25 January 2014 Military News

Karzai Stands Firm on Terms of US Presence VOA 25 Jan 2014 -- President Hamid Karzai says if the United States wants to leave Afghanistan it "can do it even today, may God be with them", but he will not back down from his conditions to sign a key security pact with Washington that would allow American forces to stay in the country beyond 2014.

Warlords attend Mountain Exercise USMC News 25 Jan 2014 -- Early morning, near freezing temperatures and enormous mountains paint the landscape as Marines mill around their neatly staged packs ready for the days march. The order comes to "step-off" and the Marines begin the hike during which they will travel from just above 8,000 feet in elevation to approximately 11,000 feet within a distance of less than three miles.
Marines begin Iron Fist with JGSDF USMC News 25 Jan 2014 -- The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit gathered with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to celebrate the start of Exercise Iron Fist 2014 during an opening ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 23, 2014.
Pentagon report faults F-35 on software, reliability Voice of Russia 25 Jan 2014 -- A new US Defense Department report warns that ongoing software, maintenance and reliability problems with Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 stealth fighter could delay the Marine Corps' plans to start using its F-35 jets by mid-2015.

Syria: first face-to-face talks off to a 'good' start, UN-Arab League envoy says UN News Centre 25 Jan 2014 -- Representatives of the Syrian Government and opposition groups today discussed humanitarian issues and tomorrow will focus on release of prisoners and kidnapped victims, the Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States today said following the opposing sides' first ever meeting at a negotiating table.
Geneva Communique: Road Map for Syria Political Transition VOA 25 Jan 2014 -- At an international peace conference for Syria in June 2012, participants agreed to what has become known as the Geneva Communiqué. It laid out a six-point plan intended to stop the violence and move the two sides towards a political settlement. The United Nations is trying to implement that framework at peace talks going on now in Switzerland where the two parties have finally agreed to meet.
Syrian Parties Meet for First Time VOA 25 Jan 2014 -- Negotiators from the Syrian government and opposition are meeting together for the first time with the United Nations and Arab League mediator in Geneva, after the process nearly broke down on Friday.

South Sudan accuses rebels of violating ceasefire Iran Press TV 25 Jan 2014 -- The South Sudanese government has accused rebel forces loyal to former vice president, Riek Machar, of breaking the ceasefire less than a day after it took effect.

UN 'blue helmets' in DR Congo on standby after blast in arms depot UN News Centre 25 Jan 2014 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is standing by to support local authorities following an explosion at an ammunition depot.

UN pledges support as Yemen officially wraps up National Dialogue UN News Centre 25 Jan 2014 -- Praising national talks that concluded today in Yemen as "unprecedented" in the country and the region, a senior United Nations official said the outcomes of the year-long talks will serve as a "roadmap for a new Yemen".

Ban welcomes signing of Government, rebel accord on southern Philippines UN News Centre 25 Jan 2014 -- The Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) today signed a final security agreement that paves the way for a comprehensive peace accord on the island of Mindanao, a move welcomed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Two weeks of ethnic clashes kill 154 in Libya Iran Press TV 25 Jan 2014 -- The Libyan Health Ministry says two weeks of violent clashes in the country have killed at least 154 people and injured 463 more.

Taiwan protests Japan's launch of website claiming Diaoyutais CNA 25 Jan 2014 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) protested Saturday over Japan's launch of a website a day earlier that reiterates its sovereignty claims over the disputed Diaoyutai Islands.

Iran general rejects US military threat Iran Press TV 25 Jan 2014 -- A senior Iranian military commander has dismissed US Secretary of State John Kerry's latest threat of military action against Iran over its nuclear program.
'Restrictions on peaceful N-tech not acceptable' Iran Press TV 25 Jan 2014 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic will not accept any limitations in the context of peaceful nuclear technology.
Kerry's words against law, UN Charter, Iran says Iran Press TV 25 Jan 2014 -- Iran says remarks made earlier by US Secretary of State John Kerry are a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

Ukraine officials, opposition hold talks Iran Press TV 25 Jan 2014 -- Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych is engaged in fresh talks with heads of opposition parties in a bid to contain the fast-moving violent uprising.
Ukraine president offers PM post to opp. leader Iran Press TV 25 Jan 2014 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has offered the post of the prime minister to opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk in a bid to resolve the two-month crisis in the European country.
Ukraine Opposition Vows To Continue Struggle After Yanukovych Offer RFE/RL 25 Jan 2014 -- Ukrainian opposition leaders have vowed to continue their struggle hours after President Viktor Yanukovych offered them two senior posts to defuse a widening crisis.
Beyond Kyiv: Ukrainian Protesters Seize Control Of Regional Administrations RFE/RL 25 Jan 2014 -- Protests are spreading to Ukraine's regions with demonstrators seizing control of administrative buildings and, in some cases, forcing governors, who are appointed by President Viktor Yanukovych, to resign.
Ukraine: Yanukovych offers opposition way out of political crisis Voice of Russia 25 Jan 2014 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has offered a post of Prime Minister to the head of the Batkivschyna opposition faction, Arseny Yatsenyuk, and post of Deputy Minister of Humanitarian Issues to the leader of the UDAR Party, Vitaly Klitschko, Minister of Justice Yelena Lukash has informed.

Deadly Clashes in Egypt on Anniversary of Uprising VOA 25 Jan 2014 -- Deadly violence has marred Egyptian ceremonies marking the third anniversary of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak.
29 killed, dozens injured in Egypt clashes Iran Press TV 25 Jan 2014 -- The Egyptian Health Ministry says at least 29 people have been killed and dozens injured in the country during clashes between security forces, opponents and supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi.

Thai protesters urged to stop Bangkok shutdown Iran Press TV 25 Jan 2014 -- Thai authorities have called on anti-government protesters to end the occupation of government buildings as part of their "Bangkok shutdown" campaign, vowing there will be no violence under a pre-condition.

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