Saudi Arabia says it disbanded terror cell trained by Iran
Saudi Arabia on Monday said it broke up a terrorist cell that had received training from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, arresting 10 people and seizing weapons and explosives.
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Belarus Admits Detaining Hundreds After Massive Rallies
Authorities in Belarus have admitted detaining hundreds of people in a weekend of massive protests against authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko across the country.
U.S. bracing for Chinese takeover of region amid military buildup
China’s recent takeover of Hong Kong is raising fears Taiwan is the next target in Beijing’s aggressive push for regional control, said White House National Security Adviser Robert C. O’Brien.
China is building more secret detention centers in Xinjiang, think tank says
China’s network of detention centers in Xinjiang, where Muslim minorities are allegedly being subjected to acts of repression, appears to be expanding — and a greater number of the facilities are resembling prisons, an Australian think tank says.
At UN, Africa urges fiscal help against virus ‘apocalypse’
African nations came out swinging on the third day of the United Nations annual gathering of world leaders Thursday, calling for dramatic fiscal measures to help economies survive the coronavirus pandemic — which one leader called the “fifth horseman of the apocalypse.”
Seismic Change Grips Iran As Population Turns More Secular, Less Religious
A first-of-its-kind survey reveals significant shifts in Iranians’ attitudes toward religious beliefs and their authoritarian government.
Two Injured, Several Arrested in Paris Terrorist Attack
Two people were stabbed and seriously injured in a suspected terrorist attack in Paris outside the former offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, French authorities said Friday.
Pompeo: China using nuclear weapons program aid to seduce US allies in Middle East
China is using the prospect of access to technology related to a nuclear weapons program to lure American allies into Beijing’s geopolitical orbit, U.S. officials and lawmakers fear.
EU Condemns Belarus President’s Inauguration Amid Violence
The European Union said Thursday it doesn’t recognize Alexander Lukashenko as the President of Belarus after being sworn in for a sixth term during a secret ceremony.
Pompeo warns Chinese Communist Party’s spy efforts ‘increasing’ in U.S. at state, local levels
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the Chinese Communist Party is engaged in a years-long effort to infiltrate state and local governments across the U.S. as part of its ongoing espionage effort that continues to intensify.
Russia, China, Iran, and Others Begin Joint Military Drills in Southern Russia
Russia and China this week kicked off a large-scale military exercise in southern Russia along with troops from several other countries – including Iran – at a time when all three countries’ relations with the United States are chilly.
US hopes to agree sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to UAE by December 2020
Reuters has learned that the US and the United Arab Emirates hope to have a letter of agreement on the sale of American of F-35 stealth fighter jets to the Arab state in time for UAE National Day on December 2. A close ally of America, the UAE has long been interested in purchasing the jets and was promised it would be able to do so upon normalizing relations with Israel.
At UN, Rouhani says next US leader will ‘surrender to the resilience of Iran’
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani vowed Tuesday that the next US leader must accept Tehran’s demands, ruling out compromise as Donald Trump vies for reelection.
Erdogan breaks with Trump over Israel deals and Iran
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of abusing the Palestinian people and lashed President Trump and Persian Gulf nations as “collaborators” during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday.
Trump to UNGA: ‘We intend to deliver more peace agreements shortly’
US President, Donald Trump voiced optimism that more peace agreements to normalize ties between Israel and Arab countries are possible when he addressed the opening session of the 75th UN General Assembly. As the General Debate is taking place mostly virtually this year due to COVID-19, Trump delivered his speech from the White House.
Pompeo threatens China with sanctions over Iran arms deals
President Trump will impose sanctions on China if Beijing authorizes arms sales to Iran following his move to dismantle the 2015 nuclear deal and renew international sanctions on Tehran.
US to deploy small number of additional troops to Syria
The US is sending around 100 extra troops to Syria to protect against increasing Russian aggression and signs of renewed activity from ISIS in the region, the New York Times (NYT) reported Friday. The newly deployed soldiers will be added to a contingent of some 500 American troops in Syria. Additional military hardware will also be sent and there will be more fighter jet patrols.
U.S. Imposes New Sanctions On Iran Defense, Atomic Industries
The United States has imposed sanctions on more than two dozen people and entities involved in Iran’s atomic activities or its missile and conventional weapons programs, as Washington unilaterally seeks to enforce a UN arms embargo against the Middle East country.
‘Russian President’s Friend Laundering Millions Through Bank’
Leaked documents suggest that one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest friends used a prominent British bank to launder millions of dollars and evade Western sanctions. Separately the company of U.S. President Donald Trump allegedly benefited from laundered money, but officials denied those charges.
US cracks down on Chinese companies which use Muslim Uighur slave labor
The Trump administration announced Monday that its sanctions on Chinese companies which use Muslim Uighur slave labor could affect up to $250 million worth of goods that come from the Xinjiang region of China, the Western Journal reports.