Americas

Rights groups condemn US for allowing military aid to Egypt

More than a dozen rights organizations have signed a statement rebuking the US administration's decision to approve more than $200m in military aid to Egypt, arguing that the money will only embolden President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi amid an intensifying crackdown on civil society.

Russia expels 2 employees of US embassy

Russia declared two employees of the embassy of the United States in Moscow personae non gratae on Thursday, adding they have to leave the country within seven days, the Foreign Ministry has announced in a statement.

US plans to withhold $85m in aid to Egypt due to political detentions

The United States plans to withhold $85 million in military aid to Egypt because of Cairo's failure to meet Washington's conditions on freeing political prisoners and other issues, a US senator has confirmed, calling for withholding $235 million more.

Biden to meet Netanyahu at UN but not at White House: Report

US President Joe Biden will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations headquarters next week, after pushing back efforts by the Israeli prime minister to score an Oval Office meeting, according to a new report.

US issues sanctions waiver to allow transfer of Iran’s frozen funds abroad

The Biden administration has issued a blanket waiver for international banks to transfer six billion dollars in blocked Iranian assets from South Korea to Qatar with no concern about Washington's sanctions.

US, Arab states, India, EU to unveil rail, ports agreement on G20 sidelines: White House

A multinational rail and ports deal linking the Middle East and South Asia will be announced on Saturday on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi, a White House official has confirmed.

US, Persian Gulf states, India seeking railway deal at G-20: Report

US President Joe Biden and the leaders of India, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are expected to announce a joint infrastructure agreement at the Group of 20 summit as part of Washington’s efforts to balance China’s influence in the region, Axios reported.

US says still work to do on Israel-Saudi normalization

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has said that US, Israeli and Saudi leaders have put many of the elements of a pathway to normalization on the table but there is still much work to do.

Azerbaijani president, US top diplomat discuss opening roads for cargo delivery to Karabakh

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, during a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has discussed opening roads to Karabakh so that cargos could be delivered to region, the press service of the Azerbaijani President reported.

Armenia to hold joint military drills with US

The United States and Armenian militaries will hold joint exercises later this month, with special emphasis on peacekeeping operations, Yerevan has announced. Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which also includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

US complains to Israel over exposure of secret meeting between Israeli-Libyan FMs: Report

The United States complained to Israel this weekend about Foreign Minister Eli Cohen's decision to publicly reveal a secret meeting with his Libyan counterpart Najla al-Mangoush, Axios has reported, citing Israeli and US officials.

US accuses Russia of intimidation after former consulate worker was charged with spying

Washington has accused Moscow of attempting to intimidate and harass American employees after Russian state media reported that a former US consulate worker was charged with collecting information on the war in Ukraine on behalf of Washington.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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