China warns North Korea on potential U.S. attack

China warned North Korea it would maintain neutrality should Pyongyang launch an attack against the United States and added it would block any joint U.S.-South Korea attempts to overthrow the Kim Jong Un regime.

Trucks With US Supplies Cross Into Kurdish-Controlled Syrian Territory : Reports

The United States delivered 112 trucks with supplies, including military equipment, to the Kurdish-controlled areas of northeastern Syria, Turkish media reported Tuesday.

United States open to bigger, more powerful South Korea missiles

The United States is considering a change that would permit ally South Korea to develop bigger and more powerful ballistic missiles.

Okinawa Authorities Protest US Air Base’s Osprey Flights After Deadly Crash

Authorities of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, where US air and military bases are located, voiced their objections to the United States over continued flights of MV-22 Osprey aircraft, after a deadly crash of the heli-plane, local media reported Tuesday.

North Korea threatens physical actions after UN sanctions

North Korea threatened Tuesday to take strategic action and physical action after a new package of sanctions was imposed against the country by the United Nations Security Council on Saturday, which the regime denounced as illegal and a terrorist act.

Iraqi Popular Forces Vow to Respond to Deadly US Attack

Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, deplored a fresh deadly attack on their positions by the US military, saying the volunteer forces will make a crushing response to the move.

Two-Thirds of US Citizens Favor Sending Troops to Defend Seoul From N. Korea

Nearly two-thirds of US citizens support the idea of sending US troops to South Korea to protect the country in the event of an attack from North Korea, a fresh survey revealed on Monday.

US, Japan, Australia Urge Binding Code for South China Sea

The United States, Japan and Australia expressed "serious concerns" Monday over disputes concerning the South China Sea, while calling for a halt to land reclamation and military actions in the area that could increase tensions or cause permanent environmental damage.

China hopes that the US could seriously consider the "double suspension" proposal: FM

China and the United States, as two permanent members of the UN Security Council, should enhance mutual trust and strengthen dialogue and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday.

US Marine Aircraft Crashes ‘Killing Two’, Leaving Several Members Missing

Two people are feared dead after a US Marine aircraft crashed leaving several service members still missing.
The MV-22 Osprey went down earlier today - with ships and other aircraft being scrambled to help with the search and rescue mission, Express reported.

“International coalition” shells Raqqa National Hospital with phosphorus bombs

Deputy Director of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent “SARC” Branch in Raqqa Dina al-Asa’ad stressed that the warplanes of the so-called “international coalition” shelled on Thursday night the building of the National Hospital in Raqqa City with phosphorus bombs.

US notifies UN of Paris climate agreement withdrawal

The Trump administration on Friday issued its first written notification to the United Nations it intends to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement.

UN to Vote Saturday on US-Drafted Resolution to Cut North Korean Exports

The UN’s main body will convene at 3:00 p.m. (19:00GMT) in New York to hold talks on "Non-proliferation/Democratic People’s Republic of Korea," according to its daily program.

Obama vetoes Keystone XL pipeline bill

The U.S. President Barack Obama vetoed the Keystone XL pipeline bill Tuesday, reiterating that the decision to build the project belongs to the government.

"Through this bill, the United States Congress attempts to circumvent longstanding and proven processes for determining whether or not building and operating a cross-border pipeline serves the national interest," said Obama in his veto message.

"This act of Congress conflicts with established executive branch procedures and cuts short through consideration of issues that could bear on our national interest, including our security, safety and environment, it has earned my veto," said Obama.

In a statement, U.S. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said: "It's extremely disappointing that President Obama vetoed a bipartisan bill that would support thousands of good jobs and pump billions of dollars into the economy."

The Senate will soon vote on an override no later than March 3, said McConnell.

However, right now the Republicans didn't get a veto-proof majority both in the Senate and the House.

The Keystone XL oil pipeline which is designed to go from Canada through the U.S. State of Montana and South Dakota to Nebraska has been delayed by the U.S. government for several years as the government failed to finish its environmental impact evaluation. 
  Xinhua - china.org.cn
25/2/15
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Related:

• US President Barack Obama has vetoed a bill that would have approved construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline...

• US Senate Likely to Vote on Keystone XL Next Week

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• US House approves Keystone XL pipeline (266 votes to 153)

• US Senate Energy Committee Passes Keystone XL Bill...

• The White House says U.S. President Barack Obama would veto legislation approving construction of the long-stalled Keystone XL oil pipeline...

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• US Senate fails to approve Keystone XL pipeline. (just one vote short of the 60 needed)

• US says no significant impact on environment from Keystone pipeline

Chinese New Year celebrated with fireworks over New York's Hudson River

A dazzling fireworks show, marking the first major global celebrations of the Chinese Lunar New Year, took place here Tuesday evening over the Hudson River.

The 20-minute fireworks display was the first large-scale fireworks display ever in the United States, to commemorate the Chinese Lunar New Year, which officially falls on Feb. 19 and is said to be celebrated by approximately one out of every six people in the world.


"It was fabulous! It's extraordinary beautiful," said Susan King, who works for a non-government organization promoting teaching exchange between China and the United States and was invited to watch the fireworks in the Consulate-General of China in New York.

"The music was lovely. It's exciting to be able to come here to watch the celebration of the Chinese New Year. We feel very honored to be here for that," she said.

Titled "Harmonious China," the fireworks display commenced at 7:30 p.m. local time (0030 Wednesday), utilizing three-barges on the Hudson River, nearly equaling the scope of the iconic Macy's Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular.

Artistic director of the event Huang Jiancheng said he hopes to express the joy through the fireworks.

Yu Ding, dean of Arts Administration and Education Institute, Chinese Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), said that he hopes the tradition of lighting fireworks during the Chinese New Year will bring New Yorkers happiness and joy, and deliver Chinese wonderful blessings to the United States and the rest of the world.

Viewing was possible along the Hudson River from both Midtown Manhattan and New Jersey sides, and there was also a live accompanying music broadcast on three local radio stations, featuring special music composed by Guan Xia, director of the China National Symphony Orchestra.

The fireworks display was divided into four thematic and emotional chapters -- starting with "Great Jubilance," followed by "The Return of Spring," then "Illumination of Stars and the Moon," and concluding with a powerful "Universal Celebration."

The fireworks kick off a week of Lunar New Year events at cultural institutions around New York City as part of "Happy Chinese New Year: Fantastic Art China," including a public art exhibition at Lincoln Center, a lighting display of the Empire State Building and other events hosted by US and Chinese partners.
  Source:Xinhua - globaltimes.cn
18/2/15
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Related:

• China warns of festival air pollution caused by fireworks

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More snowstorms on the way for eastern US

The winter of 2014-2015 continues to bring further bouts of extreme weather, with southern states set to experience the worst of the next storm system.

People across New England are facing extreme cold as they attempt to dig themselves out of another major snowfall, following Sunday’s storm.
More than 1,800 flights across the northeast, but mainly at Boston and New York, were cancelled as heavy snow and strong winds, gusting to 100kph, swept across the region.

A total of 116cm of snow has fallen on Boston this month, making it the snowiest month on record, beating January 1975’s 110cm. This is also the third snowiest winter on record with 227cm.

The cold is also likely to break some records. Boston’s midday temperature on Sunday was minus 8C but the wind made it feel more like minus 29C. There is unlikely to be any let-up in the cold in the next 10 days.

At 0800GMT (0300EDT) on Monday, the temperature in the city had fallen to minus 18C and similar night-time values are expected in the coming days. The all-time record low for February is -28C, and that could be at risk of being broken.

Further snow is also expected in the coming days. Next Monday and Tuesday the city is expected to be hit by another 20 to 30cm of fresh snow.

In the shorter term, it is the turn of more southern states to experience their first major snow of 2015. An area from Kansas to the mid-Atlantic states will experience a swathe of heavy snow, totaling 20 to 30cm during Sunday night and Monday.

On the southern edge of the snow there is expected to a mix of snow and rain plus the risk of highly disruptive freezing rain. The area affected will extends from Oklahoma through Arkansas, northern Mississippi, northern Missouri, Tennessee to Georgia and the Carolinas.  Source: Al Jazeera
16/2/15
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Related:

• Rekordwinter in den USA: Neuer Schneesturm lähmt Boston...

Obama seeks war authorization from Congress to fight IS

US President Barack Obama sent Congress his text today for an authorization to use military force in the campaign against Islamic State, limiting operations against the militants to three years and barring use of US troops in "enduring offensive ground combat."

According to the text, Obama also wants to repeal the 2002 measure that authorized the Iraq war. But his proposal leaves in place a 2001 authorization, passed shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, for a campaign against al Qaeda and its affiliates.
Obama said he remained committed to working with Congress to "refine, and ultimately repeal" the 2001 AUMF. He said enacting a measure specific to the campaign against Islamic State fighters could serve as a model for revamping the 2001 measure.
"I have directed a comprehensive and sustained strategy to degrade and defeat ISIL," Obama wrote in a letter accompanying the draft, using an acronym for the Islamist militant group.
"Local forces, rather than US military forces, should be deployed to conduct such operations," he said.
The White House said Obama would make a statement on his request at 3:30 PM.
Obama's proposal must be approved by both the US Senate and House of Representatives, where it is expected to provoke strong debate between Democrats, who are generally wary of another Middle East war, and Republicans, many of whom have been pushing for stronger measures against the militant fighters.
Obama has defended his authority to lead an international coalition against Islamic State since August 8 when US fighter jets began attacking the jihadists in Iraq. But he has faced criticism for failing to seek the backing of Congress, where some accuse him of breaching his constitutional authority.
Facing pressure to let lawmakers weigh in on an issue as important as the deployment of troops and chastened by elections that handed power in Congress to Republicans, he said in November he would request formal authorization for the use of military force (AUMF).
Secretary of State John Kerry, who spent nearly three decades in the US Senate, said in a statement it was important that the administration work with Congress to secure its passage. The coalition fighting Islamic State will be stronger if it is passed, he said.
"The world needs to hear that the United States speaks with one voice in the fight against ISIL," he said.
 http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/181759/obama-seeks-war-authorization-from-congress-to-fight-is
11/2/15

Washington’s actions deadlock Russian-US relations (Russian Foreign Ministry)

Washington is intentionally dead-locking the Russia-US relations, and it will take a long time to get out of that deadlock, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexander Lukashevich said on Thursday...

According to Lukashevich, the reason behind the US policy is simple: to interfere with natural integration processes in the territory of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

"The US military budget allocates $640 million for Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine to enable them to counteract Russia," Lukashevich said.

"If the United States has switched over to fixing special appropriations in its budget designed to counteract Russia, the process has really gone too far. Russia has no doubt that the White House, which is playing a senseless game of sanctions, has set on a course of confrontation (with Russia). But now, the talk is about plans to finance some subversive activities directed against our country. That is raising tensions in Russian-American relations to a new level," Lukashevich stressed.

"Such concepts vividly prove that the US policy line is brought down to pure geopolitics. Its aim is to tear away Ukraine and other neighboring countries from Russia by all means and without fail," the Russian diplomat stressed.
  http://itar-tass.com/en/russia/775750
5/2/15

Japanese town buried under six feet (1.8 metres) of snow

Parts of northern Japan were dug out on Tuesday from nearly six feet (1.8 metres) of snow after a massive winter storm dumped record amounts.

Around 50 troops were pressed into action in Hokkaido to shovel paths to snow-blanketed houses in Rausu on the eastern tip of the island.

The town was the worst-hit part of Japan when a major snowstorm whacked into the country at the weekend.

The meteorological agency which gave the snowfall figure warned of strong winds and further snowfall still to come in the region.

"We are telling our residents to stay home if possible," a town official told AFP by telephone.

"It's quite dangerous to go outside in this storm," the official said, adding that there had been no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The snowfall on Monday forced railway operators to cancel nearly 100 train services, affecting some 4,660 passengers, according to local media.

The severe weather comes as the US city of Boston was suffering with its own record snowfall of 40 centimetres (1.3 feet) on Monday, forcing the postponement of a victory parade for Super Bowl winners the New England Patriots and spelling travel misery.  
AFP
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
3/2/15
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Related 2014:

• 5 die, over 600 injured as heavy snow hits eastern Japan. -Issued the first heavy snowfall warning for central Tokyo in 13 years(video)

• Second Japan snow storm leaves thousands stranded as toll rises to 23....

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Related USA:

•  L'offensive hivernale a déjà causé la mort de 11 personnes aux Etats-Unis...

US Lawmakers Urge Obama to Recall Plans for Offshore Drilling

The United States should recall its plan to conduct offshore drilling which might threaten the state of New Jersey environment and economy, US Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressman Frank Pallone said in a letter to US President Barack Obama.

“The plan’s proposal for oil production in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia would put New Jersey’s economy and shore communities at significant risk,” Menendez, Booker and Pallone said Friday. “We strongly urge you [President Obama] to consider removing all Atlantic planning areas prior to the issuance of the next draft of the Five-Year Plan.”

Lawmakers are concerned that in case of a drilling accident the state will see consequences similar to those after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, which caused long term marine and coastal damage, according to the letter.

Menendez, Booker and Pallone urged the White House to consider offshore energy production on wind power.

“In our home state of New Jersey, and for shore towns up and down the Atlantic coast, offshore oil drilling would present a risk to communities and businesses that depend on a clean and thriving coastline,” lawmakers said.

This week President Obama’s administration released a five-year Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program which may lead to the United States drilling for gas and oil in portions of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as opening new sections of the Gulf of Mexico for exploration.
 http://sputniknews.com/us/20150131/1017577632.html#ixzz3QOQA2NPL
 31/1/15
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