Democrats pass measure aimed at curbing Trump military authority in Iran
House Democrats Thursday passed a resolution to curb President Trump’s authority to use military force against Iran.
Washington
Erdogan, Putin launch new gas line, vow Mideast diplomacy
The presidents of Turkey and Russia inaugurated the dual natural gas line connecting their countries Wednesday, opening up a new export path for Russian gas into Turkey and Europe and promising cooperation in trade and diplomacy.
New envoy for Trump peace plan meets with Israeli leaders for first time
Avi Berkowitz, who replaced Jason Greenblatt as the US envoy for the Trump Administration’s “Deal of the Century,” met with leaders in Israel this week for the first time as officials in Jerusalem and Washington said the US may release its peace plan before third Israeli elections on March 2.
Christian group warns of ‘chaos’ in Iraq after U.S. strike
A leading international group monitoring persecution of Christians says Iran, newly spurned by Thursday night’s drone strike that killed the Islamic republic’s elite military commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani, may target Christians living in Iraq as revenge for the U.S. attacks.
More than 200 members of Congress ask Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade in latest abortion case
More than 200 members of Congress asked the Supreme Court to consider overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, when it takes up a major abortion case this spring.
Translation of ISIS video threatens Christians of the world for killing of al-Baghdadi
A translation from a 56-second video released by the Amaq ISIS news outlet showing the beheading and execution of 11 Christians in Nigeria over the Christmas holiday was provided by the Washington-based SITE Intelligence Group in recent days.
Two government investigations leave Steele dossier in shambles
Two official government reports have exonerated President Trump and his associates of the serious Russia allegations in the Democratic Party-financed dossier written by Christopher Steele and his handler, Fusion GPS.
Texas pastor thankful parishioners had ‘opportunity to protect ourselves’ during church shooting
A minister at a Texas church where a parishioner shot and killed a man who opened fire on the Sunday congregation thanked state leaders for granting the man the right to carry a firearm to the service.
Trump says California, New York must ask ‘politely’ if they want federal aid for homeless
President Trump said Saturday that his willingness to combat homelessness in California and New York depends on whether their governors ask him ‘politely’ for help.
US cyber officials consider information warfare to counter Russian meddling in 2020
Cyber officials within the U.S. military have started to examine possible methods of information warfare that could be used to counter interference in elections.
Supreme Court to hear Louisiana abortion case in 2020
A case testing abortion access in Louisiana will come before the Supreme Court early next year, giving President Trump’s two appointees their first chance to leave a mark on the topic.
Iran to hold joint, four-day navy drill with Russia, China
Iran’s armed forces will hold a joint, four-day naval exercise with Russia and China in the northern part of the Indian Ocean, a spokesman said Wednesday.
Second circuit of Iran’s Arak reactor to be completed Monday
The second circuit of Iran’s Arak heavy-water reactor is slated to go online on Monday, bringing it another stage closer to being fully operational, the country’s semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
U.K. lawmakers OK Boris Johnson’s Brexit bill, pave way to leave EU
British lawmakers approved in principle Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit bill, clearing the way for the U.K. to leave the European Union next month.
Cyprus, Greece, Israel to sign pipeline deal on Jan. 2
The leaders of Cyprus, Greece and Israel plan to sign an agreement early in the new year for the building of the eastern Mediterranean natural gas pipeline, the Greek prime minister’s office announced Sunday.
House passes Trump USMCA trade deal replacing NAFTA
The House voted Thursday to pass President Trump’s U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade, granting the White House a policy win just one day after impeaching the president.
Pompeo rolls out new sanctions on Iran for protest deaths
American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Thursday a new wave of sanctions against Iran for its harsh repression of protests that began on November 15 over austerity fuel prices.
Baghdad must ‘take actions’ after strikes on US interests, Washington says
The United States has called on Baghdad to ‘take actions’ to protect US interests in the country after a flurry of attacks that have been blamed on Iranian-backed groups.
Congress rejects White House request for $175 million to advance Mideast peace plan
The U.S. Congress rejected a request for $175 million to be spent on pushing ahead with President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan, a bipartisan spending bill published Monday showed.
Russian spy ship operating in ‘unsafe manner’ near U.S. submarine base
A Russian spy ship is conducting operations off the coast of the Eastern United States and has been engaged in unsafe activities near a U.S. nuclear missile submarine base, according to the Coast Guard.