Daily News Brief

 

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May 1, 2024 (Wednesday)

GLOBAL

Asia Pacific

1.       China Using ‘Boiling Frog’ Strategy and Growing More Dangerous, Top US Commander Warns. A top US commander in the Indo-Pacific region has accused China of employing a "boiling frog" strategy in the region, as he warned President Xi Jinping's regime is becoming "more dangerous."

2.       China Deploys Warship to Continue Monitoring Balikatan Drills in West Phillipines Sea. China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy withdrew its surveillance vessel and replaced it with a warship to tail the flotilla of Philippine, American and French vessels conducting naval drills in the West Philippine Sea.

Russia/Europe/West

3.       Russia Claims Forces Have Taken Control of Village in Eastern Ukraine. Russia's Defence Ministry claimed its forces had taken control of another village in eastern Ukraine, as Moscow's troops press their advantage in manpower and ammunition on the battlefield.

4.       BRICS: Russia Gains $14 Billion Oil Revenue Despite US Sanctions. BRICS member Russia’s revenue in the oil and gas sector to double in April 2024 despite the US pressing economic sanctions. Russia bypassed US sanctions by selling oil at discounted prices to other trade allies since 2022.

REGIONAL

India/South Asia

5.       Indian Troops Kill Two Maoist Guerrillas in Odisha. According to Kashmir Media Service, bodies of two Maoist guerrilla cadres were recovered by the elite anti-Naxal force special operations group in the Parhel area of the Boudh district.

IIOJK

6.       Srinagar-Jammu Highway Closed Due to Mudslides, Slippery Conditions. According to Kashmir Media Service, the slippery conditions at Dalwas, Mehar and Hingani besides road shrinking due to mudslide at Dalwas prompted the authorities to close the highway for vehicular movement.

Afghanistan

7.       Taliban's Recognition Tied to Inclusive Government Formation, States Moscow. Mikhail Galuzin, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, asserted that the recognition of the Taliban hinges on their formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

Middle East/Africa

8.       Gaza Aid Pier Ready in Two to Three Weeks, US Says. The White House said that a US-made pier meant to boost aid to Gaza will become operational in a few weeks but cannot replace land routes with trucks as the best way to feed people in the territory.

Iran

9.       BRICS: China and Iran Set Major Oil Record.  One of BRICS’ newest additions has set an important mark, as both China and Iran have set a major oil record. Indeed, Iran has seen its oil exports reach a six-year high. Moreover, those exports have been massively boosted by sales to its new BRICS ally, China.

INTERNAL

Security

10.      Special Police Committee Formed to Investigate Judge Kidnapping Case. This committee, comprising officials from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), local police, and other pertinent law enforcement agencies, aims to expedite the investigation process.

Economy

11.      PM Probes FBR’s Rs25b Contract. A committee led by a top bureaucrat has initiated an inquiry to hold more individuals accountable within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for awarding a faulty Rs25 billion contract aimed at tracing the production activities of companies.