UN holds off action over new Israeli settler homes30 min ago

The UN Security Council met behind closed doors today to discuss Israel’s plan to build new settler homes in the Palestinian West Bank, but took no action. Council members heard a report from UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov after the Israeli government approved a major expansion of 2,500 homes, in defiance of a UN resolution that demanded an end to settlement construction.

Time Out with Jenness Mitchell

AFTER calling Hillary Clinton a “nasty woman” during a US Presidential debate, Donald Trump’s insult quickly began to trend amongst his opponent’s supporters. At the moment it looks as if Anne Hathaway will join Pitch Perfect’s Rebel Wilson in the two lead roles.

Shares of materials companies up on Trump wall, pipeline plans

File Photo: A general view shows a newly built section of the U.S.-Mexico border wall at Sunland Park, U.S. opposite the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, November 9, 2016. Shares of U.S. companies seen benefiting from U.S. President Trump’s plans to push ahead with a border wall with Mexico and his approval of key energy pipeline expansion projects surged higher on Wednesday.

EU races to meet Denmark-Europol deadline

“Why the hell was such a point put to a referendum?”, German social democrat MEP Birgit Sippel said at an European Parliament hearing on Denmark and Europol, the EU’s joint police agency, on Tuesday . She could barely hide her frustration with national votes that forced the EU to make convoluted derogations to keep people happy.

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President Donald Trump bars all refugees from entering the United States for four months _ and those from war-ravaged Syria indefinitely _ declaring the ban necessary to prevent “radical Islamic terrorists” from… A federal judge in New York has issued an emergency order temporarily barring the U.S. from deporting people from nations subject to President Donald Trump’s travel ban President Donald Trump’s first conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin since taking office is sparking concern among European allies and fellow Republicans about the future of U.S. sanctions on Moscow.

Senate confirms Trump’s nominee for US ambassador to the UN

In this Jan. 18, 2017 file photo, UN Ambassador-designate, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has overwhelmingly approved Haley’s nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

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The assertion that Trump lost the popular vote because of alleged illegal voting appears to be part of a developing pattern for the new administration in which falsehoods overshadow outreach efforts. President Donald Trump holds the most powerful office in the world.

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Rep. Mick Mulvaney, President Donald Trump’s staunchly conservative choice to lead the White House budget office, is headed before a Senate panel whose members will probe for clues on the new administration’s plans… Rep. Mick Mulvaney, President Donald Trump’s staunchly conservative choice to lead the White House budget office, says Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid need significant changes to be preserved for future generations The assertion that Trump lost the popular vote because of alleged illegal voting appears to be part of a developing pattern for the new administration in which falsehoods overshadow outreach efforts.

Senate committee raises more red flags on Tom Price

Tom Price, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, can’t seem to shake off ethics questions. On the eve of Price’s second confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, Senate Finance Committee staff released a bipartisan memo to lawmakers disclosing several red flags that were raised in the course of reviewing the congressman’s tax returns and financial disclosure statements.

US quietly sent $221M to Palestinians in Obama’s last hours

Officials said Monday that the Obama administration– in its waning hours– defied Republican opposition and quietly released $221 million to the Palestinian Authority that GOP members of Congress had been blocking. A State Department official and several congressional aides told The Associated Press that the outgoing administration formally notified Congress it would spend the money Friday morning.

Israeli army has a smoking problem, new study finds

Nearly 40 percent of Israelis are smokers by the time they finish their compulsory army service, according to a new study. That is twice as high as the overall national rate and dramatically higher than among American soldiers, according to the study published Monday in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research.

White House opens door to military cooperation with Moscow, but it would be illegal

The White House indicated Monday that President Donald Trump would be open to military cooperation with Russia to fight Islamic State, a move that would be a big policy change for the U.S. government, and one that would run afoul of current law. “I think if there’s a way that we can combat ISIS with any country, whether it’s Russia or anyone else, and we have a shared national interest in that, sure, we’ll take it,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters, using an acronym for the militant group.

White House opens door to military cooperation with Moscow, but it would be illegal

The White House indicated Monday that President Trump would be open to military cooperation with Russia to fight Islamic State , a move that would be a big policy change for the U.S. government, and one that would run afoul of current law. “I think if there’s a way that we can combat ISIS with any country, whether it’s Russia or anyone else, and we have a shared national interest in that, sure, we’ll take it,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters, using an acronym for the militant group.

Trump’s Withdrawal From Asia Trade Deal Viewed as Boon for China

Shoppers walk past lanterns displayed at an ornament market in the Yuyuan district ahead of the Lunar New Year in Shanghai, China, on Jan. 22, 2017. President Donald Trump’s formal withdrawal from a long-planned trade deal with Pacific Rim nations creates a political and economic vacuum that China is eager to fill, offering a boost for beleaguered U.S. manufacturing regions while damaging American prestige in Asia.

Glad to see Obama go, Gulf Arabs expect Trump to counter Iran

Gulf Arab states are quietly applauding the arrival in the White House of a hawkish leader opposed to their adversary Iran, even if they suspect Donald Trump’s short temper and abrasive Tweets may at times heighten tensions in the combustible Middle East. While many countries around the world listened with concern to his protectionist inaugural address, Gulf Arab officials appear optimistic.

Israel delays annexation vote

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday delayed a vote on a proposal to annex one of the West Bank’s largest settlements, a move that gives him time to coordinate his policy toward the Palestinians with the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Education Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the pro-settlement Jewish Home Party, has been pushing Netanyahu to abandon the idea of a Palestinian state and to annex the Maaleh Adumim settlement near Jerusalem.

Trump, amid combative start, pledges to rise to moment

After what was seen as a combative start to his presidency, Donald Trump delivered a more unifying message Sunday and sought to reassure Americans he was ready to begin governing a divided nation. Mr. Trump began rolling out his plans for diplomatic outreach, speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and announcing plans for early meetings with Mr. Netanyahu and other world leaders.

Nation-Now 15 mins ago 7:19 p.m.Trump prepares for busy Monday,…

President Trump, having declared post-inaugural Monday the true opening day of his new administration, spent Sunday pondering a string of executive orders on topics ranging from immigration to Israel to the economy, including what he called a re-working of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Supervising the swearing-in of 30 new White House staff members, Trump said he will soon meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto to discuss changes to NAFTA, the trade deal he claims has shipped U.S. jobs to those other countries.

Little is known on status of US student held in North Korea

There’s been little public word about what has happened to an American college student detained in North Korea, as a new administration takes over one year later amid deep U.S. concerns about the hostile country’s nuclear and missile development. North Korea announced last Jan. 22 it had detained Otto Warmbier, a 21-year-old University of Virginia student from suburban Cincinnati, earlier that month for alleged anti-state crime.

Trump, amid combative start, pledges to rise to moment

After a combative start to his presidency, Donald Trump delivered a more unifying message Sunday and sought to reassure Americans he was ready to begin governing a divided nation. Trump began rolling out his plans for diplomatic outreach, speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and announcing plans for early meetings with Netanyahu and other world leaders.

Canada, NATO to finalize Latvia mission

President Donald Trump is joined by the Congressional leadership and his family before formally signing his cabinet nominations into law, Friday, Jan. 20, 2107, in the President’s Room of the Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington. From left are, Vice President Mike Pence, the president’s wife Melania Trump, their son Barron Trump, and House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis.

Trump, Israeli Prime Minister to discuss Iran nuke deal

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister set to speak two days after the inauguration as the state takes advantage of US support by approving settlement plans Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak by phone Sunday for the first time since Trump’s inauguration U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak Sunday for the first time since Trump’s inauguration, with Israel already taking advantage of his support by pushing through settlement plans. ‘A telephone conversation will be held this evening between President Trump and me.

Israeli leader delays West Bank annexation vote

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed a vote Sunday on an explosive proposal to annex one of the West Bank’s largest settlements, apparently to coordinate his policy toward the Palestinians with the new administration of President Donald Trump. The move put on hold legislation that threatens to unleash fresh violence and damage already faded hopes for Palestinian independence.

After two months of imprisonment for celebrating the death of…

It is no surprise that dissident artist Danilo “El Sexto” Maldonado was arrested and imprisoned for nearly two months simply for celebrating the death of Cuba’s apartheid dictator, Fidel Castro. These are the types of human rights violations Cuba’s brutally repressive dictatorship has been committing for more than half a century.

Questions Over A Helluva of Transition, by Femi Mimiko

Eight years ago, as Barack Obama glided into the White House with some incredible 83% approval rating at home, and much excitement abroad, I made some projections in a piece titled ‘What Africa Expects From Obama.’ In the fullness of time, I intend to return to this same theme and attempt the semblance of a balance sheet on the Obama presidency from the point of view of Africa’s expectations and take-home.

Netanyahu and Trump to hold first call Sunday evening

PM says he greatly appreciated Trump’s “deep friendship” for Israel, as well as his “declared willingness to fight against radical Islamic terror with full force.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold his first telephone conversation with new US President Donald Trump on Sunday evening, the prime minister told the cabinet.

Citizen sleuths’ new clue in aviation mystery

But even after the FBI shut the book on the mysterious case of DB Cooper, armchair detectives have refused to give up the search for answers. They’ve continued to investigate who this well-dressed businessman was, why he hijacked a US domestic flight 45 years ago, and how he then disappeared without a trace.

Last of Osama bin Laden’s documents released by Obama White House

The White House this week quietly released the last of the documents it obtained during the raid that killed Osama bin Laden nearly six years after the former Al Qaeda leader was killed inside his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence published declassified versions of 49 of bin Laden ‘s documents Thursday, Barack Obama ‘s last full day as president, rounding out his administration by recalling a highlight of his tenure in office.

Trump’s cake

President Trump, left, and Vice President Pence, right, are helped by Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Babot, center, as they cut a cake at the Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball on Friday. Amid the glitz of President Trump’s inaugural festivities, one item stood out in particular late Friday night: a spectacular nine-tier cake that the new president and Vice President Pence cut into with a sword .

NYT: He Is She, Communist Is Capitalist

White House Spokesman Josh Earnest and Secretary of State John Kerry finished President Barack Obama’s final term with fitting acts of propaganda. Had you listened uncritically to Earnest, you would have thought a male soldier imprisoned for leaking classified documents was a “young woman.”