Monday, December 30, 2019

Iran's Deputy Army Chief Issues Warning That 'Spy Craft' Monitoring Naval Drills With China And Russia Will Be Hit


Sputnik: Any Spying Craft Near Iran-Russia-China Drills to Be Hit - Iran Deputy Army Chief

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Any spying aircraft spotted in the area of joint drills of Iran, Russia, China will be destroyed, the Coordinating Deputy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, Habibollah Sayyari, told Tasnim news agency on Saturday.

"Many countries are definitely seeking to know what the matter is. Spies have also taken action. A joint war game is no joke, and this is no joking matter for us either. We will hit whatever spying craft in the war game zone, be it watercraft or aircraft, as we have proved having such a capability in the past," he said.

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Update: Foreign forces only threat in Gulf, Iran’s navy chief warns, inviting regional players to join drills it held with Russia & China (RT)

WNU Editor: The Iranians are never short of threats and bluster.
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Watch Russian, Iranian, Chinese Warships Kick Off Joint Naval Exercises (Photos and Video)



Sputnik: Watch Russian, Iranian, Chinese Warships Kick Off Drills in Demonstration of Strength – Photo, Video

The joint naval exercises, taking place in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean, are the first of their kind for the Iranian Navy since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

The first footage from the joint Russian-Iranian-Chinese wargames which kicked off Friday has been making its way online, showing joint training, vessels sailing, and Iranian forces welcoming Russian frigate Yaroslav Mudry at Chabahar Port in southeastern Iran, about 415 km southeast of the Strait of Hormuz.

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WNU Editor: This exercise have been completed .... Iran, Russia and China complete all stages of joint naval drills (TASS)
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Does President Trump’s National Security Adviser Know Who Runs North Korea?



RT: Kim Jong-unbelievable: Trump’s national security adviser forgets how to say North Korean leader’s name

President Trump’s national security adviser is a trusted source of counsel when dealing with adversaries like North Korea. Surprisingly, knowing the name of the North Korean leader doesn’t seem to be a job requirement.

Despite a series of high-profile meetings between President Donald Trump and chairman Kim Jong-un, tensions between the US and North Korea are returning to old highs. Pyongyang wants Washington to drop its calls for denuclearization, and Kim has given the US a year-end deadline to meet this request, while issuing cryptic threats of a “christmas gift” for America.

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WNU Editor: I hope this was just a brain freeze instead of not knowing who the leader of North Korea is.
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World News Briefs -- December 30, 2019



MIDDLE EAST

US attacks Iran-backed militia bases in Iraq and Syria.

Iran, Iraq governments condemn U.S. airstrikes targeting Iraqi militia.

Top Iraqi militia chief warns of tough response to US air strikes on Iraq, Syria-based groups.

Yemen: Houthis blamed for attack on military parade.

Iraq protesters blockade oilfield, rally in southern cities.

Iraq: Operations resume at Nasiriya oilfield closed over protests.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe to go on hunger strike for fellow detainee in Iran.

More nuclear energy for Turkey as Russia starts work on 2nd power unit for Akkuyu plant.

ASIA

Australia: Fires worsen and reach Melbourne suburbs. Thousands flee as heatwave-fuelled bushfires reach Melbourne. Australia fires worsen as every state hits 40C.

Taliban slams ‘baseless reports' of ceasefire plans.

U.S. promises action on any North Korea missile test: White House.

PLA’s Hong Kong garrison holds joint drill in city’s harbour in ‘message to radical protesters’.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen says talks with Beijing could resume. Ahead of election, Taiwan president calls China 'biggest threat'.

Samoa lifts state of emergency after bringing measles outbreak under control.

China to stop sending sex workers to forced labour 'education' centres.

China’s gene-editing ‘Frankenstein’ jailed for three years in modified baby case.

AFRICA

Mogadishu truck bomb death toll rises to 90 as Turkey evacuates wounded.

US air strikes target al-Shabaab after Mogadishu bombing.

Head of UN-recognised gov't in Libya asks world leaders for help.

Libya conflict: Turkey troop deployment bill sent to MPs.

France, Egypt urge ‘restraint’ in Libya as Turkey weighs sending troops.

Ivory Coast ex-rebel Soro vows to lead resistance from abroad, 'like de Gaulle'.

Sudanese court sentences 27 security officials to death. Sudan jails 27 soldiers over protest killing.

Liberia: Anti-government protest postponed for security reasons.

EUROPE

Strike deadlock continues as French government, unions trade barbs.

Italian PM calls for unity as three senators move to far-right party.

Ukraine swaps 200 prisoners with pro-Russian separatists.

Pompeo to visit Ukraine amid impeachment drama. US Secretary of State plans to visit Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Cyprus.

Polish PM furious at Putin rewriting history of second world war.

Croatia finds former prime minister guilty of corruption.

Shots fired near Berlin's Checkpoint Charlie.

Russia has hottest year since records began in 1891.

AMERICAS

Trump, Putin discussed Russia attack, arms control, relations: White House.

Democrats worry impeachment acquittal will embolden Trump.

Monsey stabbing: NYC mayor vows action on anti-Semitism 'crisis'.

45 mass killings leave 211 dead as United States hits horror high mark in 2019.

Bolivia: interim leader expels Mexican ambassador and two Spanish diplomats.

Nicaragua releases dozens of political prisoners.

Uruguayan officials seize 4 tons of cocaine valued at $1.3 billion.

Venezuela crisis: The refugees who fled a collapsed economy.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

New Year holidays TERRORIST ATTACK in St. Petersburg averted after US tip-off: FSB releases VIDEO of suspects’ arrest.

Turkey arrests scores of suspected 'Islamic State' members.

US targets al-Shabab militants after deadly Mogadishu bombing.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

China’s top negotiator Liu He to visit Washington for phase one trade war deal signing this week, source says.

Tesla delivers first Chinese-made Model 3 vehicles.

US, China and Germany profit most from global free trade, says WTO.
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Military And Intelligence News Reports -- December 30, 2019

A filtered and enhanced version of the Planet Labs image that has been circulating online showing USS Abraham Lincoln in the middle of USS Farragut, sailing in front, and USS Leyte Gulf, following behind. A commercial tanker is seen sailing at the top right. The multitude of small Iranian boats are also clearly visible all around. PHOTO © 2019 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Warzone/The Drive: Navy Confirms Boat Swarm Seen Alongside Carrier Group In This Satellite Image Was Iranian

The image shows 18 small craft sailing next to the USS Abraham Lincoln and her escorts in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month.

The U.S. Navy has confirmed that "multiple" small Iranian boats running alongside the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other ships from her strike group as she sailed through Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman earlier this month, as seen in commercial satellite imagery. The service has rejected reports that any of the Iranian craft harassed or otherwise acted provocatively toward the carrier, saying the activity was within "normal behavior patterns." Still, the image of 18 small boats in very close proximity to Lincoln and her escorts is eye-opening and a stark reminder of the inherent risks of each transit through the Strait.

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Military And Intelligence News Reports -- December 30, 2019

This is how the US military is protecting the Strait of Hormuz. -- Military Times

Iran, Russia and China complete all stages of joint naval drills -- TASS

Iranian Admiral Reveals What Prompted Russia, China to Join Iran for Tripartite Drills -- Sputnik

Navy proposes construction cutbacks, ship retirements, curtailing fleet goal -- The Hill

355 or Bust? U.S. Navy Struggles to Grow With Flat Budget -- Robert Farley, Diplomat

Navy Buys Three MQ-4 Tritons, Pays For Growler Jamming Upgrade Development -- USNI News

Navy proposes cutting future production of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers by 40% -- Stars and Stripes/Portland Press Herald

New Submarines to Take Names of Pearl Harbor Battleships -- AP

New in 2020: Planks on the Marine PFT — and how the Corps will try to stay the most fit branch -- Marine Times

'The guy is freaking evil': Eddie Gallagher's platoon Navy SEALS describe him as 'toxic' and trigger-happy in previously unseen interviews with investigators before his trial for war crimes -- Daily Mail

National security adviser defends Trump’s handling of war crimes case -- Politico

Enlisted Medal of Honor Recipients, POWs Can Now Have Full-Honor Burials at Arlington -- Military.com

Are you getting enough sleep? The Air Force wants to know more about airmen’s sleep patterns -- Air Force Times

F-16 shoots down drone at Eglin AFB in cruise missile defense test -- UPI

Raytheon nabs $768.3M contract to provide AMRAAMs to foreign partners -- UPI

Boeing awarded $265.2M modification to GMD missile upgrade contract -- UPI

Inside Palantir’s support of the Army’s massive data problem -- FedScoop

WH national security adviser on North Korean 'Christmas gift': 'We'll have to wait and see' -- The Hill

House Armed Services Committee chairmen resolve to narrow defense bill in 2020 -- Defense News

Time and cost of relocation of U.S. base in Okinawa to double -- PBS

The Weakness of US Navy Intelligence and Surveillance in the South China Sea -- Bonnie Evans, Epoch Times

Pilot shortages could ground China’s plans to develop combat-ready carrier fleet -- SCMP

What planes will be on board China’s second aircraft carrier, the Shandong? -- SCMP

China's test of sub-launched missile a threat to peace, retired captain warns -- Washington Times

Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat Becomes Country’s First Chief of Defence Staff -- Sputnik

Why Japan Chose The F-3 Over America's F-35 Stealth Fighter -- National Interest

Russian Defence Ministry to Get Modernised Su-34M Bombers Under New Contract - Producer -- Sputnik

Russia deploys hypersonic missile into 'combat duty,' state media claims -- CNN

Polish armed forces chief on walking the line with Russia -- Defense News

Sweden’s defense minister on relations with America, Russian threats and the European Union -- Defense News

Allies join Space Force for multinational collaboration -- UPI

Does the US Army have enough weapons to defend Europe? Exercise Defender 2020 will reveal all. -- Defense News
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Afghan Taliban Slam Reports That They Are About To Declare A Ceasefire


France 24: Taliban slams ‘baseless reports' of ceasefire plans

The Taliban on Monday denied agreeing to any ceasefire in Afghanistan after rumours swirled of a potential deal that would see a reduction in fighting after more than 18 years of war.

In a statement released on Twitter, the Taliban’s official spokesman said the group has “no intention of declaring a ceasefire”.

Blasting multiple US media reports suggesting the group was ready to announce a temporary truce, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied “propaganda by some outlets” of a schism within the movement over the ceasefire issue. "Some intelligence circles are utilizing the media in an effort to generate anxiety, false optimism and sabotage the ongoing negotiations process through the dissemination of misleading information," said the statement without providing further details.

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Previous Post: Taliban Council Agrees To A Temporary Ceasefire In Afghanistan (December 29, 2019)

WNU editor: I should not be surprised. The Taliban have shown no interest in a ceasefire during these talks. So who spread the story that was picked up by every news agency in the world that the Taliban were ready to announce a ceasefire?
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Japanese Report Is Saying that North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un's Slush Fund Is Running Out

Kim Jong-un calls for ‘positive & offensive’ measures to ensure N. Korea’s security amid stalled denuclearization talks with US

UPI: Kim Jong Un slush fund running out, report says

Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A North Korean slush fund established exclusively for Kim Jong Un's use could be running out of money, according to a Japanese press report.

Tokyo Shimbun reported Monday "Fund No. 216," a stash of money the North Korean leader inherited from father Kim Jong Il, retains less than $1 billion.

When Kim Jong Un inherited the fund, it was worth about $4 billion to $5 billion. A North Korean source told the Japanese news service the cause of the decline in funds is international sanctions.

With less than $1 billion in No. 216, the assets are likely to be depleted within a year, the report says.

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WNU Editor: This is nothing new. News reports were saying the same thing almost two years ago .... Kim Jong Un Slush Fund ‘Running Out’ as North Korea Tests Weapons Despite Sanctions (2018-01-25, Radio Free Asia).
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Kim Jong Un Calls For 'Positive And Offensive' Security Measures To Protect North Korea’s Security



Daily Mail: Kim Jong Un calls for 'offensive measures' ahead of New Year speech expected to lay out North Korea's 'new way' forward in wake of US sanctions

* Kim Jong Un has threatened to seek a 'new way' forward in dialogue with the US
* North Korean leader said country should take 'offensive measures' on its security
* He said he wanted to 'fully ensure the sovereignty and security of the country'
* Nuclear talks between Kim and US stalled since the collapse of February summit

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for 'offensive measures' to strengthen security as a way to lay out the country's fresh approach to tackling US sanctions.

The remarks came ahead of a New Year speech that could flesh out the nuclear-armed nation's threat to seek a 'new way' forward after the expiration of its year-end deadline for US sanctions relief.

Kim's latest comments, made during a meeting of top ruling party officials in Pyongyang, came amid concerns that the North could formally close down dialogue with Washington and resume nuclear and long-range missile tests.

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WNU Editor: This is a possibility (so I hope) .... US National Security Adviser Says North Korea May Have Reconsidered ‘Christmas Gift’ (Sputnik).

More News On Kim Jong Un Calling For 'Positive And Offensive' Security Measures To Protect North Korea’s Security

Kim calls for measures to protect North Korea’s security -- AP
North Korea's Kim urges 'positive and offensive' security measures ahead of nuclear talks deadline -- Reuters
NK party meeting discusses 'offensive measures' to ensure sovereignty, security -- Korea Herald/Yonhap
Kim calls for 'positive and offensive' North Korea security protections -- The Hill
Kim Jong-un calls for 'positive and offensive' security policy -- BBC
N Korea's Kim urges 'positive and offensive' security measures -- Al Jazeera
Kim Jong-un calls for ‘positive & offensive’ measures to ensure N. Korea’s security amid stalled denuclearization talks with US -- RT
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Iran And Iranian-Backed Militias Warn Of 'Consequences' After US Strikes In Iraq And Syria







Daily Mail: US releases searing footage of bombardment that killed 25 Iranian-backed militia in Iraq as Hezbollah vows 'very tough' retaliation

* Iraqi security and militia sources said at least 25 Kataib Hezbollah fighters were killed and at least 55 wounded following three bombardments in Iraq and another two in Syria on Sunday night
* Aerial footage was released of one of the strikes decimating targets in an attack branded 'terrorism' by Iran
* US officials blamed the group for a rocket attack two days earlier that killed a US civilian contractor and injured four US service members near Kirkuk, Iraq
* US Defense Secretary Mark Esper called the bombardments 'necessary' and 'successful'

Searing aerial footage has been released of US F-15 Strike Eagles decimating Iranian-backed militia targets last night in Iraq in retaliation for a rocket attack on an American contractor.

Iraqi security and militia sources said at least 25 Kataib Hezbollah fighters were killed and at least 55 wounded following three bombardments across the region on Sunday night. Another two strikes took place in Syria.

Iran condemned the attack as 'terrorism' while Kataib Hezbollah commander Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes said: 'The blood of the martyrs will not be in vain and our response will be very tough on the American forces in Iraq.'

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More News On Iran And Iranian-Backed Militias Warning Of 'Consequences' After US Strikes In Iraq And Syria

Iran, Iraq governments condemn U.S. air strikes targeting Iraqi militia -- UPI
Iran-backed Iraqi militia vows revenge to US airstrikes -- AP
Top Iraq militia chief warns of tough response to U.S. air strikes -- Reuters
Iranian-backed militia says US strikes killed 25, vow revenge -- The Hill
Iranian-backed Iraqi militia warns of ‘harsh reponse’ for deadly US airstrikes -- The Independent
Iran slams 'terrorist' raids by US on Shia militia in Iraq, Syria -- Al Jazeera
Tehran condemns US airstrikes in Iraq and Syria as act of terrorism -- The Guardian
Iran warns of 'consequences' after US strikes in Iraq and Syria -- CNN
Iraqi-US Ties in Jeopardy as Baghdad Blasts US Over Strikes on Shia Militia Group -- Sputnik
Who is Kataib Hezbollah, the group the US attacked in Iraq and Syria? -- Jerusalem Post
Factbox: Iran-backed paramilitary forces in Iraq under focus after U.S. strikes -- Reuters
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Tweets For Today











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