US warns commercial flights near Persian Gulf could be 'misidentified,' amid tensions with Iran - Fox News

Commercial airliners flying over the wider Persian Gulf could be “misidentified” and targeted amid the increasing escalation between the U.S. and Iran, American diplomats said in a warning Saturday.

The warning, relayed by U.S. diplomatic posts from the Federal Aviation Administration, stressed that the current tensions, with Iran-backed militias reportedly moving missiles closer to American bases in Iraq, are posing a risk to global air travel.

All commercial aircraft flying over the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman need to be aware of the ongoing escalation, the warning reads, adding that the threat presents “an increasing inadvertent risk to U.S. civil aviation operations due to the potential for miscalculation or misidentification," the warning said.

It also advised that aircraft could experience interference with its navigation instruments and communications jamming “with little to no warning.”

IRAN'S TOP GENERAL TELLS IRAQI MILITIAS TO PREP FOR 'PROXY WAR' AMID US-IRAN TENSIONS

The notice comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries. The Trump administration recently ordered warships and bombers to the region to counter the supposed threat from Iran that forced the U.S. earlier this week to pull all non-essential U.S. government personnel from Iraq.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the Iraqi top brass that Iran-backed militias have moved their missiles closer to bases housing Americans.

Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani, a commander of Iran’s extraterritorial military operations Quds Force, meanwhile, met in recent weeks with the militias and told them to “prepare for proxy war,” the Guardian reported.

POMPEO SLAMS KERRY OVER MEETING WITH IRANIANS, UNDERMINING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION: 'IT'S TIME TO GET OFF THE STAGE'

“Iran or its proxies” were also blamed by the U.S. for targeting four oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, while Iran-aligned rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a crucial Saudi oil pipeline, prompting the Saudis to call on the U.S. to carry out strikes against the Iranian regime.

Other countries soon followed the threat assessment of the U.S., with Britain raising threat levels for its troops in Iraq on Thursday. Both Germany and the Netherlands suspended a training mission in Iraq.

But President Trump on Tuesday appeared to downplay the escalation and denied the reports that his administration was planning to send more than 100,000 troops to the region in the wake of heightened tensions in the region.

“If we did that, we’d send a hell of a lot more troops than that,” he said.

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Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Zarif, on Thursday deemed new sanctions imposed by the Trump administration as “unacceptable” but noted that the country is committed to the nuclear deal.

“We believe that escalation by the United States is unacceptable and uncalled for. We have exercised maximum restraints,” he said during a visit to Japan.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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2019-05-18 07:29:28Z
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US warns commercial flights near Persian Gulf could be 'misidentified,' amid tensions with Iran - Fox News

Commercial airliners flying over the wider Persian Gulf could be “misidentified” and targeted amid the increasing escalation between the U.S. and Iran, American diplomats said in a warning Saturday.

The warning, relayed by U.S. diplomatic posts from the Federal Aviation Administration, stressed that the current tensions, with Iran-backed militias reportedly moving missiles closer to American bases in Iraq, are posing a risk to global air travel.

All commercial aircraft flying over the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman need to be aware of the ongoing escalation, the warning reads, adding that the threat presents “an increasing inadvertent risk to U.S. civil aviation operations due to the potential for miscalculation or misidentification," the warning said.

It also advised that aircraft could experience interference with its navigation instruments and communications jamming “with little to no warning.”

IRAN'S TOP GENERAL TELLS IRAQI MILITIAS TO PREP FOR 'PROXY WAR' AMID US-IRAN TENSIONS

The notice comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries. The Trump administration recently ordered warships and bombers to the region to counter the supposed threat from Iran that forced the U.S. earlier this week to pull all non-essential U.S. government personnel from Iraq.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the Iraqi top brass that Iran-backed militias have moved their missiles closer to bases housing Americans.

Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani, a commander of Iran’s extraterritorial military operations Quds Force, meanwhile, met in recent weeks with the militias and told them to “prepare for proxy war,” the Guardian reported.

POMPEO SLAMS KERRY OVER MEETING WITH IRANIANS, UNDERMINING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION: 'IT'S TIME TO GET OFF THE STAGE'

“Iran or its proxies” were also blamed by the U.S. for targeting four oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, while Iran-aligned rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a crucial Saudi oil pipeline, prompting the Saudis to call on the U.S. to carry out strikes against the Iranian regime.

Other countries soon followed the threat assessment of the U.S., with Britain raising threat levels for its troops in Iraq on Thursday. Both Germany and the Netherlands suspended a training mission in Iraq.

But President Trump on Tuesday appeared to downplay the escalation and denied the reports that his administration was planning to send more than 100,000 troops to the region in the wake of heightened tensions in the region.

“If we did that, we’d send a hell of a lot more troops than that,” he said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Zarif, on Thursday deemed new sanctions imposed by the Trump administration as “unacceptable” but noted that the country is committed to the nuclear deal.

“We believe that escalation by the United States is unacceptable and uncalled for. We have exercised maximum restraints,” he said during a visit to Japan.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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2019-05-18 07:17:50Z
CBMijAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5mb3huZXdzLmNvbS93b3JsZC91cy13YXJucy1jb21tZXJjaWFsLWFpcmxpbmVycy1mbHlpbmctdG8tcGVyc2lhbi1ndWxmLWNvdWxkLWJlLW1pc2lkZW50aWZpZWQtYXMtaG9zdGlsZS1hbWlkLXRlbnNpb25zLXdpdGgtaXJhbtIBkAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5mb3huZXdzLmNvbS93b3JsZC91cy13YXJucy1jb21tZXJjaWFsLWFpcmxpbmVycy1mbHlpbmctdG8tcGVyc2lhbi1ndWxmLWNvdWxkLWJlLW1pc2lkZW50aWZpZWQtYXMtaG9zdGlsZS1hbWlkLXRlbnNpb25zLXdpdGgtaXJhbi5hbXA

US warns airliners flying in Persian Gulf amid Iran tensions - Fox News

Graphic locates the US Navy's fleet area of operations and shows the path the US strike group moving into position in the Persian Gulf; 3c x 4 3/4 inches; 146 mm x 120 mm;

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – U.S. diplomats are warning that commercial airliners flying over the wider Persian Gulf faced a risk of being "misidentified" amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

The warning relayed Saturday by U.S. diplomatic posts from the Federal Aviation Administration underlined the risks the current tensions pose to a region crucial to global air travel.

It also served as a grim reminder that 30 years ago, the U.S. mistook an Iranian passenger jet for a warplane after their last naval battle with Tehran, killing all 290 people aboard.

Concerns about a possible conflict have flared since the White House ordered warships and bombers to the region to counter an alleged, unexplained threat from Iran. President Donald Trump since has sought to soften his tone.

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2019-05-18 05:29:28Z
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US to announce deal to lift steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico as soon as Friday: Sources - CNBC

The United States has reached a deal to lift steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico, removing one key obstacle to passing updates to the North American Free Trade Agreement, two people familiar with the matter told CNBC.

In a joint statement Friday, the Canadian and American government said the U.S. will scrap the metals duties within two days. Canada will drop tariffs levied on American goods in retaliation for the steel and aluminum duties. 

While the U.S. and Canada officially announced a deal to remove tariffs Friday afternoon, Mexico did not immediately put out a statement.

The Canadian and Mexican governments, along with top U.S. lawmakers, have pushed the Trump administration to remove the tariffs before the countries approve the United States Mexico Canada Agreement. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke Friday about the duties on metals and the tariffs Canada slapped on U.S. goods in retaliation, according to a spokesman for Trudeau.

Trudeau was expected to speak to steelworkers on Friday afternoon.

A worker walks past a steel coil loaded on a truck, at a plant in Monterrey, Mexico on August 27, 2018.

Julio Cesar Aguilar | AFP | Getty Images

Trump cited a national security threat when he put respective tariffs of 25 percent and 10 percent on steel and aluminum imports last year. When the White House decided not to exempt Canada and Mexico, the U.S. neighbors and some members of Congress questioned why the allies posed a threat to the U.S.

The deal could boost Trump's hopes of getting the USMCA, one of his top policy priorities, through Congress. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, among others, pushed him to remove the tariffs before lawmakers ratify the trade agreement.

The deal still faces its hurdles: Democrats have raised concerns about environmental and labor provisions in USMCA, as well as how it could affect drug prices in the U.S. Mexico passed a labor law last month in part to address those concerns.

On Wednesday, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer met with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland. The negotiators were expected to discuss a process for removing the tariffs.

The Trump administration aims to send paperwork to Congress soon, which could set up a vote on USMCA before lawmakers leave for the entire month of August.

The White House's recent escalation of a trade war with China rattled investors and raised concerns about damage to businesses and consumers. But developments Friday boosted markets.

Before reports of the deal to remove steel and aluminum tariffs, the Trump administration said it would delay tariffs on imports of cars and auto parts from Europe, Japan and other countries.

Correction: An earlier version misstated when Trudeau was set to speak to steelworkers. It was Friday afternoon.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.

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2019-05-17 17:37:37Z
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Brexit: Does collapse of Labour talks spell end for Theresa May's hopes? - BBC News

Labour has finally pulled the plug on the Brexit talks with the government, at the end of a week in which they appeared to be on life support.

So is it, as some suggest, time to read the last rites on Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement Bill?

Let's be clear - it will be challenging, to say the least, for the legislation to get through the Commons.

But reports of its demise may well have been exaggerated. It may not go down to immediate defeat. And this is why.

Fight another day

A leaked memo from the government side, not agreed by Labour or the cabinet, contained a wheeze that could have been attractive to both leaderships.

Even before the Withdrawal Agreement Bill makes its appearance, the memo suggested there could be a "free vote" in Parliament on another referendum.

This is rather different from what the shadow Brexit secretary, Sir Keir Starmer, was suggesting - that there ought to be a "confirmatory" vote, as part of a package, on any agreed deal.

The leaders of both the main parties aren't keen on another public vote, to say the least. So a stand-alone Commons vote on the issue, divorced from the deal, would be more likely to go down to defeat - as it has on previous occasions.

Jeremy Corbyn could say to People's Vote supporters in his ranks: "Oh, I did try for a referendum, but oops, it didn't work - so now let's just leave with the best possible deal."

But it would seem that this approach has been scuppered by Labour's wider negotiating team and, presumably, by the cabinet. I have had a strong steer that this proposal in the leaked government memo won't go ahead in this form.

End of the line?

But this might not be the setback it seems for the prime minister because supporters of another referendum may have no option but to vote initially for her bill.

There will be a vote at what's called, in parliamentary speak, second reading in the first week in June. If the prime minister is defeated at this point, it's basically the end of the road for her deal and her premiership.

But if MPs vote for the bill at second reading, they then get an opportunity to change it - and that would include an amendment on another referendum.

So it's not impossible that some people who hate Theresa May's deal give it their temporary backing so they can discuss improving it, or putting it to a public vote.

Talks with Labour are over - but efforts to win over individual Labour MPs are not. Note the wording of Downing Street's statement that "complete agreement" hasn't been reached.

So expect to see some incentives in - or around - the Brexit bill for opposition MPs to back the government. For example, a commitment to stay in step with the EU on workers' rights and environmental protection.

Labour of love

Allies of Sir Keir have blamed the breakdown of the talks on the PM's inability to get a customs union compromise past her cabinet.

But if she keeps Conservative MPs on board in the legislation by eschewing a customs union but delivers a "comprehensive" (trust me, this word is important to some Labour MPs) temporary arrangement to last until the next election, some soft opposition to her deal may crumble.

Then there is the argument put forward by the former Conservative minister Nick Boles, echoed off the record by some in Downing Street.

If the prime minister's bill gets shot down in flames there is no other readily available vehicle to prevent the default option of no deal. Indeed, No 10 insiders expect to see "vociferous" arguments for no deal if Theresa May's legislation falls.

Some unions, such as the GMB and Unison, favour another referendum. But the leadership of Unite, which is closest to Mr Corbyn, essentially favours leaving with a deal - and Labour MPs will be made well aware of this.

So even if Labour formally opposes the bill at second reading, there could be a sizeable rebellion from those former Remainers representing Leave areas - safe in the knowledge that they wouldn't exactly be upsetting some powerful forces in the party.

And the MPs who support what's called Common Market 2.0 could be crucial to the outcome. These are, broadly speaking, Labour MPs who are neither Corbynistas nor in favour of another referendum - such as Lucy Powell and Stephen Kinnock - and they are very keen to avoid no deal.

However, if the Labour whip is to oppose, expect it to be rigorously enforced irrespective of the views of the party leader's office. So Mrs May's immediate fate may still be in the hands of opposition MPs

Don't tell anyone

The forthcoming leadership contest may firm up opposition to Theresa May's bill on the Conservative benches

By putting the Withdrawal Agreement Bill out of its misery almost as soon as it appears, the prime minister's critics know she will vacate office sooner rather than later.

But some candidates will be keener for her to get Brexit over the line, even with a less than optimal deal, so they don't immediately get bogged down with difficult votes. It would also allow them to make their pitch based on the future relationship with the EU.

So could some of their supporters - irrespective of their public criticism of the deal - quietly vote to get it over the line?

Set against all this, there is plenty of analysis in the public domain which will tell you how impossible it is for a deal to go through.

But right now, No 10 might well see "highly improbable" as grounds for optimism. Hope dies last, does it not?

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48307713

2019-05-17 14:58:36Z
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Meghan Markle's close friend tears up as he denies rumors she's difficult - CBS News

For the first time, some of Meghan Markle's best friends are offering a rare and intimate look at the life of the Duchess of Sussex. In a CBS News special airing Friday, "Meghan and Harry Plus One," makeup artist Daniel Martin tears up while talking to "CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King about the negative press surrounding Meghan, who's been dubbed "duchess difficult" by some British tabloids.

Asked why he was crying, Martin said, "I think because I know her so well and I know she doesn't deserve all this negative press." Martin insists there's "no truth" to the stories that paint her as demanding.

But Meghan, her friends know, is fully confident in who she is and steers clear of the rumor mill. Actress Janina Gavankar is another one of Meghan's best friends.

"She doesn't read the bad or the good because she knows the metrics that you have for your own life cannot be based on a headline," Gavankar said.

Both friends also opened up about how she and Prince Harry are handling parenthood after they welcomed Archie into the world earlier this month.

"There's just going to be so much love for that baby," Martin said. 

Sneak peek: Meghan and Harry Plus One

"To have the royal family bring a child of color into the world, it's pretty awesome … There's still a lot of us who didn't even grow up with dolls that look like us," Gavankar said.

According to Gavankar, Meghan has been thinking about motherhood for a long time. 

"Meghan and I have talked about her being a mother for over a decade. She's always wanted to be a mom," Gavankar said. "She's gonna be such a good mother … I think she will be very low maintenance. I think that she will be very hands on."

Martin said he even sees Meghan making her own baby food. He also shared some kind words about Harry.

"He's so good with kids," Martin said. "Even when they were doing the family portrait after the wedding with everybody, he was on the floor just playing with the kids and that's when I knew him, like, he's gonna be the coolest dad."

"She is with her soulmate. The two of them together are very powerful," said Gavankar.

"This is the dawn of a new generation," Martin said. "That their child is going to represent what the world is now."

"Meghan and Harry Plus One" airs this Friday, May 17, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on CBS 

© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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2019-05-17 12:59:00Z
52780298452880

Iran's Revolutionary Guards says its missiles can hit US warships - New York Post

DUBAI — A deputy head of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards said even short-range Iranian missiles could reach U.S. warships in the Gulf, and the United States could not afford a new war, the semi-official news agency Fars reported on Friday.

The comments added to days of saber-rattling between Tehran and Washington, which has tightened sanctions and built up its military presence in the region alleging threats from Iran to its troops and interests.

Iran has accused the United States of “psychological warfare” and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said this week Tehran would not negotiate another deal after Washington quit a 2015 pact over Iran’s nuclear program.

“Even our short-range missiles can easily reach (U.S.) warships in the Gulf,” Mohammad Saleh Jokar, the Guard’s deputy for parliamentary affairs, was quoted by Fars as saying.

“America cannot afford the costs of a new war, and the country is in a bad situation in terms of manpower and social conditions,” he added.

Separately, a senior Iranian military official accused U.S. President Donald Trump of dishonesty, saying Washington was calling for talks while “holding a gun” at Tehran, the semi-official news agency Mehr reported on Friday.

Trump has said publicly he wants to pursue a diplomatic route after withdrawing from the 2015 deal and moving to cut off all Iranian oil exports this month.

“The actions of American leaders in exerting pressure and launching sanctions … while speaking of talks, is like holding a gun at someone and asking for friendship and negotiations,” said Rasoul Sanai-Rad, a political deputy of the armed forces command, Mehr reported.

“The behavior of American leaders is a political game which consists of threats and pressure while showing a willingness to negotiate in order to present a peaceful image of themselves and fool public opinion,” Sanai-Rad said.

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2019-05-17 12:47:00Z
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