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Defense Policy / Programs

• CNO Visits Australia to Discuss Maritime Security, Continued Cooperation US Navy Press Release 20 Feb 2023 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday travelled to Canberra, Australia, Feb. 19-21, to meet with Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Chief Vice Adm. Mark Hammond, AM to discuss their shared commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• U.S., UAE Naval Forces Complete First-Ever Bilateral Unmanned Exercise US Navy 20 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) concluded a weeklong unmanned systems and artificial intelligence integration exercise with the United Arab Emirates Navy in the Arabian Gulf, Feb. 20.
• Secretary General welcomes NATO Parliamentary Assembly President to NATO Headquarters NATO 20 Feb 2023 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NPA) President Joëlle Garriaud-Maylam at NATO Headquarters on Monday (20 February 2023) to discuss the work of the NPA and ways to continue the successful cooperation between the two organizations.
• Blinken Urges NATO Expansion During Visit to Turkey VOA 20 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit Monday in Ankara that the Biden administration supports the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. He also expressed confidence that both Sweden and Finland will soon join the NATO alliance.
• Memorandum on Delegation of Authority Under Sections 506(a)(1) and 552(c)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 The White House 20 Feb 2023
• Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine DoD 20 Feb 2023 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announces the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs.
• More U.S. Security Assistance on the Way for Ukraine US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2023 -- This week, we mark one year since the Russian Government launched its brutal and unprovoked invasion against Ukraine.
• 'Most Urgent Issue': Borrell Urges EU To Boost Ammunition Output To Help Ukraine Fight Russia RFE/RL 20 Feb 2023 -- EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has called on the 27-member bloc to speed up production and delivery of ammunition for Ukraine, saying that the outcome of the war with Russia could be determined by it.
• Germany Will Reportedly Deliver First Batch of Ammunition for Gepard System to Kiev by July Sputnik 20 Feb 2023 -- The first batch of ammunition for the Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun will be delivered to Ukraine by July, CNN reported on Monday, citing the head of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger.
• Growlers pass a tough test of readiness Australia DOD 20 Feb 2023 -- Aviators from 6 Squadron have returned from an exercise that afforded them the opportunity to train in a highly realistic warfighting environment.
• Contract awarded for the North Queensland Mid-Term Refresh Program Australia DOD 20 Feb 2023 -- The Australian Government has awarded CPB Contractors Pty Ltd the $111.2 million North Queensland Mid-Term Refresh Program across RAAF Base Townsville, Townsville Field Training Area and HMAS Cairns.
• Multiple Rocket Launching Drill by KPA KCNA 20 Feb 2023 -- Relevant multiple launch rocket sub-units under the Korean People's Army long-range artillery unit on the western front conducted a multiple-rocket launching drill at 7:00 a.m. Monday.
• INDO-UZBEKISTAN JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE 'DUSTLIK ' COMMENCES AT PITHORAGARH (UTTARAKHAND) India PIB 20 Feb 2023 -- The 4th edition of joint military exercise 'DUSTLIK' between the Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army commenced today in Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand). 45 Soldiers each from Uzbekistan and Indian Army are participating in this exercise which is aimed at promoting positive relations between both the armies.
• S.Korean Ruling Party Head Calls For Development of National Nuclear Arms Sputnik 20 Feb 2023 -- Seoul should consider acquiring its own nuclear capabilities to successfully deter a threat posed by Pyongyang, if the current measures are not sufficient enough to effectively respond to it, Chung Jin-suk, the leader of the South Korean ruling People Power Party (PPP), said on Monday.
• Croatia, France and Poland join EU's strategic reserves for chemical, biological and radiological emergencies European Commission 20 Feb 2023 -- To improve the EU preparedness and response to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, the Commission is building strategic reserves of response capacities through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA). Today, Croatia, France, and Poland have joined Finland in hosting the rescEU stockpiles worth in total €545.6 million.
• European Peace Facility: Council adopts assistance measure in support of the Jordanian Armed Forces EC/CEU 20 Feb 2023 -- The Council today adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility worth €7 million to the benefit of the Jordanian Armed Forces.
• Niger: EU launches its military partnership mission EC/CEU 20 Feb 2023 -- The Council is launching today a Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) military partnership mission in Niger (EUMPM Niger) to support the country in its fight against terrorist armed groups.
• More precision rifles for Defence Forces Finnish MoD 20 Feb 2023 -- The Defence Forces will purchase TRG M10 precision rifle systems, their spare parts and sniper equipment from Sako Ltd.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Turkish President Erdogan US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu At a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Deniz Kilislioglu of NTV US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2023

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 20 February 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Feb 2023
• Afghan gov't to turn former U.S. military bases into economic zones People's Daily 20 Feb 2023 -- The Afghan caretaker administration has decided to change former U.S. military bases into economic zones to bolster economic activities, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported on Sunday.
• Key Afghan-Pakistani Border Crossing Closed; Border Guards Exchange Fire RFE/RL 20 Feb 2023 -- Pakistani and Afghan border guards exchanged fire at a key crossing between the two neighbors on February 20, Pakistani officials said.
• U.S. Welcomes Kyrgyzstan's Repatriation of Nationals from Northeast Syria US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2023 -- Last week, the Government of Kyrgyzstan repatriated 18 women and 41 children from displaced persons camps in northeast Syria.
• Armenia: EU launches a civilian mission to contribute to stability in border areas EC/CEU 20 Feb 2023 -- Today, the European Union is launching the EU civilian mission in Armenia (EU Mission in Armenia/EUMA) under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
• France Ends Military Operations in Burkina Faso Sputnik 20 Feb 2023 -- France had been maintaining a military presence in five Sahel region countries - Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad, Mauritania, and Niger - within the framework of Operation Barkhane since 2014. In August 2022, however, local authorities demanded that French troops leave Mali and just several months later, Paris put an end to the Barkhane op.
• ECOWAS Maintains Sanctions on Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea Sputnik 20 Feb 2023 -- The African Union (AU) had the last day of its 36th session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on February 19, which saw the appointment of the organization's new president as well as discussions on the free trade area creation and the case of the sanctioned West African states.
• Chad Needs Russia's Support in Fight Against Terrorism, Foreign Miniser Says Sputnik 20 Feb 2023 -- Chad needs Russia's assistance in the fight against terrorism and is waiting for specific proposals from Moscow, Chadian Foreign Minister Mahamat Saleh Annadif told Sputnik.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on the West's reckless approach to the Middle East settlement process Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Feb 2023
• US Backs Statement Critical of Israel at UN VOA 20 Feb 2023 -- The U.N. Security Council expressed its "deep concern and dismay" Monday on Israel's announcement last week that it plans to expand settlements and retroactively legalize nine existing ones.
• The UK stands ready to facilitate discussions and dialogue between Israelis and the Palestinians: UK Statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 20 Feb 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council briefing on the Middle East
• Top UN officials call on parties to swiftly reduce 'ominous' surge in Israeli-Palestinian violence UN News 20 Feb 2023 -- Israeli-Palestinian parties must urgently rein in escalating violence and work towards realizing the two-State solution, top UN officials in the region warned the Security Council on Monday.

News Reports

• Exclusive: US military uses balloons, disguises recon aircraft as civilian planes to spy on China: report Global Times 20 Feb 2023 -- High altitude balloons are widely used for weather surveillance by countries around the world, but the US recently created a series of "spying" dramas hyping China's unmanned airship that went out of control, which not only built up tensions, but also seriously harmed China's rights through the use of force. An exclusive report obtained by the Global Times on Monday shows that the US military frequently conducted close-in reconnaissance on China, including the use of balloons, making the US the top spying country in the world.
• Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas Discusses Evolving Homeland Security Challenges at 59th Munich Security Conference DHS 20 Feb 2023 -- Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Under Secretary for Policy Robert Silvers participated in the Munich Security Conference (MSC) to discuss the importance of homeland security to the United States' broader national security, including its role confronting state-based threats and building whole-of-society approaches to resilience.
• Article by Alexey Drobinin, Director, Foreign Policy Planning Department, Russia's Foreign Ministry "The vision of a multipolar world: The civilizational factor and Russia's place in the emerging world order", the Journal "Russia in Global Affairs", February 20, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Feb 2023
• Third Statement on Russia's War on Ukraine and International Sport US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2023 -- The text of the following statement was agreed upon by the ministers of sport or their equivalent from the countries and individuals listed at the bottom of the statement.
• Wider Europe Briefing: More Russian Banks To Be Hit By EU Sanctions; Plus, A Controversial OSCE Gathering RFE/RL 20 Feb 2023
• You didn't fight here: Russia is on the verge of a change of elites RIA Novosti 20 Feb 2023 -- "Obviously, in a few years the socio-political landscape of Russia will change beyond recognition, and the talented children of effective managers will have to seriously think about including camouflage "hill" and a shabby pair of berets in their work wardrobe."
• Dutch gov't expels Russian diplomats for alleged espionage People's Daily 20 Feb 2023 -- The Dutch government announced on Saturday the expulsion of a number of Russian diplomats for alleged espionage.
• Moscow to respond to Dutch decision to reduce Russian diplomat numbers People's Daily 20 Feb 2023 -- Russia will respond to the Netherlands' decision to limit the number of Russian diplomats in the country, TASS news agency reported citing the Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday.
• Russia to Respond to 'Unfriendly' Dutch Decision on Diplomats, Missions Says Foreign Ministry Sputnik 20 Feb 2023 -- Moscow considers the decision of the Netherlands to reduce the number of Russian diplomats and close the Russian trade mission as an unfriendly move aimed at destroying relations, will respond to it, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 20, 2023 PRC MofA 20 Feb 2023
• China publishes report on US' hegemonic, domineering and bullying practices Global Times 20 Feb 2023 -- China on Monday released a report on US hegemony and its perils to expose the US' abuse of hegemony in the political, military, economic, financial, technological and cultural fields, by presenting the relevant facts, and to draw greater international attention to the perils of the US' practices to world peace and stability and the well-being of all peoples.
• Blinken Warns China to Face 'Real Consequences' If Beijing Supplies Weapons to Moscow Sputnik 20 Feb 2023 -- China will face consequences if Beijing decides to supply Russia with military assistance amid the Ukraine conflict, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday, while refusing to specify the details of Washington's response.
• China denies US claim about arming Russia, slams Washington's meddlesome remarks Press TV 20 Feb 2023 -- Beijing has dismissed claims by the United States that China is considering arming Russia in its war with Ukraine, urging Washington to reflect on its own actions rather than making meddlesome comments.
• China rebuts US claims over providing 'lethal support' to Russia Global Times 20 Feb 2023 -- China has urged the US to reflect on its own deeds and stop shifting blame and spreading false information over US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's remarks suggesting China is considering providing "lethal support" to Russia, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday, stressing that it's the US that has been arming combatants throughout the conflict.
• Beijing Urges US to Stop Spreading Misinformation About China-Russia Ties Sputnik 20 Feb 2023 -- It is the United States that pumps the Ukraine conflict with arms, not China, that is why Washington should stop shifting responsibility for fueling the conflict and spreading misinformation regarding military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow, the spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang Wenbin, said on Monday.
• Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi to pay a visit to Russia, promoting peace talk top on agenda Global Times 20 Feb 2023 -- Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi is scheduled to visit Russia - the last stop of his tour to Europe since February 14. He is expected to promote peace talks as the Russia-Ukraine conflict approaches the one-year mark, with the situation still deteriorating. Analysts said that China's tangible moves in de-escalating the situation have been in stark contrast to the US' fanning of flames.
• Foreign Secretary's call with China Foreign Minister Qin Gang, February 2023 UK FCDO 20 Feb 2023 -- UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly spoke to Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Monday 20 February.
• China keeps LPR unchanged for 6th straight month amid better-than-expected economic rebound Global Times 20 Feb 2023 -- China has left its benchmark bank lending rates unchanged for the sixth straight month on Monday, as the recovery of domestic economy, especially rebounding expectations for the real estate market, has reduced urgency of imminently easing monetary policies, experts told the Global Times.
• Booked a flight out of China? Police are likely to knock on your door Radio Free Asia 20 Feb 2023 -- Chinese police are calling up people who have booked flights to leave the country and interrogating them about where they are going and when they plan to be back, sources in the country tell Radio Free Asia.
• Chinese FM spokesperson briefs on China-U.S. engagement People's Daily 20 Feb 2023 -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson briefed on China-U.S. engagement on Sunday.
• Taiwan thanks Blinken for cross-strait peace support at Wang Yi meeting CNA 20 Feb 2023 -- Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Monday expressed gratitude toward United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken over his reiteration of support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait during his Saturday meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅).
• Congress delegation visits Taiwan amid US-China tensions Press TV 20 Feb 2023 -- A delegation of US lawmakers has arrived in Chinese Taipei for a five-day visit, despite repeated warnings by Beijing against any interactions between Washington and the self-governing island.
• Taiwan presidential race not brought up on China trip: KMT official CNA 20 Feb 2023 -- A top official with the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), who recently concluded a visit to China, said Monday that Taiwan's 2024 presidential election was an internal affair and was not discussed with Chinese officials on the trip.
• Firm opposition to "Taiwan independence" required for peace: senior diplomat People's Daily 20 Feb 2023 -- Peace across the Taiwan Strait should be maintained through firm opposition to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and unswerving adherence to the one-China principle, which is also the consensus of the international community, a senior Chinese diplomat said here on Saturday.
• Korean Peninsula 'must be an area for cooperation', Security Council hears UN News 20 Feb 2023 -- A senior UN official has underlined the need for unity in the Security Council in the wake of the latest missile launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
• UN chief strongly condemns DPRK missile launch UN News 20 Feb 2023 -- The UN chief on Sunday strongly condemned the launch of yet another ballistic missile of intercontinental range by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), as news reports said two more missiles had been launched on Monday.
• US Seeks Security Council Unity on DPRK Missiles VOA 20 Feb 2023 -- The United States said Monday it would seek U.N. Security Council unity in responding to North Korea's latest missile launches, despite previous opposition from China and Russia.
• Recent North Korean Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launches: UK Statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 20 Feb 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council briefing on North Korea
• North Korea missile tests: FCDO response, 20 February 2023 UK FCDO 20 Feb 2023 -- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson comments on the recent missile tests carried out by North Korea on 20 February 2023.
• North Korea May Turn Pacific Into 'Firing Range', Kim Jong-un's Sister Warns Sputnik 20 Feb 2023 -- On the same day Kim Yo-jong delivered Pyongyang's warning, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles towards its eastern waters as part of a weapons test.
• Missiles Launched by Pyongyang on Monday Fall Outside of Japan's Exclusive Zone Sputnik 20 Feb 2023 -- North Korea launched several missiles on Monday, all of them landed outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone, Japanese media report.
• Electric Power Production Goes up in DPRK KCNA 20 Feb 2023 -- The workers of the power plants in different parts of the DPRK, who turned out in the drive for implementing the decisions of the 6th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, are keeping production going on a high level.
• Press Statement of Kim Yo Jong, Vice Department Director of C.C., WPK Issued KCNA 20 Feb 2023 -- Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press statement on Monday:
• North Korea fires more ballistic missiles, warns may turn Pacific into 'firing range' Press TV 20 Feb 2023 -- North Korea has fired at least two ballistic missiles in its third major weapons test this year, while issuing stern warning to the US, saying it may turn the Pacific into its "firing range."
• Iranians Stage Fresh Anti-Government Protests Despite Security Crackdown RFE/RL 20 Feb 2023 -- Iranian protesters have staged new anti-government protests in several neighborhoods of the capital, Tehran, in a continued show of defiance amid unrest over the death of a young woman while in police custody for allegedly wearing a head scarf improperly.
• Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Denies Reports of Enriching Uranium to 84% Purity Sputnik 20 Feb 2023 -- Reports in Western media claiming that Tehran has enriched uranium to 84% distort the reality as the country has never gone beyond the enrichment level of 60%, Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman of the the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said on Monday.
• Iran Denies Enriching Uranium Near Weapons Grade VOA 20 Feb 2023 -- Iran on Monday denied reports that it is enriching uranium to near weapons grade.
• Iran denies enriching uranium above 60% IRNA 20 Feb 2023 -- Spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Behrouz Kamalvandi has underlined that the Islamic Republic has not enriched uranium above 60 percent purity so far.
• Iran never accumulates uranium enriched to more than 60% purity/ Bloomberg distorts realities: AEOI spokesman ISNA 20 Feb 2023 -- The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi reacted to the recent report released by Bloomberg that claimed "Iran accumulated uranium enriched to 84% purity".
• Iran: EU imposes further restrictive measures against 32 individuals and two entities responsible for human rights violations EC/CEU 20 Feb 2023 -- The Council today decided to impose restrictive measures on additional 32 individuals and two entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.
• Foreign Ministry: Iran will announce reciprocal sanctions in response to EU's new bans Press TV 20 Feb 2023 -- Tehran has reacted to the European Union's latest sanctions that target a number of Iranian officials and entities, promising countermeasures in response to the EU's move.
• EU imposes sanctions on 32 Iranian individuals, two entities over alleged rights violation Press TV 20 Feb 2023 -- In a hostile move, Council of the European Union has imposed sanctions on a number of Iranian individuals and entities over alleged human rights violations.
• Iran's reaction to new comments of Azerbaijan's president ISNA 20 Feb 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani has reacted to comments of Azerbaijani President Elham Aliyev about the recent attack on the Azeri embassy in Tehran.
• Iran opens new exchange center as rial hits record low Press TV 20 Feb 2023 -- The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) is launching a new center for exchange of foreign currencies and gold amid efforts to prevent a further decline in the value of national currency the rial.
• Tehran: Munich conference held in the name of security to charm warmongers Press TV 20 Feb 2023 -- Iran has blasted the organizers of the 2023 Munich Security Conference for not giving an equal chance to all members of the international community to present their views, saying the event took place under the slogan of security but actually promoted war.
• Iran Denies Involvement in Attack on Israeli Tanker in Arabian Sea Sputnik 20 Feb 2023 -- Iran has denied Israel's accusations concerning an attack on an Israeli businessman's tanker in the Arabian sea.
• Iran slams U.S. "politically-motivated" approach toward prisoner swap People's Daily 20 Feb 2023 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman chided the United States for its "politically-motivated and opportunistic" approach toward the issue of exchanging prisoners with Iran.
• Iran categorically rejects Western media's false report, says never enriched uranium above 60% Press TV 20 Feb 2023 -- Iran has categorically rejected a report by Western media that it has enriched uranium to levels above 60 percent purity, saying the country's nuclear facilities have never enriched uranium above that level.
• A renewed EU Great Lakes strategy: Council approves conclusions EC/CEU 20 Feb 2023 -- The Council today approved conclusions setting out the renewed long-term EU engagement in the Great Lakes region.
• Council conclusions on EU priorities in UN human rights fora 2023 EC/CEU 20 Feb 2023
• Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell at the press conference European External Action Service (EEAS) 20 Feb 2023
• Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival European External Action Service (EEAS) 20 Feb 2023
• Myanmar/Burma: EU imposes sixth round of sanctions against 9 individuals and 7 entities EC/CEU 20 Feb 2023 -- Two years after the military coup staged in Myanmar/Burma on 1st February 2021, the Council adopted today restrictive measures against 9 persons and 7 entities in view of the continuing escalation of violence, grave human rights violations and threats to the peace, security and stability in Myanmar/Burma.
• EU Imposes New Sanctions on Myanmar as Violence Escalates VOA 20 Feb 2023 -- Myanmar officials and entities were placed under a sixth round of European Union sanctions on Monday over the 2021 military coup that ousted the democratically elected government of de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and sparked global outrage.
• Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iran - Foreign Minister Baerbock at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels Germany Federal Foreign Office 20 Feb 2023 -- The EU Foreign Ministers are meeting in Brussels on Monday (20 February). Further support for Ukraine as well as people in Iran and Afghanistan will be discussed. Read here which issues are on the agenda.
• Fresh Earthquake Strikes Turkey, Killing 3 VOA 20 Feb 2023 -- Another earthquake struck the border region of Turkey and Syria on Monday, killing at least three people and coming two weeks after the area was devastated by a massive quake that left nearly 45,000 people dead.
• Syria-Türkiye: Three border crossings now operational for earthquake aid delivery UN News 20 Feb 2023 -- Two weeks after the devastating earthquakes, the UN and partners continue to scale-up cross-border aid delivery from Türkiye into northwest Syria, including through a new entry point, the UN Spokesperson said on Monday.
• Death toll in Türkiye exceeds 40,000 after earthquakes People's Daily 20 Feb 2023 -- The death toll from two major earthquakes that struck southeastern Türkiye on Feb. 6 has risen to 40,642, the country's disaster agency said Saturday.
• Search and rescue work to end as quake-hit Türkiye moves to shelter homeless People's Daily 20 Feb 2023 -- Turkish authorities have almost completed search and rescue work nearly two weeks after massive earthquakes that claimed more than 40,000 lives in the country, a Turkish disaster agency said Sunday.
• President Assad visits Oman, meets with Sultan Haitham in first since Syria conflict Press TV 20 Feb 2023 -- Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has visited Oman and met with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said following the devastating earthquake, which rocked the northwestern sector of the country two weeks ago, claiming the lives of thousands of people.
• African Union says Israel's observer status suspended, was not invited to recent summit Press TV 20 Feb 2023 -- The African Union (AU) says Israel's observer status at the 55-nation bloc has been suspended and the regime was not invited to the union's recent summit from which its delegation was kicked out.
• Moscow says Moldova hit by 'anti-Russian hysteria' Press TV 20 Feb 2023 -- Moscow has denounced Moldova for pursuing an "anti-Russian agenda" after its prime minister called for the demilitarization of a separatist region of the landlocked country in Eastern Europe.
• Kremlin Warns Moldova As Tensions Rise Following Coup Plot Allegations RFE/RL 20 Feb 2023 -- The Kremlin has urged Moldova to exercise caution in its statements about Russian forces stationed in the breakaway Transdniester region just days after a new pro-Western government led by Prime Minister Dorin Recean was sworn in.
• China already offers Sri Lanka debt extension: Foreign Ministry Global Times 20 Feb 2023 -- The Export-Import Bank of China has provided Sri Lanka with a debt extension, China's Foreign Ministry said on Monday, noting that China is willing to negotiate a medium- and long-term debt disposal plan with the country in a friendly manner, and do its best to promote Sri Lanka's debt sustainability.
• Donor Fatigue, Somalia Aid Cuts Worry Aid Workers VOA 20 Feb 2023 -- Aid workers in Somalia say they are concerned about a likely reduction in humanitarian support as the country grapples with its worst drought in decades.
• UN Rapporteurs Concerned over Harassment of Rights Groups in Bangladesh VOA 20 Feb 2023 -- Eight rapporteurs to the United Nations have written to the government of Bangladesh, expressing concern over what they say is the harassment and intimidation" of two well-known human rights groups in the country as well as the "use of excessive and lethal force" by police against opposition political activists.
• UN Appeals for Aid to Assist Malawi Fight Cholera Outbreak VOA 20 Feb 2023 -- The U.N. in Malawi has launched an urgent appeal for aid to deal with the impact of a record cholera outbreak that has so far killed nearly 1,450 people and infected 45,000.
• DRC, Zambia Vow to Resolve Customs Delays for Trucks Hauling Copper, Cobalt VOA 20 Feb 2023 -- The presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia have vowed to resolve customs delays for trucks transporting copper from the two top producers in Africa. The growing demand for electric vehicles has fueled a race for the copper and cobalt used in their batteries, but truckloads of the key metals have been stuck at the border.