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Defense Policy / Programs

• Philippines, U.S. Announce Locations of Four New EDCA Sites DoD 03 Apr 2023 -- The United States stands steadfastly in support of the Philippines as we announced plans today to expand the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Arrangement (EDCA) to include four new sites: Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Balabac Island in Palawan; and Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan.
• New Military Sites Named in the Philippines DoD News 03 Apr 2023 -- The United States announced plans to expand new military sites in the Philippines under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two nations, which went into effect on Feb. 1.
• Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press Briefing DoD 03 Apr 2023
• USS Porter (DDG 78) Arrives in Kalundborg, Denmark US Navy 03 Apr 2023 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in Kalundborg, Denmark, April 2, 2023 for a scheduled port visit and mid-deployment voyage repair (MDVR).
• Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group Completes COMPTUEX US Navy 03 Apr 2023 -- The Sailors, ships, squadrons and staffs of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) successfully completed composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), April 2, 2023.
• Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, Republic of Korea Navy Conduct Bilateral Maritime Exercise US Navy 03 Apr 2023 -- The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) conducted a bilateral maritime exercise with the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) March 27.
• South Korea, US, Japan Launch Joint Naval Drills Involving USS Carrier: Defense Ministry Sputnik 03 Apr 2023 -- South Korea, the United States and Japan on Monday launched two-day joint naval exercises involving USS Nimitz (CVN-68) aircraft carrier in the waters south of the South Korean island of Jeju in response to the recent missile launches by North Korea, the South Korean Defense Ministry said.
• President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss Finland's future NATO membership Finnish Government 03 Apr 2023 -- In their meeting on Monday 3 April, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers on 4 and 5 April and Finland's future NATO membership.
• Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto to deposit Finland's instrument of accession and attend NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland 03 Apr 2023 -- On 4 April, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will deposit Finland's instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty.
• Finland to join NATO as Allied Foreign Ministers meet NATO 03 Apr 2023 -- Finland will become the 31st member of NATO on Tuesday (4 April 2023), immediately preceding a two-day meeting of Allied Foreign Ministers.
• Russia says to boost military in NW regions as Finland joins NATO Press TV 03 Apr 2023 -- Russia says it will expand its military capacity in its western and northwestern regions, near the border with Finland, as the Nordic country joins NATO.
• Russia to Boost Military Capabilities in Response to Finland Joining NATO on April 4 Sputnik 03 Apr 2023 -- Finland will officially become a NATO member on April 4, the office of Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said on Monday.
• Inside the Iskander: A Closer Look at Russia's Deadly Short-Range Missile Sputnik 03 Apr 2023 -- Russia's Missile Troops began training their Belarusian counterparts in the use of the Iskander missile system on Monday. An undisclosed number of the mobile, nuclear-capable short-range ballistic missile systems were sent to Belarus late last year. What is it about these weapons that's driven NATO military planners up the wall? Sputnik explains.
• Russian Navy Ships Make Working Visit to Djibouti to Boost Military Cooperation Sputnik 03 Apr 2023 -- The arrival of the Russian warships occurred just before the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Russia and the Republic of Djibouti, a country with a strategic location in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean area.
• Russian Parliament to Amend Criminal Code to Toughen Punishment for Terrorism Sputnik 03 Apr 2023 -- Russian lawmakers will propose amendments to the Criminal Code toughening punishments for terrorism, including an expansion of the list of crimes carrying life sentences, the Duma Security Committee said Monday.
• Ambassador: Russia will move tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus border 'despite noise in Europe, US' Press TV 03 Apr 2023 -- Russia's ambassador to Belarus says his country is bent on moving its tactical nuclear weapons close to the border with Belarus, placing them nearer than ever before to threshold of US-led military alliance of NATO.
• Ukraine and Romania hold the First Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform in Bucharest Ukraine MOD 03 Apr 2023
• Norway and Denmark to cooperate on artillery ammunition donation Government of Norway 03 Apr 2023 -- Norway and Denmark will donate 8,000 artillery rounds to Ukraine. Norway donates the shells, while Denmark donates the associated fuzes, propellant bags and primer cartridges.
• Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Heralds New Era of Warfare VOA 03 Apr 2023 -- There are growing concerns among top U.S. military and intelligence officials that Russia's use of cyberattacks during its war against Ukraine is ushering in a new era of combat in which the line between virtual and real-life battlefields is being erased, along with the notion that any targets will remain off limits.
• China pioneers portable electromagnetic gun, sets development trend for future weapons Global Times 03 Apr 2023 -- A type of portable electromagnetic riot gun developed by China recently went through a firing test and displayed traits superior to traditional firearms, including low noise, little muzzle flash and low recoil, with experts saying on Monday that the technology marks a development trend for future weapons.
• International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action: Statement by the High Representative European External Action Service (EEAS) 03 Apr 2023 -- Mines are part of the worst consequences of war: they contaminate land and waters, making the return to normal life of the civilian population sometimes impossible.
• Mine Action Week: 'Peace brings no assurance of safety' UN News 03 Apr 2023 -- Global efforts are key to saving lives from the 'terrifying legacy' of unexploded ordnance, as it wreaks daily havoc in war-torn and post-conflict communities alike, UN officials said, as Mine Action Week kicked off on Monday.
• DEFENCE INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR India PIB 03 Apr 2023 -- Defence Industry sector was opened up in May 2001 up to 100% for Indian private sector participation. Since the opening up of Defence sector till date, a total of 606 Industrial Licenses have been issued to 369 companies operating in Defence sector.
• INDIGENISATION IN DEFENCE MANUFACTURING SECTOR India PIB 03 Apr 2023 -- Several policy initiatives have been taken by the Government in the past few years and brought in reforms to encourage indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment, thereby promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing in the country.
• INDIGENOUS DEFENCE PRODUCTION India PIB 03 Apr 2023 -- With focus on Aatmanirbharta and efforts made to achieve self-reliance, the value of Defence Production has increased as follows in last three years:
• SELF-RELIANCE IN DEFENCE MANUFACTURING India PIB 03 Apr 2023 -- Several policy initiatives and reforms have been taken by Government in the past few years to encourage indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment, thereby promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing in the country.
• DEFENCE INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR India PIB 03 Apr 2023 -- Government of India has set up two Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) in order to attract total investment worth Rs 20,000 crore by the year 2024-25 for defence industries, develop domestic supply chain and strengthen defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
• Lockheed Martin to deliver Defence satellite communication system Australia DOD 03 Apr 2023 -- Defence has announced Lockheed Martin Australia as the preferred tenderer to deliver on a new Australian Defence satellite communication system, through Joint Project 9102 Phase 1.
• Back home after Vanuatu relief effort Australia DOD 03 Apr 2023 -- More than 600 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have returned home on board HMAS Canberra after supporting Vanuatu following devastating tropical cyclones.
• Belarus to Emphasize Partnership With Russia, China in National Security Concept Sputnik 03 Apr 2023 -- Belarus will reaffirm that its foreign policy is based on allied relations with Russia and strengthening partnership with China in its new national security concept, according to a draft published on Monday.
• Belarus Starts Checking Combat Readiness of Armed Forces: Defense Ministry Sputnik 03 Apr 2023 -- Belarus begins checking the combat readiness of the armed forces at the instruction of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the Defense Ministry said on Monday.
• Ankara Expects 'Positive Outcome' on Purchase of F-16 Fighters From US Sputnik 03 Apr 2023 -- Ankara is expecting "positive outcome" concerning implementation of its plans to purchase F-16 fighter jets from Washington once US President Joe Biden is able to resolve objections to the sale in the US Congress, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday.
• Q&A: US UN Envoy: 'Standing with Russia is a Losing Proposition' VOA 03 Apr 2023 -- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield spoke to VOA at U.N. headquarters Monday about her recent trip to Costa Rica for the 2023 Democracy Summit and the important role of youth in government, her concerns about Russia's and China's influence in the region and calls for a non-U.N. international force to help Haiti.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Finnish Permanent State Secretary Salovaara US Dept. of State 03 Apr 2023
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton En Route Fridley, MN The White House 03 Apr 2023
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's call with Republic of Korea National Security Advisor Cho Tae-yong The White House 03 Apr 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 3, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 3 April 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 03 Apr 2023
• IS-Khorasan Leader in Alleged Audio Message Discusses Afghanistan Losses VOA 03 Apr 2023 -- An official pro-Taliban media outlet in Afghanistan has released an alleged audio clip of the leader of the local affiliate of Islamic State in which the man acknowledges his group's significant recent losses.
• Malaysia Open to Talks with Beijing Over South China Sea Dispute VOA 03 Apr 2023 -- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Monday the country is prepared to negotiate with Beijing over an ongoing territorial dispute in the South China Sea.
• Hamas: Ben-Gvir's 'private militia' plan lays bare Israel's racist, fascist nature Press TV 03 Apr 2023 -- The Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has denounced Israeli plans for a controversial "national guard" sought by far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, saying the plan attests to the racist nature of the occupying Tel Aviv regime.
• New mechanism must track and tackle 'gross' violations in Libya UN News 03 Apr 2023 -- New tools must be deployed to keep the global spotlight on ongoing gross violations and crimes against humanity in Libya and serve justice to its victims, the UN rights chief said on Monday at the Human Rights Council's latest session.
• More than 4,000 villagers forced to flee fighting in Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 03 Apr 2023 -- More than 4,000 residents have been forced out of their homes in six Sagaing region villages due to fighting between the army and local defense forces.
• Since coup, nearly 450 civilians killed in Myanmar's eastern Kayah state Radio Free Asia 03 Apr 2023 -- Civilians are being killed at an alarming rate in Myanmar's civil war, dying in airstrikes, artillery shelling and while being held in detention, data released from an armed ethnic group fighting the junta showed.
• Former Kosovar President Thaci Opens War Crimes Trial With Plea Of Not Guilty RFE/RL 03 Apr 2023 -- Hashim Thaci has pleaded not guilty as the war crimes and crimes against humanity trial of Kosovo's ex-president and three other former Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) leaders kicked off in The Hague on April 3.
• Kosovo Ex-President Thaci Accused of War Crimes, Over 100 Murders in Hague Court Sputnik 03 Apr 2023 -- Ex-Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and three of his co-defendants have been charged with war crimes during the 1998-1999 conflict in Kosovo and northern Albania that claimed the lives of over 100 people, the Specialist Prosecutor's Office (SPO) in The Hague said on Monday.
• War Hero or Villain? Kosovo's Former President on Trial VOA 03 Apr 2023 -- Nearly a quarter-century after Kosovo's brutal war for independence, its former president and guerrilla leader Hashim Thaci pleaded not guilty to war crimes charges Monday, as a trial kicked off in the Netherlands that some believe could impact a recent deal to normalize relations between Pristina and its longtime nemesis Serbia.
• AU Mission Renews Commitment to Seek Peace and Stability in Somalia Sputnik 03 Apr 2023 -- Since the mid-2000s, Somalia has been fighting al-Shabaab*. The group seized large swathes of territory in the country, which have been gradually liberated by the national army, with international support initially provided by the African Union (AU) Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), but later replaced by the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
• South Sudanese Troops Arrive to Support EAC Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo Sputnik 03 Apr 2023 -- On March 31, a contingent of 1,000 Ugandan soldiers joined the East African Community's (EAC) peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province. EAC officials have clarified that the troops are being sent as a neutral force, rather than to engage in combat against rebel groups in the region.
• Impunity driving violence in South Sudan, UN rights commission says UN News 03 Apr 2023 -- Tackling impunity will be critical to end pervasive violence and horrific human rights violations and abuses in South Sudan, a UN inquiry said on Monday, presenting its latest report, which names individuals warranting investigation.
• HRC52: Statement on High Commissioner's report on South Sudan UK FCDO 03 Apr 2023 -- Interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner's report on technical assistance and capacity-building for South Sudan.

News Reports

• NASA Announces Diverse International Crew for First Moon Mission Since 1970s VOA 03 Apr 2023 -- "It's been more than a half century since astronauts journeyed to the moon — that's about to change," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson as he stood before the current astronaut corps as well as veterans of the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs at Johnson Space Center's Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. The crowd was gathered for the historic announcement of the crew for Artemis II — Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman and Jeremy Hansen.
• In Call With Russia, Blinken Asks for American Journalist to Be Freed VOA 03 Apr 2023 -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday urged Russia's foreign minister to release Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist detained last week on accusations of espionage.
• U.S. Reporter Gershkovich Appeals Against Arrest In Russia RFE/RL 03 Apr 2023 -- Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was taken into custody last week in Russia on espionage charges widely seen as politically motivated, has appealed against his detention.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question on the involvement of the perpetrators who carried out the terrorist attack against war correspondent Vladlen Tatarsky with Ukrainian special services and Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 Apr 2023
• Russia says suspect in deadly bombing that killed war blogger detained Press TV 03 Apr 2023 -- A woman suspected of killing a prominent Russian war blogger and injuring dozens of others at a St. Petersburg cafe on Sunday has been detained, the country's top counterterrorism agency said Monday.
• Russia Detains Suspect in Bombing That Killed Pro-War Blogger VOA 03 Apr 2023 -- Authorities in Russia said Monday they detained a woman suspected of being involved in the bombing of a St. Petersburg cafe that killed a prominent military blogger who strongly supported Russia's war in Ukraine.
• Millions of People's Daily copies recalled after Xi Jinping's name gets omitted Radio Free Asia 03 Apr 2023 -- China recalled millions of copies of the mass circulation People's Daily because Xi Jinping's name was omitted from a commentary about the need for national unity, sources told Radio Free Asia.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on April 3, 2023 PRC MofA 03 Apr 2023
• Macron, Von der Leyen to visit China in intensive China-EU interactions Global Times 03 Apr 2023 -- On the heels of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit China from April 5 to 7, and they are likely to be followed by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in mid-April, as China's busy diplomatic agenda continues.
• China lodges solemn representations regarding Japan strengthening export controls on chips manufacturing equipment Global Times 03 Apr 2023 -- China has lodged solemn representations at different levels to Japan regarding the strengthening of export controls on high-performance semiconductor manufacturing equipment, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
• Hong Kong security czar slams pro-democracy political cartoonist over funding quip Radio Free Asia 03 Apr 2023 -- Hong Kong security czar Chris Tang has hit out at political cartoonist Zunzi after he published a comic strip taking aim at a police request for better surveillance equipment.
• Chinese banks to ramp up credit support for real economy amid challenging environment Global Times 03 Apr 2023 -- The assets and liabilities of China's top four state-owned banks grew rapidly and their profitability rose steadily last year despite the challenging economic environment. The hard-won achievement reflected the resilience of China's banking sector, which has gotten off to a strong start this year, experts said.
• How CPC empowers itself with Party-wide education campaigns People's Daily 03 Apr 2023 -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) has decided to launch an education campaign among its 96 million members on the study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
• China launches new carrier rocket People's Daily 03 Apr 2023 -- A new carrier rocket made its maiden flight in China on Sunday, sending a satellite into its planned orbit.
• China's Shenzhou-15 astronauts complete 3rd spacewalk People's Daily 03 Apr 2023 -- The astronauts of China's Shenzhou-15 crew have completed three spacewalks since their journey into space four months ago, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
• US top Republican McCarthy to host Taiwanese president Press TV 03 Apr 2023 -- US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says he would meet Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in California, amid stern warnings from China.
• US-China Relations Under Scrutiny as Taiwan Leader Stops in California VOA 03 Apr 2023 -- Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen returns to the United States this week where she will meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other lawmakers in an event that Beijing has said it firmly opposes.
• Tsai's activities in US will make it 'more difficult' for Biden to engage China Global Times 03 Apr 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Monday that "China will take firm measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity," in response to a question over how it would react if US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy meets Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the separatist authorities on the island of Taiwan.
• U.S. House committee chair to visit Taipei Thursday: Lawmaker CNA 03 Apr 2023 -- Michael McCaul, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the United States House of Representatives, is expected to arrive in Taiwan on Thursday for a visit, during which he will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), a Taiwanese lawmaker told CNA Sunday.
• Tsai begins 3-day visit to Belize after wrapping up Guatemala tour CNA 03 Apr 2023 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) arrived in Belize Sunday on a three-day visit that followed a similar trip to Guatemala, on the second leg of her state visit to Taiwan's two remaining allies in Central America.
• China-Russia ties aimed at challenging U.S., squeezing Taiwan: NSB CNA 03 Apr 2023 -- China's deepening alignment with Russia is aimed at launching a full-scale competition with the United States while further squeezing Taiwan globally, a National Security Bureau (NSB) report submitted to the Legislative Yuan has said.
• Ex-President Ma says cross-strait youth exchanges must continue CNA 03 Apr 2023 -- Former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) told the top Chinese Communist Party official in Chongqing on Monday that both sides of the Taiwan Strait have a responsibility to ensure that exchanges between their young people continue.
• Ma Ying-jeou expresses high expectations for cross-Straits exchanges while meeting with mainland officials in Chongqing Global Times 03 Apr 2023 -- Former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party Ma Ying-jeou on Monday expressed high expectations for exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan island and Chongqing Municipality while meeting with mainland officials, as his 12-day ancestral trip in the Chinese mainland entered its fourth major city.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan April 3, 2023 ROC MND 03 Apr 2023
• Ideology-First Mode is Unique Revolutionary Mode of WPK: Rodong Sinmun KCNA 03 Apr 2023 -- An article of Rodong Sinmun Monday recalls the revolutionary slogan "Let Party information workers become powerful loudspeakers and hi-fi amplifiers faithful to the Party Central Committee!" set forth by the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un in his letter to the participants in the first workshop of officials in the information field of the Workers' Party of Korea one year ago.
• China: Joint military drills by US, S Korea, Japan main reason for tensions on Korean Peninsula Press TV 03 Apr 2023 -- China says joint military drills by the United States and its regional allies, namely South Korea and Japan, are the main reason for tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
• Iran's Education Ministry Says Won't Provide Schooling To Hijab Rule Breakers RFE/RL 03 Apr 2023 -- Iran's Education Ministry has published a statement saying it will no longer provide educational services to student in schools and universities who do not follow dress codes, including wearing a head scarf, as the authorities continue to tighten regulations in the face of mass unrest over government instrusions into the daily lives of Iranians.
• Iranians Express Anger After Man Allegedly Attacks Unveiled Women With Yogurt RFE/RL 03 Apr 2023 -- A viral video appearing to show an Iranian man attacking two unveiled women in a shop in the holy city of Mashhad has provoked widespread anger.
• UN envoy: Iran will take decisive measures to protect its forces, interests in Syria against threats posed by US Press TV 03 Apr 2023 -- Iran's permanent ambassador to the United Nations has warned that the Islamic Republic will take decisive measures to protect its forces and interests in Syria against any threats posed by the United States or others.
• Iranian, Saudi Foreign Ministers to Meet Soon VOA 03 Apr 2023 -- The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia spoke by telephone Sunday evening and agreed to meet each other in the coming days, according to Iranian state media.
• Iranian FM expresses pleasure with positive trend of ties between Tehran, Riyadh ISNA 03 Apr 2023 -- In a telephone conversation with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has expressed pleasure with the positive trend of ties between Tehran and Riyadh and underlined the Islamic Republic's resolve to expand its policy of neighborliness.
• Iranian, Saudi FMs agree to meet in coming days People's Daily 03 Apr 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud agreed in a phone call on Sunday to meet in the coming days.
• Iran's President Raeisi accepted Saudi king's invitation to visit Riyadh: First VP Press TV 03 Apr 2023 -- Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber says President Ebrahim Raeisi has accepted an invitation from Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to visit Riyadh.
• Official: Iran signs $80 billion of oil deals with foreign investors Press TV 03 Apr 2023 -- Iran has signed more than $80 billion of memorandums of understanding with foreign investors to participate in the financing of oil projects, of which more than $5 billion have been converted into contracts, Deputy Minister of Petroleum Houshang Falahatpour says.
• US Informs Israel About Possibility of Partial Nuclear Agreement With Iran Sputnik 03 Apr 2023 -- Washington has informed Israeli counterparts of the possibility of an agreement with Iran that would be based on a partial freeze of Terran's nuclear program in exchange for some sanctions relief, Israeli news portal Walla reported on Monday, citing senior Israeli officials.
• India's Opposition Leader Gandhi Appeals Conviction in Defamation Case VOA 03 Apr 2023 -- A court in India has suspended a two-year prison sentence handed down to opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, pending his appeal in a criminal defamation case that led to his expulsion from parliament ahead of next year's general elections.
• Turkey's Erdogan says his doors are closed for US ambassador amid growing rift Press TV 03 Apr 2023 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his doors are closed for US ambassador to Ankara Jeff Flake following the diplomat's meeting with Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the presidential candidate for the opposition alliance.
• Türkiye's 1st nuclear plant reflects Ankara's willingness to deepen energy ties with Moscow People's Daily 03 Apr 2023 -- Türkiye is set to inaugurate the first unit of its Russian-built nuclear power plant in late April by loading nuclear fuel, a step towards boosting national energy security and strengthening energy ties with Moscow, experts said.
• Japan urged to strengthen talks, not to follow US' wrong strategy Global Times 03 Apr 2023 -- In a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on Sunday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged Japan to meet China halfway and strengthen dialogue and cooperation, as well as manage discrepancies. Officials from both countries also discussed key issues such as the Taiwan question.
• Kagame re-elected as Rwanda's ruling party leader People's Daily 03 Apr 2023 -- Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Sunday was re-elected as chairman of the ruling party Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) for a five-year term.
• Hun Sen's eldest son tops Cambodian ruling party's candidate list ahead of July vote Radio Free Asia 03 Apr 2023 -- Long tapped as his father's successor to lead Cambodia, Hun Manet has been put at the top of the list of 12 parliamentary candidates for the Phnom Penh constituency in the July 23 general elections.
• Chinese-funded project would build industrial city near Laos mine Radio Free Asia 03 Apr 2023 -- A project funded by Chinese investors to build an industrial city near a potash mine has local villagers in Khammouane province concerned about negative impacts to their communities and their forest-based livelihood.
• Australia-Papua New Guinea security agreement concerns China, says PNG's top diplomat Radio Free Asia 03 Apr 2023 -- Beijing has raised concerns about a proposed security agreement between Papua New Guinea and Australia, the Pacific island country's foreign minister said Monday as he returned home from an official visit to China seeking development assistance for his nation.
• Wider Europe Briefing: Ukraine's Big Plan To Fight Russian Disinformation And Why The EU Is Stalling On Belarus Sanctions RFE/RL 03 Apr 2023
• Germany's Scholz Underscores Support For Romania, Moldova During Bucharest Visit RFE/RL 03 Apr 2023 -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has arrived in Romania to underscore Berlin's support for its NATO ally, where he said that, like Bucharest, it will continue to back Ukraine in its battle against Russia's full-scale invasion, and he also met with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in the Romanian capital.
• Bulgarian Center-Right, Pro-European Parties Await Seat Allocations After Tight Vote RFE/RL 03 Apr 2023 -- Former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's center-right GERB party has finished with small lead over the pro-European We Continue the Change -- Democratic Bulgaria coalition, based on final results from the April 2 elections, but control of parliament will remain uncertain until seats are allocated.
• UN Calls for Urgent Help for Malawi Cyclone Survivors VOA 03 Apr 2023 -- The United Nations and humanitarian partners in Malawi are calling for $70.6 million to help more than a million people who were affected by Cyclone Freddy.