Russian Defense Ministry - INF treaty us pull out
US set to pull out of nuclear treaty with Russia
02:17 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

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    1. Police reform

    The US is poised to begin pulling out of one of the world’s most important nuclear treaties. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to announce today that the US will stop participating in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia, according to two US officials and multiple diplomatic sources. This would be a stunning development because the 1987 treaty has been a centerpiece of European security since the Cold War. The US and European allies have maintained for years that the Russians are violating the agreement. But if the US does indeed drop out of the treaty, fears of a new nuclear arms race with Russia ramp up considerably.

    Trump Putin SPLIT 0316
    Putin issues threat to US over weapons treaty (2018)
    02:30 - Source: CNN

    A constitutional collision between House Democrats and the Trump administration grew ever more likely Wednesday. The House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress. That now goes to the full House for a vote. The Democrats in the House want the full, unredacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on the Russia investigation. Barr has refused to give that to them, and just before the vote President Donald Trump invoked executive privilege over the report.

    MONDAY

    Senate investigators have gotten new information showing Donald Trump Jr.’s mysterious phone calls ahead of the 2016 Trump Tower meeting were not with his father, three sources with knowledge of the matter told CNN. Records provided to the Senate Intelligence Committee show the calls were between Trump Jr. and two of his business associates, the sources said, and appear to contradict Democrats’ long-held suspicions that the blocked number was from then-candidate Donald Trump. The information could answer a key question about the meeting Trump’s eldest son set up to get Russian dirt on the Clinton campaign.

    CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 18:  Donald Trump Jr. listens to a speech on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (John Moore/Getty Images)
    Trump Jr.: Meeting was a 'bait and switch'
    00:59 - Source: CNN

    3. Election 2020

    President Trump said the ongoing talks in Congress over border security, aimed at avoiding another government shutdown, are a “waste of time.” The President, in an interview with The New York Times, hinted he’s prepared to circumvent the talks between Democrats and Republicans. Does that mean he’ll declare a national emergency if lawmakers don’t provide money for a border wall? Trump was cryptic, saying he had “set the stage for doing what I’m going to do.” Parts of the government could shut down again by February 15 if lawmakers can’t put together a deal the President likes. 

    President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with American manufacturers in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, in Washington. Trump was signing an executive order pushing those who receive federal funds to "buy American." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
    Trump gives Oval Office interview to NYT
    01:42 - Source: CNN

    THURSDAY

    Looks like the US is starting to crack down on what’s known as birth tourism. Three people were arrested on charges of running “birth tourism” companies that catered to Chinese clients in Southern California. This marks the first time that federal charges have been filed over the practice. “Birth tourists” travel to foreign countries to give birth, so their children can get the citizenship of that country. The US confers citizenship automatically upon babies born on its soil. Some other countries do not grant citizenship automatically unless at least one parent is a citizen.

    trump axios hbo birthright citizenship 1
    Trump claims he can end birthright citizenship
    02:45 - Source: CNN

    5. Nigeria

    A letter containing white powder was sent to the set of “Empire” just days before actor Jussie Smollett said he was attacked by two men in Chicago. The white powder turned out to be aspirin, said police, who also released a picture of two people wanted for questioning in the case. Smollett said he was returning from a Subway sandwich shop early Tuesday when two men physically assaulted him, called him homophobic and racist slurs, placed a noose around his neck and poured an unknown substance on him. Investigators have video of Smollett walking into a hotel after the incident with what appears to be a noose around his neck.

    From Chicago Police: Photos of people of interest who were in area of the alleged assault & battery of Empire cast member. While video does not capture an encounter, detectives are taking this development seriously & wish to question individuals as more cameras are being reviewed
    Police release photo of persons of interest in actor's attack
    01:56 - Source: CNN

    THIS JUST IN

    16

    The number of deaths related to the extreme cold snap that’s gripped the Midwest and Northeast this week. Thankfully, temperatures will begin to rebound today.

    winter weather wisconsin firefighter chief mitch hansen intv ots vpx_00004723
    Firefighters battle fire and ice in bitter cold
    02:23 - Source: HLN

    THIS JUST IN …

    People are talking about these. Read up. Join in.

    Somebody put up 70 homeless people in Chicago at a hotel this week as the city shivered through record cold.

    14 billion tons of ice … gone

    There’s a hole two-thirds the size of Manhattan in a glacier in Antarctica, and scientists are worried sick about it.

    glacier ice melt gray dnt 3
    Melting Antarctic ice could drown the Brooklyn Bridge
    01:58 - Source: CNN

    Facciamo le valigie

    What’s up with Italy? First, a town there was selling homes for just a dollar. Now, another is offering foreigners $10,000 to move in.

    ‘Missing (wo)man’ flyover

    If you happen to be near Maynardville, Tennessee, tomorrow, look up. The Navy’s first all-female flyover will honor a woman who helped make it possible.

    01 rosemary bryant mariner FILE

    The robots are coming

    They really are taking over. They’re cleaning our houses, stocking grocery shelves and parking cars at the airport. And now they’re beating us at Jenga.

    MIT engineers have developed a robot equipped with a soft-pronged gripper, a force-sensing wrist cuff, and an external camera - features which enable it to effectively play the game, "Jenga."
    This robot can (probably) beat you at Jenga
    00:53 - Source: CNN Business

    HAPPENING LATER

    Jobs, jobs, jobs

    The January jobs report comes out later this morning, and economists think it will still be solid, despite the partial government shutdown.

    AND FINALLY

    No hiding
    Are those disguises in spy movies even close to being authentic? The CIA’s ex-chief of disguises breaks it all down. (Click to view.)

    Liam Neeson takes his “very particular set of skills” to the internet, where he goes undercover to respond to real questions and comments about himself. (Click to view.)