11 March 2019 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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Current Operations

Kabul Rejects 'Delusional Claim' Mullah Omar Died in Afghanistan VOA 11 Mar 2019 -- Officials in Afghanistan are rejecting a new American investigative report that claims the founder of the Taliban, Mullah Mohammad Omar, spent his final years in Afghanistan, not in neighboring Pakistan.
Despite progress towards peace, Afghanistan facing 'daunting challenges' ahead of presidential vote UN News 11 Mar 2019 -- The UN Special Representative in Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto, hailed on-going efforts made towards peace and the engagement of women and youth across the country, but warned the Security Council on Monday that "daunting challenges" remain.
Kabul Denies Claims Dead Taliban Head Mullah Omar Hid Near US Base – Reports Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- The Taliban head Mullah Mohammad Omar was wanted in the United States for harbouring al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and other terrorists following the 9/11 attacks.
Taliban founder lived short walk from US bases in Afghanistan: Book reveals Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- A new book says the late Taliban leader and co-founder, Mullah Omar, had long been living within walking distance of American military bases in Afghanistan as US forces were desperately searching for him in neighboring Pakistan, suggesting a failure of US intelligence.
Afghan Taliban Leader Mullah Omar Reportedly Lived Near U.S. Base RFE/RL 11 Mar 2019 -- The late Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar lived near a U.S. base in southern Afghanistan for years, a new book claims.

Defense Policy / Programs

Trump Administration Interested in Extending New START Treaty - Undersecretary Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- The Trump administration is interested in extending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) beyond 2020, Undersecretary of State Andrea Thompson said at the 2019 Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference on Monday.
MQ-1B, MQ-9 flight hours hit 4 million US Air Force 11 Mar 2019 -- The MQ-1B Predator and MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft reached a historic flight hour milestone March 1.
Readout of Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan's Meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan DoD 11 Mar 2019 --
US, Jordan Confirm Strong Defense Ties - Pentagon Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and Jordanian King Abdullah II confirmed their countries' strong defense ties and continued commitment to destroying the Daesh terror group, the Department of Defense said in a readout on Monday.
DACOWITS Releases 2018 Annual Report DoD 11 Mar 2019 -- The Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) released its 2018 annual report on March 11, 2019.
Sexual Assault Reports Up at Service Academies, But Down Servicewide DoD News 11 Mar 2019 -- It's "gravely concerning" that results of the most recent survey of the military service academies show another increase in sexual assault reports, the executive director of the Defense Department's Office of Force Resiliency told lawmakers March 7 at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee's personnel subcommittee.
USS Kearsarge Departs Oman NNS 11 Mar 2019 -- The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) departed Salalah, Oman, following a port visit, March 9.
James E. Williams Assists Vessel in Distress off Florida Coast NNS 11 Mar 2019 -- The crew of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) aided in the rescue of 26 people from a vessel in distress off the Florida coast, March 8.
Harry S. Truman wins Battle "E" NNS 11 Mar 2019 -- Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic announced March 8 the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) was selected as the East Coast's CY2018 Aircraft Carrier Battle Effectiveness (Battle "E") Award winner.
Carl Vinson Earns 2018 Battle "E" NNS 11 Mar 2019 -- Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) was awarded the 2018 Battle Efficiency "E" for West Coast-based aircraft carriers in an announcement released by Commander, Naval Air Forces, March 7.
Pacific Partnership 2019 Begins in Philippines NNS 11 Mar 2019 -- Senior mission leadership, host nation and partner nation personnel attended the opening ceremony of the second Pacific Partnership mission stop in Tacloban, Philippines, March 11.
U.S. 6th Fleet Commander Visits Naval Partners in Turkey NNS 11 Mar 2019 -- Vice Adm. Lisa Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, traveled to Ankara and Gölcük, Turkey March 4-6 to meet with the Deputy Chief of the Turkish General Staff Lt. Gen. Metin Gürak, Commander of the Turkish Fleet Vice Adm. Ercüment Tatlioglu, and other key Turkish Navy leadership to discuss opportunities for U.S. and Turkish Navy cooperation to ensure regional stability and security through combined maritime exercises and operations.
USS Porter Arrives in Plymouth, England NNS 11 Mar 2019 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in Plymouth, England, March 9 for a scheduled port visit marking the beginning of Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) certification.
Pacific Partnership 2019 Opens in Marshall Islands NNS 11 Mar 2019 -- Pacific Partnership 2019, the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific, kicked off with an opening ceremony and reception aboard the Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6), March 11.
US Army Seeks New Remote Weapons System, Unmanned Turrets for Ground Vehicles Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- A recently issued information request by the US Army Contracting Command reveals that officials are in the market for a new remote weapons system that's equipped with a 30-millimeter autocannon and a 7.62-millimeter machine gun for the Army's ground vehicles.

Standing NATO Maritime Group One Flagship visits Rostock NNS 11 Mar 2019 -- Sailors from Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) and the flagship guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) departed Rostock, Germany after completing a scheduled port visit, March 5.
NATO Continues to Strengthen in Response to Great Power Competition DoD News 11 Mar 2019 -- NATO marks 70 years of existence next month and alliance members continue the mission of ensuring the organization is relevant and agile in a new era, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in Poland over the weekend.

Arms flow into Mideast dangerously rises: Study Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has found that arms sales to the Middle East have grown by 87 percent over the past five years, with Saudi Arabia topping the list of importers.
U.S. Remains World's Top Arms Exporter, With Russia A Distant Second RFE/RL 11 Mar 2019 -- The United States remained far and above the rest of the world as the globe's leading arms exporter, with Russia a distant second, a leading research group says.

Russia Built 7.6 Mln Sq. Ft. of Military Infrastructure in Arctic - Defence Min. Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- Russia has built more than 470 facilities spanning 710,000 square metres (7.6 million square feet) in the Arctic over the past six years, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has revealed.
Russian Army Tested Over 300 Models of New Weapons in Syria Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- The Russian army has tested 316 models of advanced weapons during its participation in the Syrian conflict, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday.
Russia to Conduct Observation Flight Over Belgium, Netherlands Next Week Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- Russia will conduct an observation flight over the territory of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg (Benelux) under the Treaty on Open Skies on March 11-15, the acting head of the Russian Defense Ministry's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center, Ruslan Shishin, said on Monday.

£30m boost to fast-track battlefield apps UK MOD 11 Mar 2019 -- Digital apps are set to redefine the battlefield as the Defence Secretary announces a £30m boost to fast-track agile software development technology
New Gurkha battalion to be established as brigade grows UK MOD 11 Mar 2019 -- Armed Forces Minister Mark Lancaster has confirmed that a new specialist Gurkha battalion is being formed.

F-35 fighter jet plan 'not aimed at China' Global Times 11 Mar 2019 -- Singapore's decision to buy F-35 fighter jets from the US is unlikely aimed at China, and recent analyses by US media saying otherwise are ridiculous and wishful thinking, Chinese experts said.

JF-17 Block 3 jet expected to be fitted with active electronically scanned array radar Global Times 11 Mar 2019 -- The development and production of the JF-17 Block 3 are underway, said Yang Wei, a Chinese legislator and chief designer of the China-Pakistan co-developed fighter jet, as he aims to enhance the jet's informatized warfare capability and weapons.

India Successfully Test Fires Multi-Barrel Guided Rocket Pinaka Near Pak Border Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- The indigenously developed Pinaka will significantly boost the capability of Indian artillery batteries to make precision strikes, the Indian Defence Ministry said on Monday.

US Crossing Line With Remarks on Turkey's S-400 Purchase - Erdogan's AK Party Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- The statement comes just two days after a Pentagon spokesman warned Turkey of "grave consequences" if Ankara went ahead with the purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system.

Azerbaijan starts large-scale military drills ahead of Baku-Yervan meeting Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- Azerbaijani military forces have launched large-scale military drills in the country, a move that is speculated to overshadow a planned first-time meeting between the country's President Ilham Aliyev and new Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Baku Starts Military Exercise Ahead Of Planned Talks Between Azerbaijani, Armenian Leaders RFE/RL 11 Mar 2019 -- Azerbaijan has launched large-scale military maneuvers ahead of an expected first meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and new Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders and OMB Acting Director Russell Vought The White House 11 Mar 2019
Department of State and USAID FY 2020 Budget Request US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2019 -- Today, President Trump requested $40 billion for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) budget. This request upholds the President's commitment to protect our country and put American interests first.
State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development FY 2020 Budget Request US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2019 -- The President's FY 2020 budget request proposes $40 billion for the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Briefing With Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan, USAID Administrator Mark Green, and Experts on the President's Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of State and USAID US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2019 -- Special Briefing by John J. Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of State, and Mark Green, USAID Administrator

Defense Industry

Contracts for March 11, 2019

Other Conflicts

11 March 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Mar 2019

China, Vietnam Regularly Clashing at Sea Despite Diplomacy VOA 11 Mar 2019 -- A capsized Vietnamese fishing boat that Hanoi says was hit by a Chinese vessel in contested waters is the latest in what scholars call a string of often unreported maritime mishaps between the two sides despite official efforts to get along.

Arms dealers complicit in Saudi war crimes in Yemen: Iran Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- Iran has censured the latest Saudi airstrikes in Yemen's northwestern province of Hajjah, saying the so-called advocates of human rights are complicit in Riyadh's crimes as they sell arms to the regime.
Houthi Rebels, Saudis Trade Blame Over Deaths of 20 Civilians in Northern Yemen VOA 11 Mar 2019 -- Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition blamed each other on Monday for the deaths of more than 20 civilians in a village in northern Yemen over the past several days.
Saudi war damages education sector in Yemen: UNICEF Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- The United Nations children's agency estimates that out of seven million school-aged children in Yemen over two million are not being educated amid a Saudi-led coalition's war against the impoverished Arab state.

Syria Camp in Crisis as Forces Attack Last IS Stronghold VOA 11 Mar 2019 -- "I pray my children will follow their father's path," said Intesar Mohammed, surrounded by three of her four children in a muddy, trash-strewn tent in northern Syria.
US-led coalition attack kills 50 civilians in eastern Syria IRNA 11 Mar 2019 -- At least 50 civilians, including children and women, were martyred in a new massacre committed by the US-led International coalition in al-Baghouz camp in eastern Deir Ezzor, Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.
Iran to have active presence in rebuilding Syria: Official IRNA 11 Mar 2019 -- A member of the Executive Board of Iran's Chamber of Cooperatives emphasized that the Iranian people will accompany the Syrian people in the reconstruction of Syria, which is a very difficult and time-consuming task.
Iran should play major role in rebuilding Syria: Syrian Official IRNA 11 Mar 2019 -- The head of a visiting Syrian business delegation insisted that Iran stood by the Syrian people in hard days and for this reason it should have major contribution to the reconstruction of Syria.
Time ripe for Syria's reconstruction: Official IRNA 11 Mar 2019 -- Deputy head of Iran's Chamber of Cooperatives, said that the elimination of the enemies of Syria was carried out with the help of the Syrian people and the Iran's cooperation and now the time is ripe for reconstruction, with pace and the least time.
Syrian diplomat: Iran, Russia have priority for reconstruction of Syria IRNA 11 Mar 2019 -- Syrian Chargé d'affaires in Iran says the proposal of tariff reduction to zero for commodity exchanges between Iran and Syria are under examination in the joint economic commissions of the two countries, and Iran and Russia are in priority for Syria's reconstruction.
US-led airstrikes claim dozens of civilian lives in Syria's Dayr al-Zawr Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- Dozens of civilians, including women and children, have been killed after the US-led coalition purportedly fighting the terrorist Takfiri Daesh group carried out a series of aerial assaults in Syria's troubled eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr.
US-Led Coalition Sees 'No Evidence' of Civilian Casualties in Syria's Baghuz Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State terror group has not seen any evidence of civilian causalities incurred during the recent airstrike on the Syrian village of Baghuz, Colonel Sean Ryan, a spokesperson for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), told Sputnik Monday.
Syrian Army destroys terrorists' vehicles, dens in Hama IRNA 11 Mar 2019 -- Syrian Arab Army units on Sunday destroyed vehicles and dens of terrorist organizations in the northern countryside of Hama, in response to their breaches of the de-escalation zone area in Idleb.

Palestinians in besieged Gaza Strip receive new Qatari financial aid Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been receiving a new tranche of financial aid donated by Qatar, nearly two months after the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, said it would not accept Qatari funds following Israel's blockade of the delivery over unrest along the border between the besieged costal enclave and the occupied territories.

Pakistan affirms its support for Kingdom's right to defend its sovereignty SPA 11 Mar 2019 -- Pakistan has noted with serious concern the drone attack by Houtis on the Saudi city of Abha, commending the government of Saudi Arabia, especially the Royal Defence Forces, for timely intercepting and destroying the drone before it could cause any serious damage.
US Says It Stands With India in Fighting Terrorism VOA 11 Mar 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale in Washington Monday and told him that the United States stands with India in fighting terrorism.
Mastermind of Deadly Kashmir Convoy Attack Killed by Indian Forces - Reports Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- The terror Attack in Pulwama (Kashmir), which left 40 Indian soldiers dead spiralled into a serious conflagration between India and Pakistan. Following the attack, India launched an aerial attack and dropped bombs on alleged terror hideouts in Pakistani territory, resulting in retaliation by the Pakistan Air Force.

UN: 10,000 civilians forced from homes in Myanmar's Rakhine since November Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- A United Nations (UN) human rights investigator says up to 10,000 civilians have been forced to flee their homes in Myanmar's northwestern state of Rakhine since November last year as a result of continued violence and a lack of humanitarian aid due to government restrictions.
Individuals responsible for Rohingya atrocities will face justice: ICC Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- The people responsible for the atrocities that forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims to flee from Myanmar's Rakhine state will be held to account, an International Criminal Court official said on Monday.
UN rights expert calls for end to 'purgatory' of 'international inaction' facing Myanmar's remaining Rohingya UN News 11 Mar 2019 -- A humanitarian crisis fuelled by the suppression of basic human rights is continuing across Myanmar's Rakhine state, a UN Human Rights Council-appointed expert said on Monday, in an appeal for alleged atrocities there to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
UN: Hundreds of Thousands of Rohingya Refugees Face Uncertain Future VOA 11 Mar 2019 -- A special investigator looking at the human rights situation in Myanmar warns the minority Rohingya Muslims in that country face an uncertain future as do hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who fled to Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh due to violence.

Pakistan Assures US It Will 'Firmly' Deal With Terrorists - Bolton Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has assured the United States that Islamabad will deal firmly with all terrorists in the country, including Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), US National Security Advisor John Bolton said in a statement on Monday.

News Reports

The United States Tightens Sanctions on Venezuela by Targeting Russia-Based Bank US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2019 -- Today, the United States sanctioned Evrofinance Mosnarbank, a Moscow-based bank jointly owned by Russia and Venezuela. With this action, we are targeting a financial institution involved in facilitating illegitimate transactions that prolong Maduro's usurpation of democracy.
Treasury Sanctions Russia-based Bank Attempting to Circumvent U.S. Sanctions on Venezuela US Treasury 11 Mar 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Evrofinance Mosnarbank, a Moscow-based bank that is jointly owned by Russian and Venezuelan state-owned companies.
US sanctions Russian bank over dealings with Venezuelan oil firm Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- The US Treasury Department has announced sanctions against the Russian bank Evrofinance Mosnarbank over its dealings with Venezuela's state-owned oil company PDVSA, part of US-led efforts to oust the democratically elected government of President Nicolas Maduro.
US envoy: Venezuelan president seems set on staying in power Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- The US envoy to Venezuela Elliott Abrams says there are no signs that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is willing to resign from office despite the growing US and Western pressure.
U.S. Sanctions Russian Bank Over Dealings With Venezuela RFE/RL 11 Mar 2019 -- The United States imposed sanctions on a Russian bank over its dealings with Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Russia's state-controlled Rosneft of buying oil from the company.
Venezuela Parliament Declares State of 'Alarm' Over Blackout - Reports Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- The blackout swept Venezuela last Thursday as national electricity supplier Corpoelec reported about "sabotage" at the major Guri hydroelectric power plant. Media subsequently reported about power outages in 21 out or 23 Venezuela's states.
Venezuelan Army Introduces Air Surveillance Over Power Lines After Blackout Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- The Venezuelan Army has introduced an air surveillance system over the country's power lines to protect its energy system and prevent further incidents, Venezuela's Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said.
Treasury: US Targets Russian Bank in Venezuela Sanctions for Alleged PDVSA Links Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- The United States has targeted the Russian bank Evrofinance Mosnarbank in its latest round of Venezuela-related sanctions, the US Department of the Treasury said in a press release.
US Sanctions Bank Jointly Owned by Russia, Venezuela VOA 11 Mar 2019 -- The U.S. on Monday sanctioned a Moscow-based bank jointly owned by Russian and Venezuelan state-owned companies for its support for Venezuela's embattled President Nicolas Maduro and the country's state-controlled oil industry.

Trump to seek another $8.6 billion for border wall in budget Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- US President Donald Trump is seeking $8.6 billion in fresh funding for his long-promised wall along the border with Mexico when he submits his 2020 congressional budget on Monday, likely triggering another fight with Congress.
Trump's 2020 Budget Includes $8.6 Billion for Border Wall VOA 11 Mar 2019 -- The White House on Monday unveiled a $4.7 trillion government spending plan for 2020, a request that includes President Donald Trump's call for another $8.6 billion for his signature project, construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border to thwart illegal immigration.

Bouteflika Will Not Seek 5th Term as Algeria's President VOA 11 Mar 2019 -- Algeria's presidency said Monday that longtime leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika will not seek a fifth term as president, despite filing the paperwork to do so last week.
Algerian President Bouteflika abandons re-election bid amid protests Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- Algeria's octogenarian president has abandoned his attempt to contest a fifth term amid nearly-month-long protests against the country's changeless political scene.
Algeria's Bouteflika Declares Presidential Vote Postponement, Says Won't Run Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- Algeria has recently been rocked by protests against the incumbent 82-year-old president's intention to run for another term, despite being wheelchair-bound and serving at the post for about two decades.

Don't Pass 'Fake News' Bill, Kremlin Human Rights Council Urges Parliament RFE/RL 11 Mar 2019 -- The Kremlin human rights council has urged Russia's upper house of parliament to reject bills that would outlaw online "fake news" and material deemed insulting to the Russian state or society.

South Korea monitoring North for possible missile launch: Military Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- South Korea's military has warned North Korea that it is closely monitoring its missile sites after media announced Pyongyang might be preparing for a long-range missile or space launch.
US: No Phased Approach to North Korea Denuclearization VOA 11 Mar 2019 -- The United States will not agree to a phased approach to North Korea's denuclearization, the top U.S. envoy to Pyongyang said Monday.

Iran's new judiciary chief vows to transform legal system Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- Iran's new chief justice, Hojjatoleslam Ebrahim Raeisi, has pledged a legal transformation to address the country's changing priorities in the "second phase" of the Islamic Revolution.
Iran's Rohani In Iraq On First Official Visit RFE/RL 11 Mar 2019 -- Iranian President Hassan Rohani is on a three-day visit to Iraq, seeking to bolster Tehran's influence in the neighboring country and expand commercial ties as Baghdad is under pressure from the United States to limit ties with Tehran.
A more secure, stable Iraq makes more secure region: Iran President ISNA 11 Mar 2019 -- Stating that, "In Iraq, we feel at home," Iranian President said, "Relations between the two Iranian and Iraqi nations go back to thousands of years ago, and we are willing to further develop our religious, cultural, historical and regional relations".

China's financial anti-corruption drive enters new era Global Times 11 Mar 2019 -- Anti-corruption moves for the financial sector have entered "a new stage", an expert said on Monday, as the focus is shifting from case management, which involves regulators checking reports of corruption, to reforming the inspection mechanism so as to nip corruption in the bud.
China lodges solemn representations against US over envoy's 'wrong' comments on Xinjiang Global Times 11 Mar 2019 -- China has lodged solemn representations against the US over its envoy's wrong comments on China's policy on Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday, expressing strong discontent and opposition.

China's Long March rockets complete 300 launches People's Daily 11 Mar 2019 -- With a Long March-3B rocket putting a new communication satellite into orbit on Sunday, China's Long March carrier rocket series completed 300 launches, having sent more than 500 spacecraft into space since 1970.

President Tsai lays out guidelines against 'one country, two systems' CNA 12 Mar 2019 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Monday laid out several guidelines to help the government counter the so-called "one country, two systems" formula which China has proposed for unifying with Taiwan.

State Department Updates the Cuba Restricted List US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2019 -- The State Department has made several updates to the Cuba Restricted List, including adding five sub-entities owned by the Cuban military and one explanatory footnote. The Department also simplified some entries by removing references to parent companies. The changes take effect Tuesday, March 12, 2019.

Pakistani Politician: US Should Have a Marshall Plan for South Asia VOA 11 Mar 2019 -- The United States should announce a Marshall Plan for South Asia if it wants to compete with China in projecting its "economic soft power" in the region, according to Pakistan's young political leader, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

UN unveils global influenza strategy to prevent 'real' threat of pandemic UN News 11 Mar 2019 -- A new UN-led plan has been unveiled to tackle the estimated one billion cases of influenza which occur each year, and protect against the "real" threat of a global pandemic, the head of the organization's health agency said on Monday.

Turkey summons Belgian ambassador over court ruling on PKK Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- The Turkish Foreign Ministry has summoned the Belgian ambassador to the country, Michel Malherbe, to protest a Brussels appeals court decision that blocked the prosecution of people with alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group.
Erdogan's Economic Woes Grow Ahead of Key Elections in Turkey VOA 11 Mar 2019 -- The Turkish economy has fallen into recession for the first time in a decade, according to data released on Monday. The timing could not be worse for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with critical local elections scheduled for the end of the month.

UK, EU talks on Brexit deal 'deadlocked': Downing Street Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- Negotiations are stalled between the UK and the European Union over the provisions of a deal setting out the terms of bilateral relations following Britain's upcoming separation from the bloc.
Brexit: Leap Into Dark or More Delay? VOA 11 Mar 2019 -- For Britain, leaving the EU with a transition deal will be wrenching enough, a seismic realignment that will tear apart business, economic, security, legal, cultural and political ties that have deepened over half-a-century, enmeshing Britain in Europe and Europe in Britain.

Seven Bombs Detonate in Thailand, Another Seven Defused by Police – Reports Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- Seven improvised explosive devices (IED) exploded on Saturday and Sunday in the provinces of Satun and Phatthalung in southern Thailand, and another seven IEDs were discovered and defused by the security forces, local media reported.

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