Europe

Iran rejects Reuters narration of nuclear talks

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has said the groundwork has not yet been laid for the United States to return to the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Bagheri rejected a report by Reuters claiming nuclear talks with six world powers will resume in November’s end.

Israel OKs construction of thousands of settler units in West Bank

Israel moved forward on Wednesday with plans to build some 3,000 settler units in the West Bank despite strong criticism by the US.

Russia: Seventh round of nuclear talks to resume next month

The negotiations on reviving Iran’s nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), will resume in late November, according to Russia’s top negotiator.

N Korea slams France, Canada over dispatching plane near Peninsula

North Korea has denounced France and Canada for sending patrol aircraft near the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang has called the move "military provocation" endangering the security situation in the region.

Ex US envoy: Washington losing war to Taliban

Former US special representative for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, believes Washington was losing the war to the Taliban and chose negotiations as an alternative. He says the United States “did not succeed” in building a democratic Afghanistan after two decades of war in the country.

Exiled Saudi intelligence official: MbS “psychopath” and “killer”

A former top Saudi intelligence official has called Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) a “psychopath” and a “killer”. The ex-official says MbS uses a team of mercenaries called the "Tiger Squad" to carry out extrajudicial kidnappings and killings.

US, Taiwan discuss UN attendance ahead of Xi speech

The US and Taiwanese officials have discussed how the island can "meaningfully" participate at the United Nations (UN) on Friday. The talks came just days ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speech at the UN on Monday to mark the 50th anniversary of the People’s Republic taking China’s seat at the global body.

Hungarian PM: US, EU meddling in upcoming vote

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused the US and the EU of trying to meddle in the country’s politics by backing the opposition seeking to replace him. Budapest preparing for a parliamentary election in April next year.

Russia, China navies hold joint patrol in Pacific

Russian and Chinese warships have conducted the first ever joint patrol in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, Moscow and Beijing confirm.

Turkey begins procedure to purchase F-16s from US

Ankara has begun the procedure to Acquire F-16 fighter jets from the United States as compensation for being dropped from F-35 program, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar says. The deal was announced by Turkish President Receb Tayyip Erdogan, but Washington has yet to confirm it.

US, European envoys soon to be expelled from Turkey

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has instructed the foreign ministry to declare ambassadors from 10 countries, including the US, France and Germany, "persona non grata". The envoys had called for the release of a detained Turkish businessman. The move means the diplomats are now just one step from expulsion.

EU halts free trade talks with Australia again

The European Union (EU) has postponed its trade negotiations with Australia for the second time a month. The decision follows anger over Canberra's decision to cancel submarine contract with France.

Russia: NATO sliding into “Cold War schemes”

Russia has warned The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is increasingly resorting to Cold War schemes. Moscow has also ruled out the establishment of normal diplomatic relations with NATO.

China condemns EU over Taiwan ties

China has blasted the European Union (EU) after the bloc’s representatives voted in favor of increasing ties with Taiwan. China regards Taiwan as part of its own territory.

Moscow rejects NATO accusation against expelled Russians

Moscow has announced NATO has no evidence indicating the expelled Russian staffers at the organization had been involved in spying activities.

France says militant commander killed in Mali

The French military has announced the killing of a commander of a terror group close to Al Qaeda in Mali.

Iran’s General Bagheri visits Astra Khan nefore returning home

Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chairman of Iran’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived at Russia’s Astra Khan International Airport Thursday morning after holding intensive talks with high-ranking Russian defense officials in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

UK threat level against MPs at ‘substantial’

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced the threat level that lawmakers face has been raised to “substantial”, which means an attack against them is “likely”. It follows the death of Sir David Amess, Conservative MP who was stabbed to death last week.

Spanish court agrees to extradite Venezuela’s ex-spy chief to US

Spain’s High Court has ordered the extradition of former Venezuelan spy chief Hugo Carvajal to the United States. He is facing drug trafficking charges but denies the allegations.

Iran, Russia Discuss Closer Military Cooperation

A senior Iranian military official says Tehran-Moscow relations will tremendously expand in the near future thanks to the conclusion and implementation of the arms deals signed by both sides.

EU says focused on removing anti-Iran sanctions

An EU official has said the signatories to the Iran nuclear deal, or JCOA, are focused on effectively lifting the sanctions on Tehran.

FBI search property linked to sanctioned Russian Billionaire

The FBI agents have swarmed a home linked to sanctioned Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska in Washington D.C. with a court order. Deripaska is known as a proxy for Russian government

Russia rules out recognition of Taliban

Moscow is not considering recognizing the Taliban government in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reiterated. A meeting on Afghanistan is scheduled on Wednesday in Moscow and will focus on the political and military situation in the war-torn country.

Pentagon chief in Ukraine amid Moscow-Kiev tensions

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in Kiev for talks with Ukrainian officials. Pentagon chief has stated Russia cannot block Ukraine's NATO aspirations. Moscow has warned Kiev joining the bloc goes beyond ‘red lines’.

US says Brussel meeting ‘not necessary’ for Iran nuclear talks

Washington does not think negotiations in Belgium are necessary before the resumption of indirect talks with Iran over reviving the nuclear deal in Austria, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday. Iran has said it will hold discussions with the European Union (UN) in the coming days on the issues raised in Tehran.

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