Daily News Brief

 

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May 20, 2024 (Monday)

GLOBAL

Asia Pacific

1.       Extreme Weather Blunts the US Military's Technological Edge. Business Insider reported that more extreme weather is scrambling the high-tech systems that have given the US military its edge.

2.       Taiwan Wary as China Steps Up Pressure Ahead of Inauguration. Since the start of this month, Chinese ships have frequently entered waters which Taiwan effectively controls with experts say such moves are aimed at increasing pressure on Taiwan's new administration.

Russia/Europe/West

3.       Ukraine's 62-Drone Attack on Russia Halts Oil Refinery. Russia said that Ukraine launched a major 62-drone attack on Russian regions forcing one oil refinery in southern Russia to halt operations, and that Kyiv's forces had fired U.S., French and Ukrainian missiles at Russian-held territory.

4.       Pentagon Preparing for Real-Life Star Wars with China, Russia: Reports. The Pentagon is moving quickly to increase its ability to fight in space since it believes that China and Russia’s swift advancements in space-based operations represent a rising danger to American military personnel, other ground-based assets, and satellites in orbit.

REGIONAL

India/South Asia

5.       Philippines, India to Hold Joint Maritime Exercises. Indian naval ships have arrived in the Philippines, as the two countries are set to hold a maritime partnership exercise this week in efforts to boost relations and mutual cooperation.    

IIOJK

6.       Ex-Sarpanch Killed, Tourist Couple Injured in IIOJK. Former Sarpach, Aijaz Sheikh, was killed by unknown gunmen from a close range in the Hurpora area of the district while two tourists were injured after attackers fired upon them in the Yannar area of South Kashmir’s Islamabad district.

Afghanistan

7.       Fresh Floods Kill 66 in Northern Afghanistan: Provincial Official. Fresh floods killed 66 people in Faryab province in northern Afghanistan, a provincial official said in the latest deadly flooding to hit the country.

Middle East/Africa

8.       Israel War Cabinet Minister Threatens to Quit over Gaza Plan. Benny Gantz, a top member of Israel’s war cabinet and a rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is warning he will resign if the prime minister does not change course in Gaza.

Iran

9.       Helicopter Carrying President Raeisi Makes 'Hard Landing' in Northwestern Iran.  The helicopter was transporting President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, Friday Prayers leader of Tabriz city Mohammad Ali Al-e Hashem and several other passengers when it encountered difficulties and was forced to make a "hard landing."

INTERNAL

Security

10.      Peshawar ATC Declares Man’s Arrest over 2017 Terror Attack Illegal. An anti-terrorism court here has declared illegal the arrest of a suspect in the 2017 terrorist attack on the Agriculture Training Institute Peshawar and directed the relevant officers of the counter-terrorism department to be careful in the future.

Economy

11.      Rooftop Net Meter Policy to End. Express Tribune reported Pakistan has briefed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it would soon end the net metering policy for rooftop solar panels based on cheaper power generation and will replace it with gross metering aimed at selling highly expensive and unaffordable grid electricity to consumers.

Politics

12.      No Deaths Among Pakistani Students in Kyrgyzstan, Dar Assures. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that four special flights, including a Pakistan Air Force Airbus aircraft, will ferry 540 Pakistani students to the country following mob violence against foreign students in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek.