Axios

Newsstands in the U.K. are once again filled with headlines casting doubt on Theresa May's ability to stay on as prime minister. In large font on the front of today's Times of London: "May Faces Growing Calls to Quit." Today's Telegraph featured letters from readers striking a similar theme: it's time for May to step aside.

The latest: An internal U.K. government analysis leaked to BuzzFeed News anticipates a substantial economic hit for nearly all industries under each modeled Brexit scenario. That gives political ammunition to members of May's Conservative Party who hope for a "soft" Brexit. But May has been under fire in recent weeks from pro-Brexit Conservatives who believe her approach is already too soft.

The false missile alert set off in Hawaii earlier this month has led to the resignation of emergency management administrator Vern Miyagi and the firing of the employee who sent the warning, according to the AP.

The moves come after the Federal Communications Commission said Tuesday that the employee who sent the alert claimed to have believed the threat was real. A recording that was played as part of a drill during a shift changeover accidentally included the words, "this is not a drill," according to the regulator.

The Trump administration's announcement yesterday that it won't be imposing new Russia sanctions has provoked considerable criticism, but many on Capitol Hill believe that reaction is overblown.

The big picture: Hawkish congressional Republicans who are unafraid to denounce Trump when they believe he's screwed up are genuinely not perturbed by what happened yesterday, sources close to them tell me. One source described the general reaction to the decision as "incorrect and hysterical." Sen. Bob Corker, an architect of the sanctions law, told reporters the process was just beginning and the administration is taking it "very seriously."

The Treasury Department has released a much anticipated list of Russian oligarchs and political figures as mandated under a sanctions law passed by Congress last year, but has not leveled any new sanctions. Vladimir Putin called the list's publication a "hostile act," but said he would "refrain" from taking any steps in response.

Why it matters: The list was ostensibly intended to name and shame those who were benefiting from their relationships with Putin. But all it offers is publicly available information, without repercussions. So don't be surprised if it doesn't lead any of the oligarchs to change their behavior.

North Korea has canceled one of its joint projects with South Korea in advance of the Winter Olympics next month over South Korean media reports which the North says have defamed its “sincere” measures for the Olympics, per the AP.

The big picture: The relationship between the North and the South, no matter the North’s proposal of a reunification, will include a fair amount of back-and-forth. Ministry officials expect a joint training session between the countries’ non-Olympic skiers at a ski resort in North Korea to go on as planned.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the just-released U.S. Treasury list of Russian politicians and oligarchs a “hostile step,” per the AP. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the list, which includes the entire Kremlin, Putin's cabinet, and other top officials, shows the U.S. views the entire Russian government as enemies.

What's happening: The list was part of a "name and shame" effort against top Putin associates in retaliation for Russia’s interference in 2016's presidential election. There are no immediate penalties for the individuals listed.

The Trump administration will not at this time implement new sanctions under the law Congress passed near-unanimously in response to Russian election interference, the State Department announced. The sanctions would have hit companies doing business with Russian defense and intelligence agencies.

• Heather Nauert, the State Dept. spokesperson, suggested in a statement that current sanctions are sufficient for the time being: "if the law is working, sanctions on specific entities or individuals will not need to be imposed because the legislation is, in fact, serving as a deterrent."

Why it matters: Trump resisted the sanctions in the first place, and the administration is certainly in no rush to implement them, having missed one deadline already and declined to take action this time around.

CIA Director Mike Pompeo told the BBC that he anticipates Russia will try to interfere in the 2018 midterm elections: "I have every expectation that they will continue to try and do that, but I'm confident that America will be able to have a free and fair election [and] that we will push back in a way that is sufficiently robust that the impact they have on our election won't be great."

• The backdrop: The State Department just announced it will not add new sanctions on Russia under the law passed last year by Congress because the sanctions already in place were working as a deterrent.
• One more thing: Pompeo said North Korea could have the capability to hit the U.S. with nuclear weapons "in a handful of months."

An analysis from the U.K. government anticipates entirely negative economic impacts from Brexit regardless of the terms of the exit deal, Buzzfeed News, which got its hands on the analysis, reports.

• Top-line figures: Growth would fall by 8% over 15 years under a "no-deal Brexit," 2% under a "soft Brexit" and 5% under a middle course. Nearly every economic sector would be hurt, with the exception of agriculture, along with every geographic region.

The bottom line: The British government is going to spend the next year or so in intense negotiations over a process its own analysis suggests will bring entirely negative economic consequences.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have sent a letter asking chairman Trey Gowdy to subpoena the Department of Homeland Security for documents related to the hacking of election systems, reports CNN's Manu Raju.

Why it matters: DHS informed 21 states last September about Russian government-backed efforts to hack into their election systems, but has reportedly refused to share that information with congressional committees. Having been warned by the intelligence community about Russia's continued efforts to interfere, Oversight Dems are calling it their responsibility to adequately prepare for future attacks.

A forthcoming Treasury report on the close ties between Russian oligarchs and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been branded a "direct and obvious attempt to influence [March's Russian presidential] elections" by Putin's spokesman, per the BBC. The report was part of last year's package of sanctions against Russia, designed to "name and shame" members of Putin's inner circle in retaliation for Russia's interference in the 2016 election.

Why it matters: The report won't pose any political problems for Putin, who will win reelection handily in March, but it could create other structural issues for his regime. The report is expected to out the corrupt sources of income for some of his biggest — and richest — supporters and could, in turn, prompt additional economic sanctions from the U.S. against prominent Russian individuals.

Events this weekend in Russian President Vladimir Putin's sphere of influence serve as a reminder his power: a top political opponent was arrested, an ally in the Czech Republic won re-election, and the leader of Crimea reiterated support for its links with Russia.

Big picture: Each of these instances shows Putin's reach within his own government as well as his ability to exert power in eastern Europe. These are just a few ways Putin counters western influences in eastern Europe, or, what Russia sees as its rightful cultural and historical territory.