Trump lasers in on North Korea, immigration in State of the Union

Trump also highlighted his plan to “rebuild our nuclear arsenal” and cited “four pillars” in his immigration reform plan, including one that “protects the nuclear family by ending chain migration.”

SYRIA: A peace conference hosted by Russia in Sochi ended Tuesday with a plan to draft a new Syrian constitution—but no plan to remove President Bashar al-Assad—as part of efforts to end Syria’s nearly seven-year civil war. The United States did not join the talks, which were overshadowed by continued fighting in Afrin, Syria, where Turkish forces pose a direct challenge to U.S.-supported rebels and U.S. forces stationed nearby.

RUSSIA: Alexei Navalny, arrested three days ago but later freed, is emerging as the most tactically astute opponent President Vladimir Putin has faced in 18 years as Russia’s paramount leader.

To live in the coldest city in the world (population: 280,000!) takes serious preparation.

SUDAN: The European Union is trying to pay off countries adding to Europe’s migrant population—and it’s very predictably not working.

EGYPT: Religious freedom remains unsteady despite U.S. Vice President Mike Pence’s state visit and assurances. In 2017, 128 Christians were killed in Egypt and more than 200 others were driven out of their homes.

IRAN: A 31-year-old mother with a 19-month-old baby is emerging as one of the heroes of the latest uprisings, as women defy the Islamic regime by turning their head coverings into flags. Authorities arrested the mother, Vida Movahed, but she was reportedly released on Sunday.

CHINA: Braving Chinese authorities, Wenzhou churches have returned crosses to their church buildings amid ongoing surveillance.

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