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News Reports

Current Operations

• US warplanes strike northwest Yemen in fresh aggression Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- US warplanes have launched multiple airstrikes on Yemen's northwestern province of 'Amran, hours after the Ansarullah leader pledged to target Israel if its aggression on Gaza continues.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Trump's top diplomat pick: China must 'stop messing around' with PH Philippine News Agency 17 Jan 2025 -- Senator Marco Rubio, US President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the State Department, said China should "stop messing around" with the Philippines and Taiwan, noting that its "deeply destabilizing" actions in the region are compelling the US to "counteract."
• US fortifying Indo-Pacific air bases against potential attacks from China VOA 17 Jan 2025 -- The United States has been ramping up its Indo-Pacific region air bases to ensure they are protected against attack, a spokesperson for the U.S. Pacific Air Forces told VOA this week, amid concerns over vulnerabilities they face in countries such as Japan, the Philippines and South Korea against potential Chinese strikes.
• Farewell Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (As Delivered) DoD 17 Jan 2025
• The Department of Defense Releases the Fiscal Year 2024 Strategic Management Plan: Annual Performance Report DoD 17 Jan 2025 -- Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks approved the FY2024 Annual Performance Report for the DOD Strategic Management Plan for FYs 2022 - 2026.
• Department of Defense Awards $5.1 Million to Recover Rare Earth Elements From Recycled Electronic Waste DoD 17 Jan 2025 -- The Department of Defense announced today a $5.1 million award via Title III of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to Rare Resource Recycling Inc. (REEcycle).
• Department of Defense and U.S. Small Business Administration Publish Names of First 18 Licensed and Green Light Approved Funds for the Small Business Investment Company Critical Technologies Initiative DoD 17 Jan 2025 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) is publishing the names of the entire first cohort of Licensed and Green Light Approved funds under the Small Business Investment Company Critical Technologies Initiative (SBICCT Initiative).
• Modernizing and Simplifying Defense Resourcing: Updated and Expanded PPBE Reform Report Released DoD 17 Jan 2025 -- The Department has released an updated and expanded Department of Defense: Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution Reform Implementation Report, which replaces the DoD's March 2024 Implementation Plan for the Recommendations from the Commission on PPBE Reform's Interim Report.
• Defense Department Bids Farewell to Outgoing Commander in Chief DoD News 17 Jan 2025 -- At Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, today, the secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff bid farewell to President Joe Biden, who has served as commander in chief of the U.S. military for four years.
• Austin Thanks Service Members, Families During Farewell Address DoD News 17 Jan 2025 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., hosted an Armed Forces Farewell Tribute honoring Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III today at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia.
• DOD Talent Chief Aims to Reform Hiring to Attract Gen Z DoD News 17 Jan 2025 -- At a recent panel discussion on government talent acquisition, Brynt Parmeter, the Defense Department's chief talent management officer, underscored the urgent need to attract members of Generation Z to civilian defense careers.
• SECNAV Surface Navy Association Remarks US Navy 17 Jan 2025
• SECNAV NWC Farewell Address US Navy 17 Jan 2025
• Memorandum on the Delegation of Authority to the Secretary of State to implement Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act Sections 5562(a)(2) and (3) The White House 17 Jan 2025
• Admiral Cavo Dragone takes over from Admiral Bauer as Chair of the NATO Military Committee NATO 17 Jan 2025 -- Today, 17 January 2025, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone assumed the role of Chair of the NATO Military Committee, officially receiving the gavel from his predecessor, Admiral Rob Bauer, during a special session of the Military Committee.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General in Lithuania: NATO will deter any aggression NATO 17 Jan 2025 -- Today, 17 January 2025, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone assumed the role of Chair of the NATO Military Committee, officially receiving the gavel from his predecessor, Admiral Rob Bauer, during a special session of the Military Committee.
• NATO takes stock of cooperation with Japan and the Republic of Korea NATO 17 Jan 2025 -- NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Ambassador Boris Ruge, visited the Republic of Korea and Japan, from 14 to 16 January 2025.
• We Are Working on Expanding Procurements and Ramping up Arms Production within Ukraine - Address by the President President of Ukraine 17 Jan 2025
• Ukraine's security will decide the security of the entire Europe, says D. Šakalienė meeting with Deputy Secretary General of NATO Lithuania MND 17 Jan 2025 -- On January 17 Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė met with Deputy Secretary General of NATO Radmila Šekerinska conducting a visit to Lithuania to discuss the European security architecture, increasing defence spending, assistance to Ukraine, and other topics.
• Development and construction of Type 076 amphibious assault ship targets no specific entity: China's defense ministry Global Times 17 Jan 2025 -- China stays committed to the path of peaceful development and a defense policy that is defensive in nature. The launching of the Type 076 amphibious assault ship is a normal arrangement in the development of the PLA Navy. It is not targeted at any specific entity, region or country, Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense said on Friday.
• Military at all levels supports disaster relief efforts in Xizang following earthquake: defense ministry Global Times 17 Jan 2025 -- The military at all levels firmly followed the orders and directives of President Xi Jinping and the Central Military Commission (CMC), and fully supported local disaster relief efforts to ensure the safety of people's lives, property, and social stability, Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense said on Friday when asked to further introduce the rescue efforts being actively carried out by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and Armed Police Forces in the earthquake relief operations in Xigaze of Xizang.
• Chinese, French military commanders hold video call Global Times 17 Jan 2025 -- Wu Yanan, commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, and the commander of the French navy in the Pacific region, Rear Admiral Guillaume Pinget, held a video call on the morning of Friday to conduct an in-depth exchange of views on issues of mutual concern, Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said on Friday.
• Taiwan faces decline in troop numbers, report reveals VOA 17 Jan 2025 -- Taiwan's military has announced new recruitment and retention measures to help sustain troop levels, as the island faces continued threats from China amid a shrinking number of volunteer soldiers.
• Britain To Initiate Talks With Poland On Pact To Protect Against 'Russian Aggression RFE/RL 17 Jan 2025 -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was due in Warsaw on January 17 for talks with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk after making his first visit to Ukraine since becoming prime minister and signing a 100-year partnership agreement.
• First ADF Regional Presence Deployment for 2025 Australia DOD 17 Jan 2025 -- Today's departure of HMAS Hobart from Darwin reaffirms the Australian Defence Force's long-standing regional deployment program and Australia's commitment to a stable and secure Indo-Pacific.
• India's offensive & defensive responses need to be further strengthened in view of turmoil in rules-based international order: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh India PIB 17 Jan 2025 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has underlined the need to strengthen India's offensive and defensive responses in view of the turmoil being witnessed in the rules-based international order
• Iranian coast guards conduct maritime exercise in Sea of Oman Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- Iranian coast guards have held a maritime exercise in the country's southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province along the shores of the Sea of Oman.
• Operation Resolution New Zealand Defence Force 17 Jan 2025
• HMNZS Aotearoa departs on resupply mission to Antarctica New Zealand Defence Force 17 Jan 2025 -- HMNZS Aotearoa, the Royal New Zealand Navy's maritime sustainment vessel, is sailing to Antarctica to deliver food, supplies and engineering equipment for New Zealand and United States bases on the ice.
• Joint Readout: Multilateral Experts Group Initiates Joint Actions to Further Counter the Shadow Fleet and its Maritime Risks Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark 17 Jan 2025 -- On Friday January 10, 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmark convened a multilateral group of experts to develop concrete plans to further counter Russia's shadow fleet including its high-risk activities in the Baltic Sea.
• Speech by Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin at the Folk och Försvar National Conference 2025 Government Offices of Sweden 17 Jan 2025
• Gitanas Nausėda met with NATO Deputy Secretary General President of the Republic of Lithuania 17 Jan 2025 -- On Friday, President Gitanas Nausėda met with Radmila Šekerinska, Deputy Secretary General of NATO, who had arrived in Lithuania.
• itanas Nausėda met with Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defense and Space President of the Republic of Lithuania 17 Jan 2025 -- Gitanas Nausėda met with Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defense and SpaceOn Friday afternoon, President Gitanas Nausėda met with Andrius Kubilius, the member of the European Commission for Defense and Space.
• The President: We will allocate 5-6% of GDP to defense in 2026-2030 President of the Republic of Lithuania 17 Jan 2025 -- On Friday, President Gitanas Nausėda chaired the regular meeting of the State Defense Council, where a decision was made regarding the sustainable financing of the national defense system. It was agreed that, between 2026 and 2030, annual defense allocations will amount to 5-6% of GDP.
• PH Navy ships hold unilateral drill while on WPS patrol Philippine News Agency 17 Jan 2025 -- Three of the country's major warships carried out a "unilateral exercise" aimed at enhancing and improving their crew and operation efficiencies while conducting sovereignty patrol in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
• PAF chief visits key facilities in West PH Sea Philippine News Agency 17 Jan 2025 -- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Friday said its commander, Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, visited key installations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and reminded troops there of their vital role in defending the country.
• Iran dismisses claims of training, providing assistance to Yemeni forces Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- Iran's ambassador to the UN has dismissed as "groundless" claims that Tehran has trained or provided assistance for the Yemeni Ansarullah resistance forces, saying such claims lack credible technical evidence and are driven by political agendas.
• Romania Scrambles Two F-16 Fighters Over Suspected Airspace Breach - Defense Ministry Sputnik 17 Jan 2025 -- Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets on Friday after the country's monitoring systems detected airspace violation, the Defense Ministry said.
• Denmark to Build Military Airbase in Greenland to Strengthen Arctic Defense - Reports Sputnik 17 Jan 2025 -- Denmark is planning to establish a military airbase in western Greenland to demonstrate its strength and enhance the country's defense capabilities in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions, Danish state broadcaster reported on Thursday, citing a confidential Danish armed forces report.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With David Remnick of The New Yorker Radio Hour US Dept. of State 17 Jan 2025
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks to Employees US Dept. of State 17 Jan 2025

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 17, 2025

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 17 January 2025 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Jan 2025

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Prime Minister's Office Announcement Israel - Prime Minister 17 Jan 2025
• Prime Minister's Office Announcement Israel - Prime Minister 17 Jan 2025
• Prime Minister's Office Announcement Israel - Prime Minister 17 Jan 2025
• Israeli Cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal VOA 17 Jan 2025 -- Israel's Cabinet approved a deal early Saturday for a ceasefire in Gaza and release of hostages that would pause 15 months of war with Hamas.
• Israel's 'security cabinet' approves ceasefire deal Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- The Israeli regime's so-called "security cabinet" has approved a ceasefire deal between Tel Aviv and the Palestinian resistance movements in the Gaza Strip, which has endured 15 months of an incessant genocidal war by the regime.
• Israel's minister Ben-Gvir threatens to quit if ceasefire deal approved Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- Israel's far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened that he and his party colleagues would resign from the cabinet and collapse it if a Gaza ceasefire deal to end the Gaza carnage were approved.
• Israeli Cabinet Approves Ceasefire Deal With Hamas for Gaza Sputnik 17 Jan 2025 -- The Israeli military-political cabinet has approved the agreement with the Palestinian movement Hamas on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Friday.
• Jan. 16: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 17 Jan 2025
• Israel kills over 100 Palestinians in Gaza despite ceasefire deal announcement Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- Despite the announcement of a ceasefire deal, Israel has intensified its airstrikes and artillery shelling on Gaza, especially its residential buildings, killing more than 100 Palestinians.
• Israel, Hamas agree to ceasefire, ushering in hope for Gaza peace People's Daily 17 Jan 2025 -- A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has been reached, offering a glimmer of hope for ending the 15-month-old bloodshed in the enclave.
• Implementation of Gaza ceasefire deal seen as key People's Daily 17 Jan 2025 -- The international community has welcomed a much-awaited ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel that involves the release of some hostages and an Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The deal, which will be implemented in three phases, will take effect on Sunday.
• In Lebanon, Guterres highlights challenges and support for peacekeepers UN News 17 Jan 2025 -- Continuing his high profile visit to Lebanon, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday underscored the challenges faced by UN peacekeepers and reiterated the organization's commitment to supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces.
• UNRWA chief: Ceasefire is the start, not the solution UN News 17 Jan 2025 -- Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) on Friday welcomed the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, pledging to scale up aid delivery across the stricken enclave once it comes into effect.
• Press briefing by UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini (17 January 2025) UNRWA 17 Jan 2025
• Security Council Speakers Urge Israel to Withdraw from Lebanon, Golan Buffer Zone, Allow Peacekeepers to Operate without Obstruction UN Security Council 17 Jan 2025 -- With 10 days until the end of the 60-day period for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, its airstrikes and demolitions continue, a senior United Nations official warned the Security Council today, underscoring that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers must be allowed to carry out their mandated tasks without obstruction.
• Secretary-General's remarks at UNIFIL Headquarters [as delivered] UN Secretary-General 17 Jan 2025
• UN experts urge all parties to accept Gaza ceasefire and deliver on justice, humanitarian aid and Palestinian self-determination OHCHR 17 Jan 2025 -- UN experts* today urged all parties to accept the Gaza ceasefire deal, deliver justice and humanitarian aid, and ensure Palestinian self-determination, expressing hope that a sustainable truce will end immense suffering and loss of life in the besieged and devastated Gaza strip, across the occupied Palestinian territory and in Israel.
• UN chief says Israel must end occupation of south Lebanon Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- UN chief Antonio Guterres says Israel's military operations and occupation in southern Lebanon must cease, as the regime continues to violate the ceasefire agreement it clinched with the Arab country in November 2024.
• Gaza ceasefire could boost aid deliveries to 600 trucks per day: WHO UN News 17 Jan 2025 -- Amid reports that Israel's security cabinet has given the green light to a ceasefire deal with Hamas, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) expressed cautious optimism on Friday over the potentially major boost to aid relief in the devastated enclave.
• Security Council briefed on challenges to peacekeeping in Lebanon, Syria UN News 17 Jan 2025 -- Two senior UN peacekeeping officials briefed the Security Council on Friday on recent developments in Lebanon and the occupied Syrian Golan, and the challenges facing "blue helmets" serving there.
• UNRWA chief: Israel's planned dismantling of aid agency would be 'catastrophic' VOA 17 Jan 2025 -- The head of the United Nations agency that assists Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, warned Friday that the expected implementation later this month of Israeli legislation aimed at shuttering the agency would be "catastrophic" to humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
• Israel making 'no effort' to investigate Gaza war crimes allegations: ICC Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan says Israel has not properly investigated war crimes allegations brought against the regime over its barbarism in the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Biden: Netanyahu used US bombing of Berlin as justification for Gaza genocide Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- Outgoing US President Joe Biden has claimed that Benjamin Netanyahu used the American bombing of civilians in Germany during WWII, as well as the nuclear attacks on Japan in 1945, as justification for the carpet bombing of civilians in Gaza.
• Iran, Hamas discuss Gaza ceasefire deal IRNA 17 Jan 2025 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the deputy head of the political office of the Hamas movement discussed the latest developments in Gaza and the stability of the Palestinian nation in a telephone conversation.
• Iran FM hails 'resilience' of Palestinians in talks with Qatar, Egypt counterparts Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- Iran's foreign minister hailed the resilience of the Palestinian people and resistance forces as he discussed with his Qatari and Egyptian counterparts a ceasefire deal that is set to end the 15-month-long Israeli genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Iran congratulates Hamas on victory against Israel Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has congratulated the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas on the victory of the resistance and the Palestinian people against the Israeli regime in its genocidal war in Gaza.
• Speech by Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin at the Folk och Försvar National Conference 2025 Government Offices of Sweden 17 Jan 2025
• The UK will continue to support UNIFIL's essential role in maintaining calm along the Blue Line: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 17 Jan 2025 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on UNDOF and UNIFIL.
• Special Envoy Zhai Jun of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue Visits Israel PRC MofA 17 Jan 2025 -- On January 16, 2025, Special Envoy Zhai Jun of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue visited Israel and met respectively with Israel's Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Eden Bar-Tal, Deputy Director-General for Asia and the Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aviv Ezra and Deputy Director-General for the Middle East at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oded Joseph.
• Yemen conducts 4 retaliatory operations against Israeli, US targets Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- The Yemeni Armed Forces spokesman says they have carried out four military operations against Israeli and US targets in retaliation for the genocide in Gaza and anti-Yemen strikes.

Other Conflicts

• Who Is Ahmed Al-Awda, The Man Who Could Be A Threat To Syria's New Rulers? RFE/RL 17 Jan 2025 -- He has been referred to by Western media and pundits as "Russia's man in the south" of Syria, and some see him as a potential threat to the country's new ruler, Ahmed al-Sharaa.
• "As Türkiye, our goal is to ensure the elimination of all terrorist organizations in Syria" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 17 Jan 2025 -- Addressing AK Party's provincial congress in Kayseri, President Erdoğan said: "As Türkiye, our goal is to ensure the elimination, either peacefully or by force, of all terrorist organizations in Syria. By doing so, we aim both to guarantee our own security and to remove the obstacles to the territorial integrity, political unity and internal peace of our neighbor."
• Kurdish leaders seek unity amid Syria's shifting landscape VOA 17 Jan 2025 -- Kurdish leaders in Iraq and Syria are pledging to collaborate closely to advance Kurdish rights in Syria following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime last month.
• Illegal China incursion in PH waters on its 13th day - PCG Philippine News Agency 17 Jan 2025 -- The China Coast Guard's (CCG) illegal incursion within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) has reached its 13th day Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
• In bilateral talks, Philippines complains about China's 'monster' ship in EEZ waters Radio Free Asia 17 Jan 2025 -- Senior Philippine diplomats confronted Chinese counterparts in face-to-face talks about China's "monster" coast guard ship intruding into Manila's territorial waters, as the two sides met to discuss the hot-button issue of the South China Sea.
• Treasury Increases Financial Pressure on the Houthis US Treasury 17 Jan 2025 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is sanctioning Yemen-based Yemen Kuwait Bank for Trade and Investment Y.S.C (Yemen Kuwait Bank) for its financial support to Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis. A U.S.-designated terrorist organization, Houthis continue to attack U.S. military personnel, U.S. regional partners, and legitimate commerce in the Red Sea.
• Ethnic attacks, hate speech surging in Sudan, UN rights office says VOA 17 Jan 2025 -- U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned on Friday that Sudanese civilians were in greater peril than ever as ethnically motivated attacks and hate speech by the warring parties becomes "increasingly common."
• Sudan war becomes more deadly as ethnically motivated attacks rise UN News 17 Jan 2025 -- The conflict in Sudan is taking an "even more dangerous turn for civilians", UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on Friday.
• Sudan conflict taking more dangerous turn for civilians OHCHR 17 Jan 2025 -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today warned that the conflict in Sudan is taking an even more dangerous turn for civilians after reports that dozens were brutally killed in ethnically targeted attacks in the southeastern state of Al Jazirah and amid reports of an imminent battle for control of Khartoum.
• Statement by Minister Tvinnereim on attacks against civilians in Sudan Government of Norway 17 Jan 2025
• Trial Of Former Nagorno-Karabakh Leaders Begins In Baku RFE/RL 17 Jan 2025 -- The trial of 16 people, including former leaders of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, has begun in Baku, Azerbaijan, after the defendants spent more than a year in pretrial detention.
• Trial For Former Leader Of Nagorno-Karabakh Set To Open In Azerbaijan RFE/RL 17 Jan 2025 -- The trial of Ruben Vardanian, the former de facto prime minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, on charges of terrorism, crimes against humanity, and crimes against the state of Azerbaijan is set to begin on January 17 in Baku.
• Sanctioning Anti-Dayton Actors and Their Financial Enablers in Bosnia and Herzegovina US Dept. of State 17 Jan 2025 -- The United States today designated eight individuals who organized and executed the commemoration of Republika Srpska (RS) Day on January 8-10, 2024 in support of RS President Milorad Dodik's secessionist agenda.
• Treasury Sanctions Destabilizing Actors and Financial Enablers in Republika Srpska US Treasury 17 Jan 2025 -- On January 8, 2025, the President issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14140, an amendment to E.O. 14033, which expanded the United States government's ability to curtail activity that undermines, or attempts to undermine, regional peace frameworks and the rule of law in the Western Balkans and efforts to circumvent U.S. sanctions.
• Escalating violence in eastern DR Congo displaces more than 230,000 since start of year UNHCR 17 Jan 2025 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is alarmed by the worsening violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has already displaced 237,000 people this year.
• Relentless crisis in Haiti: One in eight children internally displaced UN News 17 Jan 2025 -- The humanitarian crisis in Haiti has reached a critical point, with one in eight children now internally displaced due to escalating violence fuelled by armed groups who continue to control most of the capital, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).
• Almost one in eight children internally displaced in Haiti as armed violence continues - UNICEF UNICEF 17 Jan 2025 -- The number of internally displaced children in Haiti has increased by nearly 50 per cent since September - now equaling approximately one in eight children in the entire country - as a result of ongoing violence caused by armed groups.

News Reports

• Former CIA Analyst Pleads Guilty to Transmitting Top Secret National Defense Information US Dept. of Justice 17 Jan 2025 -- A former CIA analyst pleaded guilty today to retaining and transmitting Top Secret National Defense Information to people who were not entitled to receive it, information which was publicly posted on a social media platform in October 2024.
• Former CIA analyst pleads guilty of leaking information on Israeli plans to attack Iran VOA 17 Jan 2025 -- A former CIA analyst pleaded guilty Friday in federal court in Virginia to charges that he leaked classified information about Israeli plans to strike Iran.
• G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) statement on Russian Influence Campaign Canada 17 Jan 2025 -- Today, Canada alongside other G7 RRM members (European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States) as well as G7 RRM Observer states (Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden) issued the following statement:
• Statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Regarding TikTok The White House 17 Jan 2025
• Justice Department Statements on Supreme Court's Decision in TikTok, et al. v. Garland US Dept. of Justice 17 Jan 2025 -- The Justice Department issued the following statements from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco on the Supreme Court's decision in TikTok, et al. v. Garland:
• Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban, but Biden says he won't enforce it Radio Free Asia 17 Jan 2025 -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday upheld a ban on the Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok, as the Biden administration said it won't enforce the law set to take effect on Sunday, its last day in office.
• TikTok's fate in limbo after US Supreme Court rules against it VOA 17 Jan 2025 -- TikTok has lost its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court for a reprieve from a law that it shut down its operations in the United States on Sunday, unless it can demonstrate it is close to a sale to divest itself from its China-based parent company, ByteDance.
• U.S. Takes Action Against PRC-Linked Cyber Actors for Treasury Hack and Salt Typhoon US Dept. of State 17 Jan 2025 -- The United States is imposing sanctions today on Yin Kecheng and Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology Co., LTD. (Sichuan Juxinhe), People's Republic of China (PRC)-linked malicious cyber actors responsible for serious intrusions against U.S. victims.
• Treasury Sanctions Company Associated with Salt Typhoon and Hacker Associated with Treasury Compromise US Treasury 17 Jan 2025 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is sanctioning Yin Kecheng, a Shanghai-based cyber actor who was involved with the recent Department of the Treasury network compromise. Additionally, OFAC is sanctioning Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology Co., LTD., a Sichuan-based cybersecurity company with direct involvement in the Salt Typhoon cyber group, which recently compromised the network infrastructure of multiple major U.S. telecommunication and internet service provider companies. People's Republic of China-linked (PRC) malicious cyber actors continue to target U.S. government systems, including the recent targeting of Treasury's information technology (IT) systems, as well as sensitive U.S. critical infrastructure.
• Memorandum on the Delegation of Certain Sanctions-Related Authorities The White House 17 Jan 2025
• Telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan President of Russia 17 Jan 2025 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan at the Armenian side's initiative.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answer to a question from the programme Moscow. Kremlin. Putin, Moscow, January 17, 2025 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Jan 2025
• Condemning the Sentencing of Navalny's Lawyers US Dept. of State 17 Jan 2025 -- The United States condemns today's sentencing of Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin, and Aleksey Liptser.
• Multilateral Experts Group Initiates Joint Actions to Further Counter the Shadow Fleet and its Maritime Risks US Dept. of State 17 Jan 2025 -- The following text was jointly agreed upon by United States, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom following recent engagements.
• Russia expects no major change in US sanctions policy under Trump Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has ruled out significant changes in the US policy of sanctions against Russia under the incoming administration of Donald Trump.
• Russia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the politically motivated charges of Alexei Navalny's defence lawyers European External Action Service (EEAS) 17 Jan 2025 -- On 17 January, the Petushinsky District Court of the Vladimir Region, Russia, sentenced defence lawyers of late Alexei Navalny for performing their professional duties defending Alexei Navalny in the farcical justice system in Russia. Vadim Kobzev, Alexey Liptser and Igor Sergunin were respectively sentenced with 5 and a half, 5 and 3 and a half years in prison for "participation in an extremist community".
• If China had provided military supplies to Russia, situation on the battleground would not have been where it is now: Chinese Ambassador to UN in response to US smear Global Times 17 Jan 2025 -- If China had really provided military supplies to Russia, the situation on the battleground would not have been where it is now, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said at a UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine on Thursday when refuting US fallacies.
• Supporters Chant 'Heroes!' As Russian Court Jails Navalny's Lawyers RFE/RL 17 Jan 2025 -- A Russian court sentenced three lawyers of Aleksei Navalny to lengthy prison sentences for carrying correspondence from the late anti-corruption crusader out of prison, prompting his supporters at the hearing to erupt into chants of "heroes."
• Russia adds VOA, Current Time, BBC journalists to register of 'foreign agents' VOA 17 Jan 2025 -- Russia's Justice Ministry on Friday added more journalists to its list of so-called foreign agents, including reporters for Voice of America, Current Time and the BBC.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on January 17, 2025 PRC MofA 17 Jan 2025
• President Xi Jinping Speaks with U.S. President-Elect Donald J. Trump on the Phone PRC MofA 17 Jan 2025 -- On the evening of January 17, President Xi Jinping took a phone call from U.S. President-Elect Donald J. Trump.
• Trump holds phone call with Xi Jinping ahead of inauguration VOA 17 Jan 2025 -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump held a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, just hours after China announced its plan to send Vice President Han Zheng to attend Trump's inauguration ceremony on Monday.
• Two investigative reports show recent cyberattacks on Chinese tech firms by the US Global Times 17 Jan 2025 -- National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team Center of China (known as CNCERT) released two investigative reports on Friday, exposing two recent cyberattacks by US intelligence agencies targeting major Chinese technology firms to steal trade secrets.
• Chinese FM urges US to stop wrongdoing after cyberattacks revealed targeting Chinese tech firms Global Times 17 Jan 2025 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated during Friday's press briefing that the CNCERT reports that revealed two cyberattacks against Chinese tech companies once again expose the US government's cyberattacks against China, including the theft of commercial and intellectual property.
• Defense ministry slams Lai's claims that 'Taiwan needs to raise defense budget,' says seeking independence leads to self-destruction Global Times 17 Jan 2025 -- The Lai Ching-te authorities, in collusion with foreign forces, have been making constant provocations for "Taiwan independence". It is now the biggest source of chaos that undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and the Asia Pacific. We warn the Lai Ching-te authorities and separatists that any attempt to seek independence by force is just like holding back the tide with a broom, and will eventually lead to self-destruction, Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said on Friday when commenting on Lai Ching-te's recent claims that countries like China and Russia threaten the rule-based international order and undermine peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond and Taiwan needs to continue to raise "defense budget" and enhance "defense capabilities.
• Taiwan 'welcomes' China's plan to resume group travel on limited basis CNA 17 Jan 2025 -- Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has cautiously welcomed an announcement by Chinese authorities on their plan to resume group travel to Taiwan for residents of Shanghai and Fujian province.
• China to resume Taiwan tour groups amid blame game Radio Free Asia 17 Jan 2025 -- China announced on Friday a plan to resume group tours to Taiwan after it criticized the island over what it called its inaction in normalizing cross-strait interactions.
• Mainland to resume group tour services for Fujian, Shanghai residents to Taiwan, 'a concrete measure addresses shared aspirations of people across the Straits' Global Times 17 Jan 2025 -- The Chinese mainland will soon resume group tour services for residents of Fujian and Shanghai to Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) on Friday, which Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said is a concrete measure addressing the shared aspirations of people on both sides of the Straits to enhance exchanges.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 17 Jan 2025
• Press Statement of Chief of External Policy Office of DPRK Foreign Ministry KCNA 17 Jan 2025 -- The chief of the External Policy Office of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Friday issued the following press statement "We will contain the planned hostile military provocations and control the unstable regional situation with more thorough exercise of the right to self-defence":
• KCNA Commentary on U.S. Increase in Defence Budget KCNA 17 Jan 2025 -- The present world is more eager for peace and stability than ever before as it has witnessed ceaseless bloody massacres and wars.
• Russia and Iran Cement Strategic Alliance With New Agreement Sputnik 17 Jan 2025 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement at the Kremlin.
• Putin: Strategic Agreement With Iran Marks a New Era of Cooperation Sputnik 17 Jan 2025 -- The visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Russia is of particular importance, since a major strategic partnership agreement with Iran will be signed, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.
• Inside the Russia-Iran Comprehensive Partnership Treaty: What's In It and Why It Matters Sputnik 17 Jan 2025 -- Three years of negotiations on a new strategic partnership pact between Russia and Iran reached a fruitful conclusion Friday with a signing ceremony in the Kremlin attended by top officials, including Presidents Putin and Pezeshkian. What's inside the agreement, and what will it mean for regional and international security? Here's what to know.
• A Weakened Iran's New Russia Pact Comes In Shadow Of Distrust RFE/RL 17 Jan 2025 -- A common enemy - the United States - has brought Iran and Russia together despite their troubled history and deep mistrust. Now, two of the world's most sanctioned nations are poised to sign a strategic partnership that will govern their bilateral relations for the next two decades.
• Amid Biting Sanctions, Russia And Iran Sign Pact To Deepen Ties RFE/RL 17 Jan 2025 -- Iran and Russia, two of the most-sanctioned nations in the world, have signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty as Moscow and Tehran deepen cooperation that has steadily increased since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
• Text of joint comprehensive strategic agreement between Iran and Russia IRNA 17 Jan 2025 -- The text of the comprehensive strategic joint agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation, which was signed by the presidents of the two countries, Masoud Pezeshkian and Vladimir Putin, on Friday, January 17, 2025 , in a ceremony in the Kremlin, was published in the form of an introduction and 47 articles as follows:
• Press conference following Russian-Iranian talks President of Russia 17 Jan 2025 -- Following the Russian-Iranian talks, Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian gave a joint press conference.
• Talks with President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian President of Russia 17 Jan 2025 -- Vladimir Putin held talks in the Kremlin with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, who had arrived in Russia on an official visit.
• Iran, Russia sign joint comprehensive strategic agreement IRNA 17 Jan 2025 -- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have signed the joint comprehensive strategic agreement in a ceremony in the Kremlin Palace.
• Iran, Russia sign comprehensive strategic partnership agreement Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- The presidents of Iran and Russia have signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement for long-term cooperation.
• Pezeshkian: Comprehensive cooperation agreement document will open new chapter in Iran-Russian ties IRNA 17 Jan 2025 -- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said that the comprehensive cooperation agreement between Iran and Russia will open a new chapter in the relations between the two countries in all fields, especially economic sectors.
• Pres. Pezeshkian: Iran-Russia ties can neutralize excessive demands of US, West IRNA 17 Jan 2025 -- President Masoud Pezeshkian highlighted the potential for Iran and Russia to engage in extensive cooperation across sectors such as infrastructure, education and trade, which can counteract the sanctions and excessive demands of the United States and Western countries.
• Iran urges Russia to play greater role in forcing Israel to fulfill its commitments IRNA 17 Jan 2025 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei has urged Russia to play a greater role in forcing Israel to fulfill its commitments and ending violence.
• FM Spox vows close ties with Russia to maintain regional stability, security IRNA 17 Jan 2025 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei has said that the Islamic Republic of Iran supports every effort to maintain peace and security in the region and is in close contact with Russian friends in this regard.
• Putin: Iran-Russia comprehensive agreement expands economic ties IRNA 17 Jan 2025 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed that the joint comprehensive strategic agreement between Russia and Iran will help expand bilateral economic cooperation and will give "us the opportunity" to diversify relations in all fields.
• Pres. Pezeshkian: Iran-Russia ties critical, strategic IRNA 17 Jan 2025 -- President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that the relations between Iran and Russia are sensitive, critical, and strategic.
• Leader favors expansion of interaction between Iran, Russia: Pezeshkian Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei favors the expansion of interaction between the country and Russia.
• Iran-Russia cooperation can thwart US, West extremism, sanctions: President Pezeshkian Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says the expansion of relations with Russia in various fields can thwart the "sanctions and excessive demands" of the United States and Western countries.
• Iran, Russia steadfast in 'sensitive, strategic' ties: President Pezeshkian Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran and Russia stand steadfast in mutual "sensitive, pivotal and strategic" relations.
• Iran president arrives in Russia to sign partnership pact Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has arrived in Russia on the second leg of his two-nation visit that also took him to Tajikistan.
• Iran pursues construction of two more units in Bushehr nuclear plant: AEOI chief IRNA 17 Jan 2025 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami said that the construction of the second and third units of Bushehr nuclear power plant (NPP) in Bushehr province, southern Iran, is presently in progress, and "we can say that it is in the best operational condition".
• Blinken Says Upcoming Election In Belarus Cannot Be Credible In Current 'Repressive Environment' RFE/RL 17 Jan 2025 -- The presidential election in Belarus later this month cannot be free or fair because of a "repressive environment" in the country, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on January 17 in a statement.
• Denouncing Sham Elections and Continued Repression in Belarus US Dept. of State 17 Jan 2025 -- The 2025 presidential election in Belarus cannot be free or fair in the country's current repressive environment.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz Prime Minister of Canada 17 Jan 2025 -- Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Council on Canada-U.S. Relations Prime Minister of Canada 17 Jan 2025 -- Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened the first meeting of the newly established Council on Canada-U.S. Relations. The Council, which comprises leaders in business, innovation, and policy, will provide advice to the Prime Minister and Cabinet on issues related to Canada-U.S. relations, including the threat of tariffs.
• Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (January 17, 2025) India MEA 17 Jan 2025
• Transcript of Special briefing by Secretary (East) on State visit of the President of Singapore to India (January 17, 2025) India MEA 17 Jan 2025
• Pakistan's ex-PM Imran Khan sentenced to 14-year jail term Press TV 17 Jan 2025 -- A Pakistani court has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 14 years imprisonment in a land graft case.
• Ex-Pakistani PM Khan Sentenced To 14 Years In New Graft Case RFE/RL 17 Jan 2025 -- A court in Pakistan has convicted the country's already imprisoned former prime minister, Imran Khan, and his wife Bushra Bibi in a new corruption case that he has disputed as politically motivated.
• Pakistan's ex-PM Khan, wife receive lengthy jail sentences in graft scandal VOA 17 Jan 2025 -- An anti-corruption court in Pakistan Friday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife to 14 years and seven years "rigorous imprisonment," respectively, in a contentious graft scandal stemming from his time in office.
• "We will leave future generations a legacy of a strong Türkiye" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 17 Jan 2025 -- Addressing AK Party's provincial congress in Konya, President Erdoğan said: "Each project and service we have introduced in our country in a period of over 22 years is also the manifestation of our gratitude to our nation. Now, our goal is to build the Century of Türkiye. To that end, we expand our vision, raise the bar for our programmes and projects, and take bold steps that would solve our country's chronic problems."
• PM meeting with Prime Minister Tusk of Poland: 17 January 2025 Gov.UK 17 Jan 2025
• PM meeting with President Andrzej Duda of Poland: 17 January 2025 Gov.UK 17 Jan 2025
• Prime Minister's remarks at joint press conference in Poland: 17 January 2025 Gov.UK 17 Jan 2025
• Press Conference by Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 17 Jan 2025
• Baltic foreign ministers: The decision by the outgoing US administration creates artificial divides Estonia MFA 17 Jan 2025 -- In a joint statement released today, Margus Tsahkna, Baiba Braže and Kęstutis Budrys, the foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania respectively, say that they are concerned by the U.S. administration's decision to exclude several countries from Paragraph (a) to Supplement No. 5 to Part 740 of the U.S. Framework for the Artificial Intelligence Diffusion.
• Joint Statement of the Foreign Affairs Ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on the U.S. Framework for the Artificial Intelligence Diffusion Lithuania MFA 17 Jan 2025
• Widow says shooting of former Cambodian lawmaker was 'definitely political' Radio Free Asia 17 Jan 2025 -- The widow of a former Cambodian opposition party lawmaker who was killed in a brazen street attack in Bangkok said she believes the shooting was "definitely political" and not the result of a personal dispute.
• Climate change, conflict and political unrest: Mozambique's triple crisis explained UNHCR 17 Jan 2025 -- A convergence of crises in Mozambique is forcing people to flee their homes, often multiple times, and complicating efforts to assist them.
• World News in Brief: Antisemitism action plan, DR Congo violence escalates, new migration movie, year of 'peace and trust' UN News 17 Jan 2025 -- The UN launched a new Action Plan on Friday that will enhance monitoring and response to antisemitism.
• Malawi takes steps to end cholera outbreaks by 2030 VOA 17 Jan 2025 -- Malawi's government launched a plan Thursday to stop cholera outbreaks by 2030.