Russia’s Putin Says He May Meet Trump Next Month At G20 In Japan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he may meet U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of a Group of 20 (G20) summit next month in Japan.
EU
Iran on the brink of ‘full-scale confrontation with the enemy,’ IRGC chief warns
The head of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps on Wednesday warned Tehran was on the brink of full-on conflict with its enemy, a day after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said there would not be a war with the United States amid escalating tensions.
Alabama passes nation’s strictest abortion ban, would send doctors to prison for procedure
Alabama lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday that would put doctors in prison for 10 to 99 years if they provide abortions.
Israeli military readies for potential violence during Nakba Day and Eurovision
Israeli security forces and communities near the Gaza border prepared for thousands of Palestinians to take part in Nakba Day demonstrations along the security fence surrounding the coastal enclave on Wednesday, though these were expected to be tamer than last year’s Nakba Day clashes in which protesters attempted to breach the security fence, threw explosives at Israeli troops and, in one case, shot at soldiers.
No easy options for China as trade war, U.S. pressure bite
China is running out of options to hit back at the United States without hurting its own interests, as Washington intensifies pressure on Beijing to correct trade imbalances in a challenge to China’s state-led economic model.
US warns of possible terror attacks in Israel amid Eurovision frenzy
The US embassy in Israel issued a security alert late Monday evening, urging all American citizens in Israel to exercise caution and avoid travelling to areas affected by rocket fire in the latest deadly flare-up between Hamas and Israel. The warning comes ahead of the anniversary of US Embassy opening in Jerusalem – which coincides with the week-long Eurovision festivities.
U.S. Prosecutor Assigned To Look Into Russia Probe Origins
U.S. Attorney General William Barr has appointed a federal prosecutor to examine the origins of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, the Associated Press reports.
Trump says U.S. farmers to get $15 billion in aid amid China trade war
President Donald Trump said on Monday that his administration was planning to provide about $15 billion in aid to help U.S. farmers whose products may be targeted with tariffs by China in a deepening trade war.
Trump and Xi to meet after defiant China hits U.S. with new tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he would meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next month as the trade war between the world’s two largest economies intensified, sending shivers through global markets.
US-Iran conflict could break out ‘by accident,’ Britain warns
Britain warned Monday that conflict might break out ‘by accident’ between the United States and Iran amid rising tensions, as European Union powers gathered to thrash out ways to keep the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic afloat.
France, Britain, and Germany Remain Stalwart in Face of Iranian ‘Ultimatum’
France, Britain, and Germany, the European signatories to the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, held the Islamic Republic to its commitments as outlined in the deal this week in spite of recent threats from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to resume high-level enrichment of uranium.
‘It’s time to rise up,’ Venezuelan general tells military officers in video
A Venezuelan general called on the country’s armed forces on Sunday to rise up against President Nicolas Maduro, who has relied on the backing of the military to hold on to power despite an economic collapse.
Iran commander calls U.S. military in Gulf a target not a threat: ISNA
A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander said on Sunday the U.S. military presence in the Gulf used to be a serious threat but now represents a target, the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reported.
Trump ratchets up tariff threat after talks show no progress
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ordered his trade chief to begin the process of imposing tariffs on all remaining imports from China, underscoring a lack of progress by U.S. and Chinese negotiators in talks aimed at ending an escalating trade war.
Pentagon to transfer $1.5 billion to border wall from Afghan forces, other areas
Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has approved the transfer of $1.5 billion to build more than 80 miles (130 km)of barriers on the border with Mexico, U.S. officials said on Friday, including taking about $600 million from an account meant for Afghan security forces.
Pompeo to hold talks on Iran in Brussels en route to Russia
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will cancel the Moscow leg of his Russia trip, but will meet President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the Black Sea resort of Sochi as planned on Tuesday, a State Department official said.
EU rejects any ultimatums after Iran’s move on nuclear deal
European countries said on Thursday they wanted to preserve Iran’s nuclear deal and rejected ‘ultimatums’ from Tehran, after Iran scaled back curbs on its nuclear program and threatened moves that might breach the pact.
EU Leaders Say Escalation Must Be Avoided In Iran Crisis; Trump ‘Open To Talk’ To Iran
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have cautioned against an escalation in the dispute over Iran’s nuclear deal after Tehran said it would stop abiding by parts of the deal and U.S. President Donald Trump said he was open to talks with Iranian leaders.
U.S. Slaps New Sanctions On Iran As Tehran Threatens More Uranium Enrichment
The United States tightened the screws further on Iran with sanctions on its metal industry on the day Tehran said it was suspending some of its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
Trump says China ‘broke the deal’ in trade talks, will pay through tariffs
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that China ‘broke the deal’ in trade talks with Washington and would face stiff tariffs if no agreement is reached.