Russia rejects the possibility of a Cold War; the US deploys an additional 4,000 troops to the Mexican border.

Russia rejects the possibility of a Cold War following the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Photo:Reuters

"I don't think we should be talking about the possibility of a Cold War," the news agency said.RIAOn February 4th, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying, referring to the US announcement of its withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), "A new era has begun," he emphasized.

The U.S. said on February 1 that it would withdraw from the treaty signed with Russia within six months unless Moscow destroyed the missiles violating the INF treaty, along with their launchers and equipment. Russian President Vladimir Putin subsequently announced he would cease complying with the agreement and begin developing new missiles, including hypersonic ones, and instructed his ministers not to initiate disarmament talks with Washington.

At least 11 people were killed and many others injured in a car bomb attack on February 4th at a crowded market in the center of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.

The al-Shabab militant group, which is linked to the international terrorist network al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Venezuela declares it is ready to retaliate if attacked by the United States.

Venezuelan soldiers at a military parade in Caracas in July 2017. Photo:Reuters.

"President Donald Trump's statement is unacceptable. The Venezuelan army and people are ready to respond if there is an attack on the country's sovereignty. Sovereignty is not something to be negotiated; it is something to be defended," Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez declared on February 4.

"While we are always ready to respond to any attack, we call for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and elections," Rodriguez stated.RTNews reports indicate that the Venezuelan vice president declined to answer questions about how the country is responding to the threat of military attack. "These questions should be directed to Colombia," Rodriguez said.

Ireland refuses talks on its border with the UK.

Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe. Photo: Reuters

Ireland has rejected proposals from the British government to hold bilateral talks on the use of technology to maintain an open border between the UK and Ireland after the UK leaves the European Union (EU), also known as Brexit.

Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe affirmed that Dublin would not participate in any negotiations leading to a "hard" border between the UK and Ireland, and that in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Dublin would negotiate with London and Brussels.

Israel is nearing completion of a 6-meter-high fence separating it from the Gaza Strip.

A section of the Israeli fence in Gaza. Photo:Times of Israel.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense has begun the final phase of constructing a galvanized steel barrier that will completely cover the Gaza Strip.Times of IsraelIsraeli officials were quoted as saying today that the 65-kilometer-long fence, equipped with sensors and modern security components, sits atop the underground concrete barrier currently under construction around the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the barriers were necessary to "prevent terrorists from entering our territory." The project is expected to cost more than $830 million, with each underground kilometer costing $11.5 million. Above-ground barriers are cheaper, costing just over $410,000. The entire project in the Gaza Strip is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Denmark deports two Huawei employees for violating labor and residency laws.

The US Department of Justice recently announced two indictments totaling 23 charges against Huawei. Photo: Reuters

Danish police said on February 4 that authorities had deported two employees of Chinese technology giant Huawei after an inspection at the company's Copenhagen office revealed that the two employees had not complied with work and residence permit regulations.

However, the police did not specify whether these employees were Chinese nationals. According to Danish police, this inspection is unrelated to the high-profile incidents and recent allegations surrounding Huawei.

The US Department of Defense is deploying nearly 4,000 additional troops to the Mexican border.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced it will deploy approximately 3,750 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border over the next three months to bolster support for border protection and customs agencies in ensuring border security. This decision will bring the total number of troops supporting U.S. border protection and customs agencies to approximately 4,350.

Starting in mid-October last year, caravans of migrants began their 4,300-kilometer journey, beginning in the city of San Pedro Sula in Honduras and ending in Tijuana, Mexico.

The majority of these migrants come from the Central American "Northern Triangle" countries, including El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, seeking to escape poverty and violence in their home countries and find a better life in the United States.