COVID-19 - Daily News

08 December 2021 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

NY National Guard sends 120 troops to bolster long-term care Army News 08 Dec 2021 -- The New York National Guard has deployed 120 Army medics and Air Force medical technicians to 12 nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the state to ease staffing shortages.

Defense Policy / Programs

Department of the Air Force releases COVID-19 policy US Air Force 08 Dec 2021 -- The Department of the Air Force released its policy today outlining the way forward for Total Force military members serving in the Air Force and Space Force who have requested separation or retirement prior to Nov. 2, 2021, or whose COVID-19 medical exemption or religious accommodation was denied.
Readout of Principal Director for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia Policy, Nathaniel Adler, Virtual Participation in a Georgian Ministry of Defense Briefing DoD 08 Dec 2021
Concept of Integrated Deterrence Will Be Key to National Defense Strategy, DOD Official Says DoD News 08 Dec 2021 -- While the National Defense Strategy won't be released until next year, it is no secret that the concept of integrated deterrence will play a large part in the document.
Admiral Describes DOD's Response to Global Threats, Challenges DoD News 08 Dec 2021 -- In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee in consideration of his nomination to become vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Christopher Grady emphasized the challenges facing the United States and its allies.
U.S. Navy Opens New Interagency Counter Narcotics Facility in Bahrain US Navy 08 Dec 2021 -- Leaders from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 8 at Naval Support Activity Bahrain for a new facility that will enable interagency partners to share information for countering drug trafficking in the Middle East region.
USS Charleston, Timor-Leste Conclude Sea Phase of CARAT Timor-Leste US Navy 08 Dec 2021 -- Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) and Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) partnered in the 27th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) maritime exercise in the territorial waters surrounding Port Hera, Dec. 6-7.
Time for Guam Missile Defense Build-Up Is Now DoD News 08 Dec 2021 -- There's no time to spare when it comes to getting the tools in place to defend Guam - a U.S. territory, home to 168,000 Americans, and a centerpiece of America's defensive abilities in the Pacific region.
US House Passes $768Bln Defense Spending Bill, Sends to Senate for Vote Sputnik 08 Dec 2021 -- The US House of Representatives passed an updated version of the $768 billion defense spending bill for 2022, sending it to the Senate for consideration.
Wisconsin Guard company midway through Atlantic Resolve NATO deployment Army News 08 Dec 2021 -- Approximately 150 Soldiers from the 107th Maintenance Company are representing the Wisconsin Army National Guard proudly at the midway point of their mobilization to Eastern Europe.
USS Daniel Inouye Commissioned at Pearl Harbor US Navy 08 Dec 2021 -- The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest guided-missile destroyer, USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), Dec. 8, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

NATO Secretary General participates in high level discussion on global peace and security NATO 08 Dec 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg took part in a discussion on Wednesday (8 December 2021) on "Peace policy in our time", organised by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. The event marked the 50th Anniversary of the former German Chancellor Willy Brandt being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
NATO and Colombia agree on a new partnership NATO 08 Dec 2021 -- Today (8 November 2021) NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mr Mircea Geoană, met with the Defence Minister of Colombia, Mr Diego Andrés Molano, to launch a new partnership programme.
NATO reaffirms its commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina at change of command ceremony NATO 08 Dec 2021 -- On 7 December 2021, a change of command ceremony from Brigadier General Eric Folkestad (US Army) to Brigadier General Pamela McGaha (US Army) at the helm of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo took place in Sarajevo, at the Army Hall of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Secretary Blinken's Call with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg US Dept. of State 08 Dec 2021

Biden says sending US troops to Ukraine 'not on the table' Press TV 08 Dec 2021 -- US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said Washington was not considering the option of sending American troops to Ukraine amid heightened tensions with Russia.
Biden Says No U.S. Troops Will Be Deployed To Ukraine In Event Of Russian Invasion RFE/RL 08 Dec 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden has said the United States will not send troops to Ukraine to defend against any potential Russian invasion.
Biden: Deployment of US Troops to Ukraine 'Not on the Table' VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- President Joe Biden will speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy Thursday to discuss Russia's military buildup on its border with Ukraine, according to the White House.
Small Arms, Ammunition From U.S. Headed to Ukraine's Defense Forces This Week DoD News 08 Dec 2021 -- The final elements of a $60 million security systems package to Ukraine - initially announced in August - will ship this week, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.
Putin Repeats Opposition To NATO Membership For Ukraine RFE/RL 08 Dec 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeated his insistence that Ukraine should not join NATO, while U.S. President Joe Biden says that Washington has no intention of sending U.S. troops to defend Ukraine against any new Russian invasion.
US House passes defense bill, offering Ukraine $300mn in military aid Press TV 08 Dec 2021 -- The US House of Representatives has proposed $300 million in military aid for Ukraine as part of a massive $770-billion annual defense budget that also includes bids to counter Russia and China.
U.S. House Passes Defense Bill Allocating Funding For Ukraine's Military, Baltic Stability RFE/RL 08 Dec 2021 -- The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a $770 billion defense bill that provides funding for Ukraine's military and Baltic stability and pushes back against China.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss held talks with Ukrainian counterpart in the face of Russian aggression UK FCDO 08 Dec 2021 -- The Foreign Secretary has held talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in the UK-Ukraine Strategic Dialogue.
UK-Ukraine strategic dialogue: joint communique UK FCDO 08 Dec 2021 -- The UK's partnership with Ukraine has developed over thirty years, built on a shared commitment to democratic principles, human rights and equality; to international peace and security; to promoting the benefits of trade liberalisation and investment under the global rules-based trading system; and to the principle that nations must be free to choose their own path to develop and prosper.

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on air incidents above the Black Sea Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Dec 2021
Russian jets turn French warplanes away over Black Sea Press TV 08 Dec 2021 -- Russia has scrambled military aircraft to escort French fighter jets flying over the Black Sea.
Russian Fighters Scrambled to Escort French Rafale, Mirage Jets Over Black Sea Sputnik 08 Dec 2021 -- The Black Sea region has become a major hot spot for tensions between Russia and NATO in recent months, with the alliance deploying warships in the body of water for drills, and sending fighters, bombers and reconnaissance aircraft and drones to probe Russia's maritime defences. Moscow has responded with drills of its own.

India's Top Military Official Killed in Helicopter Crash VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- India's top military leader, General Bipin Rawat, was killed Wednesday when the military helicopter he was traveling in crashed in southern India, the Indian air force said.
STATEMENT BY INDIAN ARMY India PIB 08 Dec 2021 -- General MM Naravane and all ranks of the Indian Army express their deepest grief and sorrow over the untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff, MrsMadhulika Rawat, President DWWA and 11 other military personnel in an unfortunate air accident today on 08 Dec
Air version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile successfully test-fired from Sukhoi 30 MK-I off Odisha coast India PIB 08 Dec 2021 -- Air version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test fired from the supersonic fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30 MK-I at 1030 hrs from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on December 08, 2021
India Clears Serial Production of Air-Launched BrahMos Missile with Successful Test from Su-30MKI Sputnik 08 Dec 2021 -- The air-launched version of the BrahMos missile, a joint venture between India and Russia, has an operational range of 290km. The supersonic cruise missile can be dropped from 500 to 14,000 metres.
India 'Could Be Attacked From All Fronts', China Poses a 'Significant Challenge', IAF Chief Warns Sputnik 08 Dec 2021 -- China is reportedly building 10 new airbases along its border with India, as the standoff between the two nations lingers on. In what was construed as a warning to Delhi, the Chinese state media last month aired footage of its H-6K bombers flying near the Himalayas, several weeks after the 13th military commander-level talks ended in a stalemate.

US Senate rejects attempt to block Biden's $650mn Saudi arms sale Press TV 08 Dec 2021 -- The US Senate has rejected a bipartisan effort to block President Joe Biden's $650 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia amid the kingdom's brutal war on Yemen and its human rights record.
White House 'strongly opposes' Senate resolution to stop Saudi arms sale Press TV 08 Dec 2021 -- The White House has strongly opposed the US Senate's efforts to block the Biden administration's first major arms sale to Saudi Arabia over the kingdom's atrocities against the people of Yemen.
US Senate Rejects Resolution to Block $650Mln in Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia Sputnik 08 Dec 2021 -- The US Senate rejected a resolution that would have blocked $650 million in arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

Taiwan Urgently Needs to Develop Asymmetric Defense Capabilities to Deter China, Pentagon Says Sputnik 08 Dec 2021 -- Taiwan's ability to protect itself from Chinese military threats requires the island to quickly develop asymmetric defenses that could include deployments of cruise missiles and naval mines, Assistant Defense Secretary for the Indo-Pacific region Ely Ratner said in a congressional testimony.

World-class mine-hunting technology delivered to Royal Navy UK MOD 08 Dec 2021 -- A cutting-edge autonomous system able to detect modern sea mine threats and reduce risk to life has been delivered to the Royal Navy.
Britain's Sandhurst Superseded by Chinese Military Academies, Warns Report VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- Since the 1950s, the British army's prestigious Sandhurst has often been the first choice for developing countries to send their best military officers for further training, and in the past 70 years around 5,000 international students from 120 countries have completed courses at the academy southwest of London.
British and Danish defence ministers issue joint declaration UK MOD 08 Dec 2021 -- The Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, and his Danish counterpart signed a joint declaration today in Copenhagen.

Cambodia placed under US arms embargo over China ties Radio Free Asia 08 Dec 2021 -- The U.S. has banned the export of military equipment to Cambodia, citing concerns about "deepening Chinese military influence" in the country. The announcement by the Department of Commerce on Wednesday is the latest in a series of measures targeting the kingdom's growing ties to Beijing.
Commerce Adds Export Controls on Cambodia to Address Corruption, Human Rights Abuses, and Regional Security Concerns US Dept. of Commerce 08 Dec 2021 -- Today the Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced new restrictions to address human rights abuses and corruption by Cambodian government actors, including the military, as well as the growing influence of the People's Republic of China's military in Cambodia.

Biden, Putin hold video call on bilateral ties, Ukrainian crisis, Iran nuclear deal People's Daily 08 Dec 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday held a video call on a range of bilateral issues as well as the Ukrainian crisis and the Iran nuclear deal.

Blinken Heads to G-7 and Southeast Asia as US Advances Indo-Pacific Strategy VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- The United States is advancing its "strategic partnership" with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as President Joe Biden's administration aims to begin a new "Indo Pacific Economic Framework" in early 2022.
Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink and Senior Official for International Organizational Affairs Erica Barks-Ruggles on the Secretary's Upcoming Travel to the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hawaii US Dept. of State 08 Dec 2021
Secretary Blinken's Call with President of the European Council Michel US Dept. of State 08 Dec 2021
Secretary Blinken's Virtual Meeting with Nigerien President Bazoum US Dept. of State 08 Dec 2021
Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure The White House 08 Dec 2021
Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre En Route Kansas City, MO The White House 08 Dec 2021
Department Press Briefing with Spokesperson Ned Price – December 8, 2021 US Dept. of State 08 Dec 2021

Defense Industry

Contracts For Dec. 8, 2021

Other Conflicts

8 December 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 Dec 2021
UN hails 'strong political support' to boost peacekeepers in the field UN News 08 Dec 2021 -- A meeting to boost support for UN Peacekeeping ended on Wednesday with 62 countries making new pledges, and advancing existing commitments, to help enhance the performance and impact of these operations worldwide.
Unilateral sanctions particularly harmful to women, children, other vulnerable groups UN News 08 Dec 2021 -- Women, children and other vulnerable groups are more likely to have their human rights impacted by unilateral sanctions, an independent UN human rights expert alerted on Wednesday.

Yemeni official says defining moment of Ma'rib battle close as sources talk of full liberation in a few days Press TV 08 Dec 2021 -- A member of the political bureau of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement says the defining moment of the battle of Ma'rib is "close," as sources says the province will be fully liberated in the near future.
The Ministry of Defense: Interception, Destruction of a Hostile Air Target Towards The Western Region SPA 08 Dec 2021 -- Statement by the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki "The Saudi Air Defense has intercepted and destroyed this morning, Wednesday, 08 December 2021, a hostile air target which discovered towards the Western Region.

Pakistan Frees Jailed Taliban Militants As Part Of Truce Deal RFE/RL Gandhara 08 Dec 2021 -- Pakistan has released 12 members of the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from custody, a source told RFE/RL on December 8, amid ongoing negotiations to reach a peace deal with the Islamist group fighting a guerrilla war in the northwestern tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

Myanmar troops kill, burn 11 people: Reports Press TV 08 Dec 2021 -- Myanmarese troops have killed and burned the bodies of 11 people who had been rounded up in a village in the center of the restive East Asian country, local residents and media outlets say.

Seven UN peacekeepers killed in latest Mali attack UN News 08 Dec 2021 -- On Wednesday morning, seven UN peacekeepers from Togo died and three others were seriously injured when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in the Bandiagara region in central Mali.
UN: IED Kills 7 Togolese Peacekeepers in Mali VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- Seven peacekeepers from the West African nation of Togo were killed Wednesday when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in central Mali, according to the United Nations.

UNHCR staff members wounded in DR Congo, UN chief calls for full investigation UN News 08 Dec 2021 -- The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Wednesday expressed outrage over an attack on a convoy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in which one of its vehicles was hit, wounding three staff members

UN Food Stocks Looted in N. Ethiopia; Some Aid Distribution Halted VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- The United Nations said Wednesday that large amounts of food supplies have been looted from their warehouses in northern Ethiopia, leading to the suspension of food distributions in two towns.

News Reports

Designation of Corruption Networks Linked to Transnational Organized Crime US Dept. of State 08 Dec 2021 -- In concert with the goals of this week's Summit for Democracy, the United States is imposing sanctions today on 16 individuals and 24 entities from several countries in Europe and the Western Hemisphere. These sanctions target perpetrators of corruption pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
Treasury Targets Corruption Networks Linked to Transnational Organized Crime US Treasury 08 Dec 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is targeting 16 individuals and 24 entities across several countries in Europe and the Western Hemisphere.

US Announces Comprehensive Plan to Battle Public Corruption VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- The United States will significantly overhaul the way it targets public corruption, dedicating new resources to stemming illicit financial flows and coordinating the effort across the entire federal government, according to a new plan released Monday by the Biden administration.
US Targets Individuals in Kosovo, El Salvador, Serbia in New Global Magnitsky Sanctions Sputnik 08 Dec 2021 -- The United States has targeted several persons and entities in Kosovo, Serbia and El Salvador in a new round of Global Magnitsky Sanctions, the Treasury announced on Wednesday.

Russia Keeps Door Ajar for Further US Talks VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said his aides are preparing a discussion document outlining the Kremlin's views on what is needed for strategic stability and security on the continent of Europe, which will also further detail Moscow's objections to Ukraine joining NATO.
Putin: Sanctions Under Pretext of US Security Attempt to Contain Russia's Development Sputnik 08 Dec 2021 -- Restrictions and sanctions are introduced under the pretext of US security, this is complete nonsense, an attempt to restrain the development of Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
In virtual summit: Biden warns Russia of sanctions; Putin demands guarantees against NATO expansion Press TV 08 Dec 2021 -- US President Joe Biden has warned his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, that the West would impose "strong economic and other measures" on Russia if it invaded Ukraine, while the Russian leader has demanded guarantees that NATO would not expand farther eastward.
Putin: NATO's Policy Towards Russia 'Confrontational' Sputnik 08 Dec 2021 -- Moscow has repeatedly objected NATO's eastward expansion, and the issue was among the topics discussed by Russian President Putin and his US counterpart Biden during a virtual meeting on 7 December.
He Said, He Said: Russian, U.S. Statements On Biden-Putin Call Differ Starkly RFE/RL 08 Dec 2021 -- Amid a big Russian military buildup near Ukraine and on the Russian-controlled Crimean Peninsula, the Kremlin has kept a lot of people guessing about its plans and intentions.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's video address to mark the 30th anniversary of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Moscow, December 8, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Dec 2021
Russia Blocks Privacy Service Tor In Latest Move To Control Internet RFE/RL 08 Dec 2021 -- Russia's media regulator has blocked the online anonymity service Tor in what is seen as the latest move by Moscow to bring the Internet in Russia under its control.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on December 8, 2021 PRC MofA 08 Dec 2021
'Nobody cares,' Chinese FM blasts Canberra's decision to join US in boycotting Beijing 2022 Global Times 08 Dec 2021 -- Canberra staged a new political show by joining the US in a "boycott" of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, which fully exposes that it blindly follows the US, does not know right from wrong and has no bottom line, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry, noting China has not invited any Australian government officials to the Games and no one cares whether they come or not.
UK, Canada join US, Australia in Beijing Winter Olympics boycott Radio Free Asia 08 Dec 2021 -- Australia and Canada on Wednesday said they would join a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Games in Beijing in February, citing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s human rights record, in a move that followed a similar announcement from Washington earlier in the week.
Britain, Canada Latest Nations to Announce Diplomatic Boycott of China Olympics VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- Following Britain's announcement that it will join the United States, Australia and others in a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games in February, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday that Canada will join the boycott.
Australia Announces Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- Australia will stage a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, mirroring a similar move by the United States.
Australia joins diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics Press TV 08 Dec 2021 -- Australia says it is planning to join the United States in a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in China, a move that risks further deteriorating the already strained relationship between Canberra and Beijing.
Hong Kong Stifles Journalists With Threats, Expulsions a Year After Sweeping Security Law VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- Independent journalists in Hong Kong are facing renewed pressure from the government following a year of changes that rocked the city's media and raised fears of being deported or arrested.
Record number of voters, staff for upcoming HKSAR LegCo election: Carrie Lam People's Daily 08 Dec 2021 -- The upcoming seventh-term Legislative Council (LegCo) election in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will see a record-high number of voters and staff, HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Tuesday.
US Congress passes bill barring goods produced by forced labor in Xinjiang Radio Free Asia 08 Dec 2021 -- The U.S. Congress on Wednesday passed legislation banning the entry into the United States of goods produced by forced labor in northwestern China's Xinjiang region, underscoring U.S. opposition to Chinese policies targeting ethnic Uyghurs.
U.S. would "pay a price" for erroneous actions on Beijing Winter Olympics: FM spokesperson People's Daily 08 Dec 2021 -- A foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday that the United States would "pay a price for its erroneous actions".
Xi stresses adherence to socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics People's Daily 08 Dec 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has stressed resolute adherence to the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, and advancing the development of such a system.
Highlights: Three leading features of China's approach to sound governance People's Daily 08 Dec 2021 -- China's approach to sound governance has three "leading features": an advanced non-partisan party, a people-centered philosophy, and a development-focused worldview, said a report released Tuesday by New China Research (NCR), the think tank of China's Xinhua News Agency.
Highlights: Explaining logic of socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics People's Daily 08 Dec 2021 -- China's democratic path conforms to the logic of history, theory, practice and value, adheres to the common values of humanity, and has achieved innovative development based on China's conditions, said a report released Tuesday by New China Research, the think tank of China's Xinhua News Agency.
Highlights: China's practice offers principles for realizing common values of humanity People's Daily 08 Dec 2021 -- China is a faithful and innovative practitioner of democracy, freedom and human rights, and its exploration has established important principles for the realization of common values of humanity, said a report released Tuesday by New China Research (NCR), the think tank of China's Xinhua News Agency.
Highlights: Whole-process democracy, a new form of implementing people's sovereignty People's Daily 08 Dec 2021 -- China's whole-process democracy is a new form of implementing people's sovereignty, which pursues the unification of process and results-based democracy, procedural democracy and substantive democracy, direct democracy and indirect democracy, as well as people's democracy and state will, according to a report released Tuesday by New China Research, the think tank of China's Xinhua News Agency.

Taiwan Has Proven Possibilities of Alternative Path to Chinese Communist Party, DOD Official Says DoD News 08 Dec 2021 -- In stark contrast to deepening authoritarianism and oppression in the People's Republic of China, Taiwan has proven the possibilities of an alternative path to the Chinese Communist Party, the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, told a Senate panel today.
Taiwan looks to closer ties with new German government: MOFA CNA 08 Dec 2021 -- Taiwan looks forward to more exchanges with Germany's three-party coalition government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Wednesday, congratulating Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) on becoming the country's new chancellor.
Incoming Honduran president's camp "promises" Taiwan ties to remain CNA 08 Dec 2021 -- Honduran president-elect Xiomara Castro's team has promised that the Central American nation's diplomatic ties with Taiwan will remain unchanged, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said Wednesday, despite Castro's statements during her campaign that she would switch recognition to China if she won.
Challenging one-China principle is the gravest threat to peace in Taiwan Strait People's Daily 08 Dec 2021 -- On Dec. 3 local time, a senior U.S. government official called Taiwan a "country" when talking about Taiwan-related issues, groundlessly accused China of "trying to change the status quo" across the Taiwan Strait in recent years, and stressed that Washington is "committed to making sure Taiwan has the means to defend itself."

Britain Urges Iran To Take Advantage Of 'Last Chance' To Return To Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 08 Dec 2021 -- British Foreign Minister Liz Truss has urged Iran to agree to return to the stalled nuclear deal worked out with world powers in 2015, saying it is the "last chance" to do so.
EU Official: Iran to Return to Nuclear Talks on Thursday VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- A top European Union diplomat said Wednesday that nuclear talks with Iran will resume Thursday in Vienna. And the U.S. will know soon whether Iran is serious about reviving the nuclear accord, a State Department spokesperson said.
West turns blind eye to culpable for JCPOA situation IRNA 08 Dec 2021 -- Ahead of next phase of the seventh round of the Joint Commission meeting of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Western powers take stances against new Iranian proposals, indicating that they fail to notice the fact that the United States should be held accountable for the current standstill in the way of implementing the international agreement.
Iran FM: Removal of all sanctions a must for US return to 2015 deal IRNA 08 Dec 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has stressed that all US sanctions against Iran have to be lifted for returning to the July 2015 nuclear deal, aka Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Spox: US escalation of sanctions "anything but seriousness & goodwill" IRNA 08 Dec 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh stressed US addiction to sanctions, saying it is anything but seriousness and goodwill.
Iran condemns US unfair sanctions against maritime industry ISNA 08 Dec 2021 -- International Maritime Organization (IMO) is hosting 32th summit of IMO Assembly. The summit is being held via webinar from 6 to 15 December 2021 and it is attended by 174 member states.
The US fails to understand "maximum failure": Khatibzadeh ISNA 08 Dec 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh reacted to US' new sanctions against Tehran.
US delegation to return to Vienna talks over weekend Press TV 08 Dec 2021 -- US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley and his delegation are scheduled to travel to Austria over the weekend to join the remaining signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for the new round of talks on the removal of American sanctions against Iran.

UN Security Council Slams Sentencing of Ex-Myanmar Leader Suu Kyi VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday expressed "deep concern" over this week's conviction and sentencing of Myanmar's ousted democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, former President Win Myint and others.

Czech Troops To Be Deployed In Poland To Guard Belarusian Border RFE/RL 08 Dec 2021 -- The Czech government has approved the deployment of up to 150 soldiers to help Poland stop migrants entering from Belarus, amid on ongoing crisis on the European Union's eastern flank that the West has accused Minsk of orchestrating.

France frees Saudi suspect arrested over Khashoggi killing Press TV 08 Dec 2021 -- French authorities have released a Saudi man earlier arrested at a Paris airport over suspected links to the 2018 Saudi state-sponsored killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Saudi Man Wrongly Detained in France in Connection With Khashoggi Murder Released Sputnik 08 Dec 2021 -- On Tuesday, a suspect in the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed in 2018 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, was detained in France.
Man Arrested in France in Connection with Saudi Journalist Killing is Released on Mistaken Identity VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- A man who was arrested Tuesday at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in connection with the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been released from custody because of mistaken identity, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Saudi Embassy in Paris clarifies that what was reported in media about arrest of Saudi citizen suspected in the case of citizen Jamal Khashoggi is incorrect, calls for his immediate release SPA 08 Dec 2021 -- Regarding the arrest of a Saudi citizen on the grounds of being a suspect in the murder of the late citizen Jamal Khashoggi, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of France would like to clarify that what was reported in the media is incorrect, and that the person who was arrested has nothing to do with the case in question. Therefore, the Kingdom's embassy expects his immediate release.

Message to Angela Merkel on end of tenure as Federal Chancellor of Germany President of Russia 08 Dec 2021 -- Vladimir Putin sent a message to Angela Merkel on the end of her tenure as the Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, in which he expressed his sincere gratitude for their fruitful cooperation and readiness for a mutually respectful dialogue.
Congratulations to Olaf Scholz on taking office as Federal Chancellor of Germany President of Russia 08 Dec 2021 -- Vladimir Putin sent a message to Olaf Scholz congratulating him on taking office as Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Malaysia court upholds guilty verdict for ex-PM Najib Press TV 08 Dec 2021 -- A court in Malaysia has upheld former Prime Minister Najib Razak's conviction on corruption charges over a multi-billion-dollar scandal, describing his wrongdoing as an embarrassment for the nation.

Bosnian Minister Faces Corruption Charges Over Weapons Sale RFE/RL 08 Dec 2021 -- Bosnia-Herzegovina's top court has confirmed the indictment of the Balkan country's security minister, who is accused of abusing his official position over the irregular sale of weapons and military equipment a decade ago when he held the post of defense minister.

Serbian Government Backs Down On Legislative Changes Amid Street Protests RFE/RL 08 Dec 2021 -- Serbia's government has backed down in the face of sizable public protests and withdrawn legislative changes that would have made it easier for the government to seize private property if deemed to be in the public interest.

US Imposes Travel Sanctions on Ugandan Military Intelligence Chief VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- Uganda's military has expressed disappointment with U.S. sanctions against its military intelligence chief Major General Abel Kandiho for alleged human rights abuses. Ugandan rights activists welcomed the sanctions - for torture and sexual abuse under Kandiho - but say more needs to be done.

Lebanon's Dire Economic Crisis Threatens to Steal Christmas VOA 08 Dec 2021 -- Lebanon's dire economic crisis is threatening to cancel Christmas for many people. The Lebanese currency has lost more than 93 percent of its value against the dollar over the past two years and soaring inflation is making it difficult for ordinary people to buy food and medicine, let alone Christmas trees and gifts.

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