Iran slated to begin work on advanced centrifuges as damage control for nuclear deal fails
Iran will begin work on advanced centrifuges that allow for faster enrichment of uranium, AP reported Thursday.
World Headlines
Hurricane Dorian: Authorities expecting a ‘staggering’ death toll in Bahamas
About 70,000 people need immediate humanitarian assistance in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian hit the island nation, as authorities said the final death toll could be ‘staggering’.
Taliban suicide bombing kills 10, injures 42 near US Embassy in Kabul
A Taliban suicide car bomb rocked Kabul on Thursday, killing at least 10 civilians in a diplomatic area that also includes the US Embassy — the second such attack this week that underscored Afghan government warnings that a preliminary US-Taliban deal on ending America’s longest war was moving dangerously quickly.
US offers cash reward to captain of Iranian ship in bid to seize it
The US on Wednesday offered the captain of an Iranian oil tanker millions of dollars to dock the ship in a port where it could be seized.
Hong Kong leader pulls extradition bill, but too little too late, say some
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Wednesday withdrew an extradition bill that triggered months of often violent protests so the Chinese-ruled city can move forward from a ‘highly vulnerable and dangerous’ place and find solutions.
US adds new sanctions and reward to further pressure Iran
The Trump administration stepped up pressure on Iran on Wednesday, imposing sanctions on an oil shipping network with ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and offering a reward of up to $15 million for anyone with information that could disrupt its faltering economy even further.
US State and Treasury Departments Slap First-Ever Sanctions on Iran’s Space Program
Both the US State and Treasury Departments announced on Tuesday the slapping of sanctions on Iran’s space agency for the first time, accusing it of developing weapons of mass destruction and other weapon capabilities, such as space-launch vehicle technologies, which the State Department alleged were ‘virtually identical and interchangeable with those used in ballistic missiles.’
Saudi Arabia Boosts Troop Levels in South Yemen as Tensions Rise
Saudi Arabia has deployed more troops in southern Yemen to try to contain clashes between nominal allies in the Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthis that risks further fragmenting the country.
Britain, US and France may be complicit in Yemen war crimes, UN says
Britain, the US, and France may be complicit in war crimes in Yemen by supporting a Saudi-led coalition that starves civilians as a war tactic, the United Nations has said.
Iran warns EU over nuclear commitments as deadline for further steps looms
Iran said on Monday it would further reduce its commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal if European parties failed to shield Tehran’s economy from sanctions reimposed by the United States after Washington quit the accord last year.
Iran said hindering IAEA probe at alleged nuclear warehouse exposed by Netanyahu
Iran is obstructing a UN investigation into a site first identified by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year as a secret nuclear warehouse used to store radioactive material, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday night.
Hurricane Dorian causes ‘unprecedented’ damage to Bahamas
The Bahamas were feeling the full force of Hurricane Dorian on Monday as the storm swept across the archipelago with 185mph winds, leading the prime minister of the islands to report that ‘devastation is unprecedented’.
IAEA report raises suspicion Iran is hiding ‘undeclared nuclear material’
A forthcoming report from the International Atomic Energy Agency has stoked concerns that Iran is hiding illicit nuclear activity, according to government officials familiar with the agency’s still-unpublished assessment.
Syria war: US missile strike on ‘al-Qaeda leaders’ in Idlib
The US says it has carried out an attack on leaders of a group it calls al-Qaeda in Syria, in the country’s rebel-held Idlib province.
Iranian Oil Tanker Held for Six Weeks Now Under US Sanctions and Stranded at Sea
An Iranian oil tanker detained by the British in July and since released has been blacklisted by the US Treasury Department.
Trump Says U.S. To Retain Military Presence In Afghanistan, Even With Peace Deal
President Donald Trump says the United States will continue to maintain a military presence in Afghanistan even after a peace deal with the Taliban is reached.
Signs of new U.S.-China trade discussions emerge as increased tariffs loom
The United States and China gave signs on Thursday that they will resume trade talks as the two economic superpowers discussed the next round of in-person negotiations in September ahead of a looming deadline for additional U.S. tariffs.
U.S. Sanctions Two Networks ‘Supporting Iran’s WMD Program’
The United States has imposed sanctions on two networks it says are engaged in ‘covert procurement activities’ benefiting Iranian military organizations and supporting Iran’s ‘missile proliferation programs,’ the Treasury Department has said.
US cyber attack said to have disabled Iran’s ability to target oil tankers
The United States attacked and disabled a critical Iranian database used to target oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, the New York Times reported Wednesday, citing several US security officials.
China rotates new batch of troops into Hong Kong
China’s military has rotated a new batch of troops into Hong Kong describing the move as routine, state media said on Thursday, as protests against Beijing continue to rock the Asian financial hub.