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News Reports

Current Operations

• Army Spox: Yemen targets US vessel in Red Sea IRNA 19 Mar 2024 -- Yemeni Armed Forces' spokesman Yahya Saree said that the Yemeni army targeted the American vessel "Mado" in the Red Sea with a number of missiles in support of the oppressed Palestinian people and in response to the US and UK attacks against Sana'a.
• Iran's UN envoy rejects 'baseless' US, UK accusations IRNA 19 Mar 2024 -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani has categorically rejected yet another "baseless accusations" of the United States and Britain against the Islamic Republic regarding the situation in the Red Sea and Yemen.
• Iran rejects 'unfounded' US, UK claims of arms supply to Yemen Press TV 19 Mar 2024 -- Iran's permanent ambassador to the UN has dismissed "unfounded" accusations by the United States and Britain about sending arms to Yemen, saying such claims are meant to justify the pair's bombing campaign against the Arab country.
• UN Security Council demands end to Red Sea attacks, calls for restraint People's Daily 19 Mar 2024 -- The Security Council on Monday demanded an end to attacks on vessels at the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthi militia and calls for restraint in order to avoid further escalation of the situation.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Army conducts over-the-pole airborne operation into Norway Army News 19 Mar 2024 -- Paratroopers with 11th Airborne Division conducted an over-the-pole direct delivery into Norway on the morning of March 18, 2024. The jump was a part of Arctic Shock 24, the combined U.S. and Norwegian exercise supporting the National Strategy for the Arctic Region in northern Norway, March 18 through 22, 2024.
• Exercise Dragon 24 highlights NATO allied military cooperation and movement capabilities Army News 19 Mar 2024 -- From its inception, exercise Dragon 24 was designed to test NATO's interoperability. The exercise consisted of more than 20,000 troops from nine NATO allied countries encompassing a river crossing, a long and arduous road movement designed to test troops, machines and ability to sustain them. It culminated in a display of lethality through a multi-day stress exercise that highlighted armored gunnery proficiency and artillery coordination across cultural, language and weapon system platforms.
• NATO Allies, partners call cohesive multi-domain exercise a success Army News 19 Mar 2024 -- When pursuing total-force readiness in a multinational environment, army doctrine must survive across all barriers down to a tactical level, allowing for a blending of procedures, technology, and cognitive approaches to operations. Military exercises such as Allied Spirit give commanders a practical field in which to test this survivability, hone in on combat preparedness and ready units for the future fight.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Italian Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto DoD 19 Mar 2024
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz DoD 19 Mar 2024
• DoD Announces Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research Awards DoD 19 Mar 2024 -- The Department of Defense awarded $17.6 million to 27 collaborative academic teams under the Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR). DEPSCoR is a capacity-building program designed to strengthen the basic research infrastructure at institutions of higher education in underutilized states and territories.
• General Says Crisis in Haiti Requires International Response DoD News 19 Mar 2024 -- The crisis in Haiti requires an international solution that also includes the Haitian perspective, said Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command.
• Air Force to establish new squadron at Beale AFB US Air Force 19 Mar 2024 -- The Department of the Air Force selected Beale Air Force Base, California, as the home of a new Battle Management Control Squadron.
• Joint combat exercise Southern Strike concludes in Mississippi US Air Force 19 Mar 2024 -- Military members from all departments of the U.S. armed forces participated in the Southern Strike 2024-1 joint combat exercise at Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center March 4-15.
• Niger broke military pact with US after being 'warned' about Iran, Russia ties Press TV 19 Mar 2024 -- Niger's junta decided to suspend a military agreement with the United States after a delegation of senior US military officials visited the Western African country and "expressed concerns" about its growing relations with Russia and Iran.
• Secretary General in Armenia: stability in the South Caucasus matters to NATO NATO 19 Mar 2024 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg concluded his tour of the South Caucasus on Tuesday (19 March 2024) in Yerevan, Armenia where he met with President Vahagn Khachaturyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
• Recent 'Found' Aid For Ukraine Was Unique Case, Pentagon Spokesman Says RFE/RL 19 Mar 2024 -- A $300 million U.S. aid package for Ukraine that the Pentagon announced last week is not something that officials expect to happen again, the Pentagon's spokesman said on March 19 in an interview with RFE/RL at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Germany.
• Ukraine Losing Ground on Battlefield Due to US Inaction - White House Sputnik 19 Mar 2024 -- Ukraine is losing ground on the battlefield due to the inaction of the US Congress, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General CQ Brown, Jr. Hold an On-Camera Post-Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meeting Press Conference, Ramstein Air Base, Germany DoD 19 Mar 2024
• Opening Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at the 20th Ukraine Defense Contact Group (As Delivered) DoD 19 Mar 2024
• U.S. Will Not Back Down on Support for Ukraine DoD News 19 Mar 2024 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said Ukraine will not back down in face of the Russian invasion of the country and neither will the United States.
• Austin Vows United States 'Will Not Let Ukraine Fail' RFE/RL 19 Mar 2024 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said his country will continue to back Ukraine in its fight against Russia's unprovoked invasion even though a critical $60-billion military aid package remains stuck in the U.S. House of Representatives due to Republican opposition.
• Austin: US, Free World 'Will Not Let Ukraine Fail' VOA 19 Mar 2024 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says the United States remains determined to provide Ukraine with the resources it needs to fight Russian aggression, even as a U.S. Congress has yet to approve new funding for Ukraine.
• Ukraine and Estonia started negotiations on a bilateral security agreement President of Ukraine 19 Mar 2024
• Minister Blair announces $40 million to provide Ukraine with artillery ammunition at the 20th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Canada 19 Mar 2024 -- Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, participated via videoconference in the 20th Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting, hosted by United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. The meeting brought together representatives from approximately 50 countries, who reaffirmed their commitment to providing Ukraine with the critical military aid that it needs.
• Lithuania urged for more demining and training assistance for Ukraine at the 20th Ramstein format meeting Lithuania MND 19 Mar 2024 -- March 19, at the 20th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany the donors discussed the support to Ukraine in the Capability Coalitions form and activity of the Lithuania-led Demining Coalition which currently includes 22 countries.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Guides Firing Drill of Artillery Units in Western Area KCNA 19 Mar 2024 -- In the stirring period when the trainings for strengthening the combat capability to bolster up the national defence capability in every way are being hotly staged at all the training grounds of the entire army amid the flame of effecting a revolution in the training kindled by the Party Central Committee, there was a firing drill of the artillery units in the western area, which are in charge of an important firing, equipped with super-large multiple rocket launchers, one of the core striking means of the new generation of the Korean People's Army (KPA).
• Turning expectations into reality more quickly Australia DOD 19 Mar 2024 -- Senior leaders provided an update on Australia's accelerated capability development to more than 9000 people who virtually attended Defence's Capability Symposium on March 13.
• Australia - United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations 2024 Australia DOD 19 Mar 2024 -- Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will this week welcome the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs the Rt Hon Lord Cameron and Secretary of State for Defence the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP to Australia for the annual Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN).
• EX TIGER TRIUMPH - 24 India PIB 19 Mar 2024 -- The Opening Ceremony of the Bilateral Tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Amphibious Exercise between India and US, Tiger Triumph, was held onboard INS Jalashwa today 19 Mar 2024
• MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN INDIAN NAVY AND IIT KHARAGPUR India PIB 19 Mar 2024 -- Indian Navy and Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, symbolising their commitment to promote technology development, innovative solutions and joint R&D
• ACTIVATION OF EMERGENCY LANDING FACILITY ON NATIONAL HIGHWAY 16 India PIB 19 Mar 2024 -- On 18 March 2024, Indian Air Force fighter and transport aircraft carried out operations on an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) airstrip on National Highway 16 near Addanki in Bapatla district
• Bahrain - M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks DSCA 19 Mar 2024 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Bahrain of M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.2 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Morocco - Javelin Missiles DSCA 19 Mar 2024 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Morocco of Javelin Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $260 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Led by Estonia and Luxembourg, IT Coalition off to a great start Estonia MoD 19 Mar 2024 -- Today at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting in Ramstein, defence ministers got an overview of the activities of the IT Coalition, led by Estonia and Luxembourg, which aims at boosting the IT capabilities of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of Ukraine.
• International Baltic Military Conference to see passionate debate and latest security topics Lithuania MND 19 Mar 2024 -- Thursday, March 21, the two-day International Baltic Military Conference co-organized by the Ministry of National Defence and General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania will begin at the Town Hall of the capital. The gathering which is becoming the most influential annual event on defence will address the most pressing security and defence topics.
• EU chief urges Europe to shift to 'war economy' mode, avoid reliance on US Press TV 19 Mar 2024 -- European Council President Charles Michel has urged the European Union (EU) to ramp up its military production and shift to a "war economy" mode, amid an alleged Russian threat.
• EU financial support for increased ammunition production in Sweden Government Offices of Sweden 19 Mar 2024 -- The European Commission has decided to provide financial support to industrial projects aimed at increasing ammunition production capacity.
• China, India Compete for Influence in Indian Ocean VOA 19 Mar 2024 -- China has increased efforts to deepen security ties with countries in the Indian Ocean in recent weeks, signing a new security agreement with the Maldives and sending a military delegation to three regional countries earlier this month.
• South Korea's KF-21 Fighter Jet Prototype Passes 1st Aerial Refueling Test - Reports Sputnik 19 Mar 2024 -- A prototype of South Korea's homegrown KF-21 fighter jet passed its first aerial refueling test on Tuesday, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Philippine President Marcos, Jr. US Dept. of State 19 Mar 2024
• Blinken meets Marcos, stresses 'ironclad' support for Philippines in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 19 Mar 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke about a "new horizon of cooperation" as he met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila on Tuesday to lay the groundwork for a three-way summit next month with leaders of the United States and Japan.
• Top US Diplomat Affirms Washington's 'Ironclad' Commitment to Philippines Security VOA 19 Mar 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday the United States will come to the defense of the Philippines amid rising tensions with China over disputed territories in the South China Sea.
• Deputy Secretary Campbell's Meeting with Danish Permanent Secretary Tranholm-Mikkelsen US Dept. of State 19 Mar 2024
• Secretary Blinken's Participation in the EU Foreign Affairs Council US Dept. of State 19 Mar 2024
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre En Route Reno, NV The White House 19 Mar 2024

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 19, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 19 March 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 Mar 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• PM Netanyahu's Remarks at the Start of a Meeting of the Subcommittee on Advancing the Fight against Crime in the Arab Sector in Israel Israel - Prime Minister 19 Mar 2024
• PM Netanyahu's Remarks to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Israel - Prime Minister 19 Mar 2024
• Rafah massacre: At least 14 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on residential buildings Press TV 19 Mar 2024 -- The Israeli military has carried out new round of deadly attacks across the war-torn Gaza Strip, including in Rafah, where over a dozen Palestinians lost their lives.
• UNRWA Situation Report #92 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem - All information from 17 - 18 March 2024, is valid as of 18 March 2024 at 22:30 UNRWA 19 Mar 2024
• UN: Israel could be using starvation as weapon in Gaza Press TV 19 Mar 2024 -- The United Nations has warned that Israel could be using starvation as a weapon in its genocidal war against Gaza by blocking the desperately needed aid into the war-battered strip.
• UNICEF says more Gaza children 'dying slowly' as report warns of imminent famine Press TV 19 Mar 2024 -- UNICEF regional director for West Asia and North Africa has warned that more children in Gaza will die due to an "impending famine" as Israel continues to impede aid operations.
• Gaza: Increasing numbers of newborns on brink of death, agencies warn UN News 19 Mar 2024 -- UN humanitarians reiterated their resolve on Tuesday to help the people of Gaza, where increasing numbers of children are on "the brink of death" from acute hunger, caused by five months of intense Israeli bombardment and constant aid access denials.
• UN Rights Chief Warns Israel's Restriction of Aid Could Be War Crime VOA 19 Mar 2024 -- The United Nations human rights commissioner said Tuesday that the looming famine in the Gaza Strip is the result of Israel's restriction on the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid, and he warned it could amount to a war crime.
• Zionist regime bars UNRWA chief from entering Gaza IRNA 19 Mar 2024 -- The Zionist regime has prevented the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) from entering the Gaza Strip.
• UN chief calls on Israel to ensure Gaza humanitarian access People's Daily 19 Mar 2024 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called on the Israeli authorities to ensure complete and unfettered access for humanitarian goods throughout Gaza.
• Blinken to Discuss Cease-fire Push, Post-War Gaza Plans at Talks in Saudi Arabia and Egypt VOA 19 Mar 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Saudi Arabia and Egypt this week for talks that he said will focus on pushing for a cease-fire in Gaza, the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants, and planning for a post-war Gaza.
• Qatar says any Israeli attack on Rafah will derail Gaza truce talks Press TV 19 Mar 2024 -- Qatar has warned that any attack by the Israeli regime on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip could derail the negotiation process, as talks for a ceasefire and captive deal in the besieged territory go on in Doha.
• Yemen slams UN Security Council for serving US interests, supporting Gaza genocide Press TV 19 Mar 2024 -- Yemen has denounced the United Nations Security Council's condemnation of its pro-Palestine maritime operations in the Red Sea, saying that the world body is "dangerously" serving US interests and supporting the genocide in Gaza.
• South Africa Accuses US Congress of Adding it to a New 'Axis of Evil' Over Israel Genocide Case VOA 19 Mar 2024 -- South Africa seeks to limit the damage to its relations with Washington caused by its legal challenge to Israel's assault on Gaza, a South African official said on Tuesday.
• China Envoy Meets Hamas Leader as Beijing Steps Into Israel Conflict VOA 19 Mar 2024 -- China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday acknowledged a meeting between its diplomat Wang Kejian and the political leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, on Sunday in Qatar to discuss the conflict in Gaza. In a short statement, the ministry said Wang and Haniyeh discussed the conflict but did not elaborate.
• Israel sends delegation for cease-fire, hostage release talks 'to respond to intl pressure' Global Times 19 Mar 2024 -- Israel reportedly sent a delegation to Qatar for talks on a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner exchange local time on Monday. Chinese observers view such diplomatic work by Israel as a way to respond to international pressure to some extent. However, fundamentally, they will not change Israel's brutal military actions in Gaza, as the talks are unlikely to explore ways to fundamentally resolve the crisis but rather serve as temporary, utilitarian negotiations to retrieve hostages.
• Five months of war in Gaza: Ten ways in which Norway is working to improve the situation for the Palestinian people Government of Norway 19 Mar 2024 -- Some 31 000 people have been killed in Gaza, including at least 12 000 children. Almost 80 % of the population have been forced to flee their homes. There is a shortage of all essential items and, according to the UN, people in several areas of Gaza are facing famine and outbreaks of disease.
• Iceland disburses annual core contribution to UNRWA "Government of Iceland 19 Mar 2024 -- Bjarni Benediktsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has decided that the payment of Iceland's core contribution to the United Nations Palestine Refugee Agency (UNRWA) will be made by 1 April.
• The Netherlands makes 10 million euros available for maritime corridor to Gaza Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Mar 2024 -- The Netherlands will contribute 10 million euros to the renewed initiative to get aid into Gaza by sea.
• Hamas: Israel desperately after covering up Gaza failure by striking hospitals Press TV 19 Mar 2024 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says Israel is desperately seeking to cover up its military failure in the Gaza Strip by attacking hospitals.

Other Conflicts

• Afghans Pushed Out, Fenced In By Once-Accommodating Neighbors RFE/RL 19 Mar 2024 -- Afghans are being pushed back, fenced out, and left to fend for themselves in the face of Taliban persecution and widespread hunger.
• Swedish Group Halts Afghanistan Aid After Taliban Bans Sweden's Activities VOA 19 Mar 2024 -- The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, a major foreign humanitarian organization, has suspended all its operations following a Taliban decree demanding a halt to Sweden's activities in the country.
• Swedish Aid Group Suspends Afghanistan Operations After Taliban Pulls Licenses RFE/RL 19 Mar 2024 -- The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA), one of the country's oldest and largest international aid groups, has suspended activities in Afghanistan after the Taliban revoked its licenses.
• UN Human Rights Council 55: UK Statement for Commission of Inquiry on Syria UK FCDO 19 Mar 2024 -- UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria. Delivered by UK Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.
• Israel attacks Syrian military positions near Damascus Press TV 19 Mar 2024 -- The Israeli regime has attacked a number of military positions belonging to Syria near the Arab country's capital of Damascus.
• UN says 'alarmed' by deadly Myanmar air strikes against Rohingya Muslims Press TV 19 Mar 2024 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres is "alarmed" by reports of ongoing airstrikes in Myanmar that have killed more than 20 civilians in Rakhine State's Minbya township on Monday, a UN spokesperson said.
• Hitmen kill Christian leader in Myanmar's Kachin state Radio Free Asia 19 Mar 2024 -- Gunmen in northern Myanmar assassinated a religious leader in a Christian community in what sources close to the man's family are calling a targeted attack.
• Village heads quit in anger over military recruitment in Myanmar's Rakhine state Radio Free Asia 19 Mar 2024 -- More than 20 administrators of villages in western Myanmar's Rakhine state have resigned after the junta ordered them to choose residents for military service and to form militias amid preparations for nationwide conscription, sources with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday.
• UN Human Rights Council 55: UK Statement on Myanmar UK FCDO 19 Mar 2024 -- Statement for the Special Rapporteur report on Myanmar, as delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French.
• UN rights expert urges global action to halt Myanmar junta atrocities UN News 19 Mar 2024 -- The UN independent human rights expert on Myanmar called on the international community on Tuesday to take strong, coordinated action to protect civilians from ongoing atrocities committed by the military junta's forces.
• Pakistan Denounces Fresh Round of Curbs on Kashmiri Political Parties Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Mar 2024 -- Pakistan denounces the Indian authorities' decision to declare the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Freedom League and four factions of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League as "unlawful associations". It also denounces the decision to extend the ban on Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (Mohd. Yasin Malik faction) for five more years.
• Kurti Says Won't Change Suspension Of Serbian Dinar Use In Kosovo RFE/RL 19 Mar 2024 -- Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti says he will not suspend a move by the central bank to ban the circulation of the Serbian dinar in parts of the country with Serbian majorities but will accept the forming of an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities once Belgrade agrees to sign a basic agreement on bilateral relations.
• Kurti Says Won't Change Suspension Of Serbian Dinar Use In Kosovo RFE/RL 19 Mar 2024 -- Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti says he will not suspend a move by the central bank to ban the circulation of the Serbian dinar in parts of the country with Serbian majorities but will accept the forming of an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities once Belgrade agrees to sign a basic agreement on bilateral relations.
• Arms Embargo Violations, Violence against Civilians on Rise in Sudan, Committee Chair Tells Security Council, Underlining Importance of Sanctions Regime UN Security Council 19 Mar 2024 -- Violence against civilians and violations of the arms embargo continue to increase in Sudan, the senior United Nations official of that file warned the Security Council today — while Khartoum's representative stressed that sanctions imposed in 2005 are no longer relevant and hamper its Armed Forces' efforts to defeat the Rapid Support Forces and bring peace to the country.
• The UK repeats the Council's call for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 19 Mar 2024 -- Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Thomas Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.
• Joint Statement on South Sudan US Dept. of State 19 Mar 2024 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States, Norway, and the United Kingdom on South Sudan.
• Haiti: Aid efforts continue amid violence and volatility UN News 19 Mar 2024 -- Humanitarians continue to deliver aid in Haiti, where the situation in the capital, Port-au-Prince, remains tense and volatile in the face of escalating gang violence and political instability.
• Somalia Says Operation Against Al-Shabab Killed Nearly 40 Militants VOA 19 Mar 2024 -- The Somali government says that a new military operation against al-Shabab killed nearly 40 militants in Lower Shabelle region.

News Reports

• Estonia is expelling a member of the staff of the Russian embassy Estonia MFA 19 Mar 2024 -- Today 19 March, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the chargé d'affaires of the Russian embassy to present a diplomatic note on declaring a member of the Russian embassy's staff with diplomatic status persona non grata.
• Meeting of Federal Security Service Board President of Russia 19 Mar 2024 -- Vladimir Putin took part in an expanded meeting of the Federal Security Service Board.
• Telephone conversation with President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania President of Russia 19 Mar 2024
• Telephone conversation with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov President of Russia 19 Mar 2024 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the Turkmen side's initiative.
• Blinken Blasts Russia For 'Sham' Presidential Election RFE/RL 19 Mar 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the Kremlin's marginalization of civil society and the "intense repression" of independent voices in Russia mean a weekend presidential election that saw Vladimir Putin claim a fifth presidential term in a landslide "can only be described as undemocratic."
• On Russia's Presidential Elections US Dept. of State 19 Mar 2024 -- Russia's recent presidential election occurred in an environment of intense repression of independent voices and the imprisonment, death, or exile of virtually all genuine political opposition.
• Russia presidential elections Australia DFAT 19 Mar 2024 -- Australia is aware that Russia held presidential elections between 15 and 17 March 2024. These elections were not free, fair, inclusive or credible.
• Shpilkin's Razor: How A Statistical Model Raises Questions About Putin's Election. Again. RFE/RL 19 Mar 2024 -- Eight years ago, when voting results in Russian parliamentary elections pointed to a massive win for the Kremlin-aligned ruling party United Russia, an award-winning data analyst published a statistical analysis of voting patterns that he said indicated massive fraud.
• Navalnaya Tells World Not To Recognize Putin As 'Legitimate' Leader RFE/RL 19 Mar 2024 -- Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, has urged the international community to refuse to recognize President Vladimir Putin as a "legitimate" leader of the country after elections last weekend that have "no meaning."
• IOC Calls Russia's Friendship Games 'Cynical Attempt To Politicize Sport' RFE/RL 19 Mar 2024 -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has called on the world's athletes to ignore Russia's plans to organize a so-called Friendship Games, saying the plan is a "cynical attempt to politicize sport."
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on March 19, 2024 PRC MofA 19 Mar 2024
• Hong Kong Passes Homegrown National Security Law, Sparking International Backlash VOA 19 Mar 2024 -- Hong Kong's legislature unanimously — and with surprising speed — approved its own sweeping national security law on Tuesday, strengthening the government's ability to silence dissent.
• Hong Kong passes strict new national security law Radio Free Asia 19 Mar 2024 -- Hong Kong's Legislative Council on Tuesday passed a strict national security law known as Article 23 that makes treason, insurrection and sabotage punishable by up to life in prison, and that will likely widen an ongoing crackdown on peaceful dissent.
• HK LegCo passes landmark bill in 'historic moment' to tackle national security loopholes Global Times 19 Mar 2024 -- Hong Kong lawmakers unanimously passed the highly anticipated bill mandated by Article 23 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong on Tuesday following marathon sessions during which all lawmakers expressed their strong support for the law, which was first proposed more than 20 years ago. It is expected to play a crucial role in addressing the city's national security loopholes, forming a solid national security shield with the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong by preventing the US-led West's subversion, infiltration, incitement and espionage activities in the city.
• Central government authorities support and welcome passage of Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong Global Times 19 Mar 2024 -- Following the passing of the Article 23 legislation at the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Tuesday, some central government authorities on Hong Kong affairs voiced their support and warm congratulations on the passage of the law with a unanimous vote, a milestone in the One Country, Two Systems practice.
• Hong Kong national security legislation: UK statement UK FCDO 19 Mar 2024 -- Foreign Secretary David Cameron gave a statement in response to Hong Kong national security legislation (Article 23).
• Hong Kong: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the adoption of new national security legislation EC/CEU 19 Mar 2024 -- The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region adopted the 'Safeguarding National Security Bill' on 19 March. The European Union is concerned about this legislation's potential impact on the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.
• Hong Kong: Rushed adoption of new security law a 'regressive step' - UN rights chief UN News 19 Mar 2024 -- The accelerated adoption of a national security bill in Hong Kong represents "a regressive step" for human rights there, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Tuesday.
• INTERVIEW: 'We have zero tolerance for the importation of products made with forced labor' Radio Free Asia 19 Mar 2024 -- Robert Silvers has served as undersecretary for strategy, policy and plans at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, since 2021. In early March, he met with members of the Uyghur diaspora community in northern Virginia to discuss the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and the Chinese government's transnational repression of Uyghurs abroad.
• China opposes U.S. restraining development rights in name of competition People's Daily 19 Mar 2024 -- China stands against the U.S. interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights and values, and restraining China's legitimate right to development in the name of competition, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
• China firmly opposes Taiwan politician's official contacts with Czech: Chinese FM Global Times 19 Mar 2024 -- China urges the Czech Republic to honor its promises to strictly restrain certain individual politicians from sabotaging China-Czech relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a regular press conference on Tuesday.
• Mainland spokesperson highlights mutual assistance across Taiwan Strait People's Daily 19 Mar 2024 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Monday highlighted cross-Strait mutual assistance while confirming the rescue of two individuals from Taiwan in the waters off the Fujian coast.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Mar. 19, 2024 ROC MND 19 Mar 2024
• Federal Foreign Office comments on the reported North Korean missile test Germany Federal Foreign Office 19 Mar 2024
• UN Human Rights Council 55: UK Statement on human rights in Democratic People's Republic of Korea UK FCDO 19 Mar 2024 -- Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Statement delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador Rita French.
• Are Sanctions Worsening Conditions for North Koreans? VOA 19 Mar 2024 -- International sanctions have contributed to the worsening of human rights in North Korea, according to the nongovernmental group Human Rights Watch, while the U.S. State Department, which supports the sanctions, said the regime is mainly to blame.
• North Koreans shocked as Cuba establishes ties with South Korea Radio Free Asia 19 Mar 2024 -- North Koreans reacted in shock when they learned that their "socialist brethren" in Cuba established official relations with capitalistic South Korea, residents in the North told Radio Free Asia.
• FM says Iran belongs to all Iranians whether they live in or out of country IRNA 19 Mar 2024 -- Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has told all Iranian nationals living abroad that Iran belongs to all Iranians.
• US envoy to UN claims Iran not cooperating with IAEA IRNA 19 Mar 2024 -- The US ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations came up on Monday yet another propaganda stunt, claiming Iran has failed to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for more than five years.
• Telephone conversation with President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi President of Russia 19 Mar 2024
• Senior Iranian Cleric Accused Of Corruption In Land Deal RFE/RL 19 Mar 2024 -- Kazem Seddiqi, Tehran's temporary Friday Prayers Imam, and his sons have been accused by a local journalist of having acquired several thousand square meters of prime real estate in the Iranian capital's northern districts, which he denies.
• Prosecutors demand death sentence in Vietnam's biggest fraud trial Radio Free Asia 19 Mar 2024 -- Vietnamese prosecutors are calling for the death sentence for the alleged mastermind of the country's biggest fraud, state-controlled media reported Tuesday.
• U.S. Bans Entry To Officials Of North Macedonia, Kosovo Over Suspicion Of Corruption RFE/RL 19 Mar 2024 -- A former special prosecutor and a current presidential candidate in North Macedonia have been banned from entering the United States for their involvement in "corrupt acts" to benefit themselves.
• UN Human Rights Council 55: UK Statement on human rights in Venezuela UK FCDO 19 Mar 2024 -- Interactive Dialogue with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Venezuela. Statement delivered by the UK's Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.
• World News in Brief: $236 billion a year profit from forced labour, Senegal election update, peacekeepers in Lebanon UN News 19 Mar 2024 -- Forced labour is happening all over the world and it's earning criminal gangs an astonishing $236 billion a year - $64 billion more than a decade ago, UN researchers said on Tuesday.