NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is working to persuade Donald Trump, the US President, to make it easier for European allies to access American weapons systems. This includes eliminating the need for approval from Congress, the Pentagon and the White House for certain systems. Rutte believes this would boost the US economy by generating significant revenue from sales of systems such as the Patriot missile defense system, which costs $2 billion each. The initiative comes in response to Trump's pressure on European allies to increase their defense spending to 5% of their GDP, up from the current target of 2%.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/940383-nato-secretary-general-urges-trump-to-facilitate-access-to-us-weaponsAnalysts at Goldman Sachs predict that Chinese equities will experience a volatile period due to rising tensions between the US and China, uncertainty over tariffs from the incoming US administration, and muted policy actions from China ahead of its National People's Congress in March. This volatility is reflected in the decline of regional stock markets, including the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index, which fell 0.60%, and Japan's Nikkei index, which dropped 0.13%. Additionally, Chinese ADRs declined by 0.2% overnight, while the yuan weakened to 7.3316 per US dollar, a 0.04% decrease from its previous close.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40341654/china-hk-stocks-slide-as-chip-consumption-sectors-drag-marketsThe Biden administration has proposed an $8 billion arms sale to Israel, which includes munitions for fighter jets, attack helicopters, artillery shells, small-diameter bombs and warheads. The deal requires approval from US Congress committees and is intended to support Israel's defense of its citizens "consistent with international law and international humanitarian law", according to a source familiar with the package.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/05/world/politics/israel-us-weapons-sales/The US government has informed Congress that it plans to sell $8 billion worth of weapons to Israel, although no further details about the sale were provided. This announcement comes as President Joe Biden presented the Medal of Honor to a recipient in Washington on January 3, 2025. The planned arms deal is reportedly valued at $8 billion and marks another significant military aid package for Israel from the US government.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250105/p2g/00m/0in/031000cThe US State Department has notified Congress about an $8 billion arms deal package for Israel, which is likely the last commissioned by the Joe Biden administration before he leaves office. The package includes air-to-air missiles, artillery shells, Hellfire missiles, small diameter bombs, and 500-lb warheads to be used in fighter jets and attack helicopters. This move comes as indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas resumed in Qatar, with mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the US attempting to negotiate a truce in Gaza. The deal has been met with criticism from some Democrats who have urged the administration to make arms sales contingent on Israel's management of the war effort and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/air-to-air-missiles-drones-and-more-biden-plans-8-bn-arms-sale-to-israel-notifies-congress-13849798.htmlThe Biden administration is planning to notify Congress about a new military aid package worth billions of dollars for Israel, which includes medium-range air-to-air missiles and artillery shells to help defend against airborne threats. The sale would add to the $17.9 billion in military aid already provided to Israel since the war began on October 7, 2023. Despite criticism from lawmakers such as Senator Bernie Sanders over civilian casualties, the administration has decided not to limit arms transfers at this time. The package is expected to be reviewed by leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee before a final decision is made.
https://www.voanews.com/a/biden-notifies-congress-of-planned-8-billion-weapons-sale-to-israel/7924437.htmlThe US State Department has informed Congress of an $8 billion weapons sale to Israel, which includes medium-range air-to-air missiles, artillery shells, Hellfire missiles, and precision-guided munitions made by Boeing in St. Louis. The proposed deal is part of a record-breaking $17.9 billion in military aid provided to Israel since the war against Hamas began on October 7, 2023. The sale has faced criticism from some lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders, who have expressed concerns about civilian casualties and called for limiting arms transfers to Israel.
https://stltoday.com/news/nation-world/congress-is-notified-by-the-biden-administration-of-a-planned-8b-weapons-sale-to-israel/article_ac65d11c-cab7-11ef-b760-2bf1812b4b58.htmlThe US State Department has proposed a sale of $8 billion worth of military equipment to Israel, including air-to-air missiles, Hellfire missiles, artillery shells, and 500-pound warheads, in an effort to support Israel's long-term security needs. The proposed sale is currently under review by congressional committees before a formal notification is made to Congress.
https://channelnewsasia.com/world/biden-administration-announces-us8-billion-arms-sale-israel-4837821The State Department is facing a lawsuit over allegations it attempted to discredit two reporters and a member of Congress who questioned the Global Engagement Center's (GEC) efforts to deplatform media outlets with libertarian or conservative-leaning editorial boards that were deemed to be spreading "misinformation." The controversy stems from a September report by The Post, which revealed the State Department's attempts to undermine the journalists' work. The lawsuit is seeking to enforce a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records related to the GEC's activities.
https://nypost.com/2024/12/31/us-news/watchdog-sues-state-department-for-records-on-censorship-efforts-funding-for-ad-blacklist-that-included-the-post/