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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Senior Defense Official Holds a Background Briefing on U.S. Force Posture Changes in the Middle East DoD 09 Oct 2023
• U.S. sending warships, fighters to Israel: Pentagon chief People's Daily 09 Oct 2023 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Sunday that the Pentagon is sending warships and fighter jets to the Eastern Mediterranean region in a show of support for Israel amid escalating conflicts between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters.
• US Carrier Strike Group Will Reach Eastern Mediterranean 'Very Soon' Sputnik 09 Oct 2023 -- The US aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford strike group deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean in response to the Hamas attacks on Israel will arrive in the region very soon, a senior Defense Department official said on Monday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Army Chief Says Need Support From Congress to Help Israel, Ukraine Simultaneously Sputnik 09 Oct 2023 -- The US military will need additional support from Congress to be able to provide security assistance to Ukraine and Israel at the same time, US Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said on Monday.
• Greece, Bulgaria, Romania to Enhance Fuel Supply for NATO's Eastern Flank Sputnik 09 Oct 2023 -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, and Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu have agreed to cooperate in strengthening fuel supplies for NATO's eastern flank, they said in a joint declaration on Monday.
• Head Of Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization Concerned Over Russia's Moves To 'De-Ratify' Pact RFE/RL 09 Oct 2023 -- The head of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban-Treaty Organization (CTBTO) on October 9 expressed concern over the latest moves by Russian lawmakers on revoking Moscow's ratification of the treaty.
• Russia Takes Steps to Revoke Ratification of Global Nuclear Ban Treaty VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- In a sign that President Vladimir Putin may resume nuclear testing, Russian lawmakers were given until October 18 to examine ways to rescind Moscow's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), a global nuclear test ban.
• Lithuanian Foreign Minister Says Russia Is Trying To 'Scare' Neighbors With Nukes In Belarus RFE/RL 09 Oct 2023 -- Russia's decision to station nuclear weapons in Belarus is part of a campaign to "threaten" and "scare" neighboring countries while highlighting Moscow's dominance over Minsk, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said.
• Pacific Fleet destroyers Admiral Tribunts and Admiral Panteleev enter East China Sea waters Russia MoD 09 Oct 2023 -- Pacific Fleet's detachment comprising of destroyers Admiral Tribunts and Admiral Panteleev passed Sea of Japan and entered the northern part of East China Sea in the course of performing tasks in Asia-Pacific region.
• Briefing by Chief of Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Protection Troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov on the U.S. military-biological activity Russia MoD 09 Oct 2023 -- The Russian Defence Ministry continues the analysis of U.S. military biological activity on the territory of Ukraine and other states.
• Trend Towards Decrease in Supply of Weapons From West to Ukraine Inevitable - Kremlin Sputnik 09 Oct 2023 -- The trend towards the decrease in supply of Western weapons to Ukraine is inevitable as the money tends to run out, while new needs also arise, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
• Did the Chinese submarine accident happen? Radio Free Asia 09 Oct 2023 -- Submarine experts and observers are casting doubt on reports by British media, citing leaked intelligence, that a Chinese nuclear submarine had an accident in late August, resulting in the deaths of 55 sailors.
• PLA holds cross-regional naval drills in South China Sea amid US-Philippines exercise Global Times 09 Oct 2023 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently organized some of its most powerful warships to conduct a series of naval drills across several regions in the South China Sea, a move experts said on Monday displays China's capabilities in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity amid a US and Philippine joint exercise allegedly targeting Chinese islands and reefs.
• Rockets on the horizon Australia DOD 09 Oct 2023 -- In the days following Exercise Talisman Sabre's firepower demonstration in July, when American high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) and Korean K9 Thunders were displayed alongside Australian M777s, Australian Army gunners reflected on the future of their corps.
• ANNUAL JOINT HADR EXERCISE 2023 - (CHAKRAVAT 2023) India PIB 09 Oct 2023 -- The Annual Joint HADR Exercise (AJHE) is an outcome of Hon'ble PM's directive promulgated during Combined Commanders' Conference-2015
• U.S. Helps Israel Defend Against Hamas Attack DoD News 09 Oct 2023 -- The Hamas attack on Israel out of Gaza is at a different level than in the past, a senior defense official said today.
• Zionist regime requests Washington for military aid IRNA 09 Oct 2023 -- The Zionist regime has reportedly asked the US to replenish its arsenal of interceptor missiles for the Iron Dome defense system besides other ammunition.
• SKorea on Alert for Possible NKorea Action After Israel-Hamas Conflict VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- South Korea is under a heightened alert, assessing how the widening crisis in the Middle East could impact its national security after the unprecedented attack that Palestinian militant group Hamas launched against Israel.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 9 October 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Oct 2023
• Aid Fatigue Growing as Refugee, Displacement Crisis Reaches New Heights VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has warned that aid fatigue is growing at a time when a record number of people are fleeing conflict, persecution, human rights violations, climate change, and grinding poverty.

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Netanyahu: Israel 'Just Beginning' Response to Hamas Attack VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- In an address to his nation Monday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country's military forces are "just beginning" to fight back against Hamas militants, even as Israeli warplanes unleashed hundreds of airstrikes on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip throughout the day.
• Operational Statement by IDF spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari Israel Defense Forces 09 Oct 2023
• PM Netanyahu Israel - Prime Minister 09 Oct 2023
• PM's Office Statement from Coordinator for the Captives and Missing Brig.-Gen. (Ret.) Gal Hirsch Israel - Prime Minister 09 Oct 2023
• Netanyahu Told Biden Israeli Ground Operation in Gaza Strip Inevitable - Reports Sputnik 09 Oct 2023 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US President Joe Biden over the weekend that Israel had to launch a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, an American news agency reported on Monday.
• PM's Office Statement Israel - Prime Minister 09 Oct 2023 -- "The report to the effect that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a message in advance from Egypt is absolutely false."


• Hezbollah confirms attack on Zionist positions, says several resistance forces martyred IRNA 09 Oct 2023 -- Lebanon's resistance movement, Hezbollah, has confirmed that it fired rockets and mortars at two military posts of the Zionist regime in the northern of the occupied territories.
• Qassam warning: 'We'll execute an Israeli captive each time civilians are bombed' IRNA 09 Oct 2023 -- The armed wing of Palestine's Hamas Resistance Movement, the Ezzedine al-Qassem Brigades, has issued a stern warning to the Zionist regime over the killing of civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip, announcing that an Israeli captive will be executed each time Gazans are targeted without prior warning.
• Rockets fired from Lebanon towards Israeli occupied territories IRNA 09 Oct 2023 -- Multiple rockets have been launched from Lebanon towards the Israeli occupied territories on the third day of the largest retaliatory attack in decades by the Gaza-based resistance movement Hamas on the Israeli regime.
• Death toll tops 700 in Israel as 413 killed in Gaza People's Daily 09 Oct 2023 -- The following are the latest developments related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:
• Hamas praises al-Aqsa Storm as 'legitimate' Palestinian right to self-defense Press TV 09 Oct 2023 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has lauded the recent surprise attack against Israel as a "legitimate right" of the Palestinians in response to the illegal entity's decades-long aggression and the silence of the international community.
• Israel pounds Gaza, orders 'complete siege', as it calls Gazans 'beastly people' Press TV 09 Oct 2023 -- Israel has stepped up its ferocious pounding of the besieged Gaza Strip as its troops struggled to clear out Hamas fighters more than two days after they burst across the fence from Gaza and overran Israeli bases.
• Palestine's Al-Quds Brigades Claim Responsibility for Operation in Southern Lebanon Sputnik 09 Oct 2023 -- The military wing of the Palestinian movement Islamic Jihad, Al-Quds Brigades, on Monday announced its responsibility for carrying out an operation in southern Lebanon that left seven Israeli soldiers injured.
• Israel declares "state of war" as conflict with Hamas continues People's Daily 09 Oct 2023 -- Israel's cabinet declared a "state of war" on Sunday after a massive surprise attack launched by Hamas has so far killed at least 700 in Israel while retaliatory Israeli airstrikes killed at least 413 in Gaza.
• At least 370 Palestinians, 600 Israelis killed as conflict enters 2nd day People's Daily 09 Oct 2023 -- The death toll from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has risen to 370, with 2,200 others injured, according to an update from the Gaza-based Health Ministry on Sunday.
• Death toll in Gaza rises to 370 People's Daily 09 Oct 2023 -- The death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza Strip has risen to 370, and over 2,200 others were wounded, including children and women, according to an update issued by the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza on Sunday.
• Hamas: Our fighters have captured more Israeli forces, taken them to Gaza Strip Press TV 09 Oct 2023 -- The military wing of Hamas resistance movement says its fighters have managed to capture a new group of Israeli forces, as a large-scale operation continues against the occupying regime.


• Secretary-General's remarks to the press on the situation in the Middle East UN Secretary-General 09 Oct 2023
• 'It's Time to End This Vicious Circle' of Bloodshed, Hatred with Negotiated Peace Fulfilling Aspirations of Palestinians, Israelis, Secretary-General Stresses UN Secretary-General 09 Oct 2023
• UN Chief on Hamas Attacks: Nothing Can Justify Acts of Terror VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Monday for an immediate end to attacks on Israel and the release of all hostages. He also warned Israel's army to carry out their operations in accordance with international law.
• Middle East crisis: Guterres appeals for end to 'vicious cycle of bloodshed, hatred and polarization' UN News 09 Oct 2023 -- The UN Secretary-General on Monday said that he recognized the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people and the legitimate security concerns of Israel, but underlined his rejection of terrorist acts and upheld the need to protect civilians.
• UN Security Council meets on Palestine-Israel tensions People's Daily 09 Oct 2023 -- The Security Council on Sunday held emergency consultations behind closed doors following massive attacks on Israel by Palestinian militants in occupied Gaza.
• UN Security Council Does Not Adopt Statement on Israel-Palestine Conflict Sputnik 09 Oct 2023 -- The UN Security Council did not adopt any statement on the recent escalation of tensions between Palestine and Israel, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia told reporters on Sunday.


• Joint Statement on Israel The White House 09 Oct 2023
• Statement from President Joe Biden on American Citizens Impacted in Israel The White House 09 Oct 2023
• US Calls Hamas Attack 'ISIS-Level Savagery' VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- The U.S. military is surging munitions and equipment to Israel and voicing unequivocal support for the country's military, saying the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians amounted to nothing less than "ISIS-level savagery."
• 11 Americans Killed, Others Held by Hamas After Blistering Israel Attack VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- President Joe Biden said Monday that his administration is supporting Israel in its all-out war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, and that he has put U.S. officials on high alert in the wake of the stunning, "heart wrenching" weekend attack on Israel by the U.S.-designated terrorist group.
• Washington says 9 US citizens killed in Hamas operation against Israel Press TV 09 Oct 2023 -- Washington says nine US citizens were killed and a certain number have gone missing in the wake of the surprise major operation by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas against Israel.


• Iran proposes Islamic countries' emergency meeting on Palestine IRNA 09 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Top Diplomat Hossein Amirabdollahian has proposed that foreign ministers of Islamic countries hold an emergency meeting on the ongoing conflict between Palestinians and the Zionist regime.
• Iran not involved in Palestinian operation: UN mission IRNA 09 Oct 2023 -- Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations has stated that the ongoing Palestinian operation against the Israeli regime is the result of decades of Israeli occupation and aggression, rejecting allegations that the Islamic Republic is involved in the Palestinian response.
• Iran's mission to UN rejects claims Tehran has hand in "Al-Aqsa Storm" operation ISNA 09 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Permanent Mission to UN refuted Western claims that Tehran was involved in the recent large-scale operation of "Al-Aqsa Storm" by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas against the positions of the Zionist regime.
• Palestinians' anti-Israel operation 'legitimate defense' against decades of occupation: Iran's UN mission Press TV 09 Oct 2023 -- Iran's mission to the United Nations says Operation Al-Aqsa Storm is a "legitimate defense" against decades of Israeli occupation, rejecting allegations that Tehran had a role in the large-scale military operation against the Tel Aviv regime.
• Iran says decisions by Palestinian resistance are fiercely autonomous IRNA 09 Oct 2023 -- Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations has said that the decisions made by the Palestinian resistance are fiercely autonomous and unwaveringly aligned with the legitimate interests of the Palestinian people.
• Iran: Palestinians have right to repel Zionist occupation IRNA 09 Oct 2023 -- Iran says the Palestinian people have the right to use their power to repel 75 years of occupation by the Zionist entity.
• Muslim nations must rush to aid Palestinians against Israel, Iran FM tells Omani counterpart Press TV 09 Oct 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian urges Muslim countries to rush to support the Palestinian people in their fight against the Israeli regime.
• Continuation of Israeli regime's attacks on Gaza to increase possibility of spread of war: Iranian FM ISNA 09 Oct 2023 -- In a telephone conversation with Peter Siarto, the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, exchanged views on the promotion of bilateral relations and recent developments in West Asia, especially Palestine.
• President's message on victories of the Palestinian Resistance; Iran to support legitimate defense of Palestinian nation: President Raisi ISNA 09 Oct 2023 -- Congratulating the brilliant victory of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance against the aggressor Zionist Regime, Iranian President emphasized the Islamic Republic of Iran's support for the legitimate defense of the Palestinian nation and called on the Muslim states to join the Islamic community in supporting the Palestinian nation honestly.
• Iran FM: Palestinian resistance's operation natural, legitimate reaction to Israel's criminal, extremist measures Press TV 09 Oct 2023 -- Iran says the ongoing large-scale operation launched by Palestinian resistance groups against Israel is a natural and legitimate response to the regime's crimes against the Palestinian people in recent months.
• Zionist regime attacks on Gaza to further complicate situation: Iran FM IRNA 09 Oct 2023 -- Iranian and Hungarian foreign ministers conferred on the expansion of bilateral relations and recent developments in West Asia, especially Palestine.


• President Leendert Verbeek expresses the solidarity and support of the Congress to authorities and citizens of Israel Council of Europe 09 Oct 2023
• The European Commission announces an urgent review of its financial assistance for Palestine European Commission 09 Oct 2023 -- The Commission unequivocally condemns the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel over the weekend. Following these events, the Commission is announcing today that it is launching an urgent review of the EU's assistance for Palestine.
• Borrell Says EU Will Continue Due Payments to Palestinians Sputnik 09 Oct 2023 -- The European Commission will not suspend due assistance payments to Palestinians, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday, shortly after the EU neighborhood commissioner announced an end to "all payments."
• President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel Finnish Government 09 Oct 2023 -- On Monday 9 October, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the attack on Israel launched by the terrorist organisation Hamas starting on Saturday morning.
• Chinese FM immediately activates emergency consular protection mechanism as Israeli-Palestinian situation deteriorates Global Times 09 Oct 2023 -- Given the unprecedented scale of the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that it has immediately activated the emergency consular protection mechanism, coordinating and engaging in work on protecting Chinese nationals and institutions in Palestine and Israel.
• China calls for immediate ceasefire of Palestine-Israel violence, deeply saddened by civilian casualties Global Times 09 Oct 2023 -- China is deeply concerned about the intensification of tensions and the rise in violence between Palestine and Israel, and it's profoundly saddened by the civilian casualties caused by the conflict, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday, calling for immediate ceasefire and de-escalation of the situation.
• Iraq's top cleric: All Muslims should help people of Palestine, reclaim their usurped rights Press TV 09 Oct 2023 -- Iraq's top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani has urged all Muslims across the world to help the Palestinian people amid the Israeli regime's relentless strikes on the Gaza Strip.
• Iran, Iraq call for emergency OIC meeting to help Palestine amid Israeli aggression Press TV 09 Oct 2023 -- The foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq have called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to help Palestine amid incessant Israeli acts of aggression.
• Iran, Iraq call for emergency OIC meeting on Palestine IRNA 09 Oct 2023 -- The foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq have called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the ongoing developments in Palestine.
• Thailand says at least 12 nationals killed after attacks in Israel Radio Free Asia 09 Oct 2023 -- At least 12 Thais have been killed in Israel following attacks launched by the Palestinian militant group Hamas at the weekend, Thailand's foreign ministry said Monday.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks ahead of the talks with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, October 9, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Oct 2023
• Russia warns of foreign involvement in Palestinian conflict as US moves warships Press TV 09 Oct 2023 -- Russia has warned against any involvement of a third party in the ongoing tension in Palestine after the United States relocated its warships to waters close to the Israeli-occupied territories.
• Turkiye's Erdogan Warns Israel Against Further Denying Statehood to Palestinians Sputnik 09 Oct 2023 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Israel in a speech on Monday that it would never see peace in the region if it continued to deny statehood to Palestinians.
• Situation in Israel / occupied Palestinian territory: FDFA sets up task force Federal Council - Swiss Government 09 Oct 2023 -- In view of the volatile situation in the Middle East, Switzerland must be able to act swiftly and in a coordinated fashion. Two days after Hamas launched its attacks on Israel, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) decided to set up a task force to monitor the situation as closely as possible and take whatever decisions are necessary.
• Switzerland Offers to Mediate Between Israel, Hamas Sputnik 09 Oct 2023 -- Switzerland offered on Monday to mediate de-escalation in fighting between Israel and Palestinian movement Hamas in the hope of finding a way forward to a two-state solution.
• Countries Scramble to Evacuate Citizens From Israel-Hamas War Zone VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- Governments around the world are scrambling to learn the whereabouts of their nationals in Israel, and in some cases, evacuate them amid the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
• Taliban Deny Claims They Are Trying to Join Hamas on the Battlefield VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- The Taliban have been forced to deny claims that they are trying to join Hamas fighters, after a fake post on the X social media platform claimed the Afghan militant group wants to travel to fight in the war.


• Israel/Palestine: Devastating Civilian Toll as Parties Flout Legal Obligations Human Rights Watch 09 Oct 2023 -- Palestinian armed groups carried out a deadly assault on October 7, 2023, that killed several hundred Israeli civilians and led to Israeli counterstrikes that killed hundreds of Palestinians, Human Rights Watch said in releasing a questions and answers document about the international humanitarian law standards governing the current hostilities. As of October 8, the attacks by Palestinian armed groups killed more than 677 Israelis and foreign nationals, including civilians, according to Israeli sources cited by the United Nations. Subsequent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza left at least 413 Palestinians dead, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported.
• CAIR: Violence in Israel Comes After Years of Oppressive Policies VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- Israel's defense minister has ordered a "complete siege" of the Gaza strip and a cutoff of water supplies, food and electricity two days after Hamas militants launched surprise attacks that left hundreds of people Israel dead or kidnapped. Israeli counterstrikes on Gaza have since killed hundreds of Palestinians. VOA's Carol Van Dam spoke with Robert McCaw, government affairs director of CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, about how the violence will end.
• What Role Does Russia Have To Play In Hamas's Invasion Of Israel? Q&A With Expert Hanna Notte RFE/RL 09 Oct 2023 -- Last March, a Palestinian delegation arrived in Moscow for talks with Russian officials. The delegation was from Hamas, the militant Palestinian group that's been labeled a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. The meeting, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry, touched on Russia's "unchanged position in support of a just solution to the Palestinian problem."

Other Conflicts

• UN Food Agency Says It Has Started Distributing Aid To Quake-Stricken Areas Of Afghanistan RFE/RL 09 Oct 2023 -- Aid workers have reached some earthquake-stricken areas of western Afghanistan and started distributing emergency food supplies to those affected as rescue efforts continued after a series of powerful earthquakes caused widespread destruction and reportedly killed more than 2,000 people in the quake-prone mountainous country's worst natural disaster in years.
• Fresh Tremors Shake Afghan Quake Zone Amid Efforts to Find Survivors VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- The Taliban government and aid groups in western Afghanistan said Monday that rescue efforts were ongoing to find and recover survivors trapped under rubble, two days after a powerful earthquake and multiple aftershocks killed hundreds of people and injured many more.
• Search for survivors as death toll from Afghanistan quake mounts Press TV 09 Oct 2023 -- Rescue teams are searching for those trapped under the debris two days after deadly, magnitude 6.3 earthquakes rattled the northwestern city of Herat and its surroundings, killing thousands of people.
• Death toll of earthquakes in Afghanistan rises to 2,445 People's Daily 09 Oct 2023 -- The death toll from earthquakes in western Afghanistan's Herat and neighboring provinces has risen to 2,445, Herat authorities said Sunday night.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Ren'ai Jiao Issue PRC MofA 09 Oct 2023
• Spokesperson refutes Philippines' wrongful remarks over Ren'ai Jiao, urging Philippines to halt provocations at sea People's Daily 09 Oct 2023 -- China once again urges the Philippines to take seriously China's concerns, stop making provocations and creating troubles at sea, and stop groundless attacks and smears, so as to avoid undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea and harming the common interests of countries in the region, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
• DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman on Anti-Syria Terrorism KCNA 09 Oct 2023 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question by KCNA on Sunday as regards the brutal terrorist attack in Syria that caused many casualties:
• China shuts down Lhasa temples during National Day holiday period Radio Free Asia 09 Oct 2023 -- Chinese authorities have closed some of Tibet's holiest Buddhist sites during the National Day holiday week and have been searching people on the streets of Lhasa, two Tibetans inside the region said.
• 19 million children in Sudan out of school as conflict rages on - UNICEF, Save the Children UNICEF 09 Oct 2023 -- An estimated 19 million children in Sudan are out of school as the brutal conflict approaches the six-month mark next week.
• UN humanitarian team wraps up assessment mission to Armenia, Azerbaijan UNOCHA 09 Oct 2023 -- A team from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) concluded a week-long mission on 5 October to Azerbaijan and Armenia to identify the most pressing needs of people in the Karabakh region, as well as of refugees who fled to Armenia.
• Serbia-Kosovo Accusations Get Personal After Pristina IDs Attack Suspect With Ties To Vucic's Son RFE/RL 09 Oct 2023 -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic denied his son had anything to do with a deadly armed attack on police in neighboring Kosovo last month that caused European shock waves, after Kosovar authorities cited documents found at the scene belonging to a close acquaintance of 25-year-old Danilo Vucic.
• Statement by the Spokesperson Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Oct 2023 -- Responding to the media questions regarding the remarks made by the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh about taking back 'Sindhu' (the region around the Indus River in Southern Pakistan), the Spokesperson said:
• WFP resumes distributions to refugees across Ethiopia WFP 09 Oct 2023 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has begun rolling out food distributions to nearly 900,000 refugees in Ethiopia, following a full revamp of the safeguards and controls in its refugee operations. Families living in refugee camps across five regions, including new arrivals who have fled from Sudan, are receiving food parcels for the first time since WFP paused food distributions in June 2023, following reports of large-scale diversions.

News Reports

• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions at a joint news conference with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Moscow, October 9, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Oct 2023
• Russia Seeks to Reclaim Seat on UN Rights Body VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- Russia is seeking to reclaim its seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council after it was suspended by the General Assembly in April 2022 following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
• China's Xi wants more political 'struggle' in ruling party ranks Radio Free Asia 09 Oct 2023 -- In a move that some fear could lead to a return to the political "struggle sessions" of the Mao era, ruling Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping has called on leaders at all levels of the party to "be brave enough to struggle" as part of efforts to boost ideological unity.
• Xi Jinping Thought on Culture put forward at national meeting Global Times 09 Oct 2023 -- Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has been formally put forward at a two-day national meeting on the work of public communication and culture, which was held in Beijing on Saturday and Sunday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on October 9, 2023 PRC MofA 09 Oct 2023
• Anti-China forces politicize human rights council by attempting to deny China seat Global Times 09 Oct 2023 -- While the politicization of human rights has alarmed more academics and nations, some Western countries and anti-China forces have not ceased their efforts and are attempting to reduce China's votes at the upcoming UN Human Rights Council that is slated to take place on Tuesday, using unfounded accusations about China's human rights record.
• US Senate leader asks Xi for 'level playing field' Radio Free Asia 09 Oct 2023 -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer appealed for authorities to ensure a "level playing field" for American businesses in China during a meeting in Beijing on Monday with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
• Xi meets U.S. congressional delegation People's Daily 09 Oct 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the bipartisan delegation of the U.S. Senate led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at the Great Hall of the People on Monday.
• Local governments start new round of refinancing bond issues to resolve debts Global Times 09 Oct 2023 -- North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Tianjin Municipality have taken the lead to issue refinancing bonds this year to pay off debts, kicking off a new round of special-purpose bond issues to resolve local government debts. Analysts said the move will play an active role in stabilizing local economies.
• China, Azerbaijan sign cooperation document on joint building of the International Lunar Research Station Global Times 09 Oct 2023 -- China and Azerbaijan signed a joint statement on cooperation on International Lunar Research Station program on Tuesday, which marked Azerbaijan's official participation in the program, with the two sides agreeing to conduct extensive and in-depth cooperation in the areas of demonstration, engineering implementation, operation and application at the station.
• China's first nuclear power plant with super-large cooling towers being built in Guangdong Global Times 09 Oct 2023 -- State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) announced on Sunday that phase one construction of its Lianjiang nuclear power plant started on September 29. As the country's first nuclear power plant with super-large cooling towers, it is expected to reduce the amount of sea water used and to generate up to 70.2 billion kWh annually after its construction.
• St. Vincent, Nauru leaders thank Taiwan for support during Tsai meetings CNA 09 Oct 2023 -- The governor-general of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the President of Nauru on Monday expressed gratitude to Taiwan for its assistance during separate meetings with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in their ongoing visits to attend upcoming Republic of China (Taiwan) National Day celebrations.
• China urged not to politicize trade amid probe into Taiwan barriers CNA 09 Oct 2023 -- Taiwan on Monday urged Beijing not to politicize trade after the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced earlier in the day that it had extended its investigation into Taiwan's alleged trade restrictions toward China for an additional three months.
• Mainland extending investigation into Taiwan trade barriers Global Times 09 Oct 2023 -- Chinese mainland authorities announced on Monday that an investigation into the Taiwan island's potentially illegal trade restrictions on more than 2,500 products from the mainland will be extended for three months, citing the complexity of the probe.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Oct. 9, 2023 ROC MND 09 Oct 2023
• Premier Kim Tok Hun Inspects Various Units KCNA 09 Oct 2023 -- Kim Tok Hun, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and premier of the Cabinet, inspected units in the field of electric power and coal industries in the western region.
• Satellite pics show spike in rail activity at NKorea-Russia border Radio Free Asia 09 Oct 2023 -- Satellite images show a sharp increase in activity at a railway yard in North Korea on the Russian border, prompting experts to speculate that Pyongyang may be sending trainloads of weapons to its northern neighbor.
• Iran vows 'crushing response to any foolish move' after Israeli, US threats Press TV 09 Oct 2023 -- The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry says the country will not hesitate to deliver a crushing response to enemies in case they make any foolish move against it.
• Iran pours concrete for 2nd Bushehr nuclear reactor Press TV 09 Oct 2023 -- Iran has poured concrete for a part of the second nuclear reactor near its southern port of Bushehr.
• Arab states normalizing with Israel should learn lesson from Palestine developments: Leader's aide Press TV 09 Oct 2023 -- A senior adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called on Arab states willing to normalize relations with Israel to give up the process and learn a lesson from the latest developments in Palestine.
• Iran, Sudan Agree to Resume Diplomatic Ties, Reopen Embassies Sputnik 09 Oct 2023 -- Iran and Sudan have agreed to resume their diplomatic ties after a seven-year pause and intend to exchange embassies in the near future, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
• Over 13,000 flood victims relocated in Myanmar's Bago region Radio Free Asia 09 Oct 2023 -- Flooding in Myanmar has caused chaos across five regions, according to junta authorities, with 13,000 people in Bago region alone being relocated due to heavy rain.
• Digital Currency: Beacon of Hope in Fight Against Myanmar Junta VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- "Digital currencies have played a pivotal role in backing Myanmar's Spring Revolution," following a military takeover of the government in February 2021, said NUG Deputy Minister of Planning, Finance and Investment Min Zayar Oo, in a statement to VOA.
• Transcript of Special Briefing on the State Visit of President of Tanzania to India (October 09, 2023) India MEA 09 Oct 2023
• Papua New Guinea leader hopes for security wins from China visit Radio Free Asia 09 Oct 2023 -- Papua New Guinea's prime minister said he will visit China this month and hopes to return with investment pledges, progress on security cooperation and membership of the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
• Wider Europe Briefing: Everything You Need To Know About The Polish Elections RFE/RL 09 Oct 2023
• Thousands Of Turkmen Leave Turkey Amid Renewed Pressure As Some Eye Move To Russia RFE/RL 09 Oct 2023 -- Thousands of Turkmen have been forced to leave Turkey - a key destination for migrants from Turkmenistan - amid Ankara's renewed pressure on undocumented workers in recent months.
• World News in Brief: Displacement in Gaza and Israel, Afghan earthquake response UN News 09 Oct 2023 -- The escalating conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, the UN reported on Monday.
• UN rights expert urges key reforms in Cambodia UN News 09 Oct 2023 -- A UN independent human rights expert on Monday called for urgent structural reforms in Cambodia following the "restricted" general elections earlier this year.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Nigerien President Bazoum US Dept. of State 09 Oct 2023
• Gabon's Military Junta Says It Will Invest Recovered Wealth From Ousted Bongo Government VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- Gabon's military-appointed government says it will invest more than $10 million and distribute hundreds of luxury vehicles said to be part of ill-gotten wealth recovered from family and friends of ousted President Ali Bongo since the military junta took power about six weeks ago. The government says the money will be used to provide public social amenities such as water, electricity and education.
• Preelection Violence Raises Security Concerns in Liberia VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- Security concerns have been raised In Liberia following the deaths of at least two people in preelection violence. Political watchers say campaign messaging has deepened political divides, and are calling on the national police to be more proactive during the presidential and legislative elections set for Tuesday.