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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• DOD Adapts to Rough Seas Off Gaza, Continues Temporary Pier Construction DoD News 03 May 2024 -- Construction of a temporary humanitarian aid pier for Gaza will continue after the Army had to relocate the construction site due to forecasted high seas, U.S. Central Command announced today.
• Update on the Construction of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore Capability in Mediterranean Sea CENTCOM 03 May 2024 -- Yesterday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) temporarily paused offshore assembly of the floating pier in the vicinity of Gaza due to sea state considerations. Forecasted high winds and high sea swells caused unsafe conditions for Soldiers working on the surface of the partially constructed pier. The partially built pier and military vessels involved in its construction have moved to the Port of Ashdod, where assembly will continue, and will be completed prior to the emplacement of the pier in its intended location when sea states subside.
• US military base in eastern Syria hit by missiles IRNA 03 May 2024 -- News sources reported a missile attack on the American military base in eastern Syria on Friday night.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Secretary Austin Concludes Trip to Hawaii DoD 03 May 2024 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III concluded his travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, today. During his visit, Secretary Austin met with counterparts from Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, presided over the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Change of Command, engaged with service members, and spoke with distinguished guests from the Freely Associated States.
• Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's Change of Command Ceremony (As Delivered) DoD 03 May 2024
• Austin Underscores Power of Partnerships at Indo-Pacom Change of Command DoD News 03 May 2024 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underscored the power of U.S. partnerships in the Indo-Pacific as he presided over the U.S. Indo-Pacific change of command ceremony today at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
• Joint Readout From Australia-Japan-Philippines-United States Defense Ministers' Meeting DoD 03 May 2024 -- Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, the Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, met together on May 2 in Hawaii.
• United States-Japan-Australia Trilateral Defense Ministers' Meeting (TDMM) 2024 Joint Statement, May 2, 2024 DoD 03 May 2024 -- Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III convened a Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting in Hawaii on May 2, 2024. This was the thirteenth meeting among the defense leaders of the three nations and highlighted the landmark achievements made in implementing activities and practical areas of cooperation set forth in the 2023 Joint Statement.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Press Conference With Counterparts From Australia, Japan and the Philippines, in Honolulu, Hawaii DoD 03 May 2024 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense for Australia Richard Marles; Minister for Defense for Japan Minoru Kihara; Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
• Austin Lauds Strong Ties Between Key Allies in Indo-Pacific DoD News 03 May 2024 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underscored today the United States' commitment to deepening ties with key allies throughout the Indo-Pacific after meeting with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Press Conference With Counterparts From Australia, Japan and the Philippines, in Honolulu, Hawaii DoD 03 May 2024 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense for Australia Richard Marles; Minister for Defense for Japan Minoru Kihara; Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
• North Carolina Guard Welcomes New Zambian State Partnership Army News 03 May 2024 -- North Carolina sent a delegation, including the National Guard, over 7,000 miles to the Republic of Zambia in April to officially begin their partnership with the African nation under the State Partnership Program.
• US, Tunisian public affairs specialists unite for training during African Lion 2024 Army News 03 May 2024 -- Camera shutters clicked as photographers scrambled to capture the best shot. Videographers huddled nearby, recording every detail in high definition. But this was not a red-carpet event and no foreign dignitary was conducting a diplomatic visit.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group visits Souda Bay, Crete US Navy Press Release 03 May 2024 -- The Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE), embarked staff from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) departed Souda Bay, Crete after a scheduled port visit, May 2, 2024.
• Navy to Christen Future Expeditionary Sea Base USS Robert E. Simanek US Navy Press Release 03 May 2024 -- The Navy will christen the future USS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7) as the newest Expeditionary Sea Base ship (ESB) during a 9:00 a.m. PST ceremony on Saturday, May 4, in San Diego, California.
• Department of Defense Issues Class Deviation on Cybersecurity Standards for Covered Contractor Information Systems DoD 02 May 2024 -- The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Information Officer, today issued a Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) class deviation relating to the cybersecurity standards required for covered contractor information systems.
• UPDATE: Landing Craft, Air Cushion Incident During Training US Navy 03 May 2024 -- On the evening of May 1, a collision occurred between two landing craft, air cushions (LCAC) from USS Wasp (LHD 1) and USS New York (LPD 21) off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla.
• Joint Statement on the Inaugural U.S.-Sweden Cyber and Digital Dialogue US Dept. of State 03 May 2024 -- The following joint statement was released by the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden, on the occasion of the inaugural U.S.-Sweden Cyber and Digital Dialogue.
• Niger: Russian military deployed at airbase housing American troops Press TV 03 May 2024 -- Russian military personnel have entered an airbase in Niger hosting US troops, amid Niger's decision to force American military forces out of the country.
• Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoigu address the special teleconference with the leadership of the Russian Armed Forces Russia MoD 03 May 2024
• Kremlin on Russia's Niger Presence: Moscow Bolstering Ties With African States Sputnik 03 May 2024 -- Russia is cultivating relations with African countries on all fronts, even in the area of defense, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday, commenting on reports about the presence of Russian military personnel at a base in Niger.
• Russian Forces in Separate Compound on Niger Base, No Access to US Forces Sputnik 03 May 2024 -- Russian forces are being housed on the same base in Niger but in a separate compound with no access to US forces until the withdrawal of the contingent of the United States from the country, a US official has told Sputnik.
• US begins review process for key AUKUS pillar Radio Free Asia 03 May 2024 -- The U.S. State Department has opened the public review process for proposed changes to export controls that would allow defense contractors in Australia and the United Kingdom to import American military technology without needing to obtain licenses.
• $30 million for Queensland-made body armour to protect ADF personnel Australia DOD 03 May 2024 -- The Albanese Government has placed a $30 million order with Queensland-based Craig International Ballistics for body armour that will be used by Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, including in combat and counter terrorism operations.
• 7th India-Indonesia Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting held in New Delhi India PIB 03 May 2024 -- Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence, Indonesia, Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto, M
• Trump's possible return reignites South Korea nuclear debate VOA 03 May 2024 -- South Korean calls to acquire nuclear weapons, which were subdued for the past year following steps to strengthen the U.S.-South Korea alliance, are once again bubbling to the surface ahead of the possible return of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
• Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discusses measures to improve preparedness for crises and develop European defence industry Finnish Government 03 May 2024 -- In its meeting on Friday 3 May, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs rounded out its earlier positions on strengthening the EU's resilience and preparedness for crises. The Ministerial Committee also discussed ways to develop the European defence industry and outlined Finland's positions for two upcoming ministerial meetings.
• President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss GPS disturbances and Defence Forces' participation in international exercises Finnish Government 03 May 2024 -- In their meeting on Friday 3 May, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed GPS disturbances originating in Russia. Finland will continue to be in close contact with NATO allies and EU partners on the matter.
• Letter of intent on deeper cooperation between Sweden and Germany Government Offices of Sweden 03 May 2024 -- On 5 March, Swedish Minister for Defence Pål Jonson and German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius signed a letter of intent on deeper defence cooperation between Sweden and Germany.
• Slovak and Spanish Defence Ministers Robert Kaliňák and Margarita Robles Fernández visit NATO Battlegroup troops at MTC Lešť Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 03 May 2024 -- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic Robert Kaliňák and Minister of Defence of Spain Margarita Robles Fernández visited the Military Training Centre (MTC) Lešť on Thursday 2 May 2024.
• L. Kasčiūnas invites further strengthening of cooperation between the U.S. and Lithuanian Special Operations Forces Lithuania MND 03 May 2024 -- Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas visited the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in Tampa, Florida, and met with Commander USSOCOM General Brayn P. Fenton.
• U.S. - Iceland Strategic Dialogue US Dept. of State 03 May 2024 -- The United States and Iceland held the annual U.S.-Iceland Strategic Dialogue in Reykjavik and Keflavik on May 2-3.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 3, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 3 May 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 03 May 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• PM Netanyahu on Efforts to Return the Hostages, at a Meeting with the Holocaust Survivors who will Serve as Torchlighters at Yad Vashem Israel - Prime Minister 03 May 2024 -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Efforts to Return the Hostages, at a Meeting with the Holocaust Survivors who will Serve as Torchlighters at Yad Vashem: "We are determined to return all of them - both the living and the deceased. We do not forget any
• May 2: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 03 May 2024
• Rafah incursion would substantially increase mortality and morbidity and further weaken an already broken health system WHO 03 May 2024
• Gaza death toll mounts amid Zionist bombing, shelling IRNA 03 May 2024 -- 210 days into the war on Gaza, the death toll of the Zionist regime's incessant air and artillery strikes on the besieged Palestinian strip has reached 34,622.
• Targeting Rafah could lead to slaughter, warns UN aid agency UN News 03 May 2024 -- An Israeli military operation in Rafah "could lead to a slaughter" and cripple lifesaving humanitarian work throughout Gaza, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said on Friday.
• UN sets contingency plans in case of Israeli assault on Rafah VOA 03 May 2024 -- Warning of a bloodbath should Israeli forces attack Rafah, U.N. agencies are making contingency plans to provide health care and other essential aid to the besieged population in the southern Gaza city.
• 9 months of war will wipe out 44 years of human development in Gaza: UN report People's Daily 03 May 2024 -- Human development in Gaza will be set back by 44 years if the current war continues for nine months, warns a UN report.
• Gaza reconstruction could take 80 years, damage unseen since World War II: UN Press TV 03 May 2024 -- A United Nations official says the destruction caused by Israel's war on the Gaza Strip is unseen since the Second World War, estimating that the reconstruction of the Palestinian territory could take 80 years and cost up to $40 billion.
• Austin: US sees no indications of intent to hurt US troops building Gaza pier VOA 03 May 2024 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said late Thursday he does not see signs that Hamas is going to attack U.S. forces who are building a pier off the coast of Gaza to deliver aid to the war-torn strip by sea.
• "We do not want to see conflict, bloodshed or tears in our geography" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 03 May 2024 -- Speaking at a meeting with the board of MÜSİAD, President Erdoğan said: "We do not seek hostility or strife with any country in our region. As I have stated at every opportunity, we do not want to see conflict, bloodshed or tears in our geography."
• [Türkiye's decision to halt all trade with Israel] "We have closed that door regardless of the trade volume between us" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 03 May 2024 -- Answering reporters' questions after Friday prayer, President Erdoğan, in answer to a question about Türkiye's decision to halt all trade with Israel, said: "We had a trade volume of 9.5 billion dollars. We now have closed that door regardless of this trade volume."
• Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister's Participation in the Meeting of Foreign Ministers Preparatory to the 15th Islamic Summit of the OIC Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 May 2024 -- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar participated in the preparatory Meeting of Foreign Ministers to the Islamic Summit of the OIC held on 2 May 2023 in Banjul, The Gambia. The theme of this year's Summit is "Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development".
• UK sanctions extremist groups and individuals for settler violence in the West Bank UK FCDO 03 May 2024 -- The UK has imposed new sanctions on extremist groups and individuals for inciting and perpetrating settler violence in the West Bank.
• Hamas says delegation heading to Cairo for ceasefire talks Press TV 03 May 2024 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has said its delegation will travel to the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Saturday to resume ceasefire talks with a "positive spirit" in the latest effort to halt almost seven months of Israel's genocidal war against the people in Gaza.
• Hamas indicates 'positive spirit' as it studies Israel's latest peace proposal VOA 03 May 2024 -- After months of negotiations, Hamas is offering hope that a cease-fire agreement with Israel could be near, while the threat of an Israeli incursion into the southern city of Rafah is looming.
• Netanyahu stonewalling truce deal: Top Hamas official Press TV 03 May 2024 -- A senior Hamas official says Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is stonewalling a truce deal between the Gaza Strip-based resistance movement and the Tel Aviv regime, which has brought the Palestinian territory under a genocidal war.
• Hamas chief returns to Qatar after talks with Erdogan, political leaders in Turkey Press TV 03 May 2024 -- The political bureau chief of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, has returned to Qatar following a trip to Turkey, where he held meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other high-profile political figures.
• Israel 'too cowardly' to respond to Iran's retaliatory strikes: Yemen's Ansarullah Press TV 03 May 2024 -- A ranking official of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement says Israel is "too cowardly" to respond to Iran's daring strikes on the occupied territories last month, which were carried out in retaliation for the regime's earlier aggression on the Islamic Republic's diplomatic premises in Syria.
• Yemen announces new phase in pro-Gaza retaliatory operations Press TV 03 May 2024 -- The Yemeni army has declared the initiation of a fresh phase in Yemen's retaliatory operations, carried out in solidarity with the Palestinians facing the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza.
• Houthis Ready to Attack Israeli-Linked Ships in Mediterranean Sea - Military Spokesman Sputnik 03 May 2024 -- Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, also known as Houthis, are ready to attack any ships heading to Israel from Mediterranean Sea if the Jewish state launches an offensive in Rafah, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said on Friday.

Other Conflicts

• 8 soldiers injured in Israeli airstrike on outskirts of Syria's Damascus People's Daily 03 May 2024 -- Israel launched an aerial attack from the direction of the occupied Golan Heights on Thursday night against a military site near Syrian capital Damascus, injuring eight soldiers and causing material losses, the Syrian Defense Ministry said.
• Israeli airstrike on outskirts of Damascus leaves eight Syrian soldiers injured Press TV 03 May 2024 -- At least eight soldiers suffered injuries when Israeli military aircraft carried out a strike against a building operated by Syrian security forces on the outskirts of the capital Damascus.
• Daesh attack kills 13 Syrian army troops, allied forces: Report Press TV 03 May 2024 -- Thirteen Syrian army troops and allied forces have been reportedly killed in a Daesh terrorist attack in the Western part of Syria.
• Grave concern over civilians cut off from life-saving aid in Sudan UNHCR 03 May 2024 -- Over a year since the start of the war in Sudan, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, remains extremely concerned about shocking levels of violence and devastating humanitarian and protection risks as many areas across the country remain beyond the reach of aid organizations.
• Starvation stalking Sudan's Darfur region as fighting intensifies VOA 03 May 2024 -- The World Food Program warned Friday that time is running out to prevent starvation in Sudan's Darfur region, as intensifying clashes in North Darfur's capital are preventing aid deliveries to the wider Darfur region.
• An attack on El Fasher would endanger hundreds of thousands of children, warns UNICEF UNICEF 03 May 2024 -- "The increase of fighting in Sudan's North Darfur state has taken a deadly toll on children in recent weeks. But the threat of an imminent military attack on El Fasher, a city sheltering at least 500,000 people displaced by violence elsewhere in the country, risks a catastrophic escalation, endangering the lives and wellbeing of 750,000 children in El Fasher, and potentially millions more. We call on parties to the conflict to urgently step back from such a dangerous confrontation.
• UN agencies warn of imminent starvation risk in Sudan's Darfur region UN News 03 May 2024 -- UN agencies issued a joint warning on Friday that time is running out to prevent starvation in Sudan's Darfur region due to intensifying clashes around the northern capital of El Fasher, which are hindering efforts to deliver life-saving aid.
• WFP warns time is running out to prevent starvation in Darfur as violence in El Fasher escalates WFP 03 May 2024 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warns that time is running out to prevent starvation in Darfur as intensifying clashes in North Darfur's capital El Fasher hinder efforts to deliver vital food assistance into the region.
• Nigeria arrests alleged mastermind of Abuja-Kaduna train attack VOA 03 May 2024 -- Nigerian authorities said Thursday they have arrested the mastermind of a 2022 terrorist attack on a moving train that killed 10 passengers.
• Residents of northeastern Mali town trapped, blocked from humanitarian aid VOA 03 May 2024 -- Save the Children says more than 140,000 people in the Malian town of Menaka, including 80,000 children, face malnutrition and disease due to a blockade by Islamic State-linked insurgents. The organization warns that the months-long blockade has driven supplies to alarmingly low levels as aid agencies and Malian government programs struggle to deliver basic necessities.
• On Condemning the Attack on an Internally Displaced Persons Camp in the Democratic Republic of the Congo US Dept. of State 03 May 2024 -- The United States strongly condemns the attack today from Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) and M23 positions on the Mugunga camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• Explosion at DRC displaced persons' camp kills at least 9 VOA 03 May 2024 -- Local officials and media reports in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo say at least nine people - most of them children - were killed Friday following an explosion or explosions at displaced persons camp in the eastern city of Goma.

News Reports

• U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar and His Wife Charged with Bribery, Unlawful Foreign Influence, and Money Laundering Schemes US Dept. of Justice 03 May 2024 -- An indictment was unsealed today in the Southern District of Texas charging U.S. Congressman Enrique Roberto "Henry" Cuellar, 68, and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, 67, both of Laredo, Texas, with participating in two schemes involving bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering. Congressman Cuellar and Imelda Cuellar made their initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo in Houston.
• Germany warns Russia about cyberattacks VOA 03 May 2024 -- Germany's Foreign Ministry summoned the acting charge d'affaires of the Russian embassy — Russia's top embassy official — accusing Moscow's military intelligence agency of launching cyberattacks against Germany's ruling coalition party dating back to last year.
• Cyber: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on continued malicious behaviour in cyberspace by the Russian Federation European Commission 03 May 2024 -- The European Union and its Member States, together with international partners, strongly condemn the malicious cyber campaign conducted by the Russia-controlled Advanced Persistent Threat Actor 28 (APT28) against Germany and Czechia.
• Lithuania condemns the continued malicious Russian behavior in cyberspace alongside the EU and NATO Allies Lithuania MND 03 May 2024 -- European Union, NATO and partners have issued declarations condemning hostile activities of the Russian state-sponsored Advanced Persistent Threat Actor 28 (APT28) hacker group targeting institutions and processes of Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden and other allies.
• Statement by the North Atlantic Council concerning malicious cyber activities against Germany and Czechia NATO 03 May 2024 -- "We stand in solidarity with Germany following the malicious cyber campaign against a political party, in this case the Social Democratic Party of Germany, and with Czechia following the malicious cyber activities against its institutions."
• The United States Condemns Malicious Cyber Activity Targeting Germany, Czechia, and Other EU Member States US Dept. of State 03 May 2024 -- The United States strongly condemns the malicious cyber activity by Russia's General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), also known as APT28, against Germany, Czechia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden. We join Germany in attributing specific malign activity carried out by APT28 that targeted a German political party.
• UK joins partners in condemnation of malicious cyber activity by Russian Intelligence Services: UK government statement UK FCDO 03 May 2024 -- The United Kingdom has joined with its international partners to condemn malicious cyber activity by the Russian Intelligence Services.
• Statement on the malicious behavior of the Russian Federation in cyberspace Poland - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 May 2024 -- Poland stands in solidarity with Germany and with Czechia following the malicious cyber campaign against their political parties and democratic institutions. Both countries have publicly attributed the responsibility to the Advanced Persistent Threat 28 controlled by the Russian Federation.
• Readout of Annual Principals Meeting of the Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group US Dept. of Justice 03 May 2024Attorney General Merrick B. Garland attended the Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group (FELEG) Annual Principals Meeting this week, where international and national partners met to discuss technology, innovation and encryption, and the emergent impacts on global safety.
• Telephone conversation with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon President of Russia 03 May 2024 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.
• Foreign Minister's Special Representative for Cooperation to Promote Respect for the Right to Freedom of Religion and Foreign Ministry's Ambassador-at-Large Gennady Askaldovich's comment on the annual report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (May 2024) Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 May 2024
• Kyrgyzstan Advises Citizens To Avoid Traveling To Russia RFE/RL 03 May 2024 -- Kyrgyzstan has advised its citizens to refrain from traveling to Russia in the face of rising scrutiny of Central Asians in the country following the deadly Crocus City Hall attack near Moscow in late March.
• China successfully launches epic Chang'e-6 lunar probe in first human attempt to retrieve samples from far side of the Moon Global Times 03 May 2024 -- China has made another historic stride in its deep space endeavors on Friday, as the Long March-5 Y8 carrier rocket blasted off at 5:27 pm from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in South China's tropical island of Hainan, sending the Chang'e-6 lunar probe onto its odyssey in the world's first ever attempt to bring back lunar samples from the far side of the Moon.
• China carries Pakistan into space VOA 03 May 2024 -- Pakistan on Friday witnessed the launch of its first lunar satellite aboard China's historic mission to retrieve samples from the little explored far side of the moon in a technologically collaborative mission that signals deepening ties between the countries.
• Chinese aircraft detected 75.8 km from Taiwan: Defense ministry CNA 03 May 2024 -- Fourteen Chinese military aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait in the 24-hour period starting at 6 a.m. Thursday, with an unspecified number flying as close as 41 nautical miles (75.8 km) of Keelung in northern Taiwan.
• Taiwan bans its citizens from working for China's Confucius Institutes CNA 03 May 2024 -- Confucius Institutes have been added to a list of Chinese political, governmental and military bodies at which Taiwan's citizens are banned from working, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said on Thursday.
• US should immediately stop hyping up Taiwan question using the World Health Assembly as an excuse: Chinese mainland spokesperson Global Times 03 May 2024 -- The Taiwan question is China's internal affair, which doesn't allow any foreign interferences. The US should immediately stop hyping up the Taiwan question using the World Health Assembly as an excuse, said Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, urging the US to adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques with practical actions, instead of saying one thing and doing another, and constantly indulging "Taiwan independence" activities.
• China opposes U.S. statement encouraging Taiwan's presence at WHA People's Daily 03 May 2024 -- China strongly deplores and firmly opposes the statement from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in which he said the United States encourages the World Health Organization (WHO) to invite Taiwan's presence as an observer at this year's World Health Assembly (WHA), a foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan May 3, 2024 ROC MND 03 May 2024
• US warns of Russia-North Korea refined petroleum trade Radio Free Asia 02 May 2024 -- Russia delivered more than 165,000 barrels of refined petroleum to North Korea in March alone, U.S. officials said, noting the U.S is working with South Korea, Japan and other partners to roll out new sanctions this month against those aiding it.
• China sends 300 workers to deep sea port project in Myanmar's Rakhine state Radio Free Asia 03 May 2024 -- China has sent more than 300 technicians and workers to a deep sea port project in western Myanmar's Rakhine state amid intense fighting between the military and ethnic rebels, according to residents.
• India: Opposition party leader Rahul Gandhi enters electoral battle Press TV 03 May 2024 -- The primary opposition in India, the Indian National Congress has announced after weeks of suspense and uncertainty that Rahul Gandhi, the party's former president will run for the general elections from Raebareli in northern India.
• Georgian Protesters Beaten Amid Police Crackdown At Rallies RFE/RL 03 May 2024 -- Tensions remain high in Tbilisi on May 3 as a standoff continues between the government and Georgians opposed to a controversial "foreign agent" law who have been staging large protests that authorities have attempted to disperse using violent means, including rubber bullets, according to eyewitnesses.
• Georgian PM Slams U.S. Criticism Of Draft Law That Sparked Mass Protests RFE/RL 03 May 2024 -- Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused the United States of making "false" statements over the controversial "foreign agent" law being pushed through parliament and protests that have seen several Georgians injured by security forces, saying Washington's words are similar to previous statements that "encouraged" violence during other times of unrest in the Caucasus nation.
• Chad opposition protests military involvement in May 6 presidential polls VOA 03 May 2024 -- Angry youths in Chad are pulling down campaign posters of transitional President General Mahamat Idriss Deby in protest of what they call his attempt to seize power. Deby's main challengers in the May 6 election, including former opposition leader and current Prime Minister Succes Masra, say several hundred of their supporters have been arrested. Some among the disgruntled opposition are calling for an election boycott.