Pentagon chief: Need to speak with Turkish counterpart to understand Erdogan base comments
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Monday that he needed to speak with his Turkish counterpart to understand how serious President Tayyip Erdogan was when he said he could shut down the Incirlik air base, which hosts U.S. nuclear warheads.
North Korea tests likely if they ‘don’t feel satisfied’: Pentagon chief
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Monday North Korea would likely carry out unspecified tests if they “don’t feel satisfied,” amid fears the two countries could return to the collision course they had been on before launching diplomacy.
UK PM Johnson plans to block extension of Brexit transition beyond 2020
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will take the bold step of legislating to prevent any extension of the Brexit transition period beyond 2020, British media including The Times and the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.
Europe a diplomatic priority for China, top official says
China is prioritizing its diplomatic relations with Europe, a top Chinese foreign policy official said, highlighting Beijing’s efforts to become less dependent on the United States following months of trade tensions.
Sri Lanka’s ‘Foundation of Goodness’ turns around a village decimated by tsunami
When Kushil Gunasekera returned to Seenigama in Sri Lanka’s Galle district days after it was wiped out by a massive tsunami on Dec. 26, 2004, he got to work.
China, Russia propose lifting some U.N. sanctions on North Korea, U.S. says not the time
China and Russia on Monday proposed the U.N. Security Council lift a ban on North Korea exporting statues, seafood and textiles, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters, in a move Russia said is aimed at encouraging talks between Washington and…
Lebanese army clashes with supporters of Hezbollah, Amal in Beirut
Lebanese troops lobbed tear gas on Tuesday to disperse supporters of Shi’ite groups Hezbollah and Amal who tried to storm a square in Beirut in response to a video that purportedly offended Shi’ite figures, witnesses and media reports said.
U.N. Security Council to meet on Kashmir on Tuesday at China’s request
The United Nations Security Council will meet at China’s request on Tuesday to discuss the situation in the disputed Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir, diplomats said.
Puerto Rico governor says she will seek same office in 2020
Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vazquez, who had said she was reluctant to take power after her predecessor resigned in disgrace this past summer, on Monday declared her candidacy for the same office in next year’s elections.
U.S. says now not the time for U.N. to consider lifting North Korea sanctions
The U.N. Security Council should not be considering “premature sanctions relief” for North Korea as it is “threatening to conduct an escalated provocation, refusing to meet to discuss denuclearization,” a State Department official said on Monday.
