Tillerson comfortable working with Trump: We have a good relationship

Tillerson comfortable working with Trump: We have a good relationship

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has put an end to speculation that he is frustrated in his job and that he wants to quit. Despite not being on the same page with President Donald Trump on North Korea and Iran, Tillerson said he is comfortable in his job and that he shares a good relationship with the commander-in-chief. Speaking to reporters at a nearly hour-long news conference in Washington, DC, on Tuesday (1 August), Tillerson said he and Trump have policy disagreements on things like JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), notably over the Iran nuclear deal. Aug 2, 2017
Venezuelas Maduro blasts US sanctions on him as desperate and hateful

Venezuelas Maduro blasts US sanctions on him as desperate and hateful

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said US President Donald Trumps decision against him reflected the character of the emperor of the US. The unpopular socialist leaders comments came after the US Department of the Treasury slapped sanctions on Maduro earlier on Monday (31 July).The sanctions came in response to the controversial election that took place in the South American country a day earlier, which the US government called a sham. Aug 1, 2017
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro lambasts Donald Trump, calls for state of emergency

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro lambasts Donald Trump, calls for state of emergency

President Nicolas Maduro lambasted President Donald Trump on Sunday (30 July) as elections were held in Venezuela. He criticised Washington for calling a vote on a constituent assembly with powers to change the constitution a sham. The Trump administration called the election a step toward dictatorship and Washington has touted another round of sanctions against Caracas to drum up pressure. But a defiant Maduro spoke to the nation, stating that he does not care what Trump thinks of the election. The Venezuelan opposition has criticised the vote which it sees as a means to cement Maduros power in the divided OPEC nation, which is reeling from food shortages, a flailing economy and rampant crime. One of Maduro;s fiercest critics comes from within the ranks of his Socialist Party, dissident state prosecutor Luisa Ortega. She has criticised Maduro for heavy-handed tactics against protesters and criticised the vote for a constituent assembly, fearing its ramifications for democracy. Speaking after the vote, Maduro called on the new assembly to consider restructuring of Ortegas Attorney General department and to declare a state of emergency over the country, where more than 120 people have been killed.A host of other nations such as Argentina, Colombia and Spain have also declared they will not recognise the results of Venezuelas constituent assembly election. Jul 31, 2017
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro lambasts Donald Trump, calls for state of emergency

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro lambasts Donald Trump, calls for state of emergency

President Nicolas Maduro lambasted President Donald Trump on Sunday (30 July) as elections were held in Venezuela. He criticised Washington for calling a vote on a constituent assembly with powers to change the constitution a sham. The Trump administration called the election a step toward dictatorship and Washington has touted another round of sanctions against Caracas to drum up pressure. But a defiant Maduro spoke to the nation, stating that he does not care what Trump thinks of the election. The Venezuelan opposition has criticised the vote which it sees as a means to cement Maduros power in the divided OPEC nation, which is reeling from food shortages, a flailing economy and rampant crime. One of Maduro;s fiercest critics comes from within the ranks of his Socialist Party, dissident state prosecutor Luisa Ortega. She has criticised Maduro for heavy-handed tactics against protesters and criticised the vote for a constituent assembly, fearing its ramifications for democracy. Speaking after the vote, Maduro called on the new assembly to consider restructuring of Ortegas Attorney General department and to declare a state of emergency over the country, where more than 120 people have been killed.A host of other nations such as Argentina, Colombia and Spain have also declared they will not recognise the results of Venezuelas constituent assembly election. Jul 31, 2017
Huge explosion injures Venezuelan police officers during protest

Huge explosion injures Venezuelan police officers during protest

An explosion injured a group of police officers during a protest in Caracas as Venezuelans trickled to the polls to elect a constitutional super-body that unpopular leftist President Nicolas Maduro vowed would begin a new era of combat in the crisis-stricken nation.Maduro, widely disliked for overseeing an economic collapse during four years in office, has pressed ahead with the vote to create the all-powerful assembly despite the threat of further U.S. sanctions and months of opposition protests in which more than 115 people have been killed. Opposition parties are boycotting what they call a rigged election.Authorities confirmed three deaths over the weekend, including the killing of a candidate to the assembly during a robbery. Opposition lawmakers said the toll was much higher. Jul 31, 2017
Are North Korean hackers stealing money from South Korean banks?

Are North Korean hackers stealing money from South Korean banks?

Are North Korean hackers stealing money from South Korean banks? A South Korean state-backed agency reported that NK hackers are now more interested in cash rather than the secrets of their enemies. The report says that a NK hacking group Andariel tried to hack South Korean ATMs in order to steal bank card information and use malware to crack gambling websites for profits.  The US Senate just passed new sanctions on the regime. But the report warns that NK hackers will continue their efforts. Jul 29, 2017
Investment banker: Russian intelligence knew about Trump Jr. meetings

Investment banker: Russian intelligence knew about Trump Jr. meetings

William Bill Browder, an investment banker with experience and ties to Russia, testified in front of Congress. He said he believed that, with 100% certainty that the Russian intelligence services would have been aware of Donald Trump Jr.s meeting with a Russian lawyer, and were trying to use the meeting to achieve an end: the repeal of the Magnitsky Act, which imposed sanctions on Russia. Jul 29, 2017
Investment banker: Russian intelligence knew about Trump Jr. meetings

Investment banker: Russian intelligence knew about Trump Jr. meetings

William Bill Browder, an investment banker with experience and ties to Russia, testified in front of Congress. He said he believed that, with 100% certainty that the Russian intelligence services would have been aware of Donald Trump Jr.s meeting with a Russian lawyer, and were trying to use the meeting to achieve an end: the repeal of the Magnitsky Act, which imposed sanctions on Russia. Jul 29, 2017
Russia orders embassy to cut staff, seizes two properties in retaliation against US sanctions

Russia orders embassy to cut staff, seizes two properties in retaliation against US sanctions

Russia is demanding the US to reduce its diplomatic staff inside Russia, and says it would seize 2 U.S. diplomatic properties. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the punishment, in response to the financial sanction bills against Russia awaiting President Trumps signature. The reduction in staff will apply on Sept. 1, and includes the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok, The number limit is 455, in parity with the number of Russian diplomats in the U.S. Jul 29, 2017
US Senate votes for new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea despite Trumps objection

US Senate votes for new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea despite Trumps objection

Despite President Donald Trump and the White Houses objection, the US Senate on Thursday (27 July) passed a legislation to slap new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea. The bill has been sent for the approval of Trump, who can exercise his right to veto. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump will review the sanctions but did not reveal what action he is likely to take. If signed by Trump, the sanctions will anger Russia, which has already threatened to retaliate. Jul 28, 2017
UK Defence Secretary: Beijing responsible for getting North Korea to abandon nuclear program

UK Defence Secretary: Beijing responsible for getting North Korea to abandon nuclear program

British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon on Thursday (July 27) called on China to use its influence over North Korea to stem the threat of the regime and amp;#39;s nuclear and missile programs. Fallon was speaking to media in Sydney after the Australian United Kingdom Ministerial Consultation (AUKMin), where he was joined by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne, all of whom spoke about the need to stick to a rules-based international order currently under strain. North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs and the U.N. Security Council has ratcheted up measures in response to five nuclear weapons tests and two long-range missile launches. Jul 27, 2017
UK Defence Secretary: Beijing responsible for getting North Korea to abandon nuclear program

UK Defence Secretary: Beijing responsible for getting North Korea to abandon nuclear program

British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon on Thursday (July 27) called on China to use its influence over North Korea to stem the threat of the regime and amp;#39;s nuclear and missile programs. Fallon was speaking to media in Sydney after the Australian United Kingdom Ministerial Consultation (AUKMin), where he was joined by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne, all of whom spoke about the need to stick to a rules-based international order currently under strain. North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs and the U.N. Security Council has ratcheted up measures in response to five nuclear weapons tests and two long-range missile launches. Jul 27, 2017
US House of Representatives pass sanctions bill

US House of Representatives pass sanctions bill

he U.S. House of Representatives voted to slap more sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The bill defies President Trumps objections to such legislation but was backed by Republicans and Democrats alike. The bill still needs to pass through the Senate before getting to the White House for Trump to sign or veto. The House-passed bill would codify into law existing sanctions on Russia. New sanctions would be imposed upon  Iran for their ballistic missile development. While North Koreas shipping industry and use of slave labor would be targeted for the countrys nuclear and missile programs. The White House says President Trump has not yet considered vetoing or signing the bill into law. Jul 26, 2017