USA

Washington, Jan 8 (PTI) US President Donald Trump, in his first reaction after Iran's missile attack on two American bases in Iraq, insisted that "all is well" and promised to make a statement to the nation on Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday night, Iran launched over a dozen ballistic missiles targeting at least two bases where US military and coalition forces' are stationed in Iraq, the Pentagon said.

WASHINGTON, Jan 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it would ban US carriers from operating in the airspace over Iraq, Iran, the Gulf of Oman and the waters between Iran and Saudi Arabia after Iran launched a missile attack on US-led forces in Iraq.

Tehran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles from Iranian territory against at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US-led coalition personnel, the US military said on Tuesday. 

NEW YORK, Jan 08 (APP): Pakistan will stand by the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for the exercise of their United Nations-pledged right of self-determination to rid themselves of the brutal Indian occupation, Ambassador Munir Akram told a large gathering of Pakistanis and Kashmiris in which U.N. diplomats also participated.

WASHINGTON, Jan 08 (APP): Pakistan attaches the highest respect and sanctity to the places of worship, including those of Sikh religion, Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan told a representative delegation of the Sikh community while rejecting as “malicious and mischievous” Indian reports about the recent incidents at Nankana Sahib and Peshawar.

A press release issued by the Pakistani embassy said that the ambassador briefed the delegation about Pakistan’s persistent efforts to promote religious freedom, harmony and tourism in Pakistan.

(Reuters) - U.S. presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg on Wednesday unveiled an economic strategy based on what he sees as his key strengths: a successful career in business and three terms as mayor of New York.

The plan itself includes policy positions largely in line with the Democratic Party mainstream but which Bloomberg, a billionaire former Republican, has not always embraced, such as a higher minimum wage.

PHOENIX (AP) — The man convicted of shooting a Border Patrol agent in a case that exposed a botched federal gun program known as “Fast and Furious” is scheduled to be sentenced in Tucson on Wednesday.

Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes is one of seven defendants who were charged in the 2010 slaying of Brian Terry. Osorio-Arellanes was convicted of first-degree murder and other charges last year after being extradited from Mexico in 2018.

NEW YORK (AP) --- Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s escalation of tensions with Iran proves him to be “dangerously incompetent” and puts the U.S. on the brink of war.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s national security team knew that killing Iran’s most powerful general could hurt efforts to mop up and head off any revival of the Islamic State militant group — and that is just what has happened.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump once warned Barack Obama not to “play the Iran card” to boost his political prospects by starting a war. Eight years later, Trump is showing no reluctance to capitalize politically on his order to kill a top Iranian general, drawing accusations that he is weaponizing foreign policy for his campaign’s own gain.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he has the votes to start President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial as soon as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi releases the documents, winning support from GOP senators to postpone a decision on calling witnesses.

The announcement is significant, enabling McConnell to bypass for now Democratic demands for new testimony as he launches the third impeachment trial in the nation’s history. It could begin this week if Pelosi sends the articles of impeachment to the Senate.