In push for stability, France gives 30-million-euro aid to Gambia
France gave 30 million euros ($34 million) of aid to Gambia on Monday as part of efforts to support its democratic transition and ensure stability in a region Paris deems vital to its interests.
SWIFT says suspending some Iranian banks’ access to messaging system
The Belgium-based SWIFT financial messaging service said on Monday it is suspending some unspecified Iranian banks’ access to its messaging system in the interest of the stability and integrity of the global financial system.
UK PM May will get a Brexit deal and parliament will pass it, Farage says
Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage said British Prime Minister Theresa May will probably get a withdrawal deal with the European Union at the last minute and then have it approved by parliament.
U.S. grants temporary Iran oil waivers to eight countries including China: Pompeo
The United States has granted exemptions to eight countries allowing them to temporarily continue buying Iranian oil, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday, as Washington reimposed sanctions on Iran’s banking, energy and shipping industries.
Egypt’s Sisi says law curbing NGOs needs to be more ‘balanced’
Egypt’s president has signaled he might order a review of a law restricting the work of non-governmental organizations, which has raised an outcry from human rights groups, saying it needed to be “balanced”.
UK announces joint Omani-British military training base
Britain announced on Monday it would open a joint military training base in Oman in March 2019 as it looks to bolster its relationships with allies in the region.
Ireland willing to examine backstop review mechanism: PM
Ireland is willing to examine ways in which a “backstop” to keep the Irish border open after Brexit could be reviewed so long as it does not permit a unilateral decision to end it, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Monday.
U.S. targets Iran with fresh round of oil, economic sanctions
The United States re-imposed and strengthened economic sanctions on Iran’s oil, banking and transportation sectors on Monday after the Trump administration withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and vowed further action to pressure Tehran.
Netanyahu says Trump made courageous decision on U.S. sanctions on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed on Monday what he called U.S. President Donald Trump’s courageous decision in reimposing U.S. sanctions on Iran.
Iran accuses Israel of failed cyber attack
Iran’s telecommunications minister accused Israel on Monday of a new cyber attack on its telecommunications infrastructure, and vowed to respond with legal action.
