Russia says tracking U.S. naval movements towards Syria
The Russian military said on Wednesday it was closely watching the situation around Syria and was aware of the movements of a U.S. naval strike force headed for the Gulf.
EU
Russia appears to be readying for a naval battle with the US near Syria — but it could be a bluff
Russia’s navy appears to have responded to President Donald Trump’s warning that US missiles are headed to Syria after he accused the Syrian government of again conducting chemical warfare against its people.
Iran Threatens to Restart Nuke Enrichment Program in Matter of Days
Iranian leaders are threatening to restart the country’s contested nuclear enrichment program in just a matter of days as the Trump administration and European allies scramble to address a range of flaws in the landmark nuclear accord ahead of a May deadline that could see the United States walk away from the accord, according to regional reports and administration insiders.
Trump orders review of $100 billion more in tariffs on China
Escalating his trade feud with China, President Trump ordered his administration Thursday night to consider adding another $100 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese products.
Russian oligarchs reportedly to be targeted under new US sanctions
Russian oligarchs with ties to President Vladimir Putin are to face sanctions in the US, according to American media reports, in retaliation for Moscow’s interference in the 2016 US election.
Akkuyu nuclear plant: Turkey and Russia’s atomic connection
Via video from Ankara, the presidents of Russia and Turkey, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, kicked off construction of Turkey’s first nuclear power plant. The Akkuyu power plant in the Mediterranean coastal province of Mersin is a Turkish-Russian venture expected to cost $20 billion and meet ten percent of Turkey’s energy needs. Yet experts say it remains unclear when it would really come online: Neither the required technology transfer from Russia nor a construction completion date has been set.
Trump hits China with tariffs on 1,300 products
The Trump administration Tuesday rolled out a list of proposed Chinese high-tech imports to hit with new tariffs, advancing get-tough measures that have raised alarms about a trade war.
Washington blasts China over retaliatory tariffs on $3 billion worth of US goods
The United States has lashed out at Beijing after Chinese tariffs on $3 billion (€2.4 billion) worth of US goods entered force on Monday.
Trump says DACA deal for young immigrants is off
President Donald Trump said on Sunday that there will be no deal to legalize the status of young adult immigrants called Dreamers and he said the U.S.-Mexico border is becoming more dangerous.
Banned: Conservatives Being Silenced on Social Media
Conservatives are feeling the heavy hand of censorship in the United States and across Western Europe. Their social media accounts are being banned, blocked and canceled on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook, often over criticism of Islam or immigration.
Trump has talked to Mattis about U.S.-Mexico wall funding: Pentagon
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump about the potential use of military funds for a border wall with Mexico, the Pentagon said on Thursday.
Strong earthquake hits Papua New Guinea
A powerful earthquake struck Papua New Guinea early Friday, one month after an even stronger quake killed 125 people on the island nation.
Study: 70% of Europeans see rapid population growth of Muslims as a serious threat
A large majority of Europeans are becoming increasingly worried about the rapid population growth of Muslims, a February survey of the Szazadveg Foundation shows.
Egypt’s Sisi heads for landslide election win with low turnout
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi cruised toward a landslide election victory against no real opposition but early results showed a lower turnout than the vote that brought him to power in 2014, despite efforts to get more Egyptians to the polls.
Russia Says It Will Expel 60 U.S. Diplomats in Retaliation for Trump’s Move
Russia is expelling 60 U.S. diplomats and ordering the closure of the American consulate in St. Petersburg, mirroring the expulsion of Russian diplomats by the U.S., Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
U.S. watchdog to probe Republican claims of FBI surveillance abuses
The internal watchdog at the U.S. Justice Department said on Wednesday he is launching a review into allegations by Republican lawmakers that the FBI made serious missteps when it sought a warrant to monitor a former adviser to President Donald Trump’s 2016 election campaign.
North and South Korea prepare for joint summit
Top-level officials from North and South Korea met near the border to prepare for an upcoming summit between the leaders of the two countries, the South confirmed on Thursday. The officials were discussing the details and possible dates for the inter-Korea talks.
European powers press for Iran sanctions to buttress nuclear deal
France, Britain and Germany sought on Wednesday to persuade their EU partners to back new sanctions on Iran to preserve a nuclear deal with Tehran that U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to pull out of in May, diplomats said.
Saudi Arabia must face U.S. lawsuits over Sept. 11 attacks
A U.S. judge on Wednesday rejected Saudi Arabia’s bid to dismiss lawsuits claiming that it helped plan the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and should pay billions of dollars in damages to victims.
Supreme Court weighs Republican challenge to Maryland electoral map
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday considers for the second time in recent months whether to rein in politicians who draw state electoral maps with the aim of entrenching their party in power in a case involving a Maryland congressional district.