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News Reports

Current Operations

• ISIS Senior Leader Killed and Four U.S. Servicemembers Wounded in Helicopter Raid in Northeastern Syria CENTCOM 17 Feb 2023 -- Last night, during a partnered U.S. and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) helicopter raid in northeastern Syria, an explosion on target resulted in four U.S. servicemembers and one working dog wounded. The targeted ISIS senior leader, Hamza al-Homsi, was killed. The U.S. servicemembers and working dog are receiving treatment in a U.S. medical facility in Iraq.
• US Hammers Islamic State With Multiple Raids VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- The United States struck additional key blows against the Islamic State terror group, removing a couple of senior leaders from the battlefield in two separate nighttime helicopter raids in northeastern Syria.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US says 'no apologies' to China over balloon downing, claims Russian jets over Alaska Press TV 17 Feb 2023 -- US President Joe Biden says he plans to talk to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping following the shooting down of what Washington had claimed to be a Chinese "spy" balloon earlier this month, but he will "make no apologies" for the incident.
• Unidentified Object Downed by US Could Belong to Hobbyists VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- After days of speculation about the origins of the unidentified flying objects that U.S. fighter jets shot down over Alaska and Canada last week, an Illinois-based club for balloon hobbyists might have an answer.
• New Jersey Guard Assists State Partner Albania in NCO Development Army News 17 Feb 2023 -- The New Jersey National Guard and Albanian Armed Forces resumed military-to-military training at Land Forces Headquarters Feb. 5-9.
• Coleman APS-2 worksite serves as staging area for U.S. Bradleys set to support Ukraine Army News 17 Feb 2023 -- The first shipment of M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles from the U.S. has arrived at the Coleman Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 worksite, and a team of experts headed by the 405th Army Field Support Brigade is there staging and preparing the Bradleys for onward movement.
• USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) Arrives in Stockholm US Navy 17 Feb 2023 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) arrived in Stockholm, Sweden for a scheduled port visit, Feb. 16, 2023.
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 12 Completes Exercise MAGRE US Navy 17 Feb 2023 -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit 12, assigned to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, participated in exercise MAGRE 23.1 in Cartagena, Spain, Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2023.
• Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Completes Arctic Training Exercise Snow Crab Ex US Navy 17 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) completed Snow Crab Exercise (Snow Crab Ex) 23-1 this week following the departure of U.S Navy EOD units and Navy Divers at Camp Ripley in Little Falls, Minnesota.
• Republic of Korea Assumes Command of Anti-Piracy Task Force US Navy 17 Feb 2023 -- Brazil turned over command of a multinational naval task force to the Republic of Korea during a one-hour ceremony at the U.S. Navy base in Bahrain, Feb. 16.
• SECNAV Delivers Remarks at WEST 2023 US Navy 17 Feb 2023
• War in Ukraine Dominates Munich Security Conference VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- Western leaders meeting Friday at the Munich Security Conference answered a call by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for immediate additional aid to counter the Russian invasion of his country.
• NATO Secretary General attends Munich Security Conference NATO 17 Feb 2023 -- Arriving at the Munich Security Conference on Friday (17 February 2023), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that, one year since Russia launched its full-fledged invasion of Ukraine, our security environment has fundamentally changed.
• NATO Allies to further strengthen common defence and continue supporting Ukraine Czech Republic Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces 17 Feb 2023 -- The NATO Headquarters hosted a regular Defence Ministerial Meeting with the participation of the NATO invitees, Finland and Sweden.
• The Presidents of Lithuania and France discussed preparations for the Vilnius NATO Summit and support for Ukraine President of the Republic of Lithuania 17 Feb 2023 -- President Gitanas Nausėda met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Munich Security Conference.
• FORCE COMMANDER HAND OVER-TAKE OVER CEREMONY European External Action Service (EEAS) 17 Feb 2023 -- On 15 February 2023, the Force Commander of EU NAVFOR Operation ATALANTA (FCDR), Portuguese Commodore Nuno Filipe Cortes Lope, handed over the Command of Task Force 456 to Spanish Captain Juan María Ibáñez Martín.
• At Munich summit, Zelensky asks for more Western weapons despite Russia's warnings Press TV 17 Feb 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the United States and its European allies to expedite the delivery of military weapons and equipment to Ukraine despite Russia's repeated warnings that the flow of Western arms will only escalate tensions and protract the conflict in the former Soviet republic.
• Ukraine's Zelenskiy Renews Call On West To Deliver Weapons With Greater Urgency RFE/RL 17 Feb 2023 -- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has renewed calls on Kyiv's Western allies to maintain speedy delivery of weapons and other supplies to Ukraine, saying Russia should not be allowed to buy time for it aggression, as Ukrainian forces battled numerous attacks along the whole front line in the east.
• US Bipartisan Delegation Supports Sending Fighter Jets to Ukraine VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- A delegation of about 50 U.S. lawmakers participated at the opening of the three-day annual Munich Security Conference to affirm bipartisan support for U.S. aid to Ukraine. Four delegations of Democratic and Republican leaders and members of the Senate and House joined hundreds of politicians, military officers and diplomats from around the world at the event.
• Russian Warship Drills with South African, Chinese Navies Amid Criticism VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- Joint naval exercises including South Africa, Russia, and China get underway in waters off South Africa's east coast Friday, despite U.S. concerns and Ukrainian condemnation. Critics say the 10-day military drills will do little to benefit South Africa and act as a propaganda boost for Moscow on the one-year anniversary of its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
• China joins Russia, South Africa in naval drills amid intensive foreign interactions Global Times 17 Feb 2023 -- China and Russia on Friday joined a naval exercise hosted by South Africa in the Indian Ocean, with experts saying that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) aims to safeguard peace and stability in the region and protect sea lanes for commercial ships amid its intensive efforts to restore exchanges and cooperation with foreign countries, including opening a destroyer at an international expo in Abu Dhabi, after such interactions were hindered by the pandemic in recent years.
• PLA naval ship Nanning to participate in NAVDEX 2023 in Abu Dhabi, UAE PLA Daily 16 Feb 2023 -- At the invitation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) military, the guided-missile destroyer Nanning of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) will attend the naval defense and maritime security exhibition NAVDEX in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from February 17 to 25, according to PLA Navy Spokesperson Senior Captain Liu Wensheng on February 16.
• Chinese defense working group visits Laos, Vietnam and Brunei PLA Daily 16 Feb 2023 -- From February 8 to 15, a working group sent by China's Ministry of National Defense visited Laos, Vietnam and Brunei and held talks respectively with the defense departments of the three countries. The Chinese working group exchanged views with their counterparts on mi-to-mil relations and regional security issues of common concern, conducted in-depth consultations on the construction of bilateral defense cooperation mechanisms, and reached a series of consensus, which further enriched the substance of China's defense cooperation with relevant countries.
• China's second aircraft carrier Shandong likely to have had close encounter with US ship: military experts Global Times 17 Feb 2023 -- Footage released by the Chinese navy on Wednesday of training in English on China's second aircraft carrier Shandong may have revealed some important details that were not previously known. For instance, it's highly likely that the Shandong had a close encounter with a US aircraft carrier in the South China Sea, military experts said.
• Conscription extension has majority support in Taiwan: Poll CNA 17 Feb 2023 -- Nearly 80 percent of Taiwanese are in favor of a recent extension of compulsory military service to one year, a survey published on Friday found.
• Defence continues support to Operation Argos Australia DOD 17 Feb 2023 -- Defence has deployed a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft on Operation ARGOS as part of Australia's commitment to enforcing United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on North Korea.
• Speech by Chancellor Scholz at the Munich Security Conference on 17 February 2023 in Munich Germany - Federal Government 17 Feb 2023
• Defence Secretary addresses Munich security conference following meeting with JEF counterparts UK MOD 17 Feb 2023 -- Attending the opening day of the Munich Security Conference today, the Defence Secretary urged attendees to continue supporting Ukraine with military aid.
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with President Macron of France The White House 17 Feb 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with German Foreign Minister Baerbock US Dept. of State 17 Feb 2023
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with Chancellor Scholz of Germany The White House 17 Feb 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby The White House 17 Feb 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 17, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 17 February 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Feb 2023
• Infighting Within Taliban as Frustration Grows Over International Recognition VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- Senior Taliban leaders rarely publicly disagree with official policies issued by the group's supreme leader, but there are signs of increasing internal dissent as the Taliban struggles to gain international recognition after one and a half years in power.
• The Azadi Briefing: Taliban Divisions Come Out Into The Open RFE/RL 17 Feb 2023
• Vietnam's fishing fleet unaware of newly agreed Indonesian economic zone Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2023 -- Vietnamese boats continue fishing in the waters claimed by Indonesia as its exclusive economic zone even after the two countries reached an agreement on boundaries, an Indonesian think tank alleges, highlighting the need to disclose the long-awaited document.
• Philippines intercepts Vietnamese fishing boat in Reed Bank Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2023 -- The Philippine Coast Guard said Friday that it intercepted a Vietnam-flagged fishing boat inside Manila's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, days after a Chinese coast guard ship allegedly fired a laser at a Filipino counterpart in EEZ waters.
• Yemen: High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell's meets President Rashad Muhammad Al-Alimi European External Action Service (EEAS) 17 Feb 2023 -- High Representative/Vice-President (HRVP) Josep Borrell met the Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), President Rashad Muhammad Al-Alimi, in Brussels yesterday.
• Myanmar junta targets Kayin state on Thai border, a rebel hotbed in a key location Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2023 -- Myanmar's junta has focused much of its military firepower on Kayin state, carrying out 57 airstrikes on two key areas in January alone, highlighting the strategic importance of the area bordering Thailand rife with armed resistance groups and political opponents in hiding.
• UN to cut food aid for Rohingya refugees, blaming fund shortfall Press TV 17 Feb 2023 -- The United Nations is planning to cut its food aid to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees living in camps in Bangladesh, blaming a funding shortfall that is expected to deepen food insecurity and malnutrition in the world's largest refugee settlement.
• Lack of funds forces WFP to cut rations for Rohingya in Bangladesh WFP 17 Feb 2023 -- Nearly six years into the Rohingya refugee crisis, for the first time WFP is forced to cut back its lifesaving assistance for all Rohingya living in the camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Starting 1 March, WFP will have to reduce its General Food Assistance voucher value from US$12 to US$10 per person per month, due to a US$125 million funding shortfall.
• At Least Four Killed In Attack On Police Station In Karachi Claimed By Pakistani Taliban RFE/RL 17 Feb 2023 -- At least two soldiers and two militants have been killed in an attack by a group of armed men on the central police station in Karachi, Pakistan.
• Pakistani Taliban Storm Karachi Police Headquarters, Kill 4 VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- A group of militants armed with automatic weapons and bombs assaulted the police headquarters on Friday evening in Pakistan's largest city of Karachi, triggering an hourslong fierce gunfight with security forces and leaving at least four people dead.
• At least seven killed as militants storm Karachi police station Press TV 17 Feb 2023 -- At least seven people have been killed and several injured after militants stormed a police station in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi as gunfire and loud explosions could be heard from the area.
• 53 killed in Daesh attack near central Syria city: State media Press TV 17 Feb 2023 -- Syrian state media outlets say as many as 53 people have been killed in an ambush carried out by the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group near a central Syrian city.
• Guterres in Africa: End political stalemate in Libya now, UN chief urges leaders UN News 17 Feb 2023 -- Overcoming the current political impasse in Libya can unleash much-needed progress in tackling myriad crises there, the UN chief said on Friday at a high-level meeting of the African Union in the Ethiopian capital.
• Secretary-General's Remarks at African Union High-level Committee on Libya UN Secretary-General 17 Feb 2023
• Letters to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Libya The White House 17 Feb 2023
• Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Libya The White House 17 Feb 2023
• As security worsens in DR Congo, UNHCR and partners seek US$605 million to assist Congolese refugees across Africa UNHCR 17 Feb 2023 -- With the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continuing to experience one of Africa's most complex and long-standing humanitarian crises, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and 69 aid organizations today launched a Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP) to provide urgent humanitarian assistance and protection to refugees from the country in 2023.
• Tens of thousands arrive in Ethiopia, fleeing recent clashes in Somalia UNHCR 17 Feb 2023 -- More than 60,000 Somalis, mainly women and children, have fled to Ethiopia's Somali region in the past few weeks to escape clashes and insecurity in the city of Laascaanood, in Sool region. More than half of them arrived earlier this week.
• Children Rescued by Multinational Force in West Africa VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- A multinational force of troops from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, on Thursday handed five children rescued from Boko Haram over to Cameroon. The Multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission says scores of children were rescued last year in operations against the militant group. Cameroonian authorities are working to locate the children's parents.
• Kenyan Bandits Decline to Hand in Illegal Weapons VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- A Kenyan government operation to disarm warring parties in the troubled Rift Valley region is off to a slow start. Media reports say a three-day amnesty period for people to hand in illegal weapons resulted in the handover of just three guns. Kenyan police did arrest a local lawmaker for allegedly funding bandits and cattle rustlers, who have wreaked havoc in the region.

News Reports

• Political Consultant Sentenced for Scheme Involving Illegal Foreign Campaign Contribution to 2016 Presidential Campaign US Dept. of Justice 17 Feb 2023 -- A Texas man was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for his role in funneling illegal foreign campaign contributions from a Russian national to a 2016 presidential campaign.
• Moscow expels 4 Austrian embassy employees in tit-for-tat move People's Daily 17 Feb 2023 -- Moscow has declared four employees of the Austrian Embassy in Russia "personae non gratae" in a retaliatory move, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
• Sanctioned Moldovan Oligarch With Ties to Russia Running Ads on Facebook VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- Social media platform Facebook allowed a sanctioned Moldovan oligarch to run ads aimed at fomenting anti-government sentiments and destabilizing the Moldovan government, reports The Associated Press.
• Justice and Commerce Departments Announce Creation of Disruptive Technology Strike Force US Dept. of Commerce 17 Feb 2023 -- Joint Venture in More Than 10 Cities Will Enforce U.S. Laws Protecting U.S. Advanced Technologies from Illegal Acquisition and Use by Nation-State Adversaries
• Joint Statement of the United States of America and U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Counterterrorism Working Group US Dept. of State 17 Feb 2023 -- The text of the following joint statement was released by the Government of the United States of America and the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Counterterrorism Working Group.
• U.S. Says It 'Firmly Supports' Moldova's Sovereignty, Anti-Corruption Efforts, EU Aspirations RFE/RL 17 Feb 2023 -- The United States has welcomed the swearing in of a new pro-Western government in Moldova and reaffirmed its backing for President Maia Sandu's efforts to combat corruption and pursue her country's eventual integration into the European Union.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Moldovan President Sandu US Dept. of State 17 Feb 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Moldovan President Maia Sandu After Their Meeting US Dept. of State 17 Feb 2023
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 17, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Feb 2023
• Gazprom's 30th anniversary President of Russia 17 Feb 2023 -- Vladimir Putin took part, via videoconference, in an event marking Gazprom's 30th anniversary.
• Russia may become China's chief gas supplier in near future: Gazprom Press TV 17 Feb 2023 -- Russian gas giant Gazprom has announced that Moscow may soon become neighboring China's largest natural gas supplier, while receiving special praise from President Vladimir Putin.
• Gazprom CEO Assures Putin Russia Has Enough Gas for Decades to Come Sputnik 17 Feb 2023 -- The head of Russian gas giant Gazprom, Alexey Miller, assured Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday that the country would have a sufficient amount of gas during decades to come primarily thanks to the world's largest resource base.
• Moscow will respond if EU decides to confiscate Russia's frozen assets: Deputy FM People's Daily 17 Feb 2023 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said Thursday that Moscow would respond if the European Union (EU) decides to confiscate the country's frozen assets, TASS news agency reported citing the official.
• The Week In Russia: 'Into The Abyss' RFE/RL 17 Feb 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares a speech as the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine nears the one-year mark. And a critic of the war has been sentenced to six years in prison over a social media post about a Russian attack that killed hundreds of civilians seeking shelter at a theater in Mariupol.
• Meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko President of Russia 17 Feb 2023 -- The President of Russia met with President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 17, 2023 PRC MofA 17 Feb 2023
• Biden's low-key speech on balloon 'not enough to fix ties with China' Global Times 17 Feb 2023 -- In his most recent comments on the balloon farce, US President Joe Biden confirmed three objects shot down in North American airspace are not connected to China, but made "no apologies" for taking down the deviated Chinese airship while still seeking talks with China. Analysts said as there have been no findings to support the spying accusations, Biden made the low-key speech in a bid to bring a soft landing to the balloon spat. However, his ability to resist toxic anti-China sentiment in Washington and stop the deterioration in China-US relations remains a question.
• Quizzed at UN, Chinese delegates deny rights abuses against Uyghurs, Tibetans Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2023 -- Under intense questioning by UN experts over two days, a delegation of 40 Chinese officials staunchly denied any human rights violations against Uyghur and Tibetan minorities, or efforts to eradicate their religious lives, as documented in UN and other reports.
• China: 38th Human Rights Dialogue with the European Union takes place in Brussels European External Action Service (EEAS) 17 Feb 2023 -- The 38th session of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue was held in Brussels on 17 February 2023. The EU and China welcomed the re-opening of this dedicated channel of communication on human rights issues during President Michel's visit to China on 1 December 2022.
• China follows own human rights development path, contributes to diversity of civilizations: FM Global Times 17 Feb 2023 -- China will unswervingly follow its own path of human rights development and will carry out global cooperation and consultations with related organizations to contribute to the diversity of human civilizations and development of global human rights, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.
• China dials up propaganda over Turkish rescue effort; Taiwan also sends team Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2023 -- China has been ramping up propaganda around its rescue mission to help victims of the devastating earthquake that hit regions of Turkey and Syria earlier this month that killed at least 42,000 people.
• Pentagon's Top China Official Arrives in Taiwan Amid Balloon Crisis, Media Reports Sputnik 17 Feb 2023 -- US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China Michael Chase has arrived in Taiwan, becoming the first senior US defense official to travel to the island since 2019, the British media reported on Friday, citing a source familiar with the matter.
• China says firmly opposes Pentagon official's visit to Taiwan Press TV 17 Feb 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson has reiterated Beijing's firm opposition to any kind of official interactions and military ties between the United States and Taiwan.
• China Reiterates Its Opposition Amid Reports of Pentagon Official's Possible Taiwan Visit Sputnik 17 Feb 2023 -- The United States must comply with the one-China principle and stop any form of official exchanges and military ties with Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, commenting on media reports of a potential imminent visit to the island by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China Michael Chase.
• North Korea warns of 'unprecedented' response to US-South Korea drills Press TV 17 Feb 2023 -- North Korea has warned of "unprecedented sustained and strong responses" if South Korea and the United States go ahead with planned military exercises, accusing the two allies of escalating tensions in the region.
• North Korea Threatens 'Unprecedented' Response to US-South Korea Drills VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- North Korea warned Friday of an unprecedented response if the United States and South Korea go ahead with planned joint military exercises, which have recently ramped up in response to North Korean weapons tests.
• Iranian News Agency Confirms Report Of Talks With U.S. On Prisoner Exchange RFE/RL 17 Feb 2023 -- An Iranian government-affiliated news agency has confirmed a U.S. media report that indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States are under way for an exchange of prisoners.
• 'Radical Change Will Come': Iranians Propose New Political System After Months Of Anti-Regime Protests RFE/RL 17 Feb 2023 -- For months, antiestablishment protesters have called for the overthrow of Iran's clerical regime and demanded greater social and political freedoms.
• Protests Erupt Overnight in Iran VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- Videos posted on social media purport to show protesters marching in several cities in Iran on Friday.
• Joint Press Release: 3rd Meeting of the India-Egypt Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism India MEA 17 Feb 2023 -- The 3rd Meeting of the India-Egypt Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism was held on 16 February 2023 in New Delhi.
• Former Pakistani PM Khan Announces Push for Elections VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan announced Friday that his opposition party would launch a voluntary arrest movement next week to protest the government's "unconstitutional" refusal to hold key provincial elections and its purported "political victimization" of his aides and allies.
• Visit of the Director General International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to Pakistan (15 - 16 February 2023) Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Feb 2023
• Trial Begins for Belarusian Blogger Grabbed Off Diverted Flight VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- A Belarusian blogger arrested after Minsk diverted the commercial flight he was on in 2021 went on trial in the country's capital Thursday.
• Canada to Deploy Navy Vessels to Haiti as Violence Worsens VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will deploy navy vessels to Haiti for intelligence-gathering purposes to quell Haiti's growing gang violence.
• Trudeau Says Canada to Deploy Navy Vessels, Airlift More MRAPs to Haiti Sputnik 17 Feb 2023 -- Canada will deploy Navy vessels to conduct surveillance off the coast of Haiti and airlift more Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in remarks at an annual meeting of Caribbean leaders in the Bahamas.
• Letters to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Cuba and of the Emergency Authority Relating to the Regulation of the Anchorage and Movement of Vessels The White House 17 Feb 2023
• Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Cuba and of the Emergency Authority Relating to the Regulation of the Anchorage and Movement of Vessels The White House 17 Feb 2023
• WFP reaches half a million earthquake-affected people in Syria and Türkiye, and replenishes stocks in Northwest Syria WFP 17 Feb 2023 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has stepped up its emergency response to support victims of the devastating earthquake in Syria and Türkiye, providing emergency food assistance to nearly half a million quake-affected people in the two countries through hot meals, emergency ready-to-eat food packages and family food rations.
• Voice of Democracy seeks way to restore broadcast license Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2023 -- The management at the recently shuttered Voice of Democracy are looking for ways to negotiate with the government to reinstate its license, but Prime Minister Hun Sen insisted Friday that one of Cambodia's last independent media outlets will not be allowed to reopen.
• Train brings goods from China to Thailand and back to China for first time Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2023 -- A train carrying goods and produce between China, Laos and Thailand - and back to China - has made its first journey along the newly completed Lao-China railway.
• Statement by UNHCR on the arbitrary deprivation of nationality by Nicaragua UNHCR 17 Feb 2023 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is seriously concerned by the arbitrary deprivation of the Nicaraguan nationality of over 300 people.
• Water Shortage Protest Turns Deadly in Ethiopia's South VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- A protest over water shortages in the southern Ethiopian town of Welkite turned deadly when, witnesses say, security forces opened fire on protesters, killing at least two people.
• South Sudan's leaders must end attacks on civilians and prioritise peaceful and just transition, say UN experts UN Human Rights Council 17 Feb 2023 -- After nearly five years of delays in the implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, South Sudan's political leaders must seize the opportunity to reset the country toward peace, democratic transformation, and prosperity, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said today.
• Rights experts say peaceful transition in South Sudan crucial, amid 'immense suffering' UN News 17 Feb 2023 -- South Sudan's leaders must prioritize a peaceful transition as rampant sexual violence and attacks on civilians continue across the world's youngest nation, the UN Commission investigating human rights abuses there said on Friday.
• Water Shortage Protest Turns Deadly in Ethiopia's South VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- A protest over water shortages in the southern Ethiopian town of Welkite turned deadly when, witnesses say, security forces opened fire on protesters, killing at least two people.