• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Aids Turkey After Devastating Quakes DoD News 08 Feb 2023 -- The U.S. — including the Defense Department — has multiple efforts underway to provide assistance to Turkey following devastating earthquakes, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said today.
• CENTCOM Prepares to Support Earthquake Relief Efforts CENTCOM 08 Feb 2023 -- The following statement is attributable to General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command:
• Delaware base supports earthquake response efforts in Turkiye US Air Force 08 Feb 2023 -- Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, provided support to response efforts in Turkiye following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that has had devastating impacts in Turkiye and Syria.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Biden Tells Congress 'It's Never a Good Bet to Bet Against America' DoD News 08 Feb 2023 -- Those who wish the United States ill should know "it's never ever a good bet to bet against America," President Joe Biden said during his State of the Union speech at the Capitol tonight.
• Biden Vows to Protect US Sovereignty from China Threats VOA 08 Feb 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States is in "the strongest position in decades to compete with China" both economically and militarily.
• Biden Cites US Resolve in Facing Aggression from Russia and China VOA 08 Feb 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States faces serious challenges around the world, but in the past two years, democracies have become stronger while autocracies have grown weaker.
• Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds an On-Camera Press Briefing DoD 08 Feb 2023
• Planning continues for ALFS 23 in Cote d'Ivoire Army News 08 Feb 2023 -- Military planners for U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) returned to Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire Jan. 23-27 for the African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) main planning event. The planning event is part of ongoing preparation for ALFS, which is scheduled to take place in May.
• DoD and Danish Ministry of Defence Sign Security of Supply Arrangement DoD 08 Feb 2023 -- On Feb. 8, 2023, the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) of the Kingdom of Denmark entered into a bilateral, non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA).
• Exclusive: US Planning HIMARS Training Center in Europe, General Tells VOA VOA 08 Feb 2023 -- The U.S. military is planning to set up a training center in Europe to teach NATO allies how to field High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, a top U.S. general told VOA, amid increased demand for the systems in Eastern Europe following the weapon's successes in Ukraine.
• Bataan Amphibious Ready Group/26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Complete Preliminary Integration Exercise US Navy 08 Feb 2023 -- The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG), comprising Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), and Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) successfully integrated with the 26th Marine Expeditionary (MEU) and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) during the PHIBRON-MEU Integration (PMINT) exercise, Jan. 23 to Feb. 5, 2023.
• Blue-Green Dream Team: Integrating Navy and Marine Forces Aboard BATARG for PMINT US Navy 08 Feb 2023 -- Over the course of almost two weeks, the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) successfully integrated with Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) across the three ships Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), and Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) for PHIBRON/MEU Integration (PMINT).
• FRCE Boosts Production with Successful Process Improvement Project US Navy 08 Feb 2023 -- Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) wrapped up a successful process improvement project which enhanced the depot's ability to deliver parts, components, and aircraft to the warfighter.
• Idaho Army, Air Guard Conduct Joint Mass Casualty Training Army News 08 Feb 2023 -- Idaho National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and their active-duty counterparts joined forces for a mass casualty exercise Feb. 4 near Gowen Field.
• U.S. Transportation Command's Top Leader Visits U.S. 5th Fleet CENTCOM 08 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) hosted the top leader of U.S. Transportation Command at U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, Feb. 7, during a trip to the Middle East.
• Secretary General in Washington: NATO Allies are united like never before NATO 08 Feb 2023 -- At a joint press conference with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday (8 February 2023), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg commended President Biden and the United States for their strong leadership during the most serious security crisis in a generation.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Hosted NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Feb. 8 at the Pentagon DoD 08 Feb 2023 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Feb. 8 at the Pentagon.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to the Pentagon DoD 08 Feb 2023
• NATO Leader Visits Austin in Advance of Brussels Meeting DoD News 08 Feb 2023 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed helping Ukraine defend itself from Russia's brutal invasion, expansion of the NATO alliance and the need for swift support for Turkey in the wake of devastating earthquakes in that country.
• Foreign Ministry statement regarding the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START) Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Feb 2023
• NATO Chief: Alliance Needs to Be Prepared to Provide Long Haul Support to Ukraine Sputnik 08 Feb 2023 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of a meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday afternoon said the alliance needs to be prepared to provide Ukraine with military assistance for a long term.
• Combat aircrafts - for Ukraine, wings - for freedom - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to both Houses of Parliament of the United Kingdom President of Ukraine 08 Feb 2023
• Ukraine's Zelenskiy Appeals For Fighter Jets In Surprise Trip Abroad RFE/RL 08 Feb 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on February 8 made a strong appeal to Western allies to provide his country with fighter jets to combat Russian forces during a visit to the United Kingdom and France on his second known trip abroad since Moscow's unprovoked invasion of his country one year ago.
• Ukraine's Zelensky makes historic visit to London, seeking fighter jets Press TV 08 Feb 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a surprise visit to Britain, his second trip abroad since the onset of war with Russia, hoping to persuade the British government to supply his country with fighter jets.
• War in Ukraine - Military support for Ukraine Germany - Federal Government 08 Feb 2023 -- Germany provides support for Ukraine by supplying equipment and weapons, these come from supplies of the Federal Arms Forces and from deliveries from industry financed from the Federal Government's funds for security capacity building. An overview.
• Demands for Supply of Combat Aircraft, Submarines to Kiev Harm Allies' Unity: Scholz Sputnik 08 Feb 2023 -- Demands for the supply of military aircraft and submarines to Ukraine only harm the unity of NATO partners, and Germany will not take part in such discussions, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday.
• Germany says 'competition' to arm Ukraine will harm unity of allies Press TV 08 Feb 2023 -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says sending more and better weapons to Ukraine could damage the unity between the allies, criticizing the competition among some countries to supply Kiev with more arms.
• Former British Air Commander Makes The Case For Sending Fighter Jets To Ukraine RFE/RL 08 Feb 2023 -- At first the debate was about sending tanks to Ukraine; now it's about planes. Mostly reliant on Soviet-era MiGs, Ukraine has repeatedly asked the West for fighter jets to help defend itself against Russian attacks.
• Norway Procures New Leopard Tanks From Germany Bringing Hot Arms Debate to a Close Sputnik 08 Feb 2023 -- In recent years, Norway has maintained a close military collaboration with Germany, including submarine cooperation. The bilateral engagements between Oslo and Berlin received a shot in the arm after the conflict in Ukraine began, as Norway replaced Russia as the EU's biggest supplier of gas.
• Vietnam's military jets crash due to age, lack of pilot training, experts say Radio Free Asia 08 Feb 2023 -- A spate of military jet crashes in Vietnam, including one last month that killed the pilot, can be blamed on poor training and an aging fleet of obsolete warplanes, experts told Radio Free Asia.
• China's spacecraft tracking ship Yuanwang-7 departs for mission PLA Daily 08 Feb 2023 -- China's spacecraft tracking ship Yuanwang-7 left the port of China Satellite Maritime Tracking and Control Department (CSMTC) for a maritime telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) mission in the Pacific Ocean on the morning of February 7.
• Kim Jong Un Hails His Military as 'Strongest in the World' VOA 08 Feb 2023 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, his wife and daughter Ju-ae, visited soldiers at their barracks ahead of a quinquennial army anniversary, the nation's main broadsheet Rodong Sinmun said on Wednesday.
• Papers Mark 75th Founding Anniversary of Korean People's Army KCNA 08 Feb 2023 -- Leading newspapers of the DPRK on Wednesday dedicate editorials to the 75th founding anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army (KPA).
• Noble Tradition of Absolute Loyalty of KPA KCNA 08 Feb 2023 -- The whole course covered by the Korean People's Army since its founding is shining as a proud history of remaining infinitely loyal to the cause of the Party.
• Invincible Korean People's Army KCNA 08 Feb 2023 -- February 8, Juche 37 (1948) when President Kim Il Sung founded the Korean People's Army, the regular revolutionary armed forces, is a historic day of epochal significance in building the revolutionary armed forces and accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Trains KPA into Matchless Powerful Army KCNA 08 Feb 2023 -- The heroic Korean People's Army (KPA) significantly marks its 75th founding anniversary.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Makes Significant Speech at Banquet for Celebrating KPA Birthday KCNA 08 Feb 2023 -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, made a passionate speech at a banquet for celebrating the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army (KPA) on February 7.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Visits Lodging Quarters of KPA General Officers KCNA 08 Feb 2023 -- The DPRK greets the significant Day of Army Founding in the grandiose course of vigorously making a new turning point of the state's prosperity while demonstrating the might of independence in politics and self-support in the economy amid the heroic spirit of great self-reliance in national defence.
• Special Online Briefing with Ambassador Joseph Manso, U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons US Dept. of State 08 Feb 2023
• Major boost to 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence: MoD signs contract with L&T for procurement of 41 indigenous Modular Bridges, worth over Rs 2,585 crore, for Corps of Engineers of Indian Army India PIB 08 Feb 2023 -- In a major boost to indigenisation of defence equipment under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', Ministry of Defence has approved the proposal for indigenous manufacture of 41 sets of Modular Bridges for the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army.
• 70 advanced vessels join border guard fleet of Iran IRNA 08 Feb 2023 -- Some 70 state-of-the-art vessels have been added to the border guard fleet of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
• Iran consolidates own power components: Defense min. IRNA 08 Feb 2023 -- Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics of Iran Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani said that the Islamic Republic has strengthened the power components of its political stability based on the significant progress.
• Iran Air Force commander says drone power up 33% since last year Press TV 08 Feb 2023 -- The commander of the Iranian Army's Air Force says there has been a significant increase in the force's drone capability compared to a year before.
• Iran Triples Arms Exports Since March 2022 Sputnik 08 Feb 2023 -- Iranian arms exports tripled between March and December 2022 year-on-year, Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Seyyed Mehdi Farahi said on Wednesday.
• Acting Deputy Secretary Bass' Meeting with UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Rutley US Dept. of State 08 Feb 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with German Vice Chancellor Habeck US Dept. of State 07 Feb 2023
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre En Route Madison, WI The White House 08 Feb 2023
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Irish Tánaiste/Minister for Foreign Affairs Martin US Dept. of State 08 Feb 2023
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Rutley US Dept. of State 08 Feb 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 8, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 8 February 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 Feb 2023
• Meeting with participants in multilateral consultations of secretaries of the security councils on Afghanistan President of Russia 08 Feb 2023 -- Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin with heads of delegations taking part in the multilateral consultations of the secretaries of the security councils and national security advisors on Afghanistan.
• Iran says trans-regional interference in Afghanistan foments regional insecurity Press TV 08 Feb 2023 -- Iran's top security official has warned that "trans-regional interference" in Afghanistan can lead to the spread of insecurity to other regional countries.
• Pakistan Kills 12 'Terrorists' Tied to Afghanistan-Based Group VOA 08 Feb 2023 -- Authorities in Pakistan said Wednesday a pre-dawn counterterrorism military operation in a turbulent northwestern district had killed 12 insurgents linked to an extremist banned group, which allegedly operates out of Afghan sanctuaries.
• More than 6,000 civilians flee ahead of raids on Sagaing region villages Radio Free Asia 08 Feb 2023 -- Myanmar's junta forces continue to target townships in Sagaing region, forcing another 6,000 people to flee their homes ahead of advancing troops.
• Philippines' Marcos visits Japan amid geopolitical, regional tensions Radio Free Asia 08 Feb 2023 -- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. embarked Wednesday on a four-day working visit to Japan to boost investment and defense ties, days after his government agreed to give U.S. forces greater access to military bases amid Chinese threats to Taiwan.
• Following peace efforts, UNHCR's Grandi urges support and solutions for refugees and displaced in Ethiopia UNHCR 08 Feb 2023 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, today reaffirmed his commitment to support the humanitarian response for refugees and internally displaced people in Ethiopia and work towards achieving long-term solutions, including for those displaced by drought and the impact of climate change.
• UN Refugee Commissioner Wants Better Ethiopia Funding VOA 08 Feb 2023 -- U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has appealed for more international aid to help Ethiopia's war-displaced, saying only half of their required funding was met last year.
• UN Appeals for $2.6 Billion to Ease Hunger Crisis in Somalia VOA 08 Feb 2023 -- The U.N. is appealing for $2.6 billion this year to assist 7.6 million of the most vulnerable Somalis who are facing acute hunger and possible famine from conflict, high food prices, and unprecedented drought.
• MH17 Investigators Close Probe Despite 'Strong Indications' Of Putin's Involvement RFE/RL 08 Feb 2023 -- International investigators say there are "strong indications" that Russian President Vladimir Putin was personally involved in the 2014 downing of a civilian airliner over eastern Ukraine, parts of which were controlled by Moscow-backed separatists, but that a lack of concrete evidence meant they were putting an end to their eight-year probe into the tragedy.
• MH17 Investigation Does Not Have Enough Evidence to Initiate New Trials: Dutch Prosecutors Sputnik 08 Feb 2023 -- The investigation into the crash of the MH17 plane in Donbass in 2014 has failed to gather sufficient evidence to initiate new trials, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) said on Wednesday.

News Reports

• US: Chinese Spy Balloons Have Violated Sovereignty of Nations on 5 Continents VOA 08 Feb 2023 -- The United States said Wednesday that Chinese surveillance balloons have been spotted across at least five continents over the past several years and that Washington has been in contact with its allies to share information on the operations.
• Disinformation - EU responses to the threat of foreign information manipulation European External Action Service (EEAS) 08 Feb 2023 -- Today the European External Action Service (EEAS) under the patronage of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell brought together top political representatives and experts from around the globe to discuss the threats of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).
• American Citizen Convicted of Providing Material Support to ISIS that Resulted in Death and Related Offenses US Dept. of Justice 08 Feb 2023 -- A federal jury yesterday convicted Ruslan Maratovich Asainov, 46, a U.S. citizen and former resident of Bay Ridge, New York, of all five counts of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS; providing material support to ISIS in the form of personnel, training, expert advice and assistance; receipt of military-type training from ISIS; and obstruction of justice. The jury also found that the defendant's provision of material support to ISIS resulted in the death of one or more persons.
• American Islamic State Emir Convicted on All Counts VOA 08 Feb 2023 -- A naturalized U.S. citizen who became so enamored with Islamic State that he abandoned his wife and child to join the terror group in Syria, eventually rising to the rank of emir, faces life behind bars after being convicted of all charges against him.
• Treasury Sanctions MS-13-Affiliates for Drug Trafficking and Contract Killings in Central America and the United States US Treasury 08 Feb 2023 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Yulan Adonay Archaga Carias a.k.a. "Alexander Mendoza" a.k.a. "Porky," an MS-13 gang leader based in Honduras, and David Elias Campbell Licona a.k.a. "Jorge Eduardo Perez Paz," an MS-13 associate based in Nicaragua, pursuant to transnational criminal organization authorities.
• Department of State Announces Reward Offers for Information Leading to Arrest and/or Conviction of MS-13 Leader in Honduras US Dept. of State 08 Feb 2023 -- "Today we are announcing a reward offer of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías, also known as "Porky" or Alex Mendoza, for conspiring to participate in or attempting to participate in transnational organized crime."
• Rescuers Search for Earthquake Survivors in Turkey, Syria as Death Toll Nears 12,000 VOA 08 Feb 2023 -- Rescue crews in Turkey and Syria raced against time Wednesday and a lack of equipment to find survivors buried in the rubble of buildings toppled by powerful earthquakes that struck the region Monday and left about 12,000 people dead.
• Türkiye declares state emergency for quake-affected provinces People's Daily 08 Feb 2023 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Tuesday a three-month state of emergency in 10 provinces of Trkiye hit by massive quakes.
• Operation Dost India MEA 08 Feb 2023 -- Following the massive earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria on 6 February 2023, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had directed that all possible assistance be extended to the affected people.
• Foreign Ministry Statement on personal sanctions placed on US citizens Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Feb 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a joint news conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug following talks, Nouakchott, February 8, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Feb 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's comment for the media following a meeting with President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, Nouakchott, February 8, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Feb 2023
• U.S. Charges Associate Of Russian Oligarch With Sanctions Evasion, Money Laundering RFE/RL 08 Feb 2023 -- U.S. prosecutors have charged fugitive Russian citizen Vladimir Voronchenko with facilitating a sanctions evasion and money-laundering scheme connected to the assets of Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg.
• New sanctions target Putin's war machine and financial networks as UK accelerates economic pressure on Russia UK FCDO 08 Feb 2023 -- The Foreign Secretary has unleashed a new round of sanctions on Kremlin elites and entities providing military equipment such as drones.
• Inside The Obscure Russian Agency That Censors The Internet: An RFE/RL Investigation RFE/RL 08 Feb 2023 -- In the first half of October 2022, employees of an obscure Russian government department working out of a small business center in northeast Moscow were worried about the weather.
• China's deepfake anchors spread disinformation on social media, Graphika says Radio Free Asia 08 Feb 2023 -- Artificial intelligence-generated news anchors have been deployed for the first time to propagandize political content on social media, a U.S. research firm said in its latest report.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on February 8, 2023 PRC MofA 08 Feb 2023
• Beijing Pushes Back After Biden Frames Relations as 'Competition VOA 08 Feb 2023 -- China says it was "smeared" in U.S. President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, in which he called for bipartisan unity to push back against Beijing.
• Senior Chinese Diplomat: 'No Point' to Blinken Visit After Seeming US Reversal on Balloon Reaction Sputnik 08 Feb 2023 -- A senior Chinese diplomat has criticized Washington's recent downing of a Chinese high-altitude balloon, saying the US had suggested it would react otherwise. The "irresponsible act" has made it "inappropriate" for US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to resume his plans to visit Beijing.
• China Not Avoiding Competition With US, Stands for Cooperation: Foreign Ministry Sputnik 08 Feb 2023 -- China is not afraid of competing with the United States, but is convinced that healthy and stable relations between the countries are in the interests of Beijing and Washington, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday.
• Biden: 'If China Threatens Our Sovereignty, We Will Act to Protect Our Country' Sputnik 08 Feb 2023 -- Over the last week, a Chinese weather balloon enchanted American politicians and US intelligence officials who alleged that the device was a surveillance in nature. However, Chinese Foreign Ministry repeatedly stressed it was a civilian balloon meant for meteorological research. It was ultimately down over the weekend.
• Repeated attacks on China over balloon thwart trust, cannot make US safer Global Times 08 Feb 2023 -- While US officials and the media continue their hype over the unmanned Chinese airship for civilian use in an attempt to accuse the Chinese side of refusing to communicate, the Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized on Wednesday that any attempt to exaggerate or hype up the "China threat" will be detrimental to building mutual trust between the two countries. When it comes to the question about whether there are still effective communication and crisis management channels between the two sides, it also depends on the US, not China, Chinese experts said.
• US hypes 'China threat' theory again on the number of ICBM launchers to justify attempt to expand nuclear capability Global Times 08 Feb 2023 -- As tension between China and the US is worsening due to the US' hysterical overreaction in shooting down China's unmanned civilian-use airship, the US military, politicians and media have moved on to hype another issue - that the so-called number of China's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launchers has surpassed that of the US.
• Chinese, Brazilian central banks sign MOU on setting up yuan clearing arrangements Global Times 08 Feb 2023 -- China's central bank said on Tuesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on setting up yuan clearing arrangements in Brazil with the Central Bank of Brazil.
• China lashes out at criticism of Hong Kong trial of 47 lawmakers and activists Radio Free Asia 08 Feb 2023 -- Hong Kong and Chinese officials have hit out at criticism of the trial of 47 former pro-democracy lawmakers and activists, who could face life imprisonment for taking part in a democratic primary election in 2020 aimed at maximizing the number of opposition seats in the city's legislature.
• Chinese embassy Chargé d'Affaires in US lodges stern representations over US' move to shoot down unmanned airship Global Times 08 Feb 2023 -- China expressed firm opposition to and strong protest against the US using force to attack an unmanned Chinese civilian airship, Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in the US Xu Xueyuan said on Tuesday (local time). China lodged stern representations with senior officials from the US Department of State and White House National Security Council, according to the embassy on Wednesday.
• DPP urged to remove unilateral barrier to cross-Straits exchanges as KMT embarks on mainland trip eyeing cooperation Global Times 08 Feb 2023 -- The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday urged the Taiwan island's secessionist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to take practical measures and remove unilateral barriers to cross-Taiwan Straits exchanges, while stressing that the Chinese mainland will continue to promote the resumption and expansion of cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
• Kim Jong-un Attends Banquet to Celebrate Day of Army Founding With His Wife and Daughter - Photos Sputnik 08 Feb 2023 -- Kim Jong-un's daughter was seen in public for the first time during the launch of ICBM Hwasong-17 on November 18, 2022.
• Security tight in North Korean capital for military parade and Kim Jong Il's birthday Radio Free Asia 08 Feb 2023 -- North Korean authorities have ratcheted up security this month in Pyongyang, apparently to prevent travelers from bringing weapons or explosives into the capital that might mar a big military parade or the birthday of Kim Jong Un's father Kim Jong Il, sources in the country told Radio Free Asia.
• Leader calls national unity 'essential need', says enemies seek to sow divisions Press TV 08 Feb 2023 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has underlined the need for national unity, saying the enemies are bent on sowing divisions and fueling mistrust among people as part of their malign designs against the country.
• AEOI chief advises IAEA to behave professionally IRNA 08 Feb 2023 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami advised the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to have professional behavior.
• IAEA has no confidentiality policy, Grossi says of Iran report leak IRNA 08 Feb 2023 -- Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has rejected criticism about the agency's inability to control leaks of sensitive reports about its member states, including a recent report on Iran's Fordow nuclear enrichment plant, saying the agency has no effective means of controlling the leaks.
• IAEA chief shouldn't contribute to anti-Tehran pressure campaign: Iran nuclear chief Press TV 08 Feb 2023 -- Iran has urged the UN nuclear watchdog chief, Rafael Grossi, to keep behaving professionally and not contribute to the pressure campaign against the country.
• IAEA chief stresses urgency of Iran deal revival amid US procrastination Press TV 08 Feb 2023 -- The head of the UN nuclear watchdog has underscored the urgency of resuming negotiations to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, warning that the situation could quickly worsen if the stalled talks fail.
• Myanmar junta opens 'nuclear information center' in Yangon with Russia's Rosatom Radio Free Asia 08 Feb 2023 -- Myanmar's junta has established a "Nuclear Technology and Information Center" in cooperation with Russian energy firm Rosatom State Corp. in the country's commercial capital Yangon, as part of what observers say is the regime's long-running dream of obtaining nuclear weapons.
• Rebuffing Western pressure, India says it will buy oil from 'wherever is beneficial' Press TV 08 Feb 2023 -- India's energy minister says New Delhi will buy the oil it needs from wherever it is beneficial and not give in to Western pressure.
• Pakistan, IMF Still in Tough Negotiations on Financial Aid VOA 08 Feb 2023 -- Pakistani officials and a visiting International Monetary Fund delegation are holding tough negotiations this week in search of a deal by Thursday on loans to bail out the financially strapped country and avoid a default.
• China urges US to put aside geopolitical obsession, lift unilateral sanctions on Syria Global Times 08 Feb 2023 -- China urged the US to put aside its geopolitical obsession and immediately lift unilateral sanctions on Syria since Washington's long-term involvement in Syrian crisis with military intervention and economic sanctions has resulted in a large number of civilian casualties and difficulties in economic development and reconstruction process in the country.
• Philippines' Marcos visits Japan amid geopolitical, regional tensions Radio Free Asia 08 Feb 2023 -- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. embarked Wednesday on a four-day working visit to Japan to boost investment and defense ties, days after his government agreed to give U.S. forces greater access to military bases amid Chinese threats to Taiwan.
• Nigerian Supreme Court Suspends Currency Swap Deadline VOA 08 Feb 2023 -- Nigeria's Supreme Court has suspended the government's deadline to stop the use of old currency notes.
• Nigerian Supreme Court Suspends Banknote Transition Deadline Amid Naira Scarcity Sputnik 08 Feb 2023 -- The redesign of the naira, Nigeria's currency, was launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in an attempt to tackle inflation - which currently stands at 20% - by curbing counterfeiting and promoting the use of digital assets.
• Nigeria Could Be Largest Oil Refiner in Africa by 2025, Report Says Sputnik 08 Feb 2023 -- Nigeria is retaining its position as Africa's No 1 oil producer with 1.235 million barrels per day (bpd) pumped in December. Angola comes next with 1.088 million bpd and Algeria is third with 1.01 million bpd, according to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).