US Congress

Trump to extend Iran sanctions relief, keeping nuclear deal intact

Washington - Muslimchronicle

US President Donald Trump will extend sanctions relief granted to Iran under its 2015 nuclear deal with the United States and other world powers, leaving the accord intact for now, according to a person familiar with the decision. However, Trump, who has vowed to scrap the pact, was expected to give the US Congress and European allies a deadline forRead more

US Congress approves short-term budget to avoid shutdown

Washington - Muslimchronicle

The Republican-controlled US Congress on Thursday passed a short-term funding bill to keep the federal government running for four more weeks, averting a shutdown crisis. The Senate voted 66 to 32 for the four-week extension, a few hours after the House of Representatives passed the same bill. Some Democratic senators opposed the measure because it did not address the fateRead more

Russian MPs ban US media from parliament

Moscow - Muslimchronicle

Russian lawmakers on Wednesday voted to ban US media labelled as "foreign agents" from accessing the lower house of parliament in response to the US Congress stripping state channel RT of its credentials. The move came a day after Moscow named nine US media outlets including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty "foreign agents" after RT was forcedRead more

Kremlin 'extremely disappointed'

Moscow - Muslimchronicle

The Kremlin on Thursday said it was "extremely disappointed" that Russian television group RT had lost its credentials to cover the US Congress, as Moscow lawmakers warned of reciprocal measures for American media. In the latest fallout over Moscow's suspected interference in last year's presidential election in the United States, the committee of journalists, which regulates accreditation to cover theRead more

US Congress criticizes Qatar paving way for sanctions

Washington - Muslimchronicle

A Republican-led House panel delivered a blunt bipartisan warning to Qatar on Wednesday, backing legislation that would slap sanctions on any countries or individuals providing financial and material support to the Islamic militant group Hamas. The Foreign Affairs Committee passed the bill by voice vote, setting the stage for the full House to consider the measure. The bill specifically criticisedRead more

U.S Congress expresses support for Peshmerga

Baghdad - Najla Al Taee

In annual legislation establishing the Defense Department budget, the US Congress has agreed on continued support for the Peshmerga. The proposed budget for the fiscal year 2018, as laid out in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA,) includes $365 million for stipends and other sustainment funding for the Peshmerga, which the Defense Department had requested. TheRead more

US Congress approves hurricane relief, debt ceiling hike

Washington - Muslimchronicle

The US House of Representatives passed a critical $15 billion hurricane relief package Friday that included raising the debt ceiling and funding government until early December, sending the bill to President Donald Trump. Lawmakers voted 316 to 90 to approve the package a day after the Senate easily passed the measure. If Trump signs the bill, as expected, it wouldRead more

Despite political hurdles, Trump defiant on Mexico wall

Washington - Muslimchronicle

President Donald Trump insisted Sunday that the US Congress must find a way to pay for his promised border wall, branding Mexico a hotbed of violent crime. And he warned both Mexico and Canada that if they continue to be "difficult" in trade talks, he make have to break off attempts to reform the NAFTA free trade pact. Both positionsRead more

US to cut 755 US diplomatic staff in Russia, says Putin

Moscow - Muslimchronicle

President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said the United States would have to cut 755 diplomatic staff in Russia and warned of a prolonged gridlock in its ties after the US Congress backed new sanctions against the Kremlin. Putin added bluntly that Russia was able to raise the stakes with America even further, although he hoped this would be unnecessary. ARead more

NAFTA renegotiation may extend into 2018

Washington - AFP

Renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement could take until next year, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Monday. The remarks underscore the pressures facing the current administration as it attempts to deliver on one of President Donald Trump's signature campaign pledges. Speaking at a trade event near Washington, Ross said that in an "ideal world" talks would be completedRead more