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Current Operations

• National Guard winds down COVID-19 support, remains ready Army News 08 Apr 2022 -- With COVID-19 case counts and positivity rates decreasing, the Department of Defense ended its active-duty component's support for coronavirus missions last week.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Joint Statement on U.S. Department of Defense - Angola Military House of the President of the Republic Discussions DoD 08 Apr 2022 -- U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Dr. Colin Kahl, and Minister of State and Head of the Military House of the President of the Republic of Angola, Francisco Pereira Furtado, met to discuss the United States - Angola defense partnership, April 8, 2022 in the Pentagon.
• VMM-363 MV-22 Ospreys Fly Far USMC News 08 Apr 2022 -- U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii executed one of the longest maritime VMM self-deployment flights in 1st Marine Aircraft Wing history in preparation for Balikatan 2022. The total distance flown by the MV-22 Ospreys was over 4,730 nautical miles.
• U.S. and Philippines Successfully Conclude 37th Balikatan US Navy 08 Apr 2022 -- Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the U.S. military gathered here today to celebrate the successful completion of Balikatan 2022, the 37th iteration of the annual bilateral exercise.
• USS Alaska Takes Trophy 5th Time in Decade US Navy 08 Apr 2022 -- The crews of the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Alaska (SSBN 732) were recently announced as the recipients of the 2021 U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Omaha Trophy.
• Air Force Cryptologic Office establishes new information dominance initiative US Air Force 08 Apr 2022 -- The Air Force Cryptologic Office recently established the first Converged Air Force Enterprise Mission framework to harness total enterprise capacity and deliver information dominance now and for decades to come.
• Task Force Red Dragon Soldiers join French-led WAKRI 22 Army News 08 Apr 2022 -- Virginia and Kentucky National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon serving in Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa joined French Armed Forces and units from Camp Lemonnier March 13-15 for Exercise WAKRI 22.
• Oklahoma National Guard, Azerbaijan hold SPP exchange Army News 08 Apr 2022 -- Five doctors with the Azerbaijan Operational Capabilities Concept Battalion exchanged medical knowledge with the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard March 28-April 1.
• Dispatch from the field - exercise Cold Response 2022 wraps up in Norway NATO 08 Apr 2022 -- What was life like for troops on the ground during one of the largest Allied military exercises of 2022? As many parts of Europe were enjoying the first signs of spring, the fjords of northern Norway were plastered with frigid, wet rain driven by relentless wind.
• NATO highlights Croatia's contribution to security through civil science and technology NATO 08 Apr 2022 -- An Information Day took place in Zagreb on Friday (8 April 2022), marking the important achievements accomplished by Croatia in the framework of the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme.
• More RAF jets to join NATO air policing mission in Romania UK MOD 08 Apr 2022 -- Two additional RAF Typhoon jets will join four already in Romania
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Slovakia's Minister of Defense Jaroslav Nad' DoD 08 Apr 2022
• Statement from the President on Delivery of Air Defense Systems to Ukraine The White House 08 Apr 2022
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Slovakia and U.S. Allied Cooperation in Support of Ukraine DoD 08 Apr 2022 -- "I salute the generosity of the Slovak government in providing an S-300 air defense system - a critical defensive capability - to Ukraine. It's a strong testament to how determined Ukraine's neighbors are to help the Ukrainians defend themselves against Russia's unprovoked invasion of their homeland."
• NATO Pledges 'New, Heavier' Weapons to Kiev as Ukraine's FM Says Donbass Showdown Will Resemble WWII Sputnik 08 Apr 2022 -- Pledges to send more weapons to Ukraine, where Russia is currently conducting a special operation to "demilitarise and de-Nazify" the country, come as Kiev's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba Warned at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday that the battle for Donbass would be reminiscent of "World War Two".
• U.S. To Send Patriot Air-Defense System To Slovakia After Its Donation Of S-300 To Ukraine RFE/RL 08 Apr 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden has thanked Slovakia for donating its Soviet-era S-300 air-defense system to Ukraine and said it will be replaced with a U.S.-made Patriot system.
• US to Deploy One Patriot Missile System in Slovakia, Pentagon Chief Announces Sputnik 08 Apr 2022 -- While NATO has said it will not become militarily involved in Ukraine, including refusing to set up a no-fly zone, it has rushed to flood the country with weapons, including man-portable weapons and larger weapons systems. Some former Soviet allies have also considered sending their Soviet-made equipment for Ukraine to use.
• Further support for Ukraine Australia DOD 08 Apr 2022 -- The Australian Government will provide further support to the Government of Ukraine by gifting 20 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, including two ambulance variants, to aid the Government of Ukraine's response to Russia's unrelenting and illegal aggression. Australia's response follows a direct request from President Zelenskyy during his address to the Australian Parliament on 31 March 2022.
• UK to bolster defensive aid to Ukraine with new £100m package UK MOD 08 Apr 2022 -- The new support will include more anti-tank missiles and air defence systems, as well as loitering munitions and non-lethal aid like helmets, body armour and night vision goggles
• MiG-31 Fighter Jet Crashes in Leningrad Region, Crew Ejected - Western Military District Sputnik 08 Apr 2022 -- A MiG-31 fighter jet has crashed in Russia's Leningrad region, the Western Military District said on Friday.
• NATO Engaged in 'Proxy War' Against Russia in Ukraine, Moscow Says Sputnik 08 Apr 2022 -- NATO countries have been regularly supplying weapons to Ukraine since before the start of Russia's special operation, although Moscow has repeatedly warned that this would result in more casualties.
• Moscow: Ukraine Crisis Has Nothing to Do With US-Russia Obligations Under START Treaty Sputnik 08 Apr 2022 -- The situation around Ukraine has nothing to do with Russia and the United States fulfilling the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Sputnik.
• 100 extra Boxer vehicles for the British Army UK MOD 08 Apr 2022 -- Boxer armoured vehicle programme boosted to 623 vehicles as joint UK-Germany production begins in Telford, Stockport and Munich
• Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl Meeting With U.K. National Security Adviser Sir Stephen Lovegrove DoD 07 Apr 2022
• Palau's patrol boat supports Pacific priorities Australia DOD 08 Apr 2022 -- The Australia Defence Force is working closely with the Pacific nation of Palau to enable it to patrol its vast territorial waters and protect vital fisheries from poaching.
• Chinese peacekeepers to Mali build ammunition depot for Jordanian counterparts PLA Daily 08 Apr 2022 -- Recently, the 9th Chinese peacekeeping engineering contingent to Mali has begun the construction of a new ammunition depot for the Jordanian ground element at the request of the Jordanian peacekeeping force to Mali.
• U.S. senator proposes legislation to expedite arms sales to Taiwan CNA 08 Apr 2022 -- United States Senator Josh Hawley introduced a bill on Thursday that he said would "fast-track weapons to Taiwan" amid increasing tensions between Taiwan and China.
• Deterrence by denial Taiwan's best defense strategy: U.S. general CNA 08 Apr 2022 -- Deterrence by denial is the best strategy for defending Taiwan, and it can be helped by the United States as is being done in Ukraine in fighting off Russia's invasion, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said Thursday.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to attend India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on April 11 in Washington India PIB 08 Apr 2022 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will visit the United States of America between April 11-14, 2022. The Raksha Mantri along with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will participate in the 4th India-USA 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on April 11, 2022 in Washington DC. Secretary of State Mr Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Mr Lloyd Austin will represent the United States. The 2+2 Dialogue will review bilateral cooperation across domains and chart out the way forward.
• DRDO successfully flight-tests Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet technology off Odisha coast India PIB 08 Apr 2022 -- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) booster at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on April 08, 2022. The test successfully demonstrated the reliable functioning of all critical components involved in the complex missile system and met all the mission objectives.
• Turkish Gov't Welcomes Apparent US State Dept Green Light For F-16 Deal Sputnik 08 Apr 2022 -- The US State Department sent a letter to Congress indicating Turkey's long-delayed plan to purchase US-manufactured F-35 fighter jets could finally bear fruit-just not quite the fruit the Turkish government had hoped for.
• Argentina - T-6 Aircraft Sustainment DSCA 08 Apr 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Argentina of T-6 Aircraft Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $73 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin US Dept. of State 08 Apr 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister Morgan US Dept. of State 08 Apr 2022
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, April 8, 2022 The White House 08 Apr 2022
• Deputy Secretary McKeon's Meeting with World Health Organization Director-General Ghebreyesus US Dept. of State 08 Apr 2022
• Readout of President Biden's Call with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa The White House 08 Apr 2022
• Department Press Briefing – April 8, 2022 US Dept. of State 08 Apr 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 8, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 8 April 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 Apr 2022
• Communiqué of the Special Representatives and Envoys for Afghanistan US Dept. of State 08 Apr 2022 -- The text of the following communiqué was agreed upon by the Special Representatives and Envoys for Afghanistan from the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States in Brussels, April 5, 2022.
• Philippines: Xi, Duterte agree to 'positive engagements' over South China Sea Radio Free Asia 08 Apr 2022 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed during a bilateral meeting on Friday to remain "committed to broaden the space for positive engagements" in dealing with disputes over the South China Sea.
• UN unveils plan to prevent stricken oil tanker disaster off Yemen coast UN News 08 Apr 2022 -- Critical funding and timely action are needed to prevent a decaying tanker anchored close to Yemen's coastline from sparking a major oil spill, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the country said on Friday in New York.
• UN: Aging Supertanker Off Yemen at 'Imminent Risk' of Spilling Oil VOA 08 Apr 2022 -- The United Nations warned Friday that an old, neglected oil tanker carrying more than a million barrels of oil is a ticking "time bomb" at "imminent risk" of a major spill off the coast of Yemen that could cost $20 billion to clean up.
• Junta forces kill 7 in Saigang village, torch hundreds of homes Radio Free Asia 08 Apr 2022 -- A joint force of junta troops and pro-military Pyu Saw Htee militiamen carried out a raid on a village in Myanmar's Sagaing region Thursday, killing seven civilians and setting nearly half of the tract's homes on fire, according to sources from the area.
• Reports of Mass Atrocities in Western Tigray US Dept. of State 08 Apr 2022 -- The United States reiterates its grave concern over continuing reports of ethnically-motivated atrocities committed by Amhara authorities in western Tigray, Ethiopia, including those described in the recent joint report by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. In particular, we are deeply troubled by the report's finding that these acts amount to ethnic cleansing.
• US Alarmed by Reports of Atrocities in Ethiopia's Tigray Region VOA 08 Apr 2022 -- The United States expressed concern Friday about reports of ethnically motivated atrocities in Ethiopia's Tigray region.
• Nigeria High Court Cuts Charges Against Separatist Leader VOA 08 Apr 2022 -- Nigeria's High Court has reduced the number of charges against Biafra separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu. He will now be prosecuted on seven counts, including terrorism.
• UN Demands Access to Site of Alleged Massacre in Mali VOA 08 Apr 2022 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali, known by its French acronym MINUSMA, has demanded the country's military government grant it access to the village of Moura, where rights groups and witnesses say the Malian army and Russian mercenaries killed hundreds of civilians during an anti-terrorism operation in late March.
• Cameroon Says Separatists Abduct Women Protesting Fighters' Abuses VOA 08 Apr 2022 -- Anglophone Cameroonian separatists have abducted at least a dozen people who were protesting what they said are the rebels' brutality and crimes. The separatists claim the government of the majority French-speaking country paid the protesters to discredit the separatists, which authorities deny.
• Ethnic Fulanis in Ivory Coast Allege Persecution by Security Forces VOA 08 Apr 2022 -- As Ivory Coast beefs up its border security with Burkina Faso, ethnic Fulanis say they are being labeled as supporters of Islamist militants and persecuted by security forces. Rights groups warn the heavy-handed tactics could backfire, providing fertile recruiting ground for the insurgents.
• Darfur Protesters Outside ICC Trial Demand Bashir's Handover VOA 08 Apr 2022 -- About 30 Sudanese citizens living in Europe demonstrated Friday outside the International Criminal Court in The Hague, demanding that Sudanese officials surrender more individuals accused of committing atrocities in Darfur.

News Reports

• Ukraine crisis: the world can still contain the impact on global food security with the right policies, FAO Director-General says FAO 08 Apr 2022 -- The war in Ukraine will impact consumers across the world as the resulting increases in the price of food, energy and fertilizers put the next global harvests at risk, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, warned today.
• Hunger in West Africa reaches record high in a decade as the region faces an unprecedented crisis exacerbated by Russia-Ukraine conflict WFP 08 Apr 2022 -- The number of women, men and children affected by a food and nutrition crisis in West and Central Africa is expected to reach a new record high in June 2022 - quadrupling in just three years from 10.7 million in 2019 to 41 million in 2022 - unless appropriate measures are urgently taken, reveals the Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis released in March 2022.
• Ukraine war drives international food prices to 'new all-time high' UN News 08 Apr 2022 -- Global food prices have reached "a new all-time high," the head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization said on Friday, "hitting the poorest the hardest."
• Global Food Prices Soar Amid Ukraine War VOA 08 Apr 2022 -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations said Friday the food price index rose a record 12.6% from February to March, in part due to shocks from the war in Ukraine.
• Experts: Nigeria Must Push for More Gas Exports During Ukraine Crisis VOA 08 Apr 2022 -- Russia's invasion of Ukraine has Europe shunning Russian energy sources, and African oil and gas exporters like Nigeria are hoping to step in. But Nigeria's petroleum minister said this week that shareholders in Nigeria's largest natural gas company were blocking efforts to boost the country's exports to European customers.
• Sub-Saharan Africa under threat from multiple humanitarian crises UN News 08 Apr 2022 -- The number of hungry people in the Sahel and West Africa has quadrupled over the last three years, currently reaching 41 million, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported on Friday.
• Sahel, West Africa Facing Worst Food Crisis in Decade VOA 08 Apr 2022 -- Millions of people in the Sahel and West Africa are facing the worst food crisis in a decade as conflict and climate disasters send the price of essential commodities soaring.
• Leader of North Carolina Chapter of Proud Boys Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy and Assault Charges in Jan. 6 Capitol Breach US Dept. of Justice 08 Apr 2022 -- A leader of the Proud Boys pleaded guilty today to felony charges for his actions before and during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His and others' actions disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
• Third Member Of Ukrainian Hacking Group Sentenced In U.S. RFE/RL 08 Apr 2022 -- A Ukrainian hacker who was part of a notorious cybercrime group that stole millions of credit-card records has been sentenced in Seattle to five years in prison.
• Microsoft Says Disrupts Hacking Attempts By Russian Military Spies RFE/RL 08 Apr 2022 -- Microsoft Corp says it has disrupted hacking attempts by Russian military spies aimed at breaking into Ukrainian, European Union, and U.S. targets.
• US Drug Overdose Deaths Soar VOA 08 Apr 2022 -- As the U.S. tries to emerge from the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic, health experts and law enforcement officials are concerned about another health crisis: a sharp rise in the number of drug related overdoses attributed to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
• Telephone conversation with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon President of Russia 08 Apr 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.
• Telephone conversation with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov President of Russia 08 Apr 2022 -- During their telephone conversation, Vladimir Putin and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov exchanged greetings on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions following talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, Moscow, April 8, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Apr 2022
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, Moscow, April 8, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Apr 2022
• Bills Signed: H.R. 6968 and H.R. 7108 The White House 08 Apr 2022
• U.S. Congress Votes To End Favorable Trade Status For Products From Russia, Belarus RFE/RL 08 Apr 2022 -- The U.S. Congress has voted overwhelmingly to remove favorable trade status for goods from Russia and Belarus and to ban the import of Russian oil and other energy products.
• Ukraine: EU agrees fifth package of restrictive measures against Russia European Commission 08 Apr 2022 -- The European Commission welcomes today's agreement by the Council to adopt a fifth package of restrictive measures against Putin's regime in response to its brutal aggression against Ukraine and its people.
• EU Approves Fifth Sanctions Package Against Moscow, Including Ban On Russian Coal RFE/RL 08 Apr 2022 -- The European Union has agreed on a fifth package of sanctions against Russia for its unprovoked war against Ukraine, including measures banning the import of coal and closing off EU ports from Russian vessels.
• US imposes more restrictions on Russia and Belarus Press TV 08 Apr 2022 -- The United States has banned more exports from Russia and Belarus, restricting access to imports of items such as fertilizer and pipe valves, ratcheting up Washington's offensive against Moscow and Minsk over the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Commerce Announces Addition of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland to Global Export Controls Coalition US Dept. of Commerce 08 Apr 2022 -- This Latest Action Expands and Enhances Global Coalition Standing with the Ukrainian People Against Russian Aggression
• 'Freeze and Seize Task Force': Almost €30 billion of assets of Russian and Belarussian oligarchs and entities frozen by the EU so far European Commission 08 Apr 2022 -- Today, the 'Freeze and Seize Task Force' is meeting with US and Ukrainian representatives to discuss international cooperation on the enforcement of sanctions.
• Press release on retaliatory measures in connection with the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Poland Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Apr 2022
• Russia Says It Is Expelling Diplomats From Bulgaria, Poland In Tit-For-Tat Move RFE/RL 08 Apr 2022 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry says it is expelling Bulgarian and Polish diplomats in a tit-for-tat move after Sofia and Warsaw sent home Russian diplomats last month.
• UK sanctions target the lavish lifestyles of Putin's daughters UK FCDO 08 Apr 2022 -- New UK sanctions target the daughters of President Putin and his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
• Britain continues to follow US lead on sanctions, imposes penalties on Putin's daughters Press TV 08 Apr 2022 -- Britain has again followed the lead of the US, announcing the imposition of sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughters as well as on the daughter of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
• 'Dangerous precedent': China warns of implications of Russia's suspension from UNHRC Press TV 08 Apr 2022 -- China has warned of the implications of Russia's suspension from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) over the Russian offensive against Ukraine.
• The Week In Russia: Zhirinovsky Eclipsed RFE/RL 08 Apr 2022 -- Vladimir Zhirinovsky, a flamboyant firebrand whose outlandish persona couldn't quite hide his submissive role in President Vladimir Putin's political system, died at age 75. In Ukraine, evidence of atrocities mounted as the retreat of Russian forces in the north exposed horrific scenes of death and devastation.
• Russia Revokes Registrations Of Pro-Democracy, Human Rights Groups RFE/RL 08 Apr 2022 -- Russia has revoked the registration of 15 foreign organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW).
• Germany 'Doing A Lot' To Reduce Russian Energy Imports, Scholz Says During Visit To U.K. RFE/RL 08 Apr 2022 -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended Germany against criticism that it is dragging its feet on ending Russian energy imports, saying Berlin is "actively working" to free itself from importing Russian gas.
• 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.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on April 8, 2022 PRC MofA 08 Apr 2022
• China's central govt approves resignation of John Lee who would run for HK Chief Executive Global Times 08 Apr 2022 -- China's central government, the State Council, on the recommendation of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), decided on Thursday to remove John Lee Ka-chiu from the post of Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong in accordance with the Basic Law, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said on Friday.
• Chinese authorities jail at least 100 Uyghurs from the same Xinjiang hamlet Radio Free Asia 08 Apr 2022 -- At least 100 residents from the same small community in northwestern China's Xinjiang region have been imprisoned by authorities, a security guard from the area said.
• Chinese official jailed for 11 years over bribes in Qinghai Radio Free Asia 08 Apr 2022 -- A former top official in China's Qinghai province was given 11 years in prison last month for taking more than $3 million in bribes from mining and construction groups, businesses and individuals during his time in office, according to state media reports.
• National security advisers pledge support for Macao SAR in safeguarding national security People's Daily 08 Apr 2022 -- Advisers to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Thursday pledged support for the Macao SAR in better honoring its obligation of safeguarding national security.
• COVID-Hit Pelosi Should Cancel Taiwan Trip Instead of Postponing It, Beijing Says Sputnik 08 Apr 2022 -- US Speaker for the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi should cancel her visit to Taipei instead of rescheduling it, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.
• Taiwan wishes U.S. House Speaker speedy recovery from COVID-19 CNA 08 Apr 2022 -- Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday extended regards on behalf of Taiwan to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been forced to cancel a planned visit to Asia, which reportedly would have included a stop in Taiwan.
• Chinese FM makes clear China's position on Pelosi's reported visit to Taiwan People's Daily 08 Apr 2022 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday made clear China's solemn position on media reports that U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would visit Taiwan.
• US should make political decisions, actively respond to Iran's legitimate concerns: China Press TV 08 Apr 2022 -- China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian says the United States should make political decisions as soon as possible and actively respond to the legitimate concerns of the Iranian side if it wants a revival of the 2015 Iran deal through the Vienna negotiations.
• Counselor Chollet's Meeting with NUG Representatives US Dept. of State 08 Apr 2022
• Khan Says He Will Not Recognize New Government If Ousted In No-Confidence Vote RFE/RL Gandhara 08 Apr 2022 -- Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan says he will not recognize a government formed by the opposition if a no-confidence vote scheduled to take place on April 9 passes.
• Pakistan PM Vows Not to Accept 'Foreign-Backed' Opposition Bid to Oust Him VOA 08 Apr 2022 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan renewed his allegations Friday that the United States was behind a parliamentary no-confidence vote against him and said he would not recognize an opposition government if he is ousted eventually.
• Pakistan's Top Court Rejects Khan Bid to Avoid Confidence Vote VOA 08 Apr 2022 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday set aside a ruling by the deputy speaker of the national parliament that had blocked an opposition-led vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
• Pakistan PM accepts court ruling on no-confidence vote Press TV 09 Apr 2022 -- Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan says he accepts a Supreme Court ruling that ordered that the country's parliament can go ahead with a no-confidence vote against him.
• Former Goldman Sachs Investment Banker Convicted in Massive Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme US Dept. of Justice 08 Apr 2022 -- A former Managing Director of The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (Goldman Sachs) was convicted today by a federal jury in the Eastern District of New York for conspiring to commit bribery, to circumvent internal accounting controls, and to commit money laundering in connection with a multibillion-dollar scheme involving Malaysia's state-owned investment and development fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
• Respect and protect basic human rights in Sri Lanka, UN experts urge UN News 08 Apr 2022 -- Following this week's crackdown on non-violent demonstrations in Sri Lanka, independent UN human rights experts urged the government on Friday to "ensure that all human rights be respected and protected" and guarantee the fundamental rights of peaceful assembly and expression.
• Sri Lanka in Turmoil as Economic Crisis Spirals into Political Chaos VOA 08 Apr 2022 -- Sri Lanka faces unprecedented turmoil as a deepening economic crisis triggers raging street demonstrations while a political impasse plays out as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa defies calls to step down, complicating efforts to alleviate the situation, analysts say.
• Manila eyes broader ties with Indo-Pacific nations looking to counter Beijing Radio Free Asia 08 Apr 2022 -- The Philippines is broadening its relationship with countries that are trying to counter Beijing's growing assertiveness in the region, while it maintains friendly ties with China despite the Asian superpower's incursions into Manila's waters in the South China Sea.
• Vietnam's vote for Russia on UN council could damage campaign to lead it Radio Free Asia 08 Apr 2022 -- Vietnam's vote against a U.S.-led resolution to remove Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council on Thursday likely ends any hope Hanoi had to lead the body, one analyst told RFA.
• Former Kyrgyz President Atambaev Removed From Courtroom For 'Disrupting Order' RFE/RL 08 Apr 2022 -- Former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev has been removed from the courtroom after he started kicking at the glass cage he was placed in during his trial on a charge of attempting to seize power during anti-government protests in October 2020.