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News Reports

Current Operations

• Florida National Guard attacks wildfires from the air Army News 09 Mar 2022 -- Florida National Guard aircrews from Cecil Field reported for drill weekend March 5 to train in the air on their Chinook helicopters. Their plans changed quickly when requests for helicopter assistance came from the state's Department of Emergency Management to help fight wildfires.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Senior Defense Official Holds a Background Briefing, March 9, 2022 DoD 09 Mar 2022
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Call With Ukraine's Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov DoD 09 Mar 2022
• U.S. Doesn't Want Warfare in Ukraine to Escalate, Says DOD Official DoD News 09 Mar 2022 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III thanked Poland's willingness to continue to look for ways to assist Ukraine, but he stressed that the U.S. does not support the transfer of additional fighter aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force at this time, said a Defense Department official.
• Harris Arrives In Warsaw Amid Dispute Over Fighter Jets For Ukraine RFE/RL 09 Mar 2022 -- U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has arrived in Warsaw at the start of a two-day visit to Poland and Romania to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the impact the war is having on the region.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba US Dept. of State 09 Mar 2022
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak DoD 09 Mar 2022
• DOD Establishes 5G and Future Generation Wireless Cross-Functional Team DoD 09 Mar 2022 -- The Department of Defense announced today the establishment of a 5G and FutureG cross-functional team that will accelerate the adoption of transformative 5G and future generation wireless networking technologies to ensure its forces can operate effectively anywhere, including in contested networks. Congress mandated the establishment of the CFT in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act to enrich collaboration and integration across the DoD and with the private sector to accelerate the delivery of new capabilities to the warfighter.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Meeting With Finland's Minister of Defence of Antti Kaikkonen DoD 09 Mar 2022
• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing, March 9, 2022 DoD 09 Mar 2003
• Opening Remarks for Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Meeting With Finland's Minister of Defence of Antti Kaikkonen DoD 09 Mar 2003
• Marine Corps Establishes 17XX Information Maneuver Occupational Field USMC News 09 Mar 2022 -- The 17XX Cyberspace Operations occupational field is redesignated as the 17XX Information Maneuver OCCFLD today.
• Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 hosts Submarine Group (CSG) Seven Staff for Familiarization Flights US Navy 09 Mar 2022 -- Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 hosted Sailors assigned to Commander, Submarine Group (CSG) 7/Task Force 74 (CTF-74), allowing the staff to familiarize themselves with the P-8A Poseidon's varying mission sets and to gain a better understanding of the aircraft's capabilities. Six training flights carrying a total of 33 Sailors were conducted at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, from Feb. 18-24, 2022.
• Harris' Goals in Europe: Diplomacy, Bolster NATO's Eastern Flank VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is on a three-day trip to Poland and Romania to rally NATO allies against Russian aggression. But first she needs to patch up a misunderstanding over Warsaw's offer to make its fleet of MiG-29 jet fighters available to Ukraine.
• NATO Secretary General welcomes Canada's leading role in the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine NATO 09 Mar 2022 -- Today (9 March 2022), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke at the Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence organised by the Conference of Defence Associations. Secretary General Stoltenberg highlighted Canada's continued support to Ukraine.
• Speech by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence NATO 09 Mar 2022
• US Congress reaches deal on billions in Ukraine aid Press TV 09 Mar 2022 -- US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has announced a deal reached between the two parties to allocate billions of dollars in emergency aid for Ukraine.
• Pentagon: Polish proposal to send MiG fighters to Ukraine 'tenable' Press TV 09 Mar 2022 -- The US military has rejected Poland's proposal to transfer MiG-29 fighter jets to an American airbase in Germany and then send them to Ukraine, amid an ongoing Russian military operation in the country.
• Japan Sends Bulletproof Vests, Other Equipment to Help Ukraine, Reports Say Sputnik 09 Mar 2022 -- Japan on Wednesday night sent bulletproof vests, helmets, warm clothes, tents and other equipment owned by the Japan Self-defence Forces to assist Ukraine, media reported.
• Defense Official Says Indo-Pacific Is the Priority Theater; China Is DOD's Pacing Challenge DoD News 09 Mar 2022 -- The Indo-Pacific region remains the priority theater for the Defense Department, and China remains the pacing challenge for the U.S. military, Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs, said today.
• US official: Stronger Indo-Pacific military relations needed to keep peace Radio Free Asia 09 Mar 2022 -- The United States should strengthen defense relationships in the Indo-Pacific region in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a potential similar one involving China and Taiwan, the leader of a congressional committee on military affairs said Wednesday.
• Putin instructed the military prosecutor's office to look into the situation with sending conscripts to Ukraine TASS 07 Mar 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin received a report on the implementation of his instructions to categorically exclude the involvement of conscripts to perform tasks on the territory of Ukraine, on his behalf, materials were sent to the Chief Military Prosecutor's Office for a legal assessment of the actions and punishment of officials responsible for failure to comply with this instruction, the press secretary told reporters head of state Dmitry Peskov.
• Russian Defense Minister Confirms Presence Of Conscripts In Ukraine War For First Time RFE/RL 09 Mar 2022 -- Russia's Defense Ministry has confirmed for the first time that conscripts are among military personnel involved in Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
• PLA Navy reveals commissioning of two new Type 052D destroyers Global Times 09 Mar 2022 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has commissioned two new Type 052D destroyers, the Zhanjiang and the Jiaozuo, official reports revealed on Tuesday. More ships of this class have likely also recently entered naval service or are about to, said observers.
• China fully capable of jet engine development, narrowing technology gaps Global Times 09 Mar 2022 -- With efforts including establishing a laboratory dedicated to research on aviation components, China is now capable of resolving complex problems of warplane engines, said a Chinese political advisor who delivered domestically developed engine technologies for the J-20, the country's most advanced stealth fighter jet.
• Top commander's call to strengthen national defense People's Daily 09 Mar 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday highlighted the need to run the military in accordance with the law, issuing his call during a plenary meeting of national lawmakers from the armed forces at the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.
• Australia to build east coast base for its planned nuke subs Radio Free Asia 09 Mar 2022 -- Australia is to build a new submarine base on the east coast of the country to support its new nuclear-powered submarines, the Australian prime minister says.
• Iran's Apparent Supply of Combat Drones to Venezuela Highlights Terrorism Risks VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- Israel's contention that its regional foe Iran is helping Venezuela build combat drones is raising concerns that the two anti-U.S. allies could enable such drones to be used for terrorism.
• Ministry of Defense Signs 23 Contracts Worth Nearly SR 13 Billion at WDS 2022 SPA 09 Mar 2022 -- The Saudi Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced the closing of 23 deals worth more than SR 13 billion with local and international companies on the fourth day of the World Defense Show (WDS) 2022.
• SAMI Secures SAR 7 Billion for Major Future Projects SPA 09 Mar 2022 -- As part of its strategic efforts to expand its operations in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), signed three separate financing agreements with three Saudi banks for a total amount of nearly SAR 7 billion. This is the first deal of its kind in Saudi Arabia's defense industries sector and will contribute to the company's future projects related to defense industries localization, infrastructure development, acquisitions, and working capital financing.
• AACC Partners with Safran to Develop Commercial Aircraft and Military Rotary Landing Gears MRO Capabilities SPA 09 Mar 2022 -- Aircraft Accessories and Components Company (AACC), a subsidiary of SAMI Aerospace business division of SAMI, announced the signing of a partnership agreement with Safran Landing Systems, a world leader in landing gear maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). The partnership will enable AACC to expand its MRO capabilities to offer commercial aircraft and military rotary landing gears overhaul services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 09 Mar 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 09 Mar 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Czech Foreign Minister Lipavsky US Dept. of State 09 Mar 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Uzbekistani Foreign Minister Kamilov US Dept. of State 09 Mar 2022
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, March 9, 2022 The White House 09 Mar 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 9, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 9 March 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Mar 2022
• Report: UAE constructing settlement on Yemen's Socotra Island to accommodate Israeli forces Press TV 09 Mar 2022 -- The United Arab Emirates is reportedly constructing a settlement on the strategic Yemeni island of Socotra to accommodate dozens of Israeli soldiers, officers and military experts, more than a year after the aggressor kingdom normalized ties with Tel Aviv.
• Fears grow for Syria amid rising violence, deepening humanitarian crisis UN News 09 Mar 2022 -- Top UN-appointed rights investigators on Wednesday urged renewed efforts for a political solution to Syria's devastating war, which has been marked by an uptick of violence and a deepening humanitarian crisis in recent months.
• Syria Facing Economic, Humanitarian Disaster as Violence Escalates: UN Panel VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- A panel of U.N. investigators reports Syria is facing an economic and humanitarian disaster that is likely to worsen as the impact of the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia set in.
• Dozens burned to death in three regions amid junta scorched earth campaign Radio Free Asia 09 Mar 2022 -- Junta troops have burned more than five dozen civilians to death since the end of December in three regions of Myanmar where they have encountered heavy armed resistance to military rule, sources in the regions said Wednesday.
• Nearly 70 Killed in South Sudan Cattle Raids VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- Intercommunal clashes, mostly involving cattle, have killed nearly 70 people across various parts of South Sudan in the past week, according to witnesses and officials.

News Reports

• Sodinokibi/REvil Ransomware Defendant Extradited to United States and Arraigned in Texas US Dept. of Justice 09 Mar 2022 -- A man charged with conducting ransomware attacks against multiple victims, including the July 2021 attack against Kaseya, made his initial appearance and was arraigned today in the Northern District of Texas.
• Spanish Journalist Denies Spying for Russia VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- Pablo González is a Spanish journalist also known by his Russian name, Pavel Rubtsov.
• Russian-American Woman Who Fled To Moscow Charged With Being Unregistered Foreign Agent RFE/RL 09 Mar 2022 -- A Russian-American woman who has headed a cultural organization for diaspora Russian groups in the United States has been charged with being an unregistered foreign agent for promoting the Kremlin's interests.
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the indictment against Elena Branson, Chairperson of the Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots in the United States Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Mar 2022
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, March 9, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Mar 2022
• Ukraine: EU agrees to extend the scope of sanctions on Russia and Belarus European Commission 09 Mar 2022 -- The European Commission welcomes today's agreement of Member States to adopt further targeted sanctions in view of the situation in Ukraine and in response to Belarus's involvement in the aggression.
• EU Agrees To Broaden Sanctions On Russian Officials, Oligarchs RFE/RL 09 Mar 2022 -- The European Union has agreed to expand its third round of sanctions being imposed on Russia to target a larger number of oligarchs and officials close to President Vladimir Putin over Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
• UK announces new aviation sanctions against Russia Press TV 09 Mar 2022 -- The United Kingdom on Wednesday imposed new aviation sanctions against Russia which will give Britain the power to detain any Russian aircraft and ban exports of aviation or space-related goods to Russia in response to its military actions in Ukraine.
• London Slaps New Aviation Sanctions On Russia RFE/RL 09 Mar 2022 -- Britain unveiled new aviation sanctions on March 9 under which any Russian plane can be detained, while exports of aviation or space-related goods to Russia can also be banned.
• UK strengthens ban on Russia aircraft and introduces new trade sanctions UK FCDO 09 Mar 2022 -- Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has announced a new suite of aviation sanctions.
• 'A Madman's Dream': Former Latvian President Vike-Freiberga On Putin's Dangerous Designs On Ukraine RFE/RL 09 Mar 2022 -- President of Latvia from 1999 to 2007, Vaira Vike-Freiberga was crucial in getting the Baltic country into NATO. In an interview with Vazha Tavberidze of RFE/RL's Georgian Service, Vike-Freiberga speaks about Russian President Vladimir Putin's "outrageous" demands and how she is fed up with being told to appease Russia and to "not annoy the bear."
• What China Can and Cannot Do for Russia Amid Sanctions VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- China's effort to help Russia economically cannot offset Western-led sanctions aimed at resisting its invasion of Ukraine, analysts assert.
• Beijing Blasts US Ban on Russian Energy, Says Wielding 'Sanctions' Stick Won't Lead to Peace Sputnik 09 Mar 2022 -- US President Joe Biden signed an executive order Tuesday instituting a near total ban on Russian energy supplies, vowing that the prohibition of Russia-sourced oil and gas would deal "another powerful blow to Putin's war machine." Biden admitted that the decision would incur "costs" on Americans, but suggested that "defending freedom has a cost."
• Tokyo Freezes Assets of Russians, Clarifying Once Ambiguous Relations With Moscow VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- Japan announced Tuesday a new round of sanctions on Russia since its invasion of Ukraine, signaling a shift from its gentler and more ambiguous response to Moscow's seizure of Crimea in 2014.
• Telephone conversation with African Union Chairperson, President of Senegal Macky Sall President of Russia 09 Mar 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Chairperson of the African Union, President of the Republic of Senegal Macky Sall.
• Telephone conversation with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi President of Russia 09 Mar 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
• Executive Order on application of special economic measures in foreign economic policy to ensure Russia's security President of Russia 09 Mar 2022 -- Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order On Application of Special Economic Measures in Foreign Economic Activity to Ensure the Security of the Russian Federation.
• Gov't Commission Backs Tools to Nationalize Assets of Foreign Firms If They Permanently Exit Russia Sputnik 09 Mar 2022 -- Russian authorities have already taken a series of steps aimed at easing the economic impact of Western sanctions pressure, including a requirement for companies to sell 80 percent of their foreign currency, and a presidential decree allowing overseas creditors to be temporarily paid back in rubles.
• Kremlin says US has unleashed economic war on Russia Press TV 09 Mar 2022 -- Russia says the United States has declared an economic war against it with far-reaching consequences for energy markets and global economy.
• READOUT: Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen's Meeting with Counterparts from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom US Treasury 09 Mar 2022
• Biden's energy ban on Russia omits uranium to avoid blackouts across US Press TV 09 Mar 2022 -- US President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Tuesday, slapping an immediate ban on Russian oil and other energy imports over Moscow's military operation in Ukraine.
• Heineken, Universal Music Group Join List of Companies Leaving Russia VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- Dutch brewer Heineken and Universal Music Group have become the latest companies to pause business in Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
• Russian Authorities Plan To Introduce Registry Of People Linked To 'Foreign Agents' RFE/RL 09 Mar 2022 -- Russian authorities plan to introduce a registry of people who have links with companies, organizations, or media outlets that have been officially recognized as "foreign agents," another move to broaden the state's crackdown on civil society.
• Thousands Arrested At Russian Anti-War Protests In 'Increasingly Brutal Crackdown,' Says Watchdog RFE/RL 09 Mar 2022 -- Russian authorities have arbitrarily arrested thousands of peaceful protesters at anti-war rallies across Russia, in line with their increasingly brutal crackdown on those who disagree with Russia's military offensive in Ukraine, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on March 9.
• Finnish Energy Giant Writes Off Nord Stream 2 Stake, Divests From Russia Sputnik 09 Mar 2022 -- The Finnish Fortum group's operations in Russia, including investment in the Nord Stream 2 project put on hold, are estimated to be worth a total of 6 billion euros. Last year, Russian operations accounted for about one-fifth of the group's total profit.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on March 9, 2022 PRC MofA 09 Mar 2022
• Disseminating false news about China is US old trick of "a thief crying 'Stop thief!'" Chinese FM Global Times 09 Mar 2022 -- Disseminating false news about China in a bid to divert attention from the international community is the US playing its old trick of "a thief crying 'Stop thief!'" Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said at Wednesday's press conference in response to US media reports that accused China of launching cyberattacks, citing cyber security companies.
• How Russia's Ukraine Invasion Weighs on China's Economy VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- China's top political leaders are meeting in Beijing this week and have announced the country's new GDP goal for 2022, a major benchmark that Premier Li Keqiang has said will remain around 5.5%, the lowest target in decades.
• Can China Shield Africa From Fallout of Sanctions Against Russia? VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- Tall, stately and clad in brightly colored fabrics that stand out against the arid landscape, the women at a U.N. food distribution site in Jonglei state, South Sudan, wait patiently in line in the stifling heat to receive their monthly rations.
• Human rights groups urge UN rights chief to issue report on atrocities in Xinjiang Radio Free Asia 09 Mar 2022 -- The U.N. human rights chief must issue an overdue report on serious rights violations by Chinese authorities targeting Uyghurs and other Turkic communities in Xinjiang, some 200 human rights groups said in an appeal on Wednesday, a day after she announced that she would visit China and the turbulent region in May.
• China welcomes UN human rights chief's visit to Xinjiang but rejects political tactics: FM Global Times 09 Mar 2022 -- China welcomes UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet's visit to China and her planned trip to the country's northwestern Xinjiang region, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday, reiterating China's consistent stance on opposing certain countries' use of this event for political manipulation.
• Philippine agents arrest suspected Chinese drug kingpin Radio Free Asia 09 Mar 2022 -- Authorities in Hong Kong scrambled to try to control soaring COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, as plans for compulsory mass testing of seven million people appear to have been put on hold.
• Russia's struggles won't deter China regarding Taiwan: CIA CNA 09 Mar 2022 -- CIA Director William Burns said Tuesday that Russia's military struggles in Ukraine and the force of Western sanctions had "unsettled" China, but warned that the United States should not underestimate Beijing's determination to force unification with Taiwan.
• VP warns Taiwan must be 'fully prepared for the worst' CNA 09 Mar 2022 -- "Although it is hard to say whether today's Ukraine will be tomorrow's Taiwan, we need to be fully prepared for the worst," Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said during an interview with Yahoo TV Wednesday.
• China's Xi Jinping 'unlikely' to invade Taiwan ahead of party congress: analysts Radio Free Asia 09 Mar 2022 -- As CIA director William Burns warned lawmakers in Washington not to underestimate Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping, analysts said Beijing is highly unlikely to start any military action against its democratic neighbor ahead of the CCP congress later this year.
• Readout of Joseph R. Biden, Jr.'s Call with President-Elect Yoon Suk-yeol of the Republic of Korea The White House 09 Mar 2022
• Yoon's victory in South Korean election signals hawkish shift in North Korea policy Radio Free Asia 09 Mar 2022 -- The election of conservative Yoon Suk-yeol as South Korea's next president Wednesday is likely to bring more hawkish policies toward North Korea and less deference toward China, analysts told RFA.
• US Congratulates South Korea's President-Elect on Win VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- The United States congratulated South Korea's President-elect Yoon Seok-youl and said Washington looked forward to expanding its "ironclad" alliance with Seoul.
• Conservative Yoon Wins South Korea's Presidential Vote VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- Yoon Seok-youl, a conservative former prosecutor and relative political newcomer, will become South Korea's next president.
• Yoon Suk-yeol elected S.Korean president amid people's aspiration for transfer of power People's Daily 10 Mar 2022 -- Yoon Suk-yeol of the main conservative opposition People Power Party won a narrow victory in the South Korean presidential election amid people's aspiration for transfer of power.
• Yoon Suk-yeol, S.Korea's new president People's Daily 10 Mar 2022 -- Yoon Suk-yeol of the biggest conservative opposition People Power Party was elected South Korea's 20th president, winning a narrow victory over his liberal rival on Thursday.
• Talks To Revive 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal Threatened By Last-Minute Russian Demands RFE/RL 09 Mar 2022 -- Parties trying to revive the Iran nuclear deal scrambled on March 9 to resolve last-minute Russian demands that threaten to scupper negotiations, diplomats said, with the United States appearing unwilling to engage with Moscow on the matter.
• Iran: IAEA chief's report shows progress in resolving safeguards issues IRNA 09 Mar 2022 -- Iran's Deputy Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based International Organizations, Mohammad Reza Ghaebi, has said that the recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency's Director General Rafael Grossi shows that progress has been made in dealing with safeguards issues reported in the past to the agency's Board of Governors.
• Iranian official: US, other parties to JCPOA need to show good faith, make necessary decisions Press TV 09 Mar 2022 -- Iran's acting ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says a successful conclusion of the Vienna talks is possible if the United States and the other signatories to the 2015 Iran deal take the necessary political decisions.
• Iran's Chief Negotiator Back In Vienna Amid Talk Of Progress On Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 09 Mar 2022 -- Iran's chief negotiator in talks to revive a nuclear deal with world powers has returned to Vienna after consultations in Tehran, the semiofficial ISNA news agency reported.
• UN Accuses Belarusian Officials Of Violating Human Rights With 'Complete Impunity' RFE/RL 09 Mar 2022 -- A new United Nations report has slammed Belarusian officials for acting with "complete impunity" in systematically crushing dissent after a disputed presidential election in August 2020 handed authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka victory, while keeping those whose human rights were violated from seeking justice.
• Belarus: UN report reveals extent of violations in human rights crackdown UN News 09 Mar 2022 -- The Belarusian Government's continuing crackdown on political opponents, civil society, journalists and lawyers has seen the fundamental human rights of tens of thousands violated, with no sign of any of the perpetrators being held accountable, the UN rights office, OHCHR, reported on Wednesday.
• End-March US-ASEAN summit postponed, rotating SE Asian bloc leader Cambodia says Radio Free Asia 09 Mar 2022 -- A summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) slated for the end of this month has been postponed, Cambodia's foreign minister said on Wednesday.
• Laos-China railway suffers lengthy delays due to heavy rains during storm Radio Free Asia 09 Mar 2022 -- Two trains traveling on the new Laos-China high-speed railway experienced lengthy and unexpected weather-related delays this week in Laos, with one train taking eight hours to travel between the historic town of Luang Prabang and the capital Vientiane, about five times longer than usual, passengers said.
• Thailand agrees to buy more electricity from Laos Radio Free Asia 09 Mar 2022 -- Thailand has agreed in principle to buy more electricity from Laos after the two Southeast Asian neighbors signed an agreement that expands energy cooperation between the two Mekong River neighbors.
• Release of U.S. Citizens Gustavo Cardenas and Jorge Alberto Fernandez from Venezuela US Dept. of State 09 Mar 2022
• Caracas Releases Two US Citizens as Washington Eyes Venezuela as Alternate Energy Source Sputnik 09 Mar 2022 -- In remarks given on Monday on public TV, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced a 'vigorous reactivation' of discussions with the country's opposition, describing the meeting as "respectful, cordial, very diplomatic." This came on the heels of the revelation that a high-level US delegation had flown to Caracas over the weekend.
• U.S. Action Against Corruption and Attacks on Democracy in Nicaragua US Dept. of State 09 Mar 2022 -- The U.S. government is deeply concerned by the injustice and lack of transparency on display at the trials of political prisoners in Nicaragua.
• Designation of Former Ecuadorian President Bucaram for Involvement in Significant Corruption US Dept. of State 09 Mar 2022 -- The United States is designating former Ecuadorian President Abdalá Jaime Bucaram Ortiz, Sr. due to his involvement in significant corruption, including misappropriation of public funds, accepting bribes, and interfering with public processes.
• Bachelet: Democracy On Life Support in Sudan VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- A report to the U.N. Human Rights Council says October's military coup in Sudan has dealt a heavy blow to that country's fledgling democracy, which might be difficult to reverse.
• Experts Forecast Big Boost in Oil Revenue for Some African Economies VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- While soaring oil prices hit consumers worldwide, their misfortune means a fortune for others.
• More support urgently needed to assist people fleeing the war in Ukraine and countries of arrival, in particular the Republic of Moldova Council of Europe 09 Mar 2022 -- "Beyond the prompt humanitarian response already provided by European states to people fleeing the war in Ukraine, more support is urgently needed to protect their human rights and to support countries of arrival, in particular the Republic of Moldova", said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, following her three-day mission to the Republic of Moldova.