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News Reports

Current Operations

• US Captures Islamic State Militants in Syria Raid VOA 13 Apr 2023 -- A U.S. raid Saturday in eastern Syria led to the capture of an Islamic State group operative and two of his associates, the U.S. Central Command said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Secretary of Defense Commends Actions Taken by the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation DoD 13 Apr 2023
• FBI Statement on Arrest of Jack Douglas Teixeira FBI 13 Apr 2023
• Department of Defense Guidance on Safeguarding Responsibilities Regarding Classified Information DOD 13 Apr 2023
• DOD Calls Document Leak 'a Criminal Act' DoD News 13 Apr 2023 -- The U.S. government is taking the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information very seriously and is working with interagency partners and the intelligence community "to better understand the scope, scale and impact of these leaks," Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said today.
• Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Statement on Classified National Defense Information US Dept. of Justice 13 Apr 2023
• FBI Arrests Air National Guard Member in Classified Documents Leak VOA 13 Apr 2023 -- The FBI has arrested a 21-year-old air national guardsman in connection with a brazen leak of hundreds of pages of classified U.S. government and military documents, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on Thursday.
• U.S. Arrests 21-Year-Old National Guardsman In Leaked Documents Case RFE/RL 13 Apr 2023 -- U.S. authorities have arrested a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman in connection with the investigation into the leaking of top-secret defense and intelligence documents that have been circulated online, Attorney General Merrick Garland said on April 13.
• Pentagon Says Classified Documents Leak Was 'Deliberate Criminal Act' Sputnik 13 Apr 2023 -- The leak of seemingly classified US Defense Department materials was a deliberate criminal act, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said on Thursday.
• FBI Arrest Suspected Source of Pentagon Docs Leak in Massachusetts Sputnik 13 Apr 2023 -- The FBI arrested on Thursday the suspected source of the recent leak of highly classified intelligence documents that gave insight into the US' hand in the Ukraine conflict, as well as Washington's relations with its foreign allies.
• Report: Discord User Says US Intelligence Leaker Indicated He Worked at Military Base VOA 13 Apr 2023 -- The Washington Post reported Wednesday that a member of a group on the social media platform Discord said another member who indicated he worked at a military base was the leaker behind the sharing of classified U.S. intelligence documents that came to prominence last week.
• Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds a Press Briefing DoD 13 Apr 2023
• Polish Army officer responsible for primary workforce at new APS-2 site in Powidz Army News 13 Apr 2023 -- The new Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 worksite in Powidz was officially opened during a ceremony April 5. At the event were the U.S. Ambassador to Poland, the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, the U.S. European Command Deputy Commander, and other distinguished visitors and military leaders.
• 15th Engineer Battalion, DPW collaboration paves way for future joint projects Army News 13 Apr 2023 -- The 15th Engineer Battalion and the Directorate of Public Works recently joined forces to improve infrastructure at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming Latvian Defense Minister Inara Murniece to the Pentagon DoD 13 Apr 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Latvia Minister of Defence Ināra Mūrniece DoD 13 Apr 2023
• Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl's Meeting With Zukan Helez, Defense Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina DoD 13 Apr 2023
• U.S., France, UK Complete Counter-Mine Exercise in Arabian Gulf US Navy 13 Apr 2023 -- Forces from France, the United Kingdom and the United States completed a two-week exercise in the Arabian Gulf, April 13, focused on countering mines.
• Naval Enterprise Encouraged to Self-assess, Self-correct Summertime Risks US Navy 13 Apr 2023 -- Warm days of summer come with unique risks. To help reduce the likelihood of mishaps, injuries or worse - loss of life - the Naval Safety Command (NAVSAFECOM) will launch its annual "101 Critical Days of Summer" safety awareness campaign May 26 to Sept. 4.
• USS San Jacinto Participates in Wilmington Navy Week US Navy 13 Apr 2023 -- The guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) entered the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina, April 10, marking the start of Wilmington Navy Week. The ship's crew will host tours on board, participating in community outreach events, and host a reception for the Azalea Festival, which is the Navy Week's anchor event.
• CNO Gilday and Connecticut Congressman Visit General Dynamics Electric Boat US Navy Press Release 13 Apr 2023 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday traveled to Groton, Connecticut, April 13, and visited General Dynamics Electric Boat with Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.).
• US Tests New Electronic Warfare System For F-16 Sputnik 13 Apr 2023 -- An electronic warfare (EW) system is an integrated suite of electronic devices designed to detect, deceive, deny, or disrupt the use of an adversary's electronic systems by the use of electromagnetic waves. These systems use various types of equipment, such as radars, jammers, sensors, and signal detectors.
• Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl's Meeting With Israeli Ministry of Defense Director General Eyal Zamir DoD 13 Apr 2023
• Humanitarian Assistance Program Livorno ships aid to Ukrainian refugees in Latvia Army News 13 Apr 2023 -- On March 28, the Humanitarian Assistance Program-Livorno (HAP-Livorno) sent aid supplies to support Ukrainian refugees in Latvia. The organization was tasked with the effort by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
• Readout of 18th Annual U.S.-Colombia Defense Bilateral Working Group DoD 13 Apr 2023
• NATO Deputy Secretary General: the Black Sea region is important for Euro-Atlantic security NATO 13 Apr 2023 -- In an address to the Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform in Bucharest on Thursday (13 April 2023), Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană underlined the strategic importance of the Black Sea region for Euro-Atlantic security.
• Austin Says Latvia Is a Valued NATO Partner DoD News 13 Apr 2023 -- Latvia has quickly become a valued partner of NATO and the United States, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, who today hosted an enhanced honor cordon and meeting to welcome Latvian Defense Minister Inara Murniece to the Pentagon.
• Russian Jets Escort Norwegian Patrol Plane Over Barents Sea Near Russian Airspace Sputnik 13 Apr 2023 -- Russian MiG-31 fighter jet escorted a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft over the Barents Sea on Thursday to make sure it does not enter Russia's airspace, the National Defense Management Center part of the Russian Defense Ministry said.
• Kremlin: Black Sea Will Never Be NATO's Sea Sputnik 13 Apr 2023 -- The Black Sea will never be NATO's sea, it is a common area, and there should be indivisible security, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
• Ammunition for Ukraine: Council agrees €1 billion support under the European Peace Facility EC/CEU 13 Apr 2023 -- The Council today adopted an assistance measure worth €1 billion under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This measure will allow the EU to reimburse member states for ammunition donated to Ukraine from existing stocks or from the reprioritisation of existing orders during the period 9 February to 31 May 2023.
• EU Council Approves Over $1Bln for Emergency Ammunition Supplies to Ukraine Sputnik 13 Apr 2023 -- The Council of the European Union said on Thursday that it approved 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) to compensate member countries for ammunition supplies to Ukraine until May 31.
• Federal government approves delivery of five Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine Germany - Federal Ministry of Defence 13 Apr 2023 -- The German government today approved the Polish government's re-export application to hand over five MiG-29s from former stocks of the National People's Army. During the visit of the Ukrainian President Zelensky to Warsaw on April 5, 2023, Polish President Duda announced that he would hand over all Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine.
• US Will Keep Giving Military Aid to Ukraine, White House Says Sputnik 13 Apr 2023 -- The United States is committed to making sure that Ukrainians get everything they need for sustained combat, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Thursday.
• Xi urges boost to armed forces' modernization People's Daily 13 Apr 2023 -- President Xi Jinping called on Tuesday for the military to improve its capacity to respond to intricate situations, resolutely defend China's territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, and safeguard stability in neighboring regions.
• China revises conscription work regulation Global Times 13 Apr 2023 -- China has revised its regulation on conscription work, putting an emphasis on recruiting highly qualified college students and stipulating rules for recalling skilled veterans during wartime.
• Taiwan set to recruit 5,000 more military police: Source CNA 13 Apr 2023 -- Taiwan is expected to double the number of its military police in the coming years in a bid to beef up protection for the president and other top government leaders, a military source told CNA Thursday.
• Visiting U.S. senator pledges expedite weapons delivery to Taiwan CNA 13 Apr 2023 -- A visiting member of the U.S. Senate Defense Appropriations Committee on Thursday said lawmakers were working on expediting weapons sales to Taiwan amid concerns over Chinese military coercion.
• Japan to Supply Nonlethal Military Aid to 'Like-Minded' Nations in Region VOA 13 Apr 2023 -- Japan is planning to establish a new framework to provide defense aid to "like-minded" countries, a move analysts say highlights Tokyo's intention to play a more active role in regional security amid the growth of Chinese influence.
• Photos: North Korea Reveals Thursday Launch Tested New Solid-Fuel Hwasong-18 ICBM Sputnik 13 Apr 2023 -- North Korea revealed it tested on Thursday a new Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, a feat which drew widespread condemnation in the region.
• North Korea Touts Test of New Solid-Fuel ICBM VOA 13 Apr 2023 -- North Korea said it had tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile that uses solid fuel - a claim that, if confirmed, would give Pyongyang the ability to conduct quicker and more unpredictable launches that target the United States.
• North Korea fires suspected ICBM toward East Sea, sparks brief evacuation order in Japan Press TV 13 Apr 2023 -- North Korea has test-launched a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that landed in the waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula, prompting Tokyo to lodge a "strong protest."
• North Korean Missile Launch Sparks Emergency Alerts in Japan VOA 13 Apr 2023 -- North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile Thursday, U.S. officials said, prompting emergency alerts and evacuation warnings on Japan's northernmost main island.
• INDIAN AIR FORCE TO PARTICIPATE IN MULTILATERAL INTERNATIONAL EXERCISE ORION AT MONT DE MARSAN, FRANCE India PIB 13 Apr 2023 -- An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent will be departing tomorrow for France, to participate in Exercise Orion at Mont-de-Marsan, an Air Force base of the French Air and Space Force (FASF).
• Readout of President Joe Biden's Meeting with Leo Varadkar, the Taoiseach of Ireland The White House 13 Apr 2023
• Readout of President Joe Biden's Meeting with President Michael Higgins of Ireland The White House 13 Apr 2023
• Remarks by President Biden and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of the Republic of Ireland Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 13 Apr 2023
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Senior Director for Europe Amanda Sloat on the President's Trip to Ireland The White House 13 Apr 2023
• Special Online Briefing with Amanda Bennett, CEO, U.S. Agency for Global Media. US Dept. of State 13 Apr 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 13, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 13 April 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Apr 2023
• Press release on the fourth ministerial conference of Afghanistan's neighbouring countries, Samarkand, April 13, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Apr 2023
• Press release on the second meeting of foreign ministers of the regional quartet on Afghanistan in Samarkand (Uzbekistan) Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Apr 2023
• Joint Statement of the Second Informal Meeting on Afghanistan Between Foreign Ministers of China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Apr 2023
• Taliban, China, Russia Foreign Ministers Attend Huddle on Afghanistan VOA 13 Apr 2023 -- Uzbekistan hosted a conference Thursday of foreign ministers of regional countries, including Russia and China, to review the situation and cooperation with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
• Taliban Foreign Minister Joins Regional Huddle on Afghanistan VOA 13 Apr 2023 -- Uzbekistan is hosting a conference Thursday of foreign ministers of regional countries, including Russia and China, to review the situation and cooperation with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
• Quartet neighboring states issue joint statement on formation of inclusive gov't in Afghanistan IRNA 13 Apr 2023 -- Foreign Ministers of four neighboring countries of Afghanistan, including Iran, have issued a joint statement in Uzbekistan necessitating the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan with participation of all ethnic groups.
• Quartet meeting reviews situation of Afghanistan: Iran FM IRNA 13 Apr 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that the quartet meeting with participation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan, Russia and China reviewed the concerns about the situation in Afghanistan.
• Statement by the Minister of State Ministerial Meeting of the Neighbours of Afghanistan (Samarkand, 13 April 2023) Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Apr 2023
• Iran, China, Pakistan, and Russia urge US, allies to lift sanctions on Afghanistan Press TV 13 Apr 2023 -- Foreign ministers of Iran, China, Pakistan and Russia have urged the United States and its allies to accept their responsibility vis-à-vis the ongoing difficult situation in Afghanistan, immediately lift all unilateral sanctions against the war-ravaged country, and release its frozen assets.
• Canada: Over 30,000 Afghan refugees arrive with IOM's support UN News 13 Apr 2023 -- The arrival of a charter flight in Toronto on Wednesday marked the successful departure to Canada of more than 30,000 Afghan refugees with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
• Death toll in Myanmar air strike rises to 165, while threat of attack remains Radio Free Asia 13 Apr 2023 -- The number of people killed in an air strike seen as one of the worst attacks on civilians by Myanmar's junta since a military coup two years ago has risen to 165, the country's shadow government said Thursday.
• Bomb kills 4, injures 11 in Shan state Radio Free Asia 13 Apr 2023 -- Four people have died and 11 were injured in a bomb blast near a pavilion built to host water festival events in Myanmar's eastern Shan state.
• ASEAN condemns killings of 'at least dozens of civilians' in Myanmar airstrike Radio Free Asia 13 Apr 2023 -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations finally came out on Thursday to condemn the slaughter of as many as 130 people in an airstrike by Burmese junta forces on a village in Myanmar's Sagaing region this week.
• Sudan: Statement by the High Representative Josep Borrell on the latest developments European External Action Service (EEAS) 13 Apr 2023 -- Reports of tensions in Sudan are deeply worrying and every effort should be made by all sides to de-escalate and maintain calm.
• Troika and European Union Envoys statement on Sudan UK FCDO 13 Apr 2023 -- Special Envoys and Representatives from France, Germany, Norway, the UK, USA, and the EU have issued a statement on heightened tensions in Sudan.
• Securing sustainable peace across Colombia will require continued investment: UK Statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 13 Apr 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council briefing on Colombia
• UN independent experts spotlight 'prima facie war crime' in East Jerusalem UN News 13 Apr 2023 -- The international community must take immediate action to stop Israel's forced evictions and displacement of Palestinians in East Jerusalem as part of Israel's annexation and "de-Palestinianization" of the city, UN-appointed independent rights experts said on Thursday.

News Reports

• Norway declares 15 intelligence officers working at the Russian embassy in Oslo personae non gratae Government of Norway 13 Apr 2023 -- 'The 15 intelligence officers have been engaging in activities that are not compatible with their diplomatic status,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt.
• Norway Expels 15 Russian Diplomats As Russia Pledges 'Appropriate Response' RFE/RL 13 Apr 2023 -- NATO member Norway has declared 15 officials of the Russian Embassy in Oslo to be "unwanted," saying they were intelligence operatives acting under diplomatic cover.
• Readout of Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco Meeting with Security Cabinet of the Government of Mexico US Dept. of Justice 13 Apr 2023
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of China Qin Gang Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Apr 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Samarkand, April 13, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Apr 2023
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's talks with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Apr 2023
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Acting Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Apr 2023
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's upcoming participation in the meeting of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Apr 2023
• Article by Sergey Lavrov for print media in the Latin American countries (April 2023) Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Apr 2023
• Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: Wagner Group and RIA FAN added to the EU's sanctions list EC/CEU 13 Apr 2023 -- The Council today decided to add the Wagner Group and RIA FAN to the list of those subject to EU restrictive measures for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
• JOINT READOUT: US- EU - UK Sanctions Evasion Meeting with Private Sector Participants US Treasury 13 Apr 2023 -- On the sidelines of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo; European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services, and Capital Markets Union Mairead McGuinness; and HM Treasury Director General for International Finance Lindsey Whyte hosted representatives from financial institutions to discuss continued efforts to counter sanctions evasion and combat Russian military procurement in key jurisdictions. The government officials and bank representatives were also joined by Deputy Director of the CIA David Cohen and Deputy Director of National Intelligence Morgan Muir.
• Navalny Aide Says Jailed Politician Suffering Health Issues After 'Suspicious Treatment' RFE/RL 13 Apr 2023 -- Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny's health has deteriorated dramatically following what a senior aide called the suspicious "treatment" he was given by prison medical personnel for acute stomach pains the politician suffered while in punitive solitary confinement.
• Russian Journalist Arrested, Accused of Spreading Fake News VOA 13 Apr 2023 -- A Russian court this week ordered that a Russian reporter with independent news website RusNews be detained until June 10 on three charges of spreading fake information about the Russian army.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on April 13, 2023 PRC MofA 13 Apr 2023
• Mark Swidan's Suspended Death Sentence US Dept. of State 13 Apr 2023 -- "Today the People's Republic of China's Jiangmen Intermediate Court denied wrongfully detained U.S. national Mark Swidan's appeal, and upheld his death penalty with a two-year suspended death sentence."
• China won't tread path of Western modernization, which features polarization, plunder: Xi Global Times 13 Apr 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed that China will remain steadfast in comprehensively deepening reform and expanding high-standard opening-up, while also emphasizing that Chinese modernization is essentially different from Western modernization, which has features such as polarization and plunder, according to the Xinhua News Agency on Thursday.
• Chinese modernization has clear goals, plans, strategies: Xi People's Daily 13 Apr 2023 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Wednesday that Chinese modernization is based on the country's realities and conditions, and has clear goals, plans and strategies.
• China orders AI chatbots to stick to ruling Communist Party line Radio Free Asia 13 Apr 2023 -- China has issued a set of draft regulations that will require chatbots using artificial intelligence and developed by its tech giants to stick to the ruling Communist Party line, amid comments that the move will likely be the death of further innovation in the sector.
• China's no-fly zone near Taiwan flouts norms, poses threat: Experts CNA 13 Apr 2023 -- China's short-notice announcement it will implement a no-fly zone north of Taiwan between April 16 and 18 shows its disregard for international rules and poses a threat to regional flight security, Taiwanese experts told CNA late Wednesday.
• China's no-fly zone north of Taiwan linked to satellite launch: officials CNA 13 Apr 2023 -- A no-fly zone in the East China Sea north of Taiwan, announced recently by Chinese authorities, is linked to China's planned launch of a weather satellite on April 16, Taiwanese national security officials said Thursday.
• China's modified no-fly zone to affect 33 flights CNA 13 Apr 2023 -- China's amended plan to close airspace north of Taiwan for 27 minutes on April 16 between 9:30 a.m. and 9:57 a.m. will affect about 33 flights, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) said Thursday.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan April 13, 2023 ROC MND 13 Apr 2023
• China Sanctions US Congressman for Visiting Taiwan Sputnik 13 Apr 2023 -- China has imposed sanctions against US Congressman Michael McCaul, Chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, for violating the one-China principle while visiting Taiwan, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
• China sanctions US anti-China hawk for his frequent interference in Taiwan question, signals deterrence Global Times 13 Apr 2023 -- China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday imposed sanctions on the anti-China US lawmaker Michael McCaul, who has frequently interfered in China's internal affairs and sent wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatists.
• China sanctions senior US lawmaker over visit to Chinese Taipei Press TV 13 Apr 2023 -- China has sanctioned a senior US lawmaker who recently visited Chinese Taipei to convey Washington's support for the secessionist movement on the island.
• Ma Ying-jeou's mainland visit positive for promoting peaceful development of cross-Strait relations: spokesperson People's Daily 13 Apr 2023 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday that the visit of Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, to the mainland is of positive significance for promoting exchanges between compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.
• Macron rejects US policy on Taiwan, says France is not US 'vassal' Press TV 13 Apr 2023 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed his country's stance on Taiwan, saying that France is not a follower of the US policies and that being a US ally does not mean being a "vassal".
• Statement by the Federal Foreign Office on reports of the testing of a long-range ballistic missile by North Korea Germany Federal Foreign Office 13 Apr 2023
• Kim Tok Hun Inspects Housing Construction Sites in Pyongyang KCNA 13 Apr 2023 -- Kim Tok Hun, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and premier of the Cabinet, inspected the housing construction sites in Sopho and Hwasong areas of Pyongyang.
• Iranian Group Says More Than 400 Students Sanctioned In Wake Of Protests RFE/RL 13 Apr 2023 -- An Iranian academic group says more than 400 students have been suspended or expelled in the wake of recent nationwide protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last September while being held for allegedly violating the strict Islamic dress code for women.
• Thousands Of Iranians Send Letter To President Protesting Size Of Wage Increase RFE/RL 13 Apr 2023 -- Thousands of Iranian workers have signed a protest letter sent to President Ebrahim Raisi against an increase that would see the minimum wage rise by only about half of the current inflation rate.
• Rights Groups Say Executions in Iran Reach Highest Level Since 2015 VOA 13 Apr 2023 -- Two human rights groups said in a report issued Thursday that Iran executed at least 582 prisoners last year, the country's highest level since 2015.
• Iran says U.S. once sought to purchase Iran's heavy water People's Daily 13 Apr 2023 -- The spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said the United States once sought to purchase heavy water from Iran for its "high quality," the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday.
• Myanmar Opposition Envoy: 'Don't Leave Us Here Alone' VOA 13 Apr 2023 -- Myanmar's opposition envoy to the United Nations appealed Thursday for international action to protect civilians in his country after the military junta carried out deadly airstrikes this week on villagers in northwest Myanmar.
• Macron speaks out, sparks controversy in ranks of EU Press TV 13 Apr 2023 -- Recent remarks by President Emmanuel Macron of France regarding China's sovereignty over the self-ruled island of Taiwan and the notion that being a US ally did not mean being a "vassal" have sparked controversy among the ranks of the 27-nation trade union.
• German FM visits China amid EU's strategic autonomy debate Global Times 13 Apr 2023 -- Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock began her three-day visit in North China's Tianjin on Thursday, as Europe is having a major debate in recent days on how to deal with China, after French President Emmanuel Macron's call for Europe to reduce its reliance on the US drew ire from the US while winning support inside Europe.
• PM meeting with Prime Minister Rutte of the Netherlands: 13 April 2023 Gov.UK 13 Apr 2023
• Brazil's Lula Visits China With Ukraine Peace Talks On His Agenda RFE/RL 13 Apr 2023 -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva kicked off a state visit to China in the country's financial hub of Shanghai as he seeks to position himself as a peace broker in the ongoing war in Ukraine while attempting to elevate Brazil's global status and boost economic ties with Beijing.
• Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (April 13, 2023) India MEA 13 Apr 2023
• PM call with Prime Minister Modi of India: 13 April 2023 Gov.UK 13 Apr 2023
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi holds telephone conversation with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom India MEA 13 Apr 2023 -- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with H.E. Mr. Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
• Minister of Foreign Affairs on the principles and objectives of Poland's foreign policy in 2023 Republic of Poland 13 Apr 2023
• Saudi Arabia, Syria call for end to foreign military presence on Syrian soil as diplomatic ties restored Press TV 13 Apr 2023 -- Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud have called for an end to foreign military presence on Syrian oil and West's interventions in the Arab country, as the two countries resume diplomatic ties after more than a decade.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on positive trends in inter-state relations of the Gulf region countries Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Apr 2023
• Qatar, Bahrain agree to restore diplomatic relations Press TV 13 Apr 2023 -- Qatar and Bahrain have reached an agreement to restore their diplomatic ties, following a long-running feud between the two Persian Gulf nations.
• Bahrain and Qatar Restore Diplomatic Ties US Dept. of State 13 Apr 2023 -- The United States congratulates our key partners Bahrain and Qatar on their decision to resume diplomatic ties.
• United Nations and partners to issue call for US$720 million to address surging humanitarian needs in Haiti UNOCHA 13 Apr 2023 -- With gangs, hunger and cholera plunging nearly half of Haiti's population into humanitarian need, the United Nations and its partners are seeking $720 million to deliver lifesaving assistance this year to more than 3 million people.