Finland’s Ministry of Defense has authorized the Defense Forces to sign a deal with the German tank-maker Krauss-Maffei Wegmann to upgrade the fire control system of the Army’s Leopard 2 A4 and Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks. According to the Army Recognition news magazine, the modernizat…
The U.S. Naval Forces Central Command announced on Wednesday that amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) conducted a high-energy laser weapon system demonstration, Dec. 14, while sailing in the Gulf of Aden. During the demonstration, the Solid State Laser – Technology Matura…
The U.S. Space Development Agency has awarded L3Harris Technologies Inc. a contract modification in the amount of $7,8 million as an equitable adjustment under the development program to detect and track missiles. The deal, which was a modification to a previous contract, covers developin…
The U.S. Department of Defense said Tuesday that Raytheon Technologies was awarded a new contract modification for Evolved Seasparrow missile production. Raytheon Technologies, the second-largest aerospace-and-defense company in the U.S. after Boeing, has received a $269 million contract …
The Republic of Singapore Navy officially unveiled its new and stealthy naval craft called the Combatant Craft Large (CCL). Its development was kept secret until now. According to the Republic of Singapore Navy, the new CCL is a 26 m-long craft designed to be highly maneuverable and to ac…
South Korean defense giant Hanwha Defense announced on Monday that it has signed a contract to supply and locally produce the AS9 Huntsman Self-Propelled Howitzer and AS10 Armoured Automatic Resupply Vehicle for the Australian Army. The AS9 Huntsman is a special variant of Hanwha’s K9 Thu…
General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., part of General Dynamics global aerospace and defense corporation, was awarded a new contract from the U.S. Army Contracting Command for M1A2 Abrams engineering, manufacturing, design, and production. Citing a contract announcement from the U.S. Departm…
Romania has unveiled plans to purchase more secondhand F-16 fighter jets from Norway to upgrade its air force. Romanian Defense Minister Vasile Dyncu has sent an official letter to the Romanian parliament asking for official approval of the acquisition of the aircraft from the Norwegian R…
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, commonly known as the Japanese navy, launched its new and most advanced domestically produced frigate on 10 December. The fourth Mogami-class frigate, called the JS Mikuma (FFM-4), entered the water at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ facility in Nagasak…
The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) departed from Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 10, commencing the ship’s homeport shift to Norfolk, Virginia. According to a recent Navy news release, USS Iwo Jima departed Naval Station Mayport, Florida, to execute a homepor…
The U.S. Navy’s Independence-variant littoral combat ship, USS Oakland (LCS 24), has received a new launch module for long-range, precision-strike weapon. According to a recent Navy news release, USS Oakland (LCS 24) finished installation of its Naval Strike Missile (NSM) launch module on…
A U.S. Air Force RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft flew from the United Kingdom into Ukrainian air space, according to the global flight tracking service Flightradar24. A U.S. spy plane was seen flying over Ukrainian airspace on Saturday morning, local time, according to the flight tracking se…
The Finnish government has chosen to buy the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets to replace its F/A-18 Hornet fleet. The Finnish government chose the F-35 as the winner of the HX Program and plans to order 64 planes with weapons systems, the government said on Friday.…
German technology firm Rheinmetall announced on Friday it had developed a new robotic ground vehicle based on the Wiesel platform. As noted by the German weapons maker, the Wiesel vehicle is equipped with a high-tech autonomy kit. Rheinmetall’s Autonomous Combat Warrior Wiesel is driven b…
A Russian Buk surface-to-air missile system was moved to a new location near the village of Maslovka near Voronezh, a short distance from its border with Ukraine. A flurry of social media posts indicates that Russia again deploying its troops near the Ukrainian border. On some social medi…
The Malian Army received its first 6×6 mine-resistant armored vehicles at a handover ceremony at the garrison base of Kati. According to local media, the Malian military received a batch of the newest VN2C mine-resistant armored vehicle developed by the Chinese defense conglomerate China…
Russian surveillance plane called a COOT was intercepted over the Baltic Sea by Polish F-16s, NATO said on Wednesday. According to Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office, As part of routine readiness training, an on-duty pair of F-16 fighter aircraft conducted a Tango Scramble and then …
Ukrainian troops have demonstrated the ability to defend against Russian tanks. Patrick Reevell, a currently ABC News’ Moscow bureau reporter, tweeted that the Ukrainian military took media to see them demonstrating US-supplied Javelin anti-tank missiles out in eastern Ukraine. “Probably …
Ukrspecsystems, the leading Ukrainian provider for VTOL fixed-wing drones and ground equipment for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), has released its new EO/IR/LRF camera system USG-400. The company says the USG-400 is a high-performance camera system with long-range zoom, gyro, digital st…
Indonesian Navy on Wednesday took the delivery of two Bell 505 helicopters, also known as the Jet Ranger X. The newly acquired helicopters will be utilized as basic helicopter trainers, according to Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company. “The Bell 505, which has surpassed 50,000 flig…
The U.S. Navy Wednesday commissioned its new Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. On 8 December, Bath-built DDG 118 officially becomes USS Daniel Inouye and is commissioned into the U.S. Navy. According to a company news release, …
GENEVA, Dec 07 (IPS) - On 25 November, news emerged from South Africa of a new COVID-19 variant. It has since been identified as Omicron, a Greek alphabet derivation the World Health Organization (WHO) reserves for virus variants “of concern”. Read the full story, “Omicron & Develop…
The U.S. Army has requested $166 million in fiscal year 2022 for 110 next-generation Precision Strike Missiles. Army is expected to receive more new surface-to-surface, precision-strike, guided missiles for initial operational test and evaluation. The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is th…
SYDNEY and KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 07 (IPS) - Funding for developing countries to address global warming is grossly inadequate. Very little finance is for adaptation to climate change, the urgent need of countries most adversely affected. Also, adaptation needs to be forward-looking rather tha…
A Caribbean-based prime minister, a scientist, a group of indigenous women, and an entrepreneur were announced on Tuesday as this year’s winners of the United Nations’ Champions of the Earth awards. Read the full story, “Women sweep UN’s 2021 ‘Champions of the Earth’ awards”, on global…
MADRID, Dec 06 (IPS) - ”All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” These words are a sound introduction to the transcendental issue of human rights and equalities, as stated by the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights ( UDHR ). Read the full story, “All Huma…
School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic could result in a staggering $17 trillion in lost lifetime earnings for today’s students, according to a UN-backed report issued on Monday. Read the full story, “COVID-19: Students face $17 trillion loss in lifetime earnings”, on globalissues…
The UN General Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution to delay a decision on who will represent Afghanistan and Myanmar at the world body. Read the full story, “General Assembly defers decision on Afghanistan and Myanmar seats”, on globalissues.org → from Global Issues News Headlin…
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo told the Security Council on Monday that “a lasting solution” to the violence “requires a broader political commitment to address the root causes of conflict.” Read the full story, “DR Congo: Li…
Millions of people in Ethiopia could be pushed deeper into hunger as the World Food Programme (WFP) faces a major funding shortfall that threatens its operations there over the coming six months, the UN agency warned on Monday. Read the full story, “Severe cash crunch threatens WFP oper…
SAN LUIS LA HERRADURA, El Salvador, Dec 06 (IPS) - Small farmer Francisco MartÃnez pushed his son’s wheelchair to another part of the courtyard of their house, located in a small coastal community in El Salvador, before saying sadly: "It would be a great injustice if they kicked us …
MANOA, Hawaii / TAIPEI, Taiwan, Dec 06 (IPS) - Many countries around the world have punished most of the African continent for the scientific discovery of the Omicron variant through the imposition of travel bans. Read the full story, “Africa Should Bargain Hard for COVID Vaccine Equity:…
Following a series of riots which have left more than 280 inmates dead and hundreds injured in Ecuadorian prisons this year, UN independent human rights experts on Monday called for urgent government action to address the issue. Read the full story, “With 280 prisoners dead in Ecuador,…
The UN’s top human rights official on Monday condemned the imprisonment of Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi by a military-controlled court, and called for her release. She also faces additional charges of corruption and electoral fraud. Read the full story, “Myanmar: UN deplor…
Disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in considerable increases in malaria cases and deaths between 2019 and 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday. Read the full story, “COVID contributed to 69,000 malaria deaths WHO finds, though ‘doomsday scenario’ avert…
Finland is reportedly set to pick Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth fighter jet as its next-generation fighter jet, according to Iltalehti newspaper. On December 15, the newspaper reported that the Finnish Defence Forces have proposed to the Ministry of Defense that an F-35 fighter be acqui…
UNITED NATIONS, Dec 06 (IPS) - The 21-month long pandemic, which began with the outbreak of the deadly corona virus back in March 2020, ravaged hundreds and thousands of businesses and industries resulting either in widespread losses, closures or bankruptcies. Read the full story, “Globa…
Ilias Chatzis heads up a global team of more than 60 experts at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), committed to countering Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling. He says that more focus needs to be placed on those who profit from the crimes, rather than the victims. Read the fu…
The Kyiv-based state design bureau LUCH has over the past decade become a Ukrainian defense industry powerhouse in its own right and it’s seeking a bigger role in the global market. After a number of successful contracts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the Ukrainian company is expa…
Specialists with the U.S. Air Force 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron provide base defense at Al Dhafra Air Base from threats posed by Unmanned Aerial Systems using a 5-pound radar gun-like device. “Our mission is to detect and defeat all UAS threats,” explained Master Sgt. Man…
Today, when the UN plans initiatives to help vulnerable communities become more resilient, the climate crisis has to be part of the equation. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) is connecting the dots between people and the impacts that climate change is having on their lives. Read the …
Hyderabad, Dec 03 (IPS) - As 2021 nears its end, public health systems worldwide remain severely strained by COVID 19, which is showing no sign of ending. But even as countries battle to control the deadly pandemic, they must also maintain the progress made against other diseases, includ…
The UN Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution to combat the continuing threat of piracy off the coast of Somalia, as shipping and protection measures to keep vessels safe, have returned to levels not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full story, “Somalia: Securi…
As Gambians prepare to choose their next president on Saturday, the UN Secretary-General asked on Friday for voters to help foster “a peaceful environment” at the polls. Read the full story, “The Gambia: Guterres calls for ‘credible and transparent’ election”, on globalissues.org → …
Improper water management, including insufficient supply and poor quality drainage systems, are contributing to excessive soil salinization – a problem that threatens global food security, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Read the full story, “Excess salt i…
Road accidents are still responsible for 1.3 million annual deaths and 50 million injuries all over the world, but the United Nations has a Global Plan to halve road deaths and injuries by 2030. Read the full story, “With 1.3 million annual road deaths, UN wants to halve number by 20…
Experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council have called for urgent action to end violence against women and girls caught in the Tigray conflict in northern Ethiopia. Read the full story, “Rights experts call for end to violence against women in Tigray conflict”, on globalissues.org…
Amidst “truly unprecedented levels” of hunger in Afghanistan, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Friday that as winter arrives, avoiding widespread starvation “is an immediate priority”. Read the full story, “Avoid starvation: ‘Immediate priority’ for 3.5 million Afghans”, on global…
STOCKHOLM / ROME, Dec 03 (IPS) - In these times of COVIDisolation, social distance get on the nerves of several of us and the effects may be long-lasting, even endemic. Many schoolchildren have interacted and still meet with their teachers through computer networks, while the same phenome…
Yaoundé, Cameroon, Dec 03 (IPS) - Education is under attack in Cameroon. As one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the world unfolds, Education Cannot Wait’s director Yasmine Sherif and the Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland, say the children are paw…
Marking the 35th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, independent UN human rights experts on Friday issued an urgent call to “move from promises to action” on the outcomes of the UN’s landmark COP26 climate conference. Read the full story, “COP26: Convert climate …
Marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, said on Friday that those with a disability were among the hardest hit by the pandemic. Read the full story, “UN chief: COVID-19 laid bare barriers faced by 1 billion peop…
As scientists continue to investigate the Omicron COVID-19 variant, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday urged countries not to panic but to prepare for its likely spread. Read the full story, “Omicron: Don't panic but prepare for likely spread, says WHO”, on globalissues…
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Saturday signed a contract to buy 80 Rafale F4 fighter jets from France’s Dassault- Aviation company. The contract for the jets was signed in the presence of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyane, Cr…
The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722) returned to its home port in Guam. According to the U.S. Navy, Key West is one of two Los Angeles-class fast attack submarines assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 15 located at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam in Apra …
U.S. Army soldiers at Fort Stewart in Georgia have started field training with the modernized Paladin M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, the Army announced last week. According to a recent service news release, modernized Paladin M109A7 howitzers, assigned to the “BattleKings Battali…
BAE Systems, a global leader in electronic warfare, announced that the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has executed a $316 million contract option for BAE Systems’ advanced M-Code Global Positioning System (GPS) modules, raising the contract funding to $641 million. In a release late …
BANGKOK, Thailand, Dec 03 (IPS) - Almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries in the developing world continue to grapple with basic issues such as securing sufficient vaccines and providing essential medical care for their sick. Many economies are in recovery mode as gove…
Disabled people in Haiti who have been driven from one temporary shelter to another as result of an earthquake, fire, and mounting gang violence have been finally able to find a safe home, just ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, marked annually on 3 December. R…
Following armed conflict from1991 to 1994 in Croatia and the rest of former Yugoslavia, that triggered increased radicalization and hate speech, an independent UN human rights expert urged the authorities on Thursday to redouble efforts towards full justice for victims and survivors. Rea…
Over 700,000 children have been impacted by school closures due to often brutal violence in Cameroon, according to an analysis released by the UN humanitarian arm, OCHA, on Thursday. Read the full story, “Violence in Cameroon, impacting over 700,000 children shut out of school”, on glob…
The international community has reached a “turning point” in pursuing justice for atrocities committed by the ISIL terrorist group in Iraq, the new head of a special UN investigative team told the Security Council in New York on Thursday. Read the full story, “‘Turning point’ reached fo…
BENGALURU, India, Dec 02 (IPS) - In her famous speech ‘The Danger of a Single Story’, Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warns us against a singular narrative of a person—a stereotype. This, Adichie asserts, is not because stereotypes are untrue, but because they are incomplete—“T…
Dec 02 (IPS) - Last month, at the COP 26 climate conference in Glasgow, a consortium of philanthropies, led by The Rockefeller Foundation , announced a massive program to fund renewable electricity projects for impoverished people in developing countries. Read the full story, “Clean En…
Corporate logos and Intellectual Property (IP) receive “greater protection online than we do as human beings”, the UN’s women’s health agency that works to end gender-based violence, UNFPA, said on Thursday, launching a new bodyright campaign to help shield bodies and minds from cyber vi…
UNITED NATIONS, Dec 02 (IPS) - The widespread 21-month-old lockdown, triggered by the corona virus pandemic, had a destructive impact on the global economy, claimed over 5.2 million lives, destabilized governments and radically changed lifestyles worldwide. Read the full story, “African…
KATHMANDU, Nepal, Dec 02 (IPS) - The International Volunteer Day, on December 5, is not just one of the many internationally observed days that the United Nations commemorates annually. Read the full story, “Volunteerism: Central to the Creation of a New Social Contract”, on globalissues…
A total of 274 million people worldwide will need emergency aid and protection in 2022, a 17 per cent increase compared with this year, UN humanitarians said on Thursday. Read the full story, “Emergency aid needs set to rise by 17% to assist 274 million, UN humanitarians warn”, on glob…
The Canadian government has confirmed that it has disqualified Boeing’s bid for the CF-18 fleet replacement competition. The details were given in a 1 December news release, to announce that following evaluation of the proposals submitted, only 2 bidders remain eligible under the $19-bill…
Russia has deployed its Bastion shore-based anti-ship missile systems to the disputed Kuril Islands. chain in the Pacific near Japan, the Zvezda TV channel said on Thursday. “Russia is free to place on its territory those objects that it considers (necessary), and in those areas of our co…
The U.S. Air Force announced that 100th Air Refueling Wing received a new model of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft equipped with advanced autopilot and glass display instrument features. According to a recent service news release, U.S. Airmen assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing receiv…
Ukrainian National Guards’ combat vehicles mounted with sound ‘blasters’ were deployed to a new location on a short distance from its border with Belarus. Ukraine currently launched an operation to strengthen its borderline with Belarus amid the new refugee crisis in Europe. According to …
Read the full story, “What Will it Take to Turn Farmers Toward Climate-Resilient Superfood Millet?”, on globalissues.org → from Global Issues News Headlines https://ift.tt/3IeFYfk via IFTTT
With millions in Afghanistan facing starvation as winter arrives, the World Food Programme (WFP) on Thursday urged countries to put politics aside and step up support to avert a potential catastrophe. Read the full story, “WFP appeals for greater support for Afghanistan as hunger increa…
Concluding a four-day to visit Burkina Faso, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Wednesday that the country faces “a multitude of challenges with severe impacts on a wide range of human rights of its people”. Read the full story, “Burkina Faso facing ‘multitude of challeng…
The colourful characters from the Trolls movie franchise, are encouraging their fans to become food heroes through eating healthier, and reducing food waste. Read the full story, “Trolls join UN campaign for healthier eating, sustainable living”, on globalissues.org → from Global Is…
There was a dramatic increase in internal displacement due to disasters, conflict and violence in 2020, but global mobility overall, ground to a halt due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Read the full story, “Global displacement rising despite lockdowns that kept billions grounded”, on…
For two decades, the African Union (AU) has been “a gold standard of regional co-operation”, Secretary-General António Guterres told the fifth UN-AU Annual Conference on Wednesday in New York. Read the full story, “‘Unity’ of purpose and action needed: Guterres tells AU-UN Conference”, …
Agreement by countries to launch a process to develop a new global accord on pandemic prevention and response is cause for hope, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday in Geneva. Read the full story, “Landmark decision to negotiate new accord on pandemics ‘c…
Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab has announced last week that it has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nammo and Nordic Shelter to support the ongoing GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb) campaign. The new agreement was announced during a signing 23 Novembe…
MADRID, Dec 01 (IPS) - No matter what it is called -- it is the abhorrent daily life of a billion enslaved humans. The real number of “modern” slaves is understandably unknown. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that more than 40 million people worldwide are victims …
Women and children are at high risk of being pushed into contemporary forms of slavery, UN-appointed independent rights experts said on Wednesday. Read the full story, “Women and girls at high risk of being pushed into modern slavery ”, on globalissues.org → from Global Issues Ne…
Some 2.9 billion people still have never used the internet, and 96 per cent live in developing countries, a new UN report has found. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the estimated number of people who have gone online this year actually went up, to 4.9 billion…
GENEVA, Dec 01 (IPS) - This week I called out to the world to warn them that inequalities are making us all unsafe. I noted starkly our new analysis that we face millions of additional AIDS deaths – 7.7 million in the next decade alone – as well continued devastation from pandemics, unles…
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