Examining the news of the world

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The air was tense in the British House of Commons as members of parliament voted on a plan to carry out Brexit, or the exit of the European Union by Britain. This Brexit vote was rejected in the House of Commons by a vote of 432 to 202. This is a contrast to the public referendum in July 2016, when 52 percent of British citizens voted with their support of the nation’s leave.

The UK’s exit of the 28 nations is expected to cause widespread issues: such as shortages of medicine and electricity due to a trade disrupt, as well as a 8 percent decrease in the UK economy over the next 15 years, according to the UK Treasury.

With the UK being the 7th largest trading partner overall, and 4th largest export destination for products in the U.S., these trading issues could heavily affect many aspects of the U.S. economy.

Another aspect of American investment is through British military. Already, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis stated his concerns about British military– warning that the days when the UK was the United States “partner of choice” may be over unless he sees an increase of defensive investments.

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As flags and chants rang through the streets of Caracas, Venezuela, opposition leader Juan Guaidó named himself interim president of Venezuela in the most direct challenge to President Nicolás Maduro as he starts his second term.

This tension between the opposition movement and the government has been going on for years after Venezuela fell into economic freefall under Maduros took control in 2013. This freefall has led to hyperinflation and food shortages forcing millions out of the country.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he recognises Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president according to BBC.

“The citizens of Venezuela have suffered for too long at the hands of the illegitimate Maduro regime” said Donald Trump in a tweet on Wednesday, Jan 23.  

Guaido has called on armed forces to disobey the government.

In a statement on Wednesday, described Mr. Maduro’s leadership as “illegitimate” and said the country’s congress, led by Mr Guaidó, was the only “legitimate branch of government” in the country. “The people of Venezuela have courageously spoken out against Maduro and his regime and demanded freedom and the rule of law,” his statement said.

[/cbtab][cbtab title=”Afganistan”]Afghanistan and American officials have started work on an peace agreement with The Taliban. This agreement could be the biggest improvement toward ending war in Afghanistan.

“We have a draft of the framework that has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement,” Negotiator Zalamay Khalilzad said in an interview with The New York Times in Kabul.

“The Taliban have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals,” said Khalilzad.

But the agreement may be hard to reach for the U.S. as the Taliban claims a ceasefire or direct talks to the government would not be a define the part of the contract.[/cbtab][/cbtabs]