The temperature at the North Pole on 10 February is forecasted to be slightly above freezing (32.1°F). That temperature was 54°F warmer than the average for 1979-2000. There are strong winds blowing storms from the Atlantic Ocean into the Arctic and the storms are the result of warmer waters due to climate change. These temperatures are truly unprecedented and beyond the predictions of even the most pessimistic models of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It is difficult not to be alarmed at this data.
The US has given a CIA Medal of Honor named after former Director George Tenet to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud in recognition of his counter-intelligence work. The medal was given by newly appointed CIA Director Michael Pompeo in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I have tried to find references to this event in US and European newspapers, but I have yet to find any. I personally find it incomprehensible that such an award would be given to a representative of a state which has been linked to Daesh (the Islamic State).
CIA Director Michael Pompeo and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud
British Prime Minister Theresa May has made clear that she favors a “hard” Brexit from the European Union. The hard Brexit means that Britain will not try to negotiate any agreements with the EU to retain some of the benefits of the common market but will instead become completely independent and accountable only to the global rules enforced by the World Trade Organization. But public opinion polls in Britain indicate that only 35% of the people favor that policy–the majority would prefer to retain limited association with the EU. When the actual negotiations begin for the British departure, it will be interesting to see if May modifies her position.
World Politics News 