CPC Political Bureau Standing Committee Holds Meeting to Hear Work Reports from Leading Party Members' Groups of NPC Standing Committee, State Council, CPPCC, Supreme People's Court, Supreme People's Procuratorate, and Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee; Xi Jinping Presides
The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held a full-day meeting on January 9 to hear work reports from the leading Party members groups of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, as well as a work report from the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech. The meeting stressed that upholding the overall leadership of the Party is our greatest political advantage. Upholding the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee is fundamental to our continuous victories. The CPC Central Committee hearing work reports from the leading Party members groups of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, the State Council, the CPPCC National Committee, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and the work report from the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, is an important institutional arrangement for upholding and strengthening the overall leadership of the Party and the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee. Practice has proven that this important institutional arrangement is highly necessary for the Party to fully play its leading role in overseeing the overall situation and coordinating all parties, ensuring that the Party's leadership is implemented in all fields, aspects, and links of the Party and state undertakings, and ensuring consistent goals, coordinated steps, and consolidated efforts. It must be adhered to in the long term. The meeting affirmed that over the past year, the leading Party members groups of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, the State Council, the CPPCC National Committee, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate adhered to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, firmly upheld the authority and centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, conscientiously implemented the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, firmly established a practical work-first orientation, strengthened their mission and responsibility, diligently performed their duties, strengthened their own Party building, and earnestly fulfilled their primary responsibility for exercising full and strict self-governance of the Party. New progress has been made in various aspects of their work, making new contributions to comprehensively promoting the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization. The meeting noted that over the past year, under the leadership of the Political Bureau and its Standing Committee, the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee conscientiously performed its duties and actively carried out its work, making significant efforts in promoting the implementation of relevant decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee, strengthening the development of intra-Party regulations, guiding the building and reform of mass organizations, and rectifying formalism to lighten the burden on primary-level organizations. The meeting emphasized that this year is the final year of the "14th Five-Year Plan" and also an important year for further comprehensively deepening reform. The leading Party members groups of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, the State Council, the CPPCC National Committee, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate must be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, comprehensively implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, deeply understand the decisive significance of the "Two Establishes," enhance the "Four Consciousnesses," strengthen the "Four Confidences," achieve the "Two Maintains," adhere to the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee as the supreme political principle, establish and practice a correct view of achievements, prioritize practical work, strive for excellence, overcome difficulties, ensure that all decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee are implemented, and demonstrate new responsibilities and achievements in the new journey of comprehensively promoting Chinese modernization. The meeting stressed that in the new year, the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee must, in accordance with the deployments and requirements of the Political Bureau and its Standing Committee, comprehensively implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, fulfill its own responsibilities, enhance political capabilities, ensure the implementation of key tasks such as intra-Party regulations, the building and reform of mass organizations, and rectifying formalism to lighten the burden on primary-level organizations, strictly strengthen its own building, and complete all tasks assigned by the CPC Central Committee with high quality.
CPC Political Bureau Standing Committee Holds Meeting to Discuss, Deploy Disaster Relief Efforts in Dingri, Tibet; Xi Jinping Presides
The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held a meeting on January 9 to study and deploy earthquake relief efforts in Dingri, Tibet. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech. The meeting noted that since the 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri, Tibet, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, relevant local authorities and departments have responded swiftly and organized effectively. The vast number of Party members, cadres, and the public have united in fighting the disaster, especially national comprehensive fire rescue teams, the People's Liberation Army, the Armed Police Force, and central state-owned enterprises, who, despite high altitudes and lack of oxygen, have raced against time to search and rescue trapped individuals, minimizing casualties. Overall, earthquake relief efforts have been smooth. The meeting emphasized that earthquake relief work is currently at a critical stage and there must be no slackening. Work must be done more meticulously to resolutely win this tough battle against the earthquake. Rescue and aftermath work must continue. Medical experts should be organized for consultations to fully treat the injured. Basic living needs of the affected people must be ensured with care and empathy, and temporary and transitional resettlement should be coordinated to ensure the affected people have a warm winter. Post-disaster recovery and reconstruction should be accelerated, and infrastructure repair and debris clearance should be carried out promptly to restore normal production and living order in the affected areas as soon as possible. Social stability work must be done effectively, various contradictions and disputes should be identified and resolved in a timely manner, and authoritative information should be released. The earthquake resistance capabilities of houses and infrastructure in key areas, as well as earthquake disaster response capabilities, should be further improved, and all emergency preparations should be made. The meeting required that local Party committees and governments earnestly shoulder their political responsibilities, all relevant parties closely coordinate and cooperate, cadres at all levels should stick to the front line and go all out, and primary-level Party organizations and the vast number of Party members should fully play their roles as fighting fortresses and vanguard models. The meeting also discussed other matters.
Rescue Work Underway in Orderly Fashion After 6.8-Magnitude Earthquake in Dingri County, Xigaze, Tibet
As of 6:00 AM today (January 9), the 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Dingri County, Xigaze City, Tibet, has resulted in 126 deaths, with approximately 61,500 people affected. Currently, earthquake relief efforts are continuing, with all forces working diligently to search for and treat trapped and injured individuals, and to arrange resettlement for the affected population. In recent days, over 10,000 personnel from military forces, emergency rescue, fire rescue, forest fire, public security police, and social emergency rescue teams have conducted comprehensive and thorough searches in the epicenter area, rescuing a total of 407 trapped individuals. Given the deep winter and high-altitude hypoxia, ensuring proper resettlement and a warm winter for the affected population is particularly crucial. Currently, 224 resettlement sites have been set up in the affected areas, relocating 47,500 people. Rescue supplies from various regions have been continuously transported and distributed. In the resettlement tents in Cuoguo Township, Dingri County, reporters observed that villagers are already using new high-altitude cooking utensils. In Gurong Village of Changsuo Township and Cuo'ang Village of Quluo Township, both severely affected areas in Dingri County, multiple parties have coordinated the delivery of prefabricated houses, and staff are racing against time to set them up. Today, the Office of the National Commission for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Emergency Management, in consideration of the living habits and winter needs of the affected population, coordinated with relevant departments to provide 10,000 tons of biomass fuel and 5,000 emergency lights, among other supplies. As of now, the Ministry of Emergency Management has coordinated 6 teams comprising 629 personnel and 230 sets of equipment from several central state-owned enterprises to conduct tasks such as inspecting damaged houses, ensuring electricity supply, and transporting materials in the disaster area. The Ministry of Finance, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, recently urgently pre-allocated 80 million yuan in central government agricultural production disaster relief funds to support Tibet in repairing earthquake-damaged agricultural production and livestock breeding facilities, and to provide appropriate subsidies for purchasing medicines, equipment, fuel, and feed for post-disaster production recovery, promoting the rapid restoration of agricultural production order in the affected areas.
Party Flag Flies High at Grassroots: People's Soldiers Race Against Time in "Reverse Charge"
Wherever there is disaster, there are the people's soldiers; wherever there is danger, Party members charge forward. After the 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County, Xigaze, Tibet, Yin Qiang, a Party member from a certain unit of the Tibet Military Region, led a Party member commando team to be the first to enter the epicenter and rescue the public. At the temporary resettlement site in Jiding Village, Yin Qiang of a certain unit of the Tibet Military Region, accompanied by medical personnel, visited the tent of Tibetan compatriot Jizong. Her eyes were injured in the earthquake, and it was Yin Qiang and his commando team who immediately escorted her to Dingri County Hospital for bandaging. After being discharged, Yin Qiang continues to bring medical personnel to change her dressings daily. After the earthquake, a certain unit of the Tibet Military Region formed a Party member commando team consisting of team leader Yin Qiang, one driver, and two communicators. They set off from their regimental headquarters, located over 60 kilometers away, and rushed to the epicenter at the first opportunity, despite the danger of aftershocks. Multiple road collapses along the way did not deter the commando team. They reported the situation while finding ways to advance into the disaster area. Through the concerted efforts of Yin Qiang and other commando team members, they successfully transmitted the first-hand ground images of the disaster area to the command center, providing important references for subsequent rescue operations, while also carrying out rescue work to the best of their abilities. This four-person Party member commando team immediately rescued five trapped individuals amidst the dangerous aftershocks.
CPC Central Organization Department Allocates 50 Million Yuan from Central Party Funds for Tibet Earthquake Relief
To demonstrate the care and warmth of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core for primary-level Party organizations, Party members, cadres, and the public in the disaster area, the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee recently allocated 50 million yuan from the Party fees managed by the Central Committee to Tibet to support earthquake relief and other related work. The Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee demanded that primary-level Party organizations and the vast number of Party members and cadres in the disaster area earnestly implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, fully leverage their roles as fighting fortresses and vanguard models, spare no effort in searching and rescuing personnel, provide full medical treatment to the injured, minimize casualties, prevent secondary disasters, and properly carry out tasks such as relocating and resettling affected people, comforting families of the deceased, and ensuring the basic living needs of the public, so as to ensure a safe and warm winter. The Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee emphasized that these Party fees must be promptly allocated to primary-level organizations in the disaster area and used specifically for designated purposes. They are primarily to be used for comforting primary-level Party members, cadres, and the public fighting on the front lines of earthquake relief, comforting Party members and the public facing life difficulties due to severe disaster, and subsidizing the repair of primary-level Party education facilities damaged by the disaster.
China's Consumer Price Index Sees Moderate Increase Throughout 2024
Data released today (January 9) by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the full year of 2024 increased by 0.2% year-on-year, maintaining the same growth rate as the previous year. Specifically, food supply was generally sufficient, with prices decreasing. Driven by policies such as "trade-in" programs, consumer demand was strong, and prices of industrial consumer goods remained stable year-on-year. Service consumption continued to recover, with a slight increase in prices. Looking at monthly data, in December 2024, China's consumer market operated generally stably, with CPI remaining flat month-on-month and increasing by 0.1% year-on-year. For the full year of 2024, the Producer Price Index (PPI) narrowed its decline by 0.8 percentage points compared to the previous year. Trends varied across different industries; driven by the rapid development of new energy and other sectors, prices in the non-ferrous metals industry rose significantly, while prices in energy and some manufacturing industries saw declines.
Significant Achievements in Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle Construction Over Past Five Years
The State Council Information Office held a press conference today (January 9), where officials from the National Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing Municipality, Sichuan Province, and other units introduced the progress of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle construction. Data shows that after five years of construction, the development level and comprehensive strength of the economic circle have continuously improved. In terms of economic aggregate, five years ago, the regional GDP of the economic circle was less than 6.3 trillion yuan. In 2024, it is estimated to grow to approximately 8.6 trillion yuan, achieving two trillion-yuan jumps in five years. Its share of the national total increased from approximately 6.3% to over 6.5%. In terms of industrial system, the two regions have jointly built four trillion-yuan industrial clusters, including electronic information and equipment manufacturing, with automobile output and electronic information output accounting for more than one-tenth of the national total. In terms of innovation layout, the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing Comprehensive National Science Center has been fully launched, the Sichuan-Chongqing innovation cooperation plan has been deeply implemented, 12 high-tech zones have established synergistic innovation strategic alliances, and the two provinces and municipalities share over 14,000 sets of large scientific research instruments and equipment. Over the past five years, new breakthroughs have been made in building a new highland for reform and opening up. Reforms in key areas have been continuously deepened, with the two provinces and municipalities jointly implementing 197 reform measures and establishing and operating the nation's first inter-provincial jointly built provincial-level new area – the Sichuan-Chongqing Gaozhu New Area. Over the past five years, new progress has been made in building a high-quality living and livable area. The average annual water quality of the Sichuan-Chongqing section of the Yangtze River mainstream has consistently reached Class II standards, "Sichuan-Chongqing cross-province services" cover 355 government service items, and 161 medical examination and test results in public hospitals are mutually recognized.
China to Further Deepen Reform and Development of Elderly Care Services
Today (January 9), the State Council Information Office held a press conference where multiple departments introduced new measures to further deepen the reform and development of elderly care services in China. China will fully leverage the government's leading role, market allocation of resources, and social participation in the development of elderly care services, and accelerate the establishment of a three-tier elderly care service network covering both urban and rural areas. At the county (district) level, a comprehensive elderly care service management platform will be built to coordinate the efficient utilization of elderly care service resources, supply-demand matching, and comprehensive supervision in counties (districts). At the township (sub-district) level, regional elderly care service centers will be established to provide policy consultation, service referral, resource linkage, and other functions. At the village (community) level, embedded community elderly care facilities and mutual-aid elderly care service stations will be vigorously developed, becoming service stations at the doorsteps of the elderly.
Re-lending for Sci-tech Innovation and Equipment Upgrades Reaches Nearly 1 Trillion Yuan in Signed Contracts
The People's Bank of China today (January 9) released the latest data, showing that the policy effects of re-lending for scientific and technological innovation and technological transformation are continuously emerging. As of the end of 2024, banks have signed loan contracts totaling 115 billion yuan with over 5,000 technology enterprises, and have disbursed nearly 50 billion yuan in loans, continuously enhancing the accessibility of financing for technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises. At the same time, financial support for large-scale equipment upgrades has achieved positive progress, with loan signings continuing to grow. As of the end of 2024, banks had marketed and engaged with 22,000 equipment upgrade projects pushed by relevant departments, basically achieving "full coverage" of financing matchmaking; banks and enterprises have signed loan contracts, and enterprises can withdraw funds at any time, with the amount exceeding 800 billion yuan. As of the end of last year, the weighted average interest rate for equipment upgrade loans was 3%, and with central government fiscal interest subsidies, the actual financing cost was 1.5%, effectively reducing the financing cost of equipment upgrades. To date, the re-lending support for scientific and technological innovation and equipment upgrades has reached a contracted scale of nearly 1 trillion yuan. Next, the People's Bank of China will further optimize re-lending procedures, expand the scale of equipment upgrade loans, and stimulate business entities to unleash demand for equipment upgrades.
China's Marine Economy Shows Strong Development Momentum
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, China is accelerating the construction of a strong maritime nation, and in 2024, the marine economy showed strong development momentum. In 2024, the ocean's position in ensuring national energy, water resources, and food supply became more prominent. It is predicted that in 2024, the proportion of new offshore crude oil production to the national total new crude oil production will remain above 60%; the cumulative grid-connected installed capacity of offshore wind power will exceed 50% globally. In 2024, seawater desalination output is expected to exceed 400 million tons, and industrial cooling seawater usage will exceed 180 billion tons; the total marine aquatic product output continued to grow steadily, ranking first globally for 35 consecutive years, becoming a true "blue granary." The market share of ships and offshore engineering equipment accounted for over 50% globally, and both seaborne freight volume and container throughput exceeded one-third of the global total, providing important impetus for global economic growth. In addition, China's marine science and technology level has significantly improved, with the "Dream" submersible exploring the deep ocean, the "Qinling Station" rising in the Antarctic ice sheet, and the "Mazu" marine numerical forecasting model being fully promoted. Marine science and technology are accelerating their transformation towards intelligence, unmanned operations, and digitalization.
Domestic News Briefs
"National Whole Grains Action Plan" Launched The National Development and Reform Commission, the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, and five other departments recently jointly issued the "National Whole Grains Action Plan (2024-2035)," which will improve the utilization rate of grain resources, optimize residents' dietary structure, and promote balanced nutrition through four major actions: whole grains publicity and guidance, standard leadership, scientific and technological innovation, and industrial upgrading. China's Civil Aviation Sector to See Continued Growth in Multiple Indicators This Year Reporters learned today (January 9) from the Civil Aviation Administration of China that in 2025, China's civil aviation is expected to complete a total transport turnover of 161 billion ton-kilometers, 780 million passenger trips, and 9.5 million tons of cargo and mail, with further improvement in industry profitability. Over 228 Million Medical Assistance Recipients in First Three Quarters of 2024 Reporters learned today (January 9) from the National Healthcare Security Administration that in the first three quarters of 2024, national medical assistance benefited over 228 million people, with a cumulative assistance amount reaching 64.65 billion yuan. In recent years, China has continuously improved its medical assistance system to ensure basic medical and health services for assistance recipients. Medical assistance work is implemented with differentiated policies, and through institutional guarantees and precise assistance, the burden of medical treatment for people in need has been effectively alleviated. 6.85 Million New Job Opportunities Provided for Demobilized Soldiers in 2024 Reporters learned today (January 9) from the Ministry of Veterans Affairs that in 2024, China continuously expanded employment channels and scale for demobilized soldiers. Throughout the year, various regions vigorously carried out special employment service actions for demobilized soldiers, holding over 10,000 recruitment events and providing 6.85 million job opportunities. Next, the state will continue to optimize resettlement methods for demobilized soldiers and coordinate the resolution of practical issues such as employment for military families and children's schooling. "Xuelong 2" Completes Resupply, Set to Begin Deep Ocean Scientific Expedition Recently, China's 41st Antarctic expedition team's "Xuelong 2" completed its unloading mission at Qinling Station. Today (January 9), it will once again cross the Westerlies and head to the Amundsen Sea in Antarctica to conduct approximately one month of marine ecosystem surveys, covering fields such as physical oceanography, biology, geology, and marine chemistry. World's First 300MW Class Compressed Air Energy Storage Power Station Achieves Full Capacity Grid Connection Reporters learned today (January 9) from China Energy Engineering Group (CEEC) that "Nengchu No. 1," the world's first 300-megawatt class compressed air energy storage power station, has achieved full capacity grid connection. The project has a storage capacity of 1500 megawatt-hours and a conversion efficiency approaching 70%, setting multiple world records for single-unit power, storage scale, and conversion efficiency, providing technical support for the commercial application of large-scale new energy storage technologies. CMG and Zhejiang Province Sign "Brand Power Project" Strategic Cooperation Agreement; 2025 Zhejiang New Year Consumption Season Launched China Media Group (CMG) and Zhejiang Province today (January 9) signed a "Brand Power Project" strategic cooperation agreement in Hangzhou and launched a series of integrated media actions. CMG will leverage its multi-media dissemination advantages to deeply explore and promote Zhejiang's historical and cultural resources, enhance the global competitiveness and influence of "Zhejiang brands," and promote high-quality development in Zhejiang. Activities such as the "National Chic, Chinese New Year" 2025 Zhejiang New Year Consumption Season were launched on the same day. Widespread Rain and Snow Continue in Southern China, Southwest Experiences Chilly and Damp Conditions From yesterday (January 8) to today, many areas in northern China experienced snowfall and temperature drops. Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong, and Qinghai experienced light to moderate snow. Today, the first widespread rain and snow process of the year in southern China is still ongoing, with light to moderate snow in parts of Guizhou and Hunan, and a noticeable chilly and damp sensation in the southwest and other areas. The public needs to pay attention to keeping warm.
Foreign Leaders and Heads of International Organizations Send Messages of Condolence to President Xi Jinping Over Earthquake Disaster in Dingri, Tibet
Since the earthquake in Dingri County, Xigaze City, Tibet, leaders of many countries and heads of international organizations have sent messages or made other gestures to express their sincere condolences to President Xi Jinping. They include: Russian President Vladimir Putin, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President Thongloun Sisoulith, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Nepali President Ram Chandra Paudel, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi, Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Seychellois President Wavel Ramkalawan, Cape Verdean President José Maria Neves, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish King Felipe VI, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Rotating Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Acting Korean President Choi Sang-mok, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, SCO Secretary-General Kairat Sarybay, and others. The foreign leaders expressed their condolences and sympathy for the significant casualties and property losses caused by the earthquake, highly praised the Chinese government's swift and powerful rescue actions, and expressed confidence that under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the people in the disaster area will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes.
Russia Claims Strikes on Ukrainian Electronic Warfare Stations, Other Targets on Frontline; Ukraine Claims Attack on Russian Airbase Fuel Depot
On January 8, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that Russian forces struck Ukrainian artillery, ammunition depots, electronic station bases, and other targets in frontline areas; Russian air defense systems shot down dozens of Ukrainian drones in various regions of Russia. Saratov Governor Roman Busargin stated on January 8 that a fire occurred at an enterprise in Engels after being attacked by a Ukrainian drone, and emergency measures were taken in the city. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated on January 8 that Ukrainian forces attacked an oil depot at the Engels airbase in Saratov Oblast that day. Additionally, Ukrainian and Russian forces engaged in fierce battles in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhovo directions, repelling multiple Russian offensives.
Palestine Reports 51 Dead in Israeli Attacks Across Gaza Strip; Israeli Military Says Operations Continue in Northern Gaza
According to the Palestinian Gaza Strip health authorities on January 8, Israeli forces launched attacks on multiple locations in the northern Gaza Strip, including Gaza City and Jabalia, central Deir al-Balah, and southern Khan Younis, resulting in 51 deaths, including women and children, and 78 injuries. The Israel Defense Forces stated on January 8 that they continued military operations in the northern Gaza Strip. Additionally, three Israeli soldiers were killed and three others injured in the operations. US and British forces launched multiple airstrikes on Yemen's capital and other areas. According to Houthi sources in Yemen, US and British forces carried out seven airstrikes on areas near the Yemeni capital Sana'a and Amran Province on January 8. On the same day, the US Central Command stated that it conducted multiple strikes on two weapons depots controlled by the Houthis.
California Wildfires Continue to Spread, Burning Over 100 Square Kilometers
Wildfires that ignited in the Los Angeles area of Southern California on January 7 continue to rage. As of the morning of January 9, the two largest wildfires had burned over 60 and 42 square kilometers, respectively. According to local police and fire departments, the wildfires have resulted in 5 deaths, damaged over a thousand homes, and forced at least 150,000 people to evacuate. The wildfires also caused power outages for over a million users at one point. US President Biden issued a statement on January 8 declaring a major disaster in California due to wildfires and strong winds, approving federal aid to the state. According to US media reports, at least six dangerous wildfires are currently spreading in Los Angeles County, and due to the continuous dry and strong wind conditions in the area, the fires are expected to continue to spread.
International News Briefs
Iranian and Iraqi leaders state the need to ensure stability in Syria. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani in Tehran on January 8. Pezeshkian stated that bilateral cooperation between the two countries is expanding in scope and level. Both sides also stated the need to ensure stability in Syria and uphold its territorial integrity. Sudani stated that the only way to resolve regional issues is to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Additionally, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei met with Sudani on the same day, stating that the presence of US troops in Iraq is illegal and that the US is attempting to expand its presence in Iraq, which must be firmly opposed. Belgium and other European countries experience severe weather. Belgium began experiencing widespread snowfall on the night of January 8, leading to slippery roads and affecting traffic, with yellow warnings issued in many areas. The UK has recently experienced continuous heavy rainfall coupled with cold snaps, with over 500 locations nationwide experiencing floods or urban waterlogging. Additionally, southeastern Ireland experienced heavy snowfall and freezing weather on January 8, leading to the closure of some schools.