Asked about Trump firing, German minister says institutions must be independent

By Maria Martinez WASHINGTON (Reuters) -State institutions should be independent and free from politics, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said on Monday when asked about U.S. President Donald Trump’s firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “I consider this political approach to be wrong and believe that it is right for independent…

Read More

US hits Iranian shipping network with major new sanctions

By Gram Slattery and Ryan Patrick Jones WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Treasury Department announced fresh sanctions on Wednesday on over 115 Iran-linked individuals, entities and vessels, in a sign the Trump administration is doubling down on its “maximum pressure” campaign after bombing Tehran’s key nuclear sites in June. The sanctions broadly target the shipping interests…

Read More

Trump says he may support Israel-Iran ceasefire ‘depending on circumstances’

By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump said on Friday he might support a ceasefire in the week-old aerial conflict between U.S. ally Israel and its regional rival Iran “depending on the circumstances”. Asked by reporters if he would support a ceasefire while negotiations are ongoing, Trump said: “I might, depending on the circumstances”….

Read More

Trump contradicts his spy chief on Iran’s nuclear program

By Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday repudiated Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s assessment that Iran has not been building a nuclear weapon, publicly contradicting his spy chief for the first time during his second term. In rejecting his top spy’s judgment, Trump appeared to embrace Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin…

Read More

Damage to Iranian nuclear sites so far appears limited, experts say

By David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities from Israel’s initial wave of air strikes early on Friday appeared to be limited, experts who have reviewed commercially available satellite imagery said. Israel’s attacks succeeded in killing Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists and in striking military command and control…

Read More