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News Reports

Current Operations

• National Guard Fights California Wildfires, Additional Assets Remain on Standby DoD News 13 Jan 2025 -- Soldiers and airmen from California's Army National Guard and Air National Guard spent the weekend combating the multiple wildfires that have been wreaking destruction in Los Angeles County for the past week.
• California, Nevada, Wyoming Guard join firefighting battle US Air Force 13 Jan 2025 -- Hundreds of National Guard members are now involved in multiple air and ground firefighting efforts as wildfires rage across the Los Angeles Basin and Southern California.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds Press Briefing DoD 13 Jan 2025
• Statement from President Biden Announcing the Names of CVN 82 and CVN 83 The White House 13 Jan 2025
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Navy's Naming of Future Gerald R. Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers DoD 13 Jan 2025 -- The Department of Defense is honored by the Navy's naming of two future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers as the future USS William J. Clinton (CVN 82) and the future USS George W. Bush (CVN 83), as announced today by President Biden.
• Secretary of the Navy visits USS George H. W. Bush US Navy 13 Jan 2025 -- The 78th U.S. Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Carlos Del Toro visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) to meet with Sailors on duty from the ship and surrounding units in Norfolk, Jan. 8, 2025.
• US Navy EOD Participates in Black Sea Exercise Poseidon Alongside New MCM Task Group US Navy 13 Jan 2025 -- Under Commander Task Force (CTF) 68, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8 along with EOD technicians from the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group participated in the mine countermeasures (MCM) exercise Poseidon, Oct. 31-Nov. 10, 2024 in Burgas, Bulgaria.
• SECNAV Del Toro Names Future Aircraft Carriers CVN 82 and CVN 83 US Navy Press Release 13 Jan 2025 -- Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced the names of two future Gerald R. Ford-class of aircraft carriers as the future USS William J. Clinton (CVN 82) and the future USS George W. Bush (CVN 83).
• SECNAV Del Toro Names Future Virginia-class Submarines SSN 814, SSN 815, and SSN 816 US Navy Press Release 13 Jan 2025 -- Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced the names of three Virginia-class submarines to be the future USS Potomac (SSN 814), the future USS Norfolk (SSN 815), and the future USS Brooklyn (SSN 816)
• SECNAV Del Toro Names Future Columbia-class Submarine SSBN-828 US Navy Press Release 13 Jan 2025 -- Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced Jan. 13 that the newest Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine will be named the future USS Groton (SSBN 828).
• U.S Navy to Christen Future USS Harrisburg US Navy Press Release 13 Jan 2025 -- The U.S. Navy will christen the future USS Harrisburg (LPD 30) during a ceremony on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM CST at HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
• Defense Innovation Board Releases Two Studies on Scaling Innovation in Nontraditional Industry and Drone Manufacturing DoD 13 Jan 2025 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks hosted the Defense Innovation Board (DIB) for its winter Board meeting in the Pentagon on January 13th, 2025.
• Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks at the Defense Innovation Board's Public Meeting DoD 13 Jan 2025
• USCENTCOM Commander Visits Egypt CENTCOM 13 Jan 2025 -- On 12-13 January, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of U. S. Central Command (CENTCOM), visited Egypt and met with LTG Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, in Cairo, Egypt.
• Pacific Marines Plan for Future Engagements with RTMC USMC News 13 Jan 2025 -- U.S. Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and members of the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC) met to discuss future engagements between the two forces, Dec. 10 - 13, 2024.
• Ukraine Must Be In Position Of Strength Before Beginning Peace Talks, NATO Chief Says RFE/RL 13 Jan 2025 -- Ukraine is currently not in a position to begin peace talks with Russia, NATO chief Mark Rutte told members of the European Parliament on January 13 as Russian forces concentrate their main offensive efforts around the city of Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region and in the Russian region of Kursk.
• Secretary General urges continued close NATO-EU cooperation to support Ukraine and face growing threats NATO 13 Jan 2025 -- On Monday (13 January), NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addressed the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs and Subcommittee on Security and Defence.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General in Sweden: Allies must step up support for Ukraine NATO 13 Jan 2025 -- In her first major public engagement as NATO Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Šekerinska praised Sweden for its increased defence spending, leading defence industry and strong support to Ukraine.
• High tech equipment including exoskeleton, robot dog, drone-laser combination deployed in PLA drills Global Times 13 Jan 2025 -- Various intelligent technologies, including exoskeleton, robot dog and drone in combination with high-power lasers were utilized in recent drills conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).
• PLA Eastern Theater Command delegation's Japan visit helps reduce probability of unexpected accidents: expert Global Times 13 Jan 2025 -- China's Ministry of National Defense on Monday announced that a delegation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command will visit Japan.
• North Korea conducts missile tests days before Trump takes office Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2025 -- North Korea tested on Tuesday what were believed to be multiple short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast less than a week before Donald Trump is inaugurated for his second term as U.S. president, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.
• Operation Resolution New Zealand Defence Force 13 Jan 2025
• Design contract award announcement and construction underway of new 21 Electronic Warfare Regiment facility at CFB Kingston Canada 13 Jan 2025 -- Today, Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, on behalf of the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, announced the contract award for the new 21 Electronic Warfare Regiment (21 EW Regt) facility at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Kingston. MP Gerretsen also participated in a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction.
• Keel-Laying Ceremony of Training Ship for ICG held at MDL, Mumbai India PIB 13 Jan 2025 -- The Keel-Laying ceremony of a Training Ship (Yard 16101) for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was held at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai on January 13, 2025
• INS TUSHIL AT LAGOS India PIB 13 Jan 2025 -- INS Tushil, Indian Navy's latest guided missile stealth frigate, arrived at Lagos, Nigeria, on 12 Jan 25, for an operational turnaround, as part of her ongoing deployment to the Gulf of Guinea
• Successful Field Evaluation Trials of indigenously-developed third-generation Anti-Tank Fire-and-Forget Guided Missile 'Nag Mk 2' India PIB 13 Jan 2025 -- Field Evaluation Trials of indigenously-developed Nag Mk 2, the third-generation Anti-Tank Fire-and-Forget Guided Missile, were successfully conducted recently at Pokhran Field Range in the presence of senior officers of the Indian Army
• Iran Army can conquer the sky with its AI-equipped drones: Defense minister IRNA 13 Jan 2025 -- The Iranian Army can dominate the sky with its advanced, AI-equipped drones if necessary, says Iran's defense minister.
• Iranian Army's Combat Organization receives strategic drones IRNA 13 Jan 2025 -- The Iranian Army's Combat Organization has received 1,000 strategic, stealth, and anti-fortification unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
• 1,000 strategic, stealth, anti-fortification drones join Iran Army's Combat Organization Press TV 13 Jan 2025 -- As many as 1,000 strategic, stealth, and anti-fortification unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have joined the Iranian Army's Combat Organization.
• Defense minister: Skies under Iran's command for fatal blow; big surprises in 'store' Press TV 13 Jan 2025 -- Iran's defense minister has commended the superior stance of the capabilities of the country's Armed Forces, especially in the area of air defense and naval combat.
• Iran Army unveils 'daunting' laser-powered air defense system guarding nuclear sites Press TV 13 Jan 2025 -- Iran's Army has unveiled a state-of-the-art laser-powered air defense system during its Air Defense Forces' military maneuvers in the country's western and northern areas.
• Republic of Zambia - Bell 412 Enhanced Performance Exportable Medium-Lift Transport Helicopters DSCA 13 Jan 2025 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Zambia of Bell 412 Enhanced Performance Exportable Medium-Lift Transport Helicopters and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $100 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• D. Šakalienė assured the United States it remained key strategic Ally Lithuania MND 13 Jan 2025 -- January 10, Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė welcomed a U.S delegation visiting Lithuania: the topics discussed covered the transatlantic security architecture, the importance of Lithuanian-U.S. partnership, support to Ukraine, threats posed by China, and other aspects of bilateral relations.
• Joint Statement by Group of Five Defence Ministers - 13 January 2025 UK MOD 13 Jan 2025 -- Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, joined Defence Ministers in Helenów, Poland, from the Group of Five nations: France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the UK.
• PESCO: Switzerland will be invited to participate in the 'Military Mobility' project EC/CEU 13 Jan 2025 -- The Council adopted today a decision confirming that the participation of Switzerland in the PESCO project 'Military Mobility' meets the general conditions set out in Decision (CFSP) 2020/1639 of November 2020, and will bring substantial added value to the project.
• Security must be a priority for Europe Poland - Ministry of National Defence 13 Jan 2025 -- On January 13th in Helenów near Warsaw a meeting of the deputy prime minister - minister of national defense Władysław Kosiniak Kamysz and the defence ministers of Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy took place. The defence minister of Ukraine has also joined the meeting, held in the Group of Five format, through videoconference.
• US, Canadian warships conduct joint drills in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2025 -- Canadian naval vessel HMCS Ottawa successfully completed a joint exercise with U.S. Navy destroyer USS Higgins amid tension in the South China Sea, the Canadian Joint Operations Command said.
• Biden Says U.S. Stronger Versus Russia, China As He Prepares To Depart RFE/RL 13 Jan 2025 -- President Joe Biden told the nation that the United States is stronger economically and militarily and has more allies today compared with four years ago as he prepares to leave office later this month.
• Biden administration unveils new rules for AI chip, model exports VOA 13 Jan 2025 -- The Biden administration announced Monday new restrictions on the export of the most advanced artificial intelligence chips and proprietary parameters used to govern the interactions of users with AI systems.
• Readout of President Biden's Call with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar The White House 13 Jan 2025
• Readout of President Biden's Call with Prime Minister Ishiba of Japan and President Marcos of the Philippines The White House 13 Jan 2025
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken with Andrea Mitchell of MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports" US Dept. of State 13 Jan 2025
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan The White House 13 Jan 2025

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 13, 2025

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 13 January 2025 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Jan 2025

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Officials report breakthrough in Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks VOA 13 Jan 2025 -- Mediators working to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas gave the two sides a final draft of a deal Monday after a breakthrough in talks, officials familiar with the negotiations said.
• Hamas indicates progress in ceasefire talks as Gazans hope for relief People's Daily 13 Jan 2025 -- Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel have made progress toward a ceasefire agreement, Palestinian officials said on Sunday.
• Jan. 12: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 13 Jan 2025
• At least 10 Zionist soldiers killed in northern Gaza in 72 hours: Qassam Brigades IRNA 13 Jan 2025 -- At least 10 Israeli soldiers were killed and dozens more injured in the northern Gaza Strip over the past 72 hours, according to Abu Obaida, the spokesman for Hamas' armed wing, Al-Qassam Brigades.
• Hamas serious in talks on Gaza ceasefire: Official IRNA 13 Jan 2025 -- Senior Hamas Official Osama Hamdan has said that the Palestinian resistance movement is seriously pursuing talks on the establishment of a ceasefire in Gaza.
• Qassam Brigades: Over 10 Israeli troops killed in north Gaza within 72 hours Press TV 13 Jan 2025 -- The Ezzedine Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, says Palestinian fighters have killed roughly a dozen Israeli troops as a result of retaliatory operations in the northern Gaza Strip over the past 72 hours.
• At least 13 Israeli troopers killed, injured in retaliatory op in northern Gaza Press TV 13 Jan 2025 -- Palestinian resistance fighters have killed at least three Israeli soldiers and injured another 10 in northern Gaza, according to reports.
• Israel killed 70 children in past five days alone in northern Gaza Press TV 13 Jan 2025 -- Relentless Israeli air and artillery strikes continue to devastate Gaza, as about 70 children have been killed in the past five days alone in northern Gaza.
• Israel keeps pounding Lebanon in violation of ceasefire IRNA 13 Jan 2025 -- The Israeli regime continues to violate the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon which officially went into effect on November 27.
• Israel heavily bombs Lebanon in new violation of truce with Hezbollah Press TV 13 Jan 2025 -- The Israeli military has conducted airstrikes on Lebanon in yet another violation of a ceasefire deal with the Hezbollah resistance movement.
• Humanitarians continue to call for Israel to facilitate aid delivery in Gaza UN News 13 Jan 2025 -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Monday reiterated its call for Israel to enable the delivery of lifesaving assistance to people across the Gaza Strip.
• Al Jazeera ban must be lifted, rights experts urge Palestinian Authority UN News 13 Jan 2025 -- Top independent human rights experts urged the Palestinian authorities on Monday to end its widely criticized ban on the broadcaster Al Jazeera and ensure that all journalists, local or international, can work freely and safely in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).
• Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Council extends restrictive measures by one year EC/CEU 13 Jan 2025 -- The Council today decided to extend by one year, until 20 January 2026, the existing restrictive measures against those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
• Zionist regime intensifies crackdown across occupied West Bank IRNA 13 Jan 2025 -- Israeli forces and settles ramp up acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, carrying out more raids and attacks on towns and villages across the occupied territories.
• Extremist minister says seeking to settle one million Israelis in West Bank Press TV 13 Jan 2025 -- The Israeli regime's housing and construction minister has called on prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to facilitate the illegal settling of one million Israelis in the occupied West Bank.
• Missile fired from Yemen triggers sirens in Israeli-occupied territories Press TV 13 Jan 2025 -- Air raid sirens have rung out in numerous communities and illegal settlements across the Israeli-occupied territories after Yemeni Armed Forces launched a missile in retaliation for the Tel Aviv regime's war of extermination against Palestinians in Gaza.

Other Conflicts

• New era of crisis for children, as global conflicts intensify and inequality worsens UN News 13 Jan 2025 -- The world is entering a new era of crisis for children; climate change, inequality and conflict are disrupting their lives and limiting their futures, an authoritative study from the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned.
• 'Human rights defenders are key to conflict resolution,' says Türk UN News 13 Jan 2025 -- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk highlighted the critical role of human rights defenders in today's tumultuous global landscape in a speech on Monday to Wilton Park, the executive agency of the United Kingdom's Foreign office.
• NMC slams Chinese maritime forces' illegal activities in PH territory Philippine News Agency 13 Jan 2025 -- The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Monday said the Philippines strongly opposes the continued illegal presence and activities of Chinese maritime and militia forces in the country's territorial sea and exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
• Senators call for stronger, unified action vs. incursions in WPS Philippine News Agency 13 Jan 2025 -- Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Monday called for stronger and unified action against Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) incursions in Philippine waters.
• Chinese FM urges Philippines to stop malicious hype on South China Sea Global Times 13 Jan 2025 -- In response to an inquiry regarding reports that the Philippines said it filed a diplomatic protest against China's "continued illegal presence and activities" within Manila's "exclusive economic zone" in the South China Sea, which came after the Philippines said a large Coast Guard vessel, the China Coast Guard (CCG) 5901, returned to the area, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that China's sovereignty and rights in the South China Sea were established in the long course of history. They are solidly grounded in history and the law, and are consistent with international law and practices, Guo said.
• Minister Hussen announces humanitarian assistance for Syria following visit to Middle East Canada 13 Jan 2025 -- Canada continues to be deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian situation in Syria. The Syrian peoples' needs have reached unprecedented levels after 13 years of crisis, with over 16 million people, almost 70% of the country's population, urgently requiring assistance.
• Top Iraqi diplomat warns against reemergence of Daesh terrorists in Syria Press TV 13 Jan 2025 -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has warned against the reemergence of Daesh Takfiri terrorists in neighboring Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government.
• Israel carries out more airstrikes on Syria IRNA 13 Jan 2025 -- Israeli warplanes have carried out fresh attacks on Syria, targeting areas bordering Lebanon, news sources reported.
• Pakistani president, PM reiterate resolve to eliminate terrorism People's Daily 13 Jan 2025 -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reiterated the resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism from their country, official statements said.
• Pakistan claims killing 27 Baloch insurgents VOA 13 Jan 2025 -- Pakistan reported Monday that its security forces raided a "terrorists' location" in southwestern Balochistan province and killed 27 insurgents during what was described as an intelligence-driven operation.
• Ta'ang rebels renew vow to crush Myanmar's junta despite earlier ceasefire offer Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2025 -- Ethnic Ta'ang rebels have renewed their vow to crush Myanmar's ruling junta, but said that a ceasefire offer made in November following pressure from neighboring China remains on the table.
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates Sonamarg Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir India PIB 13 Jan 2025 -- The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sonamarg tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir today
• Indian security personnel kill 5 armed rebels People's Daily 13 Jan 2025 -- Indian security forces gunned down at least five armed Naxal rebels in India's central state of Chhattisgarh on Sunday, confirmed a local senior cop.
• In Nigeria, spate of airstrikes killing civilians sparks concern VOA 13 Jan 2025 -- Human rights groups in Nigeria are condemning a pattern of civilian deaths from airstrikes in the northeast, and are calling for an impartial investigation of the military's operations. This follows reports from local residents that a weekend airstrike targeting armed gangs in Zamfara state killed at least 15 civilians.
• Sahel vacuum provides opportunities for China, analysts say VOA 13 Jan 2025 -- Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, Africa's Sahel region is experiencing security problems and surging anti-Western sentiment that could prove an opportunity for China, analysts say.

News Reports

• As Russia and China Step Up Arctic Presence, Greenland Grows In Importance For U.S. RFE/RL 13 Jan 2025 -- Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump has once again kicked up a storm with his pursuit of Greenland, this time refusing to rule out the use of force to gain control of the Arctic island from ally Denmark for national-security reasons.
• Terrorist Designations of The Terrorgram Collective and Three Leaders US Dept. of State 13 Jan 2025 -- The Department of State is today designating The Terrorgram Collective and three of its leaders as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
• Terrorist Designations of The Terrorgram Collective and Three Leaders US Dept. of State 13 Jan 2025 -- The United States remains deeply concerned about the racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist (REMVE) threat worldwide and committed to countering transnational components of violent white supremacism.
• Anti-money laundering: Estonia makes progress with targeted financial sanctions on terrorism and terrorist financing Council of Europe 13 Jan 2025 -- Estonia has improved its efforts towards implementing targeted financial sanctions related to terrorism and terrorist financing, concludes MONEYVAL in a new follow-up report.
• Meeting with CEO of Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev President of Russia 13 Jan 2025 -- Vladimir Putin had a meeting with CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev to discuss the RDIF's ongoing projects across various sectors, including industry, energy, transportation, pharmaceuticals, and artificial intelligence.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on Russian Press Day Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Jan 2025
• Sweden pushes EU initiative on oil price cap Government Offices of Sweden 13 Jan 2025 -- Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, along with her Nordic and Baltic colleagues, has written a letter urging the EU Commission proposing to lower the oil price cap within the G7.
• Russia's 'Year Of The Family' Has Meant A War On Abortion And Divorce RFE/RL 13 Jan 2025 -- With Russian President Vladimir Putin declaring 2024 the Year of the Family, the pressure was on lawmakers and local governments to go the extra mile.
• Exclusive: Dogged By Debts, Disputes, And Divorce, A Russian Oligarch Also Draws FBI Scrutiny RFE/RL 13 Jan 2025 -- Just after 8 a.m., on December 12, 2022, two FBI agents pulled their car through wrought-iron gates into a circular driveway in a leafy neighborhood in Greenwich, Connecticut, the ultra-wealthy New York City suburb that's home to Wall Street tycoons as well as foreign elite. After knocking, they were ushered into a $7 million, 14,000-square-foot mansion belonging to a man who used to be one of the most powerful figures in Russia: Vladimir Gusinsky.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on January 13, 2025 PRC MofA 13 Jan 2025
• Xi meets Grenadian PM in Beijing Global Times 13 Jan 2025 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that China is willing to provide assistance for Grenada's economic and social development within the framework of South-South cooperation, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
• China, Japan frequented exchanges in ruling parties, defense Global Times 13 Jan 2025 -- A delegation of Japan's ruling coalition kicked off its visit to China from Monday to Wednesday, marking the first China-Japan ruling parties exchange since 2018, according to an announcement made by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. Also on Monday, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced that a delegation from the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will visit Japan in mid-January under a mutual agreement.
• No new infectious diseases in China: China CDC People's Daily 13 Jan 2025 -- There are no new infectious diseases in China, and the current respiratory infectious diseases in the country are all caused by known pathogens, according to an expert with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC).
• Foreign, Taiwan island media hype on alleged Chinese mainland construction of landing barges exposes anxiety over growing PLA capabilities: expert Global Times 13 Jan 2025 -- Media and experts on the island of Taiwan have taken interest in a recent report by foreign news outlet Naval News claiming that the Chinese mainland is "suddenly building a fleet of special barges suitable for Taiwan landings." The barges may enable the Chinese mainland to conduct landings at previously unsuitable sites and complicate the island's defense strategies, Naval News speculated.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 13 Jan 2025
• DPRK Premier Inspects Various Sectors KCNA 13 Jan 2025 -- Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and premier of the DPRK Cabinet, made a field survey of various sectors.
• S. Korean president not to attend 1st hearing of impeachment trial for safety concerns People's Daily 13 Jan 2025 -- South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will not attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial, scheduled for Tuesday, for safety concerns, Yoon's defense counsel said Sunday.
• South Korea, Japan stress importance of trilateral ties with US Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2025 -- The foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan stressed the importance of trilateral ties with the United States at a news conference on Monday during a two-day visit to Seoul by Takeshi Iwaya, the first visit to the country by a Japanese foreign minister in nearly seven years.
• Police arrests member of ISIS terrorist group in northern Iran IRNA 13 Jan 2025 -- Police in the northern Iranian city of Juybar arrested a member of the Daesh terror group, also known as ISIS.
• Iran to ramp up nuclear power production to meet 20 GW target: AEOI chief IRNA 13 Jan 2025 -- The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) plans to significantly increase nuclear power production to meet a target of 20,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity by 2041.
• Iran, E3 agree to resume talks on lifting sanctions IRNA 13 Jan 2025 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi announced that Iran and three European countries (the UK, Germany and France) have agreed to resume talks on lifting sanctions.
• Iran, E3 diplomats meet in Geneva to discuss removal of sanctions Press TV 13 Jan 2025 -- Senior representatives of Iran and the European trio of Britain, France, and Germany (E3) have discussed the removal of illegal sanctions on Tehran and its nuclear program.
• Italy Frees Iranian Wanted By U.S. For Alleged Involvement In Drone Attack RFE/RL 13 Jan 2025 -- Tehran has confirmed that an Iranian national has returned home following his release from Italy, despite a request by Washington for his extradition to the United States for alleged involvement in a deadly drone attack in Jordan.
• Tehran Releases German-Iranian Activist Nahid Taghavi RFE/RL 13 Jan 2025 -- Nahid Taghavi, a dual German-Iranian national, has returned to Germany after four years of imprisonment in Iran as a new round of nuclear negotiations between three major European countries and Tehran is set to resume.
• Construction of fence at the India-Bangladesh border India MEA 13 Jan 2025 -- The Bangladesh Acting High Commissioner to India, Mr. Md. Nural Islam, was summoned by MEA to the South Block today, January 13, 2025, at 2:00 pm.
• Lebanese judge to be country's new prime minister VOA 13 Jan 2025 -- A majority of Lebanese lawmakers on Monday put their support behind Nawaf Salam, head of the International Court of Justice, designating him as the country's next prime minister.
• ICJ judge Salam secures enough support to become Lebanon's prime minister Press TV 13 Jan 2025 -- The President of The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ), Nawaf Salam, has become Lebanon's next prime minister after he received a sufficient number of votes from Lebanese legislators to be tasked with forming a government.
• Guterres to conduct solidarity visit to Lebanon UN News 13 Jan 2025 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres will travel to Lebanon later this week for a solidarity visit with the country and its people, his Spokesperson announced on Monday during his daily briefing from New York.
• Iraq committed to stronger ties with Lebanon, says PM al-Sudani IRNA 13 Jan 2025 -- Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in as phone call with newly elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has stressed his country's support for Beirut.
• The Government of Spain welcomes the progress in the formation of the new Government of Lebanon Spain MFA 13 Jan 2025
• Uganda to benefit from BRICS cooperation as partner state: Ugandan minister People's Daily 13 Jan 2025 -- Uganda's admission as a BRICS partner state presents an opportunity for the East African country to benefit from deeper ties with some of the world's largest emerging markets and to facilitate its own development, a senior official has said.
• China bans monks, aid workers from visiting quake-hit areas of Tibet Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2025 -- Chinese authorities in Tibet have forbidden aid workers and Buddhist monks from entering areas of the region struck by deadly earthquakes last week, three residents of the region and a Tibetan in exile told Radio Free Asia.
• Thailand formally charges suspect in killing of Cambodian government critic Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2025 -- Thai police on Monday charged with premeditated murder the main suspect in the killing of a Cambodian government critic gunned down last week near a busy Bangkok street.
• UK-Mauritius joint statement on the Chagos Archipelago, 13 January 2025 UK FCDO 13 Jan 2025 -- Joint statement between the governments of the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia
• Former Vietnamese lawmakers jailed for corruption Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2025 -- A court in Vietnam has sentenced former lawmaker Luu Binh Nhuong to 13 years in prison for extortion, and abusing his position and power to influence others for personal gain in connection with property deals, state media reported.
• World News in Brief: Solidarity with Ukraine, Haiti earthquake victims remembered, funding for Sudan healthcare UN News 13 Jan 2025 -- The UN's top aid official has travelled to Ukraine where he's expressed his solidarity with the country's people, who continue to come under attack from Russian forces.
• Rights activist links brief kidnapping in Kenya to Tanzanian government VOA 13 Jan 2025 -- A Tanzanian human rights activist who was briefly abducted on Sunday says she was targeted because of her comments accusing the government of abusing and oppressing its people.
• Mozambique's legislators sworn in amid protests, boycotts VOA 13 Jan 2025 -- Mozambique's newly-elected parliament convened Monday in the capital as 210 members took their oaths of office amid a boycott and protests by opposition parties who have disputed the results of the recent elections.