SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 9: Facebook Inc said on Thursday it was making some changes to its approach to political ads, including allowing users to turn off certain ad-targeting tools, but the updates stop far short of critics’ demands and what rival companies have pledged to do.

SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI, Jan 9: Foreign diplomats visited India-ruled Kashmir on Thursday for the first time since New Delhi stripped the region of special status in August, although some European nations and others declined the invite after being refused permission to travel independently.

LONDON, Jan 9: Britain’s royal family was hurt and disappointed by the shock announcement by Prince Harry and his wife Meghan that they will step back from their senior roles and spend more time in North America, a royal source said.

MEXICO CITY, Jan 9: A Mexican asylum-seeker slit his own throat on a bridge across the Rio Grande after being denied entry into the United States, two Mexican security officials said on Wednesday.

MERIMBULA/SYDNEY, Jan 9: Australian authorities urged another mass evacuation across the country’s heavily populated southeast on Thursday as a return of hot weather fanned huge bushfires threatening several towns and communities.

Analysis: Trump changes terms of 2020 race with Iran turmoil

Published On: January 9, 2020 12:23 PM NPT By: Reuters

NEW YORK, Jan 9: The election was always going to be about Donald Trump. But over the span of a few days, the yearslong focus on the Republican president’s performance on the economy, health care and immigration has been overtaken by an urgent debate over foreign policy and war.

Iran investigation says Ukrainian jet was on fire before crash

Published On: January 9, 2020 12:15 PM NPT By: Reuters

DUBAI, Jan 9: A Ukrainian airliner was on fire immediately before it crashed southwest of Tehran, killing all 176 on board, according to an initial report by Iranian investigators.

TAIPEI, Jan 9:  Allegations in Australian media about China’s efforts to interfere in Taiwan’s elections roiled the island on Thursday, after new reporting said a self-professed Chinese spy described a smear campaign against Taiwan’s ruling party.

Harry and Meghan step back from senior roles in surprise move

Published On: January 9, 2020 11:31 AM NPT By: Reuters

LONDON, Jan 9: Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will step back from senior roles in Britain’s royal family and spend more time in North America, they said on Wednesday, an announcement that appears to have taken his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, by surprise.

Trump says U.S. does not have to use military against Iran

Published On: January 9, 2020 12:20 AM NPT By: Reuters

WASHINGTON, Jan 9: President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States did not necessarily have to use its military power against Iran, in an apparent attempt to defuse a crisis over the American killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani.