Russia Expands Possible Use Of Nuclear Arms
In a warning to Washington, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new nuclear policy that allows him to use atomic weapons even in response to a non-nuclear attack.
Negotiations
Netanyahu say Right-Wing MKs Will Be Asked to Vote Only on Annexation, Not On a Palestinian State At This Time
As he prepares to ask the Knesset to vote on a plan for Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained Thursday that MKs will only have to vote on the issue of sovereignty, not on the issue of a Palestinian state, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Britain calls on EU to ‘evolve’ in post-Brexit talks
The United Kingdom’s chief negotiator with the European Union following Brexit called on the bloc to “evolve” in order to make progress in key talks.
China Warns US As Tensions Escalate to the “Brink of a New Cold War”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday that American officials are endangering world peace by attempting to push the US and China “to the brink of a new cold war,” Time reports. Amid rising tensions between the two countries on a range of issues, including China’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, last week the US Senate unanimously passed a bill that could prevent some Chinese companies from being listed on American stock exchanges.
No Limits on US – Russia Nuclear Arms if Trump Does Not Renew Expiring Reduction Treaty
The world will be left with no restrictions on US and Russian nuclear weapons unless President Donald Trump extends the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) before it expires on February 5 next year, Defense News reports. Signed by the two countries in 2010, the nuclear arms reduction treaty limits the number of long-range nuclear warheads and launchers America and Russia can have.
Quartet talks Israeli-Palestinian peace amid PA push to replace Trump plan
The Palestinian Authority’s push to replace the US as the sole broker for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process failed to yield immediate results as a Quartet video conference on the matter ended without any conclusions.
World Red Cross Day Overshadowed By Pandemic Concerns
The World Red Cross Day celebrating the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was overshadowed Friday by concerns that the coronavirus would spread to overcrowded refugee camps.
U.S., Britain to begin post-Brexit trade negotiations
The United States and Britain will begin negotiations Tuesday on a post-Brexit free-trade agreement.
US Defense Secretary: Afghanistan Peace Process ‘Behind Schedule’
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says the peace process in Afghanistan is not going as quickly as expected, with the Taliban failing to reduce violence in the war-torn country.
Mexico and the EU agree to new free-trade deal
The EU and Mexico agreed to a new free-trade deal Tuesday after four years of negotiations, the Financial Times reported. The deal provides that almost all trade between Mexico and the EU bloc will be duty-free.
US willing to recognize extension of Israeli sovereignty parts of West Bank in context of negotiations with Palestinians
The US State Department said Monday it was prepared to recognize actions taken by Israel to extend Israeli sovereignty to parts of the West Bank. However, this recognition would be ‘in the context of the Government of Israel agreeing to negotiate with the Palestinians along the lines set forth in President Trump’s [peace plan],’ a State Department spokesperson told The Times of Israel.
Trump hints at Monday resolution for latest coronavirus relief package
President Donald Trump said Sunday negotiations with Democrats continue on another coronavirus relief package to replenish funding for small business loans, also known as the Paycheck Protection Program.
Rivlin sets August 4 as date for fourth elections if unity govt not formed
President Reuven Rivlin has set August 4 as the date for an unthinkable round of fourth elections should the Likud and Blue and White fail to form a unity government, as negotiations between the two sides was deadlocked Thursday night.
Gantz mandate to form coalition expires but Likud, Blue and White talks to go on
Negotiating teams for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud and Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party continued their talks to form a unity government late Wednesday night and into Thursday, and agreed to meet again later Thursday, even as the latter’s presidential mandate to form a coalition expired at midnight.
Gantz Given 48 Hours to Form Government
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz were given a further 48 hours to try and reach a coalition deal, the Times of Israel reports. President Reuven Rivlin agreed the short extension minutes before the midnight-on-Monday deadline that Gantz had been given to form a government.
France Orders Google To Pay For News
France’s competition regulator has ordered online search giant Google to pay French publishing companies and news agencies for re-using their content under Europe’s new digital copyright legislation.
European Union in disagreement over coronavirus finance deal
A disagreement over eurozone loans on Wednesday halted European Union (EU) efforts to agree on a deal on managing the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Negotiations between European finance ministers were suspended until Thursday after 16 hours of talks brought no resolution. Yesterday’s discussions followed similar talks that were held last month, when no agreement was reached either.
Blue & White and Likud trade blows over unity government delay
Blue & White and Likud on Wednesday accused each other of stalling the negotiations to form a unity government and backing out of agreements.
Some claim Gantz, Netanyahu closer to deal, but stumbling blocks unresolved
Interim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party chief Benny Gantz were said in some reports to be inching closer to forming a unity coalition, with claims that the government could be sworn in as early as next Monday, but other sources said squabbles within the premier’s bloc were complicating the negotiations.
Senate sends House $2 trillion coronavirus bill; vote expected Friday
The U.S. Senate’s unanimous passage of an estimated $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill sent the unprecedented economic rescue legislation to the House of Representatives, whose leaders hope to pass it on Friday.