MTQ News

  BBC: Vladimir Putin makes little mention of Ukraine in new year speech   Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for united support of his army in his annual new year address, without explicitly referring to the war he is waging in Ukraine.  The Kremlin leader hailed his soldiers as "heroes... at the forefront of the fight for truth".  He also referenced economic issues, a key topic for many Russians, and declared 2024 the "year of the family".  The address was a more subdued affair than the previous year's.   Read more ....  Russian President Putin Delivers Annual New Year’s Address To The Country  Putin makes passing Ukraine reference in New Year's Eve address -- CNBC/Reuters   Putin lauds Russian unity in his New Year’s address -- Politico/AP   Putin Praises Army in Scaled-Back New Year's Eve Address -- Moscow Times/AFP   Putin says Russia will never give up in New Year's address -- DPA   Putin warns...

  ABC News: US Navy sinks 3 Houthi boats attacking merchant ship in Red Sea, US says   The U.S. Navy sank three small boats, killing the crew, military officials said.   U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire and and sank three small boats carrying Houthi militants in the Red Sea on Sunday, after U.S. warships responded to a distress call from a merchant vessel, military officials said.  A Maersk container ship, the Singapore-flagged Hangzhou, issued a distress call at about 6:30 a.m. local time, U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Sunday. The merchant vessel said four small boats were attacking it.   Read more ....    US Navy Helicopters Sink Three Houthi Boats Attacking Merchant Ship In Red Sea   US Navy helicopters destroy Houthi boats in Red Sea after attempted hijack -- BBC   U.S. helicopters kill several Houthi rebels after latest Red Sea shipping attack -- CBC/AP   US Navy helicopters kill Iran-backed Houthi f...

  Bloomberg: Russia Vows Revenge for Strike on City Near Ukraine Border   (Bloomberg) -- Russia’s defense ministry vowed revenge for a deadly strike on Belgorod, claiming that Ukraine’s military had used so-called cluster bombs in the attack. “This crime will not go unpunished,” the ministry said in a statement about the strike on the city about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Russia’s border with Ukraine.  At least 18 people were killed, the New York Times reported, citing Russian authorities. The dead included two children, and more than 100 people were injured.  Multiple explosions were heard on Saturday evening in Ukrainian cities from Kharkiv and Sumy, near the Russian border, to Kherson in the south, with widespread air raid alerts triggered.  Russia’s foreign ministry has called for a United Nations Security Council meeting Saturday to discuss the attack, Tass said.   Read more ....   WNU Editor : This attack was done deliberately i...

China's President Xi Jinping speaks at the "Senior Chinese Leader Event" held by the National Committee on US-China Relations and the US-China Business Council on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Pool/File Photo   Reuters: Xi urges Chinese envoys to create 'diplomatic iron army'   BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged Chinese ambassadors to forge a "diplomatic iron army" loyal to the Communist Party, reviving the abrasive "Wolf Warrior" rhetoric propagated by some diplomats as a sign of China's increasingly assertive foreign policy.  "Dare to be good at struggle and to become defenders of the national interest. It is necessary to... resolutely safeguard the interests of national sovereignty, security and development with a posture of readiness and a firm will to defy strong powers," Xi to...

IN FLIGHT - FEBRUARY 3: In this handout image provided by the Department of Defense, a U.S. Air Force U-2 pilot looks down at the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon on February 3, 2023 as it hovers over the Central Continental United States. Recovery efforts began shortly after the balloon was downed.U.S. Department of Defense  Daily Mail: US intelligence officials determined the Chinese spy balloon used a US internet provider to communicate   * Intelligence officials have revealed that a Chinese spy balloon that flew across the US reportedly used an American internet service provider to communicate  * A new report stated that the balloon was connected to a US-based company and communicating with China about its navigation  * The unidentified internet service provider company has denied all such claims  Intelligence officials have revealed a Chinese spy balloon that flew across the US for a week in February used an American internet service provider t...

BBC: Venezuela to hold military drills after UK sends warship to Guyana   Venezuela has ordered the armed forces to hold military exercises in response to the UK's decision to send a warship to support neighbouring Guyana.  Military leaders said 5,600 soldiers would take part in "defensive" exercises on Venezuela's eastern Caribbean and Atlantic coasts.  Earlier this month, Venezuelan voters backed the creation of a new state in oil-rich Essequibo. Guyana has administered the area for decades.  In a television address on Thursday, President Nicolás Maduro said the exercises were being launched "in response to the provocation and threat of the United Kingdom against peace and the sovereignty of our country".   Read more ....  Venezuela Begins Military Exercises As UK Sends Warship To Support Guyana   Maduro displays Venezuela’s sea and air power near Guyana in response to British warship -- Miami Herald   Venezuela's Maduro slams deplo...

  WNU Editor : A lot of interesting updates today. from War News Updates https://ift.tt/JDLEZzl via IFTTT

A Russian state flag flies over the Central Bank headquarters in Moscow, Russia, August 15, 2023. A sign reads: "Bank of Russia". REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov/File Photo   Financial Times : Washington puts forward G7 plan to confiscate $300bn in Russian assets   Proposal would accelerate preparations in time for a February summit to show solidarity with Ukraine   The US has proposed that working groups from the G7 explore ways to seize $300bn in frozen Russian assets, as the allies rush to agree a plan in time for the second anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.  While no decisions have been taken and the issue remains hotly debated inside European capitals, the acceleration of work on confiscating Moscow’s assets for Ukraine highlights its rising importance for the west.  The topic was discussed this month by both G7 finance ministers and their deputies, according to people briefed on the calls, which touched on how to develop such a policy...

© AFP 2023 / JANEK SKARZYNSKI   Reuters: Russia Warns Japan Over Providing Patriot Air Defence Systems to Ukraine   MOSCOW (Reuters) - A move by Japan to provide Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine will have "grave consequences" for Russia-Japan ties, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.  Relations between Moscow and Tokyo, already difficult, have deteriorated sharply since Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in Feb. 2022. Japan has joined its Western allies in imposing sweeping economic sanctions on Russia. Last week, Japan said it would prepare to ship Patriot air defence missiles to the United States after revising its arms export guidelines, in Tokyo's first major overhaul of such export curbs in nine years.    Read more ....   WNU Editor: The Russian Foreign Ministry was reacting to this Japanese decision to send Patriot missiles to the U.S. and the possibility that it will then be transf...

  WAVY: U.S. military sees record breaking low recruitment numbers   (WAVY) — 2024 will be at a record low in U.S. military recruitment, said government officials.  The New Year will be the smallest active duty force since 1940.   The Department of Defense (DOD) says military services missed recruiting goals by 41,000 during the 2023 fiscal year.  The shortfall hits the Army, Navy, and Air Force. However, the Marine Corps and Space Force meets it’s recruiting goals.  Officials want young people to enlist. The DOD reports that only 23% of young people between 17 and 24 qualify to join the military, but even fewer have interest in joining.   Read more ....   WNU Editor : The Pentagon is optimistic that this recruiting crisis will not last .... After Tough Year, Military Recruiting Is Looking Up (US Department of Defense).   Update : This Army vet has a good explanation .... The US military grapples with a recruiting crisis. O...

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi gives a statement to the media at an army base in southern Israel, December 26, 2023. (Flash90)    Reuters: Gaza war will go on for months, Israel's military chief says   JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza will likely go on for many months, the country's military chief said on Tuesday.  "The war will go on for many months and we will employ different methods to maintain our achievements for a long time," Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi told reporters in a televised statement on the Gaza border.  "There are no magic solutions, there are no short cuts in dismantling a terrorist organization, only determined and persistent fighting," said Halevi. "We will reach Hamas' leadership too, whether it takes a week or if it takes months."   Israel vowed to annihilate Hamas after its fighters burst into Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages. Its air, sea and grou...

  SKY News : Russia completes nuclear weapons shipments to Belarus, president says   Concerns have been raised after Belarus claimed it has completed receiving tactical nuclear weapons from Russia.   Russia has completed its shipments of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, according to the country's president, raising international concern.  At a meeting of a Moscow-led economic bloc in St Petersburg, Alexander Lukashenko said the deliveries were finished in October - though he didn't say how many or where they have been deployed.  Read more ....  Russia Completes Nuclear Weapons Shipments To Belarus   Belarus leader says Russian nuclear weapons shipments are completed, raising concern in the region -- AP   Putin Moved His Nuclear Weapons - Belarus -- Newsweek   Russia has completed delivery of nuclear weapons to Belarus, Lukashenko says -- UPI   Belarus leader says Russian nuclear weapons shipments are completed, ...

  Daily Mail: U.S. shoots down 12 suicide drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles and two land attack cruise missiles fired by Iran-backed rebels in southern Red Sea over 10-hour period   * Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a barrage of drones and missiles on Tuesday morning, with the onslaught lasting 10 hours  * The strikes were heading north but were intercepted by the USS Laboon and F/A-18 Super Hornets from the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group  * The Laboon, in addition to destroyers Carney and Mason, have all taken down drones in recent weeks and provided help to commercial vessels  Houthi rebels supported by Iran launched a barrage of drones and missiles north towards Israel on Tuesday, with the onslaught blocked by a U.S. Navy destroyer and F/A-18 Super Hornets. U.S. Central Command said that the attack began at 6:30am and lasted for 10 hours.  'U.S. assets, to include the USS LABOON (DDG 58) and F/A-18 Super Hornets from the Eisenhower Carr...

  Reuters: Baghdad condemns U.S strike on Iraqi military positions   Iraq's government on Tuesday condemned overnight U.S. air strikes on Iraqi military positions that it said killed one serviceman and wounded 18 people, calling them a "clear hostile act".  The United States carried out retaliatory air strikes on Monday in Iraq after a one-way drone attack earlier in the day by Iran-aligned militants that left one U.S. service member in critical condition and wounded two others. The government condemned the U.S. strikes as "an unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty" while stressing that attacks by armed groups against military bases hosting U.S-led coalition advisers are hostile acts and violate Iraqi sovereignty, a government statement said. Read more ....   Update #1: Iraq Objects to US Strikes That Killed 1, Wounded 18 (VOA)   Update #2: Iraq slams US after deadly strikes on pro-Iran forces (France 24)   WNU Editor : This is DOA .... ...

  WNU Editor : A lot of updates today. from War News Updates https://ift.tt/9nXDe81 via IFTTT

President Joe Biden answers a reporter's question as he walks from Marine One upon arrival on the South Lawn of the White House, Dec. 20, 2023, in Washington. Biden ordered retaliatory strikes Monday, Dec. 25, against Iranian-backed militia groups after three U.S. servicemembers were injured in a drone attack in Northern Iraq. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)   The Hill: Biden orders strikes on Iranian group in Iraq after 3 US service members wounded   President Biden ordered strikes on three locations in Iraq after three U.S. service members were wounded, one critically, in an attack early Christmas morning credited to a militia group backed by Iran.  In a statement Monday, National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said Biden directed the strikes against three facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups, which claimed credit for the initial attack against U.S. personnel.  The groups, the U.S. said, are all connected to Iran.  The ...

Iranian military commander Seyed Radhi Mousavi seen in an undated photo. (Source: social media)   BBC : Israeli strike in Syria kills Iranian commander, Iran says   A senior Iranian commander was killed in a suspected Israeli strike in Syria. Iranian media say.  Seyyed Razi Mousavi was "an experienced military adviser" to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the semi-official Tasnim news agency said.  It says he was killed in an air strike on the Sayyida Zeinab area south-east of Damascus.  Israel has carried out military strikes in Syria for years, against what it says are Iran-linked targets.  The strikes have increased in frequency over the past months following Hamas' attack on 7 October.   Read more ....   Israeli Airstrike In Damascus Kills High-Ranking Iranian General   Israeli airstrike in Damascus kills high-ranking Iranian general, says Iran -- The Guardian/AP   Israeli airstrike in Syria kills senior Irani...

  DNYUZ/New York Times : Russia Sees a Western Hand Behind Serbian Street Protests   Fishing in Serbia’s troubled waters after a contested general election, Russia on Monday accused the West of orchestrating anti-government street protests in Belgrade, the Serbian capital, that flared into violence on Sunday evening.  Claims of a Western plot by Russia’s ambassador to Serbia, Alexander Botsan-Harchenko, were the latest efforts by Moscow to thwart a so far mostly fruitless diplomatic campaign by the United States and Europe to lure Serbia out of Russia’s orbit and break traditionally strong ties between the two Slavic and Orthodox Christian nations.  Previously peaceful street protests in Belgrade over what the opposition says was a rigged general election on Dec. 17 turned ugly on Sunday after protesters tried to storm the capital’s City Council building and were met by volleys of tear gas from riot police officers.   Read more ....   Russian F...

July 4, 2017. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, during a joint news conference following a meeting. © Michael Klimentyev © Sputnik   Business Insider: Russia and China are on the brink of a military alliance that could overwhelm the US   * For decades, the US has been the world's main military superpower.  * But the US faces formidable new threats, and rising global conflict.  * In the wake of the Ukraine war, Russia and China have been growing closer.  For decades, the military might of the US was unchallenged.  After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the US was the world's only military superpower, with its forces deployed all over the world to defend allies and deter aggression.  But as 2023 draws to a close, conflicts are flaring across the world, and Russia and China are growing increasingly aggressive in their shared ambition to topple the US as the world's biggest power.  Their author...

Smoke billows across the horizon along the hills in the Naqura area of southern Lebanon following IDF bombardment from a position along the border in northern Israel on December 24, 2023. (Jalaa MAREY / AFP)   Times of Israel : IDF carries out ‘wide-scale’ airstrikes on Hezbollah as rockets from Lebanon hit north   Anti-tank missile hits house in Avivim, causing no casualties; alert sirens go off in multiple communities along border and in Galilee Panhandle   The Israel Defense Forces said it carried out “wide-scale” strikes against Hezbollah targets Sunday after barrages of rockets from Lebanon targeted multiple communities in northern Israel.  The IDF said fighter jets hit military buildings, rocket launchers, and other infrastructure belonging to the Iran-backed terror group in response to the rocket attacks. It also said it opened fire to “remove threats” at several areas along the border.  Cross-border attacks from Lebanon have persisted since the ou...

  BBC: Tanker hit off India coast by drone from Iran, says US   A chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean was hit by a drone launched from Iran on Saturday, the US military says.  A fire on board the Chem Pluto was extinguished. There were no casualties.   Iran has not commented. Houthi rebels in Yemen - who are backed by Iran and support Hamas in its war with Israel - have recently used drones and rockets to target vessels in the Red Sea.  But this event is the first of its kind so far away from there, according to maritime security firm Ambrey.  The same company also said the vessel was heading from Saudi Arabia to India, and was linked to Israel.  The Houthis have claimed to be targeting Israel-linked vessels over the conflict in Gaza.   Read more ....  US Accuses Iran Of Attacking A Chemical Tanker In The Indian Ocean   Pentagon says Iranian drone ‘attack’ hit chemical tanker near India -- CNBC/Reuters   US accu...

  WNU Editor: A lot of updates today. from War News Updates https://ift.tt/Pox5rKB via IFTTT

On December 24, 2023, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that its forces have targeted and destroyed Ukrainian NASAMS and French-donated Crotale NG air defense systems stationed at the Starokonstantinov airfield in the Khmelnitsky region. This operation marks the first recorded instance of a Crotale NG air defense missile system being destroyed in combat. Read News Russia - Ukraine War at this link ... France has delivered two Crotale NG air defense systems to Ukraine. (Picture source Social Network) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/YaMDgG7 via IFTTT

Helsinki, Finland, December 24, 2023 – In a landmark move to bolster its military capabilities, the Finnish Ministry of Defense announced on December 22, 2023, that the Finnish Defense Forces will undertake a comprehensive upgrade of their M270A1 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS). This decision will see all 41 units of the M270D1 MLRS, locally known as the 298 RsRakH 06, being refurbished to the more advanced M270A2 standard. Read full Defense News at this link ... Finnish Army M270D1 MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System which is the Finnish variant of the American M270A1.  (Picture source Wikimedia ) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/1GIdiqe via IFTTT

In a significant update on December 23, 2023, the British Ministry of Defense announced substantial progress in the Ajax tracked armored reconnaissance vehicles program, a pivotal initiative in modernizing the British Army's capabilities. The Ajax program, aimed at replacing the aging CVR(T) reconnaissance vehicles, is advancing steadily towards delivering a new generation of armored fighting vehicles tailored to the needs of the British Army. Read full Defense News at this link ... The Ajax is the primary variant designed for reconnaissance and combat which is armed with a 40mm automatic cannon. (Picture source British MoD) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/26t4SFR via IFTTT

In an insightful new video release, military experts provide an in-depth review of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict, focusing specifically on the intense combat encounters between the Russian BMP and the US Bradley M2A2, a formidable tracked IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) currently operated by the Ukrainian army. Read full Defense News at this link ... Ukrainian forces engage a Russian BMP series IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle with US-Made Bradley M2A2 in a fierce battle. (Picture source Video Footage Telegram) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/XsSIgew via IFTTT

As the   fourth day of the prestigious Egyptian Defense Expo or EDEX 2023 unwrapped, the Army Recognition Group was on the ground to bring our readers the latest developments and innovations in the defense sector. Read full news at this link The K9A1EGY Self-Propelled Howitzer from Hanwha displayed at EDEX 2023. (Picture source Army Recognition) Read more from World Defence News https://ift.tt/zHP8Xth via IFTTT

  Politico: UN Security Council passes resolution to boost Gaza aid as US abstains   The vote follows days of negotiations to avoid a veto from Washington, which had pushed to tone down initial language advocating a cease-fire.   NEW YORK — The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution Friday to ramp up international humanitarian aid to Gaza, after days of negotiations amid a push from the U.S. to tone down the language.  Both the U.S. and Russia ultimately abstained from the vote, allowing the resolution to pass with unanimous support from the rest of the Security Council, which includes the United Kingdom, China and France as permanent members. The vote on the resolution, penned by the United Arab Emirates, was delayed for four days in hopes of avoiding a U.S. veto. In the end, a week of tense negotiations yielded text that the U.S. had said Thursday night it would not vote down.  Language that originally called for a cease-fire was changed instead to ...

US coalition is falling apart with rumors France is leaving to go protect 🇫🇷ships while DoD has virtually abandoned 🇺🇸ships idle right NOW within Houthi missile range I'm also deeply troubled by the sea of US Naval officers & experts here who push back hard on my concerns. pic.twitter.com/qC34UCCSpD — John Ʌ Konrad V (@johnkonrad) December 21, 2023 WNU Editor: John Konrad is saying what many are choosing to ignore. The gCaptain's website is here ( link here ). from War News Updates https://ift.tt/gKb8LIa via IFTTT

December 22, 2023 - German Defense Company Rheinmetall has secured a major defense contract from Romania, a NATO and EU member state, for the comprehensive modernization of the nation's Oerlikon GDF 103 35mm air defense artillery systems. The deal, valued at approximately €328 million, includes the supply of four systems, along with training, spare parts, and additional services. The timeline for delivery is set for two systems within the next two years, and the remaining two in the following three years. Read full Defense News at this link ... The modernized version of the Oerlikon 35mm anti-aircraft twin-gun. (Picture source Rheinmetall) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/X30DoBK via IFTTT

The Spanish Army has agreed with Tess Defence for a new armored vehicle, marking a significant step in the modernization of its fleet with the upcoming introduction of the Vehículo de Apoyo de Cadenas (VAC). This ambitious project, estimated to be around 2 billion euros, signifies a major advancement in the operational and logistical capabilities of the Spanish Army. The Spanish Ministry of Defense announced on December 21, 2023. Read full news at this link... Spain signed a contract with Tess Defence for the production of the VAC. (Picture source: Spanish MoD) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/wmX0l5G via IFTTT

U.S. Navy destroyers have shot down 38 drones and multiple missiles in the Red Sea over the past two months. U.S. Navy   Politico : A $2M missile vs. a $2,000 drone: Pentagon worried over cost of Houthi attacks   “That quickly becomes a problem because the most benefit ... is in their favor,” one expert said. As American warships rack up kills against Houthi drones and missiles in the Red Sea, Pentagon officials are increasingly alarmed not just at the threat to U.S. naval forces and international shipping — but at the growing cost of keeping them safe.  U.S. Navy destroyers have shot down 38 drones and multiple missiles in the Red Sea over the past two months, according to a Defense Department official, as the Iran-backed militants have stepped up attacks on commercial vessels moving energy and oil through the world’s most vital shipping lanes. On Saturday alone, the destroyer USS Carney intercepted 14 one-way attack drones. Read more ....  WNU Editor : It is...

According to Defensa on December 19, 2023, the Brazilian Army has recently advanced the deployment schedule for the MSS 1.2 AC anti-tank missile, initially set for 2024, to an earlier date. This move parallels the reorganization of the Boa Vista cavalry squadron into the 18th Mechanized Cavalry Regiment (18th RCMec). Notably, this decision was made before the completion of the final report on the missile's equipment tests. Read full defense news at this link... Equipped with a two-stage solid fuel propulsion system, the MSS 1.2 has an effective range of up to 3.2 kilometers. (Picture source: SIATT) Read more from World Defence News https://ift.tt/MlHy0gW via IFTTT

In a televised speech on Wednesday, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi said that his militants would not stand by if the US 'commit foolishness by targeting our country' © Provided by The Telegraph   Daily Mail: Biden weighs up direct military strikes against Houthi sites in Yemen to avoid the $2million cost per shot of bringing down the rebel group's attack drones in bid to protect trade routes through the Red Sea    * The Pentagon is keeping its cards close to its chest amid reports that officials have offered Biden an option for direct military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, which could result in a stand off with Iran  The Biden administration could be looking at another strategy in its battle with the Houthi rebels in Yemen a step further after it emerged that the cost of shooting down one of the group's drones over the Red Sea is around $2 million.  Earlier this week, the Pentagon announced a ten country coalition that would serve as a deterrent against t...