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Defense Policy / Programs

• US kept secret its test of hypersonic missile in mid-March Press TV 06 Apr 2022 -- The United States reportedly tested a hypersonic missile in mid-March but kept it under wraps for two weeks to avoid raising tensions with Russia.
• U.S. Army South seeks to increase integration with partner nations Army News 06 Apr 2022 -- United States Army South held the Joint Synchronization Symposium (JSS) at Joint Base San Antonio March 28-April 1, to synchronize and expand engagements to maintain or increase the U.S. presence in the Western Hemisphere.
• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 06 Apr 2022
• Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl Meeting With Norwegian State Secretary Bent-Joacim Bentzen DoD 06 Apr 2022
• DoD Chief Technology Officer Delivers First Congressional Testimony DoD 06 Apr 2022 -- Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee's Emerging Threats and Capabilities subcommittee on April 6, 2022. It was the first Congressional testimony Shyu provided since being confirmed in her current position in July, 2021.
• Department of Defense and NTIA Launch 5G Challenge to Accelerate Development of Open 5G Ecosystem DoD 06 Apr 2022 -- The DoD, in collaboration with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS), announced today the launch of the 5G Challenge Preliminary Event: RAN Subsystem Interoperability.
• FY2023 Budget Request Includes $246 Million for SOCOM's 'Armed Overwatch' Program DoD News 06 Apr 2022 -- Special operators need an eye-in-the sky to look out for them as they operate in dangerous environments across the globe. And it's not always practical for that overwatch to come from high-end combat fighter jets, which are better suited for countering threats from nation states.
• Inaugural Deployment: 3d Marine Littoral Regiment partners with the Armed Forces of the Philippines during Balikatan 22 USMC News 06 Apr 2022 -- The 3d Marine Littoral Regiment Headquarters conducted its inaugural deployment in the first island chain, working shoulder-to-shoulder with the Armed Forces of the Philippines during exercise Balikatan 22, which is scheduled to run March 28 to April 8.
• Air Force awards B-21 Raider advance procurement to support acquisition of long lead items for production US Air Force 06 Apr 2022 -- The Department of the Air Force awarded $108 million to Northrop Grumman for advance procurement to support the B-21 Raider program.
• Reserve Sailors Take the Lead During Largest Maritime Exercise in Africa US Navy 06 Apr 2022 -- Navy Reserve Sailors from across the nation arrived in West Africa in early March to take the helm of the exercise Obangame Express 2022 (OE22), the largest multinational maritime exercise in Africa.
• Consolidated Department of Defense Coronavirus Disease 2019 Force Health Protection Guidance DoD 06 Apr 2022 -- The Department of Defense recently released the Consolidated Department of Defense Coronavirus Disease 2019 Force Health Protection (FHP) Guidance to serve as a uniform and consolidated policy for DOD's continued response to COVID- 19, and serve as the DOD COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan required by Executive Order 13991, "Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing," January 20, 2021.
• Cyber Mission Force Set to Add More Teams DoD News 06 Apr 2022 -- Right now, U.S. Cyber Command has about 133 cyber mission teams spread across the services, which make up its Cyber Mission Force — the "action arm" of Cybercom, said Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, who serves as both the commander of Cybercom and the director of the National Security Agency.
• Air Force delivers E-4B simulator US Air Force 06 Apr 2022 -- E-4B pilots and flight engineers assigned to the 595th Command and Control Group at Offutt Air Force Base have a new state-of-the-art training device.
• NATO Ships Complete Exercise Cold Response US Navy 06 Apr 2022 -- The ships of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) and Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) completed participation in Norwegian-led multinational exercise Cold Response 22 on April 1.
• Secretary General welcomes US Secretary of State to NATO Headquarters NATO 06 Apr 2022 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on 6 April 2022, ahead of a meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers.
• NATO Secretary General previews meeting of Foreign Ministers NATO 06 Apr 2022 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg opened a two-day meeting of Foreign Ministers on Wednesday (6 April 2022), saying he expected Allies to address the brutal war in Ukraine.
• Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs on 6 and 7 April 2022 NATO 06 Apr 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2022
• Senior Defense Official Holds a Background Briefing DoD 06 Apr 2022
• DOD: More Javelins Approved for Ukraine; Switchblades On their Way DoD News 06 Apr 2022 -- An additional $100 million in presidential drawdown to support Ukraine was approved yesterday. Part of that will be used to provide additional Javelin anti-armor systems to Ukrainian forces, said Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby.
• U.S., Britain, Australia to develop hypersonic missiles People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- The United States, Britain and Australia announced Tuesday that they will cooperate on developing hypersonic missiles.
• Weapons program fires up Australia DOD 06 Apr 2022 -- The government has advanced its $1 billion weapons program in announcing Raytheon Australia and Lockheed Martin Australia as partners of the Sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise.
• AUKUS plans hypersonic weapons to confront China as US speeds up NATO, Asian allies' coordination Global Times 06 Apr 2022 -- As the US, the UK and Australia announced they would cooperate to develop hypersonic weapons under the framework of the new AUKUS alliance and the NATO leaders are set - for the first time ever - to discuss China's influence and "coercive policies" in its next strategic concept, analysts said that the US is making use of the Ukraine crisis to speed up the coordination of NATO and the "Asian version of NATO" to serve its purpose of containing China and keep its global hegemony, which will bring greater harm to both regional and global peace, and risk a regional arms race.
• 'Undermines Peace and Stability': China Condemns Move by AUKUS to Jointly Develop Hypersonic Weapons Sputnik 06 Apr 2022 -- In a joint statement on 5 April, the US, UK, and Australia announced that the three nations, which had previously signed the so-called AUKUS security pact, will be developing hypersonic weapons together. The announcement follows the first successful test of a US hypersonic glider after a series of reported failures.
• China slams US-UK-Aussie pact to develop hypersonic weapons Press TV 06 Apr 2022 -- China has censured newly-announced joint efforts by the US, Britain, and Australia to develop hypersonic weapons and electronic warfare capabilities.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Payne US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2022
• China: No plans to build military base in Solomon Islands Radio Free Asia 06 Apr 2022 -- China is denying that it will build a military base in the Solomon Islands after agreeing with the South Pacific nation to a security pact that is raising concerns in the region and beyond.
• Renewed US hype of 'China's nuclear expansion' filled with hegemonic intentions Global Times 06 Apr 2022 -- A top US admiral again hyped China's "expansion of strategic and nuclear arsenal" on Tuesday, making irresponsible and speculative remarks on the country's hypersonic weapons tests and construction of missile silos. Chinese experts said that the hype is nothing new and that the US is aiming to maintain its global military hegemony and making excuses for its record-breaking defense budget.
• Patriot missile maintenance important for Taiwan air defense: experts CNA 06 Apr 2022 -- Defense experts told CNA Wednesday that Taiwan needs to continue to receive equipment and services to maintain its United States-made Patriot missile air defense system, as it is the nation's primary defense against an initial Chinese missile attack should a cross-strait war break out.
• Biden admin's 3rd arms deal to Taiwan won't boost DPP's security, only benefits arms dealers: expert Global Times 06 Apr 2022 -- The Biden administration approved its second arms sale to the Taiwan authority in two months, an estimated $95-million package including equipment and services to maintain the missile defense system the US exported to the island.
• China urges U.S. to cancel proposed arms sales to Taiwan PLA Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- China said Wednesday it is firmly opposed to and strongly condemns the proposed U.S. arms sales to Taiwan worth 95 million U.S. dollars, urging the U.S. to withdraw its plan.
• US approves $95 million in missile defense support for Taiwan Press TV 06 Apr 2022 -- The United States has approved the sale of up to $95 million worth of training and equipment to support Chinese Taipei's Patriot missile defense system, the Pentagon says, amid heightened tensions between China and the self-ruled island.
• Beijing Pledges 'Firm, Forceful Measures' Against $95 Million US Sale of Patriot Missiles to Taiwan Sputnik 06 Apr 2022 -- Since Russia began its special operation in Ukraine on February 24, American leaders have called for buttressing Taiwan's defenses, claiming China could soon launch an invasion of the autonomous island. However, Beijing has said the two situations are not at all similar, as Taiwan is a part of China.
• U.S. announces sale of maintenance services for Patriot missiles to Taiwan CNA 06 Apr 2022 -- The United States government has approved its third arms package to Taiwan since President Joe Biden took office, a US$95-million sale to Taiwan of equipment and services aimed at maintaining Taiwan's U.S.-made missile defense system.
• US Announces $100 Million in Military Aid for Ukraine VOA 06 Apr 2022 -- The United States announced $100 million in military aid for Ukraine as NATO foreign ministers gathered in Brussels for two days of talks about the Ukraine conflict.
• US to send $100 million in additional military aid to Ukraine Press TV 06 Apr 2022 -- The United States has said it will send up to $100 million in additional military aid to Ukraine as Russia's military operation continues there.
• Cyprus rules out transfer of Russian-made weapons to Ukraine People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- Cyprus cannot accept the United States' suggestion to send its Russian-made weapons to Ukraine as this would create gaps in its deterrence capabilities, Defense Minister Charalambos Petrides said here on Tuesday.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with UK National Security Adviser Lovegrove US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2022
• INDIA - KYRGYZSTAN JOINT SPECIAL FORCES EXERCISE CONCLUDES AT BAKLOH (HP) India PIB 06 Apr 2022 -- The 9th Edition of the India - Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise which commenced on 25 Mar 2022 at Special Forces Training School, Bakloh (HP) culminated on 06 April 2022.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Belgian Foreign Minister Wilmès US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with French, German, Italian, and UK Counterparts US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2022
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, April 6, 2022 The White House 06 Apr 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 6, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 6 April 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Apr 2022
• Agreement Would Curb Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas VOA 06 Apr 2022 -- An international agreement under negotiation at the United Nations this week seeks to reduce harm to civilians by curbing the use of heavy explosive weapons in cities, towns and villages.
• Saudi-led coalition seizes Yemen-bound fuel ship in violation of UN-brokered ceasefire Press TV 06 Apr 2022 -- The Yemeni state-run hydrocarbons company says the Saudi-led coalition has seized a Yemen-bound fuel ship off the western coasts of the war-ravaged country in violation of a ceasefire brokered by the United Nations.
• South Sudan peace guarantors urge commitment to resolve outstanding issues People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- Three Western nations which are South Sudan peace guarantors Tuesday welcomed the decision by the main opposition, Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-In-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) to resume participation in the security mechanisms and called for total commitment to resolve the remaining issues.
• South Sudan launches public consultation to pave way for truth, reconciliation People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- South Sudan peace monitors on Tuesday welcomed the launch of public consultations to pave the way for the start of truth, reconciliation and healing process under the 2018 revitalized peace deal.
• Tibetan exile leader set to visit Washington in April Radio Free Asia 06 Apr 2022 -- Tibetan exile leader Penpa Tsering will visit Washington D.C. from April 25 to 29 at the invitation of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Tsering confirmed to RFA in an interview on Tuesday.
• Two Men Shot Dead In Skirmish Along Uzbek-Kyrgyz Border RFE/RL 06 Apr 2022 -- Uzbek border guards have shot to death two men at a disputed segment of the border with Kyrgyzstan.
• Rights Groups Accuse Ethiopian Regional Forces of Ethnic Cleansing in Tigray VOA 06 Apr 2022 -- Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch say forces from Ethiopia's Amhara region may have committed war crimes in the neighboring Tigray region. In a new report, the rights groups say hundreds of thousands of civilians in western Tigray have been forced from their homes with threats, sexual violence, denial of aid, and unlawful killings. Mohammed Yusuf reports from VOA's Africa News Center in Nairobi, Kenya.
• Azerbaijani & Armenian Presidents Instruct Ministries to Start Peace Talks Preparation Sputnik 06 Apr 2022 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, following a trilateral meeting in Brussels with European Council President Charles Michel, instructed their foreign ministries to begin preparations for peace talks between Yerevan and Baku, the Armenian cabinet said in a statement.
• Mali: UN expert calls for independent probe into Moura massacre UN News 06 Apr 2022 -- A UN human rights expert on Wednesday called for a full and independent investigation into alleged mass crimes committed in central Mali's Mopti region late last month, and pleaded with all parties to ensure the "absolute protection" of civilians and an end to the current vicious cycle of violence.
• Rights Groups Call for Investigation into Mali Killings VOA 06 Apr 2022 -- Human Rights Watch and Mali's National Commission on Human Rights have called for an independent investigation into an alleged massacre of hundreds of civilians by government troops and suspected Russian mercenaries. After reports surfaced of the killings last month in the central village of Moura, Mali's military government said their forces there had killed 203 "terrorists." But witness accounts contradict the official version of those killed and offer some of the clearest evidence that Mali's military is working with Russian mercenaries, despite the military's denial.
• UN chief welcomes new Somali mission, lauds work of African Union UN News 06 Apr 2022 -- The UN chief issued a statement on Wednesday welcoming the transition to a new African Union (AU) mission in Somalia, pledging the Organization's "unwavering commitment" to the country, the mission, and the Somali security forces in their ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab militants.
• Somali Prime Minister Orders African Union Envoy to Leave Country VOA 06 Apr 2022 -- Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble declared Ambassador Francisco Madeira, the African Union chair's special representative for Somalia, persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 48 hours.
• Justice and reparations still critical, 30 years on from Sarajevo siege UN News 06 Apr 2022 -- Thirty years after the siege of Sarajevo, the UN team in Bosnia and Herzegovina reiterated the importance on Wednesday of pursuing justice and reparation for victims, survivors and their family members.
• MSF Suspends Work in Cameroon's Southwest Region VOA 06 Apr 2022 -- Medical aid group Doctors Without Borders, known by its French abbreviation MSF, has suspended its work in Cameroon's troubled Southwest region. The group is protesting a lack of progress toward the release of four MSF staff members arrested three months ago. Authorities accused the staffers of cooperating with regional separatists, something MSF denies.

News Reports

• Al-Qaeda Leader Appears In New Video, Dispels Rumors Of His Death RFE/RL Gandhara 06 Apr 2022 -- A video featuring Ayman al-Zawahri is being touted as the first proof in months that the reclusive leader of the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization is still alive.
• Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 06 Apr 2022 -- Defendant Sought to Join the Islamic State in Libya and Testified at Trial that He Would Again Seek to Join ISIS if Acquitted
• Justice Department Announces Court-Authorized Disruption of Botnet Controlled by the Russian Federation's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) US Dept. of Justice 06 Apr 2022 -- Operation Copied and Removed Malware Known as "Cyclops Blink" from the Botnet's Command-And-Control Devices, Disrupting the GRU's Control Over Thousands of Infected Devices Worldwide. Victims Must Take Additional Steps to Remediate the Vulnerability and Prevent Malicious Actors From Further Exploiting Unpatched Devices.
• Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco Delivers Remarks on Enforcement Actions to Disrupt and Prosecute Russian Criminal Activity US Dept. of Justice 06 Apr 2022
• Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks on Enforcement Actions to Disrupt and Prosecute Russian Criminal Activity US Dept. of Justice 06 Apr 2022
• Department of State Offers Reward for Information to Bring Transnational Criminal to Justice US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2022 -- The Department of State is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Semion Mogilevich, a longtime transnational criminal currently living in Russia.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, April 6, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 Apr 2022
• Meeting with Head of the Republic of Daghestan Sergei Melikov President of Russia 06 Apr 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Head of the Republic of Dagestan Sergei Melikov to discuss the socioeconomic situation in the region.
• Telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban President of Russia 06 Apr 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban.
• Peskov Not Ruling Out Cutting Diplomatic Ties With West if Expulsion of Russian Diplomats Continues Sputnik 06 Apr 2022 -- Over the week, a handful of countries in the West have expelled Russian diplomats, including Denmark, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Spain. Furthermore, the European Union kicked 19 Russian employees out of Russia's permanent mission in the bloc.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question about Finland's seizure of Russian artwork Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 Apr 2022
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Greece Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 Apr 2022
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on the Slovenian authorities' unfriendly actions Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 Apr 2022
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Romania's decision to declare Russian diplomats personae non gratae Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 Apr 2022
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the expulsion of Russian diplomats from the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 Apr 2022
• A Message to the Congress, on Prohibiting New Investment in and Certain Services to the Russian Federation in Response to Continued Russian Federation Aggression The White House 06 Apr 2022
• Prohibiting New Investment in and Certain Services to the Russian Federation in Response to Continued Russian Federation Aggression The White House 06 Apr 2022
• Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on New Economic Costs on Russia The White House 06 Apr 2022
• FACT SHEET: United States, G7 and EU Impose Severe and Immediate Costs on Russia The White House 06 Apr 2022
• US Slaps New Sanctions on Russian Banks & Politicians, Bans New Investments Sputnik 06 Apr 2022 -- The new round of sanctions comes on top of a spate of measures imposed on Moscow by the US and its European allies in response to the start of the special military operation in Ukraine on 24 February. The Kremlin said that the operation was launched to defend the Donetsk and Lugansk People's republics (DPR and LPR) from Ukrainian aggression.
• Targeting Additional Russian Financial Institutions, Officials, and Other Individuals US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2022 -- "The United States is united with our allies and partners to ensure the Government of Russia pays a severe price for causing such death and destruction in Ukraine, and particularly for the horrors in Bucha and elsewhere."
• U.S. Treasury Escalates Sanctions on Russia for Its Atrocities in Ukraine US Treasury 06 Apr 2022 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took major steps to degrade the economy of the Russian Federation in response to Russia's continued brutal war against Ukraine and atrocities against Ukrainian citizens. Treasury is imposing full blocking sanctions on Sberbank, Russia's largest state-owned bank, and Alfa-Bank, Russia's largest private bank. Treasury is also targeting family members of President Vladimir Putin (Putin) and Foreign Minster Sergey Lavrov (Lavrov), as well as Russian Security Council members who are complicit in the war against Ukraine.
• Russian Oligarch Charged with Violating U.S. Sanctions US Dept. of Justice 06 Apr 2022 -- Defendant Hired American Citizen Jack Hanick to Work for His Television Network in Russia and Illegally Transferred $10 Million U.S. Investment to Business Associate
• U.S. Indicts Russian Oligarch Tied To Financing Separatists In Crimea For Alleged Sanctions Violations RFE/RL 06 Apr 2022 -- The United States has announced the indictment of Russian businessman Konstantin Malofeyev for sanctions violations as the U.S. Justice Department accelerates efforts to track down illicit Russian assets.
• US, Allies Impose New Sanctions on Russia, Including Targeting Putin's Children VOA 06 Apr 2022 -- The United States and its Western allies said they have imposed "new, severe and immediate economic sanctions" against Russia, banning American investment there, fully blocking the country's largest financial institutions and targeting assets held by President Vladimir Putin's adult children.
• EU's Michel Says Sanctions On Russian Oil, Gas Will Be Needed 'Sooner Or Later' RFE/RL 06 Apr 2022 -- European Council chief Charles Michel says the European Union will need to slap sanctions on Russian energy such as oil and gas "sooner or later," as the bloc looks to ramp up pressure on Moscow in the face of reports of war atrocities being committed in Ukraine by Russian troops.
• EU Adopts New Sanctions Against Russia VOA 06 Apr 2022 -- The European Union is expected to join the United States in imposing new sanctions against Russia as horrific reports of possible war crimes in Ukraine continue to surface. But critics, including some EU members, are calling the measures insufficient.
• Resolution to suspend Russia from UN Human Rights Council not open or transparent, aggravates division among member states: Chinese envoy Global Times 08 Apr 2022 -- The resolution to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council was not drafted in an open and transparent manner and the hasty move has forced countries to take sides, which will aggravate the division among member states and intensify conflicts between the parties concerned, China's permanent representative to the UN, Zhang Jun, said in explanation of China's vote against the resolution on Thursday.
• UN General Assembly adopts resolution to suspend Russia from Human Rights Council People's Daily 08 Apr 2022 -- The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Thursday that allows the assembly to suspend the Russian Federation's membership in the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council.
• UK imposes sweeping new sanctions to starve Putin's war machine UK FCDO 06 Apr 2022 -- The Foreign Secretary has today (Wednesday 6 April) announced a significant ratcheting up of UK sanctions on Russia.
• Hungary Breaks With EU, Will Pay For Russian Gas In Rubles RFE/RL 06 Apr 2022 -- Hungary has broken ranks with the European Union, saying it will accept Moscow's demand that gas supplies be paid for in rubles.
• EU Member Hungary Weighs Buying Russian Gas in Rubles, Orban Says Sputnik 06 Apr 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin announced late last month that Russia would transfer payments for gas exports into rubles for "unfriendly" countries after Western nations froze Russian assets in US dollars and Euros, sparking talk of a "petro-ruble" to rival the mighty petrodollar.
• Greece Says It Is Expelling 12 Russian Diplomats RFE/RL 06 Apr 2022 -- Greece has become the latest European country to expel Russian diplomats, saying 12 members of the country's diplomatic and consular missions had been designated as personae non gratae.
• Taiwan steps up sanctions, bans select high-tech exports to Russia CNA 06 Apr 2022 -- Taiwan on Wednesday listed 57 strategic high-tech goods which can be used for both civil and military purposes it will not allow to be exported to Russia as it steps up economic sanctions against the country over its invasion of Ukraine.
• Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Russian Firebrand Politician Whose Career Spanned Yeltsin And Putin Eras, Dies At 75 RFE/RL 06 Apr 2022 -- Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the rabid Russian nationalist lawmaker whose political rise in the early 1990s frightened the West and underscored the fragility of democracy in the immediate post-Soviet period, has died. He was 75.
• Ruble's Strength in Face of Sanctions May Be Illusory VOA 06 Apr 2022 -- After a sharp plunge in value at the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the Russian ruble has recovered much of its value against other world currencies, a change made possible by aggressive capital controls put in place by the government in Moscow and a continual stream of payments for the country's oil and gas exports.
• New EU sanctions against Russia to include energy, says French minister People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- Energy will be included in the new sanction package of the European Union against Russia, Bruno Le Maire, the French minister for economy, finance and recovery, said on Tuesday.
• EU targets Russian coal, ships in new sanctions People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- The EU is proposing the 5th round of sanctions against Moscow, which among others target coal imports from Russia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday.
• EU expels "a number of" Russian diplomats People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- The European Union (EU) has declared a number of Russian diplomats working in Brussels "persona non grata" and ordered them to leave host nation Belgium, the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday.
• Denmark expels 15 Russian diplomats on espionage accusation People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod announced the expulsion of 15 Russian diplomatic staff members during a Foreign Policy Board meeting on Tuesday, accusing them as "intelligence officers" for espionage.
• Latvia closes Russia's consulates, expels staff People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- Latvia on Tuesday ordered the closure of Russia's two consular posts and declared the diplomatic staff there personae non grata. They must leave the country by April 30.
• Italy, Romania expel 40 Russian diplomats People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- Italy's foreign ministry announced the expulsion of 30 Russian diplomats on Tuesday for what it called "reasons related to national security."
• Portugal expels 10 Russian embassy employees People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- Portugal on Tuesday announced its decision to expel 10 employees of the Russian Embassy in Lisbon, the country's Lusa News Agency has reported.
• Spain to expel 27 Russian diplomats People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- Spain will expel 27 Russian diplomats and embassy staff in the next few days, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said here on Tuesday.
• China unveils draft financial stability law in major push to prevent systemic risks Global Times 06 Apr 2022 -- China's central bank on Wednesday night unveiled a draft financial stability legislation, including the creation of a financial stability guarantee fund, laying the legal groundwork for a holistic, sector-spanning and cross-departmental approach to preventing systemic financial risks.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on April 6, 2022 PRC MofA 06 Apr 2022
• 6 people including former leader of CTU arrested by HK national security department Global Times 06 Apr 2022 -- Former vice-chairman of the disbanded Confederation of Trade Unions (CTU) Leo Tang kin-wah was arrested by the national security police in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday for doing "acts of nuisance" in court, Hong Kong media reported.
• Hong Kong police arrest six for 'sedition' over courtroom protests, support Radio Free Asia 06 Apr 2022 -- Hong Kong police on Wednesday arrested six people including a former labor leader on suspicion of "sedition" under a colonial-era law, as the city's security chief — who is widely seen as Beijing's preferred candidate — resigned to run for chief executive.
• HKSAR's LegCo has returned to rationality: LegCo president People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- Andrew Leung, president of the Legislative Council (LegCo) of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Tuesday that the LegCo has returned to rationality after the improvement of Hong Kong's electoral system.
• KMT names envoy to Washington, chairman to visit U.S. in May CNA 06 Apr 2022 -- Eric Chu (朱立倫), the chairman of Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), named Alexander Huang (黃介正) as the party's envoy to the United States on Wednesday, while announcing his plan to visit the U.S. in May.
• Taiwan-Poland parliamentary group formed to boost bilateral ties CNA 06 Apr 2022 -- A Taiwan legislative friendship group aimed at building closer ties with Poland was officially inaugurated at the Legislative Yuan Wednesday.
• Hong Kong Documentary Prompts Taiwanese to Eye Immigration Policy VOA 06 Apr 2022 -- As Hong Kongers trickle into Taiwan seeking asylum, a documentary about the Hong Kong protests of 2019-20 is prompting Taiwanese moviegoers and civic groups to question current immigration laws.
• Briefing with Special Representative for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Sung Kim on Recent Developments in the DPRK and U.S. Efforts to Advance Denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2022
• Iran's new admin signs $16.5b of new oil deals: Minister IRNA 06 Apr 2022 -- Iran's Minister of Petroleum Javad Owji said that the country has signed $16.5b of new deals in oil industry, which is worth several times the deal with reneging Total.
• IRNA say Iran will access billions worth of funds blocked abroad over US sanctions Press TV 06 Apr 2022 -- Iran's official IRNA news agency says that the country will soon access a large tranche of its hard currency funds that have remained frozen in foreign banks for years because of US sanctions.
• Saudi/Kuwait infringement on Iran's energy rights and UK role Press TV 06 Apr 2022 -- The recent decision by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to develop the Durra offshore gas field which Iran calls Arash has revived a longstanding dispute on how to share the resources of the reservoir in the Persian Gulf.
• Iran says new sanctions amid Vienna talks show U.S. ill will People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- The imposition of new sanctions by the United States amid transparent negotiations in Vienna on the restoration of a 2015 nuclear deal indicates Washington's ill will and lack of seriousness in the talks, the Iranian government spokesman said on Tuesday.
• Myanmar junta metes out long prison terms for small donations to its opponents Radio Free Asia 06 Apr 2022 -- At least seven young Myanmar men and women from Tanintharyi region and Rakhine state have received long prison terms for donating money — U.S. $8 or less in a few cases — to opponents of the military junta that has ruled the country for 13 months, their lawyers and anti-junta activists told RFA.
• Pakistan Supreme Court To Resume Hearings On PM Khan's No-Confidence Saga RFE/RL Gandhara 06 Apr 2022 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court will resume hearings on April 6 to decide whether Prime Minister Imran Khan and his allies' move to dissolve parliament breached the country's constitution.
• Pakistan's Supreme Court may issue verdict Thursday amid political chaos Press TV 06 Apr 2022 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court is likely to rule on Prime Minister Imran Khan's move to block an opposition attempt to remove him.
• Israel Government Facing Crisis as Lawmaker Leaves Coalition VOA 06 Apr 2022 -- Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett must deal with a major test for his ruling coalition after a lawmaker from his nationalist party quit, leaving his government without a majority in parliament less than a year after the coalition was formed.
• UN voices concern about ongoing impact of fuel crisis in Lebanon People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- The United Nations(UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon Najat Rochdi on Tuesday expressed her concerns about the ongoing impact of the fuel crisis on basic services and people's well-being in Lebanon, a UN statement reported.
• Somalia, UN in talks over election delay amid funding risk People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- Two United Nations top officials in Somalia said Tuesday they have held talks with the country's finance minister Abdirahman Beileh on the urgent need to complete the electoral process soon to avoid missing donor funding.
• Peru's president lifts curfew in Lima, urges calm after protests Press TV 06 Apr 2022 -- Peruvian President Pedro Castillo has lifted a curfew he had imposed in Lima to curb violent protests against inflation and raising fuel prices.
• Sri Lanka's president will not resign despite protests: Minister Press TV 06 Apr 2022 -- Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not resign despite widespread protests against his handling of the country's economy.
• Sri Lanka's President Ends Emergency Decree VOA 06 Apr 2022 -- President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka has revoked a state of emergency order amid an economic crisis that triggered street protests and political upheaval posing a threat to his rule.
• Cambodia's Hun Sen violates election law by campaigning early, watchdog says Radio Free Asia 06 Apr 2022 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is violating election laws by asking for votes during official appearances prior to the start of the country's campaign season for local elections in June, an electoral watchdog said Wednesday.
• Ex-Burkinabe President Compaore Given Life in Prison for Thomas Sankara's 1987 Murder Sputnik 06 Apr 2022 -- An Ouagadougou military court on Wednesday condemned former Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore to life in prison for the 1987 assassination of Thomas Sankara, the communist leader who led a brief but revolutionary period of reform in Burkina Faso.
• Burkina Faso Ex-President Found Guilty of Sakara Assassination VOA 06 Apr 2022 -- Burkina Faso's ex-president, Blaise Compaore, has been sentenced to life in prison for the 1987 assassination of predecessor Thomas Sankara. The ruling is seen by many as a symbolic victory for a region that has been mired by instability in recent years.
• Scale-up action to combat child malnutrition in Africa's Sahel UN News 06 Apr 2022 -- An estimated 6.3 million children under five, in six countries in Africa's Sahel region, will suffer from wasting this year, UN agencies and their partners warned in a publication issued on Wednesday.
• UN: Government Crackdown on Gangs in El Salvador Violates Human Rights Law VOA 06 Apr 2022 -- The U.N. Human Rights Office says recent measures taken by El Salvador's government to rein in gang violence violate international human rights law.