Russian parliament OKs New START nuclear treaty extension
The lower house of Russian parliament on Wednesday quickly approved the extension of the last remaining nuclear arms control pact days before it’s due to expire.
World News
Iran Will Take Steps Next Month to Curb Short-Notice IAEA Inspections: Official
Iran threatened on Tuesday to block short-notice inspections of its nuclear facilities, demanding Washington reverse economic sanctions before it returns to compliance with a nuclear deal that President Joe Biden aims to restore.
US B-52 bomber flies over Gulf again in message to Iran
A US B-52 heavy bomber flew over the Persian Gulf, the US military said on Wednesday, in the sixth such flight since November 2020 — and the third this year.
US exploring new bases in Saudi Arabia amid Iran tensions
The U.S. military is exploring the possibility of using a Red Sea port in Saudi Arabia and an additional two airfields in the kingdom amid heightened tensions with Iran, the military said Tuesday.
US, Russia agree to extend ‘New START’ nuclear arms treaty
The United States and Russia “agreed in principle” to extend the New START arms treaty by five years, the Kremlin reported on its website Tuesday following a phone call between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Declassified U.S. intelligence bolsters Wuhan lab theory in coronavirus outbreak
U.S. intelligence findings recently declassified by the State Department provide fresh evidence for the theory that the COVID-19 pandemic likely began at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, China’s sole high-security laboratory that has links to the country’s military.
China President says US may trigger next Cold War
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned Monday that US efforts to isolate China may trigger a “new Cold War,” the Washington Times (WT) reports. President Xi made his remarks during a video speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigns
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigned Tuesday after former PM Matteo Renzi pulled his Italia Viva party out of a deeply divided governing coalition, Sky News reports. Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella has asked Mr. Conte to stay on in a caretaker capacity while he begins consultations with the leaders of the other parties on Wednesday.
More Protests In Russia After Thousands of Arrests
Supporters of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny have called for new protests after thousands were detained in the largest rallies against Russian President Vladimir Putin in years.
Massive Violence Erupts in Netherlands over Curfew
The Netherlands was edging closer to near civil war Monday as police clashed with protestors defying the nation’s first curfew since World War Two.
Davos: China’s Xi urges cooperation to reboot global economy
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said that governments worldwide must do more to work together and put the global economy back on track.
Syria: Are water supplies being weaponized by Turkey?
Around 1 million people in the Kurdish-governed region of Al-Hasakah in Syria’s northeast have again had their water supply cut off — as they have around 20 times in the past 12 months.
Biden speaks with Macron, agrees to coordinate on Iran nuclear deal
French President Emmanuel Macron and new US President Joe Biden agreed Sunday to coordinate on Middle East Peace issues and the Iran nuclear deal, the Elysee palace said.
7.0 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded Near Chilean Antarctic Base
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Saturday off the coast of Antarctica, with authorities issuing a tsunami warning for Chile’s Eduardo Frei base on the frigid continent, emergency officials said.
Norway Raises Concern Over Vaccine Jabs for the Elderly
Norway expressed increasing concern about the safety of the Pfizer Inc. vaccine on elderly people with serious underlying health conditions after raising an estimate of the number who died after receiving inoculations to 29.
China authorizes coastguard to fire on foreign vessels in disputed waters of East China and South China Seas
China has passed a law that for the first time explicitly allows its coastguard to fire on foreign vessels, a move that could make the contested waters around China even more volatile.
Taiwan denounces incursion of air defense zone by Chinese fighter jets, bombers
Eight Chinese bomber planes and four fighter jets entered the southwestern corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone on Saturday, and Taiwan’s air force deployed missiles to “monitor” the incursion, the island’s Defence Ministry said.
ISIS claims responsibility for Baghdad suicide attacks killing at least 32
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for a double suicide bombing in Baghdad this week that killed at least 32 people and wounded more than 100.
US to Offer Russia 5-year Extension on Nuclear Treaty
The new administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is planning to offer Russia a five-year extension of a nuclear arms treaty that is set to expire February 5, U.S. officials said Thursday.
Pakistan Announces Successful Test of Nuclear-Capable Ballistic Missile
Pakistan said Wednesday that it had successfully test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile into the Arabian Sea, aimed at “revalidating” the weapon’s operational and technical parameters.