RFE/RL

U.S. Calls Urgent Security Council Meeting To Discuss North Korea Sanctions

The United States has called an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council for September 17 as it steps up pressure on countries it says are violating sanctions against North Korea.

Iraqi PM Abadi Says He Won’t ‘Cling To A Second Term’

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has indicated he may not seek a second term amid power struggles in the country, although observers say it was unclear if he was actually giving up any claim to power.

US Studying Potential Iran Sanction Waivers: Pompeo

Trump, Pompeo Blast Predecessor Kerry For Meeting With Iranians

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized predecessor John Kerry for meeting several times recently with Iran's foreign minister, saying the Obama-era official was "actively undermining" U.S. policy toward Tehran

Bellingcat: Russian Documents Suggest Novichok Suspects Were Operatives

The Kremlin says it will study any British request to question the two men London suspects of trying to murder a former spy, in strict accordance with Russian law.

Lavrov Says Russia To Keep Bombing Militant Targets In Syria's Idlib

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Moscow would keep bombing militant targets in Syria's Idlib Province if need be, but would also open humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to flee.

Manafort Pleads Guilty To Two Criminal Charges

Paul Manafort, the longtime U.S. lobbyist and former election campaign chairman for President Donald Trump, is expected to plead guilty to charges of conspiracy and witness tampering, just days before his second federal trial was scheduled to begin.

Pentagon Protests After U.S. Jets Intercept Russian Bombers Near Alaska

The Pentagon has issued a protest after U.S. Air Force fighter jets intercepted two Russian bombers in international airspace west of the U.S. state of Alaska.

German FM To Warn Lavrov Of Possible 'Humanitarian Catastrophe' In Syria

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas says he will warn Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov later on September 14 that a major military offensive on the last Syrian rebel stronghold of Idlib Province risks triggering a “humanitarian catastrophe.”

EU Court Upholds Sanctions On Russian Energy Companies, Banks

The European Union's General Court has upheld the bloc's sanctions regime against Russian bank and energy companies over Russia's involvement in the crisis in Ukraine.

Four Dead From Drinking Bootleg Booze In Iran

Four people, including a woman, have died after drinking bootleg alcohol in the Iranian city of Karaj, west of the capital, a judiciary official has said.

U.S. 'Likely' Surpasses Saudi Arabia, Russia As Largest Crude Oil Producer

The United States has "likely" surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia to become the world's largest producer of crude oil, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) says.

Iran Calls U.S. Blame Over Iraq Attacks 'Astonishing, Provocative'

Iran's Foreign Ministry has described accusations by the United States that Tehran's allies were responsible for recent attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions in Iraq as "astonishing, provocative, and irresponsible," Iranian media report.

Former Iranian Vice President Sentenced To Prison For 'Threatening National Security'

Esfandiari Rahim Mashaei, a vice president, chief of staff, and senior aide under former Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, has been sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison after being convicted on charges including threatening national security, Iranian media report.

Afghan Refugee, 27, Wins Primary Election For Seat In New Hampshire State Legislature

A 27-year-old Afghan refugee has won the Democratic primary for a seat in the legislature of the U.S. state of New Hampshire, defeating a fellow Democrat who held the seat for four terms.

CPJ: Pakistan's Military Curbing Press Freedoms Using Fear, Intimidation

The climate for press freedom in Pakistan is deteriorating as the country's powerful army “quietly, but effectively” restricts reporting through "intimidation" and other means, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says in a new report.

Putin Says Russia Has Identified U.K.'s Novichok Suspects, Claims They Are Civilians

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia has identified the two men Britain suspects of poisoning former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a military-grade nerve agent, claiming they are civilians.

Death Toll In Suicide Attack In Eastern Afghanistan Soars To 68

The death toll from a suicide attack on a protest gathering in eastern Afghanistan has soared to 68, officials said.

White House Warns Iran About Potential Attacks By Proxies On U.S. Facilities

The United States has warned Iran about any potential attacks by its proxies and allies against U.S. facilities in the Middle East.

International Criminal Court Says It Is Undeterred By U.S. Threat Of Sanctions

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has said it will "continue to do its work undeterred," responding a day after U.S. national security adviser John Bolton threatened sanctions if the tribunal investigates alleged war crimes by U.S. personnel in Afghanistan.