Now Some Ukrainians Want Transcripts of Zelensky-Putin Calls Released As Well...

In an unexpected spinoff of the tumult over a phone call between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, some Ukrainians are now demanding that their president release the transcripts of his phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Read

Maduro May Get Seat on UN Human Rights Council; ‘Perfect Example’ of Why US Withdrew

With Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela likely to be handed a seat on the Human Rights Council in Geneva in two weeks’ time, a U.S. official says the absence of criteria barring the election of such rights violators onto the U.N.’s top human rights body provides a “perfect example” of why the Trump administration withdrew from it. Read

Video: Zelensky Reassures Russian Reporters – in Ukrainian – that He Wasn’t Pressured by Trump

Speaking in his native language to Russian reporters, Ukraine President Volodymyr unequivocally declared that he had not been pressured by President Donald Trump to investigate either former Vice President Joe Biden or his son, Hunter Biden. Read

Pompeo-Lavrov Meeting Overshadowed by New Sanctions, Syria Chemical Accusations

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to meet with his Russian counterpart in New York on Friday, a meeting overshadowed by the imposition of new U.S. sanctions on Russian entities accused of “supporting Assad’s brutal war machine” in Syria. Read

18,000: Administration Proposes a Record Low Refugee Admission Cap for FY 2020

The Trump administration is proposing to resettle 18,000 refugees in the United States in the new fiscal year, reducing last year’s record-low refugee admission ceiling by a further 40 percent. Read

Russian Foreign Ministry: Pelosi Is Making U.S. ‘Laughing Stock of the World’

Following the White House release of a memo on President Trump’s July 25 phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman said Wednesday Democratic leaders were making the U.S. the “laughing stock of the world.” She also suggested mockingly which confidential U.S. documents should be made public next. Read

Under Fire Over Abuses, Saudis Accuse Western Democracies of Anti-Muslim ‘Radicalism’

Saudi Arabia, stung by Western nations’ criticism of its human rights record, hit back this week by accusing them of anti-Muslim “radicalism,” and suggested that the Australian government was a sympathizer of the Australian accused in the Christchurch mosque shooting. Read

At UN, Erdogan Cites Muslims’ Plights Around the World, But No Mention of China’s Uighurs

Addressing the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the plight of Muslims in hotspots around the world, but he was silent on what Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called “the stain of the century” – China’s mass detention of more than one million minority Muslims in internment camps. Read

At UN, Trump Slams Attempts to ‘Assert a Global Right to Taxpayer-Funded Abortion’

President Trump used his address at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday to send a strong pro-life message, telling the world body that “global bureaucrats have absolutely no business attacking the sovereignty of nations that wish to protect innocent life.” Read

Religious Freedom Envoy Dismayed Islamic Countries Won’t Condemn China’s Abuse of Uighur Muslims

As the Trump administration leads international condemnation of China’s persecution of Uighur Muslims, ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom Sam Brownback expressed dismay Monday that Islamic nations in particular have not spoken out in support of their co-religionists. Read

EU Trio Back US in Blaming Iran for Saudi Attack; Boris Johnson Calls for New Iran Deal

The three European parties to the Iran nuclear deal said Monday that they believe the Iranian regime was responsible for last week’s attack on Saudi oil infrastructure, lining up with the position put forward earlier by the United States and Saudi Arabia. Read

At Rally With Indian PM, Trump Gets Standing Ovation for Comment on ‘Radical Islamic Terrorism’

There were extraordinary scenes in Houston, Texas on Sunday as the leader of the world’s largest democracy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, welcomed President Trump onto a rally platform to address a crowd estimated at 50,000, almost exclusively Indian Americans. Read

Pompeo on Iran’s Zarif: ‘I Don’t Know Why Anyone Listens to Him … He Lies All the Time’

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday ripped into his Iranian counterpart, voicing surprise that anyone would take at face value anything said by a man who, he charged, “lies all the time.” Read

As Iranians Head to New York, US Restricts Movements of Cuba’s UN Mission

Days before the U.N. General Assembly session opening in New York City, the question of whether Iranian leaders would be permitted to attend and move about freely has been a focus of attention, but on Thursday, the Trump administration restricted the movements of U.N. delegates representing another unfriendly regime, Cuba. Read

As Pompeo Works With Allies to Deter Iran, German Gov’t Promotes Trade With Iran

As Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tries to get European allies aboard an effort to deter Iranian aggression following the attack on Saudi oil infrastructure, the German government took part in a conference in Berlin Thursday focused on promoting trade with Iran despite U.S. sanctions. Read

Trump Wouldn’t Prevent Iranian Leaders From Attending UN in New York ‘If They Want to Come’

President Trump said Wednesday he was not inclined to prevent the Iranians from attending the U.N. General Assembly session opening in New York next week, saying “I would certainly not want to keep people out if they want to come.” Read

An ‘Act of War’ Says Pompeo, as Saudis Say Iran Was Behind Oil Attack

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, visiting Saudi Arabia to discuss a response to an unprecedented armed attack on the world’s biggest oil processing facility, told reporters traveling with him that the attack, which the U.S. and the Saudis are blaming on Iran, was “an act of war.” Read

Pence Echoes Trump’s ‘Locked and Loaded’ Comment, Says US Will Act to Defend Gulf Allies and Interests

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo headed to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for discussions on the unprecedented military attack on the kingdom’s oil infrastructure, as U.S. officials were reported to have determined that the attack, using drones and cruise missiles, was launched from Iranian soil. Read

Uncertainty in Israel After Vote Puts Netanyahu and Rival Neck-and-Neck

As has become customary in Israel, voters have gone to the polls to choose a government but may have to wait for days or even weeks to see what it looks like – and who will lead it. Read

IRGC Claims It Was Ready to Fire Missiles at US Targets During the Drone Shootdown in June

When President Trump was mulling military action against Iran after the shootdown of a U.S. surveillance drone last June, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) prepared to fire missiles at key U.S. military targets in the region, the head of the IRGC Aerospace Force has claimed. Read

Trump: It Looks Like Iran Was Behind Saudi Attack; Investigations Continue; ‘I Don’t Want War’

President Trump said Monday investigations were underway to determine who attacked Saudi oil infrastructure at the weekend, but asked whether Iran was responsible he said, “it’s certainly looking that way at this moment.” Read

UN Human Rights Council Scolds Hong Kong Activist After She Slams China

A Hong Kong legislator and pro-democracy activist went to the U.N.’s top human rights body in Geneva this week to appeal for action in the face of alleged police brutality, only to be reprimanded by the presiding officer. Read

Trump: US ‘Locked and Loaded’ After Attacks on Saudi Oil Supply – Which US Blames on Iran

President Trump broke his silence Sunday evening on damaging attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, saying the administration has “reason to believe that we know the culprit” and is “locked and loaded depending on verification.” Read

Democrats Invite Teen Activists to Testify on ‘Climate Crisis’: ‘They Know The Science …’

Democrat lawmakers have invited 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg to testify before a joint House hearing on Wednesday on the “global climate crisis.” Read

Biden: Afghanistan is ‘Three Different Countries,’ ‘Cannot be Put Together’

Former Vice President Joe Biden said during Thursday night’s Democratic presidential debate that Afghanistan “cannot be put together,” is “three different countries,” with Pakistan controlling three provinces in the east. Read

Maduro Regime: Countries Supporting US Sanctions Shouldn’t Sit on UN Human Rights Council

The foreign minister of Venezuela’s Maduro regime told the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday that countries which support economic sanctions do not deserve to sit on the U.N.’s top human rights body, adding that it was time to revisit the “criteria” for membership. Read

Trump: Bolton ‘Set Back’ North Korea Diplomacy by Bringing Up Libya

President Trump said Wednesday his now-departed National Security Advisor John Bolton had “set back” his North Korean outreach efforts by suggesting that a nuclear deal with Pyongyang follow the “Libyan model.” Read

U.S. and Its Allies Invoke Regional Mutual Defense Pact in Support of Venezuela

The Maduro regime may be glad to see the back of National Security Advisor John Bolton, an arch-critic, but the Trump administration joined ten other countries in the Americas on Wednesday invoking a regional mutual defense pact in support of the Venezuelan people. Read

Taliban Marks 9/11 Anniversary With Defiance, Rocket Attacks

With defiant statements directed at President Trump and the Afghan government, the Taliban marked the 18th anniversary of 9/11 by claiming to have fired missiles at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and the U.S. Air Force Base at Bagram. Read

With Bolton Out, Russian Lawmakers See Greater Chance for New START Extension

Senior Russian lawmakers voiced optimism Tuesday that the departure of National Security Advisor John Bolton would help to improve Moscow-Washington relations, particularly in the field of arms control. Read

Iranian Regime Celebrates John Bolton’s Exit

The Iranian regime on Tuesday welcomed news of National Security Advisor John Bolton’s departure, saying the White House would now be in a position to better understand “the realities in Iran.” Read

Trump: Camp David Has Hosted Some ‘Pretty Bad People’ Before

An unapologetic President Trump on Monday defended his proposal to meet with Taliban leaders at Camp David – a plan he subsequently canceled – saying the presidential retreat in Maryland has had many visitors “perceived as being pretty tough customers and pretty bad people.” Read

Trump: ‘Under the Normal Rules, I’ll Be Out in 2024. So We May Have to Go For an Extra Term, OK?’

Having some fun at the media’s expense, President Trump said Monday night he may have to run for a third term, so he'll still be in the White House when the United States hosts the soccer World Cup in 2026. Read

Protesters Wave American Flags, Sing U.S. National Anthem in Push for Help to ‘Liberate Hong Kong’

Tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents, some waving American flags, marched to the U.S. Consulate Sunday, urging Congress to quickly pass legislation providing for U.S. responses to Beijing-instigated rights abuses or attempts to erode the territory’s autonomy. Read

Pompeo Warns That Conditions For the Taliban Are ‘About to Get Worse’

As accusations flew Sunday over a stalled Afghanistan peace initiative, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that conditions for the Taliban were “about to get worse,” after President Trump called off a plan to meet with leaders of the terrorist group at Camp David. Read

Russian Opposition Leader Calls For Strategic Voting on Sunday to Defeat Pro-Putin Party

As voters in Moscow and other Russian regions prepare to go to the polls after a local election campaign characterized by large street protests, the country’s most prominent opposition figure is urging them to vote strategically, in a bid to defeat the pro-Kremlin ruling United Russia party. Read

Refugee Admissions Up 40.9% So Far in FY 2019; 79.4% Christians

Eleven months into the fiscal year, almost five times more Christians than Muslims have been admitted into the U.S. as refugees, in sharp contrast to the situation under the Obama administration. Read

Brexit Plans in Disarray as Boris Johnson Loses Bid for Early Election (Blog)

Britain’s opposition parties have been calling for an election for two years, but when Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday proposed holding one on October 15 they demurred. Read

CAIR Declares ‘Complete Victory’ After Judge Rules Terror Watchlist Violates Constitutional Rights

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has hailed as a “complete victory” a federal judge’s ruling that the U.S. government’s watchlist of “known or suspected terrorists” violates the constitutional rights of Americans named on it. Read

Asked About 'the Need to Curb Population Growth,' Bernie Sanders Touts Funding for Foreign Abortions

Sen. Bernie Sanders agreed Wednesday to make “the need to curb population growth” a key feature of his plan to address climate change, and then condemned the Trump administration’s policy of denying U.S. funding to organizations that perform or promote abortion in foreign countries. Read

In Unprecedented Move, US Offers Rewards for Help Disrupting Iranian Regime’s Finances

Tightening the screws on Iran, the Trump administration for the first time ever is offering monetary rewards, under a terrorism-focused program, for information that will disrupt the financial operations of a foreign government entity. Read

Administration Targets Iran’s Space Program, a ‘Cover’ for ICBM Development

As France proposes offering Iran a multi-billion dollar credit arrangement for it to return to compliance with the nuclear deal, the Trump administration on Tuesday applied fresh pressure on the regime, targeting for sanctions a space program which it views as a cover for ballistic missile development. Read

DC Braces For ‘Mass Uprising That Everyone With Climate Anxiety Has Been Waiting For’

Climate strikes of the type pioneered by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg are set to return to Washington D.C., this month, but this time organizers are vowing to block major intersections and cause “massive disruption” in the nation’s capital. Read

Another British Election? Boris Johnson Faces Big Day on Tuesday

Tuesday promises to be a day of high drama in Westminster, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to call a snap general election next month – the third in five years – if lawmakers proceed with an effort to block his plan to lead Britain out of the European Union by October 31, with or without an agreement with Brussels. Read

Iranian Oil Tanker Targeted by U.S. ‘Goes Dark’ Off Coast of Syria

The Iranian supertanker targeted by the U.S. over alleged attempts to sell oil to the Assad regime on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is lying off the coast of Syria, and has evidently turned off its transponders. Read

US Envoy Says Draft Deal Reached With Taliban, As Terrorists Kill at Least 16 in ‘Martyr Attack’

U.S. envoy for Afghanistan peace efforts Zalmay Khalilzad said Monday the U.S. and the Taliban have reached an agreement in principle on a draft deal that will see 5,000 U.S. troops leave within about five months if the Taliban meets its commitments. Read