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• Landmark hospital materiel pull for DEFENDER 24 Army News 14 May 2024 -- U.S. Army Soldiers arrived at Army Prepositioned Stock-2 (APS-2) Dülmen for a landmark 32-bed field hospital pull for transport to Baumholder, Germany in support of the DEFENDER Europe exercise May 6-7 in Dülmen, Germany.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Egyptian Minister of Defense General Mohamed Zaki DoD 14 May 2024
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With the Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas DoD 14 May 2024
• Readout of Performing the Duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Melissa Dalton's Meeting with Deputy Commander of the Italian Carabinieri Lieutenant General Riccardo Galletta DoD 14 May 2024
• DOD Releases Open Announcement Through Other Transaction Authority for U.S. and Selected International Partners DoD 14 May 2024 -- Department of Defense (DOD) has released a new Open Announcement through the Defense Industrial Base Consortium Other Transaction Authority (DIBC OTA) that will accept unsolicited White Papers to be considered for Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III and Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) funding. DIBC membership is free and is open to U.S. organizations as well as international partners from the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and Canada.
• Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds a Press Briefing DoD 14 May 2024
• Service Chiefs Discuss Role of Partnerships in Meeting Defense Demands DoD News 14 May 2024 -- Partnerships with allies and across the services are key to maintaining the United States' edge amid an increasingly challenging national security backdrop, the military's top officers said.
• U.S. Africa Command Launches Multi-Nation Special Warfare Exercise DoD News 14 May 2024 -- U.S. Africa Command's largest annual special operations exercise kicked off Monday with an opening ceremony in Côte d'Ivoire, the Pentagon announced today.
• USEUCOM, Adriatic Charter nations convene for multi-national security cooperation discussions EUCOM 14 May 2024 -- U.S. European Command's logistics directorate and senior representatives from the U.S. - Adriatic Charter nations met from May 8-10, 2024 in Tirana, Albania to discuss ideas and proposals in the field of logistics
• Combined Maritime Forces Expands to 45 Nations with Addition of Lebanon, Albania US Navy 14 May 2024 -- Combined Maritime Forces welcomed Lebanon and Albania on May 9 as the 44th and 45th members of the world's largest maritime security partnership.
• Tennessee National Guard Soldiers Join Multinational Exercise Army News 14 May 2024 -- Tennessee National Guard Soldiers from the 117th Military Police Battalion and 269th Military Police Company joined more than 140 military police from five allied nations May 14 for the opening ceremony of the multinational training exercise Beyond Horizon 2024.
• Newest mine countermeasures ships train to destroy bottom and buoyant mines on Kamchatka Russia MoD 14 May 2024 -- The newest maritime trawlers of the 12,700 Yakov Balyaev, Petr Ilyichev, and Anatoly Shlemov project have practiced special tasks in the waters of the Avacha Bay. The ship's trawler group carried out joint reconnaissance control search and mine detection using modern automatic systems and hydroacoustic stations.
• Pacific Fleet ships put to sea from Vladivostok to participate in interdepartmental defence exercise Russia MoD 14 May 2024 -- More than 15 combat ships and boats of the Pacific Fleet put to sea from Vladivostok to participate in a planned interdepartmental exercise for the protection and defence of home and maritime communication points.
• Russia Detains Another Senior Defense Ministry Official In Corruption Case RFE/RL 14 May 2024 -- Lieutenant General Yury Kuznetsov, who heads the personnel directorate of Russia's Defense Ministry, has been arrested in a corruption case after more than $1 million in cash and valuables were found during a search at his residence amid an ongoing crackdown on top military officials in Russia.
• Russian Investigators Open Bribery Case Against Senior Defense Official Sputnik 14 May 2024 -- A criminal case for receiving a bribe on an especially large scale has been launched against Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetsov, the head of the Main Personnel Directorate of the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said on Tuesday.
• U.S. secures one Patriot battery for Ukraine from ally, senior official says People's Daily 14 May 2024 -- One U.S. ally has pledged to send Ukraine one Patriot air defense system, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Monday.
• Ukraine Should Receive an Invitation to Join NATO in the Near Future - the Report of the Yermak-Rasmussen Task Force President of Ukraine 14 May 2024
• Ukraine and Luxembourg Have Launched Negotiations on a Security Agreement President of Ukraine 14 May 2024
• NATO Membership Is a Guarantee of Peace and Security for Ukraine and the World: Rasmussen-Yermak International Task Force Published an Official Report President of Ukraine 14 May 2024
• PLA delegation arrives in Japan; first visit of its kind in 4 years shows mutual willingness to stabilize ties: experts Global Times 14 May 2024 -- A delegation comprising of 20 senior commissioned officers from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is reportedly embarking on a weeklong visit to Japan on Tuesday to conduct exchanges with Japanese Self-Defense Force (JSDF). Analysts said that this visit, the first of its kind in four years, reflects the mutual willingness of China and Japan to deepen defense exchanges and foster momentum to stabilize bilateral relations.
• 300 Chinese troops arrive in Cambodia for joint exercise Radio Free Asia 14 May 2024 -- A Chinese amphibious landing ship carrying 300 troops has arrived in Sihanoukville in Cambodia to take part in the largest bilateral military exercise to date between the two countries.
• Huang Shu-kuang to remain indigenous sub program convener under Lai CNA 14 May 2024 -- Retired Navy Admiral Huang Shu-kuang (黃曙光) will retain his roles as a National Security Council (NSC) advisor and the convener of the Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program after the new government is sworn in on May 20, the presidential handover committee announced Tuesday.
• Taiwan, U.S. Pacific drills held based on international code: MND CNA 14 May 2024 -- An unpublicized joint military exercise between Taiwan and the United States in the Pacific last month was carried out in accordance with an international code, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday.
• A generational investment in Australia's Defence Australia DOD 14 May 2024 -- The Albanese Labor Government is delivering historic investments in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), our people, our capabilities, our defence industry and our region, as we further strengthen the defence of our nation.
• Dropping in for training Australia DOD 14 May 2024 -- About 70 Singaporeans and a C-130H Hercules were welcomed to RAAF Base Richmond last month for their annual air tactical training with Air Force.
• Minister Blair concludes productive visit to Washington, D.C. to discuss Our North, Strong and Free Canada 14 May 2024 -- Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, concluded a productive two-day visit to Washington, D.C., where he discussed Canada's defence policy update, Our North, Strong and Free, with our American allies and partners.
• Netherlands to bring F-35 fighters to Ämari from December Estonia MoD 14 May 2024 -- Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur met yesterday in Tallinn with Dutch Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren, who announced that after the renovation of the Ämari runway, the Netherlands will deploy fifth generation F-35 stealth fighters to Estonia within NATO enhanced Air Policing.
• Comrades In Arms: The Mutual Benefits Of Increased North Korean-Iranian Military Cooperation RFE/RL 14 May 2024 -- Iran and North Korea have a long history of working together to advance their respective military arsenals.
• New Golden Age of shipbuilding as new UK-built warships boost Navy building programme to up to 28 ships and submarines UK MOD 14 May 2024 -- With up to 28 warships and submarines in the pipeline, backed by defence spending rising to 2.5% of GDP, Britain is seeing a new Golden Age of shipbuilding.
• Royal Marines to Get New Multi Role Support Ships Amid Scramble to Fix UK Navy's Woes Sputnik 14 May 2024 -- News that the Royal Marines will be getting new specialist vessels comes as two of the UK's aircraft carriers - the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales - have been plagued by technical malfunctions, with humiliating breakdowns affecting Britain's ability to participate in large-scale joint NATO drills.
• UK and Republic of Korea conduct joint sanctions enforcement patrols UK MOD 14 May 2024 -- The United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have conducted joint maritime patrols in the waters around the Korean Peninsula.
• UK underlines strong Indo-Pacific relationships as Defence Minister visits Malaysia and Thailand UK MOD 14 May 2024 -- The UK's steadfast commitment to Indo-Pacific security and prosperity was underlined as Defence Minister The Earl of Minto visited Malaysia and Thailand.
• Myanmar military adds advanced Chinese drones to arsenal Radio Free Asia 14 May 2024 -- Myanmar's military is adding advanced Chinese drones to its arsenal and using them to attack its enemies with increasingly devastating effect, rebel groups say.
• Defence cooperation with the United States is an unwavering priority to Lithuania, says Minister of National Defence L. Kasčiūnas Lithuania MND 14 May 2024 -- Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas had his first phone call with Secretary of Defence of the United States Loyd J. Austin in which he assured the U.S. colleague of Lithuania's stable priorities of cooperation with the United States and the U.S. remained the strategic partners for regional security and defence.
• Additional Javelin antitank missile supplies for the Lithuanian Armed Forces delivered Lithuania MND 14 May 2024 -- A new shipment of United States-manufactured Javelin medium-range anti-tank weapon system has been handed over to the Lithuanian Armed Forces earlier this week. It will be assigned to Lithuanian Land Force units thus strengthening capability of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The batch worth amounts to approx. USD 16.6 million.
• Romania - AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Missiles DSCA 14 May 2024 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Romania of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $340.8 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Revised National Budget: The Norwegian Defence Boost Begins Now Government of Norway 14 May 2024 -- The government's most fundamental task is to ensure the security of people living in Norway. Therefore, we prioritise defence, security, and preparedness, especially in a more serious security situation. In the revised national budget, the government proposes allocating 13 billion NOK to the Defence. Six billion are proposed for military support to Ukraine and seven billion to increase operational capability in the Norwegian Armed Forces.
• Mozambique: Council extends the mandate of the EU training mission until 2026 and paves the way for its evolution into a EU Military Assistance Mission EC/CEU 14 May 2024 -- The Council today prolonged the mandate of the EU Training Mission in Mozambique, until 30 June 2026, with a budget allocation of over €14 million for this period.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai The White House 14 May 2024

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 14, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 14 May 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 May 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, May 14 Israel Defense Forces 14 May 2024
• Israel intensifies offensive in Gaza, strikes 120 sites: army People's Daily 14 May 2024 -- The Israeli army said on Monday that it has intensified its offensive from north to south in the Gaza Strip, targeting 120 sites in Rafah city, the neighborhoods of Jabaliya and Zeitoun in Gaza City.
• May 13: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 14 May 2024
• Israeli forces suffer day of heavy attacks by resistance in Gaza IRNA 14 May 2024 -- The Israeli occupying forces have suffered a day of heavy attacks from Hamas and other Palestinian resistance groups in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian media reports.
• Dozens of Palestinians killed as Israel launches heavy bombardment in Gaza Press TV 14 May 2024 -- Israeli warplanes have conducted fresh aerial assaults on the Gaza Strip, killing dozens of civilians, including children, in the besieged Palestinian territory.
• Statement by UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Adele Khodr, on intensifying hostilities in Rafah and North Gaza UNICEF 14 May 2024 -- "The escalation of hostilities in Rafah and throughout the Gaza Strip has deepened the suffering of hundreds of thousands of children, who have endured an unrelenting nightmare for the past 218 days. We cannot accept their plight being livestreamed as collateral damage in a conflict they never chose.
• Guterres deplores Rafah escalation UN News 14 May 2024 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres is appalled by the escalation of Israeli military activity in and around Rafah in southern Gaza, his spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday.
• 450,000 Gazans now uprooted from Rafah as Israeli bombardment continues UN News 14 May 2024 -- Large parts of the city of Rafah are now a "ghost town", with UN humanitarians reporting on Tuesday that some 450,000 Gazans have been forcibly displaced from the southernmost city by Israeli evacuation orders in the last week.
• UNRWA Situation Report #107 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem - All information from 6 - 12 May 2024 is valid as of 12 May 2024 at 22:30 (local time) UNRWA 14 May 2024
• UN chief 'appalled' by Israeli military escalation in Gaza's Rafah VOA 14 May 2024 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday he was "appalled" by the escalation of military activity in and around the southern Gaza city of Rafah by the Israeli Defense Forces, as nearly 450,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from the area in the past week.
• Rafah becoming 'ghost town' in large parts amid Israeli invasion: UNRWA Press TV 14 May 2024 -- The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) says Rafah now resembles a "ghost town" in large parts in the wake of Israel's invasion of the southern city in the besieged Gaza Strip.
• UN says it informed Israel of convoy that came under attack in Rafah Press TV 14 May 2024 -- The United Nations says it had informed Israel's authorities of the movements of a clearly marked UN convoy that came under attack by the regime's military forces in Rafah on Monday.
• UNICEF urges end to Israel's 'indiscriminate killing' of Gaza children Press TV 14 May 2024 -- The United Nations children's agency (UNICEF) has called for an end to the "indiscriminate killing" campaign against Palestinians, especially children, in the Gaza Strip, raising the alarm at the dire situation caused by Israel's genocidal war on the territory.
• US claims there's no genocide in Gaza despite Israeli bloodbath IRNA 14 May 2024 -- The US government denied once again that the Zionist regime has been committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, in yet another attempt by Washington to cover up Israeli crimes and massacres of Palestinian in the besieged territory.
• Blinken reiterates U.S. opposition to Rafah invasion in call with Israeli defense chief People's Daily 14 May 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the weekend, in which the secretary reiterated Washington's opposition to a major ground operation in Rafah.
• Iran condemns US senator's 'horrible' call on Israel to nuke Gaza Press TV 14 May 2024 -- Iran has condemned a senior US Republican senator's "horrible" suggestion that Israel should use nuclear bombs on Gaza.
• ICJ to hold hearings over Israel's invasion of Rafah Press TV 14 May 2024 -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold hearings to discuss new emergency measures over Israel's invasion of the southern city of Rafah in the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Strong Norwegian support for Red Cross hospital in Gaza Government of Norway 14 May 2024 -- Together with Secretary General of the Norwegian Red Cross Anne Bergh, Minister for Development Cooperation Anne Beathe Kristiansen Tvinnereim, has received a briefing on the newly opened field hospital in Rafah. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contributed NOK 30 million to the hospital.
• Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide: Strong warning against a military operation in Rafah Government of Norway 14 May 2024 -- Gaza is a manmade disaster. Words cannot describe the suffering of the 2.3 million people of Gaza, who have endured extremely difficult circumstances during the past seven months. Despite the many calls from the international community, Israel maintains that a large-scale military operation is imminent, said Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.,
• Turkey says will apply to intervene in ICJ genocide case against Israel Press TV 14 May 2024 -- Turkey has decided to take legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
• Israeli military's Rafah offensive set talks over Gaza ceasefire 'backward': Qatar PM Press TV 14 May 2024 -- Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani says indirect negotiations between the Palestinian resistance group Hamas and Israel over a ceasefire in Gaza and the exchange of captives have hit a snag due to the regime's aggression in the southern border city of Rafah.
• Resistance in Gaza will never give up: Hamas official IRNA 14 May 2024 -- A senior Hamas leader called absurd and baseless Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's preconditions, saying the Palestinian resistance will not fail or surrender.
• We lost contact with group assigned to protect 4 captives: Abu Obeida ISNA 14 May 2024 -- The military spokesperson for the al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, announced, on Monday, the loss of contact with the group tasked with protecting a group of Israeli captives held in the Gaza Strip.
• Hezbollah targets Zionist command base in Occupied Golan IRNA 14 May 2024 -- Hezbollah of Lebanon has launched an attack on Golan heights in which a Zionist command base ha s been hit, local media reported.
• Hezbollah attacks Israeli targets in north of occupied Palestine IRNA 14 May 2024 -- The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah says it has launched a multipronged attack on Israeli targets in the north of occupied Palestine.
• Nasrallah: Israeli deterrence declines after Iran's Operation ISNA 14 May 2024 -- Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said that the "image of deterrence" within the Israeli occupation entity is declining, especially after Iran's Operation known as "Truthful Promise."
• Iraqi Resistance launches drone strike on southern occupied Palestine IRNA 14 May 2024 -- The Iraqi Resistance has launched a drone strike on southern occupied Palestine, media outlets have reported.
• Iraqi Resistance launches new drones at Eilat ISNA 14 May 2024 -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Israeli occupation forces (IOF) in Eilat, in southernmost occupied Palestine, with two suicide drones on Monday.
• Iraqi Resistance fires new kamikaze drone in attack on strategic Israeli site in Eilat Press TV 14 May 2024 -- Fighters from Iraqi anti-terror resistance groups have used a new kamikaze drone in its strike against a strategic target in the southernmost part of the 1948 Israeli-occupied territories in response to the regime's relentless offensives on Gaza.
• Yemen warns it may strike targets enemy 'can't even imagine' Press TV 14 May 2024 -- Yemen's Armed Forces have warned that they might surprisingly escalate their pro-Palestinian strikes if the Israeli regime kept up its ongoing genocidal war against the Gaza Strip.

Other Conflicts

• Record 75.9 million internally displaced in 2023, UN report reveals UN News 14 May 2024 -- The number of people living in internal displacement soared to a record 75.9 million last year, a new UN-backed report said on Tuesday.
• Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Yemen The White House 14 May 2024
• Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Yemen The White House 14 May 2024
• 5 killed as Daesh elements target Iraqi forces IRNA 14 May 2024 -- Remnants of Daesh terrorist group have attacked a group of Iraqi security forces in the east of Salah al-Din province, located in the north of Baghdad, news sources reported on Tuesday morning.
• UN envoy decries continued political stalemate in Libya UN News 14 May 2024 -- The outgoing head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) urged leaders to end their stalemate and bring the country back on the path to peace and stability, in an exclusive interview with UN News.
• ICC Prosecutor outlines roadmap to complete Libya war crimes probe UN News 14 May 2024 -- The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced at the UN Security Council on Tuesday that the investigative stage of the legal proceedings into alleged war crimes in Libya is expected to conclude by the end of 2025, transitioning into the judicial stage.
• The United Kingdom reiterates support for the International Criminal Court's investigation in Libya: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 14 May 2024 -- Statement by Legal Advisor Colin McIntyre at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.
• International court reassures Uganda LRA victims on reparations VOA 14 May 2024 -- An official of the International Criminal Court has promised victims of Uganda's rebel Lord's Resistance Army that the court will provide reparations that were promised after the conviction of a top LRA leader. However, the Tribunal Trust Fund does not have enough money to make the payments, and now some victims worry other world conflicts are drawing down donor funds.
• Cameroon military frees 300 Boko Haram captives along northern border VOA 14 May 2024 -- Cameroon's military has moved over 300 civilians rescued from Boko Haram terrorist captivity along the central African states border with Nigeria and Chad this week to a northern Cameroon military post. The country's army says scores of militants of the Nigeria-based insurgent group were neutralized in a border operation called Alpha.

News Reports

• Hong Kong trade official accused of spying for city's government Radio Free Asia 14 May 2024 -- Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday confirmed that one of three defendants charged with spying for his government in the United Kingdom holds a senior post at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, but defended the role of his city's global network of offices.
• Hong Kong leader criticizes Britain after arrest of trade official in London VOA 14 May 2024 -- Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee is criticizing the arrest of a key trade official in Britain on allegations of spying for the city's foreign intelligence service.
• China voices serious concern over spying charges against Chinese citizens in UK Global Times 14 May 2024 -- China on Tuesday voiced serious concern over the arrest and prosecution of the Chinese citizens and strongly urge the UK to earnestly protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the UK.
• China strongly condemns UK for unwarranted accusations against alleged spies linked to HKSAR Global Times 14 May 2024 -- China's central government and the local authorities in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) strongly condemned the UK late Monday for its "malicious fabrication" and "unwarranted accusations" after three men were charged with "assisting Hong Kong's foreign intelligence service in Britain."
• Ex-Australian military lawyer sentenced to five years in prison for sharing classified info VOA 14 May 2024 -- A former Australian military lawyer has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for sharing classified documents with journalists that revealed potential war crimes committed by Australian forces in Afghanistan.
• Vladimir Putin signed executive orders appointing the Presidential Executive Office President of Russia 14 May 2024
• Putin to pay state visit to China, 'bilateral strategic ties to be further improved' Global Times 14 May 2024 -- At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to China from May 16 to 17, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday, with analysts from the two countries saying that the visit will have strategic significance for not only the two major powers, but also the world amid turbulence and profound changes.
• Russia's Putin to visit China on President Xi's invitation Press TV 14 May 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will make a two-day state visit to China this week to underscore the deepening "no limits" partnership with his counterpart Xi Jinping.
• Statement of the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva Ambassador Gennady Gatilov at the Conference on Disarmament, Geneva, 14 May 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 14 May 2024
• Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov answers questions during a plenary session of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Moscow, May 14, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 14 May 2024
• Prohibiting Imports of Uranium Products from the Russian Federation US Dept. of State 14 May 2024 -- The President signed H.R. 1042, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, into law May 13, 2024. This bipartisan legislative action prohibits the import of Russian uranium products into the United States as of August 12, 2024, while enabling a waiver process with the Department of Energy, in consultation with the Departments of State and Commerce, through January 1, 2028, consistent with the law.
• Biden signs bill banning U.S. imports of Russian uranium People's Daily 14 May 2024 -- U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law Monday a bill that will prohibit U.S. imports of unirradiated low-enriched uranium from Russia.
• Exposing a Sanctions Evasion Scheme Connected to a Designated Russian Oligarch US Dept. of State 14 May 2024 -- The United States is today designating one Russian individual and three Russia-based companies involved in an attempted sanctions evasion scheme connected to Russian oligarch Oleg Vladimirovich Deripaska, who was previously sanctioned by the United States, Australia, Canada, the European Union, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
• U.S. Exposes Attempted Sanctions Evasion Scheme Connected to Russian Oligarch US Treasury 14 May 2024 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated one Russian individual and three Russia-based companies involved in an attempted sanctions evasion scheme in which an opaque and complex supposed divestment could have unfrozen more than $1.5 billion worth of shares belonging to U.S.-designated Russian oligarch Oleg Vladimirovich Deripaska (Deripaska).
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on May 14, 2024 PRC MofA 14 May 2024
• Memorandum on Actions by the United States Related to the Statutory 4-Year Review of the Section 301 Investigation of China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation The White House 14 May 2024
• Remarks by President Biden on His Actions to Protect American Workers and Businesses from China's Unfair Trade Practices The White House 14 May 2024
• Biden quadruples tariffs on Chinese EVs VOA 14 May 2024 -- In a bid to revive domestic manufacturing, President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that he is imposing a drastic tariff increase on Chinese electric vehicles and new levies on computer chips, solar cells and lithium-ion batteries.
• Biden unveils sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods Radio Free Asia 14 May 2024 -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday authorized sweeping new tariffs on $18 billion of goods imported from China and made pot shots at former President Donald Trump as the pair battle for votes in northern manufacturing states that decided the last two presidential races.
• U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo Statement on President Biden's Action to Protect American Workers and Businesses from China's Unfair Trade Practices US Dept. of Commerce 14 May 2024 -- Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo issued the following statement on President Biden's decision to direct the United States Trade Representative to increase tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on $18 billion of imports from China to protect American workers and businesses.
• China vows 'all necessary measures' against additional US tariffs Global Times 14 May 2024 -- China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Tuesday urged the US to immediately cancel the additional tariffs on Chinese products and vowed to take resolute measures to defend its rights over US' announcement to increase tariffs on Chinese products including electric vehicles (EVs)
• US urged to abandon self-imposed constraints of technological protectionism before first high-level AI talks with China Global Times 14 May 2024 -- The scheduled high-level talks between China and the US over the risks of artificial intelligence (AI) and global governance are widely seen by Chinese experts as a positive sign for the two major powers to mitigate misunderstandings, close the gap in divergences and seek cooperation potential in this field.
• Chinese premier stresses good use of ultra-long special treasury bonds People's Daily 14 May 2024 -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday stressed the need to issue and make good use of ultra-long special treasury bonds to support the implementation of major national strategies and build up security capacity in key areas.
• KP.2 infection remains at extremely low level in China: CDC Global Times 14 May 2024 -- A new COVID-19 variant KP.2 has been spreading globally, while the KP.2 infection remains at an extremely low level in China so far. The main circulating strains in China are linked to the JN.1 lineage, with the top three variants being JN.1, JN.1.4, and JN.1.16 in April, according to Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC).
• New COVID-19 sub-variant unlikely to cause infection peak in China: experts People's Daily 14 May 2024 -- The KP.2 sub-variant of COVID-19, which has become increasingly prevalent on a global scale, is unlikely to cause a new infection peak in China in the near future, the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration said on Tuesday.
• Taiwan not invited to World Health Assembly, again CNA 14 May 2024 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said it is "deeply regrettable" that Taiwan has not been invited to attend this year's World Health Assembly (WHA), the annual meeting of the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Tsai's 8 years in government: Transforming Taiwan amid global challenges CNA 14 May 2024 -- In just a few days, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) will complete her two four-year terms in power and pass the baton to her deputy, Lai Ching-te (賴清德), who is also from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and was victorious in the 2024 presidential election.
• Taiwan calls for swift return of China-rescued military officer CNA 14 May 2024 -- The Republic of China (Taiwan) Army on Tuesday urged China to allow the return of an ROC officer stationed in Kinmen as soon as possible, following his detention in mainland China since March.
• Joint drills by US, Taiwan island 'political stunt' ahead of Lai's inauguration Global Times 14 May 2024 -- Ahead of the scheduled inauguration of Taiwan regional leader-elect Lai Ching-te, Western media on Tuesday sensationalized the so-called joint drills between the navies of the US and the island of Taiwan held in April.
• China's Taiwan has no right to participate in the WHA without approval from the central government: FM spokesperson Global Times 14 May 2024 -- China's Taiwan, unless given approval by the central government, has no basis, reason or right to participate in the World Health Assembly (WHA), and the related matters must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
• Taiwan's absence from WHA solely caused by DPP: mainland spokesperson People's Daily 14 May 2024 -- The absence of Taiwan from the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA) is solely caused by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, a mainland spokesperson said Monday.
• Taiwan's WHA participation must fall under one-China principle: spokesperson People's Daily 14 May 2024 -- China's decision of disapproving Taiwan region's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) this year has been widely supported by the international community, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday, adding that any attempt to contain China by playing the "Taiwan card" will meet firm opposition and is doomed to fail.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan May 14, 2024 ROC MND 14 May 2024
• Seoul's decision to attend Putin inauguration leaves door open for diplomatic relations VOA 14 May 2024 -- In a move that contrasts with the United States, South Korea had its ambassador in Moscow attend Russian President Vladimir Putin's inauguration, seemingly leaving its options open for maintaining diplomatic relations with Russia amid Moscow's deepening ties with Pyongyang.
• Iran: Council broadens EU restrictive measures in view of Iran military support of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and armed groups in the Middle East and Red Sea region EC/CEU 14 May 2024 -- The Council today decided to broaden the scope of the EU framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran's military support of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
• Targeted sanctions in response to Iran's destabilising activities in the Middle East Australia MFA 14 May 2024 -- The Australian Government is imposing targeted sanctions on an additional five Iranian individuals and three entities, in response to Iran's destabilising behaviour.
• EU broadens sanctions to cover Iran's missile program Press TV 14 May 2024 -- The European Union (EU) has expanded its sanctions regime to target Iran's missile capabilities a month after the country launched missile and drone attacks on the Israeli regime to punish it for an airstrike that killed Iranian generals in a diplomatic mission in Syria.
• Iran FM spox blasts US senator for warmongering remarks IRNA 14 May 2024 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has rebuked the US senator's remarks about encouraging the Zionist regime to use nuclear bombs in Gaza.
• US reacts to statement by former Iranian FM Kharrazi IRNA 14 May 2024 -- The United States has renewed its anti-Iran rhetoric in reaction to a recent statement of Kamal Kharrazi, Head of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations who said recently that the Islamic Republic will have to change its nuclear doctrine in case of existential threat from the Zionist regime.
• US threatens India with sanctions over trade ties with Iran IRNA 14 May 2024 -- A 10-year contract between India and Iran aimed at developing the strategic port of Chabahar has angered the United States, with the Biden administration warning that trade cooperation with the Islamic Republic risks sanctions on India.
• US warns of sanctions following India, Iran sign landmark deal ISNA 14 May 2024 -- Hours after Iran inked a landmark deal with India to develop and operate its southern port city of Chabahar, the United States warned New Delhi that "anyone" considering business deals with Tehran needs to be aware of the "potential risk of sanctions," once again highlighting Washington's addiction to sanctions.
• Sanction syndrome: US warns of sanctions after India, Iran sign landmark Chabahar Port deal Press TV 14 May 2024 -- Hours after Iran inked a landmark deal with India to develop and operate its southern port city of Chabahar, the United States warned New Delhi that "anyone" considering business deals with Tehran needs to be aware of the "potential risk of sanctions," once again highlighting Washington's addiction to sanctions.
• India seals deal to operate Iran's Chabahar port VOA 14 May 2024 -- India and Iran have signed a 10-year contract to develop and operate the Iranian port of Chabahar, which New Delhi envisages as a strategic trade route to landlocked Central Asian republics, allowing it to bypass rival Pakistan.
• Widespread Myanmar water shortage kills scores of people Radio Free Asia 14 May 2024 -- Nearly 50 villages in western Myanmar are facing shortages of water, residents told RFA on Tuesday, after the hot season brought record high temperatures across the region.
• Indian Kashmir records second-highest voter turnout in decades VOA 14 May 2024 -- Voter turnout in Indian Kashmir neared record highs Monday as residents swarmed polling stations across Srinagar in the first national election since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2019 nullification of the Himalayan region's semi-autonomous status.
• United States: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the Hoover Institution, Stanford (San Francisco) European External Action Service (EEAS) 14 May 2024
• MFA statement on Georgia's "foreign influence transparency" law Poland - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 14 May 2024 -- Poland expresses deep disappointment about the adoption of the law on "transparency of foreign influence" by Georgia's parliament. The act is in breach of the European Union values and makes Georgia drift away from the EU.
• Clashes Erupt Inside, Outside Georgia's Parliament Over 'Foreign Agent' Law's Approval RFE/RL 14 May 2024 -- Riot police and protesters briefly clashed outside parliament while inside lawmakers traded punches on the legislature floor, as tensions boiled over in Tbilisi after final approval was given to a contentious "foreign agent" bill that has triggered weeks of massive protests by Georgians who regard it as a threat to the country's European integration because it mirrors similar repressive legislation pushed through in Russia.
• Statement of Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria 14 May 2024 -- Provoked by the inauguration ceremony of the new President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Bulgaria vows disagreement with statements and conduct that contradict both the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation of 2017 and, in principle, the agreements between the European Union and the Republic of North Macedonia.
• World News in Brief: Arson at UNRWA's East Jerusalem office, UN probe on staff member's death in Gaza, food insecurity in South Sudan UN News 14 May 2024 -- A fresh arson attempt was made late Monday on the headquarters of the UN agency for Palestine refugees UNRWA in occupied Jerusalem, the second incident in five days, the agency's chief said.
• Nigeria and UN Seek US$306 million for Urgent Food and Nutrition Crisis Response UNOCHA 14 May 2024 -- With a deteriorating food security and nutrition crisis in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states this lean season*(May to September), the Government of Nigeria, national and international partners today launched an appeal seeking US$306 million to fast-track food assistance, nutrition supplies and services, clean water, healthcare, and protection support to people in severe need during the period.
• A growing number of Chinese Indonesians are winning political offices VOA 14 May 2024 -- This October, 45-year-old Kevin Wu will serve in the Jakarta House of Regional Representatives for the first time, becoming part of a minority of ethnic Chinese elected officials in the Indonesian legislative body. Wu has been a staunch advocate for Chinese-Indonesian rights since 2008 and helped to establish a Buddhist house of worship in the predominantly Muslim country. Now, he is an entrepreneur who advocates for small businesses.
• Flash floods strike Afghanistan 'hunger hotspots' VOA 14 May 2024 -- U.N. agencies are banding together in coordination with Afghanistan's de facto Taliban rulers to aid hundreds of thousands of survivors of devastating flash floods that struck northeastern Afghanistan Friday.