Friday, March 29, 2024

Americas

Qatar says relationship with China not damaging US

Qatar is balancing its relationships with both the US and China, and that one link does not damage the other, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has stated.

Brazilian reporter says 5 countries, including Iran, to become new BRICS members

Argentina, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia will become new members of BRICS, a correspondent with Brazil’s UOL news portal reported on Thursday citing a draft final statement of the group’s summit. Brazil is a BRICS member state.

Tanker believed to hold Iran oil begins to be offloaded despite Tehran threats

An American-owned oil tanker long suspected of carrying Iranian crude oil began offloading its cargo near Texas late Saturday, tracking data shows. Tehran has previously warned against any move to discharge the cargo.

Republican lawmakers scold Biden for Iran prisoner swap deal

A group of 26 US Republican lawmakers slammed the Biden administration’s cash-for-prisoner agreement with Iran on Friday, demanding an explanation for the potential “sidestepping of Congress” to pursue the accord.

Russia foreign minister to travel to US for key UN meeting

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is set to head the country’s delegation at the United Nations General Assembly high-level week 2023. A decree naming the members of the delegation was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

US still undecided on seized Iranian oil ship: Report

US President Joe Biden and his administration remain undecided on a seized Iranian oil tanker that has been stuck off a port in Texas for more than two months. It comes as the US lawmakers are pressing for an offloading of the vessel despite threats of retaliation from Tehran.

Qatar to host Iran-US prisoner swap next month: Report

The Iran-US prisoner exchange of five jailed Americans will be hosted by Qatar next month, according to a report by the UK-based Amwaj Media.

Human rights groups call on US to intervene for release of Bahraini activist

More than a dozen human rights organizations penned a letter to United States President Joe Biden, urging Washington to press the Bahraini authorities to immediately release Abdul-Hadi al-Khawaja, a prominent rights activist.

US breaking pledge to help political prisoner arrested in Egypt: Family

The family of a prominent political prisoner, who is a permanent US resident in Egypt, has condemned the Biden administration, accusing it of abandoning him after the prisoner informed his family that he is facing death while in detention.

US preparing for new pandemic by searching for virus mutations: Russia

The United States has begun preparing for a new pandemic by searching for virus mutations, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological defense troops of the Russian armed forces, said on Wednesday.

US asks Iran to stop delivering drones to Russia: Report

The United States is pushing Iran to stop selling combat drones to Russia as part of discussions on a broader unwritten understanding between Washington and Tehran to de-escalate tensions, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing people briefed on the matter. Moscow and Tehran have repeatedly refuted reports about the use of Iranian drones in Ukraine.

US Republican presidential candidate criticizes Biden’s Iran payment

Governor of the US State of Florida and the Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis has voiced strong criticism against President Joe Biden’s handling of Tehran, accusing him of succumbing to "Iran’s tactics of blackmail and extortion".

White House cautious on Iran prisoner release

The administration of US President Joe Biden is in active negotiations with Iran to bring home five jailed Americans released on house arrest in anticipation of a reported prisoner exchange and the release of $6 billion in Iran’s oil revenue.

Documents reveal US pushed for Ex-Pakistan PM removal over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The United States had encouraged the Pakistani government in March 2022 to remove former Prime Minister Imran Khan from office over his neutrality on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to a classified Pakistani government document obtained by The Intercept.

Dozens of US lawmakers to visit occupied territories over two-state solution, Iran

A delegation of the US House Democrats will visit Israel and the occupied West Bank this week to discuss prospects for a two-state solution, Israel's judicial reforms and Iran nuclear program, among other issues.

US lawmakers cast doubt on continued security coordination with Palestinian Authority

US lawmakers have questioned whether Washington should continue security coordination with the Palestinian Authority (PA). Some politicians have blamed it on the deteriorating security situation in the occupied West Bank.

Palestine says ties with US at lowest level as Washington fails to pressure Israel

Palestine's ties with the United States are at the lowest level as Washington fails to pressure Israel to stop its actions against Palestine, a senior official has said.

Russia’s rouble falls to more than 16-month low against dollar

The Russian rouble has tumbled over 2 percent to a more than 16-month low past 94 against the dollar, pressured by political risk, falling oil prices and concerns the finance ministry may switch to foreign currency purchases this month.

Poll shows Americans’ trust in US military lowest in two decades, citing poor pull-out from Iraq and Afghanistan

Public confidence in the US military has been constantly in decline over the past five years and it is now at its lowest level in two decades, a recent opinion poll shows. Gallup has linked the decline to the United States' poorly executed withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Taliban, US diplomats hold first official talks since Afghanistan takeover

Taliban leaders have met with US officials in the Qatari capital Doha for the first time since their return to power in Afghanistan two years ago.

Russia does not want military clash with US, but ready for any scenario: Putin

Russia is ready for any scenario, but does not want a direct military clash with the US, Russian President Vladimir Putin said when asked about the US's provocations in Syria.

Russia says US media ignoring Biden’s mental deterioration

The US media are ignoring the reality of US President Joe Biden’s deteriorating mental capacity, instead of being honest about it, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stated.

Deal may be in offing between Saudi Arabia and Israel: Biden

US President Joe Biden has stated that an agreement may be on the way with Riyadh after talks that his national security adviser had with Saudi officials in Jeddah aimed at reaching a normalization in relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

US lawmakers, rights groups urge Biden to withhold military aid to Egypt

A group of US senators and rights activists has urged the Biden administration to withhold a larger portion of US military aid to Egypt, saying the North African country’s human rights record “has continued to deteriorate” over the past year under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

US and Taliban officials to meet in Qatar to discuss security and human rights

US officials are set to meet with representatives of the Taliban and "technocratic professionals" from Afghan ministries during a visit to Qatar's Doha this week, the State Department has said. Both sides will discuss security, narcotics  and women's rights.

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