Category: US News

Pushing back on Israel, Kerry defends Obama’s UN vote

Stepping into a raging diplomatic argument, Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday staunchly defended the Obama administration’s decision to allow the U.N. Security Council to declare Israeli settlements illegal and warned that Israel’s very future as a democracy is at stake. Kerry, pushing back on Israel’s fury at the U.S. abstention of the United Nations vote, questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s true commitment to Palestinian statehood, which has formed the basis for all serious peace talks for years.

Report: Kerry and Erekat orchestrated UN anti-settlement resolution

Egyptian news website Al-Youm al-Saba’a, which is considered to be Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s mouth piece, published a supposed protocol on Tuesday of a meeting that was held in Washington on December 12 between US Secretary of State John Kerry and US National Security Advisor Susan Rice and a Palestinian delegation headed by senior Palestinian Liberation Organization member Saeb Erekat. The protocol states that Kerry and Rice told the Palestinian delegation that the current US administration under President Barack Obama would be willing to cooperate with them in the UN Security Council given that the resolution would be a balanced one.

Kerry to lay out vision for Israeli-Palestinian peace

US Secretary of State John Kerry will lay out his vision for ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a speech on Wednesday, days after the United States cleared the way for a UN resolution calling for an end to settlement construction while simultaneously declaring them illegal. The speech, less than a month before President Barack Obama leaves office, is expected to be the administration’s last word on a decades-old dispute that Kerry had hoped to resolve during his four years as America’s top diplomat.

Trump signals shift from Obama’s focus on multilateralism

For eight years, President Barack Obama’s foreign policy doctrine has been rooted in a belief that while the United States can take action around the word on its own, it rarely should. His successor, President-elect Donald Trump, has derided some of the same international partnerships Obama and his recent predecessors have promoted, raising the prospect that the Republican’s “America First” agenda might well mean an America more willing to act alone.

Obama, Japan’s Abe to seek reconciliation at Pearl Harbor

Putting 75 years of resentment behind them, the leaders of the United States and Japan are coming together at Pearl Harbor for a historic pilgrimage to the site where a devastating surprise attack sent America marching into World War II. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit Tuesday with President Barack Obama is powerful proof that the former enemies have transcended the recriminatory impulses that weighed down relations after the war, Japan’s government has said.

Abbas eyes Paris summit after UN slams Israeli settlements

The Palestinian president said Tuesday that he hopes an upcoming Mideast conference in France will set a timetable for independence after the U.N. delivered a harsh rebuke over the construction of Israeli settlements in lands claimed by the Palestinians. Israel is meanwhile advancing plans for thousands of new homes in east Jerusalem despite the U.N. Security Council resolution.

Erdogan’s Daughter Tells US Muslims That Gulen Movement Is…

Speaking at a Muslim conference in Chicago on Monday, the daughter of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s president, claimed that an organization operated by U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen is “actually more dangerous” than ISIS, the brutal terrorist group. Sumeyye Erdogan Bayraktar offered those strong words, as well as a defense of her father’s authoritarian regime, during a keynote speech at the 15th annual Muslim American Society-Islamic Circle of North America convention.

Obama’s Betrayal of Israel at the UN Must Not Stand

President Barack Obama’s ill-advised decision to order the U.S. to abstain on a United Nations resolution condemning Israeli settlements breaks with past U.S. policy, undermines a vital ally and sets back the cause of Middle East peace. Yet it also offers Democrats and Republicans a chance to unite around a more realistic approach to resolving one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.

.com | Obama, Japan’s Abe to seek reconciliation at Pearl Harbour

Putting 75 years of resentment behind them, the leaders of the United States and Japan are coming together at Pearl Harbour for a historic pilgrimage to the site where the devastating surprise attacks thrust America into World War II. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit on Tuesday with President Barack Obama is powerful proof that the former enemies have transcended the recriminatory impulses that weighed down relations after the war, Japan’s government has said.

Former Union Flag protestor credited with aiding Trump election victory

Jim Dowson addressing loyalist flag protesters at a demonstration against the decision to restrict the flying of the Union Flag at Belfast City Hall A loyalist convicted over his role in the Belfast flag protests has been credited with helping Donald Trump win the US presidential election. According to the New York Times, Jim Dowson – a regular speaker at rallies protesting against the decision to restrict the flying of the Union Flag at Belfast City Hall in 2012 – bombarded millions of Americans with “fake news” demonising Trump’s rival Hillary Clinton.

Trumps pick for ambassador to Israel sparks hot debate

If President-elect Donald Trump wanted to show he planned to obliterate President Barack Obama’s approach to Israel, he might have found his man to deliver that message in David Friedman, his pick for U.S. ambassador. The bankruptcy lawyer and son of an Orthodox rabbi is everything Obama is not: a fervent supporter of Israeli settlements, opponent of Palestinian statehood and unrelenting defender of Israel’s government.

Cavuto: Hey Trump Is Cost-Cutting Defense, So Dems Should Gut Social Security

On this Saturday’s “Cavuto on Business,” the host opened things up with pretending Trump got something from Boeing then immediately implying that Dems should give up some of their “sacred cows” since Trump was willing to go after the Republicans’ “sacred cow,” defense spending. Not having the smallest clue as to how military procurement and contracts work is really helpful when arguing for “both sides” to give up something.

Next 25 Articles

Trump transition officials have asked for the names of State Department officials working on efforts to counter violent extremism, two State Department officials familiar with the questionnaire confirmed to CNN. The officials confirmed the request involves programs throughout the department aimed at preventing extremism in various ways, such as recruitment.

Israela s Netanyahu lashes out at Obama over UN vote

Israel’s prime minister lashed out at President Barack Obama on Saturday, accusing him of a “shameful ambush” at the United Nations over West Bank settlements and saying he is looking forward to working with his “friend” President-elect Donald Trump. Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments came a day after the United States broke with past practice and allowed the U.N. Security Council to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem as a “flagrant violation” of international law.

Israel’s Netanyahu lashes out at Obama over UN vote

In this Dec. 11, 2016, file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem. Netanyahu lashed out at President Barack Obama on Saturday, Dec. 24, accusing him of a “shameful ambush” at the United Nations over West Bank settlements and saying he is looking forward to working with his “friend” President-elect Donald Trump.

Why Obama Broke with Israel at UN

Jordan Fabian, The Hill: The White House’s decision to break with decades of U.S. policy and allow the U.N. Security Council to condemn Israeli settlements is the culmination of years of bad blood between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. … Ben Rhodes, Obama’s deputy national security adviser, said the rapid expansion of settlement activity under Netanyahu had put the possibility of a future peace agreement at risk.

Vote on Israel could spur further action – or trouble for UN

The U.S. green light that allowed the U.N. Security Council to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem could spur moves toward new terms to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But it also poses dangers for the United Nations with the incoming Trump administration and may harden Israel’s attitude toward concessions.

Vote on Israel could spur further action – or trouble for UN

The U.S. green light that allowed the U.N. Security Council to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem could spur moves toward new terms to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But it also poses dangers for the United Nations with the incoming Trump administration and may harden Israel’s attitude toward concessions.

Reaction to US Vote at UN Security Council is Swift, Mixed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement in the Jewish settlement known to Israelis as Har Homa and to Palestinians as Jabal Abu Ghneim, in an area of the West Bank that Israel captured in 1967. The United States abstained from voting Friday at the U.N. Security Council on a resolution calling for Israel to stop its “settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory.”

Reaction to US Vote at UN Security Council is Swift, Mixed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement in the Jewish settlement known to Israelis as Har Homa and to Palestinians as Jabal Abu Ghneim, in an area of the West Bank that Israel captured in 1967. The United States abstained from voting Friday at the U.N. Security Council on a resolution calling for Israel to stop its “settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory.”

U.N. condemns Israeli settlements as Obama declines to veto

In a striking rupture with past practice, the United States allowed the U.N. Security Council on Friday to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem as a “flagrant violation” of international law. In doing so, the outgoing Obama administration brushed aside Donald Trump’s demands that the U.S. exercise its veto and provided a climax to years of icy relations with Israel’s leadership.

North Korea Says US Should Expect ‘Imminent War’ Over Sanctions

North Korean military participate in the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, in this undated photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency in Pyongyang on October 12, 2015. REUTERS/KCNA/File Photo Pyongyang is threatening “imminent war” in response to the latest batch of sanctions brought against it by the United Nations.

Trump taps Conway as counselor, Spicer and Hicks to top communications jobs

Trump taps Conway as counselor, Spicer and Hicks to top communications jobs President-elect rounds out his communications team with Spicer, Hicks and Scavino Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2ij3n2D Donald Trump appointed campaign manager Kellyanne Conway as his White House counselor on Thursday, and tapped long-time Republican Party spokesman Sean Spicer as the next White House press secretary . Conway “has been a trusted adviser and strategist who played a crucial role in my victory,” Trump said in a statement.

Israeli envoy urges Trump to move US embassy to Jerusalem

The Israeli ambassador to the United States has urged the incoming Trump administration to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, telling guests at a Hanukkah reception at the Israeli embassy in Washington on Tuesday that the controversial move would be a “great step forward” for peace. Trump and his nominee for US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, have pledged to move the embassy.

We didn’t show up: President Obama says Clinton lost because she ignored rural areas

The last photo of Zsa Zsa Gabor: Legendary star is pictured on a hospital bed at home before she died of a heart attack at aged 99 Mother of the bride was killed when 100ft tree fell on California wedding as the bridal party posed for a photo: Harrowing video emerges of the aftermath of tragedy that left five others injured Goodnight dahlinks: Hollywood actress Zsa Zsa Gabor – best known for having nine husbands – dies of a heart attack aged 99 Henry Kissinger praises Trump as ‘a phenomenon that foreign countries haven’t seen’ and says his election is an ‘extraordinary opportunity’ Prince Harry drops Meghan Markel at Heathrow airport to fly home as he faces up to a festive season without her I never really dealt with my mother’s death, admits Harry: Prince says he ‘buried’ his feelings about the Paris tragedy Why this photo proves Charles WILL be King: RICHARD KAY explains how the new … (more)

China says it will give drone back, but Trump says ‘keep it’

In this undated photo released by the U.S. Navy Visual News Service, the USNS Bowditch, a T-AGS 60 Class Oceanographic Survey Ship, sails in open water. The USNS Bowditch, a civilian U.S. Navy oceanographic survey ship, was recovering two drones on Thursday when a Chinese navy ship approached and sent out a small boat that took one of the drones, said Navy Capt.

China says it will give drone back, but Trump says ‘keep it’

In this undated photo released by the U.S. Navy Visual News Service, the USNS Bowditch, a T-AGS 60 Class Oceanographic Survey Ship, sails in open water. The USNS Bowditch, a civilian U.S. Navy oceanographic survey ship, was recovering two drones on Thursday when a Chinese navy ship approached and sent out a small boat that took one of the drones, said Navy Capt.

‘Saturday Night Live’ Pokes Fun at Trump’s Misspelled Tweets,…

A three-year-old Arkansas boy was fatally shot in a road rage incident Saturday night while on a shopping trip with his grandmother, police said.The gunman… — A new royal portrait to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday year has been released. Photographed by British fashion photographer Nick Knight, the Queen si… This week, former ASA Governing Committee member and Wisconsin farmer Kevin Hoyer provided public comments on behalf of the American Soybean Association in front of an Environ… Dubuque, Ia.

‘Saturday Night Live’ Pokes Fun at Trump’s Misspelled Tweets,…

A three-year-old Arkansas boy was fatally shot in a road rage incident Saturday night while on a shopping trip with his grandmother, police said.The gunman… — A new royal portrait to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday year has been released. Photographed by British fashion photographer Nick Knight, the Queen si… This week, former ASA Governing Committee member and Wisconsin farmer Kevin Hoyer provided public comments on behalf of the American Soybean Association in front of an Environ… Dubuque, Ia.