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News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Department of Defense Delivers Field Hospital to Türkiye US Navy 24 Feb 2023 -- At the request of the government of Türkiye, United States Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen worked around the clock to deliver an emergency field hospital from the continental United States to Incirlik Air Base in Türkiye, Feb. 22, 2023, as part of the United States' continuous commitment to assist survivors of the catastrophic earthquake.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Repatriation of Two Pakistani nationals from Guantanamo Bay detention facility Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24 Feb 2023
• US Returns Pakistani Brothers Held for Almost 20 Years at Guantanamo Bay VOA 24 Feb 2023 -- The United States has repatriated two brothers to their native Pakistan after holding them for almost two decades without charges at the controversial Guantanamo Bay military prison.
• Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, Holds a Press Briefing DoD 24 Feb 2023
• DOD Issues Guidance for Implementing Rescission of August 24, 2021 and November 30, 2021 Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination Requirements for Service Members DoD 24 Feb 2023 -- Today, the Deputy Secretary of Defense released guidance via memorandum to ensure the uniform implementation of the January 10, 2023 Covid Rescission memorandum, which rescinded the August 24, 2021 and November 30, 2021 Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination Requirements for Service Members.
• Army rescinds COVID-19 vaccination requirements US Army 24 Feb 2023 -- Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth has issued a memorandum today that rescinds all policies associated with the DOD COVID-19 vaccination mandate. In accordance with the memorandum:
• Austin Says He Has Not Spoken to Chinese Counterpart for 'Couple of Months' Sputnik 24 Feb 2023 -- US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Friday he has not spoken to his Chinese counterpart for a "couple of months" and hopes Wei Fenghe schedules a phone call.
• Officials Outline Strategy in Nuclear Posture Review DoD News 24 Feb 2023 -- The Defense Department released its unclassified Oct. 27, 2022. Richard C. Johnson, deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and countering weapons of mass destruction policy, and Drew Walter, deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear matters, spoke Feb. 15 at the Nuclear Deterrence Summit, in Arlington, Virginia, about NPR topics.
• Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee (SPRIRC) Report Media Roundtable DoD 24 Feb 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant DoD 24 Feb 2023
• US, Senegal launch medical exercise in Thies Army News 24 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Army and Air Force medical professionals from the Vermont National Guard began a two-week medical readiness exercise with their Senegalese partners Feb. 20.
• U.S. Army South hosts inaugural Women, Peace, and Security Symposium Army News 24 Feb 2023 -- After more than five months of planning, U.S. Army South hosted their inaugural Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium in downtown San Antonio, Texas on Feb. 22 and 23, 2023. Representatives from 16 Central and South American and Caribbean partner nations participated in panel discussions, question and answer sessions, senior leader discussions, and a presentation on the overall WPS framework.
• Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee (SPRIRC) Releases Report DoD 24 Feb 2023 -- Today, the Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee (SPRIRC) released their independent report, providing their findings and recommendations.
• Navy to Christen Future USNS Cody DoD 24 Feb 2023 -- The Navy will christen its Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport, the future USNS Cody (EPF 14), during a 10:00 a.m. ceremony Saturday, February 25, in Mobile, Ala.
• Bushido Strike 23 Culminates, III MSB Shifts to Supporting Operations in the Indo-Pacific USMC News 24 Feb 2023 -- The Marine Corps is returning to its nature as a naval expeditionary force-in-readiness. Training in different environments, from tropical jungle climates to snow-covered mountains to the high seas, the Marine Corps prepares today's warfighter for tomorrow's demands.
• Military Sealift Command Completes Cargo Operations in Antarctic US Navy 24 Feb 2023 -- Military Sealift Command has completed its resupply mission in Antarctica with the departure of the MSC chartered ship MV Ocean Gladiator. The mission was in support of Operation Deep Freeze, the Joint Task Force Support for Antarctica mission to the NSF-managed U.S. Antarctic Program.
• NAVWAR Highlights Information Warfare's Role in Connecting a Joint Future Force at WEST 2023 US Navy 24 Feb 2023 -- Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) leaders and technical experts highlighted digitization, automation, and agile software delivery as key tenants to connecting a joint future force during WEST 2023 at the San Diego Convention Center, Feb. 14-16.
• NATO Secretary General in Tallinn to mark Estonian Independence Day NATO 24 Feb 2023 -- NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg joined the Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas, other senior Estonian officials, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Tallinn today, Friday (24 February 2023), to mark Estonian Independence Day.
• Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with Estonian Prime Minister Kallas and NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg European Commission 24 Feb 2023
• Statement by the North Atlantic Council marking one year of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine NATO 24 Feb 2023
• NATO Secretary General sends a message of solidarity to the people of Ukraine NATO 24 Feb 2023
• Ceremony at NATO Headquarters marks one-year of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine NATO 24 Feb 2023 -- Speaking at NATO Headquarters on Friday (24 February 2023) Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană said that NATO has been Ukraine's partner since it first gained independence over thirty years ago and that NATO will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
• Deputy NATO Chief Says Russia Is Suffering Defeats Off The Battlefield As Well RFE/RL 24 Feb 2023 -- The deputy secretary-general of NATO, Mircea Geoana, says Russia has suffered a string of defeats on and off the battlefield in the year since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but a "long war" is likely still ahead for Kyiv, making support from Western allies critical.
• US Sees Evidence That China Is Considering Sending Lethal Aid to Russia VOA 24 Feb 2023 -- The United States has seen evidence that the People's Republic of China is considering sending lethal weapons to Russia for its use in the war in Ukraine, and has directly warned China of consequences, according to a senior State Department official.
• Jets are the protection of our sky, we have taken major steps in this regard - Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 24 Feb 2023
• Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine DoD 24 Feb 2023 -- One year ago today, Russia launched an unprovoked and indefensible full-scale invasion of its peaceful and democratic neighbor Ukraine. One year on, the commitment of the United States, together with some 50 countries who have rallied to rush urgently needed assistance to Ukraine, has only strengthened.
• Austin Says World is Resolute in Supporting Ukraine DoD News 24 Feb 2023 -- One year ago today, Russia launched an unprovoked invasion of its peaceful and democratic neighbor, Ukraine—a cruel war of choice that has killed thousands of innocent Ukrainians, forced millions more from their homes, left countless wounded or traumatized, and inflicted tragedy and terror on a sovereign U.N. member state, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III in a statement today.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Ukrainian Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov DoD 24 Feb 2023
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Marking One Year Since Russia's Invasion of Ukraine DoD 24 Feb 2023 -- One year ago today, Russia launched an unprovoked and indefensible invasion of its peaceful and democratic neighbor Ukraine—a cruel war of choice that has killed thousands of innocent Ukrainians, forced millions more from their homes, left countless Ukrainians wounded or traumatized, and inflicted tragedy and terror on a sovereign U.N. member state.
• US announces $2bn in new Ukraine military aid as war completes a year Press TV 24 Feb 2023 -- The United States is preparing a fresh military aid package to Ukraine worth $2 billion, a senior US official has said, defying repeated warnings from Moscow as the war completes one year.
• U.S. Pledges Another $2 Billion In Security Assistance To Ukraine RFE/RL 24 Feb 2023 -- The U.S. Defense Department has announced an additional $2 billion in "security assistance" for Ukraine as Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbor enters its second year.
• New $2Bln Ukraine Aid Package Includes HIMARS Ammo, Switchblade Drones, Pentagon Says Sputnik 24 Feb 2023 -- The newly announced $2 billion military assistance package for Ukraine includes additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Switchblade 600 drones, among other weaponry, the Pentagon said.
• Continued Support for Ukraine to Withstand Russia's Assaults US Dept. of State 24 Feb 2023 -- The United States continues to support Ukraine amid Russia's brutal, unprovoked war. Today, in coordination with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of the Treasury, we are announcing over $10 billion in assistance, including budgetary support to the Government of Ukraine and additional energy assistance to support Ukrainians suffering from Russia's attacks.
• US Sends More Aid to Ukraine, Expands Sanctions Against Russia VOA 24 Feb 2023 -- One year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the White House on Friday announced that the Pentagon would commit $2 billion more in military assistance to Ukraine's defense against Russia.
• On Invasion Anniversary, Zelenskiy Says Russia 'Must Lose' In Ukraine As Allies Pledge More Aid RFE/RL 24 Feb 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia "must lose in Ukraine" as Moscow's full-scale invasion entered its second year on February 24 amid heavy fighting in the east and south, while Ukraine's Western allies marked the anniversary by announcing more military aid for Kyiv.
• Heavy advanced weapons to Ukraine in new support package Government Offices of Sweden 24 Feb 2023 -- Today, 24 February, the Government presented a new extensive support package for Ukraine. It includes subsystems of the HAWK anti-aircraft system and essential parts of the IRIS-T anti-aircraft system, in cooperation with Germany. Sweden also intends to provide up to ten Leopard 2 battle tanks.
• The Staff considered the production and supply of ammunition and weapons; even in such circumstances, we have the appropriate potential - address by the President of Ukraine President of Ukraine 24 Feb 2023
• Australia stands with Ukraine with additional military support and sanctions Australia MFA 24 Feb 2023 -- Today marks one year since Russia launched its illegal and immoral full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
• Australia Stands with Ukraine with Additional Military Support and Sanctions Prime Minister of Australia 24 Feb 2023 -- Today marks one year since Russia launched its illegal and immoral full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
• Iran-Russia defense cooperation not against any third party: FM spokesman Press TV 24 Feb 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman says defense cooperation between Tehran and Moscow dates back to years before the start of the war in Ukraine, stressing that this cooperation is not against any third country.
• Experts weigh in on rumored increase of U.S. troops in Taiwan CNA 24 Feb 2023 -- A reported plan by the United States to increase the number of troop it stations in Taiwan suggests "quasi-recognition" by the U.S. of Taiwan's sovereignty and international standing, a military expert said on Friday.
• US to deploy more troops to Taiwan to train local army Radio Free Asia 24 Feb 2023 -- The Pentagon plans to quadruple the number of American troops in Taiwan and Taipei is to send a combined arms battalion to the United States, both for training purposes in the face of a growing threat from China, according to media reports.
• DPRK fires strategic cruise missiles People's Daily 24 Feb 2023 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) conducted a strategic cruise missile launching drill Thursday, a move aimed at examining the rapid response posture of its strategic cruise missile units, the official Korean Central News Agency reported Friday.
• North Korea Launches More Missiles, Blasts US for Raising Tensions VOA 24 Feb 2023 -- North Korea said it fired four strategic cruise missiles Thursday, continuing its rapid pace of launches, as it blasted the United States and its allies for escalating military tensions.
• Press Statement of Director General of Department of U.S. Affairs of DPRK Foreign Ministry KCNA 24 Feb 2023 -- Kwon Jong Gun, director general of the Department of U.S. Affairs of the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK, issued the following press statement on Friday:
• Strategic Cruise Missile Launching Drill Conducted KCNA 24 Feb 2023 -- A strategic cruise missile launching drill was staged at dawn of February 23.
• North Korea shows off 'war posture' of its nuclear forces Press TV 24 Feb 2023 -- North Korea has test-fired four strategic cruise missiles as means of displaying the readiness of the country's nuclear force for taking on "hostile forces."
• The 3rd ROK-UK Cyber Dialogue Held in Seoul UK FCDO 24 Feb 2023 -- The 3rd Republic of Korea (ROK)-United Kingdom (UK) Cyber Dialogue was held in Seoul on Friday, February 10th.
• LAUNCH OF FIRST MCA BARGE YARD 75 (LSAM 7) AT M/S SECON, VISAKHAPATNAM India PIB 24 Feb 2023 -- Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge, Yard 75 (LSAM 7) was launched by RAdm Sandeep Mehta, ACWP&A on 24 Feb 23 at Guttenedevi, launch site of M/s SECON, Visakhapatnam. With all major and auxiliary equipment / systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers, this Barge is proud flag bearer of "Make in India" initiative of Ministry of Defence.
• Iran likely to deliver missile system to Syria to boost air defenses Press TV 24 Feb 2023 -- Iranian and Syrian military officials have reportedly agreed on the delivery of missile systems to Damascus to boost the Arab country's air defenses amid increased Israeli air raids.
• Defence Forces to procure 155mm special munitions Finnish MoD 24 Feb 2023 -- The Ministry of Defence has authorised the Defence Forces to procure more 155 mm Bonus MK II special munitions for anti-tank weapons of the artillery.
• Burkina Faso to Enlist 5,000 Soldiers to Bolster Fight Against Terrorism Sputnik 24 Feb 2023 -- Since 2015, the West African nation, which was the scene of two military coups last year, has been suffering from the jihadist violence that hit Mali and Niger a few years ago and spread beyond their borders. Amid worsening security issues, the country's military government has launched a campaign to recruit more soldiers and tackle the insurgency.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with UN Secretary-General Guterres US Dept. of State 24 Feb 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Virtual OSCE Permanent Council Meeting US Dept. of State 24 Feb 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tajani US Dept. of State 24 Feb 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Michelle Miller, Tony Dokoupil, and Nate Burleson of CBS Mornings US Dept. of State 24 Feb 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken with George Stephanopoulos of ABC Good Morning America US Dept. of State 24 Feb 2023
• Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs Ramin Toloui, Previewing Secretary Blinken's Upcoming Travel to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and India US Dept. of State 24 Feb 2023
• Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure The White House 24 Feb 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 24, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 24 February 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Feb 2023
• The Azadi Briefing: Afghan Taliban, Pakistan Fail To Mend Fences After Recent Tensions RFE/RL 24 Feb 2023
• PLA Fighter Jet Confronts US Navy Spy Plane With CNN Crew Aboard Over South China Sea Sputnik 24 Feb 2023 -- A recent report by US news company CNN included encounters with Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and warships while riding along in a US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft over the South China Sea.
• Russia warns US, NATO, and Ukraine over 'reckless steps' in Transnistria Press TV 24 Feb 2023 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has warned that any action by Ukraine or its Western allies that poses a threat to Russian peacekeepers or Russian nationals in the region separated from Moldova in Transnistria will be considered an attack on Russia.
• Israel/Palestine: Statement by the Spokesperson on Israel's approval of more than 7,000 housing units in illegal settlements European External Action Service (EEAS) 24 Feb 2023 -- The European Union condemns yesterday´s approval, by the Israeli authorities, of plans for advancing more than 7,000 housing units in illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank. This exceeds the total number advanced during all of 2022, which was a record year in terms of illegal settlement expansion.
• Over 100 Reported Killed in Contested Somaliland Region VOA 24 Feb 2023 -- Fighting in the area of Las Anod, in the breakaway Somaliland republic, has escalated, with medical sources now saying more than 100 people have been killed in three weeks of clashes.

News Reports

• Spacecraft Safely In Orbit After Launch From Kazakhstan On Rescue Mission To ISS RFE/RL 24 Feb 2023 -- A Soyuz spacecraft is safely in orbit en route to the International Space Station (ISS) on a mission to retrieve three crew members whose return to Earth has been delayed by several months because of a leak in the original vessel due to bring them home.
• Telephone conversation with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan President of Russia 24 Feb 2023 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Putin, Erdogan Discuss Situation in Ukraine, Istanbul Agreements Sputnik 24 Feb 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan exchanged views on the situation around Ukraine, and the implementation of Istanbul agreements on the export of grain from Ukraine and the supply of food and fertilizers from Russia, the Kremlin said on Friday.
• US Claims Russia's 'Strategic Failure' Extends Beyond the Battlefield VOA 24 Feb 2023 -- Russia's blunders on the battlefield in Ukraine are scaring away longtime partners and other countries that have come to depend on Moscow for weapons systems, munitions and maintenance, according to a key State Department official.
• US Prosecutors Seek Forfeiture of Russian Oligarch's Properties VOA 24 Feb 2023 -- U.S. prosecutors went to federal court in New York on Friday to seek forfeiture of about $75 million in luxury real estate owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, saying the assets are proceeds from sanctions violations.
• Task Force KleptoCapture Unseals Two Cases Charging Evasion of Russian Economic Countermeasures US Dept. of Justice 24 Feb 2023 -- 1 Year to Date of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine, US Seeks Forfeiture of $75M in Luxury Properties Owned by Oligarch Viktor Vekselberg; Separately Charges Russian National with Illegally Exporting Counterintelligence Equipment to Benefit Russian Government
• A Proclamation on Increasing Duties on Certain Articles from the Russian Federation The White House 24 Feb 2023
• The United States Imposes Additional Sweeping Costs on Russia US Dept. of State 24 Feb 2023 -- One year ago today, Russia launched its brutal and unprovoked full-scale war against Ukraine. We remain committed to supporting the people of Ukraine and are redoubling our efforts to promote accountability for the Kremlin's war.
• The United States Takes Sweeping Actions on the One Year Anniversary of Russia's War Against Ukraine US Dept. of State 24 Feb 2023 -- The United States will continue to take actions against Russia until it ends its brutal war against Ukraine. Today, the Department of State is taking actions to increase the costs on President Putin's regime. All targets are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, which authorizes sanctions with respect to specified harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation.
• Remarks by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen During Press Pool Spray with UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt US Treasury 24 Feb 2023
• Targeting Key Sectors, Evasion Efforts, and Military Supplies, Treasury Expands and Intensifies Sanctions Against Russia US Treasury 24 Feb 2023 -- Today, one year after the Russian Federation launched its unprovoked war against Ukraine, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is taking significant action to diminish Russia's ability to continue its brutal war and to procure the resources used to support it.
• FACT SHEET: Disrupting and Degrading - One Year of U.S. Sanctions on Russia and Its Enablers US Treasury 24 Feb 2023 -- The United States, along with an international coalition of over 30 allies and partners, has imposed sweeping sanctions, export controls, and other economic measures since the start of Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine.
• White House Announces New Sanctions Against Russia Over Military Operation Sputnik 24 Feb 2023 -- The White House announced a new set of additional sanctions against Russia on Friday that marks the one-year anniversary of Moscow's military operation in Ukraine.
• New U.S. Sanctions Target Banks, Companies Supplying Russian Military RFE/RL 24 Feb 2023 -- The United States has imposed new sweeping sanctions on dozens of Russian banks, companies, and individuals, saying they were being targeted to further restrict the flow of materials to manufacturers that supply the Russian military and to punish companies and individuals that have helped Moscow evade sanctions.
• Statement by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen on Suspension of Russia from the Financial Action Task Force US Treasury 24 Feb 2023 -- Today, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the international standard-setting body on illicit finance, suspended the Russian Federation from its membership. This is the first time in the FATF's 34-year history that the body has taken such unprecedented action, a step warranted by Russia's unlawful, immoral, and unprovoked war against Ukraine.
• Financial watchdog FATF suspends Russia's membership over Ukraine war Press TV 24 Feb 2023 -- The Western-oriented financial crime watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) says it has suspended Russia's membership over the war in Ukraine.
• New sanctions ban every item Russia is using on the battlefield UK FCDO 24 Feb 2023 -- The Foreign Secretary announced a new package of sanctions, including export bans on every item Ukraine has found Russia using on the battlefield to date.
• The Week In Russia: 'Lies, Darkness, And Isolation' RFE/RL 24 Feb 2023 -- As Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its second year, U.S. President Joe Biden visited Kyiv and promised that Western backing will not flag. Russian President Vladmir Putin turned to his go-to topic -- his country's nuclear arsenal -- in a bid undermine that support.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 24, 2023 PRC MofA 24 Feb 2023
• US-China Tensions Over Alleged Spy Balloon, Ukraine Threaten Trade VOA 24 Feb 2023 -- Economic experts say the confrontation between the U.S. and China over a suspected spy balloon is spilling into the economic sphere as investors express concerns about the future of U.S.-China trade and a growing number of U.S. lawmakers and officials push for a tougher stance against Beijing, starting with faster action on economic issues.
• 'Kidnapped by domestic politics and serving anti-China policy': Chinese FM questions credibility of US 'balloon incident' probe Global Times 24 Feb 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry questioned the credibility of a US probe into the "balloon incident," as the upcoming "investigation report" is likely to have already been prepared, and the US position on the incident is hijacked by its domestic politics to serve its strategy of containing China.
• Hong Kong court jails martial artist for recruiting band of 'subversive' fighters Radio Free Asia 24 Feb 2023 -- A Hong Kong court has jailed martial arts instructor Denis Wong Tak-keung for five years after finding him guilty of "subversion" in connection with social media posts that the authorities said "incited hatred" of the government.
• Death of Uyghur Refugee in Thai Detention Stirs Condemnation VOA 24 Feb 2023 -- A Uyghur refugee from China's Xinjiang region died of alleged police neglect this month at the Bangkok Immigration Detention Center, raising concerns about the treatment of the more than 50 Uyghur refugees who have been held at the center since 2014.
• China moves to develop its own version of ChatGPT amid censorship concerns Radio Free Asia 24 Feb 2023 -- Chinese search engine giant Baidu is moving to set up its own artificial intelligence chatbot amid reports that regulators have warned major tech companies not to offer the Microsoft-backed artificial intelligence bot ChatGPT to the public.
• China launches new communications satellite People's Daily 24 Feb 2023 -- China on Thursday sent a new communications satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
• Military detects balloon of unknown origin in northern Taiwan CNA 24 Feb 2023 -- Taiwan's military detected a balloon in the north of the country on Friday, the Air Force said in a statement, without indicating whether the balloon came from China.
• Ex-Army colonel who spied for China sentenced to 7.5 years in prison CNA 24 Feb 2023 -- The Taiwan Kaohsiung District Court said Friday it had handed down a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence to a retired Army colonel found guilty of corruption for taking money to provide information to China.
• White House reiterates support for Taiwan amid troop increase report CNA 24 Feb 2023 -- The White House on Thursday reiterated its support for Taiwan in response to a report that the Pentagon will expand the number of U.S. troops in Taiwan to train local forces against the threat from China.
• South Korea to conduct radiation exposure tests on North Korean escapees Radio Free Asia 24 Feb 2023 -- South Korea has announced it will conduct radiation exposure testing on people who once lived near North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear testing site prior to escaping the country and resettling in the South.
• Iran building 2,000 MW nuclear power plant in defiance of sanctions: Nuclear chief Press TV 24 Feb 2023 -- Iran's nuclear chief says a nuclear power plant in the southwestern province of Khuzestan aims to generate 2,000 megawatts of electricity, defying decades of sanctions that have targeted the country's peaceful nuclear program.
• Mysterious Wave Of Sickness Hits Iranian Schoolgirls, Amid Speculation Over Poisoning RFE/RL 24 Feb 2023 -- Hundreds of schoolgirls have fallen sick and scores have been hospitalized in Iran's holy city of Qom in recent months, with some parents and officials suspecting they were poisoned.
• Iranians Stage Protests At Graves Of Crackdown Victims, Call For Regime Change RFE/RL 24 Feb 2023 -- Iranian protesters have staged fresh anti-government demonstrations and called for regime change at the graves of protesters killed by security forces in the ongoing nationwide unrest that has rocked the country since the death of Mahsa Amini.
• Malaysia deports 114 Muslim Myanmar nationals, including children, their lawyer says Radio Free Asia 24 Feb 2023 -- Malaysia has deported 114 Muslim Myanmar nationals who will be persecuted by the ruling military when they return, although they are not Rohingya, their lawyer said Thursday.
• New EU Sanctions More Effectively Target Myanmar Junta VOA 24 Feb 2023 -- The latest round of EU sanctions imposed on the Myanmar junta were welcomed by advocacy groups monitoring human rights violations in the Southeast Asian country.
• Georgia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the draft law on "transparency of foreign influence" European External Action Service (EEAS) 24 Feb 2023 -- The proposed draft law on "transparency of foreign influence" raises serious concerns. Creating and maintaining an enabling environment for civil society organisations and ensuring media freedom is at the core of democracy. It is also key to the EU accession process and part of the 12 priorities, notably priority 7 on media freedom and priority 10 on the involvement of civil society.
• The European Union Election Observation Mission to Nigeria 2023 condemns violence leading up to election day European External Action Service (EEAS) 24 Feb 2023 -- The EU EOM condemns the recent acts of severe and coordinated incidents of violence, in particular the recent assassination, and urges authorities to hold those responsible to account.
• What to Know About Nigeria's Election VOA 24 Feb 2023 -- Voters in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, head to the polls Saturday to cast ballots in presidential and parliamentary elections. President Muhammadu Buhari, who is in his second term in office, is not eligible to run again after serving the maximum of eight years in office. There are three main presidential candidates running to succeed him and the race is seen as the most competitive since the country switched from military rule to democracy in 1999. Here is what to know about the elections:
• One Year Later, Somalia Still Feeling Effects of Ukraine War VOA 24 Feb 2023 -- One year after Russia invaded Ukraine, aid-dependent Somalia is still feeling the effects, as escalating prices for wheat and the long-running regional drought put millions at risk of starvation.
• Polls Close in Djibouti's Parliamentary Elections VOA 24 Feb 2023 -- Polls closed Friday in the tiny Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti, where President Ismael Omar Geulleh's ruling party faced a single opposition party in parliamentary elections.