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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 16 Mar 2011 [PDF]
• Deadly Bombing in Iraq's Kirkuk VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Iraqi officials say a car bomb explosion in the northern city of Kirkuk has killed at least two people and wounded more than 20 others.
• Forces Arrest Haqqani Terrorists in Afghanistan AFPS 16 Mar 2011 -- Afghan and coalition forces captured two Haqqani network terrorists and detained several other suspected insurgents in the Sabari district of Afghanistan’s Khost province.
• Petraeus: Afghan Transition Will Have Long-term Impact AFPS 16 Mar 2011 -- As the transition approaches for Afghan forces to begin taking responsibility for security in their country, actions in the coming months will have consequences for years to come.
• NATO to Probe New Afghan Civilian Casualties VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- The commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan has ordered an investigation into yet another case of alleged civilian casualties caused by a coalition airstrike.
• Taliban Employs Modern Weapons In 'War of Words' RFE/RL 16 Mar 2011 -- The Taliban employs a number of tactics on the modern media battlefield.
• FBI: Terrorism, al-Qaida Pose Biggest Threat to US VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation: Terrorism in general and al-Qaida and its affiliates pose the most significant threat to the US.
• Civilian Deaths Record High in Afghanistan Last Year KCNA 16 Mar 2011 -- The UN group for aiding Afghanistan quoted a survey on March 9 as saying that 2,777 civilians were killed in Afghanistan last year due to a war.
• Three US Drone Attacks Kill 12 in Pakistan KCNA 16 Mar 2011 -- At least 12 people were killed in three U.S. drone strikes launched Friday in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of North Waziristan.
• Ships, Aircraft Support Japan Relief Effort AFPS 16 Mar 2011 -- Fourteen US Navy ships and their aircraft and 17,000 sailors and Marines are now involved in the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in Japan.
• Special-ops Airmen open strategic runways for relief operations AFNS 16 Mar 2011 -- Airmen and aircraft from the 353rd Special Operations Group assisted Japanese officials in opening two key runways to support relief operations in northern Japan.
• US Military Sends Ships, Aircraft to Japan Relief Effort VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- The U.S. Navy has 14 ships off the coast of Japan, providing humanitarian assistance to victims of last week's earthquake and tsunami.
• VP-4 Perform SAR Missions in Support of Operation Tomodachi NNS 16 Mar 2011 -- Flight crews from Patrol Squadron4 are flying humanitarian and support missions as part of Operation Tomodachi.
• Tortuga Sailors, Japanese Army Forces Support Operation Tomodachi NNS 16 Mar 2011 -- USS Tortuga Sailors and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Northern Army soldiers loaded vehicles and trailers in support of earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.
• Patrol Squadron 4 Relocates Assets to Misawa NNS 16 Mar 2011 -- More than 70 crewmembers of Patrol Squadron 4, currently on deployment in Okinawa, Japan, arrived at Naval Air Facility Misawa, March 16, to better assist with Japanese relief efforts.
• USS Essex Loads Humanitarian Assistance Supplies Bound for Relief Effort in Japan NNS 16 Mar 2011 -- USS Essex on-loaded humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies March 15 during a replenishment at sea.
• Air Force officials use Global Hawk to support Japan relief efforts AFNS 16 Mar 2011 -- Pacific Air Forces officials are using an RQ-4 Global Hawk from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to assist Japan responders in disaster relief and recovery efforts.
• Ambassador Issues Message to Americans in Japan AFPS 16 Mar 2011 -- U.S. Ambassador to Japan John V. Roos issued a message to Americans living there to bring them up to date on the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami.
• Yokota, Misawa commanders stop incoming PCS moves AFNS 16 Mar 2011 -- Permanent-change-of-station moves to Yokota and Misawa air bases are delayed in the aftermath of an earthquake and tsunami.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Modified X-51A Waverider ready for next hypersonic test AFNS 16 Mar 2011 -- Air Force engineers currently plan to fly the second X-51A Waverider hypersonic flight test demonstrator as early as March 22.
• Army leaders stress need for Ground Combat Vehicle Army News 16 Mar 2011 -- Army leaders told members of Congress March 9 that the service needs a new, next-generation Ground Combat Vehicle.
• Send out Ravens, save Soldiers Army News 16 Mar 2011 -- Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and the 41st Fires Brigade re-certified on the Army's smallest unmanned aerial vehicle, the Raven RQ-11B.
• Navy Announces ICEX 2011 Submarines NNS 16 Mar 2011 -- Commander, Submarine Force announced USS New Hampshire and USS Connecticut (have commenced Ice Exercise 201 in the Arctic Ocean, March 15.
• HT, IC and MR Full-Time Support Ratings Eliminated NNS 16 Mar 2011 -- The Navy announced the elimination of Full-Time Support (FTS) Hull Technician (HT), Machinery Repairman (MR) and Interior Communications (IC) ratings effective March 16.
• US-Israeli collaboration enhances communications and electronic capabilities Army News 16 Mar 2011 -- Representatives from the U.S. Army and Israeli military are meeting March 15-17 at U.S. Army research, development and engineering centers to discuss updates on current technology collaboration.
• Field Training Exercise Vibrant Response 11.1 Army News 16 Mar 2011 -- Exercise Vibrant Response 11.1 FTX is a DSCA training event replicating the federal military role in responding to an improvised 10-kiloton nuclear detonation.
• 16th Sust. Bde. Soldiers heighten intelligence retrieval skills with ISR TOPOFF training Army News 16 Mar 2011 -- Programs like the Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance TOPOFF team provide subject matter experts to units that have requested their services.
• 42nd Clearance Co. provides support to Georgian National Army Army News 16 Mar 2011 -- Primary mission while at the Hohenfels Training Area was to conduct route clearance patrols in support of the Georgian National Army's 33rd Light Infantry Battalion, as the unit prepares for a deployment to Afghanistan.
• Working dog teams bring new resource to Georgian troops Army News 16 Mar 2011 -- A battalion of soldiers from the Georgian Armed Forces' 33rd Light Infantry Battalion prepares to join the mix in Afghanistan.
• Defense Officials Generally Pleased with Base Closure Process AFPS 16 Mar 2011 -- Defense Department officials are generally pleased with the progress of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process as it moves toward its final months.
• Officials praise transition to joint base Army News 16 Mar 2011 -- There may still be a few bumps in the road, but assistant secretaries for both services found that the transition is going well from Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base to Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
• Army Announces Reduction in Force at Pine Bluff Chemical Activity Army News 16 Mar 2011 -- The Department of the Army announced that a Reduction in Force will be conducted at Pine Bluff Chemical Activity.
• NATO Task Force to Seek Innovative Efficiencies AFPS 16 Mar 2011 -- A new task force NATO’s defense ministers agreed to form will explore “out of the box” concepts for improving efficiency while striving to build capabilities in the face of shrinking defense budgets.
• Warship deal with Russia losing support in France RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2011 -- The agreement to sell advanced warships to Russia is losing support in France because of Moscow's wish to get hold of sensitive military technology and concerns among Russia's neighbors.
• Russian MoD cagey on warship contract with France RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2011 -- Russian Defense Minister Serdyukov: A contract with France on the construction of modern warships for Russia will be signed when it is ready.
• Russia, France struggle over Mistral contract RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2011 -- A Russian-French contract on the construction of Mistral class helicopter carriers for the Russian Navy is unlikely to be signed in the near future.
• Russia to lease nuclear submarine to India before October RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2011 -- Russia will lease a nuclear powered submarine to India before October.
• China's new missiles pose serious threat to Taiwan CNA 16 Mar 2011 -- Taiwan National Security Bureau Director-General: China's new DF-16 ballistic missiles pose a serious threat to Taiwan.
• China deploys powerful Dongfeng-16 missile CNA 16 Mar 2011 -- Taiwan's intelligence chief confirmedthat China has deployed powerful new DF-16 ballistic missiles that pose a serious threat to Taiwan.
• India: No revision in "no-first-use nuclear doctrine" IRNA 16 Mar 2011 -- The Government of India made it clear that there will be no revision of the country's no-first-use nuclear doctrine.
• India favours multilateral cooperation against Somali pirates IRNA 16 Mar 2011 -- The Government of India has favoured 'multilateral cooperation' against Somali pirates under a UN framework.
• Iran scientists build unmanned flying saucer ISNA 16 Mar 2011 -- Iranian aerospace scientists have built an unmanned flying saucer.
• Minister of People's Security Dismissed KCNA 16 Mar 2011 -- Ju Sang Song, minister of People's Security of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, was dismissed from his post due to illness.
• Tajik Official Rules Out Return Of Russian Border Guards RFE/RL 16 Mar 2011 -- A senior Tajik border guard official has ruled out the renewed stationing of Russian border guards along Tajikistan's borders.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 3/16/2011 The White House 16 Mar 2011
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney, Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs Daniel Restrepo and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes The White House 16 Mar 2011
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, March 16, 2011 US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2011
• Secretary Clinton Remarks to the Traveling Press US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2011
• Secretary Clinton Interview With Kim Ghattas of BBC US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2011
• Secretary Clinton Interview With Shahira Amin of Nile TV US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2011
• Secretary Clinton Interview With Steve Inskeep of NPR US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2011
• Secretary Clinton Interview With Wyatt Andrews of CBS US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2011
• Secretary Clinton Interview With of Andrea Mitchell of NBC US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 16, 2011
• Raytheon Completes Work on Upgraded Early Warning Radar in Greenland Raytheon 16 Mar 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has completed all system requirements and testing of the Upgraded Early Warning Radar at Thule Air Base, Greenland. With this upgrade, the UEWR at Thule is ready to conduct the missile defense mission as a critical component of the Ballistic Missile Defense System.
• Northrop Grumman Ships First Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Fuselage Northrop Grumman 16 Mar 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) completed the first of three fuselages for the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft System (BAMS UAS) System Development and Demonstration (SDD) program. The MQ-4C fuselage will undergo final assembly and system checkout at the company's Palmdale, Calif. facility ahead of its first flight next year.
• First Airbus Military A330 MRTT for Royal Saudi Air Force makes maiden flight EADS 16 Mar 2011 -- The first Airbus Military A330 MRTT for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) has successfully completed its maiden flight lasting 4hr 15min.
• General Dynamics Selected for U.S. Army Combined Arms Center Contract General Dynamics 16 Mar 2011 -- General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been selected as an awardee for the U.S. Army's Combined Arms Center (CAC) Fort Leavenworth Support Services program contract. The multi-award, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract has a potential value of $260 million over five years for all awardees if all options are exercised.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Offices of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General and the Spokesperson for the General Assembly President, 16 March 2011 United Nations 16 Mar 2011
• No Decision Yet from UN Security Council on Libya No-Fly Zone VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Negotiations among members of the U.N. Security Council ended without consensus on a No-Fly Zone over Libya.
• Libyan Forces Pound Rebel Areas, UN Security Council Meets VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi pounded rebel strongholds, as the U.N. Security Council began discussing a resolution to set up a "no-fly" zone over the country.
• Assault on Benghazi would endanger masses of Libyan civilians UN News Centre 16 Mar 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban called on Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi’s Government to cease hostilities immediately.
• Gaddafi says confrontation with opposition nearly over RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2011 -- Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has said confrontation between the authorities and the rebellious opposition would end very soon.
• Libyan Rebels Prepare to Defend Benghazi VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi are bombarding opposition-held areas in the west and east.
• Ground military intervention in Libya may trigger war - Medvedev RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2011 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev: Any military intervention in Libya may trigger a war.
• New UN Doctrine Invoked in Libyan Conflict VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- The U.N. doctrine known as the "responsibility to protect" is a relatively new concept.
• 4 Dead From Heavy Artillery in Libyan Rebel-Held City VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi attacked rebels in the western city of Misrata with heavy artillery Wednesday, killing at least four people.
• Opposition Member: Liberated Libya Will Remember its Friends VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- A Libyan opposition member says those opposed by Moammar Gadhafi will be disappointed if international community fail to impose a no-fly zone over Libya.
• UK to refuse all future arms licences for Libya, says minister IRNA 16 Mar 2011 -- The British government is unable to confirm whether Libya has used UK arms against rebel opponents.
• Libya stands by oil contracts with West RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2011 -- Libya will honor all current oil contracts with Western oil companies but the ongoing crisis in the country could affect future cooperation.
• No-Fly Zones: Hidden Complexities VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Diplomats from Lebanon, France and Britain presented the UN Security Council with a resolution that includes authorization of a no-fly zone over Libya.
• Dialogue and War Cannot Go Together KCNA 16 Mar 2011 -- The south Korean authorities are talking about "dialogue" on the one hand and holding war exercises on the other hand.
• US Dangerous Military Provocation KCNA 16 Mar 2011 -- The United States is mulling deploying one E-737 in south Korea by July this year and three more by 2012.
• Israeli Warplanes Hit Gaza Security Compound VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Israeli warplanes have bombed a security compound in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, killing two members of the group's military wing and wounding four others.
• Palestinian Leadership Condemns Israeli Approvals for Building Settlements KCNA 16 Mar 2011 -- The Palestinian leadership on Sunday condemned Israel's approvals to build hundreds of houses for settlers in the West Bank.
• Turkey Lets Iranian Cargo Plane Depart After Finding 'Nothing Illegal' VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Turkish officials say searchers have found nothing illegal on an Iranian plane that authorities ordered to land in southeastern Turkey on suspicion of carrying weaponry to Syria.
• Turkey Stops, Searches Iranian Plane VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Turkish officials say government forces forced a cargo plane from Iran to land in Turkey so that its contents could be searched.
• Iran denies Zionist claim on vessel seizure ISNA 16 Mar 2011 -- Iranian Army Commander denied Zionist regime's claims on seizure of a Gaza-bound Iranian vessel.
• Defense minister refutes Zionist regime claims IRNA 16 Mar 2011 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi strongly refuted claims by the Tel Aviv regime about interception of a ship carrying Iranian made weapons enroute to Gaza.
• India asked to seek army officer's extradition from US IRNA 16 Mar 2011 -- An international human rights watchdog has asked New Delhi to seek extradition from US of an Indian army officer accused of murder in Kashmir.
• Rising violence jeopardizing efforts to resolve Ivorian political crisis UN News 16 Mar 2011 -- The UN peacekeeping mission in Côte d’Ivoire strongly condemned the increasing violence that is affecting many parts of the country.
• UN: Grenade Attack Kills One in Ivory Coast Commercial Capital VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- The UN said a grenade attack has killed one person and wounded 18 in Ivory Coast's commercial capital, Abidjan.
• Journalists Targeted by Warring Factions in Ivory Coast VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- There are reports that supporters of incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo and rival Alassane Ouattara are targeting rival media outlets and their reporters.
• Human Rights Watch Accuses Gbagbo Allies Targeting Foreigners in Ivory Coast VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Human rights officials say allies of Ivory Coast's incumbent president are targeting foreigners in a campaign of violence that may constitute war crimes.
• Results Unclear as Somali Offensive Continues VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- The Somali government is claiming victory in a month-long offensive to retake pieces of southern Somalia from the insurgent group al-Shabab.
• Somalia Clashes Leaves at Least 13 Dead VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Authorities in Somalia say 13 people were killed during fighting between insurgents and government troops in the capital, Mogadishu.
• Sudan: UN civilian protection officials voice alarm over violence in Abyei UN News Centre 16 Mar 2011 -- Two UN civilian protection officials voiced grave concern over rising tension in the disputed Sudanese territory of Abyei.
• SUDAN: Thousands flee fighting in Darfur IRIN 16 Mar 2011 -- Tens of thousands of people continue to flee their homes in Sudan's western region of Darfur for the safety of internally displaced people's camps after recent fighting between government forces and armed militias.
• UN urges greater cooperation to tackle rape along Angolan-Congolese border UN News Centre 16 Mar 2011 -- Senior UN official called on both countries to investigate all allegations of sexual violence and take practical steps to prevent such crimes.
• Azerbaijan Threatens To Shoot Down Karabakh Planes RFE/RL 16 Mar 2011 -- Azerbaijan has threatened to shoot down civilian planes flying to Nagorno-Karabakh if the sole civilian airport in the disputed region reopens as planned.
• Karens Flee Fighting in Burma, But Live in Limbo in Thailand VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- The European Commission visited Burmese refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border this week to evaluate a shift in priorities.
• The Balkans - All Talk And No Listening RFE/RL 16 Mar 2011 -- Why do the people of the Balkans continue to write and argue passionately about war crimes, trading accusations without ever hearing what the others are saying?

News Reports

• US, UK arms in use to kill Bahraini protesters IRNA 16 Mar 2011 -- American and British arms have been used to kill and injure protesters in the continuing demonstrations in Bahrain.
• Security Forces Reclaim Main Protest Site in Bahrain VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Security forces in Bahrain have retaken control of a main demonstration site in the capital Manama where anti-government protesters had been camping for weeks.
• Bahraini police launch attack on pro-democracy protesters RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2011 -- Bahraini police launched an attack on pro-democracy protesters holding a rally in the country's capital of Manama.
• Security Forces Smash Shi'ite Protest In Bahrain RFE/RL 16 Mar 2011 -- Bahrain's security forces have forcefully cleared protesters from the center of the capital, Manama, further raising Sunni-Shi'ite tensions in the emirate and the Persian Gulf region.
• Iran FM discusses Bahrain crisis with UN, AL chiefs ISNA 16 Mar 2011 -- Iranian Foreign Minister discussed Bahrain's sensitive conditions with the UN Chief Ban Ki-moon.
• UN official deplores curtailment of trade union activity in Bahrain UN News Centre 16 Mar 2011 -- The head of the UN International Labour Organization expressed grave concern over the declaration of a state of emergency in Bahrain.
• Syrian Security Forces Reportedly Disperse Demonstration In Damascus RFE/RL 16 Mar 2011 -- Reports say Syrian security forces have dispersed a demonstration in front of the Interior Ministry in the capital, Damascus.
• Syrian Security Forces Break Up Damascus Protest VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Witnesses in the Syrian capital, Damascus, say security forces have dispersed an opposition protest.
• 200 Wounded as Yemeni Forces, Opposition Activists Clash VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Witnesses say Yemeni security forces and government loyalists have attacked opposition protesters in the western port of Al-Hudayah, wounding at least 200 people.
• Clinton Talks Democratic Reforms in Egypt VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is wrapping up a two-day visit to Egypt that included meetings with officials of a transitional ruling body and a veteran diplomat running for president.
• Egypt Prepares for Referendum, US Treads Careful Line VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Egyptians will vote Saturday in a referendum on changes to the constitution, the first in a series of steps meant to carry out reforms demanded in a popular uprising.
• Clinton Meeting Arab League Chief in Egypt, Tours Tahrir Square VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to meet with Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.
• Iran's Army Cdr: Israel to be damaged by Muslim states awakening IRNA 16 Mar 2011 -- Commander of Iran’s Army Major-General Ataollah Salehi referred to the Zionist regime as the only one that would be damaged by the awakening of the Islamic states in the Middle East and North Africa.
• American Official Warns Significant Radiation Risk in Japan VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- US Nuclear Regulatory Chairman Gregory Jaczko: His commission is recommending a larger evacuation radius.
• IAEA Chief Heads to Japan to Assess Nuclear Crisis VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says he will travel to Japan to gather firsthand information about the crisis.
• Japan Struggles To Avert Further Radioactive Leaks RFE/RL 16 Mar 2011 -- Japan put top priority on efforts to cool down nuclear power plant, attempting at one stage to drop seawater on the facility without success.
• Crisis Continues at Crippled Japanese Nuclear Power Plants VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Japan's military failed on a first attempt to drop water from helicopters on one of the damaged reactors.
• Blast-hit Japanese reactors cooled, radiation levels down RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2011 -- Units One, Two and Three of Japan's troubled Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant are being cooled.
• S. Korea to send boric acid to Japan to cope with nuclear disaster RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2011 -- South Korea will send boric acid to Japan to help cope with the possible nuclear crisis triggered by last week's massive earthquake and tsunami.
• Japan's Nuclear Crisis Deepens With Fire, Radiation Leaks VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- The crisis at Japan's earthquake-stricken nuclear plant is deepening, with radiation emissions rising to levels that forced authorities to temporarily evacuate the last technicians from the facility.
• Japan on Edge About Nuclear Accident VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- The Japanese government continues to assure citizens that a worsening nuclear crisis poses no radiation threat to those outside an already established evacuation zone.
• Rescue Teams Reach Tsunami-Stricken Town VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- The estimated death toll from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan is now well over 10,000.
• Snow, Hunger Add to Misery in Quake-Stricken Japan VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- A heavy snow fell over the piles of debris of the devastated towns in northeast Japan, leaving survivors huddling for warmth as they waited for emergency supplies of food, water and fuel.
• Death toll in Japan quake nears 4,000 RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2011 -- More than 3,600 people died and over 7,500 are missing in the wake of a series of natural disasters that hit Japan last week.
• Five Nuclear Disasters Waiting To Happen RFE/RL 16 Mar 2011 -- The troubles surrounding Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant have set off a debate on the safety of nuclear power in general.
• Pakistan Frees American After 'Blood Money' Paid RFE/RL 16 Mar 2011 -- Pakistani officials say a US citizen has been freed after the families of the victims agreed to accept a cash payment.
• Detained CIA Contractor Held in Pakistan Released VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Pakistani officials say a detained CIA contractor accused of killing two Pakistanis has been freed.
• Opposition in Madagascar Balks at Re-appointment of Prime Minister VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- Madagascar's leader Andry Rajoelina has re-appointed a former Prime Minister to head a new transitional government.
• Continued support vital as Liberia prepares for polls, handles refugee influx UN News Centre 16 Mar 2011 -- Liberia has made important progress over the past eight years in emerging from conflict but will need continued international attention.
• As Haitian elections near, UN voices concern at electoral violence UN News Centre 16 Mar 2011 -- UN called on all candidates, especially those in the presidential run-off, to avoid threats, intimidation and harassment.
• Amnestied Tajik Commander Describes 'Good' Prison Conditions RFE/RL 16 Mar 2011 -- A former Tajik opposition commander has described as "good" the conditions in the prison in Dushanbe where he served three years of a nine-year term.
• Soaring Oil Prices Could Stunt World Economic Growth VOA 16 Mar 2011 -- The sharp rise in oil prices as a result of political turmoil in North Africa and the Middle East could deal a major blow to global economic growth over the next two years