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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Federal Government of Somalia, AFRICOM target al Shabaab AFRICOM 28 Dec 2023 -- At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two collective self-defense airstrikes against the al-Shabaab terrorist group on Dec. 20.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Offices of Special Trial Counsel DoD 28 Dec 2023 -- "I am pleased to announce that the four Offices of Special Trial Counsel—within the Army, the Department of the Air Force, the Navy, and the Marine Corps—have reached full operational capability. With this milestone, prosecutorial discretion for 13 serious criminal offenses will be shifted away from commanders to specially trained and independent judge advocates who reside within the Offices of Special Trial Counsel and report directly to the Secretaries of the Military Departments."
• Sexual Assault Now Tried Outside Military Chain of Command DoD News 28 Dec 2023 -- Beginning today, the decision to prosecute sexual assault and several other serious crimes has moved from an accused service member's chain of command to new Offices of Special Trial Counsel, which have general or flag officer leaders who report directly to the secretaries of the military departments.
• Navy Office of Special Trial Counsel Now Fully Operational US Navy Press Release 28 Dec 2023 -- On Dec. 27, 2023, the Navy Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC) reached full operational capacity. It met all statutory deadlines, and now has the necessary authority and manning to carry out its mission, providing essential legal support to the Fleet.
• USS Bataan (LHD 5) and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) transited to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea US Navy 28 Dec 2023 -- The Wasp-class amphibious ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) transited Dec. 28, 2023, from the Red Sea to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and will join the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19).
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant DoD 28 Dec 2023
• Japanese Gov't OKs Relocation of US Base in Okinawa Though Local Gov't Opposed - Reports Sputnik 28 Dec 2023 -- The Japanese government has approved the start of ground works for the relocation of a US military base in Okinawa prefecture, despite opposition from local authorities, Japanese news broadcaster reported on Thursday.
• UK to lead NATO's 2024 rapid response force NATO 28 Dec 2023 -- From 1 January 2024, the United Kingdom's 7th Light Mechanised Brigade will lead NATO's rapid reaction force, placing thousands of soldiers on standby and ready to deploy within days.
• UK takes lead of NATO Rapid Response Force UK MOD 28 Dec 2023 -- UK forces are taking lead of NATO's rapid response force on 1 January 2024, placing thousands of soldiers on standby and ready to deploy within days.
• Meeting with Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov President of Russia 28 Dec 2023 -- Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with CEO of Rostec State Corporation Sergei Chemezov.
• Putin Asks Head of Russia's Rostec Corporation to Report on State Defense Contracts Sputnik 28 Dec 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with the CEO of the Russian state-owned defense corporation Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, on Thursday and asked him to report on the implementation of state defense contracts.
• U.S. gives Ukraine year's final weapons package as Biden administration exhausts funding People's Daily 28 Dec 2023 -- The U.S. State Department on Wednesday announced this year's final package of weapons and equipment to aid Ukraine, exhausting existing funding still at the Biden administration's disposal.
• INDUCTION OF MISSILE CUM AMMUNITION (MCA) BARGE, LSAM 10 (YARD 78) India PIB 28 Dec 2023 -- Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 10, the fourth Barge of 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge project, built by MSME Shipyard, M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam for Indian Navy, was inducted on 28 Dec 23 at Naval Dockyards, Mumbai for NAD(Karanja)
• Turkiye Doubles Down, Urges US to Keep F-16 Promise - Reports Sputnik 28 Dec 2023 -- The NATO member country is hoping to buy 40 F-16 jets from the United States, but the deal still needs the approval of US lawmakers.
• The United States and Baltics sign bilateral defence cooperation road maps for the next five years Latvia MOD 28 Dec 2023 -- Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian defence officials travelled to Washington for the signing of bilateral road maps for defence cooperation with the United States of America for the next five years.
• Latvia and the US sign an agreement on delivery of HIMARS high mobility artillery rocket systems Latvia MOD 28 Dec 2023 -- Ministry of Defence and US government have signed an agreement for purchase of six HIMARS high-mobility artillery rocket systems produced by a US manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
• Statement on the Highlights of the Call Between the Secretary and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on 28 December 2023 Philippines DFA 28 Dec 2023 -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo spoke with Secretary of State Antony Blinken today by telephone.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 28, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• Rebuild trust and restore hope in 2024: UN chief's call UN News 28 Dec 2023 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for global unity to make 2024 a year for "building trust and hope" following the immense suffering, violence, and climate chaos that characterized 2023.

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 28th, 20:15 Israel Defense Forces 28 Dec 2023
• Israeli Army Destroys Three Hamas Tunnel Shafts Sputnik 28 Dec 2023 -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had destroyed three tunnel shafts of Palestinian movement Hamas.
• PM Netanyahu: "We are holding contacts at this very moment. We will not give up on anyone." Israel - Prime Minister 28 Dec 2023
• Dec. 27: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 28 Dec 2023
• Israel Continues Attack on Gaza; Military 'Regrets the Harm' to Civilians VOA 28 Dec 2023 -- Israel's military continued airstrikes and ground operations aimed at Hamas in northern, central and southern Gaza on Thursday, as the military expressed regret after civilians were killed in a Sunday strike on a refugee camp.
• 20 killed in Israeli strike on building in southern Gaza People's Daily 28 Dec 2023 -- An Israeli bombardment near a hospital in southern Gaza killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens more on Wednesday, the Gaza Health Ministry said.
• UNRWA Situation Report #57 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (All information from December 24- 27 December is valid as of 27 December 2023 at 22:30) UNRWA 28 Dec 2023
• UN rights chief warns of 'dehumanization' of Palestinians amid West Bank violence as Gaza crisis deepens UN News 28 Dec 2023 -- Bulldozers in refugee camps, detainees stripped naked and spat at, farmers robbed of their harvest: against the backdrop of the war in Gaza the situation in the occupied West Bank is "rapidly deteriorating" amid levels of violence not seen in years, UN rights chief Volker Türk warned on Thursday.
• WHO says Gaza cannot afford to lose any more hospitals, warns of 'grave peril' Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- The World Health Organization has once again sounded alarm on deepening humanitarian and medical crisis in war-torn Gaza, calling on the international community to take urgent steps to alleviate the grave peril facing Palestinians in the besieged territory.
• Iranian FM: Hamas' Operation Al-Aqsa Storm "independent decision" IRNA 28 Dec 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has clearly announced that Iran supports resistance groups that fight against global arrogance and play a constructive role in ensuring the security of the Middle East but added that Operation Al-Aqsa Storm was a completely independent Hamas decision and action.
• Pakistan Bans New Year Celebrations in Solidarity With 'Oppressed' Palestinians VOA 28 Dec 2023 -- Pakistan's caretaker prime minister, Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, on Thursday announced a nationwide ban on New Year celebrations in solidarity with Palestinians as Israel continues its military campaign to crush Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
• UN asks Israel to 'end unlawful killings' of Palestinians in occupied West Bank Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- The United Nations has asked Israel to "end unlawful killings" of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, warning that the human rights situation in the territory is rapidly deteriorating.
• Israeli forces raid West Bank money exchange offices, seize millions of dollars Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- Israeli forces have attacked money exchange offices in the West Bank and confiscated $2.8 million, accusing them of transferring money to the Palestinian resistance movements Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in Gaza.
• Number of children killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, reaches unprecedented levels UNICEF 28 Dec 2023 -- "This year has been the deadliest year on record for children in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with conflict-related violence reaching unprecedented levels.
• UN Urges Israel to 'End Unlawful Killings' in West Bank as Conditions 'Rapidly' Deteriorate Sputnik 28 Dec 2023 -- Although Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip has received greater attention, the United Nations also cites numerous abuses in the occupied West Bank territory.
• Israeli atrocities adding to Palestinians' determination to end occupation: Hamas IRNA 28 Dec 2023 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas announced on Wednesday night that the continuation of Israelis' atrocities intensifies the determination of the Palestinian nation to end the occupation.
• Hamas condemns 'cowardly' Israeli assassination of Iranian advisor Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- Hamas has strongly condemned Israel's assassination of a senior Iranian military advisor in the vicinity of the Sayyida Zeinab area in the countryside of Damascus.
• Hamas tells Iran it can confront Israel in Gaza for months Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Hamas has informed the Islamic Republic that it has sufficient capabilities to continue the confrontation with Israel in the besieged Gaza Strip for months.
• Hamas Says Hit Over 825 Units of Israeli Equipment Since Start of Gaza Ground Operation Sputnik 28 Dec 2023 -- Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Palestinian movement Hamas, said on Thursday that its fighters had destroyed over 825 units of Israeli military equipment since the start of the latter's ground operation in the Gaza Strip.
• Lebanese Analysts Concerned for Future Involving Hezbollah, Hamas VOA 28 Dec 2023 -- Analysts see the reappointment of Lebanon's army commander, Joseph Aoun, as a stabilizing influence that is key to keeping Lebanon relatively peaceful at a time of border skirmishes with Israel. It is not clear, though, whether he can keep Lebanon out of a conflict with Israel and avoid a growing Hamas presence in the country.
• Lebanon: UN Force condemns attack on peacekeepers UN News 28 Dec 2023 -- The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Thursday condemned an attack on one of its patrols, in which one peacekeeper was injured.
• Iraqi resistance strikes 'vital Israeli target' in occupied Golan Heights Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- Iraq's Islamic resistance has launched two separate attacks against Israeli targets in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and northern Iraq.
• Countering Houthi Maritime Attacks US Dept. of State 28 Dec 2023 -- The United States is today designating one individual and three entities for facilitating Iranian financial assistance to the Houthis that enables attacks on international shipping and other destabilizing activities.
• Treasury Targets Network Financing Houthi Attacks on International Shipping US Treasury 28 Dec 2023 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated one individual and three entities responsible for facilitating the flow of Iranian financial assistance to Houthi forces and their destabilizing activities. Among those designated today is the head of the Currency Exchangers Association in Sana'a, and three exchange houses in Yemen and Türkiye. These persons have facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars to the Houthis at the direction of U.S.-designated Sa'id al-Jamal, who is affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).
• US-led coalition in Red Sea lacking legitimacy: Ansarullah IRNA 28 Dec 2023 -- Yemen's Ansarullah movement has pointed to the confusion of states forced to join the US-led maritime coalition in the Red Sea, noting that the confusion has its roots in a lack of legitimacy.
• Ansrullah: Intl. waterways secure except for ships bound for occupied territories Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- Yemen's Ansarullah popular resistance movement insists that the international waterways are secure for all passing vessels, except for Israeli ones or those heading towards the occupied territories.
• US imposes sanctions on Yemen after military threat falls flat Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- The US has targeted a number of individuals and entities for allegedly helping the flow of financial assistance to Yemen after failing to build a coalition gainst the country and deter it with military threats.

Other Conflicts

• China ramps up warnings against Philippines on South China Sea Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2023 -- China has said it "will not turn a blind eye" towards what it calls the Philippines' "repeated provocations and harassment" in the South China Sea.
• Chinese Defense Ministry vows measures against US-backed Philippine provocations Global Times 28 Dec 2023 -- The Chinese Defense Ministry on Thursday vowed not to turn a blind eye toward the Philippines' repeated provocations and harassment, and demanded that the US immediately stop interfering in the South China Sea issue.
• China Advocates Solving Red Sea Tensions Through Dialogue - Defense Ministry Sputnik 28 Dec 2023 -- Beijing advocates solving pressing regional problems, including the current tensions in the Red Sea, through dialogue and political consultations, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Thursday.
• Strategic Communications Workshop on the West Philippine Sea Empowers Foreign Service Officers Philippines DFA 28 Dec 2023 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office (MOAO) and the Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy (OPCD) held a Strategic Communications Workshop last 13 to 15 December 2023 to enhance the government's competence in communicating the Philippine position on the South China Sea / West Philippine Sea.
• Poll: Most Filipinos support stance of Marcos against China in sea dispute Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2023 -- A majority of Filipinos support President Ferdinand Marcos' assertive stance in dealing with Beijing on the South China Sea issue, a survey released Thursday said.
• Houthis Insist Riyadh Must Be Party to Yemen Settlement Strategy Sputnik 28 Dec 2023 -- One of the leaders of the Ansar Allah rebel movement, also known as the Houthis, which controls the north of Yemen, told Sputnik on Thursday that the group would not sign the recently proposed plan for resolving the conflict in the country until Saudi Arabia becomes a signing party to the deal.
• Syria to UN: Israeli assassination of Iranian advisor risks engulfing entire region Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- Syria has condemned Israel's assassination of a senior member of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), who was serving as a military advisor in Damascus at the official invitation of the Arab government.
• Syrian Air Defenses Repel Several Israeli Strikes Near Damascus Sputnik 28 Dec 2023 -- The Syrian Defense Ministry said late Thursday that Israel has struck several positions in southern Syria, but the country's air defenses intercepted most of the missiles launched.
• Disinformation campaign spurred student attack on Rohingya shelter, Indonesian activists say Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2023 -- Human rights activists and some observers on Thursday alleged that university students who stormed a Rohingya shelter in Aceh province the day before had been influenced by an "organized" disinformation campaign, which some even linked to the upcoming general election.
• Myanmar junta and ethnic army alliance fail to reach agreement to reduce combat Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2023 -- Myanmar's military junta and the Three Brotherhood Alliance held talks earlier this week about reducing armed conflict in northern Shan state, but failed to agree to meet each other's demands, officials from one of the alliance's ethnic armies said.
• Pakistan Condemns Banning of a Kashmiri Political Party Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Dec 2023 -- Pakistan condemns the decision of the Indian occupation authorities to declare the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarrat Alam faction) [MLJK-MA] as an "unlawful association", for a period of five years.
• Azerbaijan-Armenia peace will serve interests of all regional countries: Iran foreign minister Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the establishment of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia will serve the interests of all countries in the region.
• Tibetans forced to celebrate Mao's 130th birthday Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2023 -- Chinese authorities in Tibet forced locals to celebrate the 130th anniversary of Mao Zedong's birth on Tuesday, crediting the late leader with "the peaceful liberation of Tibet" in 1950, which Tibetan authorities in exile consider an invasion and the start of an illegal annexation.
• Clashes Intensify in Eastern DRC as Nation Awaits Final Election Outcome VOA 28 Dec 2023 -- Clashes have intensified between the powerful M23 rebels and the army in parts of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as Congolese await the results of the December 20th general elections.
• WFP condemns theft of life-saving food from warehouse in Gezira State WFP 28 Dec 2023 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) strongly condemns the looting of food supplies from its premises in Gezira State last weekend after elements of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces broke into the warehouse and office, following their takeover of Wad Medani.

News Reports

• Kenya Pushes Ahead With Anti-Counterfeit Phone Plan; Activists Fear Surveillance VOA 28 Dec 2023 -- The Kenyan government announced this month that it intends to go forward with a plan that it says will help address the problem of counterfeit phones, but digital rights activists say it poses a risk to privacy.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with TASS news agency, December 28, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Dec 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with RIA Novosti and Rossiya 24 TV on current foreign policy issues, Moscow, December 28, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Dec 2023
• Russia Has Become Significantly Stronger Over Past Year - Lavrov Sputnik 28 Dec 2023 -- Russia has become significantly stronger over the past year, with the people opposing the West in the hybrid war it has unleashed, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Sputnik and the Rossiya 24 broadcaster.
• Russia reopens Burkina Faso embassy after three decades Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- Russia has reopened its diplomatic mission in Burkina Faso after a gap of nearly 32 years.
• Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Paul Whelan The White House 28 Dec 2023
• JN.1 variant may develop into dominant strain in China; various respiratory diseases may co-exist in winter, spring: NHC Global Times 28 Dec 2023 -- The JN.1 variant may develop into the dominant strain in China due to factors such as its continuous transfer from abroad and the movement of people before and after the Spring Festival, contributing to the increase in COVID-19 cases and increasing the risk of severe illness and death among vulnerable populations, an official from the National Health Commission (NHC) said on Thursday.
• Revised regulations on Party disciplinary action issued to demonstrate CPC's firm determination to promote continual reform Global Times 28 Dec 2023 -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has recently issued the revised Regulations on CPC Disciplinary Action, as part of ongoing efforts to tackle unique challenges facing a party as large as the CPC and improve the systems for practicing comprehensive and rigorous self-governance. It fully demonstrates the CPC's firm determination and strong will to promote continual reform, China's top anti-graft body said on Thursday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on December 28, 2023 PRC MofA 28 Dec 2023
• China welcomes other countries and companies to lay cables in water under China's jurisdiction: FM Global Times 28 Dec 2023 -- The Chinese government has always welcomed and supported other countries and telecommunications companies in laying international submarine cables in waters under China's jurisdiction, Mao Ning, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Thursday, a response after foreign media reported that Chinese authorities have been slow to grant permits allowing the cable to traverse the South China Sea.
• China's inbound foreign investment 'still at historic high,' attractiveness will be further upgraded: MOFCOM Global Times 28 Dec 2023 -- China's inbound foreign investment from January to November in 2023 was still at historic high amid fluctuation, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Thursday, vowing to further promote high-quality opening-up to attract foreign investment.
• China urges regional alert as US plans to reclaim Pacific airfield Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- China's Defense Ministry has asked the countries in the Asia-Pacific to be on high alert as the United States steps up military deployment in the region.
• Pentagon hyping of 'decisive year' in 'Indo-Pacific' exposes military hegemony, Cold War mentality toward China Global Times 28 Dec 2023 -- The US Department of Defense's hyping of 2023 being a "decisive year" in the "Indo-Pacific region" is filled with Cold War mentality and exposes its aggressiveness toward China, analysts said on Thursday, after the Pentagon on Wednesday released a fact sheet summarizing its work in the region.
• China Ready to Enhance Mutual Trust With Russia in Military Sphere Sputnik 28 Dec 2023 -- China is ready to deepen mutual trust with Russia in defense sector and to join forces with it in contributing to international and regional security, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Thursday.
• Vietnam Wary of China's 'Swift, Large-Scale' Investment VOA 28 Dec 2023 -- An influx of Chinese investors in Vietnamese supporting industries could cause domestic businesses to suffer from the competition, the president of the Vietnam Association for Supporting Industries warned.
• Unpaid wages lead Sichuan doctors to protest on window ledges Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2023 -- Authorities in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan have denied reports that a group of doctors clung to the outside of a hospital building this week in protest at unpaid wages.
• Despite Bumper Grain Harvest, China Faces Challenge of Food Security VOA 28 Dec 2023 -- China had a record-high grain output this year, making it the 20th consecutive bumper harvest year, according to the Chinese state newspaper People's Daily on Wednesday. However, experts say the country's food self-sufficiency rate is decreasing as it relies heavily on imports.
• China firmly opposes negative China-related provisions in US defense authorization act Global Times 28 Dec 2023 -- China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the negative provisions related to China in the US' National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024.
• NPC opposes negative China-related provisions in U.S. defense authorization act People's Daily 28 Dec 2023 -- A spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) on Wednesday expressed strong dissatisfaction with and resolute opposition to the negative provisions related to China in the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which was recently signed into law.
• China's anti-corruption campaign deepened, expanded in 2023 People's Daily 28 Dec 2023 -- China's war against corruption has continued through 2023, with deepened efforts in some key sectors and expanded coverage to safeguard the country's high-quality economic and social development.
• DPP, KMT presidential candidates targeted over party cross-strait stances CNA 28 Dec 2023 -- Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) took aim at his two opponents for their respective party's independence and unification ideologies at a forum on Thursday, accusing them of using the cross-strait issue to tear society apart.
• Fujian vows to play a greater role in promoting the peaceful reunification of the motherland Global Times 28 Dec 2023 -- According to the official WeChat account of East China's Fujian Province on Thursday, by 2025, substantial progress will be made in the construction of the cross-Straits integration and development demonstration zone in Fujian and the province will play a greater role in promoting the peaceful reunification of the motherland.
• Beijing censures Taipei's hyping up of Chinese 'military threat' Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- Beijing has censured the Chinese Taipei - also known as Taiwan - for "hyping up" what has been claimed to be China's military threat.
• Lai slammed for comments on war risk People's Daily 28 Dec 2023 -- A Chinese mainland spokesman slammed Lai Ching-te, deputy leader of China's Taiwan region, on Wednesday for his comments on the risk of a cross-Strait war, and warned that the pursuit of "Taiwan independence" means war.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Dec. 28, 2023 ROC MND 28 Dec 2023
• Russian FM on Korean peninsula: 'knots of conflict' in 2024 Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2023 -- Russia's foreign minister issued an apparent warning to South Korea, following Seoul's imposition of additional trade restrictions on Moscow intended to curb its expansionist ambitions in Ukraine.
• North Korea's Kim orders military to 'accelerate' war preparations due to US' confrontational moves Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has ordered the military to "accelerate" war preparations, including its nuclear program, in a bid to counter what he calls unprecedented confrontational moves by the United States.
• Kim Jong Un Calls for Stepping Up 'War Preparations' Over US 'Confrontation Moves' Sputnik 28 Dec 2023 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has instructed the country's military to accelerate "war preparations" to counter "extreme confrontation moves" of the United States and its allies in the Korean Peninsula, North Korean state news agency KCNA reported Thursday.
• Second-day Sitting of 9th Plenum of 8th WPK Central Committee Held KCNA 28 Dec 2023 -- The second-day sitting of the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) took place on Wednesday amid the deep interest and expectation of all the Party members and other people of the country looking at the strategic stronghold of our revolution after hearing the news of the convocation of the December 2023 Plenum with great excitement.
• IRGC chief calls Martyr Razi Mousavi one of most influential Iran commanders IRNA 28 Dec 2023 -- Major General Hossein Salami, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), has emphasized that Martyr Seyyed Razi Mousavi was one of the most experienced and effective commanders of the IRGC in the resistance front.
• IRGC chief: Revenge for general's assassination will be Israel's demise Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran's revenge for Israel's assassination of a senior military advisor in Syria will be nothing but the total elimination of the occupying regime.
• Iranians bid farewell to IRGC commander assassinated by Israel Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- Iranians have held a massive funeral ceremony for a senior military advisor of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) who was assassinated by Israel in Syria.
• Joint Statement on the Latest Iranian Nuclear Steps Reported by the IAEA US Dept. of State 28 Dec 2023 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
• Iran warns neighbors not to disrupt ties with hollow remarks IRNA 28 Dec 2023 -- Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi has warned neighboring countries against making hollow remarks regarding three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf.
• Burmese city hit by huge job losses amid Chinese factory closures in Dec. Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2023 -- About 3,000 workers were left unemployed and without full compensation following the ongoing shutdowns of Chinese garment factories in December in Pathein, Ayeyarwady region of Myanmar, according to workers on Wednesday.
• French Departure From Niger Underscores Fading Influence VOA 28 Dec 2023 -- France closes 2023 with a diminished presence in Africa's restive Sahel region, after withdrawing troops from three once-staunch allied countries collectively fighting an Islamist insurgency, and seeing its influence increasingly replaced by other powers, including Russia.
• Journalists, Government Critics in India Targeted With Pegasus Spyware VOA 28 Dec 2023 -- The founding editor of one of India's largest news websites is among the journalists to be targeted by the Pegasus spyware.
• India, Russia Reaffirm Friendship, Discuss Growing Trade, Strategic Ties VOA 28 Dec 2023 -- India and Russia Wednesday reaffirmed their strong friendship and discussed deepening trade and strategic ties during a visit to Moscow by Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
• Transcript of the Press Briefing by the Spokesperson on Thursday, 28th December 2023 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Dec 2023
• Pakistan's Election Commission approves Nawaz Sharif's 2024 nomination Press TV 28 Dec 2023 -- Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's candidacy has been approved by the Election Commission for the 2024 elections, weeks after Islamabad's High Court overturned his convictions.
• "We will continue anti-terror operations until the last terrorist no longer poses a threat to our country" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 28 Dec 2023 -- Addressing mukhtars at the Presidential Complex, President Erdoğan said: "59 terrorists have been neutralized in the operations carried out since December 22. We will determinedly continue our operations until the last terrorist no longer poses a threat to our country and nation."
• Maduro Orders 'Defensive' Military Drills After UK Deploys British Warship Off Guyana Coast Sputnik 28 Dec 2023 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered on Thursday the armed forces to launch "the activation of a joint defensive action" in response to the deployment of a British warship off the coast of Guyana.
• Eighth Journalist Arrested In Azerbaijan Amid Media Crackdown RFE/RL 28 Dec 2023 -- Azerbaijani authorities have arrested the eighth journalist since November amid what rights activists says is a crackdown on independent media.
• Romania, Bulgaria Agree Partial Schengen Entry With Austria RFE/RL 28 Dec 2023 -- Romania and Bulgaria have reached an agreement with Austria to join Europe's open-borders Schengen Area by air and sea from March 2024, with talks set to continue next year about land borders.
• Tajikistan Hands Prime Tract Of Land To President's Relative, Opponents Claim RFE/RL 28 Dec 2023 -- The Tajik government has recently transferred thousands of hectares of prime land to a private company that government opponents claim is controlled by a close relative of the authoritarian president, Emomali Rahmon.
• World News in Brief: UN rights chief condemns attacks in Nigeria, WFP supplies looted in Sudan, non-discrimination protections in the US UN News 28 Dec 2023 -- The top United Nations human rights official has voiced "deep alarm" over the series of attacks on communities in central Nigeria, which left at least 150 people dead and many more injured.
• Central Africa Blames Fuel Shortage on Supply Disruptions, Smuggling VOA 28 Dec 2023 -- Central Africa has, for months, been plagued with acute fuel shortages that have stifled regional economic growth, disrupted local businesses, and contributed to rising food prices and social unrest. The shortages are partly blamed on increased demand coupled with disruptions in supply, and on illegal trade in conflict zones.
• Africa Forges Global Ties, Seeks More International Influence VOA 28 Dec 2023 -- Africa worked in 2023 to become a focus of global power and draw the attention of influential nations seeking to build political and economic relations with the 54 countries on the continent.