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.
Court orders Belgian ex-king to take paternity test
The Brussels appeals court has ordered the retired king of Belgium to take a DNA paternity test, overturning an earlier ruling in a suit brought by 50-year-old artist Delphine Boel.
Outgoing German spy chief attacks ‘naive’ left, reopens coalition row
German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer faced calls on Monday to dismiss the outgoing head of domestic intelligence from a new advisory role, after the spy condemned what he called “naive and leftist” government policies and said he might enter politic…
German SPD leadership did not discuss quitting coalition, leader says
The leadership of Germany’s Social Democrats, under pressure from a restive membership over flagging polls and disastrous regional election showings, did not discuss quitting the national coalition at a Monday meeting, the party’s leader said.
