US Condemns Iran For Flogging Christian Convert
The U.S. State Department has condemned Iran’s reported flogging of a former Muslim-turned-Christian for drinking Communion wine.
Trade
US files landmark antitrust case against Google
The United States Justice Department on Tuesday sued Google for abusing its dominance in online search and advertising — the government’s most significant attempt to protect competition since its groundbreaking case against Microsoft more than 20 years ago.
Brexit: UK to restart trade talks with EU after threatening to quit
Brussels and London have “re-established” a basis for Brexit talks on Wednesday following an apparent impasse last week, the UK’s chief negotiator David Frost said on Twitter.
EU negotiator offers to ‘intensify’ Brexit trade talks with Britain
The chief Brexit negotiator for the European Union stressed Monday the bloc was prepared to “intensify” trade talks with Britain after holding a call with British dealmaker David Frost.
Fed’s Powell: More important for U.S. to get digital currency right than be first
In any development of a cross-border digital currency, it is more important for the United States “to get it right than be first,” U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Monday.
Ratcliffe sends watchdog referral and begins declassification on classified House GOP report on Russian meddling
The nation’s spy chief has sent the intelligence community’s watchdog an investigative referral related to a 2018 Republican-led House Intelligence Committee report that critiqued some of the tradecraft in the Obama-era Intelligence Community Assessment of 2017 on Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Israel archaeologists find First Temple era limestone-weight in Jerusalem
Archaeologists in Jerusalem have unearthed a limestone-weight dating back to the First Temple Biblical era of King Solomon, CBN News reports. The excavation was conducted on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
Pence and Harris in Fierce U.S. Vice-Presidential Debate
Millions of Americans and many more worldwide watched U.S. Republican Vice- President Mike Pence and Democratic challenger Kamala Harris facing off in one of the most meaningful vice presidential debates in recent memory.
US trade deficit hits 14-year high, rises to $67.1 billion in August
The US trade deficit rose in August to the highest level in 14 years.
China pushing hard for leadership in wide range of UN agencies
In contrast to a low-key stance it has adopted in the past, China is now pushing hard for leadership posts in United Nations agencies, frequently resorting to bribery and economic coercion in doing so, the Washington Times reported on Sunday. As one of the five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council, China has veto power.
UK, EU chiefs to discus Brexit, free trade talks Saturday
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to speak to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday to “take stock” of negotiations on a post-Brexit free trade deal and to “discuss next steps,” a British government spokesman said.
EU threatens Britain with legal action over bill to override Brexit deal
The European Union said Thursday it will take legal action against the British government for violating the terms of their Brexit agreement.
Flooding in South Sudan: 700,000 people in hunger and livelihood crisis
Unprecedented flooding in South Sudan has devastated the lives of around 700,000 people, causing a hunger crisis amid the destruction of jobs and harvests, VOA News reports. The World Food Program (WFP) has sounded the alarm about a disaster that is exacerbated by ongoing violence and the COVID-19 economic crisis in the country. WFP is calling for $58 million for the next six months to rebuild South Sudanese infrastructure and to support those in need.
U.S. President Trump and Rival Biden Meet In Harshest Debate In Years
Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden were in a verbal war as they debated issues ranging from Trump’s leadership on the coronavirus outbreak to deadly riots, job losses, and how the Supreme Court will impact the nation’s future.
Trump and Biden trade blows in acrimonious, starkly personal, and chaotic first debate
President Trump and 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden sniped and snarled repeatedly during their first debate, a meeting that was supposed to offer voters a clear contrast in policy and temperament but more often provided a stage for the two candidates to vent personal grievances.
US cracks down on Chinese companies which use Muslim Uighur slave labor
The Trump administration announced Monday that its sanctions on Chinese companies which use Muslim Uighur slave labor could affect up to $250 million worth of goods that come from the Xinjiang region of China, the Western Journal reports.
US Hopes to Name Qatar as Major Non-NATO Ally, Official Says
The United States hopes to move forward with naming Qatar as a major non-NATO ally, a status that provides foreign nations with benefits in defense trade and security cooperation, a senior US official said on Thursday.
State Dept. says it will impose “snap back” sanctions on Iran, despite US withdrawal from Nuclear Deal
As the US believes Iran has continued to develop nuclear weapons, and as the United Nations arms embargo on Iran expires next month, the State Department announced Wednesday that it is pressing forward with “snap back” sanctions that are provided for under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran Nuclear deal, Fox News reports. Under the terms of the JCPoA, snapback sanctions can be re-imposed if Iran is perceived to be violating the terms of the agreement. However, as the Trump administration withdrew from the JCPoA in 2018, UNSC members Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia have unequivocally stated the US has no authority to unilaterally enforce snapback sanctions once the current embargo is lifted on October 18.
Belarus Protest Organizer Charged With Undermining National Security
Political and social unrest is rising in Belarus after a protest organizer was charged with undermining national security. Authorities in have linked Maria Kolesnikova to what they view as attempts to destabilize the former Soviet nation.
EU Chief Von der Leyen Wants Britain and Russia in First Union Speech
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has given her first State of the Union speech with angry words about Britain’s plans to renegotiate its divorce deal with the EU.