Syria says Israeli airstrikes hit near Damascus airport
Israel reportedly carried out an airstrike Wednesday near the airport in the Syrian capital Damascus, according to Israel’s Channel 2 TV, which cited Syrian media reports.
Year: 2015
Court blow for Clinton: Judge orders release of 700 new docs
A federal judge ordered the State Department Tuesday to provide 700 new pages of records from Hillary Clinton’s former office by Dec. 1, paving the way for a spate of document releases that could continue well into next year.
Putin says Russia will respond to US missile shield by deploying new strike weapons
Russia will counter NATO’s U.S.-led missile defense program by deploying new strike weapons capable of piercing the shield, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.
U.S. to Help Iran Rebuild Nuclear Reactor
The United States and other global powers are helping Iran to update and reconstruct a nuclear reactor that has been suspected of helping the Islamic Republic produce enough material for a potential nuclear weapon, according to regional reports and statements from the State Department.
Russia to deliver S-300 missiles to Iran by the end of 2016
The Russian government is preparing to begin deliveries of S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran by the end of of 2016.
U.S. judge again rules NSA collection of phone data is likely unconstitutional
For the second time in as many years, a federal judge on Monday called the National Security Agency’s bulk collection of Americans’ telephone records likely unconstitutional, ordering a halt to the surveillance program three weeks before it is set to be phased out.
White House criticizes ruling against plan to defer deportation of up to 5 million immigrants
A Federal appeals court dealt a severe and possibly fatal blow Monday to President Obama’s executive actions to allow up to 5 million immigrants living illegally in the United States to stay and obtain work permits.
Netanyahu, Obama agree to expedite talks on new military aid package
US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed on Monday to expedite talks on a new 10-year American military aid package for Israel, in an effort to finish negotiations before the end of Obama’s term.
Special abortion panel goes behind closed doors
Don’t expect many public hearings from a new House committee created to investigate fetal tissue procurement from Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers.
US role in Syria brings push for Congress vote on new war powers
In the fight against the Islamic State group, members of Congress talk tough against extremism, but many want to run for cover when it comes to voting on new war powers to fight the militants, preferring to let the president own the battle.
Investigators ’90 percent sure’ bomb downed Russian plane
Investigators of the Russian plane crash in Egypt are “90 percent sure” the noise heard in the final second of a cockpit recording was an explosion caused by a bomb, a member of the investigation team told Reuters on Sunday.
US: Strikes against ISIS to increase
S and coalition forces are likely to increase air strikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria in coming weeks after a lull in September and October, the head of US Air Forces Central Command said Saturday.
Obamatrade: 100 pounds, 5,554-pages, 2 million words — and NO Amendments
The administration’s Trans-Pacific Partnership treaty legislation is 5,554 pages long, twice that of Obamacare and nearly 3 feet high, a legislative nightmare highlighted in a tweet from Sen. Jeff Sessions Monday.
Russian weapons chief: S-300 deal with Iran has been signed
Russia and Iran have signed a contract on Moscow’s delivery of the advanced S-300 missile defense system to the Islamic Republic, Sergei Chemezov, chief executive of Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec, said Monday.
‘Sick of Islam,’ Muslims turn to Christ
Kurdish Muslims in Iraq are turning to Christ after witnessing first hand the brutality of ISIS as it wages violent jihad in the name of Islam.
Pakistan: Christians mark anniversary of brick kiln murders
Pakistan’s Christian community has just commemorated the first anniversary of the murder of a Christian couple burned alive after falsely being accused of blasphemy.
Obama, Netanyahu discuss path to two-state talks with Palestinians
In their first meeting since the U.S. signed a nuclear accord with Iran over Israeli objections, President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they want to get talks back on track between Israelis and Palestinians toward a two-state solution.
Social Security Spending Hits New Record — Now Nearly $1 Trillion
Spending by the Social Security Administration–which includes payments for Social Security and disability benefits as well as Supplemental Security Income payments and the administrative costs for these programs–hit a record $944,143,000,000 in fiscal 2015, according to data published by the U.S. Treasury.
Obama angers Democrats’ labor base with Keystone rejection, Trans-Pacific Partnership
President Obama’s relationship with blue-collar unions has hit an all-time low, with several powerful labor groups ripping into the administration — and the Democratic Party as a whole — for its rejection of the Keystone XL oil pipeline and its promotion of the highly controversial trade deal known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Israel strikes Hamas site in Gaza after rocket attack
Israel carried out an air strike in the Gaza Strip Sunday night in response to a rocket attack earlier in the day, targeting a Hamas installation.