Japan’s Cabinet approved a record $55 billion defense budget for 2025, marking the 13th consecutive increase.

The spending aligns with plans to strengthen the Self-Defense Forces and reach 2% of GDP by 2027.

Iranian Foreign Minister:

Syrian people alone will decide their country's future, free from foreign interference.

All parties must recognize that the region's people play the decisive role in shaping their destiny.

Chinese Military Aviation

J-10 (First flight: 1998)

↓ 13 years later

J-20 (First flight: 2011)

↓ 13 years later

J-36 (First flight: 2024)

Despite heavy sanctions, Russia's Oreshnik missile production depends on Western CNC technology from brands like FANUC, Siemens, and Heidenhain.

Russian firms continue using German and Japanese systems for precision manufacturing, as efforts to domesticate production lag.

In 2024, $3M worth of Heidenhain components reached Russia, with some entities exploiting loopholes by mislabeling foreign equipment as domestic.

Source: FT

Kazakhstan's Qazaq Air suspends flights on Astana-Yekaterinburg route for safety reasons.

Kadyrov ordered financial aid for plane crash victims and their families.

However, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration declined the offer, stating:

"Azerbaijan does not need any assistance. Neither the state nor its citizens will accept such aid. We provide and will continue to provide the necessary support to our citizens. Azerbaijan demands acknowledgment of the incident, an apology, and appropriate compensation."

South Korean parliament decided to impeach the Acting President Han Duck-soo, too.

Former Prime Minister Han has been acting president since President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached two weeks ago.

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is next in line to assume the acting presidency.

South Korean Intelligence has confirmed that the North Korean soldier who was taken prisoner by the Ukrainian forces died recently due to his injuries.

The Houthis claim to have successfully targeted Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv with a hypersonic missile.

An Azerbaijani Airlines plane flying from Baku to Mineralnye Vody was forced to return to Baku after Russia closed the airspace over Dagestan.

Azerbaijan Airlines suspended flights to seven Russian cities including Grozny due to risks that may arise in flight safety.

Burkina Faso’s military received a significant shipment of military equipment from China, including:

▪️ 50 CS/VP14 MRAP vehicles
▪️ 30 VN22 6x6 armored personnel carriers
▪️ 10 CS/VN9 6x6 armored personnel carriers
▪️ 90 Shacman H3000 6x4 trucks
▪️ 45 Shacman H3000S 6x4 tractors

Kremlin says it's aware of Baku’s call for Russia to apologize for its air defense system hitting an Azerbaijani plane but will refrain from commenting until the investigation is complete.

“We’ve seen the statements, but I have nothing to add.”

Serbian President Vučić says Germany urgently needs cheap Russian gas, predicting the Nord Stream pipeline could be sold to U.S. investors and operational within a year.

“Germany maintained its economic competitiveness with cheap Russian gas. Changes are slow, and electricity in Germany is expensive.

The country urgently needs affordable energy. I predict that within a year, Nord Stream will belong to U.S. investors, and Russian gas will flow to Europe again. Mark my words.”

NEW: German President has dissolved the Bundestag.

New parliamentary elections are set for February 23, 2025.

Ukraine has sent 500 tons of flour to Syria under the “Grain from Ukraine” program, Zelensky says.

The aid will reach 33,250 families (167,000 people) in the coming weeks.

“Each 15 kg bag can feed a family of five for a month. We wish Syria safety, stability, and recovery, knowing the true value of these.”

The gas cylinder explosion theory is absurd and false, said AZAL crash survivor and steward Zulfugar Asadov.

“If anything, even an oxygen cylinder, had exploded in the cabin, the plane would have been torn apart. Gas cylinders can’t be brought onboard as all baggage is thoroughly checked.”

Asadov believes the plane was hit externally, with debris injuring his hand.

Russia released a video showing "Western" Santa Claus shot down by air defense over the Kremlin.

Ded Moroz, alongside an air defense operator, says:

“Target destroyed. We don’t need anything foreign in our world. Happy New Year!”

NEW: Turkish aerospace company Baykar acquires Italian aviation icon Piaggio Aerospace

Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises has approved the sale of 140-year-old aviation giant Piaggio Aerospace to Baykar, the world’s largest UCAV producer.

Baykar outbid international rivals to secure this historic deal.

Known for its P.180 Avanti jets and strategic defense contributions, Piaggio’s legacy will now thrive under Baykar’s ambitious vision, expanding its production capacity and preserving its heritage.

Baykar dominates 60% of the global UAV export market, delivering cutting-edge drones to 35 countries.

This acquisition further solidifies Türkiye’s leadership in the global aviation industry.

Russian authorities claim that after attempting to land in Grozny twice, the Azerbaijan Airlines pilot was offered other airports, but decided to go to Aktau.

They also claim that the situation around Grozny at the time of the plane crash was difficult because of Ukrainian drones.