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• Guantanamo Bay Detainee Transfer Announced DoD 08 Mar 2023 -- The Department of Defense announced today the repatriation of Ghassan Al Sharbi from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• DOD Officials Testify About Homeland Defense Before House Panel DoD News 08 Mar 2023 -- When Army Gen. Henry Knox became the nation's first secretary of war in 1789, the primary mission of the War Department was simple: Defend the United States of America.
• Cyber Command, NSA Successes Point Way to Future DoD News 08 Mar 2023 -- U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency are on a wartime footing all the time, as the agency works to defend the homeland from cyber attacks, said Army Gen. Paul Nakasone to the Senate Armed Services Committee, yesterday.
• Army announces upcoming unit deployments US Army 08 Mar 2023 -- The Department of the Army announced today the summer deployments of the following units.
• State Partnership, shared visions highlight African Chiefs of Defense conference AFRICOM 08 Mar 2023 -- African Chiefs of Defense and senior military leaders from 43 countries met in Rome for the annual African Chiefs of Defense Conference held from Feb. 27 - March 2, 2023.
• Virginia Guard Soldiers Conduct Infantry Exchange in Tajikistan Army News 08 Mar 2023 -- Three Virginia National Guard Soldiers conducted an advanced infantry tactics exchange with soldiers and representatives from the Republic of Tajikistan Feb. 26-March 2.
• New Course Aims to fix Stryker Mechanic Shortage Army News 08 Mar 2023 -- When the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team deployed to Fort Irwin, California, for a rotation at the National Training Center last year, it was missing a few key pieces: about 70 Stryker mechanics.
• First permanently-assigned U.S. Soldiers arrive in Poland Army News 08 Mar 2023 -- U.S. Army V Corps reached another large milestone that has set the foundation for future Soldiers who permanently change their duty station to become new members of Victory Corps forward at Camp Kosciuszko, Poland. V Corps has offered Soldiers the opportunity to conduct a Permanent Change of Station, known as PCS, to the camp, which will further enhance readiness and show further commitment to NATO allies and partners.
• Readout of Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, Elizabeth Phu Meeting With French Special Operations Commander, Brigadier General Michel Delpit DoD 08 Mar 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Egyptian Minister of Defense General Muhammed Zaki DoD 08 Mar 2023
• Department of Defense Awards $2 Million for Social Science Research Under the Defense Education and Civilian University Partnership DoD 08 Mar 2023 -- The DoD announced the selection of six DoD and university faculty teams to pursue fundamental social science research through the Defense Education and Civilian University Research (DECUR) Partnership, a program under DoD's Minerva Research Initiative (Minerva).
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on International Women's Day DoD 08 Mar 2023 -- "Today, on International Women's Day, the Department of Defense recognizes the tremendous, enduring contributions that women Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Guardians, and civilian employees have made in service to our country."
• AMC, AFMC commanders talk logistics on attack, integrated deterrence at warfare symposium US Air Force 08 Mar 2023 -- "Vast distances and few areas to use as supply nodes ... all potentially during a period of competition." That is how Royal Air Force Air Commodore Jez Attridge described the task at hand in the Pacific as moderator of a mobility panel discussion at the Air and Space Forces Association 2023 Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado, March 7.
• AFGSC commander discusses mission, modernization at Warfare Symposium US Air Force 08 Mar 2023 -- Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, spoke to hundreds in attendance and thousands more via live stream at the 2023 Air and Space Forces Warfare Symposium in Aurora, March 7.
• China Aerospace Studies Institute introduces research, analysis toolkit for commanders US Air Force 08 Mar 2023 -- The Department of the Air Force launched a toolkit March 8, providing a supplemental resource for commanders to tailor training specifically oriented to the United States' pacing challenge.
• During Middle East Tour, Austin Talks Daesh, Partnership With Iraqi Leaders DoD News 08 Mar 2023 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III visited Iraq yesterday for meetings with leaders in Baghdad and Irbil as part of a multiday trip through the Middle East to reaffirm U.S. commitments in the region.
• U.S. defense secretary arrives in Iraq unannounced for anti-IS discussion People's Daily 08 Mar 2023 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived unannounced in Baghdad on Tuesday to discuss the fight against the extremist Islamic State (IS) militant group and expand the partnership with Iraq.
• Government has presented bill on Sweden's membership of NATO to the Riksdag Government Offices of Sweden 08 Mar 2023 -- The government bill is an important step on the path to NATO membership. The Riksdag's approval is required for Sweden to accede to NATO.
• Swedish Government Sends Draft Law on NATO Membership to Parliament Sputnik 08 Mar 2023 -- The Swedish government said on Wednesday that it had submitted to the country's parliament a bill on accession to NATO.
• NATO Secretary General at EU Defence Ministerial: we must boost ammunition stockpiles, ramp up production NATO 08 Mar 2023
• NATO marks International Women's Day with conference on gender equality in technology NATO 08 Mar 2023 -- On International Women's Day (8 March 2023), experts from across the Alliance convened at NATO Headquarters to discuss the role that women and gender play in shaping future technologies and how technologies need to be adapted to empower and protect women and men equally in both civilian and military domains.
• Minister Naď at EU Defence Ministerial: Talks in Stockholm have reaffirmed the EU's unity over Ukraine MOD - Slovak Republic 08 Mar 2023 -- Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď is attending an informal meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council with Defence Ministers (FAC DEF) in Stockholm on 7-8 March 2023. EU Defence Ministers have devoted their attention to Russia's war against Ukraine, the options available for backing the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and the best practice for reimbursing the military equipment that has been transferred from EU countries to Ukraine under the EPF off-budget funding mechanism.
• The current scale and pace of military support for Ukraine should be sustained Republic of Poland 08 Mar 2023 -- On Wednesday, March 8, in Stockholm, Mariusz Blaszczak, Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Defense, participated in an informal meeting of European Union defense ministers. The meeting was chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, J. Borrell.
• US eyes equipping Ukrainian jets with Western missiles as fighting rages on: Report Press TV 08 Mar 2023 -- The US defense ministry is looking into the possibility of equipping Ukrainian MiG fighter jets with advanced Western air-to-air missiles, a report says, the latest attempt by the Pentagon to boost Kiev's military capabilities against Russian forces.
• Russia Reportedly Supplying Enriched Plutonium to China DoD News 08 Mar 2023 -- Various open-source outlets reported how Rosatom is providing highly enriched uranium for Chinese fast breeder reactors, said a U.S official during a posture hearing today at the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces.
• Taiwan's Marine Corps reports two T91 assault rifle actions missing CNA 08 Mar 2023 -- Two T91 assault rifle actions were found to be missing during a weapons inventory conducted by the 99th Marine Brigade in Kaohsiung, Taiwan's Marine Corps Command said Wednesday evening, the second instance of a military unit reporting missing weapons or weapon parts in one day.
• Canada deploys medical trainers, extends engineer training for Ukraine People's Daily 08 Mar 2023 -- Canada has deployed medical trainers to Poland to train members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the skills needed to save lives effectively in combat situations, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Anita Anand said Tuesday.
• Canada to help repair power grid, support mine action in Ukraine People's Daily 08 Mar 2023 -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly announced Tuesday new support for Ukraine to help address its critical energy and security needs.
• Chinese FM urges S.Korea to refrain from provoking conflicts as Seoul may move to join Quad Global Times 08 Mar 2023 -- Responding to South Korea planning to "proactively accelerate" its participation in defense pact Quad, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that the countries concerned should do more that is conducive to regional peace and enhancing mutual trust, rather than provoking confrontation and engaging in small cliques.
• South Korea Not Planning to Obtain Nuclear Weapons - Prime Minister Sputnik 08 Mar 2023 -- Seoul had no plans to obtain nuclear weapons and would rely on an extended deterrence of North Korea in an alliance with the United States, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said on Tuesday.
• Informal Foreign Affairs Council (Defence): Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell at the press conference European External Action Service (EEAS) 08 Mar 2023 -- Check against delivery!
• Informal Foreign Affairs Council (Defence): Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival European External Action Service (EEAS) 08 Mar 2023
• Readout of the Courtesy Call of Ambassador Victoria Nuland, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs on Secretary Enrique Manalo Philippines DFA 08 Mar 2023
• Department Press Briefing - March 8, 2023 US Dept. of State 08 Mar 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre The White House 08 Mar 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 8, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 8 March 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 Mar 2023
• Joint Statement from Foreign Ministers on the Situation for Women and Girls in Afghanistan on International Women's Day US Dept. of State 08 Mar 2023 -- The following is a statement from the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States and the High Representative of the European Union.
• Afghanistan now 'most repressive country' for women, Security Council hears UN News 08 Mar 2023 -- Afghanistan under the Taliban remains the "most repressive country in the world [for] women's rights", the senior UN official in Kabul told the Security Council on Wednesday, while nevertheless voicing a nuanced position on the importance of continuing to engage with the group.
• Female Education In Afghanistan Is A Brutal Open-And-Shut Case Of Discrimination RFE/RL 08 Mar 2023 -- To the outside world, women's right to an education is an unalienable right. For girls and women in Afghanistan, it is an open-and-shut case of discrimination.
• Taliban Is World's Most Repressive Regime For Women, UN Says RFE/RL 08 Mar 2023 -- The Taliban has implemented the world's most repressive regime for women, the United Nations mission to the country said in a statement to mark International Women's Day on March 8, calling on Afghanistan's rulers to scrap the severe restrictions it imposed on its female population since returning to power.
• UN: Taliban-Run Afghanistan Becomes World's 'Most Repressive' Nation for Women VOA 08 Mar 2023 -- The United Nations said Wednesday that Taliban restrictions on the rights of women and girls had "effectively trapped" most of them in their homes, turning Afghanistan into the "most repressive" country in the world for women.
• Q&A: Taliban's Policy on Women Amounts to Crime Against Humanity, UN Special Rapporteur Says VOA 08 Mar 2023 -- The U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, says individual Taliban members could be held accountable for what he calls the group's unacceptable policy to erase women from public life.
• Hunt for oil and gas increases risk of flashpoints in South China Sea, report says Radio Free Asia 08 Mar 2023 -- Almost all the claimants in the South China Sea are moving forward with new oil and gas exploration projects this year, heightening the risk of confrontations and even clashes in disputed waters, a new report said.
• Compromise is crucial in search for peace for sake of all Syrians, urges UN negotiator UN News 08 Mar 2023 -- The Syrian conflict will only be resolved if all parties involved in it are prepared to make the kind of compromises on humanitarian grounds that followed last month's earthquake disaster, UN negotiator Geir Pedersen said on Wednesday.
• Israel/Palestine: Statement of the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the latest developments EC/CEU 08 Mar 2023 -- The European Union and its Member States are deeply concerned by the increasing violence and extremism in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, which are leading to appalling numbers of Israeli and Palestinian victims, including children. The situation in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is a great cause for concern.
• Envoy 'deeply disturbed' by mounting violence between Israelis and Palestinians UN News 08 Mar 2023 -- In response to the latest violent unrest in the West Bank, the UN Middle East envoy has underlined the need for Israelis and Palestinians to exercise restraint to avoid further escalation.
• Somalia's Lower House Passes Historic Anti-Terrorism Law VOA 08 Mar 2023 -- The lower house of Somalia's Parliament on Wednesday approved a new anti-terrorism law that aims to provide a legal framework that will help government security agencies to better fight and eradicate terrorism in Somalia.
• Somali Military Court Executes 13 Militants, 5 Soldiers VOA 08 Mar 2023 -- A military court in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in Somalia, executed 13 militants Wednesday who were members of the al-Shabab and Islamic State terror groups.

News Reports

• US intel chief: Agencies 'divided' over COVID origins Radio Free Asia 08 Mar 2023 -- The U.S. intelligence community is "divided" over whether COVID-19 originated from a lab in Wuhan or from natural exposure to an infected animal, and is only sure it wasn't a deliberate bioweapon, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told the Senate on Wednesday.
• Russian Military Unlikely to Make 'Major Gains in Ukraine,' Say Top US Intel Officials VOA 08 Mar 2023 -- More than a year after he sent troops into Ukraine, Russian leader Vladimir Putin is beginning to accept his military's shortcomings and adapt his strategies in hopes of eventually toppling Kyiv, according to top U.S. intelligence officials.
• ODNI Releases 2023 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community Director of National Intelligence 08 Mar 2023 -- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) today released the 2023 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community.
• Narcotrafficker Pleads Guilty to International Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy US Dept. of Justice 08 Mar 2023 -- According to court documents, beginning in the 1980s through 2017, Raul Flores-Hernandez, aka El Tio, 70, led a drug-trafficking organization based in Mexico's Jalisco State that trafficked cocaine from South America to Mexico for subsequent importation into the United States.
• Joint Update by the Department of State and the Department of Health and Human Services on Negotiations Toward a Pandemic Accord US Dept. of State 08 Mar 2023 -- The Fourth Meeting at the World Health Organization of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body working on a pandemic accord concluded last week.
• EU Court Removes Prigozhin's Mother From Ukraine Sanctions List RFE/RL 08 Mar 2023 -- The EU General Court has annulled Ukraine-related sanctions imposed on the mother of Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the chief of the Wagner mercenary group that is spearheading Moscow's war in eastern Ukraine.
• Mali Considers Russia Reliable Partner, Transitional Prime Minister Says Sputnik 08 Mar 2023 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Mali in February to discuss bilateral economic relations, security and fighting terrorism, as well as to invite the Malian president to the second Russia-Africa Summit scheduled for July. This visit has been viewed by observers as a sign of Mali's growing confidence in Russia.
• Ukraine denies involvement in Nord Stream blasts; Russia calls US report 'red herring' Press TV 08 Mar 2023 -- The Ukrainian defense minister has denied his country's involvement in the explosions that damaged the strategic undersea Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea last year.
• Ukraine Again Denies Role In Nord Stream Sabotage, EU Urges Caution RFE/RL 08 Mar 2023 -- Ukraine has again said it was not involved in the sabotaging of the Nord Stream gas pipeline amid media reports that intelligence reviewed by U.S. officials indicates that a pro-Ukrainian group was behind last year's attacks.
• China's cybersecurity sector advised to build strategically superior capability to deal with suppression of hegemonic powers: CPPCC member Global Times 08 Mar 2023 -- China's cybersecurity sector should strengthen its efforts to build strategically superior capability to be capable of dealing with the all-around suppression launched by hegemonic powers, according to a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
• Proposed CPPCC charter amendment under review by national political advisors People's Daily 08 Mar 2023 -- A draft amendment to the charter of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was submitted for deliberation Tuesday at the ongoing session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on March 8, 2023 PRC MofA 08 Mar 2023
• Chinese FM slams Canada's accusation of Chinese interference in elections 'simply ridiculous' Global Times 08 Mar 2023 -- It is simply ridiculous that some Canadian politicians are spreading lies about China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stressed again, over Canada's latest move to investigate Beijing's so-called interference in Canada's elections.
• Wang Huning hopes political advisors from HKSAR will tell story of One Country, Two Systems well Global Times 08 Mar 2023 -- A senior Chinese official met top policy advisors from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday, expressing his hope for them to tell the story about the One Country, Two Systems principle well and let the whole world understand that the principle is a good system.
• UN human rights chief: China has arbitrarily detained Uyghurs, separated families Radio Free Asia 08 Mar 2023 -- The U.N.'s new human right chief said his agency has documented China's arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and the separation of children from their families in comments during a global update on human rights on Wednesday in Geneva.
• China's financial regulatory shake-up eyes stability, defusing risks Global Times 08 Mar 2023 -- China has moved to overhaul its financial regulatory regime with a slew of institutional reforms launched on Tuesday, in what experts said was a sweeping push to improve supervision efficiency and prevent financial risks and loopholes against the backdrop of global financial fluctuations and China's rapidly evolving financial sector.
• China plans massive new center to house, control 'big data' on all of its people Radio Free Asia 08 Mar 2023 -- China has announced plans to set up a central data bureau to tighten control over "big data" intelligence on its 1.4 billion citizens, as well as implement tighter Communist Party control over the banking system and financial markets, state media reported.
• Chinese judiciary pledges to serve Chinese modernization People's Daily 08 Mar 2023 -- Chinese courts and prosecuting agencies will strive to serve Chinese modernization, particularly the country's high-quality development, Chief Justice Zhou Qiang and Procurator-general Zhang Jun said Tuesday.
• China's national legislature holds 2nd plenary meeting of annual session People's Daily 08 Mar 2023 -- The first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) held a plenary meeting Tuesday to hear work reports of the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC, the Supreme People's Court (SPC) and the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP), as well as an explanation on a reform plan of the State Council institutions.
• Institutional reform plan unveiled, to bolster sci-tech self-reliance, enhance economic and financial security Global Times 08 Mar 2023 -- China on Tuesday unveiled a sweeping reform plan for a slew of state institutions, with a focus on restructuring the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) and establishing a national financial regulatory administration, underscoring the country's intensifying efforts to bolster its scientific-technology capabilities and economic and financial security amid growing external uncertainties.
• State Council restructuring plan submitted for deliberation People's Daily 08 Mar 2023 -- China's State Council, the cabinet, on Tuesday unveiled a plan on reforming its institutions.
• Chinese FM meets press to elaborate on nation's diplomacy, foreign ties Global Times 08 Mar 2023 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Tuesday held a press conference on the sidelines of the Two Sessions, and by answering questions from reporters from China and foreign press, Qin comprehensively introduced China's diplomacy on the new journey and covered topics about China's relations with Russia, the US, the EU, as well as hot spot issues like the Ukraine crisis and the Taiwan Straits situation.
• Major-country diplomacy to grow network of friends People's Daily 08 Mar 2023 -- China's major-country diplomacy has pressed the "acceleration button" this year as the COVID-19 situation improves and the country resumes exchanges with the rest of the world, Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Tuesday.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan March 8, 2023 ROC MND 08 Mar 2023
• Taiwan Detects Approach of 7 Chinese Aircraft, 3 Vessels Sputnik 08 Mar 2023 -- The Taiwanese armed forces have detected an approach of seven aircraft and three vessels of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) over the last 24 hours, responding with air and maritime patrol to monitor the situation and deploying ground-based missile systems, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
• China 'seriously concerned' by Taiwan president's plan to meet US Speaker Press TV 08 Mar 2023 -- China says it is 'seriously concerned' by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's 'transit' plans as she is reportedly scheduled to meet with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the United States.
• Report: McCarthy will meet Tsai in California Radio Free Asia 08 Mar 2023 -- House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has confirmed he will meet Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen when she visits the United States in coming weeks, according to a report by Bloomberg.
• US urged to stop 'saying one thing and doing another' and fulfill Biden's promise as McCarthy confirms plan to meet Tsai Global Times 08 Mar 2023 -- After Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang urged the US to drop its all-round suppression and containment of China and reiterated China's untouchable redlines regarding the Taiwan question, the US responded with hypocritical rhetoric, but is yet to stop hollowing out the one-China principle, a hypocritical move which may bring more turmoil to China-US relations.
• White House rebuts China, says it opposes unilateral moves on Taiwan CNA 08 Mar 2023 -- The White House on Tuesday rebutted Chinese criticism of its approach to Taiwan, saying the United States' one-China policy had not changed and that it was opposed to any unilateral actions to change the cross-Taiwan Strait status quo.
• For International Women's Day, North Korean women urged to bear more children Radio Free Asia 08 Mar 2023 -- In honor of International Women's Day, North Korean women have been urged to bear more children who will grow up to serve in the nearly 1-million strong Korean People's Army - praised as an act of the "greatest patriotism," sources in the country told Radio Free Asia.
• 'This Revolution Is Still Alive': A Growing Number Of Iranian Women Defy The Hijab Law After Monthslong Protests RFE/RL 08 Mar 2023 -- Assal appeared in public for months without a hijab, or Islamic head scarf, in solidarity with the antiestablishment protests that rocked Iran.
• UN Agency Calls For Probe As Iranian Students Protest Suspected 'Poisonings' RFE/RL 08 Mar 2023 -- The United Nations education and cultural agency UNESCO has called for an investigation into the suspected poisoning of schoolchildren in Iran as university students gathered to protest against the outbreak of a wave of mysterious illness that has resulted in scores of people being hospitalized across the country.
• US slaps more sanctions on Iran, targeting officials, companies Press TV 08 Mar 2023 -- The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on several Iranian officials and entities over alleged human rights abuses against women.
• Sanctioning Those Connected to Human Rights Abuses in Iran US Dept. of State 08 Mar 2023 -- Today - on International Women's Day - the United States is taking action in coordination with the European Union, United Kingdom, and Australia to promote accountability for the Iranian regime's continued human rights abuses, particularly those against women and girls, including those conducted in the course of the brutal crackdown on protests that erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini. To that end, the United States is designating two Iranian officials overseeing prisons in Iran, two senior Iranian security leaders, three companies that supply Iranian law enforcement, and the heads of these companies, as well as a high ranking law enforcement official.
• Marking International Women's Day, Treasury Sanctions Iranian Officials and Entities for Serious Human Rights Abuses US Treasury 08 Mar 2023 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is sanctioning several Iranian regime officials and entities, including two senior officials in Iran's prison system who have been responsible for serious human rights abuses against women and girls. OFAC is also taking action against the top commander of the Iranian army and a high-ranking leader in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as an Iranian official who was central to the regime's efforts to block internet access.
• Window of opportunity to conclude Vienna talks still open: Russian envoy IRNA 08 Mar 2023 -- Permanent Representative of Russia to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ivanovich Ulyanov has underlined that there is still opportunity to reach a final agreement in Vienna to restore the implementation of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
• 'Iran entitled to respond to any negative move on its nuclear program' IRNA 08 Mar 2023 -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and International Organizations in Vienna Mohsen Naziri-Asl has said that Tehran reserves the right to respond to any negative move about its nuclear program.
• Non-Proliferation Treaty Safeguards Agreement with Iran: E3 Statement to the IAEA, March 2023 UK FCDO 08 Mar 2023 -- UK Ambassador to the IAEA, Corinne Kitsell, gave a statement on behalf of the UK, France and Germany to the IAEA about Iran's implementation of its obligations under its NPT Safeguards Agreement
• E3 statement to the IAEA Board of Governors on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, March 2023 UK FCDO 08 Mar 2023 -- Delivered 7 March 2023, France, Germany and the UK (E3) gave a joint statement to the IAEA Board of Governors on Iran's implementation of its nuclear commitments under the JCPoA.
• Iran says ready to continue fence-mending talks with Saudi Arabia, strike deal Press TV 08 Mar 2023 -- The Islamic Republic is ready for a new round of fence-mending talks with Saudi Arabia in the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad, Iran's Nour News said Wednesday, adding that the country is determined to strike an agreement.
• Iran: SCO can serve as effective force against unilateralism Press TV 08 Mar 2023 -- Iran underlines the capacities that are lent to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a result of its sheer extent and size of membership.
• Myanmar's junta killed nearly 500 women in just over 2 years Radio Free Asia 08 Mar 2023 -- Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government marked International Women's Day Wednesday with a bleak statistic.
• Additional Humanitarian Assistance for the Burma and Bangladesh Regional Crisis US Dept. of State 08 Mar 2023 -- During the launch of the 2023 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis in Bangladesh today, the Department of State announced nearly $26 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and the region, for those people in Burma affected by ongoing violence, and for communities hosting refugees from Burma.
• Clashes Between Pakistan Police, Ex-PM Khan's Supporters Leave 1 Dead, Several Injured VOA 08 Mar 2023 -- Pakistani police Wednesday fired tear gas at demonstrators armed with sticks who are supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan in the eastern city of Lahore, resulting in the death of at least one protester in ensuing clashes.
• Sri Lanka announces new date to hold local elections People's Daily 08 Mar 2023 -- Sri Lanka's Election Commission announced on Tuesday that April 25 is the suitable date to hold local council elections.
• Modest Chinese Growth Target May Boost Australia's Exports VOA 08 Mar 2023 -- Analysts in Australia believe China's economy is in transition and is moving away from a focus on global trade to a model based more on consumer spending and internal investment.
• Engineers Blame Building Amnesty for Turkey Quake's High Toll VOA 08 Mar 2023 -- As parts of southeastern Turkey struggle to recover from last month's earthquake, many are questioning why so many relatively modern buildings collapsed in the 7.8 magnitude tremor, with some engineers pointing the finger at Turkish government policy.
• Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić on the situation in Georgia Council of Europe 08 Mar 2023
• Georgian Security Forces Use Force To Break Up Second Day Of 'Foreign Agent' Law Protests RFE/RL 08 Mar 2023 -- Security forces and police have used tear gas and water cannons to break up a second straight day of demonstrations in the Georgian capital against parliament's move toward approving a controversial "foreign agents" law that critics say mirrors Russian legislation and could push the country toward authoritarianism.
• Laos' inflation surges over 40% in February Radio Free Asia 08 Mar 2023 -- The inflation rate in Laos surged 41.3% in February, government figures show - a whopping jump from just a 2% rate the same time last year - despite drastic measures taken by authorities to tame the crisis.
• Thai Hunger Strikers Drive Debate on Royal Defamation Law VOA 08 Mar 2023 -- A hunger strike by two young activists has returned the issue of Thailand's royal defamation law to the center of political debate as a general election draws near and pro-democracy parties try to avoid making the controversial law a campaign issue.