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News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Troops Stand Ready to Help Diplomats as Sudan Conflict Continues DoD News 24 Apr 2023 -- The evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, was handled professionally and with precision, and U.S. service members in the region stand ready to help the State Department if needed, said Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder at the Pentagon today.
• Special Online Briefing with Major General Matthew McFarlane, Commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, and Dana Stroul, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense US Dept. of State 24 Apr 2023

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Intel Chief Urges 'Measured' Response to Pentagon Discord Leak VOA 24 Apr 2023 -- The top U.S. intelligence official wants the country to learn "the right lessons" and not overreact following the leak of hundreds of classified documents on a social media platform popular with gamers.
• Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds a Press Briefing DoD 24 Apr 2023
• Readout of US-Kenya Bilateral Strategic Dialogue Defense Cooperation Pillar DoD 24 Apr 2023
• Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl's Meeting With Davor Bozinovic, Deputy Prime Minister of Croatia DoD 24 Apr 2023
• Task Force 51/5 Conducts Joint Training with U.S. Army USMC News 24 Apr 2023 -- Earlier this week, Soldiers assigned to Task Force Spartan, U.S. Army Central Command's Crisis Response Task Force, trained with Marines and Sailors assigned to Naval Amphibious Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade aboard Expeditionary Sea Base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3) to better enable crisis response options and joint-service interoperability within United States Central Command.
• US aircraft carrier arrives in Thailand after crossing South China Sea Radio Free Asia 24 Apr 2023 -- The U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and its carrier strike group arrived in Thailand Monday on a week-long visit after crossing the South China Sea and making a bizarre U-turn in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
• The Watch: MAKO SENTRY 23 Prepares Warfighting Ready Reserve MOC Watchstanders US Navy 24 Apr 2023 -- More than 100 U.S. Navy Reserve sailors from U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) and U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleets executed MAKO SENTRY 23, the third SENTRY exercise to test the warfighting readiness of the Maritime Operational Center (MOC) Reserve Watch standing units, March 30-April 2 at Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Pacific's facility March 30 through April 2, 2023.
• USS Benfold Conducts Busan, Republic of Korea Port Visit US Navy 24 Apr 2023 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) departed Busan, Republic of Korea, April 22 following a scheduled port visit.
• CNO Travels to New England Shipyards with Congressional Delegation; Emphasizes Value of Shipyards to the Navy US Navy Press Release 24 Apr 2023 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday traveled to Bath, and Kittery, Maine, where he and congressional leaders visited General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS), April 24.
• Adm. Mike Gilday, Sen. Susan Collins, and Sen. Maggie Hassan Hold Media Availability at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard US Navy 24 Apr 2023
• Adm. Mike Gilday, Sen. Susan Collins, and Sen. Angus King Hold Media Availability at Bath Iron Works US Navy 24 Apr 2023
• Moscow to host defense ministers, intelligence chiefs of Turkey, Russia, Syria, Iran Press TV 24 Apr 2023 -- Turkey's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar says Moscow will host a new round of meeting among the defense ministers and intelligence chiefs of Russia, Syria, Turkey, and Iran as part of efforts made to normalize relations between Ankara and Damascus.
• Edgars Rinkēvičs calls on the EU not to delay providing military support to Ukraine Latvia MFA 24 Apr 2023 -- On 24 April 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, took part in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union in Brussels, at which the Member States discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the EU Action Plan on the geopolitical consequences of the Russian war of aggression, the latest situation in Sudan and other topics of current importance.
• Taiwan to begin requiring female reservists to undergo military training CNA 24 Apr 2023 -- Taiwan's military will ask a first group of female veterans to undergo five-to-seven days of reservist training on May 8, a military source told CNA on Sunday.
• Spurred By Ukraine War, Global Military Expenditures Hit Record High, With Europe Above Cold War Levels RFE/RL 24 Apr 2023 -- Military spending worldwide rose 3.7 percent in 2022 to a record $2.24 trillion, with Central and Western Europe experiencing the largest year-on-year increase since the Cold War and Ukraine boosting its outlays to unprecedented levels as it battled to repel Russian forces that invaded its territory early in the year.
• Release of the Defence Strategic Review Prime Minister of Australia 24 Apr 2023 -- "Today the Albanese Government has released the public version of the Defence Strategic Review (the Review), the Government's response to the Review, and the National Defence Statement 2023."
• Release of the Defence Strategic Review Australia DOD 24 Apr 2023 -- Today the Albanese Government has released the public version of the Defence Strategic Review (the Review), the Government's response to the Review, and the National Defence Statement 2023.
• A strong partnership with industry to implement the Defence Strategic Review Australia DOD 24 Apr 2023 -- Today, the Albanese Government begins implementing key recommendations of the Defence Strategic Review.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Australia's Defence Strategic Review DoD 24 Apr 2023
• Australia to Order Military Build-Up in Response to China's Growing Power VOA 24 Apr 2023 -- The Australian military will be rapidly transformed to prepare for a possible conflict between China and the United States.
• 11th high level meet between Indian and Korea Coast Guards India PIB 24 Apr 2023 -- A seven-member delegation of the South Korea Coast Guard will have a high level meeting with Indian Coast Guard in New Delhi on 25 April, 2023. The delegation of South Korean Coast Guard will be led by Commissioner General KIM Jong Wook, while Indian Coast Guard team will be headed by ADG Rakesh Pal, Officiating Director General, Indian Coast Guard.
• PM applauds as DRDO & Indian Navy conduct successful trial of BMD Interceptor from Naval Platform India PIB 24 Apr 2023 -- The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded DRDO & Indian Navy Conducting successful trial of BMD Interceptor from naval platform.
• Iran's battle-tested drones in great demand worldwide: Gen. IRNA 24 Apr 2023 -- Head of Iran's Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) says Iranian-made drones are battle-tested and have unique combat capabilities, which is why they are in great demand worldwide.
• Iran hacks three enemy aircraft, two simultaneously, flying near its airspace: Defense official Press TV 24 Apr 2023 -- The chief executive officer of Iran Electronics Industries (IEI) says Iranian experts have employed an array of electronic warfare tactics to successfully hack three hostile aircraft as they were on reconnaissance missions in the country's airspace.
• Iran's defense products entering global market as list of intl. customers grows longer: Defense Ministry Press TV 24 Apr 2023 -- The head of the Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) has highlighted the country's self-reliance in manufacturing military equipment, including drones, saying many countries want to purchase the Iranian defense products.
• Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on April 17-23, 2023 Lithuania MND 24 Apr 2023 -- On April 17-23 fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states were scrambled seven times to identify and escort aircraft of the Russian Federation flying in violation of flight rules in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
• Europe's military spending highest since Cold War; US tops the list: Study Press TV 24 Apr 2023 -- Europe's military spending surged at a record pace in 2022 -- led by the UK, Germany and France -- with the US continuing to top the list, accounting for nearly 40 percent of global military expenditure, a new study has revealed.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr. Alfred Mutua At a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 24 Apr 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Meredov US Dept. of State 24 Apr 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 24 Apr 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan The White House 24 Apr 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 24, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 24 April 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Apr 2023
• Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council Meeting on "Effective Multilateralism Through the Defence of the Principles of the United Nations Charter and the 1970 Declaration on Principles of International Law" UN Secretary-General 24 Apr 2023
• Guterres: Urgency of global challenges demands bold, swift action UN News 24 Apr 2023 -- The world's multilateral system is under greater strain than at any time since the creation of the United Nations, requiring swift action to "do better, faster" in using the UN Charter and existing tools to forge greater security and prosperity for all, the Secretary-General told the Security Council on Monday, which marks the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace.
• Two explosions at ammunition depot kill at least 13 in northwestern Pakistan Press TV 24 Apr 2023 -- Two explosions at an ammunition depot in a northwestern region of Pakistan have left at least 13 people dead while injuring over 50.
• Explosions At Pakistan Anti-Terror Office Kill At Least 15; Stored Ammunition Suspected RFE/RL 24 Apr 2023 -- Pakistani police say at least 15 people were killed and dozens injured after two explosions destroyed an anti-terrorism police headquarters in the Swat Valley in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, but officials said the blasts were caused by stored ammunition and not terrorism.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's reply to a media question in connection with recent reports in the Pakistani media on terrorists using American weapons abandoned in Afghanistan Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24 Apr 2023
• Israel shells Syria's Quneitra in new act of aggression Press TV 24 Apr 2023 -- In a new aggression against Syria, the Israeli regime has targeted an area in the east of Hader town in northern Quneitra, just across the border from the Golan Heights.
• UN pledges to 'stand with and work for the Sudanese people' UN News 24 Apr 2023 -- The UN Secretary-General on Monday welcomed the temporary relocation of hundreds of staff members and their families from the Sudanese capital Khartoum, amid the continuing intense fighting between rival military factions which has now entered its second week.
• India Launches 'Operation Kaveri' to Evacuate Stranded Indians from Sudan VOA 24 Apr 2023 -- After Indian citizens made frantic appeals to the Indian government to help them flee Sudan over the past few days, New Delhi on Monday launched "Operation Kaveri" to evacuate the Indians stranded in the conflict-torn African nation.
• Nigeria to Begin Evacuation of Nationals From Sudan VOA 24 Apr 2023 -- Nigerian authorities say they are working to evacuate some of the 5,000 Nigerians stranded in Sudan amid fighting there.
• Countries Evacuate Diplomats, Citizens Out of Sudan VOA 24 Apr 2023 -- Countries are rushing to evacuate their diplomats and citizens from Khartoum, Sudan's capital, as fighting between the two rival factions in the Northeastern African country continues.
• Announcement of Nationwide Ceasefire in Sudan US Dept. of State 24 Apr 2023 -- "Following intense negotiation over the past 48 hours, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have agreed to implement a nationwide ceasefire starting at midnight on April 24, to last for 72 hours"
• UK government response to the situation in Sudan, 24 April 2023: Minister Mitchell's statement UK FCDO 24 Apr 2023 -- Minister for International Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell gave an update to the House of Commons on the government's response to the situation in Sudan.
• Posted embassy staff, their families and a number of Swedes evacuated from Sudan Government Offices of Sweden 24 Apr 2023 -- Early this morning, posted staff of the Embassy of Sweden in Khartoum, their accompanying family members and a number of Swedes landed safely at Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport.
• The crisis in Sudan Germany Federal Foreign Office 24 Apr 2023 -- Since 15 April Khartoum and other regions of the Sudan have seen serious fighting. Read here what this means for Germans in the country and what the German Government is undertaking in a political context and in the area of humanitarian assistance.
• Efforts underway to evacuate Iranian expats from Sudan: Foreign ministry IRNA 24 Apr 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has announced that it is working on measures to evacuate Iranian nationals from Sudan, where conflict has been going on between the army and a rival paramilitary group for more than a week now.
• FM sends working group to Sudan; first batch of Chinese personnel safely evacuated to neighboring country Global Times 24 Apr 2023 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry has dispatched a working group to Sudan and the first batch of Chinese personnel have been safely evacuated to Sudan's neighboring country, spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday, as the conflict continues to escalate in capital Khartoum.
• India mulls over options for evacuating nationals from Sudan People's Daily 24 Apr 2023 -- The Indian government is making all-out efforts to ensure the safety of its nationals stranded in Sudan and has positioned two aircraft in Jeddah and a ship at Port Sudan for their evacuation, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday.
• Egypt evacuates 436 nationals from Sudan amid deadly clashes People's Daily 24 Apr 2023 -- The Egyptian authorities evacuated on Sunday 436 Egyptian nationals from Sudan as fierce fighting continues in the neighboring country.
• UN chief: Sudan violence could spiral into 'catastrophic conflagration', engulf whole region Press TV 24 Apr 2023 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the violence between warring parties in Sudan could spiral into a "catastrophic conflagration," calling on Security Council members to exert maximum leverage to help restore calm and order.
• EU's Borrell says over 1,000 Europeans evacuated from crisis-hit Sudan Press TV 24 Apr 2023 -- European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says more than 1,000 citizens from the bloc have been evacuated from conflict-torn Sudan over the weekend, as rival forces in the Northeast African country continue to fight for power.
• Several Evacuees Arrived in Jeddah Today from the Republic of Sudan SPA 24 Apr 2023 -- In continuation of the evacuation efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the directives of the Kingdom's Leadership, several evacuees arrived from the Republic of Sudan to the city of Jeddah today.
• Pakistan Thanks Saudi Arabia for Helping in Evacuation of its Nationals from Sudan SPA 24 Apr 2023 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude towards the Saudi leadership, as well as the Republics of Egypt and Türkiye, for their assistance in evacuating Pakistanis trapped in Sudan during ongoing clashes.
• Lebanese Foreign Minister thanks Saudi leadership for helping evacuate Lebanese citizens from Sudan to Saudi Arabia SPA 24 Apr 2023 -- Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib has thanked the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for facilitating the evacuation of Lebanese citizens from Sudan, and for receiving them in Jeddah as guests of the Kingdom in preparation for their return to their homeland.
• Troops arrest around 100 villagers in Myanmar's Tanintharyi region Radio Free Asia 24 Apr 2023 -- Junta troops arrested around 100 villagers in Myanmar's southernmost Tanintharyi region and are still holding almost 80 of them, locals told RFA.
• Junta's second bombing of Sagaing village meant to destroy evidence, rebels say Radio Free Asia 24 Apr 2023 -- A military airstrike last week on a village in Myanmar's northern Sagaing region where an earlier attack killed nearly 200 people was part of a bid to "destroy evidence," a member of the armed opposition said Monday, as reports emerged that the latest bombing killed nearly 20 of the junta's own troops.
• Kosovo: Statement by the Spokesperson on by-elections in the north European External Action Service (EEAS) 24 Apr 2023 -- The European Union took note of yesterday's four mayoral by-elections and two municipal assembly by-elections in the municipalities of Leposavić/q, North Mitrovica/e, Zvečan/Zveçan, and Zubin Potok.
• Meager Turnout Amid Serb Boycott Of Local Elections In Northern Kosovo RFE/RL 24 Apr 2023 -- Meager Turnout Amid Serb Boycott Of Local Elections In Northern Kosovo
• Press release on a surge of tensions in Kosovo Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24 Apr 2023
• Dodik Says He Wants Bosnian Serb Entity To 'Unite' With Serbia RFE/RL 24 Apr 2023 -- Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik has again called for a union between Serbia and Republika Srpska -- one of Bosnia-Herzegovina's two entities -- amid already high tensions in the region.
• 18th Round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting India MEA 24 Apr 2023 -- The 18th round of India- China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side on 23rd April 2023.
• China-India border issue 'shifting from standoff to normalized management' with 18th military meeting Global Times 24 Apr 2023 -- China and India held the 18th round of Corps Commander Level Meeting on Sunday, a move Chinese experts said on Monday showed that the border issue is shifting from a standoff to normalized management.
• Ethiopia: Council conclusions confirm EU support for lasting peace EC/CEU 24 Apr 2023 -- The Council today approved conclusions stressing that Ethiopia is a key strategic partner for the EU in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea and that the EU stands ready to support further progress on the path towards lasting peace.
• Foreign Ministry statement on the situation concerning the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalisation process Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24 Apr 2023
• 'No alternative' to 2020 ceasefire deal between Azerbaijan, Armenia: Kremlin Press TV 24 Apr 2023 -- Russia has voiced "serious concern" about escalating tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, calling on the two warring sides to adhere to a 2020 ceasefire agreement to end hostilities.

News Reports

• EU fight against terrorism: one group and two individuals added to the EU sanctions list EC/CEU 24 Apr 2023 -- The Council today decided to add two individuals and one group affiliated to ISIL and operating mainly in the Cabo Delgado region in Mozambique to the list of those subject to restrictive measures against ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them.
• US considered targeting Russia's Wagner commanders in Africa: Leaked files Press TV 24 Apr 2023 -- American officials have reportedly considered taking lethal action against senior officers from the Russian private military company, Wagner.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the UN Security Council's open debates "Effective multilateralism through the Defence of the Principles of the UN Charter," New York, April 24, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24 Apr 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the results of his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, New York, April 24, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24 Apr 2023
• Meeting with First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Andrei Turchak President of Russia 24 Apr 2023 -- Vladimir Putin had a meeting with First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council, head of the working group to coordinate interaction between the authorities and organisations on mobilisation training and social and legal protection of citizens of the Russian Federation involved in the special military operation and their families Andrei Turchak.
• Press release on the Fifth Session of the UN Ad Hoc Committee for the Elaboration of a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Criminal Purposes Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24 Apr 2023
• At Security Council, Lavrov Faces Blistering Condemnation From West, UN Chief RFE/RL 24 Apr 2023 -- Moscow has come under blistering attack at the United Nations over its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that the world was at "a dangerous threshold."
• Accusations, Divisions Overshadow Russian-led Security Council Meeting VOA 24 Apr 2023 -- The severe divisions between Western nations and Russia over its invasion of Ukraine overshadowed a U.N. Security Council meeting presided over by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday.
• Hungary Won't Agree to Any Sanctions Against Russian Nuclear Energy Sputnik 24 Apr 2023 -- Hungary will not agree even to a partial imposition of sanctions against Russia's nuclear energy sector, as proposed by the Baltic states, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Monday.
• 'I see nothing effective nor multilateral in Russia's foreign policy': UK Statement on Multilateralism UK FCDO 24 Apr 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council meeting on Effective Multilateralism
• Navalny Given Just Over A Day To Review New 700-Page Case Against Him RFE/RL 24 Apr 2023 -- Jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has been given just over one day to get acquainted with 700 pages that form a new criminal case launched against him, the details of which have yet to be made public.
• Appeal Of Suspect In Russian Cafe Bombing That Killed War Blogger Denied RFE/RL 24 Apr 2023 -- MOSCOW -- The Moscow City Court has rejected an appeal filed by Darya Trepova against her pretrial detention for her alleged role in the assassination of a prominent Russian war blogger at a St. Petersburg cafe earlier this month.
• Russia says 'won't forgive' US after Washington denies Russian journalists entry visas Press TV 24 Apr 2023 -- Russia has strongly condemned the United States for its refusal to issue entry visas to journalists who were meant to accompany Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on a visit to the United Nations headquarters in New York.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on April 24, 2023 PRC MofA 24 Apr 2023
• China respects sovereignty of ex-Soviet republics: FM Global Times 24 Apr 2023 -- European foreign ministers arrived in Luxembourg for the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday to discuss a number of topics, including China. However, there have been growing divisions and deepening disunity over how to deal with China within the bloc, especially after French President Emmanuel Macron's call for "strategic autonomy" and recent remarks by the Chinese envoy to France drew much attention.
• China respects sovereignty of ex-Soviet states: Chinese FM Global Times 24 Apr 2023 -- Following recent comments made by the Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye concerning the sovereign status of ex-Soviet states, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday that China respects the status of the member republics as sovereign states after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
• China backs away from 'wolf-warrior' remarks on Ukraine's national sovereignty Radio Free Asia 24 Apr 2023 -- China's foreign ministry on Monday walked back comments calling into question Ukraine's national sovereignty from one of its "wolf-warrior" diplomats who told a French TV station over the weekend that the country lacked "actual status in international law" - remarks that echoed Russian propaganda on Ukraine.
• Chinese Diplomat's Comments On Post-Soviet Nations Sparks Outcry, Demands For Explanation RFE/RL 24 Apr 2023 -- Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have summoned Chinese envoys in their countries to explain recent comments by Beijing's ambassador to France that questioned the sovereignty of former Soviet states amid Russia's war against Ukraine.
• Foreign Ministry summons Chinese chargé d'affaires in Estonia Estonia MFA 24 Apr 2023 -- Today 24 April, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Meng Jianhua, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese embassy, to object to the claims made by Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye that questioned the sovereignty of former Soviet states and Crimea being part of Ukraine.
• Concerning the meeting of a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of China in relation to statements by the Ambassador of China to France Latvia MFA 24 Apr 2023 -- On 24 April 2023, in response to the statements of the Ambassador of China to France, Lu Shaye, during his TV interview on 21 April 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia summoned the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of China in Latvia, Song Danhui, to a meeting to provide explanations.
• Lithuania's Foreign Ministry protests over a statement by the Chinese Ambassador to France Lithuania MFA 24 Apr 2023 -- On 24 April, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania summoned Qu Baihua, China's acting chargé d'affaires, and expressed its strong protest over the remark by the Chinese Ambassador to France of 22 April that the so-called 'former Soviet countries' had no actual status in international law.
• China tightens border controls, slaps travel bans on blacklisted dissidents Radio Free Asia 24 Apr 2023 -- Authorities in China are carrying out extensive checks on passengers leaving the country, slapping travel bans at border checkpoints on individuals seen as 'politically sensitive,' according to rights activists.
• Senior CPC official stresses Party building in central Party, state institutions People's Daily 24 Apr 2023 -- Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Cai Qi on Sunday stressed improving Party building at a conference on the Party work and discipline inspection work in central Party and state institutions.
• A staunch supporter of China's space undertakings People's Daily 24 Apr 2023 -- President Xi Jinping has been a staunch supporter of China's space undertakings. He has paid visits to several space launch sites and he frequently mentioned the country's space achievements in his New Year addresses.
• Guatemala president arrives in Taiwan for four-day state visit CNA 24 Apr 2023 -- President of Guatemala Alejandro Giammattei arrived in Taiwan on Monday for his first ever state visit to reaffirm his country's support for the ally amid intensified cross-strait tensions.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan April 24, 2023 ROC MND 24 Apr 2023
• The Ministry of National Defense issues a press release in relation to "the vessel formation of the Shandong CCP aircraft carrier conducting navigation training in the Western Pacific" (April 24, 2023) ROC MND 24 Apr 2023
• US-South Korea State Visit Could Feature Quiet Talks on China VOA 24 Apr 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden will pull out all the stops Wednesday when he hosts South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol for a pomp-filled state visit to cap a day grounded by serious discussions, including, analysts say, quiet talks about countering an increasingly powerful China.
• North Korea cracks down on private home sales ahead of peak real estate season Radio Free Asia 24 Apr 2023 -- The buyer meets the go-between in a vacant lot downtown. Money is exchanged and delivered to the seller, who in turn hands over the goods. But this kind of shady deal isn't related to the drug trade or corporate espionage. It's just another day in the North Korean real estate business.
• Treasury Targets Actors Facilitating Illicit DPRK Financial Activity in Support of Weapons Programs US Treasury 24 Apr 2023 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned three individuals for providing support to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) through illicit financing and malicious cyber activity. The DPRK launders stolen virtual currency and deploys information technology (IT) workers to fraudulently obtain employment to generate revenue in virtual currency to support the regime and its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. Today's actions have been taken in close coordination with the Republic of Korea.
• North Korean Foreign Trade Bank Representative Charged in Crypto Laundering Conspiracies US Dept. of Justice 24 Apr 2023 -- Two federal indictments were unsealed today in the District of Columbia charging a North Korean Foreign Trade Bank (FTB) representative for his role in separate money laundering conspiracies designed to generate revenue for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea through the use of cryptocurrency.
• Iran's annual petchem output capacity to reach 95 mt: Official IRNA 24 Apr 2023 -- CEO of Iran's National Petrochemical Company (NPC) says the country's annual capacity for production of petrochemicals will reach 95 million metric tons (mt) by the end of the current Iranian calendar year, up from a current figure of 92 million mt.
• Iranian Oil Workers Join Labor Unrest Over Wages, Living Conditions RFE/RL 24 Apr 2023 -- Workers from several industries in Iran, including the oil sector, continue to strike in protest of inadequate wage increases and deteriorating living conditions amid spiraling inflation and a widening gap between household income and expenses.
• US Officials Urge Iran to Release Detainees VOA 24 Apr 2023 -- On the 5th anniversary of the imprisonment of Iranian American citizen Emad Shargi in Evin Prison, the U.S. special envoy for Iran called Sunday for his immediate release.
• Iran: Council sanctions eight additional individuals and one entity over human rights violations EC/CEU 24 Apr 2023 -- The Council decided today to impose restrictive measures on eight additional individuals and one entity responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.
• Iran imposes retaliatory sanctions on EU, UK individuals, entities IRNA 24 Apr 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry has announced sanctions against a number of individuals and legal entities in the European Union and in the United Kigndom in what it says is a countermeasure measure against their acts of interference in Iran's affairs.
• In retaliatory move, Iran imposes sanctions on EU, British individuals, entities Press TV 24 Apr 2023 -- Iran has imposed sanctions on more than 20 individuals and entities from the European Union and the United Kingdom, after the bloc and London imposed a fresh round of sanctions targeting Iranian officials and organizations.
• Iran's UN ambassador: US unilateral actions violate UN Charter, threaten multilateralism Press TV 24 Apr 2023 -- Iran's permanent ambassador to the United Nations says unilateral measures taken by the United States are against the UN Charter while threatening multilateralism in the world.
• Insisting on a failed policy: EU, UK impose additional sanctions on Iranian individuals, entities Press TV 24 Apr 2023 -- The European Union and the UK have imposed new sanctions on a number of Iranian individuals and entities over alleged human rights violations, despite the fact that the failure of such a policy has been proven many times over the past years.
• US Sanctions 5 Iranians Linked to Suppression of Protests, Online News VOA 24 Apr 2023 -- The U.S. on Monday sanctioned four senior Iranian officials it said were responsible for the "brutal suppression" of protests that erupted last year against Tehran's morality police for the arrest and death of a young woman detained for not properly wearing a hajib.
• U.S., EU, Britain Tighten Sanctions On Iran For Rights Abuses, With Focus On IRGC RFE/RL 24 Apr 2023 -- The European Union, United States, and Britain stepped up their sanction regimes against Iran for human rights violations, with the focus set on the hard-line Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) military force.
• Designating Iranian Officials in Connection with Serious Human Rights Abuses Or Censorship in Iran US Dept. of State 24 Apr 2023 -- The United States condemns Iran's continued human rights abuses and remains committed to supporting the people of Iran as they face the brutality of the Iranian regime and demand respect for their fundamental freedoms.
• Treasury Sanctions Senior Iranian Officials Overseeing Violent Protest Suppression and Censorship US Treasury 24 Apr 2023 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned four senior officials of the Law Enforcement Forces of Iran (LEF) and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the primary Iranian security forces responsible for the regime's brutal suppression of the protests that broke out in September 2022 following the arrest and death of Mahsa Jina Amini while in the custody of Iran's Morality Police. OFAC is also taking action against the new Secretary of Iran's Supreme Council of Cyberspace (SCC), the authority responsible for Iran's cyberspace policy and blockage of popular websites. Today's action is being taken in coordination with the United Kingdom, which is also imposing similar sanctions on senior Iranian security officials.
• UK and international partners announce new sanctions on Iranian regime UK FCDO 24 Apr 2023 -- The UK, US and EU are today announcing further sanctions on Iranian regime officials responsible for human rights violations.
• Former UN Sec-Gen Ban Ki-moon meets with junta leaders in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 24 Apr 2023 -- Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has made a surprise visit to Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw over the weekend and met with junta chief Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing to discuss the country's political crisis, according to official media reports.
• India poised to become world's most populous nation UN News 24 Apr 2023 -- India is about to surpass China as the world's most populous nation in the coming days, the UN population data chief told reporters on Monday.
• India to Surpass China as Most Populous Country by Month's End VOA 24 Apr 2023 -- India will overtake China as the world's most populous country by the end of this month, the United Nations said Monday.
• Former Kazakh National Security Committee Chief Gets 18 Years In Prison RFE/RL 24 Apr 2023 -- Karim Masimov, the former chief of Kazakhstan's National Security Committee (KNB), has been sentenced to 18 years in prison over his role in deadly events that followed unprecedented anti-government protests in the Central Asian country in January 2022.
• Syria: EU sanctions drug trade benefitting the regime EC/CEU 24 Apr 2023 -- The Council today decided to list 25 individuals and 8 entities in the framework of EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria.
• Turkish FM: West Won't Compensate Turkiye's Damage if Ankara Joins Russia Sanctions Sputnik 24 Apr 2023 -- The Western nations will not pay compensation to Turkiye if Ankara decides to join its ongoing sanctions campaign against Russia, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday.
• Lithuania's Foreign Minister Landsbergis: "Lithuania is not a post-Soviet country. It is a country that the Soviet Union forcibly occupied" Lithuania MFA 24 Apr 2023 -- Today, on 24 April, Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis is attending the EU's Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg.
• Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell after the meeting European External Action Service (EEAS) 24 Apr 2023
• Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival European External Action Service (EEAS) 24 Apr 2023
• United States: EU - US Consultations underscore continued shared commitment to Human Rights European External Action Service (EEAS) 24 Apr 2023 -- Today in Brussels, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, and US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the US Department of State, Erin Barclay, co-chaired the 2023 EU-US Human Rights Consultations. The EU and United States reaffirmed their strong mutual commitment to the transatlantic partnership and underscored its centrality to defending human rights, democracy and the rule of law worldwide.
• Weekend attacks in Cambodia's capital target two more opposition party members Radio Free Asia 24 Apr 2023 -- Two more opposition party activists were assaulted over the weekend as they traveled in Phnom Penh - the latest in a series of similar attacks in recent months that members of the Candlelight Party insist are all politically motivated.
• Wider Europe Briefing: What To Do About The Glut Of Ukrainian Food In The EU RFE/RL 24 Apr 2023