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News Reports

Current Operations

• New York Guard Completes Ukrainian Troop Training Mission Army News 28 Apr 2023 -- New York Army National Guard Soldiers from the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat team oversaw the training of 9,600 Ukrainian troops since taking charge of NATO's Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine in August.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. and Nigerian officials join to celebrate $38 million in Kainji Air Force Base improvements Army News 28 Apr 2023 -- Senior U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense officials joined Nigeria's Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, represented by Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Nwokoma Ananaba and other Nigerian partners to celebrate the completion of $38 million of improvements to the air base April 27.
• US Army kicks off Exercise Combined Resolve 18 Army News 28 Apr 2023 -- The U.S. Army, allies and partners, will build interoperability as exercise Combined Resolve 18 kicked off April 21st, in the 7th Army Training Command's Joint Multinational Readiness Center at Hohenfels Training Area, Germany.
• CENTCOM Commander Visits Israeli Defense Leaders CENTCOM 28 Apr 2023 -- From April 27 to 28, Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, visited Israel to meet with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and leadership from the Israel Defense Forces.
• VNG begins 20th anniversary celebration of partnership with Tajikistan CENTCOM 28 Apr 2023 -- The Virginia National Guard began recognizing its 20th year of partnership with the Republic of Tajikistan March 27, 2023, as VNG senior leaders visited with the Tajikistan Ministry of Defense in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
• Readout of Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment Dr. William LaPlante's Engagements With European Allies and Partners DoD 28 Apr 2023
• DoD Strengthens Supply Chains for Hypersonic and Strategic Systems DoD 28 Apr 2023 -- The Department of Defense's (DoD) Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (OASD(IBP)), through its Office of Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) Directorate, announced it has made three awards to strengthen supply chains for hypersonic and strategic systems. The companies receiving the awards are General Electric (GE), Carbon-Carbon Advanced Technologies (C-CAT), and Northrop Grumman.
• Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks' Round Table Meeting With U.S. Battery and Critical Minerals Manufacturers DoD 28 Apr 2023
• DOD Investing in Wearable Technology That Could Rapidly Predict Disease DoD News 28 Apr 2023 -- The Defense Innovation Unit, also known as DIU, in partnership with the private sector, has developed a wearable device that was highly successful during the COVID-19 pandemic in identifying infections.
• Navy Expands Low Carbon Fuel Credits Agreement with Port of San Diego to Additional Two Local Bases US Navy 28 Apr 2023 -- The Navy has expanded a first-of-its-kind agreement with the Port of San Diego that gives the U.S. Navy access to participate in California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) market.
• $41.3M BOS Contract Awarded for NS Guantanamo Bay US Navy 28 Apr 2023 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $41.3 million fixed-price-award-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, April 27, to Vectrus Systems Corporation for base operations support (BOS) at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• Naval Academy, NSA Annapolis Release Installation Resiliency Plan US Navy Press Release 28 Apr 2023 -- The U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) and Naval Support Activity Annapolis (NSAA) released a jointly developed installation resiliency plan, associated project portfolio, and phased execution plan, April 27, 2023.
• US-Philippines Conclude Largest-Ever Military Exercise VOA 28 Apr 2023 -- The U.S. and Philippines Friday concluded nearly three weeks of annual military drills known as Balikatan in the south Pacific Ocean near the island chain nation.
• NATO ambassadors, top military officials visit United Kingdom's Clyde nuclear base NATO 28 Apr 2023 -- Ambassadors of NATO's North Atlantic Council, military representatives from the NATO Military Committee and other senior military officials on Friday (28 April 2023), visited His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde in Scotland, home to the United Kingdom's independent nuclear deterrent.
• Meeting on the development of unmanned aircraft President of Russia 28 Apr 2023 -- The President held a videoconference meeting on the development of unmanned aircraft.
• Russia's drone industry could be worth billions of dollars: Putin Press TV 28 Apr 2023 -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin calls the country's drone industry "a very important" sector for the country to develop, saying the industry could soon be worth billions of dollars.
• Australia supports cornerstone Exercise in the Philippines Australia DOD 28 Apr 2023 -- The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has completed its deployment in support of Exercise Balikatan 2023 in the Philippines.
• IMPHAL, INDIAN NAVY'S THIRD SHIP OF PROJECT 15B SAILS FOR MAIDEN SEA TRIALS India PIB 28 Apr 2023 -- Imphal, Indian Navy's third indigenous stealth destroyer of the Project 15B class, planned to be commissioned later this year, undertook her maiden sea sortie today.
• Raksha Mantri holds bilateral meetings with his Uzbek, Belarusian & Kyrgyz counterparts on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in New Delhi India PIB 28 Apr 2023 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held bilateral meetings with Minister of Defence of Uzbekistan Lieutenant General Bakhodir Kurbanov, Minister of Defence of Belarus Lieutenant General Victor Khrenin and Minister of Defence of Kyrgyzstan Lieutenant General Bekbolotov B Asankalievich on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in New Delhi on April 28, 2023.
• Raksha Mantri & his Russian counterpart hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in New Delhi India PIB 28 Apr 2023 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Defence of Russia Army General Sergei K Shoigu on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in New Delhi on April 28, 2023.
• Need to root out terrorism collectively & fix accountability on its supporters: Raksha Mantri to SCO Defence Ministers in New Delhi India PIB 28 Apr 2023 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has called upon the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to collectively work towards eliminating terrorism in all its forms and fix accountability on those who aid or fund such activities.
• Pakistan's Army Chief Visits China to Deepen Ties VOA 28 Apr 2023 -- Pakistan's Chief of the Army, General Asim Munir, is in China on a four-day official visit where he is holding meetings with the leadership of the People's Liberation Army to discuss military cooperation between the two countries.
• Iran calls for multilateralism as Shanghai group's defense ministers meet Press TV 28 Apr 2023 -- Iran's defense minister has warned about growing attempts by the West and US-led NATO military alliance to create a unipolar world, saying the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) should be after consolidation of balanced policies and expansion of multilateralism.
• United Kingdom - Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System-II DSCA 28 Apr 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Kingdom of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System-II for an estimated cost of $31.2 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Record £1.9 billion UK-Poland missile export deal set to bolster European security Gov.UK 28 Apr 2023 -- The UK and Poland have signed a major £1.9 billion export agreement to roll out a British air defence system across the European nation.
• UK underlines commitment to NATO Nuclear Deterrence UK MOD 28 Apr 2023 -- Defence Minister Baroness Goldie hosted members of the North Atlantic Council and NATO Military Committee at HMNB Clyde.
• HMCS Edmonton concludes its deployment on Operation CARIBBE and returns to CFB Esquimalt Canada 28 Apr 2023 -- Today, His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Edmonton concludes its two-and-a-half-month deployment off the Pacific coast of Central America, under Operation CARIBBE, from February 13 to April 28, 2023 and returns to the ship's home port at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt.
• The President in Italy: Lithuania and Italy are allies in strengthening transatlantic defense President of the Republic of Lithuania 28 Apr 2023 -- President Gitanas Nausėda is on a working visit to Rome. On Friday, the President met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella to discuss preparations for the NATO Summit in Vilnius, the security of the eastern flank, Russia's war in Ukraine, and bilateral cooperation between Lithuania and Italy.
• Readout of the National Security Advisor to the Vice President's Meeting with Guatemalan Civil Society Election Observers The White House 28 Apr 2023
• U.S. Imposes Sanctions On Iran's IRGC Intelligence Unit, Russia's FSB For Detentions Of U.S. Citizens RFE/RL 28 Apr 2023 -- The United States on April 27 added new sanctions against the intelligence unit of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) for allegedly taking part in the detention of Americans in Iran and Russia.
• Department Press Briefing - April 28, 2023 US Dept. of State 28 Apr 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 28, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 28 April 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 28 Apr 2023
• Taliban Reject UN Resolution Against Curbs on Afghan Women VOA 28 Apr 2023 -- The Taliban said Friday that their decision to bar local women from working for the United Nations was an "internal social matter of Afghanistan" that all countries should respect.
• The Azadi Briefing: Taliban Using War With Islamic State To Burnish Counterterrorism Credentials RFE/RL 28 Apr 2023
• Philippines reports near-collision with Chinese vessels in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 28 Apr 2023 -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Friday it was involved in a near-collision with Chinese vessels that carried out "dangerous maneuvers" in the South China Sea, the latest in a string of incidents in the disputed waters.
• China expresses strong protest over Philippine vessels' intrusion, says Chinese coast guard's response 'professional', 'restrained' Global Times 28 Apr 2023 -- After two Philippine coast guard vessels intruded into the waters off the Ren'ai Reef without Chinese permission and deliberately made provocative moves, Chinese coast guard vessels safeguarded China's territorial sovereignty and maritime order, in accordance with the law, and took measures to avoid the dangerous approach of the Philippine vessels and avoid a collision, according to a spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Ship Comes Under Attack Off Coast of Yemen VOA 28 Apr 2023 -- A vessel came under attack in the waters in the waters south of Yemen, a British maritime agency said Friday.
• Displaced Sudanese Civilians Face Worsening Risks as Conflict Grinds On VOA 28 Apr 2023 -- Millions of Sudanese face acute hunger, increased health risks, and death from recoverable injuries because United Nations agencies have been forced to suspend their lifesaving activities in Sudan, where fighting has it made it too dangerous for them to operate.
• Fleeing Sudan's Conflict: On a Bus Ride From Khartoum VOA 28 Apr 2023 -- After more than two weeks of fighting between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, civilians in Khartoum have little choice but to run for their lives.
• Sudan: UNHCR warns forcibly displaced are facing worsening risks in Sudan and region UNHCR 28 Apr 2023 -- As hostilities flare in Sudan, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is warning that the conflict is having a devastating impact on the civilian population, including refugees and internally displaced people across the country.
• Sudan latest: Tens of thousands on the move; spectre of ethnic clashes, hunger draws closer UN News 28 Apr 2023 -- Civilians in Sudan, including scores of internally displaced people and refugees, are scrambling for safety and suffering the disastrous consequences of the violence there, as many aid operations have been forced to pause, UN humanitarians said on Friday.
• Background to a crisis: In Sudan, the stakes are high for the whole of Africa UN News 28 Apr 2023 -- A turbulent transition to civilian rule has been underway in Sudan since the ouster of former President Omar Hassan El-Bashir in April 2019. The civilian-led transitional Government put in place later that year, through a power-sharing agreement between military and civilian leaders, was toppled by a military coup in October 2021.
• Evacuation flights from Khartoum due to end in 24 hours UK FCDO 28 Apr 2023 -- The final UK evacuation flight from Wadi Saeedna airfield near Khartoum in Sudan is due to leave on Saturday (29 April) due to declining demand for seats.
• Egypt receives over 16,000 foreigners fleeing Sudan conflict People's Daily 28 Apr 2023 -- Egypt has received more than 16,000 foreigners fleeing the deadly conflict in neighboring Sudan, including more than 14,000 Sudanese, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
• PH gov't steps up efforts to evacuate OFs from Sudan conflict Philippines DFA 28 Apr 2023 -- More than 300 Filipinos were safely evacuated from Sudan in the last 12 hours through government efforts led by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
• Sudan's army says paramilitary Rapid Support Forces hit Turkish evacuation plane Press TV 28 Apr 2023 -- Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reportedly opened fire on a Turkish evacuation plane as it was landing at an airport outside Khartoum amid fighting between rivaling groups to seize power despite a truce signed between Sudan's de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF head Hamdan Dagalo.
• Heavy gunfire, explosions rock Khartoum after ceasefire extended Press TV 28 Apr 2023 -- Sudan's army and a rival paramilitary force have agreed to extend a truce by 72 hours, but heavy gunfire and detonations continue to rattle residential neighborhoods of the capital.
• Chinese navy vessels evacuate personnel from Sudan People's Daily 28 Apr 2023 -- Two Chinese navy vessels have successfully evacuated a first batch of 678 people from Sudan, who arrived at the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah at around 3 p.m. Thursday Beijing time, according to an official statement.
• India Says Normal China Ties Depend on Resolving Border Dispute VOA 28 Apr 2023 -- India and China disagreed during a meeting of their defense ministers Thursday on the importance of restoring peace along their disputed border to developing bilateral ties.
• Chinese defense minister urges to bring China-India border situation under normalized management in meeting with Indian defense chief Global Times 28 Apr 2023 -- When meeting with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu said that the China-Indian border situation remains stable, and border issue should be properly managed within bilateral ties.
• India arms Hindu militias in Kashmir to combat pro-independence Muslim fighters: Report Press TV 28 Apr 2023 -- The Indian government is arming village militias to combat pro-independence fighters in the disputed Himalayan Muslim-majority region, according to a report.
• US Oil Firm Wants Stability Assurances to Resume Operations in Mozambique VOA 28 Apr 2023 -- The general director of Exxon Mobil Mozambique says his company needs long-term stability in Cabo Delgado province before it can think of restarting a $30 billion liquefied natural gas project in northern Mozambique.
• Kenyan EAC Force Mission Commander in DRC Resigns VOA 28 Apr 2023 -- The Kenyan commander of the East African Community regional force mission in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has resigned, citing threats to his security.

News Reports

• ODNI Releases 10th Annual Intelligence Community Transparency Report Director of National Intelligence 28 Apr 2023 -- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) today released the Annual Statistical Transparency Report (ASTR) Regarding the Intelligence Community's (IC) Use of National Security Surveillance Authorities for Calendar Year 2022.
• US Intelligence Surveillance of Americans Drops Sharply VOA 28 Apr 2023 -- U.S. intelligence agencies pushing lawmakers to reauthorize a controversial set of surveillance tools are hoping to get a boost from a new report showing fewer U.S. citizens and residents are getting swept up in the agencies' collection efforts.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Following a Meeting with Mayors from the Western Hemisphere To Discuss Efforts to Combat Fentanyl US Dept. of State 28 Apr 2023
• Power outages hit Israel following suspected cyber attack Press TV 28 Apr 2023 -- A group of hackers has claimed responsibility for a cyber attack that they say was the reason behind major power failures in several cities across Israeli-occupied territories on Thursday.
• Meeting with members of the Council of Legislators President of Russia 28 Apr 2023 -- Vladimir Putin spoke at a meeting with members of the Federal Assembly's Council of Legislators and congratulated them on Day of Russian Parliamentarism. By tradition, the meeting was held at the Tauride Palace.
• Putin slams West's 'economic aggression,' vows proactive response Press TV 28 Apr 2023 -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin slams the "economic aggression" that is being practiced by the "collective West" against the country, pledging that Moscow will take "proactive" action against the West's hostile economic campaign.
• How A German Gas Giant's Investments May Be Fueling Russia's Military, Including In Ukraine RFE/RL 28 Apr 2023 -- Siberian hydrocarbon fields co-owned by German oil and gas giant Wintershall and Russia's Gazprom have been linked to fuel supplies used by Russian military and intelligence units, including some believed to be fighting in Ukraine, a new investigation has found.
• The Week In Russia: Putin's 'Snarling Revanche' RFE/RL 28 Apr 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin decided on the large-scale invasion of Ukraine about a year before he launched it in late February 2022, and his main motives were personal, an investigative report released at a potentially crucial juncture in the devastating war concludes.
• Russia's Oldest Rights Group Loses Appeal Against Liquidation RFE/RL 28 Apr 2023 -- A court of appeals in the Russian capital has rejected the Moscow Helsinki Group's (MHG) appeal against its liquidation, amid a relentless Kremlin campaign to muzzle criticism of its war against Ukraine.
• Putin, Erdogan discuss ties, regional issues over phone People's Daily 28 Apr 2023 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone talk with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday ahead of the inauguration ceremony of Türkiye's first nuclear power reactor built by Russia.
• China broadens scope of its counter-espionage law amid raids on foreign companies Radio Free Asia 28 Apr 2023 -- China's ruling Communist Party has granted itself more powers under an amended espionage law, expanding the definition of what constitutes "spying," amid ongoing raids on U.S. consultancy firms in China.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on April 28, 2023 PRC MofA 28 Apr 2023
• Germany's possible restriction on semiconductor chemicals exports to Beijing would undermine the positive direction of China-EU ties: experts Global Times 28 Apr 2023 -- Germany is reportedly considering restricting exports of chemicals to China that are used to produce semiconductors, a move which experts said would disrupt the positive direction of China-Europe relations and represent a "severe blow" to the country's industrial base, further hurting an economy that is already suffering from economic blows linked to the Ukraine crisis.
• Key meeting affirms China's better-than-expected economic recovery, identifies weak links, stresses tech self-reliance and expanding demand Global Times 28 Apr 2023 -- China's top leadership affirmed the country's positive economic recovery so far this year while acknowledging new challenges during a meeting convened by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Friday, sending what experts said is a rock solid signal that China will continue to support economic recovery with expansive policies.
• China opposes U.S. deterring ROK chip exports to China People's Daily 28 Apr 2023 -- China strongly opposes the United States' requirement of forbidding chip makers of the Republic of Korea to fill the gap of chip exports left by their American peers in the Chinese market, said a commerce ministry spokesperson Thursday.
• China Flies Fighter Jets Around Taiwan VOA 28 Apr 2023 -- Taiwan's Defense Ministry said Friday 38 Chinese fighter jets and one TB-001 drone aircraft have circled the island.
• Chinese military drone encircles Taiwan: MND CNA 28 Apr 2023 -- Nineteen Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Thursday and early Friday, including a TB-001 unmanned aerial vehicle that almost flew around the island, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan April 28, 2023 ROC MND 28 Apr 2023
• The Ministry of National Defense issues a press release about "the aerial navigation by a US P-8A anti-submarine aircraft" (April 28, 2023) ROC MND 28 Apr 2023
• U.S. Navy reconnaissance aircraft transits Taiwan Strait CNA 28 Apr 2023 -- A U.S. Navy maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft transited the Taiwan Strait on Friday, in the wake of China sending 19 planes into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ).
• PLA Eastern Theater Command tracks, monitors US warplane's flight over Taiwan Straits: spokesperson Global Times 28 Apr 2023 -- The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has closely tracked and monitored a US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft that flew over the Taiwan Straits on Friday, a spokesperson from the PLA Eastern Theater Command said while warning that the theater command's troops remain on high alert to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and regional peace and stability.
• Defense spokesperson warns Taiwan's DPP against "inviting wolf into house" People's Daily 28 Apr 2023 -- A spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense on Thursday warned Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities against letting in U.S. defense companies, comparing the move to "inviting a wolf into the house."
• Terry Gou blasts government's cross-strait policies in university speech CNA 27 Apr 2023 -- Business tycoon and Kuomintang (KMT) presidential hopeful Terry Gou (郭台銘) blasted the government's cross-Taiwan Strait policies on Thursday, while vowing to stop the "harassment" of Taiwan by Chinese warplanes if elected.
• North Korea orders citizens to read 10,000 pages of propaganda this year Radio Free Asia 28 Apr 2023 -- North Korea is ordering citizens to read 10,000 pages of propaganda this year to foster loyalty among the populace - and combat "reactionary" South Korean popular culture - but sources told Radio Free Asia that the people know that the government wants to brainwash them.
• Iran: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the confirmation of the death sentence against Jamshid Sharmahd by Iranian court EC/CEU 28 Apr 2023 -- The European Union strongly condemns the Iranian Supreme Court's decision on 26 April 2023 to uphold the death sentence against German-Iranian national Jamshid Sharmahd.
• Baha'i, Families Of Executed Prisoners Say Iranian Government Pressuring On Mass Gravesite RFE/RL 28 Apr 2023 -- A group of families of Iranian political prisoners killed in the 1980s and Baha'is have launched a campaign condemning the Intelligence Ministry for pressuring Baha'i families to bury their dead in the mass graves occupied by prisoners executed in the 1988 massacre.
• Iranian Woman Dies After Confrontation Escalates Over Hijab RFE/RL 28 Apr 2023 -- A woman in the central Iranian province of Kerman has been killed during a confrontation between her family and a group of individuals enforcing the mandatory hijab policy as tensions over the policy remain high.
• Iran Arrests Activists After 'Clubhouse' Meeting Calls For New Political System RFE/RL 28 Apr 2023 -- Iranian political activist Abdollah Momeni did not mince his words when describing the clerical establishment, comparing it to a drunken captain steering his ship toward a cliff.
• Iran's Leading Sunni Cleric Calls Out Supreme Leader VOA 28 Apr 2023 -- Influential Iranian Sunni Muslim cleric Abdul Hamid Ismaeelzehi, known as Molavi Abdul Hamid, criticized Iran's supreme leader during his Friday sermon in Zahedan City and said that holding a referendum to solve problems would not be needed if the authorities instead listened to the voice of the people.
• Chinese visits to Myanmar sow influence, but may hinder interests Radio Free Asia 28 Apr 2023 -- A slew of recent visits by top Chinese officials to Myanmar appears to be part of a bid by Beijing to counter U.S. influence on the nation, but rebel leaders warned that propping up the junta is a miscalculation, as there will be no stability while it remains in power.
• UN expert urges Japan to 'step up pressure' on Myanmar junta UN News 28 Apr 2023 -- Japan must assume a greater leadership role to address the deteriorating crisis in Myanmar and "step up pressure on the country's military junta", a UN-appointed independent rights expert urged on Friday.
• Kazakh Police General Kudebaev Gets 10 Years In Prison Over January 2022 Unrest RFE/RL 28 Apr 2023 -- TALDYQORGHAN, Kazakhstan -- The former chief of police of Kazakhstan's southern Almaty region, General Serik Kudebaev, who was recently extradited from Turkey, has been handed a 10-year prison term in a case related to the deadly mass unrest that rocked the country in January 2022.
• Residents Of Kazakhstan's Restive West Protest Against Fuel Price Hikes RFE/RL 28 Apr 2023 -- AQTAU, Kazakhstan -- Dozens of trucks have parked in protest near Aqtau, the capital of Kazakhstan's western region of Manghystau, as drivers rally against a recent 28 percent hike in the price of gasoline.
• Transcript of the Media Briefing by the Spokesperson on Friday 28 April 2023 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Apr 2023
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen Prime Minister of Canada 28 Apr 2023 -- Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at the Global Citizen NOW Summit in New York City, United States of America.
• Tunisian president appoints new ambassador to Syria People's Daily 28 Apr 2023 -- Tunisian President Kais Saied has appointed Mohamed Mhadhbi as the country's new ambassador to Syria, according to a statement released by the presidency on Thursday.
• UN envoy: Iran welcomes improvement of Syria's diplomatic ties with Arab world Press TV 28 Apr 2023 -- Iran's permanent ambassador to the United Nations says the Islamic Republic supports the improvement of diplomatic relations between Syria and the world, particularly the Arab countries, to ensure Syria's security and prosperity.
• The need for accountability in Syria: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon's speech UK FCDO 28 Apr 2023 -- Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, hosted an event at the FCDO on 27 April with the Syrian Emergency Task Force.
• Russia's Wagner Group Plotted To Spark Violence In Moldova, U.S. Document Leak Shows RFE/RL 28 Apr 2023 -- Russia's Wagner mercenary group was involved in alleged Kremlin-led efforts to foment civil unrest in Moldova in the hope of destabilizing the pro-Western government, leaked U.S. military documents seen by RFE/RL's Russian Service indicate.
• Republic of Moldova: EU adopts a new sanctions framework to target actions aimed at destabilising the country EC/CEU 28 Apr 2023 -- Today the Council adopted a new framework for targeted restrictive measures which provides the EU with the possibility of imposing sanctions against persons responsible for supporting or implementing actions which undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, as well as the country's democracy, the rule of law, stability or security.
• Moldova: EU strengthens cooperation for better European crisis response European Commission 28 Apr 2023 -- Today Moldova starts its path towards joining the EU Civil Protection Mechanism - a European solidarity initiative designed to support countries in times of crisis and disaster.
• Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna is on a visit to Odesa with Nordic and Baltic foreign ministers Estonia MFA 28 Apr 2023 -- Today 28 April, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna was on a visit to Odesa with NB8 foreign ministers from Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland to show support for Ukraine on its path to NATO and the European Union, and highlight the importance of providing continued military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
• Amir-Abdollahian: Iran can solve Lebanon's electricity problem despite US bans Press TV 28 Apr 2023 -- Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Iran can solve Lebanon's electricity shortage problem through bilateral cooperation with the Arab country and in defiance of the already failed US sanctions.
• Iran 'loudly' supports Lebanon's resistance against Israel: Amir-Abdollahian Press TV 28 Apr 2023 -- Iran's foreign minister has expressed satisfaction about the fact that Palestinian and Lebanese resistance movements are in their "strongest ever" position, declaring in a visit to Lebanon that the Islamic Republic "loudly" supports the Lebanese resistance against the Israeli regime.
• Court gives Cambodian opposition leader additional charges as election nears. Radio Free Asia 28 Apr 2023 -- A Cambodian court on Friday gave additional charges to a detained opposition leader, a move that will likely prevent him from campaigning ahead of July's general elections.
• International Envoy Imposes Amendments To Bosnian Constitution To Spur Formation Of Government, Strengthen Elections RFE/RL 28 Apr 2023 -- The high representative of the international community in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, has imposed changes to the country's constitution and the criminal laws of Bosnia's entities to facilitate the formation of the new regional government and prevent election fraud.
• Congratulating the Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Formation of the Federation of BiH Government US Dept. of State 28 Apr 2023
• Stop deporting Haitians: Rights experts' appeal to countries in Americas UN News 28 Apr 2023 -- Countries in the Americas should suspend forced returns of Haitians on the move and adopt measures to protect them instead, UN-appointed independent human rights experts said on Friday.
• Rights Groups Call for Former Burundian PM to Get Fair Trial VOA 28 Apr 2023 -- Human rights organizations are calling on Burundi's government to give former Prime Minister Alain Guillaume Bunyoni a fair trial.
• Uzbek Ballot Promises Freedom, Justice, but Some Have Doubts VOA 28 Apr 2023 -- For the third time in less than three decades, Uzbekistan is asking citizens to vote on the country's constitution.