TOP NEWS Iran says it will quit global nuclear treaty if case goes to U.N. New York Times North Korean foreign minister replaced: report Reuters Belgium narrowly rejects removal of U.S. nuclear weapons The Brussels Times United States MOX contractors accused of abusing federal funds, retaliating against employee The Aiken Standard1/21/20 The contractors behind the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility project at the Savannah River Site are now accused of improperly using federal money and of fostering a hostile workplace, court records show. Hyten: Stop ‘studying the heck’ out of space systems and get to work Defense News1/19/20 The vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff thinks it’s time for America’s military to stop sitting around “studying the heck” out of its potential space solutions and instead begin testing them in orbit. East Asia North Korean foreign minister replaced: report Reuters1/18/20 North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho has been replaced, Seoul-based NK News reported on Saturday. North Korea may seek ‘new path’ after U.S. fails to meet talks deadline New York Times1/21/20 North Korea said on Tuesday the United States had ignored a deadline for nuclear talks and it no longer felt bound by its commitments, which included a halt to nuclear testing and inter-continental ballistic missile tests, and may “seek a new path”. U.S. general ‘100% Confident’ against North Korean missiles Voice of America1/17/20 The United States has long seen North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons as a major national security threat. But the missiles Pyongyang would use to deliver a nuclear bomb appear to be a different matter. Middle East Iran says it will quit global nuclear treaty if case goes to U.N. New York Times1/20/20 Iran said on Monday it could quit the global nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if European countries refer it to the U.N. Security Council over a nuclear agreement, a move that would overturn diplomacy in its confrontation with the West. Russia/Europe Russia’s foreign minister slams ‘aggressive’ U.S. policies Associated Press1/17/20 Russia’s foreign policy chief on Friday blamed what he described as “aggressive” U.S. policies for growing global tensions, noting Washington’s reluctance to extend a key nuclear arms pact. Belgium narrowly rejects removal of U.S. nuclear weapons The Brussels Times1/17/20 A resolution to remove U.S. nuclear heads from Belgian territory was narrowly voted down by lawmakers on Thursday, with some arguing they were strategic to bolster Belgium’s international standing. UK’s Johnson, France’s Macron reiterate commitment to Iran nuclear deal Reuters1/19/20 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated their commitment on Sunday to the Iran nuclear deal and agreed a long-term framework was needed, Downing Street said on Sunday.