DOJ Arrests Former CIA Officer for Chinese Espionage
The Department of Justice on Monday announced the arrest of a former CIA officer on charges of leaking sensitive information to Chinese intelligence officials.
World News
US, Russia still at odds over new nuclear arms treaty
United States and Russia concluded two days of arms control talks Tuesday with the two sides still at odds over the US demand to include China in any new treaty, but showing signs of a possible willingness to extend the existing New START deal, which expires next year.
Japan’s economy suffers sharpest contraction since 2008 financial crisis
Japan’s economy has suffered its strongest contraction, shrinking an annualized 27.8% in April-June amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuters reported Monday. This was steeper than the worse decline suffered in the 2008 financial crisis.
Belarus TV Joins Strike As Unrest Spreads
The Belarusian state-run television staff has joined strikes and spreading protests against long-time authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko. The unrest erupted in earnest following the August 9 disputed re-election of the president for a sixth term.
US troops attacked in eastern Syria, officials say
U.S. forces stationed in eastern Syria were attacked Monday morning, officials said, reporting no casualties.
Belarus Leader Warns: Russia Provides ‘Security’ As Protests Grow
Thousands of demonstrators in Belarus have retaken to the streets to demand that the nation’s authoritarian leader resigns after a presidential vote they claimed was rigged. In response, President Alexander Lukashenko declared that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had agreed to provide security assistance to restore order if Belarus requested.
Iran, EU Reject U.S. Plan To Trigger ‘Snapback’ Of Sanctions
Iran and the European Union have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to trigger a “snapback” of sanctions on Iran at the United Nations under a provision of the Iran nuclear deal.
Iran, Turkey lash out at UAE over agreement with Israel
Iran and Turkey lashed out at their regional rival the United Arab Emirates on Friday over its decision to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel, accusing it of betraying the Palestinian cause, even as much of the international community welcomed the move.
U.S. Seizes Tankers Loaded With Iranian Fuel Bound For Venezuela
The United States has seized four tankers en route from Iran to Venezuela in what the Justice Department says is the government’s largest-ever seizure of fuel shipments from Iran.
Iran to Boost Nuclear Fuel Production at Plant Hit by Blast
Iran is moving to boost production of nuclear fuel at a key facility struck by apparent sabotage last month.
Beirut blast: US official says FBI will join investigation
The FBI will join Lebanese and other international investigators in the probe of the massive explosion at Beirut’s port that killed more than 170 people, injured thousands and caused widespread destruction, a U.S. diplomat said Thursday.
NSA, FBI warn of Russian military hackers using new ‘Drovorub’ malware for espionage operations
Russian spies are using a new type of malicious software to break into Linux computer systems, the U.S. National Security Agency and FBI warned in a joint alert issued Thursday.
US Announces Disruption of 3 Terror Groups’ Cyber Financing Campaigns
U.S. authorities have seized millions of dollars and hundreds of virtual currency accounts used to funnel money to al-Qaida, Islamic State (IS) and Hamas’s military wing, the Justice Department announced Thursday.
UK plummets into recession after GDP falls 20.4 percent
U.K. economy has officially plummeted into recession after official figures announced Wednesday showed a stunning 20.4% drop in the second quarter of the year – the biggest drop since quarterly records began in 1955.
‘We’re going to have huge problems’: U.S. general warns of long-term ISIS resurgence
The Pentagon’s top general in the Middle East warned Wednesday that the U.S. is “going to have huge problems” with a massive Islamic State resurgence over the coming decade without a sweeping new international plan to de-radicalize young men and women across the Middle East.
Israel Warned the UN a Year Ago About Hezbollah Smuggling Arms Through Beirut Port
Hezbollah opposes the idea of an international inquiry into the devastating explosion in Beirut a week ago, stoking suspicion that the Iran-backed terrorist group worries an independent inquiry may draw unwelcome attention to its alleged use of the port for smuggling weapons into Lebanon.
Thousands Detained As Tensions Escalate In Belarus
Authorities in Belarus acknowledged Wednesday that they detained as many as 6,000 anti-government protestors who disputed the victory of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in Sunday’s election. Clashes continued for a third straight night with police violence reported in the capital Minsk and other cities after main opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya fled the troubled nation.
Belarus Opposition Leader Flees To Lithuania Amid Crackdown
The primary political opponent of the longtime president of Belarus has reportedly fled the nation amid a massive police crackdown on protests. Lithuania says it provides shelter to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who earlier brought her young children outside the country. Tuesday’s announcement came after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner in Sunday’s presidential poll despite mounting opposition against his rule.
Russia Claims World’s First Coronavirus Vaccine
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Tuesday that his nation had registered the world’s first coronavirus vaccine despite international skepticism.
US revises UN resolution to extend UN arms embargo on Iran
The United States on Tuesday circulated a revised resolution that would extend a UN arms embargo on Iran indefinitely, seeking to gain more support in the 15-member Security Council where veto-wielding Russia and China have voiced strong opposition.