Washington Bracing For Huge Military Operation
Thousands of troops are stationed in Washington D.C. amid mounting tensions ahead of Joe Biden’s “virtual” inauguration as the 46th president of the United States.
War
Trump Denies True Supporters Among Rioters Storming Capitol
U.S. President Donald J. Trump urged his supporters to remain peaceful after being impeached by the House for a record second time with Republican voters.
US official: Target of Syria airstrikes was used for Iran’s nuclear program
Airstrikes near the Syria-Iraq border early Wednesday targeted sites used for Iran’s nuclear program, a senior US intelligence official told AlJazeera Wednesday.
Trump Is 1st US President Impeached Twice
Donald J. Trump became the first president in US history to be impeached twice and is now facing a Senate trial over the Capitol riots that sparked outrage across America.
Trump Denies Wrongdoing In Deadly Assault; Condemns Impeachment
In his first public comments since last week’s deadly assault on the US Congress, President Donald J. Trump condemned those seeking to impeach him over the violence.
EU Concerned About Iran’s Ambitions
The European Union has warned Iran that its decision to increase uranium enrichment could undermine efforts to keep a nuclear deal alive. The warning comes amid diplomatic efforts to bring the United States back on board under a new administration.
Pompeo: Al-Qaeda has new home base in Iran, threatening region, Abraham Accords
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday accused Iran of harboring al-Qaeda, saying the country has become a “home base” for the terror group.
Report: IDF Dropped Warning Leaflets Addressed to Syrian Officer Ahead of Strike
One day after Syrian state media outlets reported Israeli airstrikes in the south of the country, a website aligned with Syrian opposition forces published an image of a warning leaflet ostensibly dropped by the Israeli Defense Forces.
WHO team set to arrive in Wuhan to investigate origins of pandemic
A World Health Organization (WHO) team of international experts will fly from Singapore to Wuhan, China on Thursday in order to try and investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuters reports. This mission has been relaunched following a setback last month when China denied entry to two investigators who were then forced to return home.
Iranian nuclear deal must be restored soon, UN atomic watchdog warns
The United Nations’ atomic watchdog chief stressed urgency Monday in reviving an Obama-era nuclear deal aimed at thwarting Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, a report says.
FBI warns of planned armed protests next week in all 50 US state capitals and DC
The FBI is warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington, DC, in the days leading up to US President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, stoking fears of more bloodshed after last week’s deadly siege at the US Capitol.
Pakistan: Christian leader threatened with death for Facebook post criticizing Islam
A Christian lay leader in Pakistan was taken into police custody last month as hundreds of Muslims descended on his Lahore neighborhood threatening to kill him for sharing a post against Islam on his Facebook page, Morning Star News reports. The outraged mob also threatened to burn down homes in Raja Warris’ neighborhood in the Charar area of Lahore, causing Pakistani Christians in the community to flee for their lives.
Egypt, Germany, France, Jordan discuss Israeli-Palestinian talks ahead of Biden inauguration
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Germany, France, and Jordan met in Cairo Monday to discuss reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace talks as US President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office on January 20, the Times of Israel reports.
Thousands of Refugees Stuck in Bitter Balkan Winter
The United Nations says thousands of migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty urgently need proper shelter and care in Bosnia-Herzegovina after weeks outdoors in the freezing cold. With authorities declining to open more adequate facilities, many are now sleeping in unheated tents or rough near the northern town of Bihac.
Iran threatens to start enriching uranium to 90 percent: report
Iran warned Thursday that the country could ramp up its uranium enrichment to 90 percent — just around the weapons-grade level.
Twitter Bans Trump Amid Social Media Boycott
Social network giant Twitter has permanently banned U.S. President Donald J. Trump because the free world leader allegedly violated its policies by inciting violence.
China: New defense law increases military control of war powers, makes it easier to deploy against U.S.
China has amended a defense law to give increased control for its military to the Central Military Commission (CMC) which oversees the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and is chaired by President Xi Jinping, Anti-War reports. The Chinese military can now deploy much more quickly if it wants to challenge US warships that frequently patrol near the Chinese coast.
Israeli intel expert: Virus likely ‘unnatural’
Retired Israeli Lt. Col. Dany Shoham, who was among the first to suggest that the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak may be linked to China’s military research, now believes there is a strong possibility that the virus escaped from a Chinese laboratory.
Pentagon Activates 6,200 National Guard Members
The Defense Department has formally activated roughly 6,200 members of the National Guard from six northeastern states to help support the Capitol Police and other law enforcement in Washington in the wake of the deadly riot Wednesday that rocked the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. Resumes Debate About Biden’s Declared Victory After Deadly Violence
U.S. Senate resumed debating a Republican challenge against Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential election victory, hours after mobs claiming to be “pro-Trump” stormed the Capitol complex.