Around the World
Trump ratchets up tariff threat after talks show no progress
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ordered his trade chief to begin the process of imposing tariffs on all remaining imports from China, underscoring a lack of progress by U.S. and Chinese negotiators in talks aimed at ending an escalating trade war.
US deployments across Mideast factor in Iran tensions
A U.S. aircraft carrier strike group rushes toward the Persian Gulf. Decades-old B-52 bombers rumble down runways at desert air bases. The Pentagon, meanwhile, routes a Patriot missile battery and an amphibious supply ship to return to the region.
Pompeo to hold talks on Iran in Brussels en route to Russia
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will cancel the Moscow leg of his Russia trip, but will meet President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the Black Sea resort of Sochi as planned on Tuesday, a State Department official said.
'It's time to rise up,' Venezuelan general tells military officers in video
A Venezuelan general called on the country’s armed forces on Sunday to rise up against President Nicolas Maduro, who has relied on the backing of the military to hold on to power despite an economic collapse.
Saudi Arabia says 2 oil tankers damaged by sabotage attacks
Saudi Arabia said Monday two of its oil tankers were sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in attacks that caused 'significant damage' to the vessels, one of them as it was en route to pick up Saudi oil to take to the U.S.
Iran commander calls U.S. military in Gulf a target not a threat: ISNA
A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander said on Sunday the U.S. military presence in the Gulf used to be a serious threat but now represents a target, the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reported.
B-52s, Patriots, F-35s and more: America’s MidEast deployment rundown
In recent days, the US has announced the deployment of an array of military power to the Middle East as tensions grow with Iran. On Friday, the US Department of Defense approved the addition of the USS Arlington and a Patriot battery to US Central Command to fill a request last week. The additional forces come as tensions with Iran are rising and the US has warned Iran that any attack by Iranian forces or their proxies will be met with retaliation.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US Mideast envoy says 'deal of the century' to be delayed once more
US Special Mideast Envoy Jason D. Greenblatt said Saturday the Trump administration’s long-delayed peace proposal, dubbed 'the deal of the century' will not be unveiled until mid-June after the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.

Inside the United States
Pentagon to transfer $1.5 billion to border wall from Afghan forces, other areas
Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has approved the transfer of $1.5 billion to build more than 80 miles (130 km)of barriers on the border with Mexico, U.S. officials said on Friday, including taking about $600 million from an account meant for Afghan security forces.
U.S. Budget Deficit Grew 38% in First Seven Months of Fiscal 2019
The U.S. budget gap widened 38% in the first seven months of the fiscal year as federal spending outpaced tax collections.
Pence says American Left has ‘little tolerance for traditional Christian beliefs’
Vice President Mike Pence told graduating seniors at the country's largest Christian university they should expect to be 'ridiculed' for their beliefs.