Trump-Zelenskyy to Discuss Security Guarantees

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that he will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida over the weekend.  Zelenskyy told journalists that the two leaders will discuss security guarantees for Ukraine during Sunday’s talks, and that the 20-point plan under discussion “is about 90% ready.”

 

Trump Overturned Decades of US Trade Policy

Since returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has overturned decades of U.S. trade policy – building a wall of tariffs around what used to be a wide open economy. His double-digit taxes on imports from almost every country have disrupted global commerce and strained the budgets of consumers and businesses worldwide.

Iran seizes oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iran seized a foreign oil tanker as it traveled the strategic Strait of Hormuz, state media said Friday. Mojtaba Ghahramani, a provincial chief of the justice department, said the oil tanker was carrying some 4 million liters, or 25,000 barrels, of smuggled fuel when the Revolutionary Guard naval forces seized the vessel, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Editorials from Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

China sanctions 20 US defense companies over arms sales to Taiwan

BEIJING (AP) – Beijing imposed sanctions on Friday against 20 U.S. defense-related companies and 10 executives, a week after Washington annoucned large-scale arms sales to Taiwan.

Thailand bombs Cambodian village as both nations hold border talks

BANGKOK (AP) – Thailand and Cambodia were engaged in combat along their border on Friday, even as the two countries held talks to try to put an end to armed clashes that erupted in early December, breaking a ceasefire that had been reached five months earlier.

Mosque bombing in Syria leaves 8 dead and 18 wounded

IDLIB, Syria (AP) – A bombing at a mosque in the Syrian city of Homs during Friday prayers killed at least eight people and wounded 18 others, authorities said, as long-standing sectarian, ethnic and political fault lines continue to destabilize the country, even as large-scale fighting has subsided.

Harvey Weinstein Accuser Sued for Defamation - by Her Sister

NEW YORK (AP) – Two sisters testified at Harvey Weinstein’s most recent criminal trial. Kaja Sokola accused the disgraced movie mogul of sexual assault. Ewa Sokola was called as a witness to boost her claims, but ultimately ended up helping the defense.

At least 15 injured in a knife and chemical attack at a factory in Japan

TOKYO (AP) – A man was arrested after stabbing eight people and injuring seven others with what was believed to be bleach at a tire factory in central Japan on Friday, officials said. There was no immediate explanation of his motive.