China Underreporting True Scale of Deadly Viral Outbreak, Expert Says
The Chinese regime is likely underreporting the true scale of the coronavirus outbreak, according to a Harvard epidemiologist.
EU
Low Ratings as Trump Impeachment Trial Drops 19% on Second Day
About 8.9 million TV viewers watched the U.S. Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on Wednesday, the first day Democrats laid out their case against the president, marking a significant drop from the roughly 11 million viewers who watched on Tuesday, according to Nielsen ratings data.
Britain’s Brexit bill becomes law
Britain’s long-delayed and contentious Brexit bill, with royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II, became law Thursday after more than three and a half years of bitter dispute.
At Holocaust forum, Pence says world must stand strong against ‘anti-Semitic Iran’
The central event of the Fifth World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem took place on Thursday, with dozens of world leaders in attendance to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp.
U.S. Supreme Court decision in Montana case could alter school choice restrictions across U.S.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a Montana school choice case that could directly impact 37 state constitutions banning public funds from being used on religious schools.
Iran threatens Europe with ‘consequences’ after move to hold country accountable for violating nuclear deal
Iran is asking European countries to stay in the 2015 nuclear deal despite already violating the agreement.
Trump Says Tariffs on European Cars Are Coming If Trade Deal Falls Through
President Donald Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland that if an expected trade deal with the European Union falls through, he would press ahead with tariffs on European cars.
China confirms deadly Wuhan coronavirus can be transmitted by humans
Chinese authorities have confirmed a deadly virus that has infected more than 200 people in four countries can be transmitted via human-to-human contact.
Angered by EU Approach to Nuclear Deal, Iran Threatens to Withdraw From NPT
Iran warned Monday it will withdraw from the global nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if Germany, France, and Britain refer their dispute over the Iran nuclear deal to the U.N. Security Council.
U.S. housing starts at 13-year high, factory output gains
U.S. homebuilding surged to a 13-year high in December as activity increased across the board, suggesting the housing market recovery was back on track amid low mortgage rates, and could help support the longest economic expansion on record.
Russia Supports Iran Joining Moscow-Beijing Security Bloc
Just days after the Iranian regime fired missiles at military bases in Iraq and accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane, Russia’s foreign minister has reiterated that Moscow supports full membership for Tehran in a Eurasian security bloc sometimes viewed as an aspiring counterweight to NATO and the West.
EU warns Turkey against ‘illegal’ Mediterranean gas exploration plans
The European Union has urged Turkey to drop plans to drill for oil and gas around Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean, saying such exploration was ‘illegal.’
Italian far-right leader Salvini says he’d move embassy to Jerusalem if elected
Italian prime ministerial frontrunner Matteo Salvini has told an Israeli newspaper he would recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital if he were elected.
US threatens tariffs on Europeans unless Iran nuke deal scrapped
Iran accused European governments Thursday of sacrificing a troubled 2015 nuclear deal to avoid trade reprisals from US President Donald Trump, who has spent nearly two years trying to scupper the agreement.
Iran’s Rouhani says ‘no limit’ to uranium enrichment, producing more than before Obama-era deal
A defiant Iranian President Hassan Rouhani boasted Thursday that there is ‘no limit’ to his country’s level of uranium enrichment — just days after European powers raised concerns about the Islamic Republic backing away from a 2015 nuclear deal.
Doubts linger after U.S. and China sign initial trade deal
China will boost spending on U.S. products in exchange for the rolling back of some tariffs under an initial trade deal signed by the world’s two largest economies on Wednesday, defusing an 18-month row but leaving numerous thorny issues unresolved.
Iran Issues Threats, Russia and China React Negatively to E.U. Nuclear Deal Dispute Action
Russia and China have responded negatively to Tuesday’s decision by their European partners in the Iran nuclear deal to trigger a formal dispute resolution process in response to Tehran’s actions in violation of the 2015 agreement.
Jordan’s king warns of Israeli annexation, ‘untold chaos’ of possible U.S.-Iran war
Jordan’s King Abdullah II warned Wednesday that if Israel succeeds in imposing ‘an unthinkable solution’ by annexing parts of the West Bank, hopes for a two-state solution and Palestinian state would quickly come to an end.
French President seeks to address African terrorism
French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting several African leaders this week to discuss Islamic extremism that is spreading across the continent, seeming to give heed to a recent warning from a French philosopher that a Rwanda-style genocide is developing there.
U.S., China set to sign massive purchases deal, easing trade war
The U.S.-China trade war is set to enter a new, quieter phase on Wednesday as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He sign an initial trade deal that aims to vastly increase Chinese purchases of U.S. manufactured products, agricultural goods, energy, and services.