Lebanon: Saudi Arabia-Iran rivalry finds a new battlefront
The resignation of Saad Hariri as Lebanon’s prime minister has upended the country’s political establishment and escalated a war of words between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
EU
Britain woos Saudi Aramco IPO with $2bn loan guarantee
Britain on Thursday confirmed it has offered Saudi Aramco a $2 billion (1.71 billion euros) loan guarantee as the oil giant considers whether to launch possibly the world’s largest ever stock market listing in London.
Saudi Arabia orders citizens to leave Lebanon as tensions rise
Saudi Arabia has ordered its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately, escalating a regional standoff with Iran centred on the fragile state, which it claims is being run by Tehran’s proxy, Hezbollah.
Trump arrives in Vietnam for summit of Asia-Pacific leaders
U.S. President Donald Trump landed in Vietnam on Friday for a summit of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) nations, the fourth leg of his 12-day Asia trip.
EU to preserve Iran nuclear deal: Mogherini
The European Union will make sure that the Iran nuclear deal ‘will continue to be fully implemented by all, in all its parts’, the European Union’s foreign policy chief said on Friday.
U.S. Seeks Restrictions on Mexican Trucking Under Nafta
The U.S. has proposed another difficult change to the North American Free Trade Agreement that could eventually restrict long-haul Mexican truckers from operating in the country, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Yemen facing ‘largest famine in decades’ if blockade isn’t lifted, UN aid chief says
The Saudi-led military coalition’s blockade of Yemen could lead to ‘the largest famine the world has seen for many decades with millions of victims,’ Mark Lowcock, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, warned on Wednesday.
Palestinian terror group threatens IDF, promises war with Israel (Video)
The military wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, an organization that orchestrated terrorist attacks that killed scores of Israelis over the years and has been classified by both the United States and the European Union as a terrorist entity, released on Tuesday a threatening video against the Jewish state and in particular its army.
EU, US affirm Lebanon support, diverging from Saudi
The European Union on Wednesday affirmed support for Lebanon following the resignation of Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, echoing U.S. backing for the Beirut government which Saudi Arabia has accused of declaring war.
Fear and faith: Church security scrutinized after Texas massacre
After one of the nation’s deadliest mass shootings unfolded on their doorstep, pastors and parishioners around the tiny Texas hamlet of Sutherland Springs have begun asking whether guns have a rightful place inside their houses of worship.
Islamic State claims attack on TV station in Afghan capital
Militant group Islamic State on Tuesday claimed responsibility for an attack on a television station in Kabul, in which gunmen disguised as police killed a security guard and opened fire on staff, the latest assault on media workers in Afghanistan.
Trump wants $4 billion more for missile defense, citing North Korea
U.S. President Donald Trump asked Congress on Monday for $4 billion to support missile defense to counter the threat from North Korea, just ahead of his first visit to South Korea since taking office in January.
German army ‘plans for break up of the European Union’ in war game scenario
The German army has war-gamed the break up of the European Union in study of security crises that could face the country by 2040.
Purge of Saudi princes, businessmen widens, travel curbs imposed
A campaign of mass arrests of Saudi Arabian royals, ministers and businessmen expanded on Monday after a top entrepreneur was reportedly detained in the biggest anti-corruption purge of the kingdom’s affluent elite in its modern history.
After air strike, Israeli minister warns against arms shipments to Hezbollah
A senior Israeli minister on Thursday declined to comment on reports that Israeli aircraft had struck a target in Syria the night before but repeated a threat to hit arms shipments to Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas.
Trump Agrees to Pick Up 90 Percent of Puerto Rico Rebuilding Costs: Aide
President Donald Trump on Thursday agreed to expand the use of disaster aid to rebuild Puerto Rico’s power grid and other infrastructure wrecked by Hurricane Maria, a senior White House official told Reuters.
Uranium One deal led to some exports to Europe, memos show
After the Obama administration approved the sale of a Canadian mining company with significant U.S. uranium reserves to a firm owned by Russia’s government, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission assured Congress and the public the new owners couldn’t export any raw nuclear fuel from America’s shores.
Israel and Syria exchange fire near Homs, Arab media claims
Israel’s air force attacked a weapons depot situated in rural areas around Hisya, south of the Syrian city of Homs, Arab media reported Wednesday night.
Venezuela introduces 100,000 bolivar bill worth $2
Venezuela announced plans to begin issuing 100,000-bolivar notes on Wednesday as the government struggles to control skyrocketing inflation. One year ago, the largest bill was only 100 bolivars – an amount that is now practically worthless.
Fed keeps rates unchanged, remains on road to December hike
The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged on Wednesday and pointed to solid U.S. economic growth and a strengthening labor market while playing down the impact of recent hurricanes, a sign it is on track to lift borrowing costs again in December.