February 17, 2020 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

USA

Trump’s Budget: More Warfare, Slightly Less Welfare

Posted on February 17, 2020February 17, 2020By Editor

Listening to the howls from Democrats and the applause from Republicans, one would think President Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2021 budget is a radical assault on the welfare state. The truth is the budget contains some minor spending cuts, most of which are not even real cuts. … Read More >Trump’s Budget: More Warfare, Slightly Less Welfare

Business

China accuses Australia of political bias against Huawei

Posted on February 17, 2020February 17, 2020By Editor

The Australian government’s decision to ban tech giant Huawei from its 5G rollout is “politically motivated,” according to the Chinese ambassador Cheng Jingye. … Read More >China accuses Australia of political bias against Huawei

World

EU leaders agree to enforce Libya arms embargo with warships, despite fears of spike in migration

Posted on February 17, 2020February 17, 2020By Editor

European Union foreign ministers have agreed to launch a naval operation to enforce an arms embargo on Libya, despite warnings from within the bloc that doing so would encourage new flows of migrants to Europe. … Read More >EU leaders agree to enforce Libya arms embargo with warships, despite fears of spike in migration

World

Turkey trying to ‘CONQUER’ Libya, not to bring peace, says top Tripoli govt diplomat visiting Moscow

Posted on February 17, 2020February 17, 2020By Editor

While Ankara claims to be supporting Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), its foreign minister on Monday outright rejected the Turkish presence in Libya, blasting it as an “aggression.” … Read More >Turkey trying to ‘CONQUER’ Libya, not to bring peace, says top Tripoli govt diplomat visiting Moscow

Middle East

Syrian Forces Continue Lightning Advance in Country’s North, Free Most of Aleppo Province – Reports

Posted on February 17, 2020February 17, 2020By Editor

The Syrian Army completed the liberation of the city of Aleppo, the Arab Republic’s second-largest population center, in late 2016, but militants continued to control much of the province of Aleppo in the years since, their de-facto control ensured in a 2017 peace deal. … Read More >Syrian Forces Continue Lightning Advance in Country’s North, Free Most of Aleppo Province – Reports

Middle East

Former Arab League Secretary General: Syria’s Return is Close

Posted on February 17, 2020February 17, 2020By Editor

The international organisation suspended Syria’s membership in 2011 after violent protests turned into a full-scale civil war. Recent reports, however, show that many countries are ready to re-establish ties with Damascus as the Syrian government restores control over the country. … Read More >Former Arab League Secretary General: Syria’s Return is Close

Middle East

Iran’s Ex-Defence Minister Claims US Became All-Out ‘Terrorist State’ After Soleimani Killing

Posted on February 17, 2020February 17, 2020By Editor

The Quds Force general commanded the country’s extraterritorial military and intelligence operations for over two decades before being assassinated in Baghdad by a US drone on January 3, with his death leading to a dramatic escalation of tensions between Tehran and Washington. … Read More >Iran’s Ex-Defence Minister Claims US Became All-Out ‘Terrorist State’ After Soleimani Killing

Middle East

Russia will support Syria’s fight against terrorism in Idlib despite Trump’s calls to stop it – Kremlin

Posted on February 17, 2020February 17, 2020By Editor

Moscow has vowed to continue its fight against terrorism in Syria’s Idlib province alongside Damascus, even though this doesn’t fit with Washington’s vision for resolving the crisis. … Read More >Russia will support Syria’s fight against terrorism in Idlib despite Trump’s calls to stop it – Kremlin

Shows