Friday, February 1, 2019

World News Briefs -- February 1, 2019 (Evening Edition)



The Independent: Trump pulls US out of Cold War-era nuclear weapons treaty with Russia, triggering arms race fears

Move will ‘unleash new missile competition’ between the two nuclear superpowers, experts say

The Trump administration has announced it is pulling out of a Cold War-era nuclear weapons treaty with Russia, triggering fears of a new arms race between Washington and Moscow.

In a statement, Donald Trump said America would suspend its obligations under the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty from Saturday, citing alleged Russian violations of the 32-year-long agreement.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

US urges new Lebanese government to block Hezbollah.

UN demands humanitarian access to eastern Syria.

US court finds Assad regime liable for Marie Colvin's death in Syria.

Israeli attorney general says he can rule on Netanyahu indictment before election.

Sanction-hit Iran ready to launch state cryptocurrency.

Forty years since revolution, Iran taunts 'declining' America.

U.N. raises 'serious doubts' whether Bahrain opposition leaders got fair trial.

Saudi investigation recovers $107B linked to corruption cases.

32 Palestinians wounded in border clashes: Gaza ministry.

ASIA

Mongolia speaker expelled amid ongoing battle against corruption.

US North Korea envoy says Trump is ready to 'end this war'.

US envoy Stephen Biegun 'reveals' North Korea nuclear pledge.

Trump 'serious' about Afghan withdrawal, Taliban says.

Myanmar using 'oppressive laws' against peaceful critics: HRW.

India's jobs crisis casts shadow over Modi's re-election hopes.

Japan and China promise to work to deepen trust amid territorial row.

Attacks undermine peace hopes in Philippines after historic vote.

Radioactive uranium traded online in Japan, police say.

Australia records 'hottest month ever'.

AFRICA

As Ebola outbreak marks 6 months, health centers a concern.

Boko Haram killed at least 60 in Monday's attack in Nigeria: Amnesty.

Insecurity throws Nigeria's election preparations into disarray.

Sudan police fire tear gas on protest after Muslim prayers.

Four die in first clash of Libyan force's southward push.

Mnangagwa accuses West of 'backing violence' in Zimbabwe.

Cameroon: Maurice Kamto charged with sedition, insurrection.

US imposes visa restrictions on Ghana over deportee row.

ICC prosecutors back bail for Ivory Coast's Gbagbo.

EUROPE

Russia angry, Europe worried after US announces treaty exit.

Germany: World will be less secure without INF weapons treaty.

From sleaze to seaweed: Macron confronts French anger in debates.

EU states move to recognize Venezuela's Guaido: diplomats.

UK objects to description of Gibraltar as 'British colony' in EU law.

Brexit: visa-free travel plans spark Gibraltar 'colony' row.

France puts up food and drink prices under new law.

French police officers convicted and imprisoned for gang rape of Canadian woman in Paris.

Catalan separatist leaders moved to Madrid for trial on rebellion charges.

AMERICAS

Trump suspends arms treaty to focus on China, Russia threats. US bolts Cold War missile treaty as Russia warns of arms race.

Trump says there is a 'good chance' he WILL declare a national emergency on the border as he says to 'listen closely' to his State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

Struggle for control of Venezuela returning to the streets.

Exclusive: Argentina's Fernandez plans election run against Macri - sources.

Trump says Rosenstein assured him he is not a Mueller target.

'¡Sí se puede!' shouts rapturous crowd at Juan Guaidó rally.

Venezuela: Juan Guaido accuses Maduro of threatening his family.

Venezuela releases foreign journalists after pressure from governments.

Anti-graft candidate poised to win El Salvador presidency.

Guatemalans protest against bill that would free war criminals.

US charges 20 in Chinese 'birth tourism' scheme to help pregnant women secure birthright citizenship for kids.

Death toll in Brazil dam disaster rises to 110.

Polar vortex death toll rises to 21 as US cold snap continues.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Analysis: US military downplays district control as Taliban gains ground in Afghanistan.

US airstrike kills 24 Shabaab fighters at an ‘encampment’.

Americans who thwarted train attack become French citizens.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow smashes through 25,000 after blowout jobs report pours cold water on government shutdown fears.

EU and Japan create world's biggest free trade zone.

US and China may seek to extend trade war truce before Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet to finalise deal.

Facebook at 15: a titan with grown-up woes.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Russia has raced ahead in Europe with INF busting missiles. So the Euros will do what? I am positive if the NATO EU objects to an American counter the USA will shrug its shoulders and say “OKAY”. USA doesn’t have 300,000 troops deployed in Europe as they did in circa 1980. If the E.U. are comfortable having dozens if not hundreds of INF busting missiles aimed at them or readily moved in position, who s the USA to argue?

If I was a Latvian I’d be working real hard to emigrate to the USA because unless NATO counters these missiles it’s just time before Russia begins to undermine and absorb the Baltic states.

So no arms race.

B.Poster said...

Anon,

All excellent points. No wonder Trump has repeatedly called western European countries out from the time of his campaign until now. If they aren't going to make the necessary investments in their defense, there's no reason we should.

"If I was Latvian...." Latvia is a member of NATO as I understand it. NATO may not include western European nations unless they step up and behave in a reasonable manner but I see no possibility of the US under Trump at least withrawing support from the Baltic states or other former eastern bloc countries who are allied with the US.

Trump correctly called out a number of countries. He's never called out any of the Baltic states. In fact, he's the best friend they've ever had. As to whether or not such devotion to these nations makes sense in terms of our national interest is another natter and is worthy of debate.

Anonymous said...

DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT MITCH?

Anonymous said...

Source: Mueller role confirmed in subpoena battle with mystery firm - POLITICO
NYT’s Matt Apuzzo, former US attorney Joyce Vance, NBC’s Heidi Przybyla and Ken Dilianian on Trump adding to the conflicting accounts of how long a deal to build a Trump Tower in Moscow had been going on<
Source: Liar, liar: Trump changes his story again on Trump Tower Moscow
Source: House panel launches inquiry over voter rights roll-backs | Reuters\We need a House Select Committee on presidential crime, corruption and calumny
thehill.com/opinio...