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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 12 Mar 2013 [PDF]
• Helicopter Crash Kills 5 ISAF Troops in Afghanistan AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- Five International Security Assistance Force service members died following a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan.
• 5 US Troops Killed in Afghan Helicopter Crash VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- U.S. officials say five American members of the NATO-led coalition force died when their helicopter crashed in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan.
• Five NATO Soldiers Die In Afghan Helicopter Crash RFE/RL 12 Mar 2013 -- NATO says five foreign troops have been killed in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan.
• Helicopter crash in Afghanistan kills 5 US troopers PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- A helicopter belonging to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan has crashed, killing five American soldiers on board.
• Taliban commander killed in eastern Afghanistan PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- A local Taliban commander has been killed in a joint military operation by Afghan security forces and US-led soldiers in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Nangarhar.
• US Bagran airbase in Afghanistan comes under rocket attack PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- The US Bagram air base has come under a rocket attack on the day seven American troops were killed in their deadliest day of the year, Press TV reports.
• ‘Karzai: US, Taliban attack civilians’ PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai has accused American troops and the Taliban militants of attacking civilians in the war-torn country, Press TV reports.
• Afghan Heroin Supplies to Russia Still High - Antidrug Chief RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2013 -- The head of Russia’s drug enforcement agency has lamented that Afghan heroin deliveries to Russia are still high.
• Over 20 Tons of Heroin Seized in Afghanistan RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2013 -- Almost 21 tons of heroin have been seized in an operation in eastern Afghanistan , the head of Russia’s Federal Drug Control Service said.
• Military working dogs deploy to Afghanistan UK MOD 12 Mar 2013 -- Soldiers from 104 Military Working Dog Unit and their canine partners are this week deploying to Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 18.
• Operation Winter Road opens new pathway for Afghans, coalition forces Army News 12 Mar 2013 -- Soldiers from Combined Task Force 4-2 (4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division) and the 229th Engineer Company of the Wisconsin Army National Guard completed a road project.
• Operation Ammunition Clean Sweep 13 takes aim at retrograde in Afghanistan Army News 12 Mar 2013 -- Five Operation Ammunition Clean Sweep 13 teams are ready to spread across the Combined Joint Operations Area-Afghanistan searching for unserviceable or unsafe ammunition.
• 593rd Sustainment Brigade Soldiers redeploy from Afghanistan Army News 12 Mar 2013 -- In the dark, early morning hours, almost 100 Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 593rd Sustainment Brigade, returned home to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., March 9.
• Analysis: Afghan women navigate a challenging judicial landscape IRIN 12 Mar 2013 -- One of the main reasons Afghans resort to TDR, says an Afghan Integrity Watch report, is that they do not trust the judiciary.
• US Intelligence Director: al-Qaida Seriously "Degraded" VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- A senior U.S. intelligence official says what he calls "the core al-Qaida" group has been degraded to the point where it can probably no longer carry out massive, complex attacks in the West.
• U.S. Intelligence Chief Says Al-Qaeda No Longer Poses Major Threat RFE/RL 12 Mar 2013 -- The United States national intelligence director, James Clapper, has testified to Congress that Al-Qaeda no longer posed a major threat.
• Saudi Arabian base, spies aided CIA drone hits in Yemen PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- Saudi Arabian officials have given the US spy agency CIA permission to build an assassination drone base there on the condition that the kingdom’s role remains concealed.
• ‘US’ UK base used in drone warfare’ PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- The US military has been secretly using a Royal Army Force base in the UK in its controversial drone warfare campaign, it is disclosed.
• Iran detects, repels US U2 reconnaissance plane: Cmdr. PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- A senior Iranian commander says the country identified and repelled an American U2 reconnaissance plane.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD News Briefing with George Little from the Pentagon DoD 12 Mar 2013
• National Security Advisor Explains Asia-Pacific Pivot AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- The strategic pivot toward the Asia-Pacific region will help to rebalance the projection and focus of U.S. power, President Barack Obama’s national security advisor said.
• Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter: "Above and Beyond Sequestration" DoD 12 Mar 2013
• Carter Reassures Defense Industry Amid Budget Uncertainty AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter pledged that the Pentagon will not allow a $46 billion cut in spending and uncertainty over future funding to keep it from focusing on challenges facing the nation even though the current fiscal situation will lead to “perverse, unsafe and wasteful consequences.”
• Pentagon Comptroller Outlines Budgetary Challenges AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- The Defense Department faces many fiscal challenges, but is doing what it can to reduce impacts on national security, the department’s comptroller said.
• Stratcom Chief: Fiscal Uncertainty Threatens Readiness AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- U.S. Strategic Command commander warned Congress that given the specter of fiscal uncertainty and declining resources, he’s concerned.
• Pentagon Acquisitions Chief Assesses Priorities AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- Noting that he'd returned to government service almost three years ago to the day, the Pentagon’s acquisitions chief today reviewed the five priorities he set in 2010.
• Dempsey: Sequestration Will Affect Programs, Readiness AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- The Defense Department will see effects to long-term military readiness and support programs such as the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors under sequestration’s fiscal constraints.
• Future Includes Deployments, Flexibility, Greenert Says AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- About a year ago, defense leaders sat down and said, “We’re at an inflection point,” the chief of naval operations said.
• Sequestration Pinch Includes Tuition Assistance Suspension AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- Budget woes led the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force to suspend their tuition assistance programs and the Navy continues to consider its options.
• DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal 2013, Through January 2013 DoD 12 Mar 2013
• 26th MEU Embarks USS Carter Hall for Deployment NNS 12 Mar 2013 -- Approximately 300 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) embarked aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) for a scheduled deployment Mar. 12.
• Navy's First Littoral Combat Ship Visits Pearl Harbor NNS 12 Mar 2013 -- The Navy's first littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam March 11.
• Shore-Based Support Assists USS Freedom Abroad NNS 12 Mar 2013 -- As USS Freedom pulled in for its first port call in Hawaii March 11, Sailors and civilians assigned to Navy Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center San Diego were standing by to provide the ship with support.
• 'Guardian' rises at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Army News 12 Mar 2013 -- Soldiers from the 1-229th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord became the first in the Army to field the latest version of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Feb. 21.
• Marine Corps LAV upgrade program beneficiary of available Army Stryker assets USMC News 12 Mar 2013 -- The Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicle Program Management Office found a way to overcome a significant reduction in required funding for a planned upgrade.
• Albuquerque Visits Thailand During Western Pacific Deployment NNS 12 Mar 2013 -- The USS Albuquerque moored alongside USS Frank Cable in Sattahip Bay, Thailand, March 10 for a visit as part of its Western Pacific deployment.
• Frank Cable Arrives in Thailand NNS 12 Mar 2013 -- Submarine tender USS Frank Cable anchored off Sattahip, Thailand, as part of its extended underway in the Western Pacific, March 9.
• U.S, Japan refine integrated air and missile defense during exercise AFNS 12 Mar 2013 -- Members of the U.S. military and Japan Self Defense Forces teamed up here recently to conduct a week-long exercise focused on operational issues relating to missile defense in the Pacific theater.
• 11th ACR Testing 'Dagger' Soldiers for AFRICOM Missions AFRICOM 12 Mar 2013 -- 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team will need to deal with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, at the National Training Center.
• Saharan Express 2013 Reaches Maritime Stakeholders AFRICOM 12 Mar 2013 -- More than a dozen organizations and agencies gathered at the Admiral Faye Gassama Naval Base in Dakar to explore maritime security issues as part of Exercise Saharan Express 2013, March 11.
• US, Philippine service members work together during PACANGEL AFNS 12 Mar 2013 -- A joint team of U.S. service members traveled to the Philippines to participate in Operation Pacific Angel March 4 through 11.
• NCIS, Belizeans Build Interoperability During Southern Partnership Station 2013 NNS 12 Mar 2013 -- Agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service Security Training Assistance and Assessment Team Atlantic completed almost three weeks of training.
• Hagel Directs Review of Distinguished Warfare Medal AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- In light of recent discussions concerning the new Distinguished Warfare Medal and its order of precedence relative to other military decorations, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of the award.
• Hagel Orders Review of Sex Assault Case, Convening Authority AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed two separate reviews to ensure that the U.S. military justice system is appropriately protecting victims of sexual assault as well as dispensing justice to the accused.
• Clapper Places Cyber at Top of Transnational Threat List AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- Ten years ago, the idea that cyber posed a leading threat against the United States would be laughed at. But no one is laughing any more.
• Cybercom Builds Teams for Offense, Defense in Cyberspace AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- As escalating rounds of exploits and attacks mar the strategic landscape of cyberspace, U.S. Cyber Command is standing up a highly trained cadre focused on national defense in that domain.
• 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment performs a live-fire exercise before their disbandment USMC News 12 Mar 2013 -- Marines and sailors with 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment conducted a live-fire training exercise with M777A2 155 mm howitzers March 6-8, 2013.
• 380th AG Battalion cases colors for last time Army News 12 Mar 2013 -- The colors of the 380th Adjutant General Battalion, a U.S. Army Reserve unit here, were cased for the last time, March 9.
• Navy Identifies Three Officers Killed in EA-6B Crash in Eastern Washington NNS 12 Mar 2013 -- All three crew members aboard a Navy EA-6B Prowler jet assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., were killed when the aircraft crashed.
• Ceremonial Swearing-in Set for Defense Secretary AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- A ceremonial swearing-in for Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will take place at the Pentagon March 14, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little announced.
• Andersen AFB saves $25 million with contamination cleanup concept AFNS 12 Mar 2013 -- Members of the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Flight are working on containing contamination to protect the environment at Site 14 here.
• Military Substance Abuse Research Progresses, Doctor Says AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- Defense Department officials are developing research-based methods to curb substance abuse among service members, their families and veterans, a senior DOD medical official said.
• Oldest U.S. military flying unit celebrates centennial AFNS 12 Mar 2013 -- The 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., celebrated its 100th anniversary March 7-9 as the oldest flying unit in U.S. military aviation.
• Defense Ministry in Talks to Buy Aerial Tankers Says UAC RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2013 -- Russia's United Aircraft Corporation and the Defense Ministry are in talks over a deal for new Ilyushin Il-78 Midas aerial refueling tankers for the Russian Air Force.
• First European theatre missile interceptor system achieves NATO interoperability NATO 12 Mar 2013 -- On 6 March, the French/Italian SAMP/T surface-to-air missile system successfully engaged and destroyed a theatre ballistic missile target in a live-fire test.
• India’s cruise missile ‘Nirbhay’ fails to hit target IRNA 12 Mar 2013 -- India's first indigenously developed sub-sonic cruise missile Nirbhay failed to hit the target in its maiden test-firing.
• Taiwan confirms report of plan to build subs CNA 12 Mar 2013 -- The Ministry of National Defense has launched efforts to study the feasibility of building indigenous submarines.
• Ukraine Denies 'Killer' Military Dolphins Escaped RFE/RL 12 Mar 2013 -- The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has described reports that three military dolphins escaped as a "fabrication" and a “gross provocation.”
• Ukrainian Killer Dolphins Deserted to Seek Mate RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2013 -- Three of the Ukrainian navy's “killer” dolphins that swam away from their handlers during training exercises probably left to look for mates.
• Iran, Iraq navies sign cooperation agreement PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- The navies of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and Iraq have signed an agreement to expand cooperation between the naval forces of the two countries.
• Iran Army to test-fire new missiles PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- The Ground Forces of the Iranian Army are planning to stage a one-day missile drill in central Iran on Thursday.
• Iran to launch Jamaran 2 destroyer in Caspian Sea PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi says the country plans to launch the indigenous Jamaran 2 destroyer in the Caspian Sea in the near future.
• Copter crash kills two Israeli reserve pilots PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- Two Israeli reserve pilots have been killed in helicopter crash during an overnight training exercise in the southern occupied Palestinian lands.
• Black Hawk helicopters joins Colombia's war on drugs Army News 12 Mar 2013 -- The Security Assistance Command took another step in building partner capability when it completed a delivery of seven Black Hawk helicopters to Colombia on March 2.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 3/12/2013 The White House 12 Mar 2013
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, March 12, 2013 US Dept. of State 12 Mar 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 12, 2013

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 12 March 2013 United Nations 12 Mar 2013
• Spokesman: U.S. Urges North Korea to Tone Down Threats AFPS 12 Mar 2013 -- U.S. and South Korean forces remain “postured for any contingency” on the Korean Peninsula.
• Beijing opposes new sanctions against Pyongyang PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- China has expressed its opposition to the latest series of UN sanctions against North Korea and called for dialogue to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
• South Korea Decries North's 'Psychological Tactics' VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- North Korea's official media is quoting its leader, Kim Jong Un, using the most threatening language yet.
• N Korea threatens to wipe out island in South PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- North Korea has threatened to "wipe out" an island in the South as tension on the Korean Peninsula has risen to its highest level for years.
• No 'Smoking Gun' from Last Month's North Korea Nuclear Test VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- Highly unlikely to find any "smoking gun" radioactive traces from the blast, potentially leaving key questions about the device unresolved.
• UN Rights Expert Recommends Probe of N.Korean Abuses VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- A United Nations-appointed human rights authority is recommending an international inquiry into violations in North Korea, which he says may amount to crimes against humanity.
• Kim Jong Un Enjoys Performance Given by Art Squad of KPA Unit 531 KCNA 12 Mar 2013 -- Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Marshal Kim Jong Un together with service persons of the KPA enjoyed the performance given by the art squad of KPA Unit 531.
• Syrian Rebels Fight to Recapture Homs Neighborhood VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- Activists say the Syrian military has bombarded opposition-held districts of Homs to try to stop rebels from re-capturing their former stronghold in the central city.
• Support for Syrian Opposition Best Way to End Violence - US RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2013 -- The United States will keep supporting the Syrian opposition as that is the only possible way to resolve the conflict in the country, the US State Department said.
• Moscow Takes Issue with US Stance on Syria RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2013 -- Moscow criticized what it described as the United States' biased interpretation of the Geneva Communiqué as supporting the Syrian opposition.
• Russian Aircraft Evacuates over 100 People from Syria RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2013 -- A Russian emergencies ministry’s plane left Syria with over 100 people from Russia and former Soviet republics.
• How to tackle Mali’s crisis in the long term IRIN 12 Mar 2013 -- As humanitarian agencies grapple with a deepening displacement and food security crisis in Mali, analysts point to the need for deep-seated reforms in the government and army if longer-term stability and development is to be attained.
• Mali: UN reports serious escalation of retaliatory violence by government troops UN News Centre 12 Mar 2013 -- The recent military intervention in northern Mali has been followed by a serious escalation of retaliatory violence by Government soldiers.
• UN accuses Malian soldiers of retaliatory attacks on ethnic groups PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- The United Nations has accused Malian soldiers of launching retaliatory attacks which have apparently targeted specific ethnic groups in the West African country.
• UN moves peacekeepers to South Sudan ahead of offensive against militants PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- Hundreds of UN peacekeepers have been deployed to a volatile state in South Sudan before an expected government offensive against a militant group in the country.
• Sudan, South Sudan Agree to Restart Oil Exports VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- Sudan and South Sudan have agreed to restart oil exports, setting a two-week deadline for resuming the process of sending oil from South Sudan through pipelines in Sudan.
• Congo gives M23 till March 15 to disarm to receive amnesty PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- The Congolese government says it will give limited amnesty to the March 23 movement rebels and integrate them into the army if they agree to lay down their arms by March 15.
• UN confirms death of four crew members in helicopter accident in eastern DR Congo UN News Centre 12 Mar 2013 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed the death of four crew members on board one of its helicopters that crashed on Saturday.
• CAR Government Condemns Recent Rebel Attacks VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- The government of the Central African Republic said a recent attack by insurgents on a southern town shows the Seleka rebel group is still intent on occupying the country.
• Seleka rebels capture two towns in Central African Republic PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- Members of the Seleka rebel group have attacked two towns in the south of the Central African Republic.
• Remarks by President Obama and His Majesty Sultan of Brunei Darussalam After a Bilateral Meeting The White House 12 Mar 2013
• Obama, Sultan of Brunei Discuss Asian Maritime Tensions VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- President Barack Obama met with the visiting Sultan of Brunei to discuss mediation of maritime disputes between several Asian countries.
• China plans to survey disputed isles: Chinese officials PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- China is set to carry out a survey of the disputed isles claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing, Chinese officials say.
• Taiwan-Japan fishery rights meet set for Wednesday in Tokyo CNA 12 Mar 2013 -- Taiwan and Japan will hold the next preparatory meeting for a new round of bilateral fishery talks in Tokyo.
• Bomb Explodes Near Pakistan Minister's House RFE/RL 12 Mar 2013 -- A bomb has exploded close to the home of a prominent provincial minister in northwest Pakistan.
• Israel says Lebanon will pay in next Tel Aviv-Hezbollah war PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- Israel's armed forces chief of staff Benny Gantz has threatened that Tel Aviv will strike Lebanese infrastructure if Hezbollah resistance movement attacks Israel.
• ‘Abbas to discuss prisoners with Obama’ PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- The acting Palestinian Authority Chief, Mahmoud Abbas is expected to discuss the issue of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails during an upcoming meeting with the US President Barack Obama.
• Shots Fired During Iraq-Kuwait Border Protest VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- Kuwait has expressed dismay to the United Nations over a protest by stone-throwing Iraqis against the demarcation of the border.
• Gunfire Reported Along Iraq-Kuwait Border RFE/RL 12 Mar 2013 -- Kuwaiti media are reporting that shooting broke out along the country’s border with Iraq.
• Argentina rejects Malvinas vote result PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- Argentina has rejected the outcome of a referendum in the Malvinas Islands, known as the Falklands to the British, on the future political status of the South Atlantic archipelago.
• Falklands Islands Vote to Remain under British Control VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- Residents of the Falkland Islands voted overwhelmingly to remain part of Britain in a referendum Monday, adding to the heated territorial dispute between Argentina and Britain about the remote islands.

News Reports

• Remarks With Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide After Their Meeting US Dept. of State 12 Mar 2013
• Notice - Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Iran The White House 12 Mar 2013
• Message - Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Iran The White House 12 Mar 2013
• UN Expert Says Iranian Rights Abuses Increasing VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- Iran is blasting the findings of a United Nations researcher who alleges an increase in torture, executions and repression of free expression in the country.
• EU Names Iranians On Sanctions List RFE/RL 12 Mar 2013 -- The European Union has released the names of a new group of Iranians subject to sanctions for alleged human rights violations.
• Iran, Armenia Find Solidarity in Isolation VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- While the West seeks to isolate Iran over its disputed nuclear program, landlocked Armenia seeks to build relations with its neighbor - without violating international sanctions.
• US threatens Pakistan with sanctions over gas pipeline deal with Iran PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- The US State Department has threatened Islamabad with sanctions if the country goes through with a joint multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline project with Iran.
• Aides: Musharraf to Return to Pakistan March 24 VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- Aides for Pakistan's former president Pervez Musharraf say the politician plans on returning to his home country on March 24 to take part in parliamentary elections.
• Kenya Court to Hear Presidential Vote Documents Petition VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- Kenya’s high Court plans to begin hearing a petition filed by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy to force the release of more information about the presidential election.
• Chavez Cancer 'Poisoning' Accusation Probed VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- Venezuela will set up a formal inquiry into suspicions that the late President Hugo Chavez's cancer was the result of poisoning by his enemies abroad, the government said.
• US expels 2 Venezuelan diplomats after ouster of its military attaches PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- The US has expelled two Venezuelan diplomats in reaction to expulsion of two American military attaches by Caracas last week on charges of attempting to destabilize the country.
• Latin America's Left Sees Void After Chavez VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- The death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez leaves a void for the left in Latin America that most analysts say is unlikely to be filled soon.
• Venezuela's Next President to Face Economic Challenges, Social Divide VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- An intense political battle is under way in Venezuela as opposition leader Henrique Capriles gears up to challenge acting President Nicolas Maduro in the April 14 presidential election.
• Manama sees fresh anti-regime rally PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- Anti-regime protesters have staged fresh demonstration in the Bahraini capital, Manama, ahead of a general strike in mid-March across the country, Press TV reports.
• Police, protesters clash in Bangladesh over controversial trials PressTV 12 Mar 2013 -- Clashes have broken out between Bangladeshi police and protesters over controversial trials of opposition politicians.
• Zimbabwe Bars NGOs from Constitutional Referendum VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- Non-governmental organizations in Zimbabwe have petitioned President Robert Mugabe’s government to protest the electoral commission refusal to accredit them to observe Saturday’s constitutional referendum.
• Western Ivory Coast Remains Vulnerable to Violence VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- A new report from the peacebuilding body Interpeace warns western Ivory Coast continues to be vulnerable to the type of violence that killed at least 1,000 people during the 2010-11 post-election conflict.
• Liberian President Announces Cabinet Changes VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Monday made her long-awaited cabinet reshuffle affecting the Ministries of Commerce, Labor, Youth and Sports and the Civil Service agency.
• Attacks on Albinos Surge in Tanzania VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- The United Nations is expressing alarm at a spate of recent attacks in Tanzania against people with albinism.
• Burma Recommends Controversial Mine Continue VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- Burma has recommended a controversial China-backed copper mine continue, despite objections from protesting villagers.
• Ex-FSB Officer Shuns Litvinenko Inquest RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2013 -- A former officer of Russia's Federal Security Service suspected by the British authorities of poisoning Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko said that he will pull out of the inquest into the killing.
• Russian Suspect Will Not Cooperate With Litvinenko Inquest RFE/RL 12 Mar 2013 -- A former KGB agent suspected of killing Aleksandr Litvinenko says he will not cooperate with a British inquest into the Kremlin critic's death.
• Drop In European Court Cases From Russia Sparks Claims Of Foul Play RFE/RL 12 Mar 2013 -- For the first time since its creation in 1959, the European Court of Human Rights is recording a drop in pending cases.
• Cardinals Start Voting Process for New Pope VOA 12 Mar 2013 -- The College of Cardinals tasked with choosing a new pope for the Roman Catholic Church began voting Tuesday to elect a successor to Pope Benedict.
• Cardinals To Begin Conclave To Elect Pope RFE/RL 12 Mar 2013 -- Cardinals at the Vatican have celebrated a final Mass before retreating into the Sistine Chapel for the conclave to elect a new pope.
• Conclave to Elect New Pope Begins in the Vatican RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2013 -- The Roman Catholic Church’s 115 cardinals locked themselves inside the Sistine Chapel on Tuesday after hours of prayers to elect their 226th leader.