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KOREAS-TENSIONS
Moon renews invitation for Kim to visit South Korea
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean President Moon Jae-in says he hopes to see North Korean leader Kim Jong Un fulfill a promise to visit the South this year and has called for the Koreas to end a prolonged freeze in bilateral relations. In his New Year’s speech, Moon also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to resume inter-Korean economic activities that have been held back by U.S.-led sanctions imposed on the North over its nuclear weapons and missiles program. North Korea suspended virtually all cooperation with the South during a deadlock in the larger nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang.
IRAN-SOLEIMANI-THE LATEST
The Latest: Iraq seeks Security Council condemnation of US
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iraq is condemning the U.S. airstrike that killed Iran’s top military commander as a “flagrant violation” of the terms of the American forces’ presence in the country and “a dangerous escalation that might ignite a devastating war in Iraq, the region and the world.” Iraq’s U.N. Ambassador Mohammed Hussein Bahr Aluloom called on the U.N. Security Council to condemn the U.S. airstrike that also killed a senior Iraqi militia commander, and to hold accountable “those who have committed such violations.” The U.S. will almost certainly use its veto to block the Security Council action sought by Iraq.
UNITED STATES-IRAN-BOMBING CULTURE
Pentagon rejects Trump threat to hit Iranian cultural sites
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is distancing itself from President Donald Trump’s assertions that he would bomb Iranian cultural sites. Such attacks would violate international prohibitions. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says the U.S. will “follow the laws of armed conflict.” When asked if that ruled out targeting cultural sites, Esper said, “That’s the laws of armed conflict.” The split between the president and his Pentagon chief comes amid heightened tensions with Tehran following a U.S. strike that killed the head of Iran’s elite Quds force, Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
AP-US-UNITED-STATES-IRAQ-TROOPS
'Honest mistake' sets off alarm about US troops in Iraq
WASHINGTON (AP) — An “honest mistake” set off a chaotic day at the Pentagon, when a draft letter implied a troop withdrawal from Iraq that top leaders flatly denied. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters the U.S. is “moving forces around” Iraq and neighboring Kuwait. He says a draft letter circulated internally by a U.S. Marine commander was a “poorly written” honest mistake that should never have gotten out. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says, “There's been no decision whatsover to leave Iraq.”
AP-US-TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT
Bolton willing to testify in impeachment trial if subpoenaed
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former White House national security adviser John Bolton says he is “prepared to testify” if he is subpoenaed by the Senate in its impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. Bolton's surprise statement Monday bolsters congressional Democrats, who are pushing for the Senate to call new witnesses in the trial. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has publicly expressed resistance to calling new witnesses. Democrats want testimony from Bolton and others who didn't appear before the House in its impeachment inquiry. It's unclear whether Bolton's testimony would hurt or help Trump. The two clashed while Bolton was in the White House. No date for the Senate trial has been set.
BC-US-POMPEO-SENATE
AP sources: Secretary of State Pompeo won't run for Senate
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that he will not run this year for an open Senate seat from Kansas. That's according to two people close to McConnell who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe a private conversation they say the two men had Monday afternoon. Pompeo's decision comes as the U.S. braces for possible retaliation by Iran after a U.S. airstrike killed Qassem Soleimani, Iran's most powerful general and leader of that country's elite Quds Force. Republicans worry that without Pompeo as their candidate, they might lose what should be a certain GOP Senate seat.
AP-ML-IRAN-SOLEIMANI
Throngs mourn, Iranian leader weeps for general slain by US
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's supreme leader wept while praying over the casket of a top general killed in a U.S. airstrike. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered the prayers in Tehran for Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani as throngs of Iranians attended the funeral and wailed in response. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and other top officials stood beside Khamenei during the prayers. Soleimani was killed Friday in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq and his successor has vowed to avenge his death. Tehran also has abandoned the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. In Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called for “restraint and de-escalation.”
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT-WEINSTEIN
Weinstein charged with sex crimes in LA on eve of NY trial
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles prosecutors have charged Harvey Weinstein with sexually assaulting two women on successive nights during Oscars week in 2013. The new case against the disgraced Hollywood mogul comes on the eve of jury selection for his New York trial. It puts Weinstein in deep legal peril on both coasts, where he built his career as the one of the most powerful — and feared — figures in show business before a barrage of allegations led to his downfall and ignited the #MeToo movement. His lawyers have yet to comment. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
BC-SPACEX-SATELLITE LAUNCH
SpaceX launches 60 more satellites, trying to tone them down
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX has launched 60 more mini internet satellites, this time testing a dark coating to appease stargazers. The Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, late Monday, recycled for its fourth flight. As the first-stage booster flew to a vertical landing on an ocean platform, the Starlink satellites hurtled toward orbit to join 120 similar spacecraft launched last year. One of the new satellites is trying out a dark coating to lessen reflectivity. It's a “first step” compromise between SpaceX and astronomers fearful of having dark skies spoiled by hundreds and, eventually, thousands of bright satellites circling overhead.
IRAQ-US
Push to oust US troops from Iraq a risky undertaking
BAGHDAD (AP) — A push to oust U.S. troops from Iraq is gaining momentum, bolstered by a Parliament vote in favor of a bill calling on the Iraqi government remove them. But the path forward is unclear. In Iraq's deeply divided terrain, with a resigned prime minister and raging proxy war between Iran and the U.S., ending America's 17-year military presence in Iraq is a risky undertaking and won't be easy. It could lead to a resurgence of the Islamic State group and further entrench Iran.
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