Iran Threatens To Resume High-Level Uranium Enrichment Amid U.S. Sanctions
Iranian President Hassan Rohani has said Tehran will resume high-level enrichment of uranium if world powers do not protect its interests against U.S. sanctions.
World Headlines
Pompeo Makes Unexpected Trip To Iraq, Warns Of ‘Escalating’ Iranian Activity
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unannounced visit to Baghdad, where he met with Iraqi officials to discuss the United States’ security concerns amid what he called ‘escalating’ Iranian activity.
Russia-Backed Assad Forces Pummel Syria’s Idlib
Syrian and Russian warplanes have been escalating airstrikes on the last remaining rebel redoubt in northern Syria. The air raids are as much a message to Turkey as to die-hard rebels and jihadists in the province of Idlib, say analysts.
Pence to offer ‘carrots’ to Venezuela military, warnings to judges
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is set on Tuesday to offer new incentives to Venezuela’s military to turn against President Nicolas Maduro, responding to an attempted uprising that fizzled out last week, a senior administration official told Reuters.
Turkey says it will not bow to U.S. sanctions over S-400 deal
Turkey will never bow to U.S. sanctions over its agreement to purchase Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile defense systems, Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Sunday regarding a deal that has strained ties between the NATO allies.
US warns China, Russia against aggression in Arctic region
The Trump administration warned China and Russia on Monday that the U.S. won’t stand for aggressive moves in the Arctic region, which is rapidly opening up to development and commerce as temperatures warm and sea ice melts.
EU and Britain condemn U.S. oil and nuclear sanctions on Iran
The United States’ allies in Europe have criticized its recent decisions to restrict oil trade with Iran and to limit the extension of waivers for nuclear non-proliferation projects.
Iran to keep enriching uranium despite U.S. move: parliament speaker
Iran will continue with low-level uranium enrichment in line with its nuclear deal with world powers, Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani was quoted as saying on Saturday, despite a U.S. move to stop it.
Brexit deal could be done in ‘next few days’, top Conservative says
Prime Minister Theresa May could reach a Brexit deal with the opposition Labour Party within days, a leading Conservative Party figure said on Saturday, after senior ministers urged compromise following poor local election results.
Trump’s NAFTA replacement hits snag in Congress
President Donald Trump’s trade deal with Canada and Mexico have hit roadblocks in Congress, with a key Republican calling for an end to tariffs on the countries while the Democrats demanded stronger worker protection language.
‘I See a Bad Future Ahead’: Bloodshed in Venezuela as Maduro’s Forces Open Fire to Stop the Uprising
Tensions are still high in Venezuela after violent protests turned deadly this week. A Venezuelan human rights group claims four people died in street clashes this week after the opposition leader Juan Guaido called for a military uprising.
Pentagon says China plans to build military bases around the world to protect Belt & Road project
The US Defense Department expects China to add military bases around the world to protect its investments in its ambitious One Belt One Road global infrastructure program, according to an official report released Thursday.
Putin Signs ‘Sovereign Internet’ Law, Expanding Government Control of Internet
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a new measure that aims to expand government control over the Internet.
U.S., Taliban resume talks as Afghan govt seeks role in peace process
American and Taliban officials resumed talks in Qatar to end a 17-year war in Afghanistan on Wednesday while the Afghan government hosted a rare assembly in Kabul to ensure its interests are upheld in any peace deal.
US Urges Russia to End ‘Escalation’ in Syria’s Idlib
The United States on Tuesday urged Russia to abide by its commitments and end an ‘escalation’ in Syria’s northwestern Idlib region after a monitor said air strikes killed 10 civilians.
Iranian Foreign Minister Set to Meet with North Korean Leaders ‘Soon’
Iran’s foreign minister Mohammed Javad Zarif is planning to meet with North Korean leaders ‘soon,’ according to the Islamic Republic’s state-run IRNA television.
China, U.S. start latest trade talks after ‘nice’ working dinner
China and the United States began their latest talks in Beijing on Wednesday aimed at ending a bitter trade war, after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he had a ‘nice’ working dinner the night before with China Vice Premier Liu He.
Global military spending at new post-Cold War high, fueled by US, China
Global military expenditure reached its highest level last year since the end of the Cold War, fueled by increased spending in the United States and China, the world’s two biggest economies, a leading defence think-tank said on Monday.
Russian Missiles in Venezuela Heighten US Tensions
Russian military personnel flying into Venezuela in recent weeks were likely sent to ensure the nation’s sophisticated S-300 surface-to-air missiles remain a credible deterrent to any U.S. military action against the government of socialist President Nicolas Maduro, according to defense analysts in Latin America, the U.S. and Russia.
Iranian general: We won’t talk to US under pressure of sanctions
The new head of Iran’s hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps on Monday said the country wouldn’t negotiate with the United States while it maintains economic sanctions on his country.