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Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Statement Clarifying Defense Contracting DoD 28 Jan 2025 -- "The Department is currently reviewing the OMB Memorandum, "Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance," dated January 27, 2025."
• Belgian air, space commander visits Luke AFB US Air Force 28 Jan 2025 -- The 56th Fighter Wing leadership team, along with the 312th Fighter Squadron, hosted Maj. Gen. Thierry Dupont, commander of the Belgium Air and Space Component, during his visit to Luke Air Force Base, Jan. 13-16.
• U.S. Navy Installations, Fleet Commands Participate in Annual Force Protection Exercise US Navy 28 Jan 2025 -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) will conduct their annual two-part force protection exercise, Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain (CS-SC25), Feb. 3-14 at all Navy installations located in the continental United States.
• Operation Southern Spear: Latest Development in Operationalizing Robotic and Autonomous Systems US Navy Press Release 28 Jan 2025 -- U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is advancing the Navy's Hybrid Fleet Campaign through Operation Southern Spear, which will start later this month in U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility (USSOUTHCOM AOR) and at U.S. 4th Fleet Headquarters at Naval Station Mayport.
• Trump Orders to Prepare Iron Dome Missile Defense System Design Within 60 Days Sputnik 28 Jan 2025 -- US President Donald Trump has ordered Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to submit the Iron Dome missile defense system design within 60 days.
• Wider Europe Briefing: How Will The EU Respond To Trump's Defense Demands? RFE/RL 28 Jan 2025
• Meeting on developing unmanned aircraft systems President of Russia 28 Jan 2025 -- The President held a meeting in Togliatti on the development of unmanned aircraft systems.
• Visit to Samara Research and Production Centre for Unmanned Aircraft Systems President of Russia 28 Jan 2025 -- Vladimir Putin visited the Samara Research and Production Centre for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, which was established under the Unmanned Aircraft Systems national project and serves as the cornerstone of the unmanned aviation cluster in the Samara Region.
• Any Port In A Storm: How Russia's Navy Is Adrift After Syrian Pullout RFE/RL 28 Jan 2025 -- After loitering off the Syrian coast for weeks, two Russian cargo ships docked at the port of Tartus, part of a reluctant mission to unravel one of the Kremlin's biggest foreign policy successes since the Soviet collapse.
• Ukraine Giving Up Nukes Was 'Absolutely Stupid, Illogical And Very Irresponsible,' Zelenskiy Says RFE/RL 28 Jan 2025 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was optimistic about U.S. pressure on Moscow to end Russia's all-out war on Ukraine, according to a new interview, though he said he thought President Donald Trump was unclear how to do that.
• Ukraine Anti-Corruption Agency Launches Probe Into Defense Chief Umerov RFE/RL 28 Jan 2025 -- Ukrainian authorities said a criminal probe has been launched into Defense Minister Rustem Umerov for his failure to comply with an order to extend the contract of the chief of the Defense Procurement Agency (AOZ), in what appears to be a burgeoning dispute over arms procurement procedures.
• New dawn of innovation Australia DOD 28 Jan 2025 -- Soldiers, students and some sharp minds from defence industry came together for six weeks in Perth recently to deliver an innovation exercise that had been three years in the making.
• HMCS Harry DeWolf departs for counter-narcotics operations with US forces Canada 28 Jan 2025 -- On Sunday, January 26, His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Harry DeWolf departedits home port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, for a six-week deployment in the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean involving counter-narcotics related activities with US forces.
• Pistorius visits activation staff of the Brigade in Lithuania Germany - Federal Ministry of Defence 28 Jan 2025 -- The deployment of an armoured brigade to Lithuania is among the most complex and ambitious projects in the history of the Bundeswehr. Some 4,800 German troops will contribute to deterring Russia on NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization's eastern flank from now on. Germany's Defence Minister travelled to Lithuania to learn more about the progress of this lighthouse project.
• ICG and Indonesian Coast Guard renew MoU for another three years India PIB 28 Jan 2025 -- The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Indonesia Coast Guard (Badan Keamanan Laut Republik Indonesia - BAKAMLA) renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Maritime Safety and Security Cooperation for another three years during the 2nd High-Level Meeting (HLM) in Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi on January 27, 2025
• Iran has 'upper hand' in defense thanks to advanced technology: Chief of Staff IRNA 28 Jan 2025 -- Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri says the Army has gained the "upper hand" in conventional defense and electronic warfare through the use of advanced technology, including robotics and artificial intelligence.
• Iran's Army makes grand advances in electronic warfare, AI: General Bagheri Press TV 28 Jan 2025 -- Iran's Army has made grand achievements in acquiring new combat sciences and techniques, developing a substantial advantage in utilizing robotics, artificial intelligence, and electronic warfare.
• Myanmar junta begins recruiting women for active military service Radio Free Asia 28 Jan 2025 -- Myanmar's ruling military junta has begun initial steps to draft women for active military service, residents said, showing the military's desperation to replenish its ranks amid a series of battlefield defeats and desertions in the country's four-year civil war.
• Lithuania re-establishes the 1st Division of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Lithuania MND 28 Jan 2025 -- January 28, Rukla, re-established 1st Division of the Lithuanian Armed Forces was inaugurated with top political and military leadership in attendance. 250 years past the formation of Lithuania's first regular division in 1775, its modern twin has kicked off with the first staff and division commander in strength.
• Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on January 20-26, 2025 Lithuania MND 28 Jan 2025
• The President: Bolstering our armed forces is one of the strategic priorities for our country President of the Republic of Lithuania 28 Jan 2025 -- On Tuesday, President Gitanas Nausėda attended the ceremony marking the restoration of the 1st Division of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in Rukla.
• Latvian and Finnish Foreign Ministers: strengthening security of the Baltic Sea region lies in the common interests of the EU and NATO as a whole Latvia MFA 28 Jan 2025 -- The Minister reaffirmed their readiness for continued close cooperation to strengthen security in the Baltic Sea region and reinforce measures against Russia to address the threats it poses.
• Drone recovered off Calayan Island contains bathymetric data Philippine News Agency 28 Jan 2025 -- The drone recovered off Calayan Island last year contained bathymetric data which can be used in "undersea warfare," a ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official said on Tuesday.
• AFP: US foreign aid pause won't affect VFA, 'Balikatan' Philippine News Agency 28 Jan 2025 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday that long-standing agreements such as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which allows the conduct of the "Balikatan" exercises between the Philippines and the United States, will not be affected by President Donald Trump's order of a temporary suspension of foreign assistance.
• Trump administration freezes foreign development assistance VOA 28 Jan 2025 -- The Trump administration has ordered a three-month pause on almost all foreign development assistance pending a review to see what fits in with the president's "America First" policy. Aid groups and human rights watchdogs warn that the freeze will put countless lives around the world at risk.
• Tsahkna in phone call with Rubio: A just peace in Ukraine makes both the USA and Europe stronger Estonia MFA 28 Jan 2025 -- Today 28 January, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna had his first phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Tsahkna congratulated his US counterpart on his appointment and said he was looking forward to working together on advancing the interests of both countries and on reinforcing transatlantic relations.
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Estonian Foreign Minister Tsahkna US Dept. of State 28 Jan 2025
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Finnish Foreign Minister Valtonen US Dept. of State 28 Jan 2025
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Rwandan President Kagame US Dept. of State 28 Jan 2025
• Secretary Rubio's Call with European Union High Representative and Vice President Kallas US Dept. of State 28 Jan 2025
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty US Dept. of State 28 Jan 2025
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Algerian Foreign Minister Attaf US Dept. of State 28 Jan 2025
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Qatari Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani US Dept. of State 28 Jan 2025

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 28, 2025

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 28 January 2025 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 28 Jan 2025

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Troops of the Northern Command Continue Defensive Activity in Southern Lebanon Israel Defense Forces 28 Jan 2025
• Weapon Storage Facilities and a Weapons Manufacturing Workshop Dismantled During the Commando Brigade's Operation in Jenin Israel Defense Forces 28 Jan 2025
• Israel says UNRWA must evacuate occupied territories within 48 hours Press TV 28 Jan 2025 -- Israel says it will terminate all ties with the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) and any other body acting on its behalf in the occupied territories, despite warnings that the move will undermine the Gaza ceasefire.
• Palestinians return to Gaza as Trump doubles down on their removal VOA 28 Jan 2025 -- Large numbers of Palestinians continue to march from the south of the Gaza Strip toward their homes in Gaza City and the northern areas of the enclave after Israel opened checkpoints and allowed people through.
• 300,000 displaced Palestinians return to ruined northern Gaza IRNA 28 Jan 2025 -- About 300,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza, which has been left in ruins following 15 months of relentless Israeli attacks.
• Hamas: Palestinians' return to north Gaza 'definite sign' of Netanyahu's defeat Press TV 28 Jan 2025 -- A spokesman for the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has praised the return of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to the north of the Gaza Strip after 15 months of Israeli genocidal war as the definite sign of the Tel Aviv regime's defeat in its onslaught against the territory.
• '300,000 Palestinians' return to Gaza amid Israel-Hamas ceasefire Press TV 28 Jan 2025 -- The Government Media Office in the Gaza Strip, which struggles to emerge from 15 months of ferocious Israeli war of genocide, has announced that as many as 300,000 displaced Palestinians have returned home in the coastal sliver.
• Lebanon will remember Iranian-Iraqi support in hard times: Hezbollah chief IRNA 28 Jan 2025 -- The secretary general of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah says Lebanon will not forget the unwavering support from Iran and Iraq during the Israeli regime's assaults on the Arab country.
• Israeli airstrikes injure over a dozen in Lebanon's Nabatieh Press TV 28 Jan 2025 -- The Israeli regime has conducted another airstrike on Lebanon in violation of the ceasefire agreement, injuring at least 14 people.
• Lebanese Army Chief Reportedly Leaked Military Secrets to Hezbollah Sputnik 28 Jan 2025 -- A US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah due to expire on January 26 has been extended until mid-February.
• Israel UNRWA ban will undermine Gaza ceasefire, Security Council hears UN News 28 Jan 2025 -- The implementation of new Israeli laws banning the UN Palestine refugee agency, UNRWA - set to take effect on Thursday - will heighten instability and deepen despair in the occupied Palestinian territory, the Security Council has heard.
• Statement by Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA at the United Nations Security Council UNRWA 28 Jan 2025
• With Israeli Laws Set to Take Effect in 48 Hours, UN Palestine Refugee Agency Chief Warns Security Council of Risks to Gaza Ceasefire, Recovery Efforts UN Security Council 28 Jan 2025 -- The implementation of Israel's legislation on 30 January — curtailing the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) — will undermine the ceasefire and sabotage Gaza's recovery and political transition, a senior UN official told the Security Council today.
• UN chief appeals Israeli law banning UNRWA VOA 28 Jan 2025 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed to Israel's government to retract a new law essentially banning the U.N. agency that assists Palestinians. The law goes into effect this week.
• WFP reaches hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza in first week of the ceasefire WFP 28 Jan 2025 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reached more than 330,000 people in Gaza with food assistance in the first week of the ceasefire, providing food parcels, hot meals and cash assistance to war-weary families.
• UN opposes Trump's call for relocating people of Gaza IRNA 28 Jan 2025 -- The United Nations says it opposes US President Donald Trump's call for the forced displacement of the Palestinian people from the war-stricken Gaza Strip.
• Trump reiterates call for relocation of Gazans; UN blasts plan as 'ethnic cleansing' Press TV 28 Jan 2025 -- US President Donald Trump has once again called for forced relocation of Palestinians from the war-torn Gaza Strip to Egypt and Jordan, despite strong opposition from Cairo and Amman to the plan which has been slammed as "ethnic cleansing."
• Palestinians will not be uprooted through 'political coercion': Iran IRNA 28 Jan 2025 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei says Palestinians will not be forced out of their "homeland" in Gaza through "political coercion and demographic manipulation."
• Iran rejects Trump's plan to forcibly displace Gazans from 'homeland' Press TV 28 Jan 2025 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has rejected US President Donald Trump's plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Jordan and Egypt.
• Leader: Gaza brought US-backed Israeli regime to its knees Press TV 28 Jan 2025 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the small territory of Gaza brought the Israeli regime, which is armed to the teeth and fully supported by the US, to its knees.
• New humanitarian support for Gaza as ceasefire allows operations to scale up UK FCDO 28 Jan 2025 -- The Minister for Development announces new £17 million package to support thousands of civilians across the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
• The UK is deeply alarmed by the events in Goma: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 28 Jan 2025 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• The UK urges Israel to ensure that UNRWA can continue its lifesaving operations: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 28 Jan 2025 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on UNRWA.
• Middle East: Minister for Development's statement, 28 January 2025 UK FCDO 28 Jan 2025 -- Development Minister Anneliese Dodds gave an oral statement to the House of Commons on the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and effect on humanitarian aid.
• Ansarullah: Real peace to be established only through return of Palestinians to their homeland Press TV 28 Jan 2025 -- Yemen's Ansarullah popular resistance movement has asserted that true peace would be established across the occupied Palestinian territories only through potential return of the territories' entire Palestinian population.
• Rafah Border Crossing in Southern Gaza to Resume Operations Soon - Cairo Sputnik 28 Jan 2025 -- The Rafah crossing on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt will soon resume operations, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said.
• Al-Qassam: Occupation regime's insane war in West Bank will not bring security for Tel Aviv IRNA 28 Jan 2025 -- Ezzedin Al-Qassam Brigades, the military branch of the Hamas movement, in response to the crimes of the Zionist regime in the West Bank and the martyrdom of two of its fighters in Tulkarm, announced that the insane war of the occupiers in the West Bank will never bring security for this regime.
• Heavy fighting in West Bank's Tulkarm as Israeli bulldozers raze homes in refugee camp Press TV 28 Jan 2025 -- Invading Israeli forces have engaged in heavy clashes with Palestinian resistance fighters in the occupied West Bank's Tulkarm governorate.

Other Conflicts

• With acoustic blast, China ups aggression in disputed waters: Philippine Navy Radio Free Asia 28 Jan 2025 -- China's use of a long-range acoustic device against Filipino sailors in the South China Sea marks an "increase in aggression" in the disputed waters, a Philippine Navy spokesman said.
• China tests US commitment to South China Sea by pressuring Philippines VOA 28 Jan 2025 -- A little more than a week after Beijing and Manila reached an agreement aimed at easing tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippines has accused Chinese coast guard vessels of fresh incursions, harassment and "aggressive maneuvers."
• PCG to issue daily reports on illegal CCG presence in WPS: spox Philippine News Agency 28 Jan 2025 -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will monitor the continued incursion of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels off Zambales waters and reassert their illegal presence in the area.
• Chinese vessel hinders PCG response in recovering fisher's body Philippine News Agency 28 Jan 2025 -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel hindered its ship BRP Cabra in responding to a distress call from Filipino fishers off Zambales province.
• Provision of Optimal Support For the Winter Conditions in the Syrian Hermon Area Israel Defense Forces 28 Jan 2025
• Israel installs military equipment in Syria's 'demilitarized zone' Press TV 28 Jan 2025 -- Israel says it has transferred and installed military equipment within the demilitarized buffer zone in Syria's occupied Golan Heights.
• Jordan engages with Syria's HTS leaders to tackle terrorism VOA 28 Jan 2025 -- Jordan, which faces new regional challenges in dealing with Syria's transitional Islamist regime, is pursuing a strategy of containment through engagement to secure its long, shared border, analysts say.
• UN refugee chief urges greater global support for Syrians returning home People's Daily 28 Jan 2025 -- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Monday called on the international community to increase aid for Syrians returning to their war-ravaged homeland, warning that recent political changes have not alleviated the deep humanitarian crisis.
• Statement on arbitrary detentions of UN personnel in Yemen Government Offices of Sweden 28 Jan 2025
• Arakan Army captures junta camp on road to central Myanmar Radio Free Asia 28 Jan 2025 -- An ethnic minority insurgent force that has captured most of western Myanmar's Rakhine state has seized a military base on a main road into central heartland areas, the group said, raising the prospect of a rebel push into the Irrawaddy River valley.
• UN: Civilians' suffering 'unimaginable' in Congolese city under rebel attack VOA 28 Jan 2025 -- A senior U.N. official in the eastern Congolese city under threat from Rwandan-backed rebels said Tuesday that civilian suffering there is "truly unimaginable" and called for "urgent and coordinated" international action to end the fighting.
• UN warns of worrying humanitarian situation in DRC's Goma amid assault by Rwanda-backed rebels VOA 28 Jan 2025 -- There was gunfire Tuesday in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Goma, as the United Nations warned of a worrying humanitarian situation amid clashes between Congolese soldiers and Rwandan-backed rebels who attacked the area and claimed to be in control.
• Briefing Security Council on Goma Attack, Senior UN Official in Democratic Republic of Congo Urges De-escalation to Avert 'Third Congo War' UN Security Council 28 Jan 2025 -- As the Security Council convened an emergency meeting for the second time in three days to address the worsening situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a senior United Nations official warned that escalating attacks by the 23 March Movement, or M23, continue to kill civilians and peacekeeping personnel in and around the city of Goma.
• DR Congo crisis: 'The violence must end now', UN Security Council told UN News 28 Jan 2025 -- The UN Security Council convened its second emergency meeting in three days on Tuesday to address the escalating crisis in Goma - the regional capital of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• DR Congo emergency: Next 24 hours are critical, warn UN agencies UN News 28 Jan 2025 -- The latest reports from Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from UN teams on the ground indicate a fast-deteriorating situation on Tuesday amid an ongoing assault by M23 rebels on the provincial capital.
• Crisis in eastern DRC escalates - leads to greater humanitarian and protection needs WFP 28 Jan 2025 -- This is a summary of what was said by WFP DRC's Spokesperson, Shelley Thakral, to whom quoted text may be attributed - at a press briefing In Geneva today
• DRC: Türk calls for urgent action to stem grave human rights crisis in Goma OHCHR 28 Jan 2025 -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today warned that the human rights crisis in Goma, the capital of the North Kivu region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has left civilians exposed to gross human rights violations and abuses and serious violations of international humanitarian law. He reminded all parties of their obligations under international law to protect civilians.
• Statement on the situation in Democratic Republic of the Congo Government of Norway 28 Jan 2025
• Statement of the International Contact Group (ICG) on the situation in eastern DRC Government Offices of Sweden 28 Jan 2025 -- The International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG), chaired by Germany, gave a statement on the situation in eastern DRC.
• Protesters attack US, French embassies in Congo Kinshasa Press TV 28 Jan 2025 -- Protesters have attacked the embassies of the United States and France in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
• UN officials express alarm over escalating violence, humanitarian crisis in DRC People's Daily 28 Jan 2025 -- Senior UN officials on Monday expressed alarm over the escalation of violence and the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), amid intensified hostilities in Goma, the eastern regional capital city.
• Sudan and Eastern DRC: Foreign Secretary's statement UK FCDO 28 Jan 2025 -- The Foreign Secretary made a statement to the House of Commons on the situation in Sudan and Eastern DRC on 28 January.
• At least 4 children reportedly killed and 3 injured in attack on Saudi Hospital, El Fasher, North Darfur - Sudan UNICEF 28 Jan 2025 -- At least one girl and three boys were reportedly killed and three boys injured in an attack on the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher, in Sudan's North Darfur, that took place on Friday. In an illustration of the relentless dangers that children face, the children were among the patients receiving care in the hospital's emergency ward, being treated for injuries resulting from previous bombings in the area.
• ICC seeks arrest warrants over alleged war crimes in Sudan's Darfur Press TV 28 Jan 2025 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking arrest warrants for those accused of atrocities in Sudan's West Darfur region.
• Surge in terror attacks in northern Nigeria raises analysts' concern VOA 28 Jan 2025 -- Security analysts in Nigeria are expressing alarm after a surge in attacks by terror groups in the country's north near the border with Niger. The deterioration of relations between Abuja and Niamey following Niger's July 2023 coup has disrupted joint military patrols, creating opportunities for armed groups to intensify incursions and attacks.
• Nigeria: UN High-Level Mission Visits Bama, Borno State, Ahead of Fifth Lake Chad Basin Governors' Forum UNOCHA 28 Jan 2025 -- The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, the SRSG for the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), Mr. Abdou Abarry, and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed M. Fall, visited Bama a day before the kick-off of the fifth Lake Chad Basin Governors' Forum for Regional Cooperation on Stabilization, Peacebuilding, and Sustainable Development in Maiduguri.
• Puntland blocks illegal entry of foreigners in IS crackdown VOA 28 Jan 2025 -- Authorities in Somalia's Puntland region this week banned the illegal entry of foreigners and ordered telecom companies to deactivate SIM cards linked to undocumented people and Islamic State terrorists.

News Reports

• PRESS RELEASE: Doomsday Clock set at 89 seconds to midnight, closest ever to human extinction Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 28 Jan 2025 -- "Humanity Edging Closer To Catastrophe": Iconic Doomsday Clock moves one second closer to midnight as global existential threats rage. Clock factors include nuclear weapons, climate crisis, artificial intelligence, infectious diseases, and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
• Commission Releases Final Report on Foreign Interference Canada - Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions 28 Jan 2025 -- The Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions has released its Final Report following a 15 month investigation.
• India's comments on a Canadian Commission's report India MEA 28 Jan 2025 -- "We have seen a report about alleged activities on purported interference. It is in fact Canada which has been consistently interfering in India's internal affairs."
• AFP maintains Chinese national engaged in 'unauthorized surveillance' Philippine News Agency 28 Jan 2025 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday maintained that the Chinese national and his two Filipino cohorts who were recently arrested were engaged in "unauthorized foreign intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance activity."
• Australian statement of support - EU Sanction Australia DFAT 29 Jan 2025 -- Australia expresses its strong support for the European Union's decision to impose cyber sanctions on three individuals linked to the Russian Armed Forces for their role in malicious cyber activity targeting Estonia.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the General Meeting of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, Moscow, January 28, 2025 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Jan 2025
• EU Renews Russia Sanctions After Assuring Hungary On Energy Matters RFE/RL 28 Jan 2025 -- The European Union has renewed its wide-ranging sanctions against Russia after it provided assurances to the government of Moscow-friendly Hungarian leader Viktor Orban on energy-related issues.
• Xi lauds China's solid progress despite challenges in Year of Dragon Global Times 28 Jan 2025 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday noted solid progress the country has made in advancing Chinese modernization amid "complex and challenging" situations over the past twelve months at a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year.
• Analysts: Rubio charts a course for countering China VOA 28 Jan 2025 -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's Southeast and East Asia strategies will be aimed at countering China by toughening U.S. policies to secure regional peace and maximize American interests, analysts say.
• China, India agree to strengthen strategic communication, enhance mutual political trust, resume direct flights: FM Global Times 28 Jan 2025 -- China and India have recently reached multiple consensuses, including India expressing full support for China's rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and both sides agreeing to resume direct flights between the Chinese mainland and India, and facilitating personnel exchange, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
• Chinese FM calls on China, India to foster cooperation, not division People's Daily 28 Jan 2025 -- China and India should strive for mutual understanding, support and collaboration, rather than fostering suspicion, alienation and consuming each other, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday.
• Cooperation between China and Guinea-Bissau "is going strong:" minister People's Daily 28 Jan 2025 -- The cooperation between China and Guinea-Bissau "has existed for a very long time and remains strong," said Bissau-Guinean Minister of Social Communication Florentino Fernando Dias in an interview with Chinese media outlets.
• China welcomes Year of the Snake, but 'nobody is spending' Radio Free Asia 28 Jan 2025 -- China's 1.4 billion people welcomed in the Year of the Snake on Lunar New Year's Eve Tuesday night with brand new clothes, festive decorations and firecrackers to ward off evil, as well as the obligatory extended family meal for those who could make it home in time for festivities
• China's DeepSeek has close ties to Beijing Radio Free Asia 28 Jan 2025 -- Rising AI star DeepSeek has close ties to the Chinese government that could explain its rapid progress from a 1 million yuan (US$138,000) startup in 2023 to a major global challenger in the industry, according to a recent investigation by RFA Cantonese.
• Trump threatens 100% tariff on Taiwan's microchip industry Radio Free Asia 28 Jan 2025 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday threatened tariffs of up to 100% on computer chips imported from Taiwan, which produces about 90% of the world's most advanced chips.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 28 Jan 2025
• North Korea's Kim inspects nuclear facilities, warns of 'vicious' hostility Radio Free Asia 28 Jan 2025 -- North Korea's leader visited a nuclear-material production base and Nuclear Weapons Institute and warned that "confrontation with the most vicious hostile countries is inevitable," and his country must bolster its nuclear forces, the North's state media reported on Wednesday.
• Israeli regime disrupting peace, endangering region's fragile stability: Iran IRNA 28 Jan 2025 -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani says that Israel is the main threat to international peace and security, emphasizing that Tel Aviv makes "baseless allegations against Iran" to conceal the regime's "destructive activities".
• Araghchi to Trump: 'Nice words' not enough to buy Iran's confidence IRNA 28 Jan 2025 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says it would take a lot more than "nice words" by the new US administration to convince Tehran to begin negotiations with Washington toward reaching a new agreement.
• Any US, Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities will spell major disaster for region: FM Press TV 28 Jan 2025 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that any "crazy" Israeli or American attack on Iran's nuclear facilities will spell a "very bad disaster" for the entire region.
• Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson's remarks on Lukashenko's reelection as Belarusian president People's Daily 28 Jan 2025 -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Monday made remarks on incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko having won the presidential election in Belarus.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk Prime Minister of Canada 28 Jan 2025
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with President of Poland Andrzej Duda Prime Minister of Canada 28 Jan 2025
• Press Conference by Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 28 Jan 2025
• Serbia's prime minister resigns amid anti-corruption protests IRNA 28 Jan 2025 -- Serbia's Prime Minister Milos Vucevic has stepped down following months of protests that erupted after the tragic collapse of a train station in Novi Sad last year.
• Serbian PM Milos Vucevic Steps Down Amid Protests Over Novi Sad Train Station Tragedy RFE/RL 28 Jan 2025 -- Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned following weeks of mass protests demanding accountability for a deadly accident in Novi Sad where the collapse of a concrete canopy killed 15 people at the northern city's rail station, which critics have blamed on rampant government corruption.
• Analysis: Serbian PM Milos Vucevic's Resignation May Not Stop Protests RFE/RL 28 Jan 2025 -- The resignation of Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic may not be enough to end student protests that have rocked the Balkan country since a disaster at a railway station killed 15 people in November.
• Georgia: parliamentary elections marked by high polarisation, unequal competition conditions and a widespread climate of intimidation Council of Europe 28 Jan 2025 -- The conclusions of the report presented by Iulian Bulai (Romania, ALDE) on the observation of the parliamentary elections in Georgia on 26 October 2024 "raise concerns about the correctness of the election results, namely whether the election results truly reflect the will of the voters".
• Statement by President von der Leyen on the signature of the EU-Jordan Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership European Commission 28 Jan 2025
• General Affairs Council: remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas at the joint press point following the informal breakfast meeting European External Action Service (EEAS) 28 Jan 2025
• Budrys met with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kallas Lithuania MFA 28 Jan 2025 -- On 27 January, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, met with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, in Brussels.
• Minister Radosław Sikorski takes part in Poland-Australia consultations Poland - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Jan 2025 -- Poland's chief diplomat met today with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.
• World News in Brief: Children killed in Darfur hospital attack, date set for US climate pact withdrawal, WHO leads call to fight neglected diseases UN News 28 Jan 2025 -- At least one girl and three boys were killed, and three boys injured, during an attack on the Saudi Hospital in the besieged Sudanese city of El Fasher, North Darfur, on Friday.
• Namibian officials hopeful aid will resume after Trump's 90-day freeze VOA 28 Jan 2025 -- Health officials in Nambia are reacting with caution to the order from U.S. President Donald Trump last week that freezes most U.S. foreign aid.