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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• CENTCOM Forces Strike Houthi Advanced Conventional Weapon Storage Facilities in Yemen CENTCOM 08 Jan 2025 -- U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted multiple precision strikes against two Iranian-backed Houthi underground Advanced Conventional Weapon (ACW) storage facilities within Houthi-controlled territories of Yemen, Jan. 8. The Houthis used these facilities to conduct attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
• US launches airstrikes on Yemen in fresh acts of aggression Press TV 08 Jan 2025 -- The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) says US warplanes have conducted airstrikes on two targets across Yemen in response to the Arab country's operations against Israel, CENTCOM says.
• US, UK Attack Houthis' Military Positions in Sanaa, Amran in Yemen — Source Sputnik 08 Jan 2025 -- The US and UK forces have attacked military positions of the Yemeni movement Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, in Sanaa and Amran provinces, a government source in Sanaa told Sputnik on Wednesday.
• DOD Assisting to Combat So-Cal Wildfires DoD News 08 Jan 2025 -- The Defense Department today announced it will work to provide additional firefighting personnel and capabilities to California as that state's Los Angeles County region continues to be ravaged by a series of out-of-control wildfires that broke out yesterday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds Press Briefing DoD 08 Jan 2025
• Navy Names Third Expeditionary Medical Ship USNS Portsmouth (EMS 3) US Navy Press Release 08 Jan 2025 -- Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro named the future Bethesda-class expeditionary medical ship (EMS 3) USNS Portsmouth during a ship naming ceremony at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth on Jan. 8.
• US Defense Officials Conclude Visit to Benin and Côte d'Ivoire AFRICOM 08 Jan 2025 -- U.S. defense officials have concluded a successful visit to Benin and Côte d'Ivoire, focused on reinforcing defense and security cooperation with our key partners in Coastal West Africa.
• Experts call for release of Guantánamo Bay detainee Abu Zubaydah, arbitrarily detained for over two decades OHCHR 08 Jan 2025 -- UN experts* today called on the United States to immediately release Zayn al-Abidin Muhammad Husayn (known as Abu Zubaydah), who remains detained for almost 20 years without charge at the Guantánamo Bay detention facility and naval station.
• Rights experts call for immediate release of Abu Zubaydah from Guantánamo UN News 08 Jan 2025 -- UN independent human rights experts have called for the immediate release of Zayn al-Abidin Muhammad Husayn, known as Abu Zubaydah, who has been detained without charge by US authorities at the Guantánamo Bay detention facility for almost 20 years.
• US Eases Missile Technology Restrictions for Certain Allies Under New Policy Sputnik 08 Jan 2025 -- The United States has adjusted its policy on implementing the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) to expand access to some weapons for its allies, the White House said.
• NATO Allies train together in Romania, enhance Allied Close Air Support capabilities NATO Allied Air Command 08 Jan 2025 -- Spanish Eurofighters trained with US and French Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) in December at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase, Romania, reinforcing NATO's interoperability and combat readiness.
• Steadfast Dart 2025 ready to start NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy (NRDC-ITA) 08 Jan 2025 -- With the logistic movements of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF) Headquarters Command Post, Steadfast Dart 2025 (STDT25) is ready to start.
• US to pledge $500M for Ukraine at Ramstein meeting VOA 08 Jan 2025 -- The United States is providing Ukraine with $500 million in additional weapons and equipment from its existing military stockpiles, in what officials told VOA will be the final military aid package before President Joe Biden leaves office.
• Further Investment in Bendigo with new Bushmaster order Australia DOD 08 Jan 2025 -- The Albanese Government will build more than 40 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, locking in over 250 local jobs in Bendigo and continuing its commitment to defence and a future made in Australia.
• Experts: Russian technology could enhance North Korea's ICBM capabilities VOA 08 Jan 2025 -- Russian space technologies, if transferred to Pyongyang in compensation for its support of Moscow's war on Ukraine, could enhance North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities, U.S. experts say.
• Any nation's refusal to condemn North Korea's actions represents direct complicity in furthering its illegal weapons programme: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 08 Jan 2025 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on North Korea.
• DPR Korea's nuclear quest thwarts disarmament efforts, Security Council hears UN News 08 Jan 2025 -- The launch of yet another ballistic missile by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is of serious concern, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Wednesday, highlighting the persistent threat to global efforts towards disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh & Defence Minister of Maldives Mr Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon hold bilateral talks in New Delhi India PIB 08 Jan 2025 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held bilateral discussions with the Defence Minister of Maldives Mr Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon in New Delhi on January 08, 2025, and comprehensively reviewed various aspects of bilateral defence & security cooperation
• DELIVERY OF YARD 82 (LSAM 14) India PIB 08 Jan 2025 -- Induction ceremony of the seventh Missile Cum Ammunition Barge (MCA) Barge, LSAM 14 (Yard 82) was held on 07 Jan 25 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai
• Iran's defense systems successful against drones and cruise missiles in 'Eqtedar 1403' drills IRNA 08 Jan 2025 -- The Iranian Army defense systems have been successful against combat drones and cruise missiles that intended to destroy Natanz Nuclear Facility in the first stage of the military exercise, codenamed Eqtedar (Authority) 1403.
• Iran to respond to any threat strongly, decisively: IRGC cmdr. IRNA 08 Jan 2025 -- The Commander of the Ground Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says any threat or aggression toward Iran's borders will be met with a strong and decisive response from the Iranian Armed Forces.
• Various real-world scenarios performed in Eqtedar 1403 drills, says IRGC chief commander Press TV 08 Jan 2025 -- The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says various real-world scenarios were designed and implemented during a large-scale military exercise to protect the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran's central province of Isfahan.
• Israeli Defense Ministry Announces $275Mln Contracts Inked With Elbit Systems Sputnik 08 Jan 2025 -- The Israeli Defense Ministry said it signed two contracts worth 1 billion shekels ($274.2 million) with Israeli defense firm Elbit System for the supply of heavy air munitions and the construction of a plant to produce raw materials supplied to the country primarily from abroad.
• A look at the Defence news 16 December - 5 January Netherlands Ministry of Defence 08 Jan 2025
Chadian leaders denounce Macron's remarks, order French troops out of Chad this month VOA 08 Jan 2025 -- Chad's government has reiterated its order for French troops to withdraw from the central African country before the end of this month, following remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron that African countries are ungrateful for France's role in helping to fight jihadist insurgencies.
• Announcement of Department of State Strategy Countering Wrongful Detentions US Dept. of State 08 Jan 2025 -- Since the passage of the Levinson Act in December 2020, dozens of U.S. nationals wrongfully and unjustly detained overseas have reunited with their families, thanks to a whole-of-government commitment - including bipartisan legislative support from Congress - to bringing them home.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with French President Macron US Dept. of State 08 Jan 2025
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 08 Jan 2025
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Call with President Macron of France The White House 08 Jan 2025
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Call with Chancellor Scholz of Germany The White House 08 Jan 2025
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Call with Prime Minister Mottley of Barbados The White House 08 Jan 2025
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Call with Prime Minister Holness of Jamaica The White House 08 Jan 2025
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Call with President Arévalo of Guatemala The White House 08 Jan 2025
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Call with President William Ruto of Kenya The White House 08 Jan 2025

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 8, 2025

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 8 January 2025 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 Jan 2025

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Statement by PM Netanyahu Israel - Prime Minister 08 Jan 2025
• Jan. 7: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 08 Jan 2025
• At least 49 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza in 24 hours IRNA 08 Jan 2025 -- At least 49 Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks on Gaza on Tuesday, the Gazan Health Ministry says.
• Israeli forces retreated from some Lebanese areas: Report IRNA 08 Jan 2025 -- Israeli forces have retreated from some Lebanese areas and Lebanese troops are currently deploying in the locations.
• New year brings little new hope for children in Gaza, with at least 74 children reportedly killed in first week of 2025 UNICEF 08 Jan 2025 -- At least 74 children have reportedly been killed in relentless violence in the Gaza Strip in just the first seven days of 2025. Children have reportedly been killed in several mass casualty events, including nighttime attacks in Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Al Mawasi, a unilaterally designated 'safe zone' in the south. The most recent attack, yesterday, saw five children reportedly killed in Al Mawasi.
• UNRWA Situation Report #153 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. All information updated for 18 - 31 December 2024 UNRWA 08 Jan 2025
• Gaza hospitals 'have become death traps', UNRWA warns Press TV 08 Jan 2025 -- The UN refugee agency for Palestinians UNRWA has issued a stark warning, describing hospitals in Gaza as death traps.
• US envoy says Israel will withdraw fully from Lebanon, while some Israelis call for residual presence VOA 08 Jan 2025 -- The Israeli military withdrawal from Lebanon's southern town of Naqoura is the second pullout since the November ceasefire agreement, analysts say. Israel is to withdraw from southern Lebanon over a 60-day period, while Lebanon's Shiite militia Hezbollah is to retreat some 30 kilometers north from the border with Israel and dismantle its military infrastructure in the south.
• Trump's special envoy to attend Doha talks on Gaza IRNA 08 Jan 2025 -- US President-elect Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, has announced he will travel to the Qatari capital to join negotiations over a Gaza hostage-release and ceasefire talks, Israeli media reported.
• Arab League condemns map claiming Arab lands as part of 'greater Israel' Press TV 08 Jan 2025 -- The Arab League has condemned in the strongest terms an Israeli map that claims territories of several Arab countries as part of the so-called "greater Israel."
• Saudi Arabia Condemns and Rejects Israeli Occupation's Claims Over Map Published by Official Israeli Accounts SPA 08 Jan 2025 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed the Kingdom's condemnation and rejection of the Israeli occupation's claims and false allegations regarding a map published by official accounts affiliated with it. The map inaccurately depicts parts of Arab countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, as being within its alleged borders.
• Hamas urges Arab nations, Muslims to confront Israel's ambitions IRNA 08 Jan 2025 -- The Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas has called on Arab and Islamic countries to confront Israeli ambitions regarding the occupied territories.
• Hamas slams Israeli regime's plan to annex Arab countries Press TV 08 Jan 2025 -- The Hamas resistance movement has strongly condemned Israel's plan to annex more Palestinian and Arab lands.

Other Conflicts

• 'A Syrian-led future': Security Council highlights priorities ahead UN News 08 Jan 2025 -- The Security Council met on Wednesday to discuss political and humanitarian developments exactly a month on from the collapse of the Assad regime. The transitional authorities also outlined their vision for the country's future for the first time in a major international forum.
• Caretaker Authorities Should Extend Hand of Reassurance, Trust to All Communities in Syria, Special Envoy Tells Security Council UN Security Council 08 Jan 2025 -- As Syria seeks to chart a new course after the fall of the former regime, there are great opportunities and real dangers in the current moment, the Security Council heard today, while that country's representative said its people are eagerly turning the page on oppression.
• UN: Way forward for Syria's political transition remains unclear VOA 08 Jan 2025 -- The top U.N. envoy for Syria said Wednesday that the Syrian people and the international community need to get "the next phase right" as the country rebuilds after nearly 14 years of civil war and the collapse of the Assad family regime.
• The new authorities must build a democratic state representative of Syria's rich diversity: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 08 Jan 2025 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.
• Iran UN envoy: Decisions on Syria's future must be made without external interference IRNA 08 Jan 2025 -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani has said that any decision on Syria's future should be made by the people of that country, without external interference.
• South Syria militants 'not convinced' to give up arms amid rift with HTS leader Press TV 08 Jan 2025 -- Militant groups in southern Syria say they are not convinced by the idea of the de facto leader of the country to give up their weapons and disband.
• Foreign Fighters Promoted In Syria's New Army Have Their Governments Concerned RFE/RL 08 Jan 2025 -- Syria's new rulers have reportedly given high-ranking military positions to several foreign Islamist fighters, a move that has alarmed their home governments, which fear the potential export of revolution to their own soil.
• Turkey threatens 'military operation' against Syrian Kurds, blasts US presence in Syria Press TV 08 Jan 2025 -- Turkey has threatened to launch an offensive against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria, which it accuses of being aligned with the homegrown Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), if the militant group fails to agree to Ankara's demands in the wake of the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
• Are Turkiye & Israel on the Verge of Going Toe to Toe Over Syria? Sputnik 08 Jan 2025 -- The downfall of Bashar Assad's government in Syria last month, unsurprisingly, did not usher in lasting peace to the region as Israel and Turkiye seem poised to clash with one another.
• China says 'monster' ship's presence near Scarborough Shoal 'fully justified' Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2025 -- Beijing has denied any infringement of Philippine jurisdiction rights by sending its largest coast guard vessel near the disputed Scarborough Shoal inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
• China Coast Guard patrols around Diaoyu Dao Global Times 08 Jan 2025 -- A China Coast Guard (CCG) fleet on Wednesday patrolled the territorial waters of China's Diaoyu Dao.
• PCG sees continued illegal Chinese presence in PH waters with new ship Philippine News Agency 08 Jan 2025 -- A new China Coast Guard (CCG) ship is on its way to Philippine waters as CCG vessel 5901— dubbed the monster ship for its size — departed the coastline of Zambales Wednesday.
• PH keeps 'vigilant' watch on China coast guard ship within EEZ Philippine News Agency 08 Jan 2025 -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Cabra (MMRV-4409) is "vigilantly" monitoring the illegal presence of a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship continuing to operate for the fourth day within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
• India boosts diplomatic contacts with Afghanistan's Taliban VOA 08 Jan 2025 -- India pledged Wednesday to collaborate with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan to undertake development projects in the impoverished nation that has endured years of devastating war and natural disasters.
• Foreign Secretary's meeting with the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan India MEA 08 Jan 2025 -- Today, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had a meeting with the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Dubai.
• Taliban refute Trump's claims on US financial aid to Afghanistan VOA 08 Jan 2025 -- Taliban leaders in Afghanistan on Wednesday denied President-elect Donald Trump's assertions that they have received billions of dollars in U.S. financial aid since regaining control of the country.
• Pakistan Slides Into New 'Era Of Terrorism' RFE/RL 08 Jan 2025 -- Pakistani warplanes bombed a village in the country's northwest in the fall of 2007, killing around 50 people.
• Iraqi army, PMF pound Daesh hideouts in country IRNA 08 Jan 2025 -- The Iraqi army and its allied forces have intensified military operations against remnants of Daesh terrorists, this time, targeting their hideouts in the mountainous Hamrin region in the northeast of the country.
• Myanmar's Kachin rebels take key town on approach to Bhamo Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2025 -- Ethnic minority Kachin fighters in northern Myanmar captured military camps on the approaches to the major town of Bhamo on Wednesday, another setback for the junta that have been struggling for much of the past year to hold territory in the face of concerted attacks.
• Biden administration sounds alarm about Sudan genocide VOA 08 Jan 2025 -- The White House described Sudan's civil war as a genocide Wednesday, a day after Washington placed sanctions on the nation's rebel leader for his forces' "horrific, systematic atrocities" in a conflict that has gripped the nation for more than two years, killing tens of thousands of people and driving millions from their homes.
• China creates 2 new counties in disputed mountainous area claimed by India Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2025 -- China has created two new counties in southwestern Xinjiang in disputed territory also claimed by India, a move analysts say is aimed at strengthening Beijing's control over the area -- and will likely exacerbate tension with India.
• Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the illegal visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister to the occupied areas Press and Information Office, Ministry of Interior, Republic of Cyprus 08 Jan 2025 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs unequivocally condemns the illegal visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, to the occupied areas.
• Executive Order on Taking Additional Steps with Respect to the Situation in the Western Balkans The White House 08 Jan 2025
• Message to the Congress on Taking Additional Steps with Respect to the Situation in the Western Balkans The White House 08 Jan 2025

News Reports

• Finland Says Ship Linked To Cable Damage Not Seaworthy As NATO Boosts Baltic Presence RFE/RL 08 Jan 2025 -- Finland says a tanker alleged to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet" that was detained over the damaging of Baltic Sea cables has "serious deficiencies," putting it under detention amid reports NATO is due to begin patrolling near key underwater cables.
• Japanese Yakuza Leader Pleads Guilty to Nuclear Materials Trafficking, Narcotics, and Weapons Charges US Dept. of Justice 08 Jan 2025 -- Takeshi Ebisawa, 60, of Japan, pleaded guilty in Manhattan, New York, today to conspiring with a network of associates to traffic nuclear materials, including uranium and weapons-grade plutonium, from Burma to other countries, as well as to international narcotics trafficking and weapons charges.
• Chinese Embassy in the Philippines refutes media report of so-called Chinese hackers targeting Philippine govt Global Times 08 Jan 2025 -- In response to Bloomberg's report that Chinese hackers targeted the Philippine government and stole sensitive data as part of a years-long campaign, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines stated on Wednesday that it is worth noting that the report linked the hacking attacks to the South China Sea issue and mentioned that the US and others have provided technical support to the Philippines.
• Panama to Trump: Canal's sovereignty 'non-negotiable' Press TV 08 Jan 2025 -- Panama has reiterated that its sovereignty over the Panama Canal is "non-negotiable" after incoming US president Donald Trump ramped up threats to use military action to capture the waterway.
• European Union rebuffs Trump's designs on Greenland takeover VOA 08 Jan 2025 -- The European Union on Wednesday dismissed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's refusal to rule out a military attack to take control of Denmark's autonomous territory of Greenland as "wild hypothetical stuff," while confirming that EU states would be compelled to defend the island if Trump invaded it.
• Blinken Dismisses Trump's Greenland Plans as 'Not a Good Idea' Sputnik 08 Jan 2025 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that US President-elect Donald Trump's intentions to take control of Greenland is not a good idea.
• Canadian National Sentenced to 40 Months for Multimillion-Dollar Export Control Scheme US Dept. of Justice 08 Jan 2025 -- Nikolay Goltsev, 38, of Montreal, Canada, was sentenced today to 40 months in prison for conspiring to commit export control violations. Goltsev masterminded a global procurement scheme on behalf of sanctioned Russian companies, including Russian military companies. Some of the electronic components shipped by Goltsev were later found in seized Russian weapons platforms and signals intelligence equipment in Ukraine.
• China swamped with respiratory infections ahead of Lunar New Year travel rush Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2025 -- Health officials in China are calling on people to wear masks and open the windows to help reduce a wave of respiratory infections that has left hospitals across the country swamped with patients ahead of the Lunar New Year travel rush.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on January 8, 2025 PRC MofA 08 Jan 2025
• Wang Yi: Set a Benchmark for China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era PRC MofA 08 Jan 2025 -- On January 7, 2025 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi gave an interview to the press in Brazzaville and introduced the details of his visit to the Republic of the Congo.
• China, Republic of the Congo to set example for all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future: Wang Yi Global Times 08 Jan 2025 -- China and the Republic of the Congo have committed to establishing a model for an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Brazzaville on Tuesday during a visit to Brazzaville, according to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• US addition of Chinese firms to sanctions list disregards WTO rules; China vows to take necessary measures to protect enterprises' rights: MOFCOM spokesperson Global Times 08 Jan 2025 -- The US continues to overstretch the concept of national security, disregard WTO rules and market principles, abuse state power, and unjustly accuse China of pursuing a "military-civil fusion" strategy, a move that China firmly opposes, a spokesperson of China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Wednesday.
• Progress made in China-US drug control cooperation over past year Global Times 08 Jan 2025 -- Chinese State Councilor and Director of the China National Narcotic Control Committee Wang Xiaohong spoke with Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, via video link on Tuesday.
• China unveils guideline for building unified national market, driving demand and openness People's Daily 08 Jan 2025 -- China's top economic planner on Tuesday released a guideline for building a unified national market, breaking down market barriers to boost domestic demand while enhancing openness.
• 'Moderate' chance of 'high impact' cross-strait war in 2025: Report CNA 08 Jan 2025 -- There is a "moderate" likelihood of a cross-strait war in 2025 that could have a "high" impact on U.S. interests, a survey by the Council on Foreign Relations published on Tuesday found for the fifth consecutive year.
• Mainland spokesperson responds to the DPP's 'baseless' and 'unscrupulous' claims regarding submarine cable damage Global Times 08 Jan 2025 -- Recently, a report published by the Financial Times stated that submarine communication cables outside Keelung Port at the northern tip of Taiwan island were damaged, allegedly by a cargo ship's anchor dragging. The DPP authorities in Taiwan claimed this was not an "innocent accident" and expressed concerns about such "grey zone" operations from the mainland.
• Expert slams Canadian media 'turning black into white' by hyping PLA shadowing Canadian warship in E. China Sea Global Times 08 Jan 2025 -- Canadian media on Wednesday claimed that a Chinese warship shadowed a Canadian naval vessel in the East China Sea, but a Chinese expert noted that the Canadian report was deliberately vague on the exact location of the Canadian warship, and it is legitimate for China to conduct identification and verification on foreign vessels near it. Besides, Canadian warship and aircraft have a track record of making provocative moves at China's doorstep.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 08 Jan 2025
• Political party head, ex-military officers indicted in China espionage case CNA 08 Jan 2025 -- Taichung prosecutors on Wednesday announced the indictment of seven suspects, including the head of a small political party, for allegedly receiving money to photograph and pass along the GPS coordinates of Taiwanese military installations to contacts in China.
• Security Council Delegates Trade Barbs over Democratic People's Republic of Korea's Hypersonic-Missile Launch, Military Ambitions UN Security Council 08 Jan 2025 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has been actively working towards acquiring new military capabilities that undermine the global non-proliferation architecture, a senior United Nations official warned the Security Council today, as its members condemned that country's 6 January launch of a new-type intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile.
• Rodong Sinmun on WPK's Leadership Ability KCNA 08 Jan 2025 -- The leadership ability of the Workers' Party of Korea represents vitality and advance speed of the DPRK, says Rodong Sinmun in an article on Jan. 8.
• We will determine how Trump will engage with us: Zarif IRNA 08 Jan 2025 -- Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's vice president for strategic affairs, says he believes Donald Trump will hold considerably more power in his second term as US president, but ultimately, it is Iran that will determine the nature of US-Iran relations.
• Iran to expand key nuclear plant IRNA 08 Jan 2025 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami says two additional units will be constructed at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.
• Iran building two more units at Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant: AEOI chief Press TV 08 Jan 2025 -- The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has said the country was pursuing establishment of the second and third units of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, which is located in southern Iran.
• Jump In Iranian Executions In 2024 Prompts UN Outrage RFE/RL 08 Jan 2025 -- Iran executed at least 901 people in 2024 - including 31 women, some of whom were convicted of killing their husbands while fighting off a rape or other cases of domestic violence - a nine-year high that has sparked outrage at the United Nations.
• Iran rejects 'baseless' claims of French president IRNA 08 Jan 2025 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei has rejected as baseless and contradictory the recent claims made by the French President about Tehran, calling on Emmanuel Macron to reconsider his country's unconstructive approaches toward peace and stability in the West Asian region.
• Pezeshkian: Iran seeks peace in region; Iraq enjoys stability as Daesh vanquished Press TV 08 Jan 2025 -- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian says the Islamic Republic is after peace, stability and security for the entire region, noting that the neighboring Iraq is experiencing a period of stability and expansion after vanquishing of the Takfiri terrorist group of Daesh.
• Canadian PM dismisses Trump's idea to merge Canada into U.S. People's Daily 08 Jan 2025 -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday dismissed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's willingness to use "economic force" to merge Canada into the United States.
• Death toll from Tibet quake rises to 126, expected to climb Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2025 -- Chinese authorities on Wednesday said the death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Tibet stood at 126, though sources in the region told Radio Free Asia that they estimate the actual numbers to be higher.
• 126 dead, 188 injured in Xizang 6.8-magnitude quake Global Times 08 Jan 2025 -- President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out rescue efforts to save lives and minimize casualties following a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that took a heavy toll after jolting a county in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region Tuesday morning.
• U.S. Lawmakers Seek To Ban Recognition Of Georgian Government, Report Says RFE/RL 08 Jan 2025 -- U.S. lawmakers are reportedly poised to introduce a bill prohibiting the recognition of a Georgian Dream government less than two weeks after the party's Russia-friendly billionaire founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili, was sanctioned for undermining Georgia's democracy for the "benefit of the Russian Federation."
• Poland assumes EU council presidency amid challenges VOA 08 Jan 2025 -- With the slogan "Security Europe!" Poland assumed the rotating presidency of the European Union Council in 2025 at a pivotal moment. The 27-member EU country grouping faces a fragile economy, the ongoing impact of Russia's war in Ukraine, and hurdles to enlargement.
• Maduro accuses Argentina of US-backed assassination attempt on Venezuelan VP ahead of inauguration Press TV 08 Jan 2025 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the Argentinean government of a US-backed assassination attempt on his deputy ahead of his inauguration to a new presidential term later this week, decrying the "violent plans" by Buenos Aires against the peace of his country.
• Cambodians catch suspect in killing of opposition politician in Bangkok Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2025 -- Cambodian police arrested on Wednesday the suspect in the killing of a former opposition lawmaker who was gunned down on a Bangkok street in a brazen attack that is sure to spread fear among Cambodians and other dissidents living in Thailand.
• Analysts weigh in ahead of ECOWAS members' exit deadline VOA 08 Jan 2025 -- Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are due to officially exit the West African ECOWAS bloc of nations this month, one year after announcing their withdrawal. The bloc hopes to persuade them to remain, but some analysts say growing anti-French sentiment in the region and Nigeria's own recent dealings with France could frustrate negotiations.
• Burkina Faso amnesty law 'risky decision,' analysts say VOA 08 Jan 2025 -- In late December, Burkina Faso passed a law granting amnesty to soldiers accused of a failed 2015 military coup, against then-president Michel Kafando.
• African ministers meet in Uganda to shape 10-year food security, sustainability plan VOA 08 Jan 2025 -- Rescuers in China's Tibet region searched Wednesday for survivors trapped in rubble, a day after a powerful earthquake killed at least 126 people and injured 188 others.