Palestinian Islamic Jihad Leaders Meet With Russian Officials in Moscow, Drawing Israeli Concern
Officials from Gaza Strip-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) met on Tuesday with Russian officials in Moscow, drawing concern from Israel.
Trump
Trump reimposes Iran sanctions, says goal is ‘maximum pressure’
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to restore nuclear-related sanctions on Iran, increasing economic pressure on Tehran and renewing his criticism of what he called a ‘horrible, one-sided’ nuclear deal, the White House announced Monday.
Once-eased US economic sanctions against Iran back in effect
The first set of U.S. sanctions against Iran that had been eased under the landmark nuclear accord went back into effect early Tuesday under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, targeting financial transactions that involve U.S. dollars, Iran’s automotive sector, the purchase of commercial planes and metals including gold.
Massive California wildfire becomes fifth largest in state history
A massive, out-of-control Northern California wildfire that destroyed 68 homes and forced thousands to flee has become the fifth largest in state history, officials said on Sunday, as crews battled high temperatures and strong winds.
U.S. envoy Kushner calls UNRWA corrupt, inefficient, unhelpful for peace
Emails published by Foreign Policy magazine this week shed light on discussions within the Trump administration on phasing out support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, an organization that provides aid to descendants of refugees from 1940s Mandate Palestine.
Trump attorney Jay Sekulow blames ‘bad information’ for faulty statement on Trump Tower meeting
President Trump’s attorney Jay Sekulow said that he had ‘bad information’ and made a “mistake” when he denied last summer that the president had any role in crafting a statement about Donald Trump Jr.’s June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower with a Russian lawyer offering dirt on Hillary Clinton.
Fired-up liberals send $1 billion to candidates, causes ahead of midterms
The online fundraising platform ActBlue this week surged past the $1 billion mark in contributions to Democratic candidates and causes in this election cycle.
White House bolstering Mideast team ahead of peace plan rollout
US officials say the Trump administration is staffing up a Middle East policy team at the White House in anticipation of unveiling its long awaited but largely mysterious Israeli-Palestinian peace plan.
U.S. Issues New Warning to Europe: End Business With Iran or Face Harsh Sanctions
Congress and the Trump administration are issuing a stern warning to European partners: End all business ties with the Iranian regime or face harsh new sanctions in the coming months, a move that could impact international financial markets and U.S. banks tied to foreign monetary institutions, according to multiple senior U.S. officials who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon about diplomatic efforts to pressure Europe on Iran.
Trump national security team says Russia behind effort to meddle in U.S. elections
U.S. President Donald Trump’s national security team said on Thursday that Russia is behind ‘pervasive’ attempts to interfere in upcoming U.S. elections, in a rejection of denials of meddling that Russian President Vladimir Putin made directly to Trump.
Court rules Trump anti-sanctuary policy unconstitutional
A federal appeals court ruled President Trump’s executive order punishing sanctuary cities by withholding money is unconstitutional — but in a twist, the court cleared the way for the government to carry out the policy in much of the country.
Lawmakers defuse Trump’s shutdown threat by passing partial spending bills ahead of deadline
Congress is taking big strides to defuse President Trump’s shutdown threat, working to pass as many spending bills as possible before next month’s deadline so most of the government will remain open no matter what Mr. Trump demands on border security.
‘You Always Have a Friend at the White House’: Trump Sits Down With Faith Leaders
President Donald Trump met with inner city pastors Wednesday to discuss prison reform, workforce development and partnering with the faith-based community.
US Senate passes huge defense bill including $550 million for Israel
The US Senate easily passed a $716.3 billion defense authorization bill Wednesday that includes funding for Israel to defend itself against Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as ramping up military spending and bolstering America’s posture against Russia while avoiding policy changes that would have antagonized US President Donald Trump.
Iran planning Gulf ‘swarm’ drill involving 100 gun boats within days, US officials say
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard is expected to put 100 gun boats in the Persian Gulf sometime in the next 48 hours to practice ‘swarm’ tactics simulating actions which could potentially shut down the Strait of Hormuz, where roughly 10 percent of the world’s oil passes through each year, two U.S. officials said Wednesday.
After Trump’s talks offer, US reassures Israel of tough policy on Iran
Senior officials in US President Donald Trump’s administration assured Israel that its tough stance against Iran has not changed, after Trump’s offer to engage in talks was strongly rebuffed by Iranian officials.
Turkish court rejects U.S. pastor’s appeal
A Turkish court rejected an appeal on Tuesday for an American pastor to be released from house arrest during his trial on terrorism charges, his lawyer said, in a case that has raised the threat of U.S. sanctions against Ankara.
Trump in Florida: ‘The Time Has Come for Photo ID’ for Voting
President Trump, speaking at a rally in Tampa, Fla., resurrected the issue of photo ID at the polls, suggesting that all voters should be required to show ID when they vote for president, senator, governor, or congressman.
IDF’s massive May attack in Syria combined artillery and jets
The IDF released on Tuesday a video clip showing parts of Israel’s May attacks on more than 50 Iranian targets in Syria in what was the widest military operation launched by the IDF in the war-torn country since 1974.
Trump administration considering tax break on capital gains
The Trump administration is studying the idea of implementing a big tax break for wealthy Americans by reducing the taxes levied on capital gains, but no decision has been made yet on whether to proceed.