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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Yemen downs 15th sophisticated American drone; vows to keep up support for Gaza, Lebanon Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- The Yemeni Armed Forces have announced successful downing of an American MQ-9 Reaper drone after it violated the country's airspace and conducted hostile missions over the western province of al-Hudaydah.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Air Force Aims to Instill Warrior Ethos, Increase Lethality DoD News 04 Mar 2025 -- The Air Force is making progress toward the defense secretary's priorities, which will ultimately result in giving the president more options, said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, who provided a keynote address yesterday at the 2025 Air and Space Forces Association's Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado.
• Initial DOGE Findings Reveal $80 Million in Wasteful Spending at DOD DoD News 04 Mar 2025 -- A quick review of some of the initial findings within the Defense Department by the Department of Government Efficiency reveals some $80 million in funds wasted on programs that do not support DOD's core mission.
• Allvin advocates for 'more Air Force' to offer President 'more options' US Air Force 04 Mar 2025 -- While confronting volatile adversaries abroad but with new leadership at home, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin described his strategy for defending the homeland and giving the Trump Administration potent options to meet the nation's security priorities March 3.
• Gen. Saltzman visits AFSOUTH, highlighting USSF evolving role in the Western Hemisphere United States Space Force 04 Mar 2025 -- Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman visited Air Forces Southern headquarters Feb. 27, reinforcing the increasing role of space-based capabilities in the Western Hemisphere.
• NATO's Air Policing Mission: A Steadfast Commitment by the Alliance NATO Allied Air Command 04 Mar 2025 -- NATO's Air Policing mission stands as a cornerstone of the Alliance's commitment to maintaining the integrity and security of the airspace over its member nations. This collective defence initiative ensures that even member countries without their own air defence capabilities are protected under NATO's unified command.
• Rearming Europe? EU tested to turn talk into action VOA 04 Mar 2025 -- With Washington's sudden pause on military aid to Ukraine as a backdrop, worried European Union leaders meet in Brussels Thursday to discuss steps to beef up EU defenses against Russia.
• Ukraine Aid Pause: By The Numbers RFE/RL 04 Mar 2025 -- Ukraine has received over $287 billion in aid since January 2022, when the United States and European allies scrambled to fly in equipment to help stave off an invasion by Russia's army, which stood ready to strike along Ukraine's borders.
• Trench assault readies troops for the frontline Australia DOD 04 Mar 2025 -- Gunfire rattled through the brisk English morning, punctuated by the muted crack of simulated grenades and terse shouts of Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) soldiers.
• Ukraine Turns To Younger Recruits As Manpower Shortage Hampers Defense Against Russia RFE/RL 04 Mar 2025 -- The Ukrainian military has begun recruiting 18- to 24-year-olds on a voluntary basis as the armed forces face a dire shortage of manpower to hold off the invading Russian troops.
• Trump Suspends Military Aid To Ukraine After Heated Clash With Zelenskyy RFE/RL 04 Mar 2025 -- U.S. President Donald Trump suspended all military aid to Ukraine following his clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last week, pilling pressure on Kyiv to fall in line with U.S. efforts to broker a peace deal with Russia despite a lack of security guarantees for Ukraine.
• Europe unveils plan for Ukraine peace deal amid Transatlantic rifts People's Daily 04 Mar 2025 -- Following last week's Trump-Zelensky White House clash, more than a dozen Western leaders gathered here Sunday to revive efforts for a Ukraine peace deal and propose a settlement to Washington.
• China's defense budget stays under 1.5% of GDP for years, below global average: spokesperson Global Times 04 Mar 2025 -- The third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) will publish China's defense budget for this year, a spokesperson revealed on Tuesday, noting that China's defense spending has maintained single-digit growth for nine years running, and its share as a percentage of GDP has been kept under 1.5 percent for many years, lower than the global average.
• China's defense expenditure as a percentage of GDP lower than world average: spokesperson People's Daily 04 Mar 2025 -- China's defense expenditure as a percentage of GDP is lower than the world average, a spokesperson said Tuesday.
• People's Liberation Army-Navy vessels operating near Australia Australia DOD 04 Mar 2025 -- People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) Task Group 107, comprised of the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class Cruiser Zunyi, and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu, is operating 170 nautical miles (314 kilometres) south-southwest of Perth.
• Chinese Naval Task Group New Zealand Defence Force 04 Mar 2025
• Taiwan to lengthen 2025 Han Kuang drills to boost training: Minister CNA 04 Mar 2025 -- Both the computer-aided wargames and the combat training drills of this year's Han Kuang military exercises will be extended to bolster the military's ability to conduct joint combat operations, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) has said.
• Lightning strikes thrice in trilateral exercise Australia DOD 04 Mar 2025 -- For the first time, the RAAF, United States Air Force (USAF) and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) have jointly exercised trilateral fifth-generation air warfare capabilities.
• INDIAN NAVAL SHIP KUTHAR ARRIVES AT COLOMBO, SRILANKA India PIB 04 Mar 2025 -- Towards strengthening maritime ties, INS Kuthar, Eastern Fleet Ship under the aegis of Eastern Naval Command is on mission deployment in Indian Ocean Region and arrived at Colombo, Sri Lanka
• India's security apparatus must remain adaptive to emerging threats such as cyber warfare, hybrid warfare, space-based challenges, and transnational organised crime: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh India PIB 04 Mar 2025 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) - Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Collaboration Conference-Cum-Exhibition on 'Advanced Technologies for Internal Security and Disaster Relief Operations' at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi on March 04, 2025
• Foreign Minister Tsahkna: Europe must fill the gap left by the United States Estonia MFA 04 Mar 2025 -- Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the decision by the United States to pause military aid to Ukraine means that Europe must increase and speed up its assistance to Ukraine to fill the gap.
• Foreign Minister Tsahkna in Bodø: NATO frontline countries Estonia and Norway have a shared threat perception Estonia MFA 04 Mar 2025 -- Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna is on a visit to Norway on 3 and 4 March, and today he and his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide visited the Norwegian Armed Forces' Joint Headquarters in Bodø.
• Comment by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on the proposal by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a joint EU instrument for increased defence spending Estonia MFA 04 Mar 2025 -- Comment by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on the proposal by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a joint EU instrument for increased defence spending:
• It is necessary to invest in security of both Ukraine and the European Union, says Vice Minister of National Defence O. Mašalė Lithuania MND 04 Mar 2025 -- On March 3 Vice Minister of National Defence Orijana Mašalė and Minister of Finance Rimantas Šadžius visited Duke Vaidotas Infantry Battalion in Rokantiškės with Minister of Finance of Luxembourg Gilles Roth on a visit in Lithuania.
• Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on February 24-March 2, 2025 Lithuania MND 04 Mar 2025
• The President at the meeting with Italian Prime Minister: We need to significantly and rapidly increase Europe's defense capabilities President of the Republic of Lithuania 04 Mar 2025 -- On Tuesday, at the conclusion of his visit to the Vatican and Italy, President Gitanas Nausėda met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
• Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov: Just and lasting peace is achievable via security for Ukraine and for the EU Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria 04 Mar 2025 -- Just and lasting peace can be achieved as peace via security for Ukraine and for the European Union. This was stated by Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov after the close of the Security Council convened by the EU, while he emphasized that it was precisely the view on which the participants in the Council agreed.
• Poland's Security Strategy: A Stronger Europe and Transatlantic Unity Poland - Chancellery of the Prime Minister 04 Mar 2025 -- Poland faces unique geopolitical challenges that require the government's full focus and mobilization. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced an intensification of efforts to strengthen national defense by accelerating legislative work, tightening international cooperation, and participating in discussions on new EU defense financing mechanisms.
• Radev meets with representatives of the U.S. Air War College President of the Republic of Bulgaria 04 Mar 2025 -- Head of State Rumen Radev today held a meeting with students and lecturers from the Air War College in the United States. Susan Falatko, US Charge d'Affaires ad interim, also took part in the talks.
• Speech by Minister Valtonen in London, at an event hosted by Chatham House Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland 04 Mar 2025 -- Speech by Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen about Finland's approach to European security at an event entitled "Keeping the peace on NATO's longest border with Russia", hosted by Chatham House on 4 March 2025.
• Joint Declaration on Enhanced Defence Cooperation between Denmark and Finland on 4 March 2025 Finnish MoD 04 Mar 2025 -- As close Allies and Nordic neighbours, Denmark and Finland will continue to develop and enhance defence cooperation based on shared values and mutual security interests.
• International strength at Base Ohakea New Zealand Defence Force 04 Mar 2025 -- Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Base Ohakea has been host to qualified flying instructors representing three Commonwealth nations, who have brought their expertise with them to the Flying Training Wing.
• Search on for PAF's missing FA-50PH fighter jet Philippine News Agency 04 Mar 2025 -- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday confirmed that one of its 12 FA-50PH fighter jets was reported missing during a "tactical night operation".
• Philippine envoy: Manila's defense alliance with Washington 'remains intact' Radio Free Asia 04 Mar 2025 -- The Philippines' bilateral defense agreements with the United States are intact and Manila expects to receive a big infusion of outstanding military aid from its longtime ally, Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippine ambassador to Washington, told reporters.
• Vietnam to buy Israeli satellites to spy on China: media Radio Free Asia 04 Mar 2025 -- One of Israel's largest aerospace companies, Israel Aerospace Industries, has secured a contract to supply Vietnam's military with two surveillance satellites worth US$680 million, the newspaper Haaretz reported.
• Arms transfers are not a human rights-free zone - UN report OHCHR 04 Mar 2025 -- States and the private sector must do more to tackle the devastating human rights impact of arms transfers, a UN Human Rights Office report published today says.
• Trump Set To Deliver Address To Congress With Ukraine Dispute Looming Large RFE/RL 04 Mar 2025 -- US President Donald Trump will address a joint session of Congress for the first time since taking office less than 50 days ago to press the case for continuing his domestic and foreign policy agenda, including the suspension of aid to Ukraine.
• At UN, Trump's domestic policies enter international arena VOA 04 Mar 2025 -- The United States made clear Tuesday that it will no longer automatically support core United Nations platforms, including sustainable development and global goals that include eliminating poverty during a vote at the U.N. General Assembly.
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Ireland's Tánaiste Simon Harris US Dept. of State 04 Mar 2025
• Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó US Dept. of State 04 Mar 2025

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 4, 2025

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 4 March 2025 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 04 Mar 2025

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Israel's Ben Gvir to Netanyahu: Bomb aid deliveries into Gaza Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- Israel's Itamar Ben Gvir has called for the "complete shutdown of electricity and water" alongside the bombing of aid in the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Number of martyrs in Gaza exceeds 48,400 IRNA 04 Mar 2025 -- As the bodies of another number of martyrs were removed from the rubble in different areas of Gaza, the number of martyrs of the aggression of the occupying regime in this region increased to 48 thousand 405 martyrs since October 7, 2023.
• Hamas says disarming 'a red line' for Palestinian resistance groups IRNA 04 Mar 2025 -- Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri says disarming is non-negotiable for his movement and other Palestinian groups in discussions aimed at extending the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.
• Hamas rejects Israel's demand for 'full demilitarization' of Gaza, says disarming 'a red line' Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has rejected Israel's demand for the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.
• Hamas: Israel can't blackmail, terrify Palestinians through starvation, siege Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- A high-ranking Hamas official has reiterated that the occupying Israeli regime can't blackmail Palestinians through criminal measures like siege and starvation, emphasizing that weapons of resistance are not up for negotiation.
• Al-Qassam Brigades commander killed in West Bank IRNA 04 Mar 2025 -- The Hamas movement has announced the martyrdom of a commander of its military wing, Al-Qassam Brigaded in the city of Jenin located in the West Bank.
• Israel kills 4 more Palestinians in Jenin Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- Israel has killed four more Palestinians in the northern part of the Jenin refugee camp on the 43rd day of its aggression inside the occupied West Bank.
• Israeli forces kill Palestinian during Jenin raid as UN 'alarmed' by West Bank onslaught Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- Israeli forces kill a Palestinian in their raid on Jenin as the Tel Aviv regime presses ahead with a large-scale onslaught against the occupied West Bank.
• Berri: Lebanon will not allow Israel to 'impose new realities on the ground' IRNA 04 Mar 2025 -- Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri has warned against Israel's latest attempts to occupy more territory in southern Lebanon, saying the country will not allow the Israeli regime to "impose new realities on the ground."
• Israeli strike kills one in southern Lebanon: State media Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- An Israeli drone strike has killed one person after it targeted a parked vehicle next to a house in the town of Rashkananya, Lebanon's Tyre district.
• 'US complicity': Hezbollah says Israel used American intel, missiles to assassinate Nasrallah Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- A senior Hezbollah official says the United States was directly involved in the aggression against Lebanon and Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's assassination, stressing that Washington has ramped up intelligence operations against Hezbollah tenfold over the past 25 years but the resistance movement remain resolute and remains capable of striking occupiers.
• UNRWA Commissioner General on the decision of Israel to stop aid into Gaza UNRWA 04 Mar 2025
• Secretary-General's remarks at the Extraordinary Arab Summit on the situation in the Middle East/Gaza UN Secretary-General 04 Mar 2025
• Gaza's recovery must be built on more than steel and concrete: Guterres UN News 04 Mar 2025 -- The UN Secretary-General on Tuesday stressed that the "true foundation" of recovery and reconstruction in Gaza must be based on a clear and agreed political framework, not just bricks and mortar.
• Gaza: Deep concern for civilians as aid crossings remain shut UN News 04 Mar 2025 -- UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday that the continued closure of key border crossings into Gaza is putting civilian lives at risk, just as they begin to recover from months of war, deprivation and hunger.
• UNRWA warns Israel against using aid as 'weapon of war' in Gaza Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- UNRWA has censured Israel for its decision to block humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, saying food and basic necessities should not be used as a method of warfare.
• UN urges all parties to prevent return to hostilities in Gaza IRNA 04 Mar 2025 -- The Spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric has urged all parties to make every effort to prevent a return to hostilities in Gaza.
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu US Dept. of State 04 Mar 2025
• U.S. backs Israel's move to block humanitarian aid to Gaza as Tel Aviv abandons phased deal IRNA 04 Mar 2025 -- The United States has expressed support for Israel's move to halt humanitarian aid to Gaza, after the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with Palestinian resistance movement Hamas came to an end and the Tel Aviv regime refused to engage in talks on the second phase.
• A week of Israeli crimes: 10 Palestinians killed in Gaza and aid prevented from entering Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 04 Mar 2025 -- Israel, the occupying power, continues its policy of collective punishment against the Palestinian people. After forcibly evacuating three camps in the West Bank, Israeli forces have now restricted the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip, which constitutes a blatant violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions.
• Secretary-General Affirms at the Extraordinary Arab Summit in Cairo the OIC's Rejection and Condemnation of Statements and Plans Calling for the Displacement of Palestinians from their Lands Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 04 Mar 2025 -- At the kind invitation of His Excellency Mr. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, His Excellency Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), participated on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Cairo, in the work of the Extraordinary Arab Summit, the Palestine Summit.
• Egypt says Arab leaders endorse counterproposal to Trump's Gaza plan VOA 04 Mar 2025 -- Arab leaders adopted an Egyptian reconstruction plan for Gaza on Tuesday that would cost $53 billion and avoid displacing Palestinians from the enclave, in contrast to U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for the territory.
• Speech by President António Costa at the Emergency summit of the League of Arab States on Gaza EC/CEU 04 Mar 2025
• Slovenia is gravely concerned about the decision to completely block humanitarian aid access to Gaza Republic of Slovenia 04 Mar 2025 -- "Slovenia is gravely concerned about the decision to completely block humanitarian aid access to Gaza."
• Arab League endorses Egypt's Gaza reconstruction plan at Cairo summit Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- The Arab League has endorsed an Egyptian plan for the reconstruction of Gaza that ensures the non-displacement of its Palestinian inhabitants.
• On Behalf of HRH the Crown Prince, Foreign Minister Leads Saudi Delegation at Extraordinary Arab Summit in Cairo SPA 04 Mar 2025 -- On behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah today led the Saudi delegation at the Extraordinary Arab Summit held in Egypt.
• Saudi Arabia, Lebanon Issue Joint Statement, Stress Taif Agreement and Regional Coordination SPA 04 Mar 2025 -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Lebanese Republic affirmed the importance of strengthening Arab action and coordinating positions on key issues in the regional and international arenas.
• HRH Crown Prince, Lebanese President Discuss the Latest Developments Concerning Lebanon and the Region SPA 04 Mar 2025 -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received at Al-Yamamah Palace on Monday President Joseph Aoun of the Lebanese Republic. An official reception ceremony was held in his honor.

Other Conflicts

• Philippines accuses Chinese state outlet of 'deceptive messaging' on disputed shoal Radio Free Asia 04 Mar 2025 -- Philippine authorities accused a Chinese government-owned broadcaster of deceptive messaging and propaganda after it reported that a Philippine ship had deliberately engaged in acts to pollute South China Sea waters.
• Nat'l Security Adviser: China claim on Palawan baseless Philippine News Agency 04 Mar 2025 -- National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año on Tuesday called Chinese claims that Palawan was historically part of China as "baseless and revisionist."
• PH Navy: 19 China coast guard, naval ships spotted in WPS in Feb. Philippine News Agency 04 Mar 2025 -- Nineteen ships belonging to the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy were among 260 assorted vessels monitored in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in February, a ranking Philippine Navy official said on Tuesday.
• China claim BRP Sierra Madre 'polluting' WPS false - PH Navy Philippine News Agency 04 Mar 2025 -- A ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official on Tuesday denied reports made by Chinese media that the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) in Ayungin Shoal is polluting the West Philippine Sea by burning its waste materials.
• House foreign affairs chair denounces Chinese claim over Palawan Philippine News Agency 04 Mar 2025 -- The chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday denounced Chinese social media posts claiming that Palawan province was once part of China, calling them an attack on Philippine sovereignty and "blatant propaganda."
• Speech by Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at the Civil Society Consultation on Afghanistan's obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Germany Federal Foreign Office 04 Mar 2025
• The U.S. formally blacklists Ansarullah, the Yemeni group resisting American dominion IRNA 04 Mar 2025 -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that Washington has formally designated Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
• Washington designates Yemen's Ansarullah as 'foreign terrorist organization' Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- The US State Department has designated Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement as a "Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO)," fulfilling one of President Donald Trump's first promises upon taking office in January.
• Designation of Ansarallah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization US Dept. of State 04 Mar 2025 -- "Today, the State Department is fulfilling one of President Trump's first promises upon taking office, and I'm pleased to announce the Department's designation of Ansarallah, commonly referred to as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization."
• UN envoy strongly condemns continuing Israeli attacks inside Syria UN News 04 Mar 2025 -- The UN Special Envoy for Syria on Tuesday condemned ongoing Israeli attacks inside Syrian territory and continuing violations in and around the demilitarised zone created as part of a 1974 ceasefire agreement.
• UN envoy warns Israel against 'unacceptable' military escalation in Syria Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- The United Nations envoy for Syria warns that Israel's "military escalations, including airstrikes" on the Arab country risks further destabilizing the already fragile situation in the region.
• Israeli airstrikes target air defense battalion close to Syria's Tartus port city Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- In a fresh act of aggression against Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Israeli military aircraft have targeted an air defense battalion near the Arab country's strategic western port city of Tartus.
• Israeli ground forces conduct 'deepest invasion yet' into Syria's soil: Reports Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- In a significant escalation, Israeli ground forces have conducted their "deepest invasion" into the Syrian territory to date, targeting areas in the southwestern provinces of Quneitra and Dara'a.
• Twin suicide bombings target Pakistan military compound VOA 04 Mar 2025 -- At least 12 people, including women and children, were killed in a twin suicide bombing Tuesday in a cantonment area in northwestern Pakistan.
• Fighting near Chinese enclave in Myanmar's Rakhine state uproots 20,000 Radio Free Asia 04 Mar 2025 -- Two weeks of intense fighting between the military and anti-junta rebels near an enclave for Chinese development in western Myanmar's Rakhine state has forced more than 20,000 civilians to flee their homes, leaving them in urgent need of food and medicine, according to residents and aid workers.
• Tougher times for Myanmar's political prisoners, a parent and rights group say Radio Free Asia 04 Mar 2025 -- Military authorities in Myanmar have imposed harsher conditions and punishments on political prisoners, restricting their access to parcels, books and medicine and beating those who complain, a rights group and a family member said.
• Almost 80,000 flee DR Congo amid fighting, sexual violence: UNHCR UN News 04 Mar 2025 -- In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), insecurity and horrific sexual violence have left tens of thousands fleeing across borders with no sign of the exodus stopping, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Tuesday.
• Sudan: Children as young as one raped during conflict, UNICEF warns UN News 04 Mar 2025 -- As conflict rages across Sudan, armed men are raping and sexually assaulting children, including some infants as young as one, according to the UN children's agency (UNICEF).
• Famine looms in Somalia without funding boost, WFP says UN News 04 Mar 2025 -- "The time to step up is now" for the people of Somalia, where drought threatens 1.7 million young children at risk of acute malnutrition, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday.
• Somalia faces worsening hunger as drought, conflict and high food prices risk pushing 1 million more people into food insecurity WFP 04 Mar 2025 -- This a summary of what was said by WFP's Director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis, Jean-Martin Bauer at the Geneva Palais Briefing.

News Reports

• Speech by French Senator Claude Malhuret during a Debate on the Situation in Ukraine Public Sénat 04 Mar 2025 -- "Europe is at a critical turning point in its history. The American shield is slipping, Ukraine risks being abandoned, and Russia is strengthened. Washington has become Nero's court. A fiery emperor, submissive courtiers, and a ketamine-fueled jester in charge of purging the civil service. This is a tragedy for the free world, but it is first and foremost a tragedy for the United States."
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with premiers to discuss a Team Canada response to unjustified U.S. tariffs against Canada Prime Minister of Canada 04 Mar 2025 -- Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened a virtual meeting with Canada's premiers to discuss the United States' unjustified tariffs against Canada. The Prime Minister was joined by the Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dominic LeBlanc, Canada's Ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, and Canada's Fentanyl Czar, Kevin Brosseau.
• Canada, Mexico, China say they will retaliate against Trump tariffs VOA 04 Mar 2025 -- Canada, Mexico and China all said Tuesday they will impose retaliatory tariffs on imported American goods after U.S. President Donald Trump levied new tariffs on their exports to the United States.
• Trade war escalates as China and Canada retaliate against Trump's tariffs IRNA 04 Mar 2025 -- In an escalation of the ongoing trade war, China and Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods on Tuesday, shortly after the Trump administration's new levies on imports from those countries took effect.
• Trump says 25 pct tariffs on Mexico, Canada to take effect "tomorrow" People's Daily 04 Mar 2025 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada will take effect on Tuesday, March 4.
• 10 Chinese Nationals Charged With Large-Scale Hacking Of U.S. And International Victims On Behalf Of The Chinese Government United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York 04 Mar 2025 -- Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Sue J. Bai, the Head of the U.S. Department of Justice's National Security Division; and Leslie R. Backschies, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), announced the unsealing of a two-count criminal Indictment charging 10 defendants with a years-long hacking scheme committed through the Chinese company i-Soon.
• Treasury Sanctions Head of Online Darknet Marketplace Tied to Fentanyl Sales US Treasury 04 Mar 2025 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Iran-based Behrouz Parsarad(Parsarad), the sole administrator of Nemesis, an online darknet marketplace, which was subject of an international law enforcement operation and was taken down in 2024.
• 'Rapid expansion' of synthetic drugs reshaping illicit markets, UN anti-narcotics body warns UN News 04 Mar 2025 -- Synthetic drugs are rapidly transforming the global drug trade, fuelling an escalating public health crisis, according to the UN administered International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).
• Statements following Russian-Myanmar talks President of Russia 04 Mar 2025 -- Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing have concluded bilateral negotiations. Following the talks, a joint statement by the leaders was adopted, and a number of intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents were signed.
• Talks with Prime Minister of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing President of Russia 04 Mar 2025 -- Vladimir Putin is holding talks at the Kremlin with Chairman of the State Administration Council, Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing, who is on an official visit to Russia.
• Myanmar's junta leader meets Putin, predicts Russian victory in Ukraine Radio Free Asia 04 Mar 2025 -- Meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, Myanmar's military junta chief on Tuesday predicted Russia's eventual victory over Ukraine in the three year-long war.
• China releases white paper on fentanyl control, highlighting rigorous policy Global Times 04 Mar 2025 -- China's State Council Information Office on Tuesday released a white paper titled Controlling Fentanyl-Related Substances - China's Contribution, highlighting the country's rigorous control over these chemicals.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on China Releasing the White Paper "Controlling Fentanyl-Related Substances—China's Contribution" PRC MofA 04 Mar 2025
• China uses DeepSeek, other AI models, for surveillance and information attacks on US VOA 04 Mar 2025 -- The United States may become the second country after Australia to ban China's DeepSeek artificial intelligence on government devices.
• Beijing groans under tight security as top advisory body opens Radio Free Asia 04 Mar 2025 -- China's parliamentary advisory body opened in Beijing on Tuesday as priority traffic lanes for delegates and officials created traffic gridlock, amid tight citywide security checks, residents told RFA Mandarin.
• What to expect from China's annual political meetings VOA 04 Mar 2025 -- Thousands of Chinese leaders, lawmakers, and business leaders are gathering in Beijing this week for China's biggest political meetings of the year.
• China's top political advisory body starts annual session Global Times 04 Mar 2025 -- China's top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, opened its annual session on Tuesday in Beijing.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on March 4, 2025 PRC MofA 04 Mar 2025
• China retaliates as US tariffs take effect Radio Free Asia 04 Mar 2025 -- U.S. tariffs on Chinese, Mexican and Canadian goods took effect Tuesday, with Beijing moving swiftly to retaliate with tariffs of its own on American agricultural and food products while accusing the United States of "bullying."
• China always stands with Global South through thick and thin: spokesperson Global Times 04 Mar 2025 -- In response to an inquiry on the development of the Global South, Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) said on Tuesday that China has always stood with the Global South through thick and thin and has always been a participant and advocate of South-to-South corporation.
• China is willing to become partner of mutual trust and mutual achievement with New Zealand: FM Global Times 04 Mar 2025 -- The visit of New Zealand's deputy Prime Minister and foreign minister Winston Peters marks an important high-level exchange between the two countries as China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership enters its second decade, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday, in response to media inquiries that Peters stated after his China visit last week that close ties between New Zealand and China are in the second decade.
• Thai rights activists criticize government for deporting Uyghurs to China Radio Free Asia 04 Mar 2025 -- Thai human rights activists criticized on Tuesday the government's deportation of 40 Uyghurs to China, saying the U.N. should remove Thailand from its Human Rights Council for a decision that made the kingdom look like a Chinese vassal.
• NPC spokesperson expresses "full confidence" in China's economic prospects People's Daily 04 Mar 2025 -- China's economy is underpinned by a stable foundation, multiple advantages, strong resilience and great potential, a spokesperson said Tuesday, voicing "full confidence" in the country's economic prospects.
• China starts bond issuance for local gov't debt replacement program in 2025: spokesperson People's Daily 04 Mar 2025 -- China has started the bond issuance for the replacement of 2 trillion yuan (278.79 billion U.S. dollars) of local government debt this year, a spokesperson said Tuesday.
• China studies countermeasures against US' threatened extra 10% tariff; US agricultural, food goods likely to be listed: source Global Times 04 Mar 2025 -- China is studying and formulating relevant countermeasures in response to the US' threat of imposing an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese products under the pretext of fentanyl, the Global Times learned from a reliable source.
• China Hunts For Opportunities In Europe And Taiwan After Ukraine Diplomacy Goes Awry RFE/RL 04 Mar 2025 -- After a week of runaway diplomacy around how to end the war in Ukraine that has widened rifts between the United States and other Western powers and raised new questions about the future of U.S. assistance for Ukraine, China is looking at how it can capitalize.
• Chinese national political advisors gather in Beijing for annual session People's Daily 04 Mar 2025 -- Members from various sectors of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have registered for the top political advisory body's annual session, scheduled to open on Tuesday in Beijing.
• Chinese economy's trend of long-term sound development unchanged: spokesperson People's Daily 04 Mar 2025 -- The underlying conditions for and basic trend of the long-term sound development of the Chinese economy remain unchanged, a spokesperson said Monday.
• Taiwan retains leverage due to U.S. stance on China: Expert CNA 04 Mar 2025 -- A French researcher on Monday said that the United States is taking a confrontational stance against China, which will maintain Taiwan's leverage.
• Trump, TSMC announce US$100 billion in new investment in U.S.(Update) CNA 04 Mar 2025 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) jointly announced on Monday (U.S. time) that the company will invest an additional US$100 billion over the next few years to expand its semiconductor manufacturing operations in the United States.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 04 Mar 2025
• North Korea slams US military provocations Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has strongly condemned the United States' political and military provocations after a US Navy aircraft carrier visited the South Korean port of Busan.
• Press Statement of Kim Yo Jong, Vice Department Director of C.C., WPK KCNA 04 Mar 2025 -- Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press statement "Constant deployment of U.S. strategic assets highlights urgency of the DPRK to bolster up its self-defensive nuclear war deterrent" on Monday:
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Devotes Himself to Agricultural Development KCNA 04 Mar 2025 -- Ten best agricultural counties and 30 best farms for 2024 were selected in the DPRK recently.
• Russia says ready to mediate between U.S. and Iran IRNA 04 Mar 2025 -- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says Russia believes the United States and Iran should resolve all problems through dialogue, adding that Moscow is ready to do "everything in its power" to achieve this goal.
• Government spokesperson to Zelenskyy: Security is an indigenous issue IRNA 04 Mar 2025 -- Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani has advised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that security is an indigenous issue.
• Russia: Threats of using military force against Iran's nuclear sites 'unacceptable' Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- Russia has strongly condemned threats of using military force against Iran's nuclear facilities, warning that such actions would have catastrophic consequences.
• Power generated by Iran's only nuclear plant at over $8bn: Report Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- Iran's only nuclear power plant has generated some $8.2 billion worth of electricity since it was launched more than 11 years ago, according to a report published in the local media.
• Iran court jails ex-ministers over role in massive corruption case Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- Two ministers who served under a former Iranian administration have been sentenced to prison after they were found guilty of a role in a massive corruption case that involved misusing public funds worth over $3 billion.
• Leader's advisor warns Turkish officials against repeating baseless claims about Iran Press TV 04 Mar 2025 -- A senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has strongly criticized recent unsubstantiated remarks made by Turkey's foreign minister about Iran, warning Ankara against repeating such unfounded allegations that could harm long-standing regional relations.
• Doorstop interview - Sydney Prime Minister of Australia 04 Mar 2025
• Press Conference by Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 04 Mar 2025
• EU Calls Republika Srpska Law On 'Foreign Agents' A 'Backwards Step' RFE/RL 04 Mar 2025 -- The European Union has condemned the passage of a Russia-style "foreign-agents" law by the Republika Srpska, accusing authorities in the Bosnian Serb entity of undermining "the constitutional and legal order of Bosnia and Herzegovina," in comments sent to RFE/RL.