrating the start of 2020, it's a different year altogether for some. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2FcfLPi

Said Jammal has spent 20 years building the family's unusual home in the Nigerian capital Abuja. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/36qn6qo

We tend to copy the way our friends and family behave, potentially leading us to put on weight or even divorce. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2MIDkDu

An increasing number of older people are turning to dating apps for mature people, in a quest for love. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/36dW9q9

Four millennials on being the first black person some people meet, and other issues for black tourists. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/37uoJnn

LGBT activists are mounting legal battles against the Caribbean's colonial-era homophobic laws. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2sBFJcu

Australia's fires have killed at least three in recent days and left hundreds homeless or displaced. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/39DEnia

The world celebrated the New Year on Wednesday with fireworks displays from Sydney to London, although celebrations were clouded by deadly wildfires in Australia, protests in Hong Kong and India and new nuclear tensions with North Korea. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2QABwOb

Australian authorities on Wednesday confirmed a third death in devastating bushfires that engulfed the country's southeast coastal region this week and said a fourth person was missing and feared dead. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2tlCsOk

Protesters angry about U.S. air strikes on Iraq hurled stones and torched a security post at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, setting off a confrontation with guards and prompting the United States to send additional troops to the Middle East. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2tiBsKX

The United States is immediately deploying about 750 soldiers to the Middle East in response to the violent protests at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2Qe9dWQ

Iran denied it was behind violent protests at the U.S. embassy in Iraq on Tuesday and warned against any retaliation, after President Donald Trump blamed Tehran for an attack on the mission and said it would be held responsible. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2MIeILq