Iran points to foreign conspiracy of Israel, US, Saudis behind fuel protests
Members of Iran’s Basij militia made interesting claims in the wake of nationwide protests against fuel hikes over the weekend.
World Headlines
U.S. warships sail in disputed South China Sea amid tensions
U.S. Navy warships, on two occasions in the past few days, have sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea, the U.S. military told Reuters on Thursday, at a time of tension between the world’s two largest economies.
Raskin, international observers call for end to blasphemy legislation across globe
On Thursday on Capitol Hill, a lawmaker and international observers called for an end to blasphemy laws and other measures that direct religious thought.
White House holding up $100M in Lebanon aid, official confirms
The United States is withholding security assistance to Lebanon to the tune of over $100 million, leaving lawmakers and policymakers in the dark, a senior State Department official confirmed on Tuesday.
ISIS rebuilds in Syria after Turkish incursion and U.S. drawdown, Pentagon watchdog says
The Islamic State militant group used the drawdown of U.S. troops from Syria and the Turkish incursion to regroup and strengthen its abilities to plan terror attacks abroad — and will likely rebound from the death of leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a new internal report from the Defense Department’s watchdog says.
US Aircraft Carrier Strike Group Sails Through Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. aircraft carrier strike group Abraham Lincoln sailed through the vital Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, U.S. officials told Reuters, amid simmering tensions between Iran and the United States.
Russia, Turkey reject US reversal of settlements stance
Russia and Turkey have rejected the United States declaration that it will no longer regard Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories as illegal.
Iran Blocks Internet for 3rd Day as Death Toll From Protests Rises to Eight
Authorities in Iran have blocked internet service for a third day as part of a crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests in which at least eight people have been killed since the unrest began Friday.
US cancels Iran nuclear cooperation waiver after Fordo restart
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that he is canceling one of four sanctions waivers that had allowed foreign companies to work with Iran’s civilian nuclear program without US penalties. Pompeo also warned Iran’s leadership not to crack down on protests that recent fuel price increases have sparked.
Thousands Protest in Lebanon as Politicians Trade Barbs
Lebanon slipped deeper into a political crisis Sunday as politicians struggled to form a government.
Hong Kong campus protesters fire arrows as anti-government unrest spreads
Hong Kong protesters shot arrows and hurled petrol bombs from a barricaded university on Sunday at police who fired tear gas and water cannon in some of the worst violence in the Chinese-ruled city since anti-government unrest erupted five months ago.
Venice: Third exceptional flood makes week worst on record
Record flood water levels in Venice hit again on Sunday making this the worst week of flooding in the city in over 50 years.
Ex-IAEA Official: Iran’s Apparent Explanation for Uranium at Tehran Site is Dubious
A former IAEA official says diplomats working with the U.N. nuclear agency do not believe Iran’s apparent explanation for the presence of manmade uranium particles at a site in southern Tehran.
China, Russia declare strategic alliance for ‘new era’
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin expressed solidarity during the BRICS Summit in Brazil this week, resuming a policy of closer cooperation marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
BRICS back Paris agreement, oppose Syria military solution
Members of the BRICS group of nations said Thursday that they are committed to implementing the Paris climate agreement and there cannot be a military solution to Syria’s conflict.
Uighur researchers say China running more camps than known
Uighur activists said Tuesday they have documented nearly 500 camps and prisons run by China to detain members of the ethnic group, alleging that Beijing could be holding far more than the commonly cited figure of one million people.
‘Insect apocalypse’ poses risk to all life on Earth, conservationists warn
The ‘unnoticed insect apocalypse’ should set alarm bells ringing, according to conservationists, who said that without a halt there will be profound consequences for humans and all life on Earth.
Erdogan claims he will protect Christians in the Middle East
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed he will work to protect religious minorities in the Middle East, despite past persecution of Christians in the region.
Poll Gives UK PM Johnson’s Conservatives 10-point Lead in Election
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservatives have a healthy 10-point lead ahead of an election on Dec. 12, a poll by Savanta ComRes showed on Wednesday, extending their advantage over Labour after the Brexit Party stood down candidates.
Chile Enters 26th Day of Protest with Strike, Huge Marches
Protests against social inequality continued for a 26th day with huge demonstrations across Chile and a national strike that brought much of the country to a standstill Tuesday, while the value of the national currency fell to a record low.