U.S. Quarrels With Iran Over Missile Test and More In Politics Today

It’s difficult to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in this country and to break through the clutter, so we’re here to make it easier. Here’s what we at Countable are reading today:

1. "After missile test, war of words erupts between Trump and Iran"

"A day after the Trump administration put Iran on notice for its launch of a ballistic missile, a war of words erupted between the American president and the Iranian government, with President Trump insulting Tehran on Twitter and the Iranians responding in kind."

"A top adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Thursday that Iran would not be intimidated by threats from “an inexperienced person." Mr. Trump’s national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, had warned Iran that it faced unspecified reprisals from the United States if it did not cease aggressive behavior toward its neighbors.”

Read more at The New York Times.

2. "DHS secretary: Border wall should be finished in two years"

"In his first television interview as Homeland Security secretary, retired four-star Marine Gen. John F. Kelly told Fox News he wants the U.S.-Mexico border wall finished in two years – setting an ambitious schedule for the project ordered last week by President Trump."

""The wall will be built where it's needed first, and then it will be filled in. That's the way I look at it," Kelly said. "I really hope to have it done within the next two years.""

Read more at Fox News.

3. "U.S. makes limited exceptions to sanctions on Russian spy agency"

"The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday adjusted sanctions on Russian intelligence agency FSB, making limited exceptions to the measures put in place by former President Barack Obama over accusations Moscow tried to influence the U.S. presidential election with cyber attacks on political organizations."

"The department said in a statement it would allow U.S. companies to make limited transactions with FSB that are needed to gain approval to import information technology products into Russia."

Read more at Reuters.

4. "Trump bashes ‘very bad’ U.S.-Australian refugee deal"

"In a phone call last week with Australia's prime minister, President Trump bashed a "very bad deal" the U.S. made with Australia to receive refugees held at offshore detention centers in Oceania, according to reports from The Washington Post and CNN."

"What was supposed to be a friendly call between allies that was supposed to last an hour went south in under 25 minutes. Trump reportedly blasted the agreement, accused Australia of seeking to export the “next Boston bombers" and bragged about his Electoral College victory, among other things, before hanging up on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull."

Read more at USA Today.

5. "Riot forces cancellation of Yiannopoulos talk at UC Berkeley"

"Protesters armed with bricks and fireworks mounted an assault on the building hosting a speech by polarizing Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos Wednesday night, forcing the event’s cancellation."

"Several injuries have been reported and at least four banks have been vandalized after demonstrators marched away from the scene of a violent protest at the canceled speaking event by controversial far-right writer and speaker Yiannopoulos on the University of California at Berkeley campus."

Read more at CBS San Francisco.

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Iranian military / Creative Commons)