World News Briefs -- January 26, 2021

 

Reuters: Russia and U.S. extend New START arms pact, Putin and Biden chat

MOSCOW/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia and the United States have struck a deal to extend the New START nuclear arms control treaty, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, a move that preserves the last major pact of its kind between the world’s two biggest nuclear powers.

The treaty, which was due to expire next month, limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads, missiles and bombers that Russia and the United States can deploy. 

The Kremlin declared the breakthrough, which was widely anticipated, in a statement announcing that President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden had spoken for the first time since Biden took office last week. 

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 MIDDLE EAST 

Russia suggests Mideast ministerial peace conference. 

Explosion above Saudi capital of Riyadh – days after missile targeting the city was intercepted. 

In locked-down Lebanon, many fear poverty more than virus. 

IMF says Iraq has requested emergency assistance, talks ongoing. 

Iran arrests US dual national on spying charges. 

Iran approves Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. 

Israel's top general says its military is refreshing operational plans against Iran. 

Greece and Turkey resume talks to try to avert military escalation.

Israel hails first official visit to Sudan as relations begin. 

 ASIA 

Myanmar army raises prospect of coup after voter-fraud claims. 

Afghan government envoys accuse Taliban of snubbing talks. 

Coronavirus digest: Indonesia surpasses 1 million infections. 

Sikkim: Chinese and Indian troops 'in new border clash'. 

Xi Jinping warns of 'new cold war' if US keeps up protectionism. 

Davos: China's Xi urges cooperation to reboot global economy. 

Violent clashes as Indian farmers storm Delhi's Red Fort. 

North Korean envoy defects in possible sign that Kim's power base is 'drifting'. 

 AFRICA 

Central African Republic says dozens of rebels killed in counter-offensive. 

Central African Republic surrenders war crimes suspect to ICC. 

Clashes break out in Tunisia after protester dies of injuries. 

Biden adds South Africa to Covid travel bans. 

Uganda ends house arrest of opposition leader Bobi Wine. 

Egypt’s political prisoners ‘denied healthcare and subject to reprisals’. 

Nigeria's President Buhari fires armed forces chiefs. 

Thousands left homeless as Storm Eloise hits southern Africa. 

 EUROPE 

Coronavirus: EU to tighten vaccine exports amid row with AstraZeneca. 

UK first in Europe to pass grim milestone of 100,000 Covid-19 deaths. 

UK vaccination drive expands as virus toll nears 100,000. 

Covid-19: Top adviser warns France at 'emergency' virus moment. 

Covid restrictions lead to third night of rioting in Netherlands. 

Police use tear gas, water cannon amid rioting over Covid restrictions in Netherlands. 

EU holds off on fresh sanctions over Russia's arrest of Navalny. 

Joe Biden and G7 press Russia's Vladimir Putin over Alexei Navalny arrest. 

Navalny’s team calls new protests in Russia for his release. 

Vladimir Putin: Palace in Navalny report 'doesn't belong to me'. 

Italian PM Conte to resign following pandemic criticism. 

Estonia's first female PM sworn in as new government takes power. 

 AMERICAS 

Schumer: Impeachment trial will be quick, doesn't need a lot of witnesses. 

U.S. Senate kills Republican move to upend Trump impeachment trial. 

US Senate confirms Blinken as Biden’s secretary of state. 

Mexico president rebuked for careless response to Covid after testing positive. 

EU states no longer recognise Guaido as Venezuela's interim president. 

Donald Trump opens the Office of the Former President in Palm Beach, Florida. 

The ‘spiralling crisis’ pushing Hondurans to flee north. 

Burnt bodies found in vehicles on US-Mexico border. 

Widespread internet outage hits U.S. East Coast. 

 TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

Canada parliament labels US far-right Proud Boys group 'a terrorist entity'. 

Tajikistani IS cell member in Germany jailed for 7 years. 

Isis: From Cardiff to the Caliphate. 

 ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street edges up as earnings season gains speed. 

Coronavirus: Global GDP to sink by $22 trillion over COVID, says IMF.

Pfizer develops booster shot amid fears its COVID-19 vaccine is less effective against highly-infectious variants from Brazil and South Africa. 

UN: Covid jobs crisis 'most severe' since the 1930s. 

Recession is over for the richest few, while billions will live in poverty for at least a decade – Oxfam.

Pandemic prompts Super Bowl ad rethink in US.

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