Iran opposes military action in Syria, Zarif tells Turkey
Iran’s top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif told his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in a phone call that Tehran is opposed to military action in Syria, the foreign ministry said.
Worthy News
Judge tosses a Trump lawsuit to keep his taxes secret
A federal judge in New York spiked President Donald Trump’s attempt to block a Manhattan prosecutor from obtaining his tax and financial records from the accounting firm Mazars USA, dismissing his ‘extraordinary’ claim to be immune from criminal investigation.
Trump defends decision on Syria, says he was elected to get out of ‘endless wars’
President Trump on Monday defended his decision to pull U.S. troops out of northeast Syria, saying he is keeping his pledge to get Americans out of ‘endless wars.’
Iran unveils kit to convert artillery rockets into guided missiles
The Iranian military says it has produced a new conversion kit to upgrade artillery rockets to surface-to-surface missiles, technology that Israel has accused Tehran of attempting to deliver to the Hezbollah terror group.
US signs limited deal with Japan on ag, digital trade
The United States and Japan signed a limited trade agreement Monday, a deal that would win back benefits American farmers lost when President Donald Trump pulled out of a broader Asia-Pacific pact his first week in office.
Turkey military advances as U.S. withdraws from Syria
World leaders were “preparing for the worst” Monday as Turkey moved quickly toward a sweeping military offensive against U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters in northern Syria after President Trump’s surprise announcement that he would pull American forces out of a crucial buffer zone along the border between the two nations.
As impeachment looms, GOP revolts against Trump on Syria
They may have his back on impeachment, but some of President Donald Trump’s most loyal allies are suddenly revolting against his decision to pull back U.S. troops from northern Syria.
Federal deficit rose to $984B in 2019, highest in 7 years: Budget office
The federal deficit rose to $984 billion in fiscal year 2019, the Congressional Budget Office estimated on Monday, an increase of $205 billion.
Report: Iran Plans to Start Using More Advanced Centrifuges
Iran plans to start using a new array of advanced centrifuges for enriching uranium, the country’s nuclear chief said Monday according to state television, in a move likely to intensify pressure on Europe to save Tehran’s collapsing nuclear deal with world powers.
Hong Kong’s Lam says Chinese military could step in if uprising worsens
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam warned Tuesday the Chinese military could step in if an uprising for democratic reforms in the city worsens, but she reiterated the government still hopes to resolve the crisis on its own without seeking mainland intervention.
House Democrats Subpoena Pentagon, Prepare to Depose Sondland in Impeachment Inquiry
Three U.S. House of Representatives committees are set to question Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, on Tuesday to find out more about the interactions between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian officials.
‘Islamic State’ resurgence a ‘very real possibility’ after US exits Syria
For months, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to send troops into neighboring Syria. Then, on Saturday, he announced he would deliver on his promise and send Turkish air and ground forces into the country. Erdogan plans to create a “safe zone” along the Turkish-Syrian border. The purpose of this is to push back the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are led by the predominantly Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). Ankara considers the Kurdish militia a threat to its national security.
Gideon Sa’ar emerges as first Likud challenger to PM in over decade of rule
With a simple tweet, Gideon Sa’ar did what no Israeli politician from the ruling conservative party has done in more than a decade — openly challenge its chief, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Turkey’s Syria incursion may allow ISIS to attempt mass prison break amid US withdrawal, Kurdish fighters warn
ISIS fighters and other terrorists comprising the more than 10,000 Islamic militants jailed in northeast Syria could launch a mass prison break as U.S. troops withdraw from the region in response to Turkey’s impending incursion, Syrian Kurdish fighters warned Monday.
Supreme Court to hear first abortion case since Kavanaugh, Gorsuch confirmations
To the delight of pro-life advocates, the U.S. Supreme Court announced Friday it will consider a challenge to a Republican-backed Louisiana law requiring doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.
New Round of Talks on Nile Waters Starts in Sudan’s Capital
Irrigation ministers of three key Nile Basin countries were meeting Friday in Sudan’s capital, seeking to resolve differences over Ethiopia’s soon-to-be-finished Blue Nile dam, which Cairo claims threatens its water supply.
US-North Korean Nuclear Talks Come to Abrupt End, Pyongyang Negotiator Says
North Korea’s top nuclear negotiator says working-level nuclear talks Saturday with the U.S. in Stockholm ended shortly after they began.
Commerce Dept.: U.S. trade deficit has grown by nearly $1B
The U.S. trade deficit has grown by nearly $1 billion after the Trump administration imposed new tariffs against Chinese products, the Commerce Department said in a report Friday.
Iran not ‘drawing back’ militarily after Saudi attack – U.S. admiral
Iran has not drawn back to a less threatening military posture in the region following the Sept. 14 attack on Saudi Arabia, the top U.S. admiral in the Middle East told Reuters, suggesting persistent concern despite a lull in violence.
Economy added 136,000 jobs in September to bring unemployment to 5-decade low
The U.S. economy added 136,000 jobs in September, and the unemployment rate ticked down to 3.5%, a new 50-year low, according to federal data released Friday.