As China ramps up efforts to scrub Taiwan from international recognition, the island’s President Tsai Ing-wen struck a defiant tone Sunday and vowed that “no one can obliterate Taiwan’s existence” before departing for the U.S. “In going abroad, the whole world can see Taiwan; they can see our country as ... Read More »
North, South Korea agree on third summit to be held in Pyongyang
North and South Korea agreed to hold a summit in Pyongyang in September, the latest step forward in cross-border ties this year after more high-level talks on Monday, the South’s Unification Ministry said. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met in April and May ... Read More »
Erdogan Claims Lira Plunge a ‘Political Plot’ Against Turkey
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, embroiled in a bitter dispute with the U.S., a NATO ally, contended Sunday the plunging value of his country’s lira currency amounted to a “political plot” against Turkey. Erdogan, speaking to political supporters in the Black Sea resort of Trabzon, said, “The aim of the ... Read More »
Afghanistan: dozens dead as Taliban attack Ghazni, officials say
Attack on eastern provincial capital leaves many dead and wounded before troops force militants to retreat The Taliban has attacked the eastern Afghan city of Ghazni, leaving dozens dead and wounding at least 100 before government troops forced the militants to retreat, officials said. The attacks began around 2am with ... Read More »
Pence details plan for creation of Space Force in what would be the sixth branch of the military
Vice President Pence laid out an ambitious plan Thursday that would begin creating a military command dedicated to space and establish a “Space Force” as the sixth branch of the U.S. military as soon as 2020, the first since the Air Force was formed shortly after World War II. Pence ... Read More »
Colombia recognizes Palestine as sovereign state
Colombia recognized Palestine as a sovereign state in the days before new President Ivan Duque took office, according to a letter from the foreign ministry made public on Wednesday. “I would like to inform you that in the name of the government of Colombia, President Juan Manuel Santos has decided ... Read More »
Russian PM warns NATO admission of Georgia could trigger ‘terrible conflict’
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday that any future NATO decision to admit Georgia to its ranks could trigger “a terrible conflict” and questioned why the alliance would consider such a move. Medvedev’s comments come weeks after President Vladimir Putin warned NATO against cultivating closer ties with Ukraine ... Read More »
EU acts to protect firms from Donald Trump’s sanctions against Iran
Companies told to ignore White House demands to drop all business with Iran The EU has launched an attempt to protect European businesses from Donald Trump’s sanctions against Iran as the US administration voiced its intent to apply maximum pressure on Tehran by vigorously applying its punitive measures. The sanctions ... Read More »
Iran Guards says it held Gulf drills as U.S. tensions rise
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed on Sunday it had held war games in the Gulf over the past several days, saying they were aimed at “confronting possible threats” by enemies, the state news agency IRNA reported. U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday that the United States believed Iran had started carrying ... Read More »
North Korea says demonstrating good faith, urges U.S. to drop sanctions
North Korean state media called on Monday for the United States to drop sanctions, saying Pyongyang had demonstrated good faith by ending its nuclear weapons testing and handing over the remains of U.S. troops killed in the Korean War. The statements came just days after a confidential United Nations report ... Read More »