Global Beat is your weekly stop for news from around the world. Join us every Friday morning for important stories you should know about.

This week, the Iraqi government said they have retained full control of eastern Mosul; UK Prime Minister Theresa May outlined Britain’s plans for leaving the EU; U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers are accused of blocking asylum-seekers from entering at the U.S.-Mexico border; and more.
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Americas

The American Immigration Council, along with five other organizations, filed a complaint on Friday with the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in response to ongoing accusations that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers are blocking asylum-seekers from entering at the U.S.-Mexico border. Turning away asylum seekers prior to hearing their claims is a violation of U.S. and international law. A spokesman for U.S. Customs and Broder Protection, Michael Friel, insists no policy change has occurred that would account for the allegations.

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• Colombia peace talks with ELN rebels to begin Feb. 8 upon release of politician being held hostage – Julia Symmes Cobb and Helen Murphy, Reuters

Central & South Asia

Weeks after the Assad regime and opposition forces agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Russia, the Syrian opposition has announced it will attend peace talks in Kazakhstan. This announcement comes shortly after Syrian rebel groups froze peace negotiations, accusing the Syrian government and its allies of violating the ceasefire. The peace talks are scheduled to being on January 23. The United States and Iran have also been invited.

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• Air India introduces female-only rows to tackle harassment – Michael Safi, The Guardian

China & East Asia

Taiwan has boosted its military drills as fear that China is preparing to invade grows. The drills—spanning combat aptitude with attack helicopters, precision landing, artillery and tank training—began Tuesday with a mirrored scenario of China’s aircraft carrier recently sailing north of the Taiwan Strait. While the fleet did not sail in Taiwanese waters, it did enter the island nation’s air defense zone. China has increased military threats following a recent and unprecedented phone call between then President-elect Trump and Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen, putting an end to decades of protocol that barred direct contact between the two leaders.

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• Ambassador Caroline Kennedy’s historic contributions to U.S.-Japan relations – Yoichi Funabashi, Washington Post

Europe & Russia

On Tuesday, UK Prime Minister Theresa May delivered her long-awaited speech outlining Britain’s plans for leaving the European Union. She called for a clean break and an end to “division and discord.” The speech outlined broad objectives—such as regaining control of immigration, rejecting the authority of the European Court of Justice, and the desire for new trade agreements—but did not mention any specific details. The government hopes to complete the deal in March 2019, following approval from both houses of parliament. German chancellor Angela Merkel has vowed to hold together the rest of the EU and ensure Britain does not “pick and choose” during negotiations. 

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• Russia extends Edward Snowden’s asylum to 2020 – Andrew Kramer, The New York Times

Middle East & North Africa

The Iraqi government on Wednesday stated that they have retained full control of eastern Mosul following a three-month long effort to retake the city from ISIL. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has now promised to free the western part of Mosul, which remains fully under ISIL control. ISIL troops have also been targeted in northern Syria after an unexpected joint air strike between Russia and Turkey. After backing opposing sides for the roughly six-year conflict, both nations have recently shifted their priorities in order to defeat ISIL.

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• Saudi Arabia seeks $30-50 billion solar and wind energy investment – Simeon Kerr, Financial Times

Southeast Asia & Oceania

Vietnam has eased its approach toward China following a long dispute over the South China Sea. While several countries claim control of the area, Vietnam is often viewed as the most assertive opponent to China’s continued expansion into the 3.5 million-square-km area. The two nations issued a joint communique pledging to put aside their maritime differences and instead focus on increasing onshore cooperation after talks last week between Vietnamese Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Days after this agreement, Vietnam strengthened its military relationship with India, hoping to offset China’s rising power.

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• Why did Cambodia just cancel joint military drills with the United States? – Prashanth Parameswaran, The Diplomat 

Sub-Saharan Africa

The Nigerian government is being accused of falsely declaring that Boko Haram insurgents had been defeated after an Air Force fighter jet aiming for the group accidently bombed a refugee camp instead. More than 100 refugees who were fleeing the jihadist rebel group—along with aid workers from Doctors without Borders and the International Committee of the Red Cross—are said to have been killed or wounded. Military commander Major General Lucky Irabor confirmed the accident, which is believed to be the first time Nigeria’s military has admitted to a mistake such as this.

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• Gambia’s President Jammeh agrees to step down – Al Jazeera

Stay informed. We’ll see you here again next week.