Both Netanyahu and Gantz refuse to concede Israeli election
The two major parties in Israel’s Knesset are jockeying to form a ruling coalition after election results nearly mirrored April’s stalemate.
EU
Fed cuts interest rates, signals holding pattern for now
The U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates again on Wednesday to help sustain a record-long economic expansion but signaled a higher bar to further reductions in borrowing costs, eliciting a fast and sharp rebuke from President Donald Trump.
Pompeo says attack was ‘act of war’ on Saudi Arabia, seeks coalition
The United States wants to build a coalition of European and Arab partners to deter Iran after an attack on Saudi Arabia that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described on Wednesday as ‘an act of war’ against the world’s top oil exporter.
Taliban Envoys Visit Iran, Russia Following Collapse Of U.S. Talks
A four-member Taliban delegation has traveled to Tehran for talks with high-ranking Iranian officials — the second such trip by the militants to a foreign country just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that peace talks with the United States had collapsed.
US blames Iran for Yemeni rebel attack on Saudi oil facility
Yemeni rebels struck an oil field and a facility in Saudi Arabia Saturday that the Saudi Aramco said was the biggest in the world.
Trump says U.S. reaches trade deals with Japan, no word on cars
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday Washington had struck trade agreements with Tokyo that could be implemented without congressional approval, but stopped short of assuring Japan that new tariffs would not be slapped on vital auto exports.
Turkey, Russia, Iran agree steps to ease tensions in Syria’s Idlib despite lingering differences
The leaders of Turkey, Russia, and Iran meeting in Ankara on Monday agreed to try to ease tensions in northwest Syria’s Idlib region, but disagreements between the countries appeared to linger, especially over the threat from Islamic State.
Trump Says It Looks Like Iran Struck Saudis, Ready To Help Ally
U.S. President Donald Trump has said that it is increasingly ‘looking like’ Iran was behind an attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities over the weekend, but said it was still too early to be sure.
Nile dam project: Talks stall between Egypt and Ethiopia
Negotiations between Cairo and Addis Ababa over a Nile dam being built by Ethiopia have stalled, Egypt said on Monday.
Oil surges after attack on Saudi oil facilities shuts in 5% of global supply
Oil prices surged on Monday, with Brent crude posting its biggest intra-day percentage gain since the Gulf War in 1991, after an attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities on Saturday shut over 5% of global supply.
Netanyahu pre-election proposal hints at one-state Trump peace plan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s promise to annex the Jordan Valley if he is re-elected next week has angered proponents of the two-state solution.
China urges U.S. to take steps to ensure North Korea talks resume
China urged the United States on Thursday to adopt an approach more conducive to dialogue in response to North Korea’s goodwill in wanting to resume denuclearization talks, and again suggested United Nations sanctions relief be considered for Pyongyang.
Trump favors ‘whole deal’ with China, two sides prepare for trade talks
President Donald Trump said on Thursday he preferred a comprehensive trade deal with China but did not rule out the possibility of an interim pact, even as he said an ‘easy’ agreement would not be possible.
Trump says he will unveil ‘middle-income’ tax plan in 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday his administration would unveil a tax overhaul plan aimed at middle-income households next year, amid the 2020 presidential election.
Israel Wants Free Hand Against Iran, Netanyahu Says In Russia
Israel must be given free rein to act against Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on September 12 as talks concluded in Sochi where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss security coordination in Syria.
The European Central Bank cut rates to a surprise record low and launched a sweeping round of stimulus
The European Central Bank on Thursday announced a sweeping round of stimulus for the continent’s slowing economy, cutting interest rates to their lowest ever level and introducing a round of quantitative easing.
Rivlin warns Lebanon to rein in Hezbollah or face a war neither side wants
President Reuven Rivlin on Thursday cautioned the Lebanese government that if it doesn’t stop Hezbollah’s aggression against Israel, the terror group will drag both countries into war.
Carrie Lam speaks out against feared US interference through Hong Kong democracy bill
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has accused the US of interference in the wave of protests that have swept through the Special Administrative Region of China since June.
U.S. Supreme Court allows Trump to deny asylum to many Central Americans
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday granted a request by President Donald Trump’s administration to fully enforce a new rule that would curtail asylum applications by immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, a key element of his hardline immigration policies.
In 9/11 speech, al-Qaeda chief calls for attacks on Israel, West
Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri called Wednesday on Muslims to attack US, European, Israeli and Russian targets in a speech on the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.