Latest news with #AntonyBlinken
See - Sada Elbalad
16 hours ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Oman Proposes Regional Uranium Enrichment Union
Israa Farhan Oman has put forward a proposal to establish a regional uranium enrichment union for peaceful purposes, under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United States. This initiative aims to address concerns over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East while ensuring compliance with international regulations. An anonymous US official revealed to Axios that the proposal suggests the construction of uranium enrichment facilities outside of Iran. In exchange, the United States would recognize Iran's right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes, provided Tehran halts all enrichment activities temporarily. This offer comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear ambitions. While Iran has consistently maintained that it will not sign any agreement that does not guarantee its right to enrich uranium, US officials have stated unequivocally that uranium enrichment beyond certain limits is a "red line." In a related development, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a report on Saturday revealing that Iran has accumulated over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, a level that, if further enriched to 90%, could be sufficient for the production of 10 nuclear bombs. The IAEA also highlighted that Iran has failed to provide satisfactory answers to its inquiries regarding several undeclared nuclear sites within the country. These findings have raised alarms within the international community about Iran's potential intentions to develop nuclear weapons. The US has made clear its desire to achieve a "basic agreement" that sets the principles of any future nuclear deal before technical teams from both sides finalize the specifics. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has indicated that Washington aims for a deal that ensures robust oversight and transparency. Oman, which has often played a mediating role in regional diplomacy, presented the US proposal to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a visit to Tehran on Saturday. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi emphasized that the initiative could serve as a bridge between Tehran and Washington, potentially reducing the risks of further escalation. Iran's government has made it clear that its response to the proposal will be based on "national principles, interests, and the rights of the Iranian people." The outcome of these discussions could significantly impact the future of nuclear negotiations in the region. In response to the ongoing diplomatic efforts, White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt reiterated that the Trump administration had already made a detailed and acceptable offer to Iran during earlier nuclear talks. Levitt emphasized that it is now in Iran's best interest to accept the proposal. Stephen Wieckhoff, the US special envoy on Iran, had reportedly delivered a detailed offer to the Iranian leadership during the fourth round of talks, with further clarification provided in the fifth round. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
NHK
3 days ago
- Business
- NHK
Richard Armitage memorial praises diplomat's contribution to Japan-US alliance
About 400 people have gathered to remember former US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, who played a key role in US-Japan relations. The high-ranking diplomat died in April at the age of 79. The memorial ceremony was held on Thursday at the US Naval Academy in the state of Maryland. The participants included former Secretary of State Antony Blinken and diplomats from Japan and other countries. In a speech, former CIA Director William Burns praised Armitage's achievements and character. He said Armitage knew that "diplomacy was not an abstraction but a very human business of building trust with allies and partners." Former Japanese Ambassador to the US Kato Ryozo said, "The passing of Richard Armitage, the greatest and most skilled craftsman in the history of the US-Japan alliance," was a "profound loss" to both countries. Kato added, "The friendship, trust, the many gifts he gave us are living still through us." Armitage worked under President George W. Bush. He was a top expert on Asian and Japanese affairs, and called for strengthening the US-Japan alliance.
Wall Street Journal
6 days ago
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
‘Original Sin' and Foreign Policy
It came at a high price, but Joe Biden finally drove his successor off the front pages last week. First came the steady drip of devastating stories about Mr. Biden's closest aides' conspiracy to conceal his mental and physical decline, culminating with the publication of Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's 'Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.' On top of that came the news that Mr. Biden has stage 4 prostate cancer. The most remarkable thing about 'Original Sin' to this reader was the near-total absence of President Biden's foreign-policy team from the account. This isn't because they weren't around or in the know. Messrs. Tapper and Thompson emphasize that both Antony Blinken and Jake Sullivan had better and more regular access to the increasingly walled-off president than any other cabinet secretaries or senior aides beyond the inner ring of Biden loyalists that the authors call the Politburo. We also know from many sources that European leaders were worried and puzzled by Mr. Biden's irregular behavior at international meetings. Yet 'Original Sin' focuses much less scrutiny on Mr. Biden's foreign policy team's actions and omissions than on those of his domestic advisers.
Epoch Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Russia Fines Apple $131,000 for ‘LGBT Propaganda' and Content Violations
A Moscow court has fined Apple a total of 10.5 million rubles (approximately $131,000) for alleged violations of Russia's ban on 'LGBT propaganda' and for failing to delete prohibited content at the request of government censors. The rulings were issued on May 19 by the Tagansky District Court, Over the course of the afternoon, Judge Alexandra Anokhina issued four separate fines against Apple Distribution International Ltd., per Mediazona. Three of the penalties—each totaling 2.5 million rubles (roughly $31,000)—were levied under rules Russia adopted in 2023 that criminalize the dissemination of material deemed to promote 'non-traditional sexual relations.' A fourth fine, for 3 million rubles (around $37,400), was imposed over Apple's alleged failure to delete online content that violated Russian information laws. No further details of the claims were released, with most of the proceedings closed to the press and public. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the rulings. The move marks the most significant legal action to date against Apple under Russia's recently expanded censorship laws. 'LGBT Propaganda' Ban Russia in 2023 Related Stories 4/23/2025 3/31/2025 At the time, then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the measure, calling it a 'blow to freedom of expression.' In response to criticism from U.S. officials, the Russian embassy in Washington accused the West of trying to 'impose pseudo-liberal and perverted ideas about human rights on other countries.' The 2023 law builds on earlier restrictions dating back to 2013, when Russia first banned 'LGBT propaganda' targeting minors. Since then, the law has been used to outlaw public 'gay pride' events and detain pro-LGBT activists. Russian President Vladimir Putin, backed by the Russian Orthodox Church, has repeatedly said LGBT advocacy—particularly the concept of 'gender fluidity'—is a threat to Russia's cultural and moral stability. On several occasions, he has said that such notions were evidence of 'moral decay,' accusing the West of imposing 'alien ideologies' on the rest of the world. 'Western elites believe they can impose strange ideas on their people, such as the existence of dozens of genders,' the Russian leader declared in October 2022. 'But they have no right to tell others to follow in their footsteps.' Apple in Crosshairs Since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Apple has increasingly come under pressure from Russian regulators. Apple's transparency reports show an increase in compliance with Russian takedown requests. In 2023, Apple Amid criticism that it is submitting to censorship requests, Apple defended its actions in a The company suggested that maintaining some presence in Russia helped preserve access to communication tools—a position it said helped support 'democratic principles' and was in line with informal guidance from the U.S. government. The Moscow court's rulings come as Apple also faces mounting regulatory scrutiny in other parts of the world. In April, the European Commission, for example, Meanwhile, Apple has accelerated its shift away from reliance on China by Adam Morrow and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Independent
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
MAGA in meltdown as Trump fans try to identify who controlled Biden's ‘autopen'
President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday to slam former President Joe Biden after leaked audio revealed the 46th commander-in-chief struggling to answer questions during an interview with special counsel Robert Hur. 'Whoever had control of the 'AUTOPEN' is looking to be a bigger and bigger scandal by the moment,' said Trump. Biden's alleged use of an autopen has become an obsession on the right, with Kentucky Republican Rep. James Comer appearing on Fox News on Friday night, saying 'Clearly, from that interview, which was many, many months prior to the heavy use of the autopen, Joe Biden wasn't capable of making decisions. He wasn't coherent.' Conservatives took to social media to question who was 'controlling' the autopen during Biden's stint in the White House and if someone else was 'acting' as the president in Biden's place, without supporting their suggestions with evidence. Influencer Link Lauren, a former aide to Robert F Kennedy Jr, wrote on X: 'Who was controlling the autopen? Who was pulling the strings? Who were the unelected bureaucrats making decisions that negatively impacted our country? I want names. The Democrat Party & the MSM may never recover.' One X user questioned who was 'really acting' as the president, adding, 'It obviously was not Joe Biden.' Another user responded, pointing to former Domestic Policy Council Director Susan Rice, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, and longtime Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett. Neera Tanden, who succeeded Rice at the Domestic Policy Council, was also mentioned. On Friday night, Comer piled on during his appearance on Fox News. The Oversight Committee wants to speak with former top Biden aides Annie Tomasini, Anthony Bernal, and Ashley Williams. 'This is one of the greatest scandals of our generation, and Americans are demanding answers,' he said. 'Now that Biden's top enablers can no longer hide behind the power of the presidency, we're continuing our investigation to expose the truth.' Hur interviewed Biden as part of an investigation into his handling of classified documents. While a transcript was made public last year, the Biden White House stopped the Department of Justice from releasing the recording, which was published by Axios on Friday, revealing Biden's memory lapses on long pauses. Comer said the House Oversight and Accountability Committee would investigate Biden's cognitive abilities towards the end of his presidency because of questions surrounding the use of an autopen to sign a number of presidential orders, including preemptive pardons for some of Trump's adversaries, including several members of the Biden family. 'There are serious concerns that President Biden lacked the mental capacity to authorize those actions,' said Comer. Trump said on Truth Social on Saturday that Biden's use of an autopen 'is a major part of the real crime, THAT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2020 WAS RIGGED AND STOLEN!' 'Millions and millions of people knew that, but the Radical Left Democrats waged a campaign of inoculation and innocence like none that had ever been waged before,' he added. He went on to slam Biden for pardoning the members of the January 6 House Select Committee that investigated the 2021 insurrection. Trump said that 'THE UNSELECT COMMITTEE OF POLITICAL THUGS … WERE GIVEN A FULL AND COMPLETE PARDON BY THE PERSON WHO WIELDED THE NOW ILLEGALLY USED AUTOPEN.' The president went on to accuse the committee of destroying evidence. 'Remember, it all began with DIRTY COP James Comey, Obama, a hapless and cognitively impaired Sleepy Joe Biden, and my now very famous ACCUSATION that, 'THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN!'' said Trump. Comey, the FBI Secret Service over a social media post that was interpreted as a threat against the president. 'Whoever had control of the Autopen is just the beginning. The biggest crime of all is that THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WAS RIGGED!' Trump added.
