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.
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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.
FBI Director Wray: Chinese theft has ‘perverse effect’ of US taxpayers funding Beijing’s advancement
FBI Director Christopher Wray said intellectual property theft campaigns against the United States by the Chinese government, including economic espionage aimed at U.S. government-funded research, has the “perverse effect” of U.S. taxpayers funding China’s rise.
US officials plan to move forward with enforcing UN sanctions on Iran
State Department officials said Wednesday that it will push forward with U.S. sanctions against Iran, and will impose sanctions on anyone who violates the United Nations arms embargo — despite its expiration next month under the 2015 nuclear deal.
Second defector’s knowledge of Chinese bioweapons reaches U.S.
U.S. intelligence agencies recently increased their knowledge of China’s covert biological weapons program with the help of a defector from the People’s Liberation Army, according to people familiar with the incident.
Turkey, Russia nearing deal on Libya ceasefire, political process
Turkey and Russia have moved closer to an agreement on a ceasefire and political process in Libya during their latest meetings in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told an interview with broadcaster CNN Turk late on Wednesday.
DOJ Charges Members of Chinese State-Sponsored Hacking Group
The Department of Justice announced that it is bringing charges against a hacking group of five Chinese nationals — all of whom are currently in China — for their role in hacking over 100 companies in the United States and abroad, according to a Wednesday press release.
US Space Force confirms Space Based Infrared System detected missile attack in January
The U.S. Space Force confirmed that its Space-Based Infrared System satellites were used to detect more than a dozen Iranian missiles aimed at U.S. warfighters in Iraq in January, giving Americans and their partners crucial warning.
America’s China Class Launches a New War Against Trump
Chances are that by the time you get to the end of this article, there will be news of another information operation targeting Donald Trump. There’s one a day now—each trumpeting a new mortal threat to the republic or some dastardly revelation based on sources that are usually anonymous. Whatever it is, it will serve the same purpose as the hundreds of similar sallies launched over the last four years—namely, to preserve and protect the position and privileges of America’s ruling elite.
Beijing-backed hackers charged with targeting over 100 U.S. companies, including video game firms
Federal authorities on Wednesday announced three indictments charging five Chinese nationals and two Malaysians with conducting criminal and political hacking operations tacitly approved by the Chinese government and linked to the Ministry of State Security intelligence service.
Mexican journalist who reported on Cartel has been found beheaded
The beheaded body of a Mexican journalist was found near a railway track in Veracruz, Mexico last week: local police believe Julio Valdivia Rodriguez was assassinated for reporting on a local cartel. This was the fifth known killing of a journalist in Mexico this year, the Washington Examiner reports. Ten journalists were killed in Mexico last year.
Brexit drama in the UK as Boris Johnson pushes bill to override EU exit deal
More than four years since Brits voted to leave the European Union, the United Kingdom is once again engulfed in another Brexit crisis — with a dramatic move by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to potentially rewrite parts of the initial divorce deal, sparking outrage and threats of legal action from E.U. leaders.
UN welcomes Afghan talks with the Taliban, urges cease-fire
The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday welcoming the start of negotiations between Afghan representatives and the Taliban, encouraging the warring parties to engage in good faith and aim for a permanent cease-fire and political settlement to their 19-year conflict.
Opposition Making some Gains in Russian Vote
Supporters of Russia’s stricken opposition leader Alexei Navalny made rare gains in weekend regional elections. However, the ruling United Russia party still secured a landslide in weekend local elections.
Belarus Detains Dozens Of Pro-Democracy Protestors Opposing President
As talks were underway between the Vatican and Belarus, reports emerged that Belarusian authorities detained dozens of pro-democracy protesters.