THE NEW YORK TIMES

Democrats Seek More Testimony and Evidence for Impeachment Trial

WASHINGTON — With President Trump’s impeachment trial getting underway, Democrats are intensifying their demands for more testimony and documents that could add to the already voluminous evidence against him and bolster their case by shedding new light on several key questions.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Iran’s Supreme Leader Rebukes U.S. in Rare Friday Sermon

Iran’s supreme leader struck a defiant tone in a rare public sermon on Friday, calling the United States an “arrogant power” and telling tens of thousands of chanting worshipers that God’s backing had allowed his country to “slap the face” of the United States.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Trump Impeachment: What to Watch For Today

The House impeachment managers will read the charges against President Trump in the Senate, and the chief justice of the Supreme Court and every senator will swear to do “impartial justice.”

Thursday will be the beginning of a new phase in the impeachment process as the Senate lays the procedural groundwork for the trial of President Trump, only the third such proceeding in American history.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Russian Premier Resigns, as Putin Calls for Constitutional Overhaul

MOSCOW — Prime Minister Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia abruptly resigned on Wednesday, shortly after his political patron, President Vladimir V. Putin, sent the country’s political elite into a swirl of speculation with proposals for sweeping constitutional changes that could extend his hold on power for many years.

THE GUARDIAN

European states trigger dispute mechanism in Iran nuclear deal

Britain, France and Germany have triggered the dispute resolution mechanism in the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, a step that over months could result in the collapse of the agreement entirely and the return of European sanctions on Tehran.

THE GUARDIAN

Esper contradicts Trump claim Iran planned attacks on four US embassies

Asked on CBS’s Face the Nation if there had been a specific or tangible threat, Esper said: “I didn’t see one with regard to four embassies.”

THE GUARDIAN

Killing Iran general delivered 'American justice', Trump tells rally

At the campaign rally in Toledo, Ohio, Trump spent a lengthy part of his stump speech defending his order to kill Suleimani and rejecting criticism from Democrats who say he overstepped his authority with the US military’s drone strike against the commander of Iran’s military al-Quds force at Baghdad airport a week ago.

THE GUARDIAN

Trump backs away from further military confrontation with Iran

Donald Trump backed away from further military confrontation with Iran on Wednesday after days of escalating tensions, saying Tehran appeared to be standing down following missile attacks on two Iraqi bases hosting US and coalition troops.

AL JAZEERA

World reacts after Iran fires missiles at US targets in Iraq

Iran launches missile strikes at US facilities in Iraq, less than a week after US killed top general.

THE GUARDIAN

Future of US military presence in Iraq in question amid confusion in Washington

The US-led coalition taskforce fighting Isis in Iraq delivered a letter to the Iraqi defence ministry on Monday saying preparations would begin right away “to ensure that movement out of Iraq is conducted in a safe and efficient manner”.