New Syria cease-fire set to begin at midnight
The major players involved in the long-running Syrian conflict have agreed to a cease-fire set to begin at midnight on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier in the day.
World News
Obama Administration Set to Punish Russia for “Election Interference”
The Obama administration is close to announcing a series of measures to punish Russia for its interference in the 2016 presidential election, including economic sanctions and diplomatic censure, according to U.S. officials.
Turkey, Russia agree on Syria cease-fire plan
Turkey and Russia have reached an agreement on a cease-fire plan comprising the whole of Syria, and the two countries will work to ensure that it comes into effect at midnight Wednesday night, Turkey’s state-run news agency reported Wednesday.
Russia, Iran and Turkey start search for Syria resolution
Russia, Iran and Turkey have started the process of finding a political solution to the conflict in Syria, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said at a meeting of the three countries’ foreign ministers in Moscow on Tuesday.
Russia threatens to veto new UN Syria resolution, Aleppo evacuations in doubt
Russia threatened Sunday to veto a U.N. resolution demanding immediate access to areas of Aleppo besieged by the Syrian government, while a shaky deal to evacuate thousands of trapped civilians was thrown into doubt again after militants burned buses involved in the rescue operation.
China’s Drone Seizure Sows Concern That U.S. Secrets Were Stolen
A top U.S. lawmaker said China may be poring over a seized underwater drone to unearth secret information about Navy technology, hours after President-elect Donald Trump suggested Beijing should “keep it.”
Fall of Aleppo marks new, uncertain phase of Syrian civil war
The rout of Syrian rebels by the Russian-backed forces of President Bashar Assad in the city of Aleppo likely marks the beginning of the end of the civil war that has ravaged the country for more than 5 years and led to the unprecedented slaughter of hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped by the fighting.
Iran to work on nuclear-powered vessels after U.S. ‘violation’ of deal
Iran ordered its scientists on Tuesday to start developing systems for nuclear-powered marine vessels in response to what it calls a U.S. violation of its landmark 2015 atomic deal with world powers.
Iran: If US imposes war, Israel, Gulf states will be destroyed
The election of Donald Trump has led to unease in the Middle East over threats to peace in the region and any war would lead to the destruction of Israel and the Gulf states, Iran’s Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan warned Sunday.
Russia Tests Nuclear-Capable Drone Sub
Russia conducted a test of a revolutionary nuclear-capable drone submarine that poses a major strategic threat to U.S. ports and harbors.
Syrian army on verge of major victory in Aleppo
The Syrian army and its allies made key gains in the embattled city of Aleppo late on Tuesday. President Bashar al-Assad’s forces pushed into rebel-held areas of the Old City, essentially driving opposition forces out of their last urban stronghold.
At least 54 killed in Indonesia earthquake
A strong undersea earthquake rocked Indonesia’s Aceh province early Wednesday, killing at least 54 people.
Brexit legal challenge: European Court of Justice has ‘ultimate authority’ on Article 50, British member says
The European Court of Justice has “ultimate authority” on Brexit, its most senior British member has warned.
Iranian vessel points weapon at U.S. helicopter: officials
A small Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard vessel pointed its weapon at a U.S. military helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, two U.S. defense officials told Reuters on Monday, an action they described as “unsafe and unprofessional.”
Fidel Castro’s death brings about mixed reactions from around the world
As American lawmakers by and large reflected on Fidel Castro’s passing Friday by recalling the negative impact of his decades-long dictatorship, internationally his death has prompted mournful reactions from foreign officials who hold drastically different opinions of the longtime Cuban leader.
Islamic State retreat reveals terror plots against Europe
Intelligence of attack plots across Europe is being uncovered as Islamic State’s caliphate is beaten back, the top British officer in the military coalition fighting the extremists has disclosed.
Obama Admin Covering Up Key Iran Deal Details in Final Days
Senior Obama administration officials in their final days in office are seeking to cover up key details of the Iran nuclear deal from Congress, according to documents and sources who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon about continued efforts by the White House to block formal investigations into secret diplomacy with Tehran that resulted in a $1.7 billion cash payment by the United States.
Asia-Pacific trade summit closes amid anti-trade climate
A declaration released at the close of an Asian-Pacific trade summit says leaders of 21 nations will continue working toward a free trade agreement that would include all their countries.
Report: 12 members of nuclear negotiating team arrested by Iran for espionage
At least a dozen senior officials who were part of the negotiating team that conducted talks with the west regarding the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program were arrested by Iranian authorities on espionage charges, Channel 2 citing an Iranian member of parliament reported Friday.
Russia launches new offensive; airstrikes hit Syria’s Aleppo
Russia launched new strikes in Syria on Tuesday involving carrier-borne jets and long-range missiles as opposition activists on the ground reported that the first airstrikes in nearly a month struck the besieged, rebel-held parts of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.