COVID-19 - Daily News

22 February 2021 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

U.S. Says It Won't 'Lash Out' After Blaming Iran For Rocket Attack On U.S. Embassy In Baghdad RFE/RL 22 Feb 2021 -- A State Department spokesman has said the United States will hold Iran "responsible" for a rocket barrage on February 22 that targeted the U.S. Embassy in the Iraqi capital.
Drones, helicopter gunships swarm skies as US sets up new base in Iraq Press TV 22 Feb 2021 -- Swarms of helicopter gunships and drones are flying over al-Anbar as the US is setting up its second military base in western Iraq near the Syrian border, a report says.
Rockets land near US embassy in Baghdad's high-security Green Zone; no casualties Press TV 22 Feb 2021 -- At least two rockets have landed near the US embassy in the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad, which houses foreign embassies and some of the main Iraqi government institutions.
US 'Outraged' After Rocket Salvo Slams Baghdad VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- U.S. officials expressed outrage Monday after a trio of rockets slammed into Baghdad, two of them landing in the city's fortified Green Zone.

Pakistan 'Optimistic' About Progress in Stalemated Afghan Peace Process VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- Pakistan's military said Monday that efforts aimed at moving forward a stalemated peace process in neighboring Afghanistan are "progressing in a very positive direction."

Defense Policy / Programs

Pentagon Press Secretary Updates Reporters on DOD Operations DoD 22 Feb 2021 -- Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby
Yudh Abhyas concludes with strengthened Indo-US partnership Army News 22 Feb 2021 -- Soldiers of the U.S. and Indian armies concluded the 16th iteration of bilateral exercise Yudh Abhyas during a closing ceremony Feb. 21 at Mahajan Field Firing Range in India.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Participation in a Multinational Roundtable on Ukraine DoD 22 Feb 2021
Defense Department Launches $2 Million Aerospace Research and Education Center of Excellence at Tuskegee University DoD 22 Feb 2021 -- The Department of Defense (DOD), through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), has launched the DOD Aerospace Education Research and Innovation Center (AERIC) at Tuskegee University in Alabama.
New Officials Sworn-in at the Department of Defense DoD 22 Feb 2021 -- The following individuals have been sworn-in virtually or in-person from Feb. 17, 2021, through today, Feb. 22, 2021.
US B-1 Bombers Arrive in Norway for First Time Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- US B-1 strategic bombers have arrived in Norway to conduct training missions, marking the first time the American aircraft have operated out of the Arctic country, the Air Force said on Monday.
31st FW, Italian air force complete Agile Combat Employment exercise US Air Force 22 Feb 2021 -- U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and Airmen assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing participated in an Agile Combat Employment exercise at Amendola Air Base, Italy, Feb. 16-17.
US Forces, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Participate in Resilient Shield 2021 US Navy 22 Feb 2021 -- U.S. and Japan Self Defense Force will participate in Resilient Shield 2021 from February 22-26, at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY), Japan, and other command centers throughout the region.

NATO advanced anti-submarine warfare exercise Dynamic Manta underway in Italy NATO 22 Feb 2021 -- CATANIA, Italy -- NATO exercise Dynamic Manta (DYMA21) began on Monday, 22 February 2021 off the Sicilian coast. Ships, submarines, as well as aircraft and personnel from eight Allied nations are converging in the Central Mediterranean Sea for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare training.

Armenia Not Ruling Out Joint Arms Production With Russia Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- Armenian Defence Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan told Sputnik that his country might set up arms production jointly with Russia.

China's first carrier-based early warning plane continues flight tests: report Global Times 22 Feb 2021 -- China's first domestically developed fixed-wing early warning aircraft capable of taking off and landing on aircraft carriers recently conducted another successful flight test, state media revealed for the first time on Sunday, and Chinese military experts said they expect the plane to operate on large aircraft carriers equipped with catapults.

Successful Launches of VL-SRSAM Missile System India PIB 22 Feb 2021 -- Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two successful launches of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM).

Riyadh Now Permits Women to Join Saudi Military, Hold Armed Combat Roles Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- Saudi Arabia's government has taken several progressive steps to advance women's rights in recent years, including the 2017 lifting of a ban that prohibited women to operate motor vehicles and the 2019 amendment allowing women to divorce and travel without male permission.
SAMI and NIMR Sign Teaming Agreement to Transfer Armored Vehicle Production and Technology to Saudi Arabia SPA 22 Feb 2021 -- Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), signed today a teaming agreement with NIMR, a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based leading manufacturer of combat-proven light- and medium-weight wheeled military vehicles, to supply armored vehicles to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
GAMI, State Authority for Military Industry of Belarus, Co-Sign MoU in Field of Military Industries SPA 22 Feb 2021 -- Saudi General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) signed here today a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of military industries with the State Authority for Military Industry of the Republic of Belarus, on the sidelines of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's participation in IDEX 2021.
Saudi Military Industries Authority and UAE Economic Balance Council sign MoU in field of military industries SPA 22 Feb 2021 -- Saudi General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) and Economic Balance Council in the United Arab Emirates signed here today a memorandum of understanding in the field of military industries, on the sidelines of IDEX 2021 exhibition.

HMAS Stirling continues to grow Australia DOD 22 Feb 2021 -- Drive over the causeway to Western Australia's Garden Island and a number of Navy vessels sheltered along the island's eastern side come into view, contrasting the pristine beaches to the west.

Secretary Blinken's Call with Israeli Foreign Minister Ashkenazi US Dept. of State 22 Feb 2021
Secretary Blinken's Call with Italian Foreign Minister Di Maio US Dept. of State 22 Feb 2021
Department Press Briefing – February 22, 2021 US Dept. of State 22 Feb 2021
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, February 22, 2021 The White House 22 Feb 2021

Defense Industry

Contracts For Feb. 22, 2021

Other Conflicts

22 February 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 22 Feb 2021
KMW commissioned the TROPHY protection system for the German LEOPARD 2 KMW 22 Feb 2021 -- The German defenсe ministry has signed a deal with the Israeli military to buy active tank protection systems for its mainstay Leopards from the Rafael defenсe firm.

China Faces Pushback After Adoption of Controversial Coast Guard Law Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2021 -- A new law which authorizes the China Coast Guard (CCG) to use force in the South China Sea is drawing growing international criticism and some apparent pushback at sea from another claimant.
Western Countries Send Ships to South China Sea in Pushback Against Beijing VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- Leaders as far away as Canada and Western Europe are sending navy ships to the contested South China Sea this year as pushback against Beijing, which they feel has gone too far and begun alarming their citizens, analysts in the region say.

Libya's interior minister escapes 'well-planned' assassination attempt in capital Press TV 22 Feb 2021 -- Libya's interior minister, Fathi Bashagha, has survived a "well-planned" assassination attempt by gunmen in the capital Tripoli.

UNHCR calls for 'immediate rescue' of Rohingya Muslim refugees stranded in Andaman Sea Press TV 22 Feb 2021 -- The United Nations refugee agency has called for "swift assistance" to a group of Rohingya Muslim refugees who have been afloat in their boat for more than a week in the Andaman Sea of northeast Indian Ocean.
International Pressure Mounts on Malaysia to Halt Deportation of Myanmar Nationals Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2021 -- The international community and local groups on Monday piled pressure on Malaysia to halt the imminent deportation of 1,200 Myanmar nationals to their home country weeks after a military coup there.
UN Appeals to Nations to Rescue Rohingya Trapped at Sea Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2021 -- United Nations refugee agency UNHCR appealed to maritime states along the Andaman Sea on Monday to rescue a group of Rohingya in distress, while the director of a group that monitors the refugees said eight had died aboard the boat.
Rohingya refugees: UN agency urges immediate rescue to prevent 'tragedy' on Andaman Sea UN News 22 Feb 2021 -- The UN refugee agency (UNHCR), on Monday, called for immediate efforts to search and rescue a group of Rohingya refugees, who have been adrift on the Andaman Sea for over a week.

Police Say Militants Kill Four Women Activists In Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Area RFE/RL Gandhara 22 Feb 2021 -- Suspected militants have ambushed a vehicle carrying four women activists from an NGO in the northwest region of Pakistan that borders Afghanistan, killing them and wounding the driver.

Italian Ambassador to Democratic Republic of Congo Killed in Ambush Monday VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- Italy's ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo has been killed in an attack on a United Nations convoy near the eastern Congolese city of Goma.
Italian ambassador, two others killed in attack on UN convoy in DR Congo Press TV 22 Feb 2021 -- Italy's ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been killed in an attack on a United Nations (UN) convoy in the African country's troubled east.
Guterres Urges DRC to Swiftly Probe Attack on UN Joint Mission, Killing of Italian Envoy Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to swiftly investigate the attack in which the Italian ambassador to that country and two other people were killed earlier on Monday.
Three killed in attack on UN World Food Programme convoy in DR Congo UN News 22 Feb 2021 -- The Italian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a World Food Programme (WFP) staff member, together with an Italian embassy official, were killed on Monday during an attack on a UN convoy in the east of the country, the agency has said.

India-China Border Disputes Persist Despite Troop Pullback VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- Artillery and tanks have rolled back, and Chinese and Indian soldiers have retreated from along the banks of Pangong Tso, a strategic Himalayan lake that straddles their border.

News Reports

Biden Bemoans 500,000 Coronavirus Deaths in US VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- As the nation marked 500,000 deaths because of COVID-19, U.S. President Joe Biden at twilight Monday walked to a White House South Portico decorated with black bunting and 500 candles.
Remarks by President Biden on the More Than 500,000 American Lives Lost to COVID-19 The White House 22 Feb 2021
Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and Public Health Officials The White House 22 Feb 2021
White House Anticipates Backlog of Vaccine Doses to Be Delivered by Mid-Week Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- The Biden administration expects all backlog vaccine doses to be delivered by the middle of the week following the disruption caused by the winter storms, White House coronavirus response adviser Andy Slavitt told reporters.
US Surpasses 500,000 COVID Deaths VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- The United States surpassed half a million COVID-19 deaths, more coronavirus-related deaths than anywhere else, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.
Rush Transcript: Governor Cuomo Announces Additional Efforts to Expand Access to State-FEMA Vaccination Sites in Brooklyn and Queens New York State 22 Feb 2021
Americans could still need to wear masks in 2022, says Fauci People's Daily 22 Feb 2021 -- Americans may still need to wear masks in 2022 to protect against the coronavirus, said Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, on Sunday.

DHS Announces Steps to Advance President's Commitment to Elevate Cybersecurity DHS 22 Feb 2021 -- Today, Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the many ways the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will carry out President Biden's vision to elevate cybersecurity across the government. DHS will lead efforts to mitigate risks to the United States, further strengthen its partnerships with the private sector, and expand its investment in the infrastructure and people required to defend against malicious cyber attacks as part of a whole-of-government effort.
Readout of Secretary Mayorkas's Call with UK Home Secretary Priti Patel DHS 22 Feb 2021

Wife of "El Chapo" Arrested on International Drug Trafficking Charges US Dept. of Justice 22 Feb 2021 -- The wife of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, leader of a Mexican drug trafficking organization known as the Sinaloa Cartel, was arrested today in Virginia on charges related to her alleged involvement in international drug trafficking.

Ebola Expert Calls for Vigilance Amid Outbreaks VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- With the Ebola virus flaring in the Democratic Republic of Congo and a new outbreak in Guinea, Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum is worried.
International Red Cross Issues Emergency Appeal to Halt New Ebola Outbreak in West Africa VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is appealing for $9.4 million to fund efforts to prevent a new Ebola outbreak from spreading across West Africa.

Large '22222' Crowds Fill Myanmar Streets Despite Dire Warning From Junta Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2021 -- Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets of major cities across Myanmar Monday for an all-day nationwide strike in defiance of a warning by the three-week-old military regime that further demonstrations could lead to "loss of life."
Promoting Accountability for Those Responsible for Violence Against Protestors in Burma US Dept. of State 22 Feb 2021 -- The United States stands in solidarity with the people of Burma who came out across the country with courage and determination today to reject the military coup and voice their aspirations for a return to democratic governance, peace, and rule of law.
United States Targets Members of Burma's State Administrative Council following Violence against Protestors US Treasury 22 Feb 2021 -- "Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two individuals connected to the military apparatus responsible for the coup in Burma."
As Myanmar situation intensifies, Western countries urged to avoid adding fuel to fire Global Times 22 Feb 2021 -- As the situation intensifies in Myanmar, which is bracing for the largest anti-coup protest yet after bloody clashes, Chinese observers urged outside countries, such as the US, to stop "pouring oil on the fire," and encouraged ASEAN to play a coordinating role in easing the turbulence.
UN chief calls for immediate halt to 'repression' in Myanmar Press TV 22 Feb 2021 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has denounced 'brutal force' used by military rulers to curb anti-coup protests in Myanmar.
Myanmar begins general strike as junta warns protesters can 'suffer loss of life' Press TV 22 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar begins a nationwide general strike and thousands of protesters take to the streets across the country despite a curfew and a chilling warning by the military junta that anti-coup protesters will "suffer the loss of life."
'No place' for coups in today's world, UN chief tells Myanmar military UN News 22 Feb 2021 -- On the opening day of a new UN Human Rights Council session on Monday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his "full support to the people of Myanmar", three weeks after the military takeover that has brought thousands out onto the streets in protest.
UN Chief Demands Immediate Return to Democratic Rule in Myanmar VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has denounced the military coup in Myanmar and demanded an immediate return to democratic rule. Guterres condemned Myanmar's repressive actions in his opening address to the 46th session of the UN Human rights Council.

Foreign Ministry statement on the EU's new illegal restrictive measures against Russia Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 22 Feb 2021
Ukrainian, Polish Foreign Ministers Call On U.S. To Help Stop Nord Stream 2 RFE/RL 22 Feb 2021 -- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau have appealed to U.S. President Joe Biden to prevent the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, which they called a "dangerous, divisive project."
US Reviewing Potentially Sanctionable Entities Tied to Nord Stream 2 Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- The United States continues to review entities that may be involved in sanctionable activity related to the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday.
Blinken Welcomes EU Decision to Sanction Russia Over Navalny Situation Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has welcomed the decision of the European Union to slap sanctions against Russia under the human rights sanctions regime over the situation with Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a readout on Monday.
EU Foreign Ministers Reportedly Agree to Expand Personal Sanctions Against Russia Over Navalny Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- Foreign ministers of the European Union member states on Monday agreed in principle to expand individual sanctions against Russian officials over the case of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny, Reuters reported, citing diplomatic sources.
EU 'Set To Sanction' Four Russians Over Navalny Jailing, Clampdown RFE/RL 22 Feb 2021 -- EU foreign ministers on February 22 agreed to fresh sanctions against "specific persons" over Russia's jailing of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny and a crackdown on his allies, according to German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

Meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko President of Russia 22 Feb 2021 -- Vladimir Putin met with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in Sochi.
Putin, Lukashenka Conclude Talks As West Ramps Up Pressure RFE/RL 22 Feb 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka spent six hours together at Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi on February 22 for talks on their stalled integration efforts.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 22, 2021 PRC MofA 22 Feb 2021
China sends US further message, urges repair of ties Global Times 22 Feb 2021 -- China has once again sent a clear and concrete message to the US, calling for bringing bilateral ties to the right track after US President Joe Biden failed to agree with allies at the G7 summit and Munich Security Conference on confronting China together, as State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, at a forum held in Beijing on Monday, urged the new US administration to adjust its problematic policies on China "as soon as possible."
China urges US to establish dialogue at all levels on broad range of fields, offers detailed suggestions on ties Global Times 22 Feb 2021 -- China urged the US to establish dialogue mechanisms in various areas and at various levels and properly manage their differences, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday in a speech on how to bring China-US relations back to the right track, which analysts said shows China's sincerity and approach to restore ties with the US.
China FM urges US to rewrite bilateral ties with clean slate Press TV 22 Feb 2021 -- Beijing has called on the administration of US President Joe Biden to work with China to reopen dialogue and restore bilateral relations that were badly damaged under his predecessor Donald Trump.
Hong Kong Politicians 'Must Love The People's Republic of China,' Official Warns Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2021 -- A top ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) official in charge of Hong Kong has warned that only "patriots" will be allowed to hold public office in future, suggesting that the authorities are ruling out even a limited form of political opposition.
Top official on HK affairs lays out fundamental standards for imminent electoral reforms in the city Global Times 22 Feb 2021 -- China's top official on Hong Kong affairs urged Hong Kong to fully implement the political baseline of "patriots governing Hong Kong" by improving the electoral system to plug its loopholes to ensure that those who govern the city meet the relevant basic standards, including fully safeguarding sovereignty and national interests and never jeopardizing the socialist system led by the Communist Party of China (CPC).
China to Cut 117 Seats In Lawmaking Body Tasked With Electing Hong Kong Chief Executive, Report Says Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- Chinese lawmakers will meet at an annual legislative session in early March, where legislators will vote on changes to the special administrative region's 1,200-member committee, reports revealed.
Canadian Lawmakers Approve Motion Labeling Xinjiang Abuses 'Genocide' Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2021 -- Canada's House of Commons on Monday passed a motion designating rights abuses in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) as genocide, making it the second nation to do so following the U.S. last month.
Canadian Parliament Calls on Government to Declare China's Treatment of Uyghurs 'Genocide' Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- Canada's House of Commons adopted a non-binding motion calling on the Trudeau government to declare the actions of the Chinese authorities against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang province a genocide.
China Denies Xinjiang Genocide Charges, Says Door Open To UN Monitors RFE/RL 22 Feb 2021 -- Beijing has rejected what it called "slanderous attacks" against China about living conditions for Muslim Uyghurs and other minorities in its western region of Xinjiang.
China rejects slander under the pretext of 'protecting human rights' and welcomes UN's High Commissioner to visit Xinjiang: FM Global Times 22 Feb 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday addressed the 46th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council via video link, where he shared China's philosophy, practices, and experiences in human rights protection and put forward important views and propositions on global human rights governance on behalf of China, promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Gray Zone's reports of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang under threat of 'genocide' an outright lie: FM Global Times 22 Feb 2021 -- The claims by Grey Zone, an independent news website in the US, that "the Chinese government is committing genocide against ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region" are an outright lie, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday. These reports also show that facts speak louder than words and justice is essentially in the eye of the beholder.
China's Leaders Laud Mao Acolyte in Symbolic Attack on Reformer Deng Xiaoping Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2021 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) commemorated former premier Hua Guofeng at the weekend in a move that could indicate the party under general secretary Xi Jinping is continuing to model his leadership on that of Mao Zedong, analysts said.

Coronavirus Strands North Korean Workers in China, Kills Job Offers Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2021 -- North Korean overseas workers stranded in China by a border closure imposed to fight coronavirus are facing a dire situation as the pandemic has caused their job prospects to dry up, sources in China told RFA.
North Korea Orders State Firms to Raise Rabbits For Public Meat Stocks At Their Expense Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2021 -- North Korea's annual directive to state-run factories and companies to raise rabbits, pigs, and goats to improve citizens' diets has sparked resentment among managers and workers who now have to contribute cash and labor while struggling under harsh economic conditions.

Leader: Iran to increase uranium enrichment to 60% if needed IRNA 22 Feb 2021 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Monday stated that "Iran is not pursuing the production of nuclear weapons. Of course, Iran will not stay limited to an enrichment of 20%. And there is the possibility of increasing enrichment up to 60% in accordance with the country's needs."
Iran Could Boost Uranium Enrichment Up to 60% If Needed, Supreme Leader Khamenei Warns Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- Khamenei's statement comes just hours after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken signalled that Washington sought to "lengthen and strengthen" the agreement on Iran's nuclear programme.
Khamenei Says Iran Could Enrich Uranium to 60% VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday Iran could increase its level of uranium enrichment to whatever the country needs, including up to 60%, as a standoff between Iran and the United States continues over the future of the Iran nuclear deal.
Parliament Speaker: Iran determined to stop implementation of Additional Protocol IRNA 22 Feb 2021 -- Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Monday that Iran is determined to stop implementation of the Additional Protocol and limit access of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors and to implement all the legal issues.
Tehran to end IAEA Additional Protocol on February 23: Vaezi IRNA 22 Feb 2021 -- Iran will end Additional Protocol of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on February 23, Chief of Staff of Presidential Office Mahmoud Vaezi said on Monday.
Iran's AEO explanation on joint statement with IAEA IRNA 22 Feb 2021 -- Atomic Energy Organization of Iran on Monday released an explanatory note on its joint statement with International Atomic Energy Agency.
Spokesman: Majlis Law effective in context of Iran-IAEA agreement IRNA 22 Feb 2021 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman announced on Monday that Majlis Law took effect in the context of Iranian agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to end Iranian voluntary acceptance of the IAEA Additional Protocol.
IAEA, Iran nuclear org agree to continue with cooperation & mutual trust IRNA 22 Feb 2021 -- Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi and Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali-Akbar Salehi released a joint statement on agreement to continue with cooperation and mutual trust.
Iran to stop implementation of Additional Protocol as of tomorrow: Khatibzadeh ISNA 22 Feb 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh stressed that a bilateral agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency was a significant diplomatic and technical agreement, saying the agreement made is within the framework of the counteractive law approved by the Iranian Parliament.
IAEA chief talks with Iran's nuke chief, FM over settlement of nuke issues People's Daily 22 Feb 2021 -- The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Sunday held talks with the head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and Iranian foreign minister over the settlement of issues on Iran's nuclear program, as Tehran has decided to stop the IAEA's Additional Protocol on Feb. 23 if U.S. sanctions are not lifted, Press TV reported.
Iran, IAEA reach temporary agreement for 3-month "essential" nuke verification People's Daily 22 Feb 2021 -- A temporary agreement was reached on Sunday in Iran's capital Tehran between the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to continue "essential verification" for up to three months.
Iran Parliament determined to stop voluntary implementation of Additional Protocol: Speaker Press TV 22 Feb 2021 -- Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says the legislative body is determined to completely stop voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and restrict access to the country's nuclear sites.
Iran Foreign Ministry: New deal with IAEA 'in complete conformity' with new nuclear law Press TV 22 Feb 2021 -- Tehran says its Sunday agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is in complete conformity with a recent law passed by the Iranian Parliament that pushes the country's nuclear program forward.
Iran ambassador: No one has right to breach law on limiting IAEA access Press TV 22 Feb 2021 -- Iran's ambassador to international organizations in Vienna has dismissed speculations that Tehran suspended the implementation of a new law that tasks the administration to accelerate the development of Iran's nuclear program, following a visit by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to Tehran.
Iran Says Cutoff Of Snap Inspections Imminent As U.S. Seeks To 'Lengthen, Strengthen' Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 22 Feb 2021 -- Iran's envoy to the UN nuclear watchdog agency says that this evening the country will end its implementation of the Additional Protocol that allows for so-called snap inspections of nuclear-related sites, signaling the further disintegration of atomic safeguards in place since a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
China urges US to return to JCPOA as only way out of nuclear impasse Press TV 22 Feb 2021 -- China's Foreign Ministry has called on the United States to rejoin a multilateral 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major world powers as the only way to end the current dead-end and resolve the standoff over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.
Germany Urges Iran to Compromise on JCPOA Before Deal 'Damaged Beyond Repair' Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Monday called on Iran to compromise on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) before the nuclear deal "is damaged beyond repair".

NASA Supply Ship Arrives at ISS VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- A NASA unmanned resupply ship docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday carrying more than 3,600 kilograms of research equipment and supplies to the orbiting laboratory.

Political Party Grows Out Of Pashtun Civil Rights Movement RFE/RL Gandhara 22 Feb 2021 -- Leaders and supporters of a civil rights movement campaigning against alleged abuses by the security forces and the Taliban in western Pakistan's Pashtun heartland are preparing to launch a new political party to appeal to a broader secular base nationwide.

Turkish authorities investigating pro-Kurdish lawmaker over PKK affiliation Press TV 22 Feb 2021 -- Turkish authorities have launched a probe against a legislator from the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) on suspicion of affiliation to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group.

United Nations Human Rights Council, 46th session: Foreign Secretary's statement UK FCDO 22 Feb 2021 -- Dominic Raab addressed the UN Human Rights Council on some of the most pressing current human rights situations including in Myanmar, Belarus, Russia and China.

U.S. Judge Suspends Ukrainian Oligarchs' Forfeiture Trial Amid Concern Of Impact On Criminal Probe RFE/RL 22 Feb 2021 -- A Florida judge has suspended the U.S. government's asset forfeiture trial against two Ukrainian tycoons and their American associates amid concerns its continuation could harm an ongoing criminal investigation into their activities.

Nigeriens vote peacefully in 2nd round of presidential election Global Times 22 Feb 2021 -- Voting for the second round of Niger's presidential election began on Sunday as more than 7.4 million Nigeriens are expected at polling stations to choose the successor of the outgoing president Mahamadou Issoufou.

Thousands March In Yerevan To Demand Prime Minister's Resignation RFE/RL 22 Feb 2021 -- Several thousand people marched in Armenia's capital again on February 22 to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian over his handling of the war over Nagorno-Karabakh with Azerbaijan.

U.S. Development Bank Says It's Committed To Balkans Amid Talk Of Serbian Office Closure RFE/RL 22 Feb 2021 -- The U.S. development bank has said it remains committed to supporting private investment in the Balkans amid talk that officials have discussed closing its Serbian office.

Sudan Devalues Currency in Hopes of Righting Economy VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- Sudan's central bank has sharply devalued its currency, the Sudanese pound, in an attempt to get debt relief, crack down on the black market, and attract money back to the country. The bank unified the price of the currency with the black market at 370 pounds for one U.S. dollar. Sudan's annual inflation rate is more than 300%, one of the world's highest, and sparked protests over the struggling economy.

Ensuring the delivery of timely and inclusive elections in Somalia UK FCDO 22 Feb 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council briefing on Somalia

Uganda Opposition Leader Bobi Wine Accuses Court of Bias, Withdraws Election Petition VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, better known by his stage name Bobi Wine, says he will withdraw his petition at the Supreme Court challenging January's re-election of President Yoweri Museveni. Wine alleged bias in the court toward Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, and said his side was not being allowed to present evidence of fraud in the vote.

EU Mulls Sanctions on Myanmar, Russia VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- European Union foreign ministers in Brussels were to weigh in Monday on targeted sanctions against Russia and Myanmar, during a meeting that included their first virtual gathering with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

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