Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Kabul Deputy Governor Assassinated VOA 15 Dec 2020 -- The deputy governor of Afghanistan's capital Kabul was killed in a targeted attack Tuesday morning when someone stuck a magnetic mine, also called a sticky bomb, to his car.
• Deputy Governor of Afghanistan's Kabul Province Killed in Bomb Blast, Interior Ministry Says Sputnik 15 Dec 2020 -- The deputy governor of Afghanistan's eastern Kabul province and his secretary were killed in a bomb blast, the Ministry of Interior Affairs confirmed on Tuesday.
• Bomb blast kills deputy governor of Afghanistan's capital Press TV 15 Dec 2020 -- The deputy governor of Kabul, Afghanistan's capital, has been killed in an explosion, security officials say.
• Kabul Attacks Kill Three, Including Deputy Governor RFE/RL Gandhara 15 Dec 2020 -- A bomb blast and a shooting attack in Kabul on December 15 killed at least three people, including a deputy provincial governor, officials said.
• U.N. Envoy Says Afghans 'Want Their Dignity Back' RFE/RL Gandhara 15 Dec 2020 -- Adela Raz, Afghanistan's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, is one of the highest-ranking woman officials in the Afghan government. In a wide-ranging interview with Gandhara, she weighs in on the prospects of continued support for her country and her hopes for preserving women's rights in the ongoing peace talks aimed at carving a shared political future with the Taliban.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 15 Dec 2020
• Naval Medical Forces Atlantic Hospitals to Be Among First to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine US Navy 15 Dec 2020 -- In coordination with the Defense Health Agency and the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, three of Naval Medical Forces Atlantic's (MEDLANT) Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) are among the first Department of Defense (DoD) hospitals to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Naval Med Center San Diego Receives First Shipment of COVID-19 Vaccine US Navy 15 Dec 2020 -- Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) received its first shipment of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines Dec. 14.
• Statement on New Appointments to the Defense Health Board DoD 15 Dec 2020
• First in, last out: Marines from 7th Communication Battalion participate in Yama Sakura 79 USMC News 15 Dec 2020 -- U.S. Marines from 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group participated in Yama Sakura 79 with Marines from 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade as well as soldiers from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, December 9 to December 14 at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan.
• Eglin Air Force Base key to Emerald Flag success US Air Force 15 Dec 2020 -- Emerald Flag, Eglin Air Force Base's first native multi-domain test exercise, concluded after five days of testing at the Eglin AFB Test and Training Range Dec. 5.
• Kearsarge Sets Sail for Contractor Sea Trials US Navy 15 Dec 2020 -- After nearly one year pierside following the ship's maintenance availability period, the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) departed Naval Station Norfolk to complete contractor sea trials Dec. 15, 2020.
• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Pilots for Fiscal Year 2021 DoD 15 Dec 2020 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) issued an interim rule on Sept. 29, 2020 to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework.
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in Midst of Revolution DoD News 15 Dec 2020 -- In existence for almost a quarter-century, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has been providing geospatial intelligence to policymakers, the intelligence community and warfighters since 1996. Now, says its director for operations, when it comes to geospatial intelligence, the agency is in the middle of a revolution.
• North Atlantic Council Statement as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Enters Into Force NATO 15 Dec 2020
• Secretary General: NATO-EU cooperation has reached unprecedented levels NATO 15 Dec 2020 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had discussions at the European Commission on Tuesday (15 December 2020) about how to further strengthen NATO's cooperation with the European Union. While the Secretary General often meets with EU leaders and EU Commissioners, this is the first time that a NATO Secretary General attended a meeting of the College of Commissioners, a sign of the deepening partnership between NATO and the EU.
• Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the joint press point with the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Zdravko Krivokapić NATO 15 Dec 2020
• China, Russia extend missile launch notification agreement to maintain global strategic stability Global Times 15 Dec 2020 -- China and Russia on Tuesday extended their agreement on launch notification of both countries' ballistic missiles and space rockets, which was first signed in October 2009.
• China, Russia extend agreement on notifications of launches of ballistic missiles and space missile carriers PLA Daily 15 Dec 2020 -- Approved by the heads of state of China and Russia, Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu held a video conference and signed a Protocol on the extension of the agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Russian Federation on notifications of launches of ballistic missiles and space missile carriers on December 15, 2020. Both sides stressed that the two militaries would like to strengthen practical cooperation on this basis and further enrich the connotation of bilateral relations.
• J-10, Su-30 fighter jets conduct mock dogfights to coordinate naval aircraft Global Times 15 Dec 2020 -- J-10 and Su-30 fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently conducted mock dogfights that experts said on Tuesday not only let pilots better understand other types of aircraft as teammates but also simulated potentially hostile aircraft.
• CMC Equipment Development Department optimizes equipment pricing mechanism PLA Daily 15 Dec 2020 -- The Equipment Development Department (EDD) of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) recently launched the regulations on third-party service management for equipment prices, intending to establish a formal and orderly equipment pricing work order.
• Navy launches new missile corvette, takes delivery of minelayer CNA 15 Dec 2020 -- The Navy on Tuesday held a launch ceremony for an upgraded version of its Tuo Chiang-class missile corvette and took delivery of a rapid mine-laying vessel, in what President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) described as an important development in the government's indigenous ship-building program.
• Israel Performs First Successful Tests of Sea-Based Missile Defense System Sputnik 15 Dec 2020 -- Tests of a new sea-based aerial defense system were performed during the past few weeks. The so-called Iron Dome and David's Sling and Arrow are short-, medium- and long-range missiles, designed to intercept a variety of objects, including enemy aircraft, drones, ballistic missiles, medium- to long-range rockets and cruise missiles.
• US Sanctions Have 'Shaken' All Values of Alliance With Washington, Turkish Defence Minister Says Sputnik 15 Dec 2020 -- On Monday, the US Treasury hit four Turkish officials and the Presidency of Defence Industries, a government office responsible for strengthening national security and managing the supply of military technology, with sanctions over Ankara's purchase of Russia's S-400 missile system. The US said Turkey remains "a valued Ally" despite the embargoes.
• Turkish Opposition Calls for Activating S-400s Over US Sanctions 'as Soon as Possible' Sputnik 15 Dec 2020 -- The S-400 air defence missile systems acquired by Turkey from Russia must be put on high alert as soon as possible in the wake of Washington's new sanctions against Ankara, Unal Cevikoz, an adviser to the head of the Turkish opposition Republican People's Party, said on Tuesday.
• Turkey Slams US Sanctions Over Russian Missile System Purchase VOA 15 Dec 2020 -- The Trump administration's decision to sanction NATO ally Turkey over the purchase of a Russian missile system has drawn swift Turkish condemnation. For now, however, Ankara appears to be holding off on any retaliation, a move analysts suggest is a sign that Turkey is already looking ahead to the new administration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden.
• US sanctions Turkey over purchase of Russian S-400 systems; Ankara vows retaliation Press TV 15 Dec 2020 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition of advanced Russian S-400 missile defense systems, in a move condemned by Ankara as a "grave mistake" that would "inevitably" harm mutual relations.
• Italy – Gulfstream G550 Aircraft with Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Electronic Warfare (AISREW) Mission Systems DSCA 15 Dec 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Italy of Gulfstream G550 Aircraft with Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Electronic Warfare (AISREW) Mission Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $500 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Corvettes and combat drones - Ministry of Defence has concluded direct agreements with Turkish companies, - Andrii Taran Ukraine MOD 15 Dec 2020 -- Today, Minister of Defence of Ukraine Andrii Taran signed agreements with Turkish companies on technology transfer and production of corvettes and combat UAVs for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The signing took place during the visit of the Turkish delegation headed by the President of the Defence Industries of the Republic of Turkey Ismail Demir.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 15, 2020

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Dec 2020
• UN chief urges countries to help address economic crisis in war-torn Yemen Press TV 15 Dec 2020 -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on world countries to provide financial assistance to resolve the severe economic crisis in Yemen, which has been under incessant attacks by a Saudi-led coalition over the past several years.
• Syria condemns Turkey's 'systematic policy' of cutting off drinking water in Hasakah Press TV 15 Dec 2020 -- Syria has condemned in the strongest terms the Turkish military forces' "systematic policy" of depriving more than one million people in the country's northeastern province of Hasakah of drinking water by cutting off the supply to the population.
• Ukraine Extends Donbas Special Status Law By One Year RFE/RL 15 Dec 2020 -- Ukrainian lawmakers have approved a bill extending the law on the special status of local self-governance in areas of eastern Ukraine until December 31, 2021.
• Armenia, Azerbaijan exchange prisoners of war Press TV 15 Dec 2020 -- Armenia and Azerbaijan have started a prisoner swap, under a ceasefire deal that was brokered by Russia last month to put an end to weeks-long fighting between the two countries over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• Azerbaijan, Armenia Swap Prisoners As Part Of Nagorno-Karabakh Truce Deal RFE/RL 15 Dec 2020 -- Azerbaijan and Armenia have started exchanging prisoners, a move stipulated in the cease-fire agreement between the two neighbors that ended recent fighting over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh territory.
• OSCE Minsk Group Reaffirms Commitment to Constructive Cooperation on Nagorno-Karabakh Sputnik 15 Dec 2020 -- The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Russia, France and the United States), after their visits to Baku and Yerevan, reaffirmed their commitment to constructive cooperation with the sides on Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, the Co-Chairs said in a joint statement.
• Boko Haram claims responsibility for kidnapping hundreds of Nigerian schoolboys Press TV 15 Dec 2020 -- The Boko Haram militant group has claimed responsibility for the abduction of hundreds of school students in northwestern Nigeria.
• Niger: UN gravely concerned for safety of refugees, following Boko Haram attack UN News 15 Dec 2020 -- The United Nations voiced grave concern on Tuesday for the safety of thousands of refugees and internally displaced in the wake of a deadly attack on Toumour, a town in southeastern Niger's Diffa region, near the border with Nigeria.
• Boko Haram Claims Responsibility For Kidnapping Nigerian Schoolboys VOA 15 Dec 2020 -- Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram claimed responsibility Tuesday for the abduction of more than 300 schoolboys last Friday in northwestern Nigeria.
• UN Condemns Boko Haram Attack that Kills Refugees, Displaced People in Niger VOA 15 Dec 2020 -- The U.N. refugee agency has condemned a recent attack by armed assailants on Toumour, a town in southeast Niger, which killed at least 28 people and injured hundreds more.
• UN 'frustrated' as still unable to get access to Ethiopia's Tigray Press TV 15 Dec 2020 -- The United Nations (UN) says it has not been able yet to reach the people who are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia's restive region of Tigray, where an armed conflict triggered a refugee crisis and a humanitarian disaster.
• Tigray crisis: Humanitarian aid for children must be a priority, UNICEF says UN News 15 Dec 2020 -- Providing aid to millions of children uprooted by the ongoing crisis in the Tigray region of Ethiopia must be a priority, the head of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.
• UN: More Than 2 Million Children in Ethiopia's Tigray in Need of Aid VOA 15 Dec 2020 -- About 2.3 million children in the Tigray region of Ethiopia have been cut off from humanitarian assistance for over a month, the United Nations said Tuesday.
• Lavrov Snubbed By Croat, Muslim Members Of Bosnian Presidency After Dayton Comments RFE/RL 15 Dec 2020 -- The Muslim and Croat members of Bosnia-Herzegovina's tripartite presidency on December 15 refused to meet with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov following his comments about the peace agreement that ended the Bosnian War in the mid-1990s.
• Russia Sees No Need to Revise Dayton Agreement on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lavrov Says Sputnik 15 Dec 2020 -- Russia sees no need to revise the Dayton Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially if such attempts are made from abroad, Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.
• Cameroon Condemns Separatists for Abducting Village Chiefs VOA 15 Dec 2020 -- There has been widespread condemnation of separatists in Cameroon for a string of attacks and abductions of traditional village chiefs. Anglophone rebels released two chiefs on Monday but killed another for defying their demand not to participate in Cameroon's December 6 regional elections.
• UN documents 375 killings in Colombia in 2020, urges Government action UN News 15 Dec 2020 -- The United Nations has recorded the deaths of 255 people in 66 massacres in Colombia this year, as well as the killing of 120 human rights defenders, the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on Tuesday.

News Reports

• Congratulations to Joseph R. Biden on winning US presidential election President of Russia 15 Dec 2020 -- Vladimir Putin sent a message to Joseph R. Biden congratulating him on his victory in the presidential election in the United States of America.
• Putin congratulates Biden after US Electoral College win Press TV 15 Dec 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Joe Biden over his victory in the disputed 2020 presidential election.
• Putin Congratulates Biden After President-Elect's Victory Affirmed By Electoral College RFE/RL 15 Dec 2020 -- Six weeks after the U.S. presidential election, Russian President Vladimir Putin has broken his silence on the outcome and congratulated Joe Biden on his victory in the vote following the Electoral College confirming that the Democratic challenger was the winner.
• Reports: U.S. Department Of Homeland Security Targeted By Russian Hackers RFE/RL 15 Dec 2020 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been added to a growing list of targets in a major cyberattack by suspected Russian hackers, according to U.S. media reports on December 14.
• US Homeland Security Acknowledges Cyber Breaches Across Federal Govt - Assistant Secretary Sputnik 15 Dec 2020 -- The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is looking into cyber breaches that have occurred across the federal government, according to DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Alexei Woltornist in a Monday statement.
• Massive espionage attack reportedly targets US Departments of Defense, State Press TV 15 Dec 2020 -- The US Defense and State departments have reportedly been hacked as part of an alleged espionage attack.
• Hackers target US Homeland Security, thousands of businesses Press TV 15 Dec 2020 -- The US Department of Homeland Security and thousands of businesses have been targeted by a sweeping hacking campaign that officials suspect was directed by the Russian government.
• Sudan Welcomes US Decision to Remove Khartoum from Sponsors of Terrorism List VOA 15 Dec 2020 -- Sudan has welcomed the U.S. decision to remove Khartoum from its States Sponsors of Terrorism list, calling it a victory for the 2019 revolution that ousted former President Omar al-Bashir.  Analysts say the U.S. removal of the designation Monday will pave the way for Sudan's political and economic recovery.
• State Department Terrorist Designation of Saraya al-Mukhtar US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2020 -- Today, the Department of State has designated the Saraya al-Mukhtar group as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224 for posing a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism that threaten the national security and foreign policy of the United States.
• Russian Influence in the Mediterranean US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2020 -- "Earlier this month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in comments at the MED Dialogue, accused the United States of playing political games in the Mediterranean and stalling the appointment of a new UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Libya. It's unfortunate and unhelpful that Mr. Lavrov again gets the facts wrong and attempts to rewrite history."
• Russia causing chaos, conflict, and division: Pompeo Press TV 15 Dec 2020 -- Outgoing US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has accused Russia of sowing "chaos, conflict, and division within countries throughout the region."
• Pompeo Slams Russia For Sowing 'Chaos' In The Mediterranean RFE/RL 15 Dec 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has blasted Russia for continuing to "threaten Mediterranean stability" and sowing "chaos, conflict, and division" in countries around the region.
• Russian Officials, State Media Tight-Lipped On Report FSB Agents Poisoned Navalny RFE/RL 15 Dec 2020 -- Russian state media has been slow to react to a detailed investigation reportedly showing that Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny was poisoned by members of the Federal Security Service (FSB), raising questions about whether authorities have been caught off guard.
• 'Intentional Poisoning': New FBI Records, New Clues To Kremlin Critic's Sudden Illnesses RFE/RL 15 Dec 2020 -- U.S. authorities investigated a Russian opposition activist's two near-fatal illnesses as "intentional" poisonings, according to newly obtained government records that also show U.S. doctors and scientists mulled the possibility that he was targeted with a biotoxin or a radioactive substance.
• West's hyping of CPC 'infiltration' ridiculous and untenable: FM Global Times 15 Dec 2020 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday slammed the West's hyping of members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) being potential spies as just another ridiculous and untenable "China threat" theory.
• West hypes 'leaked' list of CPC members to sow discord in foreign institutions Global Times 15 Dec 2020 -- Some Western media, using an alleged name list of 1.95 million members of the Communist Party of China (CPC), have launched a new round of witch hunts by accusing the people on the list of working in foreign consulates in China and foreign companies' Chinese branches for intelligence purposes, even though the authenticity of the database has been highly questionable.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on December 15, 2020 PRC MofA 15 Dec 2020
• Australia has politicized trade, investment with China: Chinese FM Global Times 15 Dec 2020 -- China's measures on some Australian products conform to Chinese law and international practices and the moves are taken to protect Chinese industry and consumers, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.
• Hong Kong's Leader Sees Further Fall in Public Support, Confidence Radio Free Asia 15 Dec 2020 -- Public support for Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam and her top officials has fallen further in recent weeks, with pollsters citing the freezing of the bank accounts of a former opposition lawmaker and his family as a key factor.
• UPDATE: Jimmy Lai reapplies for bail to HK High Court, set to be heard next Wed Global Times 15 Dec 2020 -- Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, the notorious Hong Kong media tycoon who faces a series of criminal charges including fraud and collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security, has applied for bail again after being denied twice. He has applied directly to the High Court, and is scheduled to be heard on December 23, Hong Kong media reported.
• UPDATE: Chinese FM and embassy urges UK to stop unwarranted claims on Jimmy Lai case Global Times 15 Dec 2020 -- Following the Chinese embassy's urging UK to stop its meddling in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs after British officials made irresponsible comments on Jimmy Lai Chee-ying's arrest, Chinese Foreign Ministry also slammed the UK's interference in Hong Kong affairs and undermining its rule of law shows its colonialist double standards on Tuesday.
• International Criminal Court rejects calls to investigate China for 'genocide' in Xinjiang People's Daily 15 Dec 2020 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday rejected calls to investigate China for alleged genocide and crimes against the Uygurs in the country's remote Xinjiang region, the chief prosecutor office said in a report on Monday.
• Hundreds of Thousands of Ethnic Minorities in Xinjiang Forced to Pick Cotton: Report Radio Free Asia 15 Dec 2020 -- Hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in northwestern China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) are being forced to pick cotton by hand as part of a state-mandated labor transfer and "poverty alleviation" scheme, according to a new report.
• Assisting employment is not forced labor, FM said in response to smears against Xinjiang Global Times 15 Dec 2020 -- China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday refuted allegations of "forced labor" in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region's cotton production again, pointing out the report was fabricated by infamous anti-China "scholar" Adrian Zenz.
• China's Yuanwang-5 returns after 3 successful monitoring missions PLA Daily 15 Dec 2020 -- The space-tracking ship Yuanwang-5 returned to the port of the China Satellite Maritime Tracking and Controlling Department on December 14 after successfully carrying out three monitoring missions in the Pacific Ocean.
• Two Chinese military planes enter Taiwan's ADIZ CNA 15 Dec 2020 -- Two Chinese military Y-8 aircraft entered Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Tuesday, marking the 10th day on which such maneuvers have occurred in December, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• U.S. diplomat voices support for Taiwan in human rights speech CNA 15 Dec 2020 -- U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft on Monday called for comprehensive reforms to the U.N. Human Rights Council (HRC), criticizing the body for empowering China while denying a voice to those, including Taiwan, it mistreats.
• South Korea Passes Law Against Flying Leaflets into North Korea Radio Free Asia 15 Dec 2020 -- South Korea passed a bill Monday outlawing sending anti-regime leaflets by balloon into North Korea, an effort to remove an irritant in bilateral ties that drew angry criticism of Seoul from free speech activists and foes of the North's ruler Kim Jong Un.
• Seoul Bans Anti-North Korea Leaflet Drops VOA 15 Dec 2020 -- South Korea's National Assembly has passed a law that penalizes activists who send anti-North Korean material across the border.
• Iranian tanker loading Venezuelan crude for export: Report Press TV 15 Dec 2020 -- A tanker chartered by the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is loading Venezuelan crude for export as the two countries apply new tactics to expand their trade in defiance of US sanctions, a report says.
• Iran Reportedly Ready to Return to Compliance With Nuclear Deal 'Within An Hour' of US Rejoining Sputnik 15 Dec 2020 -- In 2018, US President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal that had been signed by his predecessor. Now that Joe Biden is presumed to ascend to the Oval Office in January, voices from the Iranian government reportedly indicate a potential renewal of the agreement, with American involvement.
• Myanmar President Appeals For Rakhine Elections Amid Truce in Conflict Radio Free Asia 15 Dec 2020 -- Myanmar's President Win Myint has called for cooperation among all sides in the Rakhine state conflict so elections can be held in the troubled state where voting was cancelled last month because of fighting, but a rare truce has held for five weeks.
• Deputy Secretary Biegun's Conversation with Belarusian Opposition Leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2020
• Japanese Scientists Confirm Returned Asteroid Probe Contains Soil Sample VOA 15 Dec 2020 -- Scientists at Japan's space agency on Tuesday confirmed the capsule they recovered last week from their Hayabusa2 probe that had landed on an asteroid did indeed contain samples collected from that heavenly body.
• Boris Johnson rules out trade deal 'at any cost' Press TV 15 Dec 2020 -- Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has once again toned down expectations of a breakthrough as negotiations with the European Union (EU) go into extra time.
• UK Foreign Secretary sets out ambition for closer relationship with India UK FCDO 15 Dec 2020 -- Dominic Raab met India's Minister for External Affairs in New Delhi to set out the UK's ambition for a stronger UK-India relationship over the next 10 years.
• Foreign Secretary's visit to India: joint press conference opening statement, 15 December 2020 UK FCDO 15 Dec 2020 -- In Delhi with India's Minister of External Affairs Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Dominic Raab spoke about our shared plans for a closer UK-India relationship.
• Ukrainian Lawmakers Restore Powers Of Anti-Corruption Agency RFE/RL 15 Dec 2020 -- The Ukrainian parliament has voted to restore the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Agency (NAZK) as Kyiv is seeking to secure new loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to fight a sharp economic slump triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
• Alassane Ouattara sworn in to serve third term as Cote d'Ivoire president Global Times 15 Dec 2020 -- Cote d'Ivoire's President Alassane Ouattara officially inaugurated on Monday his third term as head of Cote d'Ivoire at the presidential palace in Abidjan.
• Somalia severs diplomatic relations with Kenya Press TV 15 Dec 2020 -- Somalia has announced it is cutting diplomatic ties with neighboring Kenya over what it said was Nairobi's interference in its political affairs.
• Somalia Says It Will Cut Diplomatic Ties with Kenya VOA 15 Dec 2020 -- The Somali government announced on Monday it would cut diplomatic ties with neighboring Kenya, citing violations of Somalia's sovereignty.
• Phantom Pollster Has A Way Of Popping Up, Propping Up Bulgaria's Ruling Coalition RFE/RL 15 Dec 2020 -- If a ruling coalition's popularity falls in the forest, does it make a sound?
• Thai Police Make Rare Arrest of Politician Accused of Trafficking Migrants Into Fishing Industry VOA 15 Dec 2020 -- Thai police have made the rare arrest of a local politician – along with six other people – on suspicion of trafficking Myanmar migrants onto fishing trawlers and forcing them into debt bondage.