Controversial Brexit bill passes Commons vote
The House of Commons passed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s proposed bill in a vote on Monday evening by 340 to 263, with results coming in around 10:30 p.m. local time.
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Trump administration rolls out new ban on Chinese imports made in ‘concentration camp’
The Trump administration moved to block substantially more imports from the Xinjiang region of China, where approximately 1 million Uighur Muslims are forced to manufacture goods in “concentration camps,” according to homeland security officials.
Poisoned Kremlin Critic Navalny Out of Coma; Plans Return to Russia
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was allegedly poisoned, has been removed from a medically induced coma in a German hospital and plans to return to Russia, officials said Monday.
Chinese intelligence hackers target U.S. government network, DHS says
Hackers linked to the Chinese Ministry of State Security are engaged in cyberattacks against U.S. government networks, the Department of Homeland Security said Monday.
Russians Vote In Regional Ballot After Poisoning Scandal
People across Russia were casting ballots in dozens of local elections that are seen as a significant test for the ruling pro-Kremlin United Russia party. The three-day-elections, which ended Sunday, came just weeks after the alleged poisoning of an influential critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Pompeo urges diplomacy in standoff over Mediterranean gas
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday called for a diplomatic solution to the confrontation between Greece and Turkey over energy reserves in east Mediterranean waters, saying ongoing military tensions between two NATO allies only serve the alliance’s foes.
Saudi-led coalition in Yemen launches attack on two targets in Sanaa
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen launched airstrikes early on Saturday on two sites in the capital Sanaa, which is controlled by the Houthi movement, residents and a spokesman for the coalition-backed Yemeni forces told Reuters.
UN: Covid-19 Fuels Humanitarian Crises Worldwide
Top U.N. officials warned Wednesday that the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated discrimination and other human rights violations that can fuel conflict, and its indirect consequences are dwarfing the impact of the virus itself in the world’s most fragile countries.
Huge Fire Erupts Again In Devastated Beirut
A massive fire erupted at the Beirut port on Thursday, just weeks after a massive blast at the same site devastated the Lebanese capital.
Cyberattacks from China, Iran, Russia target U.S. presidential election
Microsoft said Thursday it’s detected an increase in cyberattacks related to the November presidential election coming from China, Iran and Russia.
EU, U.K. in urgent meeting on lawbreaking British Brexit plan
Top European Union and British officials were holding an emergency meeting in London on Thursday over Britain’s plan to break part of the Brexit divorce agreement, a move the EU says would demolish any goodwill to reach a trade agreement.
Russia, China, Iran to hold massive joint military exercise
China, Russia, Iran and a handful of other nations will hold massive joint military drills later this month in what Beijing dubs a “comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in a new era.”
China’s Army is increasing military coercion and provocations in Asia
A National Defense University expert on China told a congressional hearing Wednesday that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is increasing its level of military coercion in Asia as part of a strategy to extend China’s power and influence across the region, the Washington Times reports.
Donald Trump Iraq, Afghanistan troop drawdown fulfills promise, fuels criticism
President Trump checked off a key campaign promise Wednesday with a major drawdown of U.S. troops in Iraq and an even greater reduction in Afghanistan coming soon, but skeptics say the moves reflect U.S. political imperatives and not the chaos and violence both countries are likely to face down the road.
U.S., Oman discuss ways to strengthen security, boost economic ties
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday spoke with Oman’s leader, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, about ways to enhance regional security and strengthen economic ties between the two countries, the White House said in a statement.
Iran and Turkey forming “strong foundation” for “cooperation”
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are working toward forming a “strong foundation” for future, high level “cooperation,” the leaders’ respective national media have reported. The Turkish and Iranian media reports followed a video conference the two leaders held on Tuesday, the Jerusalem Post said.
CENTCOM: US Will Cut Troop Levels in Afghanistan to 4,500
The U.S. military is reducing troops in Afghanistan from 8,600 to about 4,500 by early November, the head of U.S Central Command said Wednesday, hours after he announced the withdrawal of more service members from Iraq this month.
Iran building new centrifuge production site, state TV says
Iran said Tuesday it is building a sophisticated new building near its underground Natanz nuclear site, state TV reported.
Sudan floods: Nile water level threatens ancient pyramids
The authorities in Sudan are trying to protect the country’s ancient pyramids from flooding as heavy rains have caused the nearby River Nile to reach record-breaking levels.
Trump to announce drawdown of troops from Iraq, Afghanistan
President Trump will announce a further drawdown of U.S. troops from Iraq on Wednesday, and a withdrawal of more troops from Afghanistan in the coming days, a senior administration official said Tuesday night.