• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• Kendall, Brown, Saltzman tell lawmakers 'on-time' budget needed to meet security challenges, transform Air, Space Forces US Air Force 28 Mar 2023 -- Delivering a unified and unambiguous message, the Department of the Air Force's highest-ranking civilian and military leaders told Congress March 28 that progress is being made modernizing the Air and Space Forces but to fully succeed, Congress must pass the budget on time so critical "transformation" is not delayed.
• Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl's Meeting with Latvian Ministry of Defense State Secretary Janis Garisons DoD 28 Mar 2023
• Competition With China Drives FY 2024 Budget Request DoD News 28 Mar 2023 -- The $842 billion fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Defense Department is driven in large part by strategic competition with China, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said.
• Airlift, Sealift Recapitalization Is Key to U.S. Logistical Dominance DoD News 28 Mar 2023 -- Airlift capacity and sealift recapitalization are among the biggest concerns for maintaining the U.S. military's asymmetric logistical dominance, Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost said at a rare hearing of two, House Armed Services' subcommittees today.
• FRCE Transportation Branch Keeps Production Moving With New Trailer US Navy 28 Mar 2023 -- A new asset in the Transportation Branch at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) is helping reduce turnaround times by simplifying aircraft movement between depot sites.
• U.S. Navy Decommissions Last Patrol Craft Stationed in Bahrain US Navy 28 Mar 2023 -- The U.S. Navy decommissioned the last two Cyclone-class patrol coastal ships stationed at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, March 28, during a pierside ceremony attended by U.S. 5th Fleet officials.
• Top US Military Officer Warns of Arms Race in Western Pacific VOA 28 Mar 2023 -- The top U.S. military officer is warning of a growing arms race in the western Pacific, as nations become increasingly concerned about China's military buildup in the region following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• US Looks to Reposture in West Pacific to Deter China: Joint Chiefs Chairman Sputnik 28 Mar 2023 -- US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley said on Wednesday that the US was looking to adjust its posture in the Western Pacific in response to China's efforts to become the regional hegemon.
• US Will Continue to Fly Intelligence Drones in Black Sea Despite Recent Crash: Defense Secretary Sputnik 28 Mar 2023 -- The United States continues to fly drones in areas of the Black Sea it considers necessary for intelligence collection, despite the recent crash of a drone near Russia, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday.
• US will not give Russia nuclear data after New START treaty suspension: White House Press TV 28 Mar 2023 -- A White House spokesperson says the United States has informed Russia that it will not exchange data on its nuclear forces, in response to Moscow's decision to suspend participation in the New START nuclear arms treaty.
• Hungarian parliament approves Finland's accession to NATO People's Daily 28 Mar 2023 -- The Hungarian parliament on Monday approved legislation allowing Finland to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
• Russia says it fired supersonic anti-ship missile at mock target in Sea of Japan Press TV 28 Mar 2023 -- Russia's navy has test-fired two supersonic anti-ship missiles at a mock target in the Sea of Japan, the country's defense ministry said Tuesday, as tensions continue to escalate in the wake of Tokyo's growing military ties with the US.
• 'More Of Putin's Blackmail': Analysts Weigh In On Moscow Basing Tactical Nuclear Weapons In Belarus RFE/RL 28 Mar 2023 -- In a television interview released on March 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow could deploy tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of ally Belarus by July.
• West's reaction to Russia-Belarus military cooperation 'puzzling', says Moscow Press TV 28 Mar 2023 -- Russia has denounced the West's "puzzling" reaction to growing cooperation between Moscow and Minsk, stressing its right to take all necessary measures in order to ensure its national security.
• Belarus forced to host Russia nukes due to pressure from West: Minsk Press TV 28 Mar 2023 -- Minsk says "unprecedented pressure" from the West has forced Belarus to host Russia's nuclear arms, emphasizing that such deployment of nukes does not violate international regulations.
• Belarus Alleges Western 'Pressure' Prompted Decision To Host Russian Nukes RFE/RL 28 Mar 2023 -- Belarus claims it was "forced" to agree to host Russian tactical nuclear weapons on its territory in response to what it called "unprecedented political, economic, and information pressure" from the West.
• UK Challenger Tanks to Start Combat Missions in Ukraine Soon: Ukrainian Defense Minister Sputnik 28 Mar 2023 -- Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksi Reznikov said on Tuesday that Challenger 2 tanks supplied by the United Kingdom will soon be deployed for the execution of combat missions.
• France to Increase Supply of Large Caliber Rounds to Ukraine From March Sputnik 28 Mar 2023 -- France will double the number of 155mm rounds it supplies to Ukraine to 2,000 per month starting March, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu has announced.
• US maintains intensive military ops around China with 1,000 close-in recon attempts in 2022 despite Ukraine crisis: report Global Times 28 Mar 2023 -- The US has maintained intensive military activities around China despite the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis in 2022, a situation that experts said on Tuesday will only provoke China and lead to more countermeasures that go against the US' wishful thinking.
• In a first, Taiwan warplanes to hold drill at Taitung civilian airport CNA 28 Mar 2023 -- A military aircraft emergency landing and takeoff drill will be staged for the first time at a civilian airport in Taitung County in July during an annual live-fire military drill, a military source told CNA on Tuesday.
• North Korean Leader Calls for More Weapons-Grade Nuclear Materials VOA 28 Mar 2023 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wants his country to increase production of weapons-grade nuclear materials as the North conducts more and more tests of its military arsenal.
• North Korea's Leader Orders Boost to Nuclear Weapons Production Sputnik 28 Mar 2023 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered an increase in production of nuclear weapons to bolster his country's nuclear arsenal amid tensions in the region, the state-run news agency reported on Tuesday.
• North Korea Conducts Ballistic Missile Test With Dummy Nuclear Warhead Sputnik 28 Mar 2023 -- North Korea launched two ground-to-ground tactical ballistic missiles to test a nuclear warhead in the air on Monday, the state-run news agency reported on Tuesday.
• North Korea Tested Nuclear-Capable Underwater Weapon System Again on March 25-27, Reports Say Sputnik 28 Mar 2023 -- North Korea tested a nuclear-capable underwater weapon system again on March 25-27, South Korea's news agency reported, citing the state-run North Korean news agency.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Guides Work for Mounting Nuclear Warheads on Ballistic Missiles KCNA 28 Mar 2023 -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), guided the work for mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic missiles on March 27.
• Underwater Strategic Weapon System Test Held KCNA 28 Mar 2023 -- The Academy of Defence Science of the DPRK conducted another test of underwater strategic weapon system from March 25 to 27.
• Army Unit in Charge of Important Operation Task in Central Front Conducts Missile Firing Drill KCNA 28 Mar 2023 -- A missile unit in charge of an important firing task in the central front conducted a demonstration education firing drill aimed at letting its sub-units get familiar with procedures and processes for carrying out an important firing task on March 27.
• North Korea: Expanding nuclear arsenal aimed at defending country, regional peace Press TV 28 Mar 2023 -- The North Korean leader says Pyongyang's policy of expanding its nuclear arsenal is solely aimed at defending the country as well as regional peace and stability.
• Canada Looks at Replacing Patrol Aircraft Fleet With Boeing's P-8A Poseidon Sputnik 28 Mar 2023 -- Canada via the US foreign military sales program submitted a request for proposal for up to sixteen P-8A Poseidon aircraft to replace its own CP-140 Aurora fleet, Public Services and Procurement Canada said in a statement.
• PORT VISIT OF INS SUMEDHA AT ALGIERS India PIB 28 Mar 2023 -- INS Sumedha, presently deployed in the Mediterranean Sea, entered Algiers, Algeria on 26 Mar 23 for an operational turn around. The ship was received at Port Algiers by officers of the Algerian Navy and officials from Embassy of India, Algiers.
• India will continue to work with African nations to promote regional security, stability & enhance defence capabilities, says Raksha Mantri during 1st India-Africa Army Chiefs' Conclave in Pune India PIB 28 Mar 2023 -- India will continue to work with African nations to promote regional security, foster stability and enhance the defence capabilities together.
• Poland and Romania, equipping armed forces with similar equipment, ensure the security of the entire eastern flank of NATO Republic of Poland 28 Mar 2023 -- On Tuesday, March 28 in Bucharest, the head of the Ministry of Defense participated in Polish-Romanian intergovernmental consultations chaired by the prime ministers of Poland and Romania.
• Denmark Holding Largest Artillery Drill on Its Soil Since Cold War Sputnik 28 Mar 2023 -- The sheer size and scope of the drill is eyebrow-raising for Denmark, which for decades since the end of the Cold War has been slimming down its military and devoting itself to assisting overseas missions such as in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thus this massive exercise is seen as a return to a state of preparedness for "large-scale warfighting".
• Readout of Space Systems Cybersecurity Executive Forum Hosted by the Office of the National Cyber Director and the National Space Council The White House 28 Mar 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Paraguayan Foreign Minister Arriola US Dept. of State 28 Mar 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Participation in the Tenth U.S.-Colombia High-Level Dialogue US Dept. of State 28 Mar 2023
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Opposition Leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya of Belarus The White House 28 Mar 2023
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton En Route Durham, NC The White House 28 Mar 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Al Sabah US Dept. of State 28 Mar 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tajani US Dept. of State 28 Mar 2023
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with Algerian Foreign Minister Attaf US Dept. of State 28 Mar 2023
• Remarks by President Biden After Marine One Arrival The White House 28 Mar 2023
• Remarks by President Biden Before Air Force One Departure The White House 28 Mar 2023
• Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials Previewing Day One of the Summit for Democracy The White House 28 Mar 2023
• Department Press Briefing - March 28, 2023 US Dept. of State 28 Mar 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 28, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 28 March 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 28 Mar 2023
• Unseen Taliban Leader Wields Godlike Powers in Afghanistan VOA 28 Mar 2023 -- Hibatullah Akhundzada is officially referred to as the leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, commander of the faithful, and scholar of the Quran and the hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad).
• IS-K Claims Suicide Attack Near Foreign Ministry In Kabul That Killed Six RFE/RL 28 Mar 2023 -- Islamic State-Khorasan, an offshoot of the Islamic State militant group, has claimed a suicide attack that killed six people and wounded 12 others on March 27 near the Foreign Ministry in the Afghan capital of Kabul.
• Yemen says prisoner swap deal to be implemented in three stages in two weeks' time Press TV 28 Mar 2023 -- Yemen's National Salvation Government says the process of implementing a prisoner swap deal, which was recently agreed in the Swiss city of Geneva, is scheduled to take place in two weeks' time.
• UN Chief Urges Creation of Entity to Clarify Fate of 100,000 Missing Syrians VOA 28 Mar 2023 -- The U.N. secretary-general urged the international community on Tuesday to create an international body that would assist families of the estimated 100,000 missing persons in Syria to find out the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones.
• Karen rebels seize large Myanmar military camp on Thai border Radio Free Asia 28 Mar 2023 -- Ethnic Karen rebels have attacked and seized a long-held military camp in Kayin state along Myanmar's border with Thailand, officials with the Karen National Union said Tuesday, calling it the last of the large camps held by the junta along the key Thanlwin River.
• Congressional hearing examines Chinese repression in Tibet Radio Free Asia 28 Mar 2023 -- During a congressional hearing Tuesday on China's growing repression in Tibet, U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn likened Beijing's policy to an idea from an ancient Chinese essay about political strategy - sacrificing the plum tree to preserve the peach tree.
• Over 51,000 Boko Haram Militants Surrendered In One Year, Top Nigerian Army Brass Reveals Sputnik 28 Mar 2023 -- Boko Haram*, a jihadist militant group based in northeastern Nigeria, has posed a persistent danger to the region for over a decade. The group, which seeks to establish an Islamic caliphate in the region, has carried out numerous attacks on civilian and military targets, resulting in over 65,000 deaths and the displacement of over 2 million people.
• Al-Shabab Has Lost Third of its Territory, US Ambassador Says VOA 28 Mar 2023 -- The U.S. ambassador to Somalia said the Somali government's military operations against al-Shabab have cost the militants one third of their territory.

News Reports

• China Accused of Meddling in Canada's Elections VOA 28 Mar 2023 -- Allegations are mounting that China may have interfered in Canada's most recent federal elections to favor Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party. One Conservative candidate near Vancouver says a deliberate misinformation campaign led to his defeat in 2021.
• Matriarch Sentenced for Role in Violent Multimillion-Dollar Honduran Cocaine Trafficking Organization US Dept. of Justice 28 Mar 2023 -- A Honduran woman was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for a large-scale conspiracy to traffic cocaine for importation into the United States.
• Targeting Syrian and Lebanese Illicit Drug Traffickers US Dept. of State 28 Mar 2023 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's family members and associates rely on the illicit drug trade to fund his regime's violent oppression and abuse of the Syrian people.
• Treasury Sanctions Syrian Regime and Lebanese Actors Involved in Illicit Drug Production and Trafficking US Treasury 28 Mar 2023 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action in coordination with counterparts in the United Kingdom to designate key individuals supporting the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (al-Assad) and the production or export of Captagon, a dangerous amphetamine. The trade in Captagon is estimated to have become a billion-dollar illicit enterprise.
• Tackling the illicit drug trade fuelling Assad's war machine UK FCDO 28 Mar 2023 -- The UK and US have imposed sanctions on those responsible for the illicit captagon trade, which is estimated to be worth up to $57 billion to the Assad regime.
• UN underlines support for Africa's fight against terrorism UN News 28 Mar 2023 -- Although no region is immune to terrorism, the situation in Africa is especially concerning, Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Tuesday, underlining UN support to countries striving to "end this scourge."
• Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council - on Countering Terrorism and Preventing Violent Extremism UN Secretary-General 28 Mar 2023
• UK encourages greater use of UN sanctions regimes to counter terrorism on the continent of Africa: UK Statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 28 Mar 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council debate on counter-terrorism
• UK raises terror threat level in Northern Ireland to 'severe' Press TV 28 Mar 2023 -- The British Security Service (MI5) has raised the threat level in Northern Ireland from domestic terrorism to "severe," its second-highest category, meaning that attacks are highly likely.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with TASS news agency, Moscow, March 28, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Mar 2023
• Meeting with Samara Region Governor Dmitry Azarov President of Russia 28 Mar 2023 -- Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Governor of the Samara Region Dmitry Azarov. The discussion focused on the implementation of national projects in the region, the performance of AvtoVAZ and measures to support the participants in the special military operation and their families.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on an event convened by the United States under the pretext of supporting democracy around the world Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Mar 2023
• EU Official Calls On Kyrgyzstan To Prevent Russia From Evading Sanctions RFE/RL 28 Mar 2023 -- David O'Sullivan, the European Union's special envoy for the implementation of sanctions, has called on Kyrgyzstan and other nations in Moscow's political and economic sphere to avoid assisting Moscow's attempts to evade sanctions imposed on Russia over its ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
• Q&A: Prosecutor Discusses How US Punishes Russian Sanctions Violators VOA 28 Mar 2023 -- More than a year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a Justice Department task force set up to enforce U.S. sanctions on Russia continues to seize and forfeit assets owned by Russian oligarchs.
• South Africa Mulls Options After ICC's Putin Arrest Order VOA 28 Mar 2023 -- With an International Criminal Court arrest warrant out for Vladimir Putin, South Africa is weighing what to do if the Russian president accepts an earlier invitation to attend an August summit in the country.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on March 28, 2023 PRC MofA 28 Mar 2023
• President Xi speaks with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia on the phone on Tuesday Global Times 28 Mar 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia over the phone on Tuesday, saying that China is willing to work with Saudi Arabia to advance the China-Arab community with shared future.
• Chinese FM denounces 'debt trap' accusation Global Times 28 Mar 2023 -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Tuesday hit back at criticism that loans related to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are a "debt trap", saying that China does not accept this.
• Any public gathering must be done in an 'orderly and peaceful' manner: HK Chief Executive Global Times 28 Mar 2023 -- Any activities involving public gathering must be done in an orderly and peaceful manner, and in accordance with the law, said Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee at a press conference on Tuesday as response to questions over a gathering two days before against land reclamation in Tseung Kwan O, during which several dozen participants were reported to have to wear individually numbered badges.
• China Urges US to Stop Interfering in Other Countries' Affairs Under Pretext of Democracy Sputnik 28 Mar 2023 -- China urges the United States to stop interfering in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of democracy and creating divisions in today's world, the spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, said on Tuesday.
• Taiwan leader's US trip comes with baggage Radio Free Asia 28 Mar 2023 -- Most travelers do their best to avoid extended layovers. Not Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who arrives in New York on Wednesday for two nights of what is being billed as "transit" en route to the democratic island's few remaining allies in Central America.
• 'We will be with you,' visiting Czech speaker tells Taiwan CNA 28 Mar 2023 -- The visiting speaker of the lower house of the Czech parliament, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, affirmed her country's ties with Taiwan in a speech at the Legislative Yuan and said her nation "will be with" Taiwan.
• Ma Ying-jeou calls for cross-Straits peace, revitalizing Chinese nation on first day in Nanjing Global Times 28 Mar 2023 -- The two sides of the Taiwan Straits should work together to pursue peace, avoid war and revitalize the Chinese nation, former Taiwan regional leader Ma Ying-jeou said on Tuesday in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing, as he started his 12-day ancestral trip in the Chinese mainland.
• Tsai's transit in line with U.S. policy: State Department CNA 28 Mar 2023 -- The United States Department of State reiterated Monday that transit stops being made by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in the U.S. on her way to two of Taiwan's formal diplomatic allies are in line with Washington's long-term policy.
• Ma mentions Taiwan's official name during China visit CNA 28 Mar 2023 -- Former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) on Tuesday mentioned the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan's official title) during a public statement he gave in the complex housing Sun Yat-sen's (孫逸仙) mausoleum in Nanjing, China.
• Ex-president ruffles feathers with claim that Taiwanese are 'ethnically Chinese' Radio Free Asia 28 Mar 2023 -- Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, visiting mainland China amid ongoing regional military tensions, echoed Beijing's official line on the democratic island on Tuesday, claiming that people in democratic Taiwan and in communist China are "all ethnically Chinese."
• Taiwan gets back 'Republic of China' office name from Fiji: MOFA CNA 28 Mar 2023 -- Taiwan's government expressed its gratitude to Fiji on Tuesday for reinstating the old name of its representative office there, which includes the "Republic of China (ROC)" -- Taiwan's official name.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan March 28, 2023 ROC MND 28 Mar 2023
• Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou arrives in Chinese mainland People's Daily 28 Mar 2023 -- Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou arrived in Shanghai Monday afternoon and then left for the eastern city of Nanjing.
• North Korea ballistic missile test 27 March, 2023: FCDO response UK FCDO 28 Mar 2023 -- The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued a statement following North Korea's ballistic missile launches on 27 March.
• DPR Korea: Truth, justice needed amid 'tragic' legacy of enforced disappearances UN News 28 Mar 2023 -- "Tragic" accounts of State-sponsored abductions and enforced disappearances in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) require action from the country's authorities, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said on Tuesday.
• UN: Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Abductions by North Korea Must Get Justice VOA 28 Mar 2023 -- The U.N. human rights office is calling for justice and accountability for victims of enforced disappearance and abductions by North Korea, which has engaged in the illegal practice since 1950.
• On Gravity of Military Drills by U.S. and Its Stooges KCNA 28 Mar 2023 -- The following is the full text of a commentator's article "On Gravity of Military Drills by U.S. and Its Stooges" carried in Rodong Sinmun on Tuesday:
• Window will not remain open forever to revive nuclear deal: Iran FM Press TV 28 Mar 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has cautioned the United States and three European parties to a 2015 nuclear deal that the window of opportunity to revive the US-abandoned agreement will not remain open forever.
• Iranian IRGC Commander Warns Restive Province Of 'Red Lines' RFE/RL 28 Mar 2023 -- A high-ranking commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned protesters in the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchistan against crossing the regime's "red lines" in anti-government rallies that have been taking place weekly after Friday Prayers.
• Iranian Activist Alinejad Says International Support Vital For Both Iran And West RFE/RL 28 Mar 2023 -- Prominent activist Masih Alinejad says the West's continued support for Iranians is vital both for achieving regime change in Iran and reaching the goals Western nations have in their relationship with Tehran.
• US Concerned About Russia-Iran Partnership VOA 28 Mar 2023 -- The United States expressed concern Monday about the strengthening of ties between Russia and Iran.
• Bin Salman thanks China for efforts to restore Saudi-Iran ties Press TV 28 Mar 2023 -- Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud has appreciated China's efforts in brokering a rapprochement deal between Riyadh and Tehran.
• Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party dissolved by Myanmar's junta Radio Free Asia 28 Mar 2023 -- Myanmar's military junta on Tuesday announced the dissolution of the National League for Democracy - the party led by Aung San Suu Kyi that won the 2020 elections in a landslide - ahead of elections the regime plans to hold later this year.
• Response to Media Queries Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Mar 2023 -- Responding to media queries regarding invitation to attend the Second Summit for Democracy, the Spokesperson made the following remarks:
• Pakistan to Skip US Summit for Democracy VOA 28 Mar 2023 -- Pakistan on Tuesday declined to attend the second Summit for Democracy, hosted this week by the United States, saying it would instead engage bilaterally with Washington on democracy.
• Scotland's Humza Yousaf confirmed as new Scottish leader Press TV 28 Mar 2023 -- Scotland's parliament has confirmed Humza Yousaf to replace Nicola Sturgeon as first minister.
• What Do Closer Chinese-Russian Ties Mean For Central Asia? RFE/RL 28 Mar 2023 -- Shortly after wrapping up a high-profile meeting in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese leader Xi Jinping turned his sights toward Central Asia and announced plans to host a summit in May as the ripple effects from Russia's invasion of Ukraine continue to shake up the region.
• Bulgaria Suspects Russian Role In Bomb Threats Closing Schools For Second Day RFE/RL 28 Mar 2023 -- Dozens of Bulgarian schools were closed for a second day on March 28 following bomb threats with investigators saying they were looking into potential Russia-linked terror actions meant to disrupt the upcoming snap parliamentary elections scheduled for April 2.
• Bosnian Serb Entity Says Controversial Draft Law Will Monitor NGOs' Financial Flows RFE/RL 28 Mar 2023 -- A controversial draft law approved by the government of Republika Srpska that would require nonprofit organizations funded from abroad and active in Bosnia-Herzegovina's Serb entity to register and report on their work will require them to submit their "financial flows" to the Justice Ministry of Republika Srpska.
• Civil Society Groups Protest in Nigeria Over Election Outcome VOA 28 Mar 2023 -- Nigerian civil society organizations have been holding daily protests to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, and Nigerian authorities to review the February and March elections.
• Nigeria's Ruling Party Keeps Senate, Governorship Majorities, Election Outcome Shows Sputnik 28 Mar 2023 -- The All Progressives Congress (APC) has already clinched the majority among state governors and in the upper chamber of the national parliament in the latest elections. Occupying 162 out of 360 seats, the party has prospects to obtain the majority in the lower chamber, since the last 35 seats have yet to be declared.
• El Salvador urged to uphold human rights amid state of emergency UN News 28 Mar 2023 -- The UN human rights office, OHCHR, on Tuesday expressed concern over mass detentions and other measures implemented during the state of emergency in El Salvador, now in effect for a year.