Russia prepares ‘crushing’ offensive in Syria
Russian forces are preparing a military operation to help Syrian dictator Bashar Assad reclaim the last major cities held by rebel forces and terrorists, according to Moscow’s top diplomat.
Washington
Supreme Court Declines Challenge to ‘In God We Trust’ Motto
The Supreme Court declined to take up a legal challenge to the inscription of ‘In God We Trust’ on coins and currency.
Trump calls off tariffs after Mexico vows to tighten borders
The United States and Mexico struck a deal on Friday to avert a tariff war, with Mexico agreeing to rapidly expand a controversial asylum program and deploy security forces to stem the flow of illegal Central American migrants.
Defying China, U.S. to sell new tanks, anti-aircraft missiles to Taiwan in $2B deal
In a deal that has drawn the anger of mainland China, Taiwan has signed a multibillion-dollar weapons deal with the Trump administration for hundreds of new tanks, rockets and surface-to-air missiles, defense officials in Taipei confirmed this week.
With Mexico Deal Done, US Urges China to Resume Trade Talks
One down, still others to go. President Donald Trump claimed a victory after Washington and Mexico agreed on measures to stem the flow of Central American migrants into the United States.
US Starts ‘Unwinding’ Turkey from F-35 Fighter Jet Program
The United States on Friday raised the stakes in its standoff with Turkey over Ankara’s deal to acquire a Russian air defense system, laying out a plan to remove the NATO ally from the F-35 fighter jet program that includes halting any new training for Turkish pilots on the advanced aircraft.
WA Supreme Court Doubles Down to Punish Christian Florist, Despite What US Supreme Court Ruled
The case of a Washington state florist who was fined for refusing to make a floral arrangement for a gay wedding in 2013 could go back to the US Supreme Court.
House launches pre-impeachment agenda this week
House Democrats this week plan to begin making the case for an impeachment inquiry into President Trump.
FBI wiretap petitions for Trump campaign contained key errors
Four FBI wiretap applications targeting a Trump campaign volunteer were more inaccurate than previously known based on subsequent investigative information, an analysis shows.
Washington Supreme Court Upholds Ruling against Florist Who Refused to Serve Same-Sex Wedding
The Washington Supreme Court on Thursday upheld its previous ruling that a florist’s refusal to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding violated the state’s anti-discrimination laws.
Trump, Macron agree Iran must not develop nukes
President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday they agree on the need to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and hope to renew talks with Tehran.
‘Wake up call’: 1M new STD infections daily
More than 1 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases pop up across the world every day, a figure that shows health officials have made little progress in curbing infections over the course of about five years.
Trump says ‘at least’ $300B in new China tariffs possible
President Trump said Thursday that while trade negotiations remain ongoing with China, his administration was preparing ‘at least’ $300 billion in new tariffs on their goods if the talks fall apart.
Trump says ‘not enough’ progress made in high-stakes U.S.-Mexico talks
Mexican and U.S. officials are set to resume talks in Washington on Thursday aimed at averting an imposition of tariffs on Mexican goods, with President Donald Trump saying ‘not enough’ progress on ways to curb migration was made when the two sides met on Wednesday.
Israel said trying to block bipartisan Senate two-state resolution
Israeli diplomats in Washington have been working to prevent the Senate from passing a bipartisan resolution that would endorse a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a report published Wednesday.
EU urges US to respect both sides in Mideast peace moves
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is urging the United States to respect the needs of both Israelis and the Palestinians in any future Mideast peace moves.
Bill to Legalize Assisted Suicide in Maine Goes to Governor
The Maine Legislature voted Tuesday to legalize assisted suicide, with supporters declaring it in line with the state’s tradition of individualism and opponents insisting the practice tempts fate.
House Democrats pass ‘Dream Act’ despite likely Senate block
The House passed the ‘Dream and Promise Act,’ which provides a pathway to citizenship for 2.5 million people who came to the United States illegally as children as well as foreigners living here under temporary protected status.
Erdogan says Turkey committed to Russian missile defense deal
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday it was out of the question for Turkey to take a step back from its deal with Moscow to buy Russian S-400 missile defense systems.
On fourth try, House passes $19.1B disaster aid package
House lawmakers cleared a critical disaster aid package Monday, overruling a group of conservatives who had blocked unanimous consent of the measure after three attempts at passing it last week.