World News Hits on Saturday

Sada El Balad English (See) news website presents Saturday’s dominating headlines of the world news

Trump tells aides to look for big spending cuts in second term

President Trump has instructed aides to prepare for sweeping budget cuts if he wins a second term in the White House, five people briefed on the discussions said, a move that would dramatically reverse the big-spending approach he adopted during his first 30 months in office.(The Washington Post)

Iran stokes Gulf tensions by seizing two British-linked oil tankers

Iran seized two oil tankers – one registered in the UK, the other in Liberia – in the strait of Hormuz on Friday, marking a dramatic escalation in the worsening standoff in the Gulf. (The Guardian )

Benjamin Netanyahu becomes longest-serving Israeli PM

Benjamin Netanyahu has become Israel‘s longest-serving prime minister, snatching the title from the country’s founding father and first leader, David Ben-Gurion.

As of Saturday, the man referred to as King Bibi by both those who adore and detest him, has spent 4,867 days – more than 13 years – in office. (The Guardian)

US intelligence official: "Iran doesn't want war"

Robert Ashley, the director of the US Defense Intelligence Agency, said Friday that he believes Iran "does not want war," but is attempting drive a wedge between the US and its EU partners in attempt to change the “status quo."(CNN)

Former Austrian Chancellor Lands Russian Job

Russia’s state railway company appointed the former chancellor of Austria to its management board this week, continuing a trend of retired European politicians landing lucrative posts in Russia. ( The Moscow Times)

Beijing hits back at religion claims

Beijing   hit back at US Vice-President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over their criticism of China's religious policies and the status of religious freedom. (China Daily )

Iran tanker seizure: UK 'deeply concerned' 

The UK government has said it is "deeply concerned" about Iran's "unacceptable" seizure of a British-flagged tanker in the Gulf.

Trump says U.S. will talk to Britain after Iran seizes oil tanker

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he would talk to the United Kingdom after Iran's Revolutionary Guards said it had seized a British-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf. (The Jerusalem Post)