Turkey’s purchase of a Russian air defense missile system should not trigger U.S. sanctions because Ankara is not an adversary of Washington and remains committed to the NATO alliance, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Monday. Speaking at a U.S.-Turkey conference in Washington as tensions mount between the two NATO ... Read More »
Kim Jong-un vows to deliver ‘serious blow’ over sanctions
North Korean leader says ‘hostile forces’ are determined to bring country to its knees Kim Jong-un has vowed to deliver a “serious blow” to hostile countries he accused of using sanctions to bring the regime “to its knees”, according to the country’s state media. The North Korean leader’s broadside against ... Read More »
Exclusive: Egypt withdraws from U.S.-led anti-Iran security initiative – sources
Egypt has pulled out of the U.S. effort to forge an “Arab NATO” with key Arab allies, according to four sources familiar with the decision, in a blow to the Trump administration’s strategy to contain Iranian power. Egypt conveyed its decision to the United States and other participants in the ... Read More »
Sudan’s army to make ‘important statement’ as protesters call for Bashir to go
As analysts fear collapse of law and order army says it will address nation ‘soon’ The Sudanese army will make an “important statement soon”, state television and radio announced on Thursday morning, as thousands of protesters camped outside the military headquarters in Khartoum demanding the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir. ... Read More »
In unprecedented move, U.S. names Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a terrorist group
President Donald Trump said on Monday he would name Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization, in an unprecedented step that drew Iranian condemnation and raised concerns about retaliatory attacks on U.S. forces. The action by Trump, who has taken a hard line toward Iran by withdrawing from ... Read More »
Australia’s opposition Labor on track to win election
Australia’s opposition Labor is the favorite to win a national election expected in May, two polls showed on Monday, but its lead has narrowed over the conservative coalition government which announced income tax cuts in its budget last week. A closely watched Newspoll done for The Australian newspaper showed Labor ... Read More »
Google satellite shows first Saudi nuclear reactor only one year from completion, expert says
Inspections by UN nuclear watchdog are required before kingdom can insert fuel into the reactor Saudi Arabia is about a year away from completing the building of its first nuclear reactor, according to Google satellite images identified by a nuclear expert who said Thursday the construction so far appears to ... Read More »
Iran vows to retaliate if US lists Revolutionary Guards as terror organisation
‘So the leaders of America, who themselves are the creators and supporters of terrorists in the region, will regret this inappropriate and idiotic action Iran has threatened to retaliate against the US if it designates its elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. Washington is reportedly expected ... Read More »
Brexit to be delayed until next year after parties fail to break deadlock, attorney general warns
Geoffrey Cox admits Theresa May will be forced to accept Article 50 extension longer than ‘just a few weeks or months’ – paving way for new cabinet bust-up Brexit is on course to be delayed until next year, the attorney general has warned, as cross-party talks to end the crisis ... Read More »
High stakes for Turkey as Erdogan faces choice between US F-35 fighter jet and Russia’s S-400 missile system
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan now faces a choice that will have major consequences for both Turkey’s foreign relations and its economy. He can walk back pledges to buy a Russian missile defense system, the S-400, in favor of buying American weapons systems, or reject U.S. demands and forgo partaking ... Read More »
Lebanese Ministry of Information