The Latest: Opposition leader backs US tack on IS, Iran

Syrian media say... Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan is embracing the town halls that many of his Republican counterparts in Congress have avoided as people lash out at President Donald Trump's early actions. Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan is embracing the town halls that many of his Republican counterparts in Congress have avoided as people lash out at President Donald Trump's early actions.

Pence: Administration backs Israel abroad, business at home

Vice President Mike Pence is assuring the Republican Jewish Coalition that he and President Donald Trump will work tirelessly on foreign and domestic issues important to the group, such as enacting business-friendly policies at home and supporting Israel abroad. "If the world knows nothing else, the world will know this: America stands with Israel," Pence told the group Friday night.

McCain makes secret trip to Syria to meet US military, Kurds

"Senator McCain traveled to northern Syria last week to visit U.S. forces deployed there and to discuss the counter-ISIL [another acronym for ISIS] campaign and ongoing operations to retake Raqqa," a McCain spokesperson said in an emailed statement on Wednesday, referring to ISIS' Syrian capital. "Senator McCain's visit was a valuable opportunity to assess dynamic conditions on the ground in Syria and Iraq."

McCain makes secret trip to Syria to meet with US troops

In this Wednesday Feb. 22, 2017, photo released by Emirates News Agency, WAM, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, right, meets with John McCain, Senator of the United States of America and Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee at Al Shati Palace, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

US senator revives bill cutting funds to PA over funding for terrorists

Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham will reintroduce legislation next week that would cut US funding to the Palestinian Authority if it continues to provide monetary support to the families of those who commit acts of terror against Israelis. The bill, known as the Taylor Force Act , was first introduced last year by Graham with former Indiana Republican Sen. Dan Coats and Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt.

State Department sidelined in first month of Trump presidency

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrives in Mexico City on Feb 22. The visit is the second foreign trip of Tillerson's tenure at the State Department. The Trump administration in its first month has largely benched the State Department from its long-standing role as the preA eminent voice of U.S. foreign policy, curtailing public engagement and official travel and relegating Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to a mostly offstage role.

Wake Up, Wimmera | Thursday, February 23, 2017

PIC OF THE DAY: Use the hashtag #wakeupWimmera on Instagram or email cass.dalgleish@fairfaxmedia.com.au to have your pic included! Photo: @reelfishmedia, via Instagram - Blue hour #reflections #taylorslake #horshamvic #wakeupwimmera A Northern Grampians family had been to hell and back before they faced another tragic blow when a father of two died in a motorcycle accident on Saturday. More here .

Trump denounces anti-Semitism in newly forceful condemnation

President Donald Trump on Tuesday condemned recent threats against Jewish community centres in the U.S. as "painful reminders" of lingering prejudice and evil, his first full-throated comments on the rise of anti-Semitic venom after pressure for him to speak out forcefully. With his somewhat delayed denunciation, Trump sought to reset his relationship with American Jews, which has been strained by a recent White House statement on the Holocaust, comments by some of his supporters and his own fractious exchange with a reporter for an Orthodox Jewish publication.

US must work with Turkey on Syria, says US senator McCain

The U.S.-Turkey partnership must be revitalized under the Donald Trump administration, Republican Senator John McCain said on Feb. 20 after meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan. "I had a warm and constructive meeting with President ErdoAYan today.

The Latest: Senators ask attorney general, FBI for briefing

The top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee are asking the attorney general and FBI director for a briefing on the resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California sent a letter late Wednesday to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Director James Comey requesting a briefing the week of Feb. 27. Congress is out of session next week for the Presidents' Day holiday.

UAE arms show comes as Yemen war, suspicions of Iran linger

Fighter jets screaming overhead and theatrical explosions marked the opening of an arms show Sunday in Abu Dhabi, as a bullet-scarred Emirati armored personnel carrier served as a reminder of the country's ongoing military campaign in Yemen. The Emirates announced over $1.2 billion in arms deals at the opening of the biennial International Defense Exhibition and Conference, known by the acronym IDEX.

Saudi Arabia, Israel present de facto united front against Iran

Saudi Arabia and Israel both called on Sunday for a new push against Iran, signaling a growing alignment in their interests, while US lawmakers promised to seek new sanctions on the Shi'ite Muslim power. Turkey also joined the de facto united front against Tehran as Saudi and Israeli ministers rejected an appeal from Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif for Sunni Gulf Arab states to work with Tehran to reduce violence across the region.

Trump: Gulf States Will Pay For Safe Zones In Syria

President Donald Trump vowed to make Arab gulf states help pay for safe zones in Syria to curb the flow of Syrian refugees at a campaign rally in Florida Saturday. Trump's comments echo language from his January executive order suspending immigration from seven terror-rife countries, along with past comments to the reporters.

Leaflets dropped over western Mosul to warn of Iraqi military offensive

The Iraqi Air Force dropped millions of leaflets over western Mosul late Saturday warning residents of an offensive by ground forces on the ISIS-held part of the city, which has so far been targeted only by airstrikes. Iraqi forces have had control of the eastern part of the city, which is divided by the Tigris River, since January.

Tensions over Trump deepen fractures among American Jews

The early weeks of the Trump Administration have widened divides between liberal and conservative Jews, setting off quarrels over anti-Semitism, Israel and the Holocaust. Well before the 2016 election, discussion over Israel had become so barbed among Jews that Jewish groups began organizing civility training so relationships and holidays wouldn't be ruined.