IDF chief: Iranian nuclear threat ‘is not theoretical’
Iran’s desire for nuclear weapons has not been extinguished by the nuclear deal it signed with world powers, IDF Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot said Tuesday.
Trump
US Senate advances bill to renew NSA’s internet surveillance program
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday advanced a bill to renew the National Security Agency’s warrantless internet surveillance program, as a final push by privacy advocates to derail the measure came up short.
Iran tortures and kills protesters; West mostly silent as 8,000 citizens arrested
Iran’s rulers have inflicted death by torture and gunfire on citizen protesters in a crackdown since the Dec. 28 street uprising erupted, the main opposition group said Tuesday.
Democrats confident they can win government shutdown fight
The federal government barreled toward a partial shutdown Monday as the Democrats in Congress dug in their heels in a battle of political wills with President Trump and his Republican allies on Capitol Hill.
Palestinian leaders vote to urge PLO to suspend recognition of Israel
Palestinian leaders voted on Monday to call for the suspension of recognition of Israel, and to suspend security coordination with Israel, as they met in response to US President Donald Trump’s acknowledgment of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Trump Says Program to Protect ‘Dreamers’ is ‘Probably Dead’
President Donald Trump said Sunday that a program that protects immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children is ‘probably dead,’ casting a cloud over already tenuous negotiations just days before a deadline on a government funding deal that Democrats have tied to immigration.
In compromise, US set to cut only some aid for UN Palestinian refugee agency
The Trump administration is preparing to withhold tens of millions of dollars from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, cutting the year’s first contribution by more than half or perhaps entirely, and making additional donations contingent on major changes to the organization, according to US officials.
Trump Designates $55 Million to Help Christians, Religious Minorities Rebuild in Iraq
In the wake of Vice President Mike Pence’s announcement last October that the United States government would provide direct aid to persecuted Iraqi Christians struggling to rebuild following the liberation of the Nineveh Plains, the Trump administration has taken concrete steps to follow through on its promises.
House passes NSA spying bill after Trump tweets cause confusion
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill to renew the National Security Agency’s warrantless internet surveillance program, overcoming objections from privacy advocates and confusion prompted by morning tweets from President Donald Trump that initially questioned the spying tool.
A Federal Judge Has Blocked Trump’s Plan to End the DACA Program for Young Immigrants
A federal judge on Tuesday night temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s decision to end a program protecting young immigrants from deportation.
Europe, Iran to meet on backing nuclear deal as Trump decision looms
Europe and Iran are to put on a united front in support of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal at talks in Brussels Thursday as Washington mulls reimposing sanctions on Tehran.
Arab League to hold meeting on Jerusalem next month
The Arab League will meet on February 1 to discuss how to counter U.S. President Donald Trump’s move last month to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Egypt’s state news agency MENA said on Wednesday.
U.S. to decide on Iran sanctions waivers on Friday: State Department
The Trump administration is expected to decide on Friday whether to continue to waive U.S. penalties on Iran, as agreed under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the State Department said on Tuesday.
Trump calls GOP Dreamer fix a ‘bill of love,’ seeks deal with Dems on immigration
At a meeting Tuesday with bipartisan members of Congress, President Trump said the fix to the soon-to-expire temporary amnesty for ‘Dreamers’ would be a ‘bill of love,’ but stressed that tougher border security must be part of the deal.
VP Mike Pence to Visit Egypt, Jordan and Israel Later This Month
In his first trip to the Middle East as vice president, Mike Pence is scheduled to visit several countries and leaders in the region later this month.
Trump to unveil initiative to bring broadband to rural America
President Donald Trump plans to unveil an agriculture initiative seeking to bring broadband internet connection to rural America at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention.
Arab League to lobby UN to recognize Palestinian state
Arab states will soon embark on a diplomatic drive to persuade the United Nations to recognize a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital on territory captured by Israel in the 1967 war, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said.
Over 100 companies giving ‘Trump Bonuses’ after tax victory, ‘tsunami building’
The number of companies offering employee bonuses, pay hikes, and increases in benefits in reaction to President Trump’s December tax reform victory is now over 100, with thousands of workers impacted and charities too.
Trump, GOP leaders at Camp David set ambitious 2018 agenda
President Trump emerged Saturday from a meeting with Congress’ Republican leaders at Camp David and outlined an ambitious legislative agenda for 2018, including the budget, infrastructure, a border wall, immigration and beefing up the military.
Donald Trump overturns Obama bans on drilling as he moves to vastly expand US offshore oil
Donald Trump’s administration has announced plans to vastly expand oil and gas drilling in nearly all US coastal waters, reversing protections in the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific.