UK considers delaying Brexit; Venezuela arrests two French journalists
(Baonghean.vn) - Russia and the US have not made progress on the INF nuclear treaty; Venezuela has arrested two French journalists; the UK is considering postponing Brexit; Europe conducts non-US dollar trade with Iran... are the world's top news in the past 24 hours.
Russia and US make no progress on INF nuclear treaty
 |
| Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Source: Sputnik |
According to Reuters, TASS news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying that Russia and the US made no progress in negotiations on January 31 on the dispute related to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Mr. Ryabkov met with US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson in the Chinese capital Beijing.
Speaking after the meeting, Ms. Andrea Thompson said there was an "unevenness" between the results of efforts to promote transparency under the provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Venezuela arrests two French journalists
|
Journalists take cover as protests turn violent in Caracas, June 2017. Photo:JB. |
"We can confirm the arrest of two French citizens. The French embassy requested consular protection under the Vienna Convention and the right of access," a French diplomatic source said. The two French journalists were arrested in the capital Caracas while covering the crisis in Venezuela for TF1, their names have not been released,RIA Novostireport
Venezuelan police arrested two Chilean and two Venezuelan journalists working for Chilean national television (TVN) on January 29. The two Venezuelan reporters were later released, while the two Chilean reporters were deported on January 30 for violating Venezuela's visa and security regulations.
UK considers delaying Brexit
|
| Protesters call for staying in the EU, canceling the current Brexit deal. (Source: Reuters). |
As Brexit approaches on March 29, the British government is still trying to convince MPs to back a version of the divorce deal agreed with the EU. But even if it is approved, legislation to allow the deal to come into force will have to be passed by the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Speaking on the BBC on January 31, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "If we agree on a deal just a few days before March 29, we will need more time (after this date) to pass the important legislation. If we can speed up the whole process, this will not be necessary. But at the moment we cannot know exactly which scenario will happen."
Europe to trade non-dollar with Iran
 |
| Euro banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 euros. Photo: AFP/VNA |
Germany, France and the UK on January 31 officially established a European mechanism to facilitate non-dollar trade with Iran while avoiding US sanctions. According to German broadcaster NDR, this European Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be called INSTEX, a tool to support trade exchanges.
The SPV was proposed by Germany, France and the UK, the three countries that signed the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, to protect businesses that do business with Iran and maintain trade between the two sides. The mechanism will be used for small transactions with Iran related to food, medicine and humanitarian goods, but not for transactions related to oil - an Iranian sector that has suffered a lot due to US sanctions.
Israel extends ban on PA activities in East Jerusalem
 |
| Israeli Jewish settlement in east Jerusalem. Photo: AFP/VNA |
Israel on January 31 extended a ban on Palestinian Authority (PA) activities in annexed East Jerusalem. Under an order from Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, certain PA institutions will remain closed, including the site that served as the headquarters of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) until the 1990s, Xinhua reported.
Mr. Erdan said the ban was part of Israel's "sovereignty" in East Jerusalem, explaining that the extension of the closure of Palestinian institutions was a message to the PA and East Jerusalemites that Israel did not intend to give up its sovereignty in East Jerusalem in any way.
New Malaysian king sworn in
|
King Abdullah and Queen Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah at a welcoming ceremony at the parliament building in Kuala Lumpur. Photo:Reuters |
Pahang Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah was sworn in as Malaysia's king on January 31 at the Istana Negara palace after being elected by the Council of Rulers as successor to former King Muhammad V last week, according toBernama. Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah was also sworn in as viceroy at the ceremony.
Earlier, the 59-year-old king attended a government welcoming ceremony at the parliament building and met with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir. At the event, the royal standard was raised after the national anthem was played and a 21-gun salute was fired. Malaysia's 16th king then inspected a guard of honour with soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Royal Malaysian Regiment.
