US, China impose further tariffs, escalating trade war
The United States and China escalated their acrimonious trade war on Thursday (Aug 23), implementing punitive 25 percent tariffs on US$16 billion worth of the other’s goods.
United States
US not discussing recognition of Israeli sovereignty on Golan — Bolton
US President Donald Trump’s national security adviser John Bolton on Wednesday said the administration wasn’t discussing potential recognition of Israel’s claim to sovereignty over the Golan Heights, despite reported pressure from Jerusalem to make the move.
Bolton: Putin said he can’t force Iran out of Syria, but wants it gone
Russian President Vladimir Putin told the United States that his country would like Iranian forces to withdraw from Syria but cannot force them out, US President Donald Trump’s national security adviser said on Wednesday, despite Israeli calls for Iran to leave immediately.
US security adviser: Our goal is to get Iran out of Syria
White House National Security Adviser John Bolton arrived in Israel Sunday and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks focused mainly on Iran.
Erdogan vows Turkey will not be cowed by US
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Saturday that his country would not be cowed by the United States, his latest broadside in the bitter feud between Ankara and Washington.
Two Iranian-Americans Charged With Spying on Jewish, Israeli Facilities
Two Iranian-Americans have been charged by the Trump administration with spying on Jewish and Israeli-associated facilities in California on behalf of the hardline Iranian regime, the Department of Justice announced late Monday.
Britain urges US, Europe to ‘go further’ in countering Russia
New British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Tuesday (Aug 21) will urge the United States and European countries to do more to call out Russia’s ‘malign behavior’ and keep Vladimir Putin in check, notably by implementing tough sanctions.
Bolton in Israel: Iran Nuclear Program at ‘Top of List’ in Talks With Netanyahu
Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs are at ‘the top of the list,’ U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton said Sunday after arriving in Israel, where he plans to holds talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Pentagon: China Boosts Nuclear Readiness
China added significant numbers of bombers to its military forces in the past year as part of a large-scale military buildup targeting the United States, a Pentagon’s report on the Chinese military says.
Military Atheist Group Wants to Throw Air Force Commander ‘Behind Prison Bars’ for His Christian Faith
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) sent a formal complaint this week to Defense Secretary James Mattis calling for an investigation of Brig. Gen. E. John Teichert, a Christian and the newly installed commander of the 412 Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
U.S. welcomes Saudi Arabia’s pledge of $100 million for Syria
The United States on Thursday welcomed Saudi Arabia’s contribution of $100 million to help stabilize parts of Syria no longer held by Islamic State, which comes as the Trump administration looks to cut back on foreign aid.
U.S. readying more Turkey sanctions unless detained American pastor is released
Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said Thursday that the United States is preparing more sanctions against Turkey if American pastor Andrew Brunson is not released from custody.
U.S. and Mexico to set up joint team to fight drug cartels
U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities will set up a joint team based in Chicago targeting the leaders and finances of drug cartels that ship opioids into the United States, aiming to stanch a spike in overdose deaths, officials said on Wednesday.
Mexico unsure if it will finish NAFTA talks with U.S. in August
Mexico’s economy minister on Wednesday said that Mexico and the United States may not meet an August goal to finish bilateral talks to revamp the NAFTA trade deal, which is beset by disagreements over automobile trade rules and other issues.
Turkey braces for hard times amid currency crisis, US spat
Some Turks are reacting with defiance to their plunging currency and an escalating trade and political dispute with the United States – an indication that they are ready to endure economic pain and risk further deterioration in a key, yet troubled alliance dating from the Cold War.
U.S. Says Small Russian Satellite A Space Weapon
Russia has deployed a suspicious satellite the United States says is part of Moscow’s plans to attack orbiting satellites in a future conflict, a State Department official revealed in Geneva on Tuesday.
Evacuations, rescues as ‘historic’ floods hit northeastern U.S.
New Jersey declared a partial state of emergency on Tuesday as forecasts for further heavy rainfall posed new danger in parts of that state, New York and Pennsylvania, where rescuers hauled people from waterways, flooded cars and homes.
Charlottesville anniversary: Few arrests, peaceful protests
Thousands of people wanting to send a message that racism isn’t welcome in the United States gathered in a park outside the White House to protest a white nationalist rally on the anniversary of the deadly violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Lira collapses as Erdogan tells Turks: They have ‘their dollars,’ we have ‘our god’
The Turkish lira has collapsed to an all-time low against the dollar, but the country’s leader has brushed aside concerns, telling Turks ‘we have our God.’ The Turkish President Recep Erdogan then followed those comments up Friday by urging Turks to sell dollars and gold and buy lira.
More than 100 large wildfires in U.S. as new blazes erupt
Six large new wildfires erupted in the United States, pushing the number of major active blazes nationwide to over 100, with more expected to break out sparked by lightning strikes on bone-dry terrain, authorities said on Saturday.