Top News It is now 100 seconds to midnight Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists North Korea confirms Ri Son Gwon as new foreign minister Al Jazeera Europe to avoid triggering sanctions if Iran limits expansion of nuclear work Wall Street Journal United States It is now 100 seconds to midnight Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists1/23/20 The iconic Doomsday Clock symbolizing the gravest perils facing humankind is now closer to midnight than at any point since its creation in 1947. In nuclear spending fight, it’s Trump’s Hill allies vs. White House budget office Defense News1/23/20 A new fight over America’s nuclear budget has erupted from behind the scenes, as key Republicans in Congress are appealing to President Donald Trump for a significant boost to the agency in charge of the nation’s nuclear warheads. OPINION: 2020 Dems need to get up to speed on nuclear weapons. Fast. Defense OneAkshai Vikram 1/23/20 Front-runners have displayed key misunderstandings, while other candidates have shied away from the topic. East Asia North Korea confirms Ri Son Gwon as new foreign minister Al Jazeera1/23/20 North Korea has named as its new foreign minister a former senior army officer with little experience in dealings with the United States, in a possible indication it will take a harder line with Washington in stalled nuclear negotiations. Middle East Europe to avoid triggering sanctions if Iran limits expansion of nuclear work Wall Street Journal1/23/20 European powers won’t move to reimpose international sanctions on Iran and kill the 2015 nuclear deal as long as Tehran restrains expansion of its nuclear work, diplomats said, potentially increasing tensions with the Trump administration. Russia/Europe ANALYSIS: Sino-Russia ties imperil strategic arms control Yale OnlineRichard Weitz 1/23/20 The last treaty limiting Russian-US nuclear weapons, New START, expires in February. The Trump administration would prefer a comprehensive agreement including more strategic weapons and countries, especially China, explains Richard Weitz, senior fellow and director of the Center for Political-Military Analysis at the Hudson Institute. South Asia China’s digital yuan could help countries like North Korea evade US sanctions, experts say CNBC1/24/20 A digital yuan could allow some countries to avoid U.S. sanctions and increase the Chinese government’s influence, experts told CNBC.