Russia denies possibility of Cold War; US deploys 4,000 more troops to Mexico border

Russia dismisses possibility of Cold War as US withdraws from nuclear treaty

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Photo:Reuters

"I don't think we should talk about the possibility of a Cold War," the news agency said.RIA"A new era has begun," he stressed, referring to the US announcement of its withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

The United States said on February 1 that it would withdraw from the treaty with Russia within six months unless Moscow destroyed its INF-violating missiles, launchers and equipment. Russian President Vladimir Putin then announced that he would stop complying with the agreement and start building new missiles, including hypersonic ones, and asked 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 4 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, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Venezuela declares readiness to respond if attacked by the US

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

"The statement of US President Donald Trump 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 negotiate, it is something to be protected," Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on February 4.

"While we are always ready to respond to any attack, we call for a peaceful solution through dialogue and elections," Rodriquez said., RTVenezuela's vice president did not respond to questions about how the country would respond to the threat of military attack. "These questions should be addressed to Colombia," Rodriquez said.

Ireland refuses to talk about border with Britain

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 Brexit.

Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has insisted Dublin will not be involved in any negotiations that would lead to a hard border between the UK and Ireland, and in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Dublin would negotiate with London and Brussels.

Israel is about to complete a 6m high fence separating the Gaza Strip.

Part of the Israeli fence in Gaza. Photo:Times of Israel.

The Israeli Defense Ministry has begun the final stages of building a galvanized steel barrier that will completely enclose the Gaza Strip,Times of IsraelThe 65-km fence, complete with sensors and modern security components, is on top of an underground concrete barrier being built around the Gaza Strip, Israeli officials said today.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the fences were needed to “prevent terrorists from entering our territory.” The project is expected to cost more than $830 million, with each kilometer underground costing $11.5 million. The above-ground barrier is cheaper, at just over $410,000. The entire project in Gaza is due to be completed by the end of the year.

Denmark deports two Huawei employees for violating labor and residence laws

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

Danish police said on February 4 that authorities had deported two employees of China's Huawei Technologies Co. after an inspection at the company's Copenhagen office found they were not complying with work permit and residence regulations.

However, the police did not specify whether these employees were Chinese or not. According to the Danish police, this inspection is not related to the recent public attention and allegations surrounding Huawei.

The US Department of Defense deploys nearly 4,000 additional troops to the Mexican border

The US Department of Defense said it will send about 3,750 troops to the US-Mexico border area for three months to increase support for border protection and customs agencies to ensure border security. With this decision, the number of soldiers supporting US border protection and customs agencies will increase to approximately 4,350 people.

Since mid-October last year, caravans of migrants have begun their 4,300 km journey, departing from the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula to the Mexican city of Tijuana.

Most of these migrants come from the “Northern Triangle” countries of Central America, including El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, because they want to escape poverty and violence in their home countries and seek a better life in the United States.