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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Pentagon Press Secretary Updates Reporters on DOD Operations DoD 05 Feb 2021 -- Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby
• Taliban Kills 21 Afghan Troops, Warns of 'Dangerous Escalation' if US Breaches Deal VOA 05 Feb 2021 -- Taliban insurgents have killed at least 21 government troops in new attacks in Afghanistan as U.S.-brokered peace talks between the two warring sides remain stalled.
• Taliban Kills At Least 16 Afghan Security Force Members In Overnight Attack RFE/RL Gandhara 05 Feb 2021 -- At least 16 members of the Afghan security forces have been killed and two others wounded in an overnight Taliban attack on a checkpoint in the northern province of Kunduz, local officials said.
• Taliban attack kills 10 pro-government militiamen in Afghanistan Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- Taliban militants in Afghanistan have killed at least 10 pro-government militia members in the country's restive, northeastern province of Kunduz, local officials say.
• Pakistan Fences Off Afghanistan, Impacting Families And Fighters RFE/RL Gandhara 05 Feb 2021 -- Families, traders, and guerrilla fighters have for generations moved freely across the porous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Stand-Down to Address Extremism in the Ranks DoD 05 Feb 2021 -- Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III signed a memo directing commanding officers and supervisors at all levels to select a date within the next 60 days to conduct a one-day "stand-down" to discuss extremism in the ranks with their personnel.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani DoD 05 Feb 2021
• Global Posture Review Will Tie Strategy, Defense Policy to Basing DoD News 05 Feb 2021 -- American service members are based around the world and some of those overseas bases have been occupied since World War II. But are the troops still needed there?
• Bulkeley Completes Crew Certification US Navy 05 Feb 2021 -- Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) completed Crew Certification (CREWCERT) last month, bringing the ship one step closer to sea trials and employment with her Carrier Strike Group.
• Warsaw Pleased to Welcome US Halting Troop Pullout From Germany Sputnik 05 Feb 2021 -- Poland welcomes the United States' decision to freeze the planned troop withdrawal from Germany and wants "the widest possible" American military presence in Europe, National Security Bureau (BBN) chief Pawel Soloch said on Friday.
• MQ-9s execute new mission in Romania US Air Force 05 Feb 2021 -- The U.S. Air Force recently deployed MQ-9 Reaper aircraft and approximately 90 Airmen at the 71st Air Base in Campia Turzii, Romania, to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in support of NATO operations.
• USS Hershel "Woody" Williams Swaps Crew US Navy 05 Feb 2021 -- The forward deployed Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) swapped crews in the Port of Djibouti, Djibouti, Feb. 1, 2021, after completing the ships inaugural deployment through the U.S. Sixth Fleet Area of Operations.
• NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) - UHF SATCOM Radio Systems DSCA 05 Feb 2021 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) of UHF SATCOM Radio Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $65 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• New energy microgrids provide power for border defense forces PLA Daily 05 Feb 2021 -- Recently, an off-grid new-energy microgrid that integrates wind energy, solar energy, diesel oil and battery storage systems has been completed in a border defense company assigned to the PLA Xinjiang Military Command stationed in Shenxianwan among the Karakorum Mountains, at an elevation of 5,380 meters. The stable, all-weather power supply will benefit troops' routine training, patrols and daily life.
• China successfully tests missile interception People's Daily 05 Feb 2021 -- China conducted a land-based, mid-course missile interception test on Thursday, the Defense Ministry said, noting the test had achieved its goals.
• DRDO hands over Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology for 14 technologies to 20 industries India PIB 05 Feb 2021 -- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) participated in the 'Bandhan' ceremony at Aero India 2021 in Yelahanka, Bengaluru on February 05, 2021 to enhance cooperation and synergy between industry and Government organisations.
• OPERATIONALISATION OF IAF-HAL e-PORTAL India PIB 05 Feb 2021 -- IAF and HAL have operationalised an e-Portal as part of Inter-Organisational Information Sharing System (IOIS) during the Aero India 2021.
• 201 MoUs, product launches and technology transfers concluded at Aero India 2021 India PIB 05 Feb 2021 -- A total of 201 MoUs, product launches and technology transfers were concluded at the Bandhan ceremony held on the last day of Aero India 2021 at Yehalanka, Bengaluru on February 05, 2021. These included the formal handing over of the Advanced Light Helicopters MK-III to the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG), commencement of Performance based logistics of ICG fleet, initial operational clearance of Army version of Light Utility Helicopter etc.
• HAL LUH (Army Variant) receives Initial Operational Clearance India PIB 05 Feb 2021 -- The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) received the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for the Indian Army from Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) in the presence of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh during the ongoing Aero India 2021 at Air Force Station Yehalanka, Bengaluru on February 05, 2021.
• HAL hands over five ALHs Mk III to Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard India PIB 05 Feb 2021 -- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has handed over three Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk III to Indian Navy and two ALHs to Indian Coast Guard as part of its 16 ALHs contract during the ongoing Aero India 2021 at Air Force Station Yehalanka, Bengaluru on February 05, 2021.
• White House Pauses Smart Bomb Sale to Saudi Arabia, But Leaves Room for Future Weapons Aid Sputnik 05 Feb 2021 -- Since World War II, the US has maintained a strategic alliance with the Saudi kingdom and asked few questions about its internal or external affairs. In exchange, Washington gets access to cheap petroleum and huge airfields. However, the genocidal war in Yemen is unprecedented and popular opinion has shifted firmly against Riyadh.
• Rimah Al-Nassr 1 Exercise Maneuvers Continue, at Air War Center, in the Eastern Sector SPA 05 Feb 2021 -- Participants at Rimah Al-Nassr 1 Exercise Maneuvers continued, at Air War Center, in the Eastern Sector, their joint drills, following the excellently successful end of the first stage and proven capability with an utmost professionalism to carry out the goals of that stage.
• Progress made on return of illegal kickbacks in Lafayette Frigate case CNA 05 Feb 2021 -- The Ministry of Justice on Friday confirmed that progress has been made in its pursuit of illicit kickbacks involved in the long-running Lafayette frigate scandal.
• Pentagon: Decision to Purchase S-400 Is 'Inconsistent With Turkey's Commitments as US, NATO Ally' Sputnik 05 Feb 2021 -- The United States is urging Turkey to dispose of the Russian S-400 air defense system, US Defense Department spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.
• Royal Australian Air Force joins United States and Japan for Exercise Cope North 21 Australia DOD 05 Feb 2021 -- The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has deployed two aircraft and approximately 170 personnel to Guam to enhance trilateral interoperability with the United States and Japan as part of Exercise Cope North 21.
• HMAS Hobart heads to Tassie for regatta Australia DOD 05 Feb 2021 -- The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has deployed two aircraft and approximately 170 personnel to Guam to enhance trilateral interoperability with the United States and Japan as part of Exercise Cope North 21.
• Chile - Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA Missiles DSCA 05 Feb 2021 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Chile of Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $85.0 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with French Foreign Minister Le Drian, German Foreign Minister Maas, and UK Foreign Secretary Raab US Dept. of State 05 Feb 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Council of Economic Advisers Member Jared Bernstein, February 5, 2021 The White House 05 Feb 2021
• Department Press Briefing – February 5, 2021 US Dept. of State 05 Feb 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 5, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 5 February 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Feb 2021
• 7th Fleet Destroyer Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation in South China Sea US Navy 05 Feb 2021 -- On Feb. 5 (local time) USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the vicinity of the Paracel Islands, consistent with international law. This freedom of navigation operation ("FONOP") upheld the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging the unlawful restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam and also by challenging China's claim to straight baselines enclosing the Paracel Islands.
• PLA expels trespassing US warship from Xisha Islands Global Times 05 Feb 2021 -- Growing up in the town of Beauty Point in northern Tasmania, Leading Seaman Jake Beams had big dreams of an exciting career and travelling the world.
• US Conducts 1st South China Sea Freedom of Navigation Op Under Biden Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2021 -- The U.S. Navy completed on Friday its first freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) in the South China Sea since President Joe Biden took office, a move criticized by the Chinese military as "seriously violating China's sovereignty and security."
• China warns off US destroyer trespassing in waters of Xisha Islands: PLA Spokesperson PLA Daily 05 Feb 2021 -- "On February 5, the US guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain trespassed into the waters adjacent to China's Xisha Islands without Chinese Government's permission, and the naval and aerial forces of the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command conducted whole-process tracking and monitoring on the US destroyer and warned it off," said Air Force Senior Colonel Tian Junli, Spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command, in a written statement on Friday.
• UN welcomes US decision to 'strengthen its diplomatic engagement' towards Yemen peace deal UN News 05 Feb 2021 -- The UN on Friday told journalists that it welcomed the decision by the United States "to strengthen it's diplomatic engagement" and support efforts led by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, to ends years of conflict there.
• Biden to shift U.S. policy over Yemen, freeze troops redeployments from Germany People's Daily 05 Feb 2021 -- White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Thursday that President Joe Biden will soon announce an end to U.S. support for offensive operations in Yemen and freeze U.S. troop redeployments from Germany.
• Yemenis not to be fooled by US words on ending support for Saudi war: Houthi Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- Reacting to the news of the US president's decision to stop supporting the Saudi war on Yemen, Yemen's Supreme Political Council said that Yemenis will not be fooled by mere US statements.
• Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Stance to Find Political Solution to Continued Yemeni Crisis Sputnik 05 Feb 2021 -- Saudi Arabia has welcomed the US stance toward the need to resolve the long-standing crisis in war-torn Yemen by political means, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday.
• Saudis, Yemen Warring Parties Welcome Biden Pledge to End War VOA 05 Feb 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden says Yemen's civil war must end and pledges to stop U.S. support for Saudi-led offensive operations in the conflict while maintaining support for Saudi Arabia.
• Joint Statement Welcoming the Agreement Reached by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum US Dept. of State 05 Feb 2021 -- The following joint statement was issued by the Governments of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
• Libya: 'Historic moment' as UN-led forum selects new interim leadership UN News 05 Feb 2021 -- The 74-members of the UN-led Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) have selected an interim Prime Minister and President of its new executive council, marking what the UN Special Representative called another "historic moment" on the road to unification of the war-torn country and national elections in December.
• Libya Agrees to Transitional Government VOA 05 Feb 2021 -- After more than a year, Libyan parties on Friday agreed to a transitional government tasked with guiding them to national elections at the end of this year.
• New transitional government agreed in UN-backed Libya talks Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- United Nations (UN)-brokered talks between Libyan factions have resulted in an agreement on a new interim government for Libya, marking a step toward ending a decade of conflict in the North African country.
• ICC says it has jurisdiction over Palestinian territories, paving the way to probe Israeli military actions Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed that the territories occupied by Israel in the 1967 Arab–Israeli War are subject to its jurisdiction, paving the way for The Hague-based intergovernmental organization to open a war crimes investigation into Israeli military actions.
• Opposing International Criminal Court Attempts to Affirm Territorial Jurisdiction Over the Palestinian Situation US Dept. of State 05 Feb 2021 -- Today, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a decision claiming jurisdiction in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, while expressly recognizing the serious legal and factual questions that surround its ability to do so.
• UK must hand back territories to Mauritian control Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- The British Empire not only created carnage and destruction when it was in full swing, but appears to have left a damaging legacy many years on with territorial and sovereignty disputes still marking the agendas of various arbitration courts around the world.
• Ethiopian Government Blocking Aid in Tigray, UN Says VOA 05 Feb 2021 -- The United Nations says that the Ethiopian government is preventing aid from reaching non-government-controlled rural areas in the Tigray region, where most of the province's 2.3 million people live and are in dire need.
• Aid agencies renew appeals for aid access to all areas in Ethiopia's Tigray UN News 05 Feb 2021 -- The UN renewed appeals on Friday for humanitarian access to all areas of Ethiopia's troubled Tigray region to help people displaced fighting, forcing the most desperate to eat leaves to survive.
• PM Khan: Pakistan to Allow Kashmiris to 'Choose Independence' VOA 05 Feb 2021 -- Pakistan organized nationwide annual marches and rallies Friday to reaffirm its political support for residents of the India-ruled part of Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region split between the two arch-rival countries.

News Reports

• Washington Security Forces Brace for Trump Impeachment Trial VOA 05 Feb 2021 -- Security and police forces in and around Washington will be operating at what they describe as "a high-level of readiness" as the impeachment trial for former President Donald Trump gets underway next week, worried the event could serve as a flashpoint for American extremists still angry over the outcome of the presidential election.
• Junta Suspends More Social Media Sites as Civil Disobedience Movement Spreads Across Myanmar Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar's ruling junta ordered the suspension of Twitter and Instagram on Friday after a day of spiraling nationwide protests against the military coup that has spooked some investors and brought increasing criticism from the international community.
• Hundreds Take to Streets in Largest Protest Since Myanmar Military Coup VOA 05 Feb 2021 -- Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Myanmar's capital Friday in the largest protests since Monday's military coup, as the military expanded its dragnet against ousted officials.
• Deposed Myanmar Politicians Defy Coup VOA 05 Feb 2021 -- Nearly 300 members of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi's deposed ruling party proclaimed Friday to be the only lawful representatives of the country's citizenry and called for global recognition as the stewards of the country's government.
• Civil Disobedience Movement Spreads Throughout Myanmar on Day Five of Military Coup Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2021 -- A Civil Disobedience Movement in response to a coup by the military spread rapidly throughout Myanmar on Friday despite threats of a crackdown, while investors began pulling out of the country amid political uncertainty and calls for a pressure campaign by the international community.
• Anti-coup protests held in Myanmar Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- Hundreds of people, led by students and teachers, have staged several protests across Myanmar to denounce the recent military coup in the country and call for a return to civilian rule.
• Indonesia, Malaysia Call For Special ASEAN Meeting on Myanmar Coup Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2021 -- The leaders of Indonesia and Malaysia jointly called on Friday for a special meeting of Southeast Asian nations to discuss this week's military coup in Myanmar, saying this was a matter of concern for the region.
• Analysts Urge Indonesia to Once Again Nudge Myanmar Toward Democracy Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2021 -- This week's military coup in Myanmar has prompted calls for Jakarta to again take on the mantle of regional role model to help its neighbor back on the path to democracy.
• Interview: 'What is Critical is That the People of the World Rally Around the People of Myanmar' Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2021 -- Tom Andrews, the UNSpecial Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar has called on the international community to express outrage at Myanmar's military for this week's coup d'état.
• Interview: 'We Are Hoping For The Best and Preparing For The Worst' Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar attorney Khin Maung Zaw has been assigned by the leadership of the now-deposed National League for Democracy (NLD) to represent state counselor and de facto national leader Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, now both being held under house arrest, in their trial on charges brought by Myanmar's new military leaders. Here, Khin Maung Zaw speaks with RFA's Myanmar Service in an exclusive interview:
• Blinken Warns Lavrov That U.S. Will Respond 'Firmly' To Russian Malign Actions RFE/RL 05 Feb 2021 -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned Russia that the new U.S. administration will respond "firmly" to Russian actions against the United States and its allies.
• Russia expels diplomats from three EU countries over Navalny protests Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- Russia has expelled diplomats from three European Union (EU) countries for taking part in unauthorized protests in support of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
• Russia Expels European Diplomats, Top EU Official Laments 'Low Point' In Relations RFE/RL 05 Feb 2021 -- Moscow said it was expelling diplomats from three European Union members saying they participated in protests to support opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, a topic that the bloc's top diplomat said earlier in the day had brought bilateral relations to a "low point."
• Russia Expels Three EU Diplomats For Participating in Unauthorised Rallies Sputnik 05 Feb 2021 -- The diplomats took part in unauthorised rallies to support Russian jailed blogger Alexei Navalny whose suspended sentence was replaced with three-and-a-half years in prison.
• Russia Expels European Diplomats Over Navalny Case VOA 05 Feb 2021 -- Russia and Western nations continued to clash Friday over the fate of jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny, with Russia's Foreign Ministry announcing the expulsion of three European diplomats over alleged support for the Kremlin critic even as the top EU diplomat was in Moscow for talks.
• Russia dismisses US 'aggressive rhetoric' over Navalny case Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- Russia has denounced the US president's latest comments on the detention of opposition figure Alexei Navalny as "aggressive rhetoric," saying the "hints of ultimatum" in Joe Biden's words are unacceptable.
• Halt To Russia's Opposition Protests Prompts Criticism From 'Seething' Activists RFE/RL 05 Feb 2021 -- After two weeks of police beatings, thousands of arrests, and a wave of criminal prosecutions whose reach is only just becoming apparent, allies of imprisoned Kremlin foe Aleksei Navalny have called an end to the anti-government protests they incited over the course of three consecutive weeks.
• In Court Again, Navalny Accuses Russian Officials Of 'Fabricating' Slander Case RFE/RL 05 Feb 2021 -- Jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has accused Russian officials of "fabricating" a slander case against him for comments he wrote on Twitter about several people who appeared in a pro-Kremlin video.
• No EU Sanctions for Now, While Russia Protesters Allege Brutal Police Treatment VOA 05 Feb 2021 -- The European Union's top diplomat told Russian counterparts that the case against jailed Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny has brought EU-Russian relations to a "low point." "Our relations are under severe strain," Josep Borrell said at the start of a three-day visit to Moscow.
• Britain Expels Three Purported Chinese Spies Who Pretended to Be Journos, Report Says Sputnik 05 Feb 2021 -- The Chinese nationals arrived in the UK last year, allegedly using employment at three different media outlets as a cloak for some other activities to be conducted on British soil.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 5, 2021 PRC MofA 05 Feb 2021
• China's Wary Consumers May Slow Economic Growth Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2021 -- China is counting on a double-digit surge in retail sales this year after a decline in 2020 raised doubts about official claims of economic growth.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with PRC Director Yang US Dept. of State 05 Feb 2021
• Biden appears more positive toward China, but still lacks clarity on policy Global Times 05 Feb 2021 -- US President Joe Biden said on Thursday US time that he remains prepared for cooperation with China in his first speech on foreign affairs at the Department of State after his inauguration, while also calling China the US' "most serious competitor." Chinese experts said this attitude is at least marginally more positive than the previous administration but a lack of clarity exists on how the US would like to cooperate.
• HKSAR gov't issues guidelines for schools on national security education People's Daily 05 Feb 2021 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative (HKSAR) government's Education Bureau issued on Thursday circulars to schools in Hong Kong to provide guidelines on school administration and education in relation to safeguarding national security.
• Five Plead Guilty Over Massacre Vigil as Hong Kong to Bring Security Law to Schools Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2021 -- Five Hong Kong democracy activists have said they plan to plead guilty to charges of "illegal assembly" after they attended a vigil in Victoria Park marking the 1989 Tiananmen massacre in June 2020.
• Rights Groups Call For Boycott of 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Citing Worsening Abuses Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2021 -- China's worsening rights record in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong has disqualified Beijing from hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics, more than 180 rights groups and activists said in a letter sent to the International Olympic Committee this week.
• China Cracks Down on Site Offering Uncensored Foreign Media to Users Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2021 -- Police in Shanghai have raided a popular video-sharing site that offered foreign films and TV shows to more than eight million registered users, cutting off a key source of uncensored content for Chinese viewers.
• China blasts US 'old trick' as first warship sails near Taiwan under Biden Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- China has denounced the US sending of yet another warship through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, saying the new US administration was using an old trick of "mixed manipulation" of the situation to deliberately create tensions in the region.
• Blinken discusses Iran deal with UK, French, German ministers Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has discussed Iran with his British, French and German counterparts as they seek to revive the Iran nuclear deal.
• Critical moment for new Biden administration to rejoin JCPOA: Russia's FM Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says it is a "critical moment" for the administration of US President Joe Biden to return to the multilateral nuclear deal of 2015 signed between Iran and major world powers.
• White House Says 'Up to Iran' to Revive Nuclear Deal Sputnik 05 Feb 2021 -- The United States will reciprocate in kind if Iran resumes its compliance with the nuclear deal, which may serve as a platform for further negotiations, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters on Friday.
• Iran: Belgium sentenced diplomat under MKO terror cult's influence, violates intl. law Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- The Foreign Ministry strongly condemns a 20-year jail term issued in Belgium against an Iranian diplomat as completely unlawful and a result of the European country's falling under the Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MKO) anti-Iran terrorist cult's influence.
• FM spox condemns Belgian court's verdict against Iranian diplomat IRNA 04 Feb 2021 -- Spokesman of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saeed Khatibzadeh condemned the Belgian court's decision to issue a 20-year prison sentence for Iranian diplomat Assadollah Asadi.
• US Expects Saudi Arabia to Improve Human Rights Record Sputnik 05 Feb 2021 -- The United States expects Saudi Arabia to improve its record in the area of human rights, including undertaking measures such as releasing political prisoners, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters on Friday.
• Montenegro Court Overturns 'Coup Plot' Verdicts RFE/RL 05 Feb 2021 -- A Montenegrin court has scrapped the guilty verdicts handed down in relation to a plot to overthrow the government in 2016.
• Stockholm Court Upholds Telia Acquittals In Gulnara Karimova Case RFE/RL 05 Feb 2021 -- A court in Stockholm has upheld the acquittals of three former senior officials at the telecom giant Telia in a case involving approximately $320 million payments made to Gulnara Karimova, the eldest daughter of Uzbekistan's late President Islam Karimov.
• Kyrgyz Ex-PM Detained In Corruption Probe RFE/RL 05 Feb 2021 -- Former Kyrgyz Prime Minister and current member of parliament Kubanychbek Jumaliev has been detained on suspicion of corruption.
• Juba Hotel Owners Evict South Sudan Officials for Millions in Unpaid Bills VOA 05 Feb 2021 -- Hotel and apartment owners in the South Sudan capital Juba have begun evicting hundreds of government and political party officials who have not paid their bills since 2018.