Demonstrators across France protest proposed security law
Protests roiled France on Saturday as more than 133,000 people demonstrated against a security law that would restrict photographs of police officers from being published.
United States
Kentucky federal appeals court upholds COVID-19 order to close religious and private schools
A federal appeals court in Kentucky has upheld a state COVID-19 order issued by Gov. Andy Beshear to close religious and private schools in seeking to contain the spread of the virus, the Washington Examiner reports. In making its ruling, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a restraining order issued previously by the District Court against the closing of religious schools. The lawsuit was originally filed by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and the Danville Christian Academy, who argued that the closure of religious schools is unconstitutional.
US envoy to Iran says more sanctions coming, urges Biden to maintain leverage
The Trump administration plans to tighten sanctions on Tehran during its final months in power, the top US envoy on Iran said on Wednesday, as he urged President-elect Joe Biden to use the leverage to press for a deal that reduces the regional and nuclear threats posed by the Islamic Republic.
Christian Broadcaster: ‘U.S. Churches Face Similar Persecution As In Algeria’
The U.S president of an influential Christian broadcaster warned Wednesday that American churches could face similar persecution as denominations in Algeria.
U.S. President Trump Pardons Ex-Advisor Flynn
U.S. President Donald J. Trump has pardoned Michael Flynn, his first national security advisor, who pleaded guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about his contacts with Russian officials.
In threat to Iran, US sends heavy bombers to Middle East via Israel
The United States this week rapidly deployed several heavy bombers to the Middle East this week in an apparent threat to Iran, amid swirling speculation that US President Donald Trump plans to take military action against Tehran before President-elect Joe Biden enters office.
US exits Open Skies Treaty citing Russian violations
The United States exited the Treaty on Open Skies on Sunday, six months after the Trump administration signaled it would. The administration cited repeated Russian Federation violations of the treaty designed to allow unarmed aerial surveillance flights by the treaty participants in Europe, Russia, and the U.S.
Hate crimes in 2019 were most in over a decade with record tally of homicides: FBI
Hate crime incidents in the United States increased during 2019, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the year seeing a record number of bias-motivated homicides.
U.S. Targets al Shabaab Leaders With Sanctions
The U.S. State Department hit East African al Qaeda affiliate group al Shabaab with a series of sanctions to hold the group accountable for recent terrorist attacks.
US hits Iran with new sanctions as Pompeo warns against easing pressure
The United States hit Iran with new sanctions on Wednesday, as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made the case that undoing the actions of the Trump administration would be foolish and dangerous.
US successfully conducts test to intercept missile via ship for first time
The United States successfully used a ship-fired missile to intercept an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, or ICBM, in a first-of-its-kind test, according to the Missile Defense Agency.
Senate passes Anti-Doping bill
The US Senate passed an anti-doping bill Monday that would allow American officials to seek criminal charges against people involved in doping at international sports events in which US athletes, sponsors, or broadcasters are participants, DW reports. While the bill is expected to be signed by President Trump, The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has expressed its concerns that the bill does not apply to US professional and collegiate sports leagues: the original draft bill included these domestic leagues.
Americans across party lines, regions embrace marijuana
The 2020 election helped prove how broadly accepted marijuana has become throughout the United States, with measures to legalize recreational pot also breezing to victory in progressive New Jersey, moderate Arizona and conservative Montana. Fifteen states have now broadly legalized it, while 36 states allow medical marijuana.
U.S., Israel Could Have Some Surprises Up Their Sleeves In Final Weeks Of Trump Administration: Report
The United States and Israel could have some potential surprises waiting in store for Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, in the final weeks of the Trump administration, including the possibility of launching strikes against a nuclear facility.
Abu Mohammed al-Masri, Al Qaeda’s No. 2, killed in US-Israel joint operation in Iran
The United States and Israel worked together to track and kill a senior Al Qaeda operative in Iran earlier this year, a bold intelligence operation by the two allied nations that came as the Trump administration was ramping up pressure on Tehran.
Pompeo arrives in Paris, kicking off 7-country tour
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Paris Saturday for the first stop on a planned seven-country tour.
Iran to Block Inspectors at Nuclear Sites
Iran will reduce the access international nuclear inspectors have to its sites following a new watchdog report indicating Tehran is stockpiling more than 12 times the amount of enriched uranium allowed under the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Netanyahu announces purchase of 4 million vaccines by January
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday an agreement to purchase 4 million vaccines from Pfizer as early as January, an agreement that will cost well over $200 million and remains subject to the vaccine receiving approval in the United States.
China ‘Congratulates’ Biden On U.S. ‘Election Victory’
China on Friday “congratulated” Joe Biden with his claimed victory in the November 3 presidential elections, despite ongoing White House investigations into reported voter fraud.
Former Trump advisor: Israel may act against Iran before Biden admin.
Former National Security Advisor Gen. H.R. McMaster for the Trump administration said in an interview with Fox News Thursday that President-elect Joe Biden should not rejoin the 2015 Iran nuclear deal upon taking office in on January 20.