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.
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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.
Global debt has sky rocketed
In a reflection of the COVID-19 crisis and ensuing governmental measures, Global debt/GDP skyrocketed to an all-time high in the first quarter of 2020, Zero Hedge reports. Overall debt for the non-financial sector has jumped from 241% of global GDP at the end of 2019 to 252% of global GDP now. This is the biggest jump ever recorded by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
Europe Racing To Limit Second Wave Of Coronavirus Infections
Europe is racing to contain rising coronavirus infections and prevent more hospitalizations and deaths. Authorities in several countries announced new restrictions, sparking protests in Spain, which saw one of the lockdowns.
Belarus Famed Grandmother Detained At Protests
Mass protests were held for the sixth straight Sunday in Belarus following the detention of a grandmother, who became a symbol of resistance against longtime President Alexander Lukashenko. As many as 100,000 people rallied in Minsk amid mounting pressure on Lukashenko to step down and allow fair and free elections.
US Hopes to Name Qatar as Major Non-NATO Ally, Official Says
The United States hopes to move forward with naming Qatar as a major non-NATO ally, a status that provides foreign nations with benefits in defense trade and security cooperation, a senior US official said on Thursday.
US carrier transits Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with Iran
The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier safely transited on Friday through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important chokepoint for oil shipments, the U.S. Navy said, as tensions with Iran continue to simmer.
Saudia Arabia’s Uranium Reserves Raising Fears Of Nuclear Arms Race With Iran
Saudia Arabia has reportedly enough mineable uranium ore reserves to produce nuclear fuel, raising fears of a possible nuclear arms race with regional rival Iran.
Belarus Opposition Leader Tsikhanouskaya Speaks At Tense U.N. Council Debate
Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has spoken to the United Nations Human Rights Council despite Belarussian efforts to prevent her and other critics from giving speeches. During Friday’s turbulent session of the Geneva-based U.N. body, she demanded that the country’s authorities end violence against protestors and organize a free and fair presidential election.
Russia to send more troops to Far East
Russia’s Ministry of Defense has announced it is deploying additional troops to the nation’s eastern border with China because it says there are rising tensions in the wider Asia-Pacific region, the Epoch Times reports. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made the announcement on the ministry website on Thursday, but did not specify the nature of the new threats or where the additional troops would be stationed.
State Dept. says it will impose “snap back” sanctions on Iran, despite US withdrawal from Nuclear Deal
As the US believes Iran has continued to develop nuclear weapons, and as the United Nations arms embargo on Iran expires next month, the State Department announced Wednesday that it is pressing forward with “snap back” sanctions that are provided for under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran Nuclear deal, Fox News reports. Under the terms of the JCPoA, snapback sanctions can be re-imposed if Iran is perceived to be violating the terms of the agreement. However, as the Trump administration withdrew from the JCPoA in 2018, UNSC members Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia have unequivocally stated the US has no authority to unilaterally enforce snapback sanctions once the current embargo is lifted on October 18.
Hungary’s Anti-Migrant Orbán Keeps Borders Closed Amid Coronavirus
Hungary’s fiercely anti-migration Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says his nation is facing “a second wave of coronavirus infections” and will keep its borders closed to most foreigners, despite European Union concerns about that decision.
Belarus Protest Organizer Charged With Undermining National Security
Political and social unrest is rising in Belarus after a protest organizer was charged with undermining national security. Authorities in have linked Maria Kolesnikova to what they view as attempts to destabilize the former Soviet nation.
EU Chief Von der Leyen Wants Britain and Russia in First Union Speech
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has given her first State of the Union speech with angry words about Britain’s plans to renegotiate its divorce deal with the EU.