New scandal in Obama’s war against Netanyahu
Democrats in Washington have expressed outrage over still-unproved allegations the Trump campaign colluded with Russia in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to defeat their candidate, Hillary Clinton.
Washington
IDF chief: Iranian nuclear threat ‘is not theoretical’
Iran’s desire for nuclear weapons has not been extinguished by the nuclear deal it signed with world powers, IDF Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot said Tuesday.
House to vote on stopgap spending bill that extends CHIP
The House will vote as early as Thursday on a measure to temporarily extend government funding until Feb. 16 and to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program for six years.
Iran tortures and kills protesters; West mostly silent as 8,000 citizens arrested
Iran’s rulers have inflicted death by torture and gunfire on citizen protesters in a crackdown since the Dec. 28 street uprising erupted, the main opposition group said Tuesday.
Democrats confident they can win government shutdown fight
The federal government barreled toward a partial shutdown Monday as the Democrats in Congress dug in their heels in a battle of political wills with President Trump and his Republican allies on Capitol Hill.
UK air force scrambles 2 fighters to intercept Russian jets
Britain’s Royal Air Force scrambled two fighter jets to intercept Russian strategic bombers near U.K. airspace on Monday, in another illustration of ongoing tensions.
Turkey’s Erdogan vows to destroy U.S.-backed ‘terror army’ in Syria
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to destroy a 30,000-man border security force in Syria, trained and equipped by Washington, characterizing it as a ‘terror army’ designed to infringe on the country’s sovereignty in the region.
North Korea is Worst Place for Christian Persecution, Group Says
For the 16th year in a row, North Korea tops the list of 50 countries ranked for the worst persecution of Christians in the world, according to the Christian watchdog organization Open Doors USA.
Russia, US hold talks about nuclear pact, Putin says
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow is holding negotiations with Washington regarding a pivotal nuclear arms pact.
Europe, Iran to meet on backing nuclear deal as Trump decision looms
Europe and Iran are to put on a united front in support of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal at talks in Brussels Thursday as Washington mulls reimposing sanctions on Tehran.
Growing number of retirements threatens Republican House majority
The Republican Party’s tenuous grip on the House majority slipped Wednesday after Rep. Darrell Issa became the second California Republican this week to opt for retirement over fighting an uncertain battle for re-election.
GOP gambles with vote on controversial surveillance bill
House Republicans on Thursday will try to reauthorize a key but controversial counterterrorism tool, despite a split among lawmakers that could end up sinking the bill.
U.S. Could Send Stranded Iranian Christians Back to Iran
The U.S. government could send 100 mostly Christian Iranians stranded in Austria back to Iran this week, where they would face harsh persecution by Iran’s Islamic government.
Iranian FM in Russia for talks on nuclear deal, Syria
Iran’s foreign minister is visiting Moscow for talks focusing on the future of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and the situation in Syria, where both nations support President Bashar Assad.
Federal Judges Order North Carolina to Quickly Redraw Congressional Districts
A panel of three federal judges has ordered North Carolina to redraw its Congressional district boundaries immediately, saying the current version is unconstitutional.
Palestinian Authority Paid Terrorists Over $347 Million in 2017
The Palestinian Authority paid terrorists and their families more than $347 million last year, according to its own records.
Sen. Cruz Introduces Legislation to Make Tax Cuts Permanent
Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) has introduced a bill that would make the individual tax cuts included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent.
Israeli jets and rockets hit Syria overnight, Syrian army claims
The Syrian army claimed Tuesday that Israeli fighter jets and rockets targeted positions inside the war-torn nation overnight, marking a potential uptick in tensions between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants operating there.
Senate vote on 20-week abortion ban coming this month
The Senate is likely to vote this month on a bill that would ban abortion after 20 weeks of gestation, sources familiar with the matter told the Washington Examiner.
US banks buoy reserves as credit card debt hits $1.02 trillion record
Sure, a record $1.02 trillion in U.S. credit card debt gives banks the chance to earn higher interest.