North Korea may dismantle nuclear plant; India imposes 200% tariff on Pakistani goods

During the second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un scheduled to take place in Hanoi later this month, the two sides may reach an agreement to dismantle the Yongbyon complex, an important nuclear facility of North Korea, Mr. Moon Chung-in, special adviser for foreign affairs and national security of South Korea, revealed in an interview withBloomberg.

"Kim Jong-un said 'Okay' and will accept the verification process," Moon Chung-in said. "I hope President Donald Trump can emphasize that this verification is part of the process of permanently dismantling the Yongbyon nuclear facility." Moon said the North Korean leader assured South Korean President Moon Jae-in of this point during their summit in Pyongyang last September.

US admits military has reduced combat readiness

Arizona State Defense Forces in Phoenix (USA) in April 2018. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

According to Sputniknews, RT reported that the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) of the US Congress recently admitted that the combat readiness of the US military has declined in recent years.

The GAO report notes that the country's overall readiness remains low and has not improved since 2013. The report's authors attribute this to the US's involvement in military conflicts, "uncertainty" about funding, and cuts in the military structure. At the same time, the document notes that US "adversaries" have significantly improved their military capabilities in recent years.

India imposes import duties of up to 200% on Pakistani goods

Illustration: Moneycontrol

According to IANS news agency, a day after revoking the Most Favored Nation status for Pakistan, India on February 16 imposed a 200% import duty on all goods originating or imported from Pakistan.

The Indian government's decision is part of a package of retaliatory measures against its neighbor, after 49 members of India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, claimed by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohhammed group.

European Commission President Candidate Proposes Placing Missile Defense System in Ukraine

Photo: Sputnik

The candidate for the presidency of the European Commission, Manfred Weber, currently the leader of the “European People’s Party”, has proposed to consider the draft European missile defense system, in which Ukraine could join. “We have a problem with the unification of northern and southern Europe, but now it is coming from the east-west direction, especially because of the discussions on migration and other issues. But think about the fact that we can create a strong defense union,” the delegate said during a discussion at the Munich Security Conference with the participation of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

Mr. Weber recalled that the world is facing the prospect of ending the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. According to him, this could be "the first step towards a real European defense union." "This step really ensures that people in Poland, Latvia and Ukraine know that they can count on France, Germany and others," Mr. Weber said, adding that "this will help unite Europe again."

US plane arrives in Colombia, waiting to deliver aid to Venezuela

Speaking at a press conference in Cucuta on February 16, US Agency for International Development executive Mark Green said the aid was delivered at the request of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president of Venezuela amid a growing humanitarian crisis.

Military transport planes carrying US aid have arrived in the Colombian city of Cucuta, which borders Venezuela. According to opposition leader Guaido, volunteers will bring the aid across the border into Venezuela on February 23. However, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has so far refused to allow US aid into Venezuela, claiming that it is part of a US military intervention plot in Venezuela.