25 November 2025
France
Later this week, French President Macron will present a new national service plan to boost army numbers. It is rumoured that the service will be voluntary and will last 10 months. Macron emphasized that he is not sending France’s youth to Ukraine when he announced that a plan would be revealed. This was obviously to appease accusations from the right.
Venezuela
The United States has designated the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. This comes as President Trump considers escalating military action in the region. So far, the US Navy has been targeting suspected drug boats with lethal measures.
Mali
Barrick Gold and the Malian government have agreed to resolve the gold mining dispute. The Malian government will receive $430 million in compensation. Mali’s military junta created and revised new mining laws and found that Barrick was not in compliance – ie. owed more money in back taxes and other administrative fees.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Killings have increased in the DRC over the weekend, with 14 people being killed near the capital. The violence is between two communities, Teke and Yaka, over land ownership.
Afghanistan
The Afghan Taliban are claiming that Pakistan bombed a house in Khost province – an allegation that Pakistan denies. The Afghan Taliban are also claiming other airstrikes; again, Pakistan is denying the claims. The situation between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban remains tense and unresolved.
Social media wires
Russian drone entered Moldovan territory
Damage done in the recent Ukrainian drone strike
Featured Photo: “Afghan house destroyed by Taliban, c. 2020” – Wikimedia Commons, 2025
The Wires Brief is a daily breaking news report incorporating wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates. Feature photos are altered with grayscale.