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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Coast Guard Seizes $30 Million in Drugs with International Task Force US Navy 08 May 2023 -- A U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutter seized more than $30 million of heroin and methamphetamine from a fishing vessel transiting the Gulf of Oman, May 8.

Defense Policy / Programs

• French-led NATO exercise ORION is first of its kind in over 30 years Army News 08 May 2023 -- U.S. Army and NATO allies work side by side in a French-led interoperability coalition training for the first time in over thirty years.
• US Army's 12CAB to participate in Exercise Swift Response 23 Army News 08 May 2023 -- Six AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters, six CH-47F Chinook helicopters, four HH-60M MEDEVAC Blackhawk helicopters, two UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters, and approximately 300 Soldiers assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade are participating in exercise Swift Response 23, May 7-20, across the Baltic Sea and Mediterranean regions.
• US Army's 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade Makes History in the Port of Riga Army News 08 May 2023 -- The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, unloaded aircraft and equipment at the Port of Riga as part of their rotation supporting Atlantic Resolve on April 26, 2023. Soldiers assigned to Task Force Knighthawk unloaded CH-47 Chinooks for the first time in the port's history.
• U.S. Army APS-2 worksite in Zutendaal sends entire float bridge system to DEFENDER 23 Army News 08 May 2023 -- The U.S. Army Europe and Africa-led DEFENDER 23 exercise kicks off into high gear shortly, and the 405th Army Field Support Brigade is ready to support the nearly 23,000 U.S. and multi-national participants from 26 nations participating in the exercise with hundreds of combat and combat support vehicles and equipment pieces from multiple Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 worksites across Europe.
• Garnet Rattler: 1st Marine Division gives JTACs realistic, comprehensive training USMC News 08 May 2023 -- U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Division recently traveled to Saylor Creek Range, Idaho, to participate in Exercise Garnet Rattler, April 10-29.
• NAMRU San Antonio hosts 5th Mission Possible US Navy 08 May 2023 -- Military and support personnel assigned to Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio attended the fifth edition of "Mission Possible," an information-sharing event held at the Battlefield Health and Trauma (BHT) Research Institute.
• U.S. Sixth Fleet and STRIKFORNATO to kick off Formidable Shield 2023 US Navy 08 May 2023 -- U.S. Sixth Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) will kick off exercise Formidable Shield 2023 from the High North and North Atlantic Ocean, May 8, 2023.
• Taiwan, U.S. in talks on US$500 million weapons aid package: Defense chief CNA 08 May 2023 -- Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) said Monday that his ministry has been in talks with the United States on the types of weapon systems that would be needed if the U.S. decides to supply Taiwan with US$500 million worth of emergency military aid under a grant program, amid China's growing military threats.
• 1st group of volunteer female reservists report for training CNA 08 May 2023 -- A group of 14 female veterans reported to a location in northern Taoyuan City to start five days of volunteer reservist training on Monday morning, making them the first women to undergo such training in Taiwan.
• Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE 23: Canadians and allies build military readiness during challenging field training exercise Canada 08 May 2023 -- From May 8 until May 22, 2023, approximately 2,500 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and partner military personnel will take part in Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE 23 in Wainwright, Alberta.
• ACCIDENT OF INDIAN AIR FORCE MIG-21 AIRCRAFT India PIB 08 May 2023 -- A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed today morning at about 0945 hours. The aircraft had got airborne for a routine operational training sortie from the Air Force Station at Suratgarh.
• 3 villagers killed as MiG-21 jet crashes in India's Rajasthan People's Daily 08 May 2023 -- Three people were killed after a MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed Monday in the western state of Rajasthan, officials and local media reports said.
• Iranian-developed weapons proved to be game changer, says general IRNA 08 May 2023 -- The Islamic Republic's domestically-produced weapons have emerged as a game changer in international calculations, says the head of the international affairs department of Iran's Defense Ministry.
• Iran's state-of-the-art weapons 'game changer' in intl. affairs: Defense official Press TV 08 May 2023 -- Head of the International Affairs department of Iran's Defense Ministry has hailed the country's advanced technology used to manufacture weapons, saying Iranian arms are today perceived as a "game changer" in the international arena.
• Iran voices readiness to equip Syrian army with most advanced defensive weapons Press TV 08 May 2023 -- Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani has expressed the Islamic Republic's readiness to equip the Syrian army with the most advanced defensive military weapons and equipment.
• Iran ready to supply advanced weaponry to Syria: Minister IRNA 08 May 2023 -- Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani has reaffirmed the Islamic Republic's readiness to equip the Syrian armed forces with "the most sophisticated defense weapons."
• Iran Willing to Provide Advanced Defense Weapons to Syria Sputnik 08 May 2023 -- Iran is willing to provide its most advanced defense weapons to Syria to boost security, Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani said on Monday.
• Canada is a reliable friend and ally of Poland Republic of Poland 08 May 2023 -- Canada is a reliable friend and ally of Poland. Our countries have a long history of cooperation. Canada was the first country to support Poland's NATO membership. (...) Today, we work together to support Ukraine and to strengthen security on NATO's eastern flank" Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said after meeting with Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand.
• Establishment of a national division marks a historic step towards a new quality of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Lithuania MND 08 May 2023 -- The National Defence Council agreed to the proposal to establish a Lithuanian Armed Forces Division at a meeting on Monday. Minister of National Defence, President of the Republic of Lithuania, Prime Minister, Speaker of the Parliament and Chief of Defence of Lithuania agreed that formation of a division-sized unit in the Lithuanian Land Force responds to the needs identified in NATO's regional plans and assessment of the threat posed by Russia.
• GCC Secretary General: Unified Military Command is a Source of Pride, One of Most Significant GCC Achievements SPA 08 May 2023 -- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi affirmed that the GCC Unified Military Command is a source of pride, an example to follow, and one of the most significant achievements of the GCC, due to its important contribution to unifying and coordinating military efforts to ensure the security and stability of the GCC states and defend them within the framework of the joint defense agreement and through the presence of a joint and unified Gulf military command of the GCC states.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with European External Action Service Secretary General Sannino US Dept. of State 08 May 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with North Macedonia's Prime Minister Kovachevski US Dept. of State 08 May 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and North Macedonia's Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 08 May 2023
• HRH the Crown Prince Receives US National Security Advisor SPA 08 May 2023 -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received here Sunday evening US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, with whom he reviewed the strategic relations between the two countries and means to boost them in various fields.
• White House National Security Adviser Holds Talks with Saudi Crown Prince VOA 08 May 2023 -- The White House said national security adviser Jake Sullivan discussed efforts to end the war in Yemen as he met Sunday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Cohen US Dept. of State 08 May 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre The White House 08 May 2023
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Swedish National Security Advisor Henrik Landerholm The White House 08 May 2023
• Department Press Briefing - May 8, 2023 US Dept. of State 08 May 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 8, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 8 May 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 May 2023
• UN calls on Taliban to end corporal punishment in Afghanistan UN News 08 May 2023 -- The use of corporal punishment by the de facto authorities in Afghanistan runs counter to international law and must stop, the UN Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMA), said on Monday.
• Taliban Diplomat Defends Policies, Insists Afghan Women Education Ban Not 'Permanent' VOA 08 May 2023 -- The chief diplomat of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban insisted Monday that his government had not banned girls' education "permanently," while women continue to work in different sectors across the country.
• House Foreign Affairs Chairman Threatens to Hold Blinken in Contempt VOA 08 May 2023 -- The U.S. State Department said Monday it will not fulfill U.S. lawmakers' request for the full Biden administration report on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
• Afghanistan, China, Pakistan urge release of overseas Afghan frozen assets Press TV 08 May 2023 -- Afghanistan, China and Pakistan have jointly urged relevant countries to remove sanctions on Kabul and release Afghan overseas frozen assets.
• Joint Statement of the 5th China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Dialogue Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 May 2023 -- Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari ofPakistan, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang of China and the Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi of Afghanistan held the 5th China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Dialogue in Islamabad, Pakistan on 6th May 2023.
• Sudan crisis: Guterres condemns looting of main WFP compound in Khartoum UN News 08 May 2023 -- The UN Secretary-General has strongly condemned the looting of the World Food Programme's (WFP) main offices in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, over the weekend, describing it as "violation" of humanitarian facilities.
• Sudan Envoys Hold Third Day of Talks on Humanitarian Relief VOA 08 May 2023 -- Envoys from both of Sudan's warring factions met Monday for a third day of talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to arrange for the opening of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, but there was no sign the negotiations have made progress.
• Sudanese Have Mixed Reactions to Peace Talks VOA 08 May 2023 -- Sudanese citizens are cautiously optimistic about the Saudi- and U.S.-brokered peace talks in Jeddah between their country's warring generals amid reports of a lull in the fighting.
• As Many as 31 Saudi Citizens and 1143 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Evacuated from Sudan to Saudi Arabia SPA 08 May 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, which including 453 Yemeni and Sudanese nationals through HMS "Abha" and HMS "Riyadh".
• Pakistan's Baloch terrorist leader, accused of attacking Iranian convoys, killed Press TV 08 May 2023 -- Pakistan's most wanted Baloch terrorist leader, Muhammad Asa, accused of attacking Iranian convoys, was shot dead in clashes between rival terrorist groups erupted over the distribution of looted money.
• Indian Troops Deployed to Manipur Site of Last Week's Ethnic Clashes VOA 08 May 2023 -- Thousands of Indian troops have been deployed to the Indian state of Manipur where deadly ethnic clashes erupted last week.
• The Attack on AHA Centre Convoy US Dept. of State 08 May 2023
• Indonesia, Singapore condemn Myanmar attack on ASEAN aid convoy Radio Free Asia 08 May 2023 -- Indonesia and Singapore on Monday condemned an armed attack on an ASEAN humanitarian convoy in eastern Myanmar's Shan State and called for an end to violence in the strife-hit country.
• Civilian deaths mount in Myanmar amid surge in junta airstrikes Radio Free Asia 08 May 2023 -- Civilian deaths are growing in Myanmar's civil war amid a jump in airstrikes by the military junta, whose ground forces have faced stiff resistance from rebels and ordinary citizens who have taken up arms.
• Rohingya stand firm on citizenship after day-trip to Rakhine state Radio Free Asia 08 May 2023 -- Bangladesh-based Rohingya who were taken to Myanmar's Rakhine state Friday to see preparations for refugee repatriation said they wouldn't return without citizenship rights, recognition of their Rohingya identity, and a guarantee that they could resettle in their home villages.
• Lithuania's Foreign Minister Landsbergis met with Bayramov: "Sustainable peace in the South Caucasus is in the interest of both Azerbaijan and Armenia" Lithuania MFA 08 May 2023 -- On 8 May, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov is paying an official visit to Lithuania and taking part in the 7th meeting of the Lithuanian-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission on Bilateral Cooperation.
• Israel Kills Militants in Gaza Airstrikes VOA 08 May 2023 -- Israeli airstrikes early Tuesday killed three senior Islamic Jihad commanders in the Gaza Strip.

News Reports

• Greetings to the leaders and citizens of foreign states on the 78th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War President of Russia 08 May 2023
• Meeting with President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov President of Russia 08 May 2023 -- Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin with President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, who is in Russia on an official visit.
• Six Leaders Of Former Soviet Countries To Attend Victory Day Celebrations In Moscow RFE/RL 08 May 2023 -- Six leaders of former Soviet states will attend a parade on Red Square on May 9 to commemorate the end of World War II in Europe in 1945 even as Russian President Vladimir Putin pushes ahead with the continent's largest land war since that time period.
• Wider Europe Briefing: How Brussels Is Plugging Its Loopholes On Russian Sanctions RFE/RL 08 May 2023
• Suspect in Attempted Murder of Russia's Politician Prilepin Charged With Terrorism Sputnik 08 May 2023 -- The investigators have charged Alexander Permyakov, the suspect in the attempted murder of Russian writer, politician and the co-chairman of the political party A Just Russia — For Truth, Zakhar Prilepin, with terrorism, and requested his pretrial detention, the Russian Investigative Committee said on Monday.
• Canada declares Zhao Wei persona non grata Canada 08 May 2023
• Canada Expels Chinese Diplomat Over Allegations of 'Foreign Interference' Sputnik 08 May 2023 -- The Canadian Foreign Ministry earlier indicated it was considering several options as its response to reports that a member of the Chinese delegation was behind alleged intimidation tactics to silence criticism of China voiced by a Canadian lawmaker.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on May 8, 2023 PRC MofA 08 May 2023
• Role of overseas Chinese stressed in promoting global peace, development Global Times 08 May 2023 -- China strongly condemned and firmly opposed the Canadian side declaring a Chinese diplomat as "persona non grata" expelling the diplomat on Monday, which serious violates international law and basic principles of international relations, as well as relevant bilateral agreements between China and Canada, the Chinese Embassy in Canada said. It also vowed to take resolute countermeasures.
• After High-Level Meeting, China Urges US to 'Correct' Itself VOA 08 May 2023 -- After meeting in Beijing with U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Burns, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang criticized the U.S. for what he described as an ongoing effort to "suppress" his country, saying that improved communications between the two superpowers will depend on the U.S. changing its policies.
• Chinese FM Qin Gang meets with US envoy to China Global Times 08 May 2023 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns on Monday in Beijing, stating that the top priority is to stabilize China-US relations, to avoid a downward spiral, and to prevent accidents between the two major countries.
• US a benchmark in disregarding and violating human rights: Chinese FM Global Times 08 May 2023 -- The US is by no means a model of respecting and protecting human rights, but a typical example of disregarding and violating human rights, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Monday when commenting on United Nations (UN) experts' calling on the US to boost efforts to promote accountability for its past and future violations.
• US Disrupts Positive Momentum in Relations With Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Says Sputnik 08 May 2023 -- The stabilization of US-China relations should be a priority after Washington disrupted the positive momentum achieved during the meeting between the leaders of the two countries in Bali, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said during a meeting with US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns.
• China calls on US to stop hollowing out One China principle as ties in deep freeze Press TV 08 May 2023 -- The Chinese foreign minister demands in a meeting with the American ambassador to Beijing that US must correct its handling of the Taiwan issue and halt its efforts aimed at averting the One China principle.
• China firmly opposes illegal sanctions, long-arm jurisdiction over China on grounds of China-Russia cooperation: FM Global Times 08 May 2023 -- China is firmly opposed to illegal sanctions or long-arm jurisdiction over the country on the grounds of China-Russia cooperation, and the economic and trade cooperation between China and Russia is open and frank, not directed at third parties, and free from any third-party interference and coercion, said Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, on Monday.
• China vows countermeasures if EU imposes sanctions on firms Press TV 08 May 2023 -- China says it will implement countermeasures against the European Union (EU) if the bloc imposes sanctions on Chinese companies over alleged assistance to Russia in the Ukraine war, urging the EU to avoid taking the "wrong path."
• China, EU ramp up high-level exchanges, 'close interactions help guide objective perception of China amid noise from US' Global Times 08 May 2023 -- While Chinese Vice President Han Zheng is visiting Portugal and the Netherlands from Sunday to May 12, China on Monday announced the visit of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang to Germany, France and Norway from Monday to May 12. The ongoing visits showed China and the EU are embracing a full resumption of exchanges with frequent high-level interactions and people-to-people exchanges, analysts said.
• Pakistan may buy Russian crude with yuan as internationalization advances: report Global Times 08 May 2023 -- Pakistan may using the yuan to buy a shipment of Russian crude, another example of international markets' moves to replace the US dollar in bulk commodity transactions as a result of the yuan's stability, China's economic strength and concerns about US abuse of dollar hegemony through sanctions, experts said.
• China's forex reserves rise in April People's Daily 08 May 2023 -- China's foreign exchange reserves came in at 3.2048 trillion U.S. dollars at the end of April, up 0.66 percent from that at the end of March, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange said on Sunday.
• China completes delivery of trains for Indonesia's high-speed railway People's Daily 08 May 2023 -- The delivery of all trains for Indonesia's Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway has been completed with the loading of the last three sets of bullet trains at Qingdao Port in east China for shipment to Indonesia, according to the Chinese shipping operator.
• China's Jiangsu to build aerospace industry cluster People's Daily 08 May 2023 -- East China's economic powerhouse Jiangsu Province has issued an action plan to develop a competitive aerospace industry cluster in three years.
• China's reusable experimental spacecraft successfully lands after 276 days in orbit Global Times 08 May 2023 -- After 276 days in orbit, China's reusable experimental spacecraft landed at its planned site at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province on Monday, and Chinese space watchers said it was a milestone in China's efforts to develop a fully reusable space transportation system.
• Practical, psywar aims behind latest Chinese drone incursions: Experts CNA 08 May 2023 -- When People's Liberation Army (PLA) drones recently took the unprecedented step of circling around Taiwan, local media speculated that China might be using the new approach to spy on Taiwan's military facilities and deployments.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan May 8, 2023 ROC MND 08 May 2023
• Do the Cairo and Potsdam Declarations "restore" Taiwan to China? Radio Free Asia 08 May 2023 -- Chinese officials repeatedly assert that the Cairo Declaration (1943) and Potsdam Declaration (1945) are two historical documents which prove that mainland China holds jurisdiction over Taiwan.
• Iran says serious to clarify misunderstandings with IAEA Press TV 08 May 2023 -- Iran has expressed determination to clarify misunderstandings with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying the issues related to the country's peaceful nuclear program should not be turned into an obstacle.
• Iranian Chief of Staff: Power balance changing from West to East ISNA 08 May 2023 -- The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri said, "Today there are new signs about changing the power balance form the West to the East and the future belongs to our region and Asia".
• Iran ready for intelligence cooperation with Oman against smuggling at sea: Top general Press TV 08 May 2023 -- Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says the Islamic Republic is ready to foster closer intelligence cooperation with Oman in the fight against smuggling.
• Iran Hangs Two Men For Blasphemy RFE/RL 08 May 2023 -- Iran has executed two men who had been sentenced to death for using social media to promote "atheism and insulting religious and Islamic sanctities."
• Iran Executes Two Men for Blasphemy VOA 08 May 2023 -- Iran's judiciary announced the executions Monday of two men who were sentenced to death for blasphemy.
• Three international breweries pay Myanmar junta U.S. $155 million in taxes per year Radio Free Asia 08 May 2023 -- Democracy advocates in Myanmar are calling on three international beermakers to pull out of the country, alleging that taxes they pay to the military junta support crimes against humanity.
• Iran welcomes Syria's return to Arab League after 12 years IRNA 08 May 2023 -- Spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanaani has congratulated the Syrian nation and government on their return to the Arab League after over a decade.
• Iran: Syria's return to Arab League shows region's resolve to reduce foreign interference Press TV 08 May 2023 -- Iran has welcomed Syria's return to the Arab League more than a decade after its membership was suspended by the 22-member regional organization.
• Russia hails 'long-awaited' Syria return to Arab League IRNA 08 May 2023 -- Russia has welcomed an Arab League decision to readmit Syria, expressing hopes that the move would bring about a "healthier atmosphere" in the West Asia region.
• Almost $15 billion needed for earthquake recovery in Syria UN News 08 May 2023 -- Syria needs almost $15 billion to recover following the devastating February earthquakes, according to a new UN assessment report launched on Monday in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
• What Does Syria's Return to Arab Fold Mean for Kurds? VOA 08 May 2023 -- With the Arab League agreeing to readmit Syria in the regional bloc, U.S.-backed Kurdish groups are expressing hope that this development will lead to a permanent resolution to the country's 12-year conflict.
• Letters to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Actions of the Government of Syria The White House 08 May 2023
• Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Actions of the Government of Syria The White House 08 May 2023
• Syria rejoins Arab League after 12-year absence People's Daily 08 May 2023 -- Arab foreign ministers decided in an Arab League (AL) extraordinary meeting held in Cairo on Sunday to restore Syria's membership in the league after 12 years of suspension, said a final statement after the meeting.
• Belarus: Statement by the Spokesperson on the death of political prisoner Mikalai Klimovich European External Action Service (EEAS) 08 May 2023 -- The European Union learnt with dismay and sadness that political prisoner of the Lukashenko regime in Belarus Mikalai Klimovich has died in the Vitebsk prison colony no. 3 last week.
• Minister Anand and Deputy Prime Minister Błaszczak Reaffirm Strength of Canada-Poland Defence Relationship Canada 08 May 2023 -- Today, Defence Minister Anita Anand welcomed her Polish counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak, to Ottawa for a bilateral meeting.
• As of deadline, 18 parties apply to compete in Cambodia's July election Radio Free Asia 08 May 2023 -- Cambodia's National Election Committee said Monday that 18 parties have officially declared their intent to participate in the country's July 23 general elections, when more than 9.7 million voters will decide who will represent them in the national assembly.
• Construction of largest wind power project in Southeast Asia now under way in Laos Radio Free Asia 08 May 2023 -- The largest wind power project in Southeast Asia is now under construction in southern Laos, the latest power generation project in the impoverished, landlocked country.
• Asia-Pacific not ready to deal with climate-induced disasters, UN commission says Radio Free Asia 08 May 2023 -- Most Asia-Pacific countries are "insufficiently prepared" to face extreme weather events and natural disasters, which are growing in intensity and frequency due partly to climate change, according to a new study by a United Nations regional commission.
• In Hungary, Politics Is Mainly A Man's Game RFE/RL 08 May 2023 -- On May 14, 2022, thousands watched as Katalin Novak walked on the red carpet laid in front of the imposing building of the Hungarian parliament. Surrounded by troops dressed in ceremonial garb and horsemen riding white mounts, she took her first steps as the president of the country, cheered on by Hungary's longtime conservative leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and his wife.
• Bulgarian Prosecutor Rebuked For Allowing Spread Of Disinformation About Explosion RFE/RL 08 May 2023 -- Bulgarian Prosecutor Ivan Geshev was rebuked by a deputy for not quickly addressing media misinformation about a roadside explosion last week involving the nation's top lawman.
• Uzbekistan Announces Early Presidential Election RFE/RL 08 May 2023 -- Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev has announced an early presidential election will be held in a move that follows recent constitutional amendments that extended the presidential term from five to seven years.
• One Suspect Shot, 6 Arrested; Uganda Police Seize Bomb Materials VOA 08 May 2023 -- Six people accused of building explosive devices have been arrested in a joint security operation in Uganda that started Sunday night and ended Monday morning.