Daily News Brief

January 8, 2024 (Monday)

Asia Pacific

1.       China Sanctions Five US Arms Manufacturers over Taiwan Weapons Sales. China has announced sanctions against five US arms manufacturers over weapons sales to Taiwan ahead of Taiwan’s 13 January presidential and parliamentary elections, which China has claimed are a choice between war and peace.                                             

2.       North Korea Threatens Seoul as Tension Builds over Military Drills. North Korea high official Kim Yo Jong who is often seen as 2^nd in command of the nation has threatened an immediate military strike against South Korea in response to any “provocation”.

Russia/Europe/West

3.       Russia Launches 28 Drones, Three Cruise Missiles at Ukraine: Ukraine’s Air Force. Russia launched 28 attack drones and three cruise missiles at Ukraine overnight, Ukraine’s air force said, adding that its air defense systems destroyed 21 of the drones.

4.       Nepal Halts Permits for Citizens to Serve in Russian Army. Nepal stopped issuing permissions for its citizens to work in Russia after 10 Nepali soldiers were killed while serving in the war in Ukraine.

India/South Asia

5.       Surge in Cyberattacks on India Linked to Pak Officers Trained by Italian Firm. The Sunday Guardian has claimed to have confidential documents revealing that Pakistani Navy officers, of the rank of colonel, lieutenant colonel and major, underwent a 13-week advanced training course on Malware Development for IOS, Android, Apple Operating system and Windows in Rome, Italy.

6.       Indian Navy to Escort Indian Merchant Ships in Red Sea. India’s defense ministry is providing protective escorts to Indian container ships in the high seas around the Red Sea as the security situation there continues to simmer, an Indian government source said.

7.       Maldives Govt Suspends Three Ministers over Derogatory Remarks on Modi. The Maldives government has suspended three deputy ministers - Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Hassan Zihan - over their derogatory remarks made about Indian PM Narendra Modi.

IIOJK

8.       Indian Troops Launch Massive CASO in Poonch District. According to Kashmir Media Service, the troops launched the CASO at Uchad village and adjoining areas of Mendhar in the district.      

9.       IIOJK: Modi Regime Continues to Snatch Properties of Innocent Kashmiris. According to Kashmir Media Service, in its fresh move the Modi regime has seized the residential property of a civilian Mushtaq Ahmad in Chanapora area of Srinagar.

Afghanistan

10.      JUI-F’s Fazlur Rehman in Afghanistan to Discuss Security Issues. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman reached Kabul, Afghanistan to hold talks on regional and security issues amid a spike in cross-border attacks

11.      Islamic Emirate Asks Countries for Flexibility in Recognizing Interim Govt. The Islamic Emirate’s spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that they are trying to solve some challenges in the way of interaction of countries with the current Afghan government.

Middle East/Africa

12.      Israeli Air Strike Kills 6 Palestinians in West Bank's Jenin. An Israeli air strike killed six Palestinians in Jenin, the Palestinian health ministry said as confrontations continue in the occupied West Bank during a visit to the region by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

13.      Jordan’s King Abdullah II Presses Blinken to Push for Gaza Ceasefire. Jordan’s King Abdullah II has urged US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to push for a ceasefire in Gaza and bring an end to the humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian territory, as the months-long war continues to rage.

Iran

14.      ISIS Raid in Iraq Kills Two Pro-Iran Fighters.  Two fighters from Iraq’s Hashed al-Shaabi alliance have been killed in an attack claimed by ISIS, the pro-Iranian Hashed and an Iraqi security source said.

15.      France and Iran Discuss Risks to Mideast Stability. France’s foreign minister said that she had told her Iranian counterpart that the risk of a Middle East regional conflagration had never been greater and that Tehran and its proxies needed to end their destabilising activities.

PAKISTAN

Security

16.      CTD Foils Terror Plot, Arrests Seven Suspects. The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed to have foiled a major terror plot by arresting seven suspects allegedly linked with banned outfits during operations in different areas of Punjab.

17.      Ex-Schoolteacher Shot Dead in Waziristan. A retired schoolteacher was shot dead by unidentified masked gunmen in Haiderkhel village in Mir Ali tehsil in North Waziristan tribal, police officials said.

Economy

18.      Pakistan’s Debt Burden Mounts to Rs 63.399 Trillion: Report. Pakistan’s total debt burden continued to rise and reached a whopping Rs 63,399 trillion, at the end of November in FY2023-24, according to an official report.

19.      Social Media Platforms in Pakistan Face Disruption Amid PTI’s Election Fundraising Telethon: Netblocks. Internet monitor Netblocks reported a nationwide disruption in social media platforms amid an “election fundraising telethon” organised by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Politics

20.      Maulana Fazlur Rehman ‘Backs’ Delay in General Elections. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has extended support to a resolution adopted by Senate, seeking a delay in February 8 general elections.