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Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD Releases Fiscal Year 2021 Freedom of Navigation Report DoD 01 Apr 2022 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) released its annual Freedom of Navigation (FON) Report for Fiscal Year 2021. During the period from October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021, U.S. forces operationally challenged 37 different excessive maritime claims made by 26 different claimants throughout the world.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, H.E. Sheikh Talal Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah DoD 01 Apr 2022
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks at U.S. Central Command Change of Command (as delivered) DoD 01 Apr 2022
• Former Centcom Chief of Staff Assumes Role of Commander DoD News 01 Apr 2022 -- In Tampa, Florida, today, Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth Frank McKenzie Jr. passed command of U.S. Central Command over to Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, who at one time served as the command's chief of staff.
• Climate Investments Tied to Mission Objectives, DOD Official Says DoD News 01 Apr 2022 -- Climate change is reshaping the geostrategic operational and tactical environment, with significant implications for U.S. national security and defense, said Joe Bryan, a Department of Defense official.
• U.S. Sixth Fleet Establishes Naval Amphibious Forces Europe Supporting Fully Integrated Navy-Marine Operations and Experimentation US Navy 01 Apr 2022 -- up
• CNO, Indonesian Navy Chief Meet; Discuss Maritime Security US Navy Press Release 01 Apr 2022 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with Chief of the Indonesian Navy Adm. Yudo Margono, at the Pentagon, March 30.
• Pentagon cancels ICBM test due to Russia nuclear tensions Press TV 01 Apr 2022 -- The US military has canceled a planned test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin put Russia's nuclear deterrence forces on "high alert."
• US Scraps Minuteman III Test After Launch Initially Postponed Over Russia Nuclear Tensions Sputnik 01 Apr 2022 -- While Russia's massive nuclear arsenal remains on high alert, Moscow has asserted it would only use the highly destructive weapons if the country's existence was directly threatened.
• Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl's Meeting with France Director General for International Relations and Strategy Alice Guitton DoD 01 Apr 2022
• Vermont Soldiers hone mountain skills with Saudi Special Forces Army News 01 Apr 2022 -- For the first time, a conventional U.S. Army National Guard unit trained with Royal Saudi Land Forces Special Forces instructors at the Royal Saudi Land Forces Mountain Warfare School in Saudi Arabia.
• Alaska National Guard hosts Arctic Interest Council Army News 01 Apr 2022 -- When delegates of the National Guard Arctic Interest Council representing six states visited the arctic city of Kotzebue March 29, they witnessed a still-frozen landscape showing few signs of spring besides the sun still visible at 9 p.m., previewing the summer's midnight sun.
• NATO should have been dissolved after Soviet collapse: China Press TV 01 Apr 2022 -- China has criticized the eastward expansion of NATO, saying that the US-led military alliance should have been dissolved after the collapse of the Soviet Union more than three decades ago.
• Denmark's Combat Vehicles So Worn-Out They Must Be Driven by Truck, Report Says Sputnik 01 Apr 2022 -- Due to their poor condition, Danish infantry combat vehicles are only allowed to drive a maximum of 1,800 kilometres over a three-year period, which amounts to 1.6 kilometres per day.
• China-Solomon Islands security pact has no military connotation: Chinese FM Global Times 01 Apr 2022 -- The security cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands is aimed at safeguarding the safety of people's lives and property and has no military connotation, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday, noting media speculation on China's military base is groundless and has ulterior motives.
• Defense Department Announces $300 Million in Additional Assistance for Ukraine DoD 01 Apr 2022 -- This afternoon, April 1, the Department of Defense (DoD) notified Congress of additional assistance activities under authority provided by the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).
• Australia to Send Armored Troop Carriers to Ukraine VOA 01 Apr 2022 -- Australia said Friday it will send armored vehicles to Ukraine after a plea for much needed military aid from its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, made during an address to the Australian Parliament.
• UK Space Command marks one-year anniversary UK MOD 01 Apr 2022 -- UK Space Command is today marking its first anniversary following formation in April 2021.
• RSNF Commander Launches His Majesty's Ship "AL JUBAIL" in Spain SPA 01 Apr 2022 -- The Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), Lt. Gen. Admiral Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Ghufaili, the RSNF have celebrated the ceremonial launching of the warship of "AVANTE 2200" Corvette, which is the first of its type within the Sarawat Corvette Project.
• Mirage fighter jets cleared to fly after recent crash: Air Force CNA 01 Apr 2022 -- Taiwan's Mirage 2000 fighter jets returned to the sky Friday, following the completion of a comprehensive inspection and additional training for pilots in the wake of a March 14 crash.
• Addressing the Collective Challenges of our Time: Implementing the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability The White House 01 Apr 2022
• Letter from the President on the Implementation of the Global Fragility Act The White House 01 Apr 2022
• Briefing on the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022
• The U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability: Priority Countries and Region US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022 -- The following is being released jointly by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
• The Spirit of Partnership: Implementing the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022 -- The United States is committed to strengthening global resiliency and democratic renewal, and promoting peaceful, self-reliant nations that become strong economic and security partners capable of addressing shared challenges.
• Expiration of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Mandate US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022
• The 49th Session of the UN Human Rights Council US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022 -- Human rights are under threat in far too many parts of the world. Protecting and advancing respect for human rights requires all governments and peoples to come together and demand action and accountability.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Holguín US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Jordanian Foreign Minister Safadi US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Israeli Minister of Regional Cooperation Esawi Frej US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with UK Foreign Secretary Truss US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Member of the Council of Economic Advisers Jared Bernstein, April 1, 2022 The White House 01 Apr 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 1, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 1 April 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 01 Apr 2022
• Regional meeting on Afghanistan stresses 8 consensuses, pledges aid Global Times 01 Apr 2022 -- China-hosted talks between foreign ministers of Afghanistan's neighboring countries and the Afghan Taliban concluded on Thursday in East China's Tunxi, Anhui Province, foregrounding China's role as a constructive leading force in addressing the Afghan issue. Some analysts said the mechanism has given regional countries confidence in the Afghan Taliban and more expectations to the international community.
• Diplomatic recognition of Afghan govt to come naturally with stronger response to the concerns of all parties: Chinese FM Wang Yi Global Times 01 Apr 2022 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that with a stronger response to the concerns of all parties, "diplomatic recognition of the Afghan government will be an act of following the natural course," following the conclusion of the Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Afghan Issue among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan in Tunxi in East China's Anhui Province.
• Iran UN envoy: Intl. community should help Afghans overcome challenges, hope for brighter future Press TV 01 Apr 2022 -- Iran's permanent ambassador to the United Nations (UN) says the international community should help Afghans overcome challenges and look toward a bright future, noting that the Islamic Republic continues its humanitarian aid to the Asian nation.
• UN: Afghan economy going down 'death spiral' Press TV 01 Apr 2022 -- The United Nations paints a grim picture of food insecurity in Afghanistan, saying the first step towards helping the situation is to salvage the country's economy from total collapse.
• UK co-hosts Afghanistan Pledging Conference 2022: Foreign Secretary's speech UK FCDO 01 Apr 2022 -- Foreign Secretary Liz Truss delivered remarks virtually at the co-hosted Afghanistan Pledging Conference on 31 March 2022
• President Biden Statement on UN-Mediated Truce in Yemen The White House 01 Apr 2022
• Parties Agree to Truce for Yemen as Ramadan Begins VOA 01 Apr 2022 -- In a major breakthrough, the United Nations announced Friday that the parties to the conflict in Yemen have agreed to a two-month truce to start on Saturday, the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, at 1900 local time.
• UN welcomes announcement of two-month truce in Yemen UN News 01 Apr 2022 -- A two-month truce in Yemen which goes into effect on Saturday must be a first step in ending the county's devastating war, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on the eve of the ceasefire.
• Saudi-led coalition, Ansarullah welcome UN-brokered truce: Report Press TV 01 Apr 2022 -- The United Nations says the Saudi-led coalition, which has been waging a seven-year war on Yemen, and Yemen's popular resistance Ansarullah movement have welcomed a truce that has been brokered by the world body.
• UN: Yemen facing one of worst humanitarian crises amid Saudi war Press TV 01 Apr 2022 -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that over 25.5 million Yemenis are living beneath the poverty line due to the repercussions of the Saudi-led war in the impoverished country.
• The United State Welcomes the UN Truce in Yemen US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022 -- The United States welcomes the UN's announcement of a two-month truce in the Yemen conflict and the parties' acceptance of its terms.
• UN-brokered truce in Yemen: FCDO statement UK FCDO 01 Apr 2022 -- The UK welcomes the United Nation's two-month truce announcement on Yemen.
• UN Human Rights Council 49: UK cross-regional Core Group statement introduce Item 4 resolution on Syria UK FCDO 01 Apr 2022 -- Simon Manley, UK Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, delivered the statement on behalf of a cross-regional Core Group of France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Qatar, Turkey, the USA, and the UK.
• Syria: Rights experts call for humanitarian access to detained children UN News 01 Apr 2022 -- Humanitarians must have full and unimpeded access to children arbitrarily held in detention centres in northeast Syria, a group of independent UN human rights experts said on Friday.
• Telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan President of Russia 01 Apr 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan.
• Armenia's Pashinyan Claims Azerbaijan Seeks to 'Legitimize Large-Scale Attack' on Nagorno-Karabakh Sputnik 01 Apr 2022 -- Ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the majority of the disputed region has been under de facto Armenian administration. Armenia and Azerbaijan waged a brief but devastating war over the land in the fall of 2020. It ended with Baku gaining ground and Russia mediating a peace deal that saw Moscow dispatch peacekeepers to the region.
• Myanmar's Magway region suffers under military's March offensive Radio Free Asia 01 Apr 2022 -- Myanmar's military killed as many as a dozen civilians and arrested nearly 30 others in restive Magway region in the month of March alone, while junta troops torched more than 700 houses in 18 of the region's villages over the same period, residents said Friday.
• Delivery of Humanitarian Assistance to Tigray and Afar Regions US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022 -- The United States welcomes steps by the Government of Ethiopia and regional authorities to implement a cessation of hostilities.
• WFP Aid Convoy Arrives in Ethiopia's Tigray After Months-Long Blockade VOA 01 Apr 2022 -- Aid convoys led by the U.N.'s World Food Program (WPF) have entered Ethiopian territory controlled by Tigrayan rebels for the first time since December, bringing much-needed food to starving communities.
• OSCE Head of Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina: UK response, 31 March 2022 UK FCDO 01 Apr 2022 -- UK Ambassador Neil Bush thanks Ambassador Kavalec for the OSCE Mission's work in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including on elections, hate motivated incidents, war crimes, and gender.
• UN Human Rights Council 49: UK Core Group statement to introduce Item 2 resolution on South Sudan UK FCDO 01 Apr 2022 -- Simon Manley, UK Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, delivered the statement on behalf of a core group of Albania, Norway, the United States and the UK, the draft resolution on Advancing Human Rights in South Sudan.
• UN Agency Makes $1.7 Billion Appeal for South Sudan VOA 01 Apr 2022 -- The United Nations is asking members for $1.7 billion to fund South Sudan humanitarian aid.
• US Warns Congress About South Sudan's Leaders VOA 01 Apr 2022 -- Ten years after independence, South Sudan "remains a deeply fragile nation beset by weak governance, pervasive insecurity, fiscal mismanagement, and widespread corruption."
• Thousands flee into Uganda following clashes in DR Congo UNHCR 01 Apr 2022 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, alongside the Government of Uganda and humanitarian partners, is assisting some 10,000 refugees in the country's southwest Kisoro district after they fled violent clashes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) which began on 28 March 2022.
• Thousands escape to Uganda following violent clashes in DR Congo UN News 01 Apr 2022 -- Recent violent clashes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have forced thousands to escape to neighbouring Uganda, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reported on Friday.
• UN Sends Peacekeepers to Northern Mali After Killings VOA 01 Apr 2022 -- U.N. peacekeepers in Mali have deployed to the northeast border with Burkina Faso and Niger after reports of civilians being massacred.

News Reports

• Germany charges former reserve officer with spying for Russia People's Daily 02 Apr 2022 -- The German Public Prosecutor General said on Friday that it had filed charges against a former Bundeswehr reserve officer who allegedly supplied a Russian intelligence agency with information between 2014 and 2020.
• Bulgaria expels Russian diplomat People's Daily 02 Apr 2022 -- Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday evening that it has declared one diplomat at the Russian Embassy in Sofia persona non grata and given him 72 hours to leave the country.
• Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council President of Russia 01 Apr 2022 -- The President held a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council, via videoconference.
• Telephone conversation with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko President of Russia 01 Apr 2022 -- Vladimir Putin and President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko had a telephone conversation ahead of the Day of Unity between the Peoples of Russia and Belarus, marked on April 2.
• Commerce Adds 120 Entities in Russia and Belarus to the Entity List, Further Limiting the Russian and Belarusian Militaries' Access to Items That Support Aggression Against Ukraine US Dept. of Commerce 01 Apr 2022 -- The U.S. Commerce Department, through its Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), has taken additional action to degrade Russian and Belarusian defense, aerospace, maritime, and other strategic sectors in response to Russia's brutal assault on the sovereignty of Ukraine.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answers to media questions following talks with Minister of External Affairs of India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, New Delhi, April 1, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 01 Apr 2022
• Russian Foreign Ministry: Moscow Will Not Leave Hostile EU Actions Unanswered Sputnik 01 Apr 2022 -- The EU sanctions against Russia are negatively affecting lives of Europeans, and Moscow hopes that Brussels will understand that the confrontation with in bilateral relations is not in its interests, Director of the Department of European Cooperation of the Russian Foreign Ministry Nikolay Kobrinets told Sputnik.
• Russia's Gazprom exits German energy market amid row over gas payments Press TV 01 Apr 2022 -- Russia's energy giant Gazprom says it is quitting its business in Germany, as Moscow's deadline passes for a switch in gas payments from euro to rubles.
• Russian Presidential Decree on Ruble Payments for Gas Goes Into Effect on Friday Sputnik 01 Apr 2022 -- The Russian presidential decree stipulating that all contracts for pipeline gas deliveries with companies registered in "unfriendly" countries be settled in rubles is set to go into effect on Friday.
• US investigators: Russian oligarchs trying to evade sanctions Press TV 01 Apr 2022 -- US investigators claim that they have found Russian oligarchs are trying to evade sanctions which are part of Washington's offensive against Moscow over the military campaign in Ukraine, according to the head of a new Justice Department task force.
• The Week In Russia: Carnage And Climbdown In Ukraine RFE/RL 01 Apr 2022 -- His initial push for the conquest of Ukraine rebuffed, Russian President Vladimir Putin is recalibrating. But with thousands of people dead and millions driven from their homes, how and when the war will end may be no clearer than when he launched the invasion five weeks ago.
• Poll Shows Putin Ratings Climb Among Russians Since Ukraine Invasion RFE/RL 01 Apr 2022 -- A new Russian opinion poll shows that President Vladimir Putin has gotten a boost in ratings since the start of the war in Ukraine.
• US to impose more sanctions targeting Russia's defense, aerospace and maritime sectors: White House Press TV 01 Apr 2022 -- The US Commerce Department will impose further sanctions on Russia ratcheting up pressure on Moscow over its military campaign in Ukraine, according to the White House.
• Former GE Power Engineer Convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Economic Espionage US Dept. of Justice 01 Apr 2022 -- Yesterday, a federal jury convicted a New York man of conspiracy to commit economic espionage following a four-week jury trial. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Xiaoqing Zheng, 59, of Niskayuna, was employed at GE Power & Water in Schenectady, New York, as an engineer specializing in sealing technology.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on April 1, 2022 PRC MofA 01 Apr 2022
• China to take reciprocal visa restrictions on relevant U.S. officials People's Daily 01 Apr 2022 -- China has decided to adopt reciprocal visa restrictions on the U.S. officials who concocted lies about China's human rights issues, pushed for sanctions against China and undermined China's interests, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday.
• Chinese officials restrict the number of Uyghurs who can observe Ramadan Radio Free Asia 01 Apr 2022 -- Chinese authorities in Xinjiang are restricting the number of Muslims allowed to observe the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, drawing heavy criticism from rights groups that see the government directive as the latest effort to diminish Uyghur culture in the region.
• Xi Jinping: China and the EU Should Add Stabilizing Factors to a Turbulent World PRC MofA 01 Apr 2022 -- President Xi Jinping is meeting via video link with President Charles Michel of the European Council and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission in Beijing on the evening of 1 April. 
• President Xi Jinping Meets with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen PRC MofA 01 Apr 2022 -- President Xi Jinping met via video link with President Charles Michel of the European Council and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission in Beijing on the evening of 1 April. 
• Ukraine Tops EU-China Virtual Summit Agenda RFE/RL 01 Apr 2022 -- The European Union is expected to seek assurances from Beijing that it won't assist Russia in bypassing economic sanctions imposed over its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine at a virtual summit between the 27-member bloc and China on April 1.
• EU-China Summit: Restoring peace and stability in Ukraine is a shared responsibility Council of Europe 01 Apr 2022 -- The European Union and China held their 23rd bilateral Summit via videoconference on 1 April 2022. President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, held the Summit meeting with China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang, followed by exchanges with China's President Xi Jinping.
• Xi Tells EU to Treat China 'Independently' as West Pressures Beijing to Denounce Ukraine Operation Sputnik 01 Apr 2022 -- The US has threatened to sanction China repeatedly since Russia launched a special operation in Ukraine on February 24 and the West moved to sever Moscow from the global economy. However, Beijing says its trade with Russia is strictly legal and in accordance with international trade laws.
• Chinese authorities slam misleading allegations on HK from UK, US Global Times 01 Apr 2022 -- Chinese authorities on Friday expressed strong opposition to the UK's six-monthly report on Hong Kong and the US Hong Kong Policy Act Report in response to unfounded remarks on Hong Kong-related affairs.
• Any attempt to disrupt HK rule of law doomed to fail: FM spokesperson People's Daily 01 Apr 2022 -- China on Thursday urged Britain to immediately stop its "clumsy political stunt" and stop its interference in Hong Kong's affairs and other China's internal affairs.
• Hong Kong rejects 'unfounded' US, UK claims of deteriorating freedoms Press TV 01 Apr 2022 -- Hong Kong has slammed as "unfounded" and "ridiculous" allegations in the reports recently issued by the US and the UK about what they call deteriorating democratic rights and freedoms in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.
• Press freedom in Hong Kong gets lowest marks from public since handover to China Radio Free Asia 01 Apr 2022 -- Public satisfaction with the media in Hong Kong has hit rock bottom, according to a recent public opinion survey.
• China May Help Central Asian Countries Amid Global Grain Supply Disruption VOA 01 Apr 2022 -- Russia's war in Ukraine and the Western sanctions that have followed are putting pressure on countries in Central Asia that import grain and other critical supplies from the region.
• U.S. - Taiwan Working Group Meeting on International Organizations (IO Talks) US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022 -- On March 31, 2022, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) convened high-level representatives of the U.S. Department of State and the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consultations in Washington on expanding Taiwan's participation at the United Nations and in other international fora.
• Hong Kong acts on China's behalf to squeeze Taiwan in WTO: U.S. report CNA 01 Apr 2022 -- The Hong Kong government has been working with China to block Taiwan's meaningful participation in the World Trade Organization (WTO), the U.S. Department of State said in a report published Thursday.
• United States Imposes Sanctions on DPRK Ballistic Missile Entities US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2022 -- The United States is sanctioning five DPRK entities pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery. Today's action is in response to the DPRK's ongoing development of its WMD and ballistic missile programs in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
• Treasury Targets Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Weapons of Mass Destruction Organization and Subsidiaries US Treasury 01 Apr 2022 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today sanctioned five entities for providing support to the DPRK's development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs).
• IRGC Slams New Sanctions as Attempt to Force Iran to Submit to US 'Hegemonic System and Zionism' Sputnik 01 Apr 2022 -- On Wednesday, the US Treasury slapped new sanctions on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other entities involved in Iran's ballistic missile programme. Islamic Republic officials have stressed repeatedly that Tehran would not allow any nation to regulate or otherwise control the country's ballistic, cruise, and drone armaments.
• Iranian, Chinese FMs pledge to fight 'illegitimate, unilateral' sanctions Press TV 01 Apr 2022 -- As the United States slaps new sanctions on Tehran, the Iranian and Chinese foreign ministers have asserted that they will fight Washington's "illegitimate and unilateral" sanctions against independent countries.
• Britain-drafted UN human rights resolution on Iran 'illegal, spiteful': Foreign Ministry Press TV 01 Apr 2022 -- Iran has categorically rejected a United Nations resolution on the human rights situation in the country, saying it has been drafted by Britain and other Western countries based on groundless claims and incorrect and spiteful information.
• Minister: Iran's oil production has reached pre-sanction levels Press TV 01 Apr 2022 -- Minister of Petroleum Javad Owji says Iran's oil production has reached pre-sanction levels, as the country teams up with new customers to export its oil in defiance of the most draconian sanctions imposed by the United States.
• Pakistan Sends US Demarche Over Alleged Political Meddling VOA 01 Apr 2022 -- Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan said Friday that his government had formally protested to the United States for allegedly backing his opponents in a parliamentary no-confidence vote seeking his ouster from power.
• Pakistan summons US envoy over Washington's meddling in internal affairs Press TV 01 Apr 2022 -- Pakistan's foreign office has summoned the acting US charge d'affaires to lodge a strong protest over Washington's meddling in the internal affairs of the country.
• Pakistani PM Takes Veiled Dig at US: 'Powerful Nation' Angry With My Moscow Trip, But Backs India Sputnik 01 Apr 2022 -- Pakistan's National Assembly is scheduled to vote on a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan's government on Sunday morning. As things stand now, Khan's government enjoys the support of 164 lawmakers. The major opposition parties, including the PML (N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP), have a combined strength of 177 lawmakers.
• Debate On No-Confidence Vote Against Pakistan's Khan Postponed RFE/RL Gandhara 01 Apr 2022 -- A debate on a no-confidence motion against Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been postponed after Khan rejected opposition calls for him to resign.
• Turkish Prosecutor Asks Khashoggi Murder Trial to Be Moved to Saudi Arabia - Report Sputnik 01 Apr 2022 -- Khashoggi, who was a columnist for the Washington Post, vanished in October 2018, after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents that would allow him to marry his Turkish girlfriend. His remains were never found.
• Philippine President Duterte plans to meet with Chinese 'friend' Xi on April 8 Radio Free Asia 01 Apr 2022 -- Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said he would meet next week virtually with his "friend," Chinese leader Xi Jinping, as Filipino and U.S. forces conduct one of their largest joint exercises in years in the Southeast Asian nation bordering the disputed South China Sea.
• Exclusive: Hungarian Opposition Candidate Marki-Zay Calls Orban A 'Traitor' Over War In Ukraine RFE/RL 01 Apr 2022 -- Peter Marki-Zay, the man challenging Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in national elections on April 3 on behalf of a united opposition, has warned of worsening isolation under Orban's "illiberal" model and likened him to a "traitor" putting Hungarians at risk.
• Cambodian election authority removes opposition candidates from list Radio Free Asia 01 Apr 2022 -- Cambodia's National Election Committee (NEC) has removed more than 100 candidates from the opposition Candlelight Party from the list of those running in the country's commune elections on June 5, the party's vice president said Friday.
• With New Tactics And New Blood, Serbia's Opposition Is Trying To Become Relevant Again RFE/RL 01 Apr 2022 -- With Serbian citizens set to vote in presidential, parliamentary, and municipal elections on April 3, a retired army general and a leading opposition candidate for the presidency, Zdravko Ponos, recently appeared on one of Serbia's most popular political talk shows, Utisak Nedelje (Impression of the Week).
• Cameroon Struggling to Contain Cholera Outbreak, Quarantines Patients VOA 01 Apr 2022 -- Cameroon is struggling to contain a cholera outbreak that has sickened 6,000 people with the bacteria and killed nearly 100 since February. Authorities have dispatched the ministers of health and water to affected areas and have begun quarantining cholera patients to prevent it from spreading.