Why is China expanding its nuclear arsenal?
China is rapidly modernizing, diversifying, and expanding its nuclear forces, aiming to have over 1,000 operational nuclear warheads by 2030 and continue growth through at least 2035, according to the Pentagon's report.
How does China's nuclear arsenal compare to the US and Russia?
China's nuclear arsenal, which has surpassed 600 operational warheads, is still significantly smaller than the US and Russia, each of which possesses over 5,500 nuclear warheads, with roughly 1,500 deployed each.
What are the key deficiencies in China's military, according to the Pentagon?
The Pentagon identifies significant deficiencies in commander proficiency, long-distance logistics, and urban warfare within China's People's Liberation Army (PLA).
What recent anti-corruption measures have been taken in China's military?
Between July and December 2023, at least 15 high-ranking military officers and defense industry executives were removed from their posts, including then-Defense Minister Li Shang-fu.
Why is Brazil's currency, the real, crashing?
Brazil's currency is crashing due to President Lula's tax and spend policies, rising government debt (close to 10% of GDP), and concerns over inflation, leading to a 21% year-to-date decline in 2024.
What measures has Brazil's central bank taken to stabilize the currency?
The central bank has sold off more than $3 million in back-to-back operations and increased borrowing costs by 1 percentage point, with hints of further hikes in 2025 to attract foreign investment.
Why is the US government facing a potential shutdown?
The US government is at risk of a shutdown due to President-elect Trump's opposition to a bipartisan budget plan, which he claims should be streamlined without 'Democrat giveaways' and must raise the debt ceiling.
What role did Elon Musk play in the US budget debate?
Elon Musk, a Trump ally, used his platform to oppose the bipartisan budget bill, urging his followers to call lawmakers and oppose the bill, which he described as a 'steal of your tax dollars.'
What is the latest UK inflation data, and how does it affect interest rates?
UK inflation rose to 2.6% in November from 2.3% in October, prompting the Bank of England to hold interest rates at 4.75% instead of cutting them further.
What factors are contributing to higher UK inflation?
Factors include transport costs, with petrol prices rising by 0.8p per litre, wage growth over 5%, and a surge in government spending, which could keep inflation closer to 3% in the coming year.
Why is Israel accused of genocide over Gaza's water supply?
Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of deliberately restricting Gaza's water supply, forcing the population to use contaminated sources, leading to lethal diseases, particularly among children.
- China's nuclear warhead arsenal has surpassed 600 operational warheads.
- The Pentagon projects China will have over 1,000 operational warheads by 2030.
- Despite its growth, China's nuclear arsenal is still dwarfed by the US and Russia.
Shownotes Transcript