Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reported progress in indirect negotiations with Hamas, which are being held in Qatar. The talks aim to secure the release of hostages, with Israel expressing a strong desire for their liberation and working intensively towards an agreement.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/941318-hamas-prepares-for-possible-release-of-palestinian-prisonersMalaysian Prime Minister met with economist Jeffrey Sachs to discuss a more liberal foreign policy aimed at attracting investors to the country, in a meeting that is expected to bring various benefits to Malaysia. The discussion took place before the prime minister's official visit to the United Arab Emirates.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/01/13/pm-anwar-talks-fdi-green-energy-and-malaysias-role-as-asean-chair-with-economist-jeffrey-sachs-ahead-of-dubai-meet/163008German MP Anton Hofreiter from the Greens/Alliance 90 party has accused Chancellor Olaf Scholz of blocking a proposed €3 billion military aid package for Ukraine, despite its ongoing conflict with Russia. According to Hofreiter, the proposal was not submitted to the Ministry of Finance and did not reach the budget committee, suggesting that it was blocked by Scholz's administration. This decision has been met with resistance from some ministers, including Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who had advocated for the aid package.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/941298-german-mp-accuses-scholz-of-blocking-military-aid-to-ukraineGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected a demand from US President Donald Trump to increase Germany's defense spending to 5% of its gross domestic product (GDP), citing that it would require significant tax increases or cuts to essential public services. The proposed target, which amounts to approximately €200 billion annually, is higher than the current federal budget of around €500 billion. Scholz stated that Germany will maintain its commitment to NATO's 2% spending target, a goal it achieved for the first time since the end of the Cold War last year.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/941346-olaf-scholz-donald-trump-s-request-is-too-expensiveSomalia's state foreign minister Ali Omar Balcad announced that obstacles hindering Ethiopia's participation in AUSSOM have been overcome under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Somaliland and Ethiopia. The MOU, which involves leasing land to Ethiopia's naval forces, is expected to lead to official recognition of Somaliland's independence. A Somali delegation will visit Ethiopia on January 15 to finalize technical details for Ethiopia's involvement in AUSSOM, including the reallocation of troops previously assigned to other countries.
https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-ethiopia-to-restore-diplomatic-ties-amid-au-mission-agreement-/7934520.htmlIraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani is set to visit the UK on Monday as part of an effort to strengthen ties between the two countries. The visit, which was initially scheduled for last year but delayed due to regional developments, aims to enhance cooperation in areas such as economic, investment and security sectors. During his trip, Al Sudani will meet with King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as senior British government officials and representatives of companies and business sectors. The visit comes after Al Sudani's recent one-day visit to Iran, where he discussed bilateral ties and regional developments in Syria.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2025/01/13/iraqi-pm-al-sudani-aims-to-strengthen-ties-during-uk-visit/Sweden has announced that it will contribute up to three warships, an ASC 890 surveillance aircraft, and four ships from its coast guard to a NATO effort in the Baltic Sea. This move is aimed at increasing the alliance's presence in the region to counter potential Russian sabotage of underwater infrastructure. The decision comes after a series of incidents, including damage to undersea cables and gas pipelines, which have heightened concerns about possible Russian activities in the area. Sweden's contribution marks its first deployment of armed forces to NATO since joining the alliance in March last year, following Finland's entry into the organization in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/01/13/sweden-to-send-warships-to-nato-baltic-sea-patrols-after-sabotage-incidentsSwedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that Sweden is currently experiencing a state of conflict, despite not being at traditional war with another country. The situation is characterized by "hybrid attacks and proxy war" on its territory, indicating a complex and multifaceted security threat.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/941105-stockholm-we-are-not-at-war-but-we-are-not-living-in-peace-eitherA task force sent to Thailand by the Hong Kong government has received a positive response from Thai authorities in its efforts to rescue 12 Hongkongers who were lured into forced labor in Southeast Asia. The group, led by Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip, met with a high-level anti-human trafficking committee and was assured of the Thai government's support. However, the task force faces challenges in rescuing the victims as they are located at scam centers in remote areas along the Thai-Myanmar or Myanmar-Laos border.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3294601/hong-kong-task-force-receives-eager-response-thailand-over-detainees?module=top_story&pgtype=section