News brief: Big stories of the day

'US can't be world's policeman': Trump defends Syria pullout in surprise visit to Iraq

President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria and said that his country cannot be the world's policeman in a surprise visit to troops deployed in Iraq.

US delegation to travel to China early in January for trade talks

A US trade team will travel to Beijing the week of January 7 to hold talks with Chinese officials, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter.

UAE media releases images of princess Latifa after reports of forcible return

United Arab Emirates media on Wednesday released images of Princess Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed al-Maktoum, following reports in international media that she was forcibly returned after fleeing the Gulf Arab state.

US expands medical checks after Guatemala boy dies; mother 'in despair'

Migrant children will receive more thorough medical checks after an 8-year-old Guatemalan boy died in US custody this week, the US government said on Wednesday, and his mother expressed grief and despair over his death.

Israeli parliament formally sets April 9 election date in dissolution vote

Israel's parliament voted to dissolve itself on Wednesday, formally setting April 9 as the date for an election widely seen as a bid by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to weather potential corruption charges.