Daily News Brief

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May 24, 2024 (Friday)

GLOBAL

Asia Pacific

1.       China's Military Launches Large-Scale Maneuvers Around Taiwan. The drills involve ships and aircraft positions around Taiwan and several nearby islands in what China calls an attempt to “test the joint real combat capabilities of the forces of the command.”

2.       S. Korea Remains Unchanged on China-Taiwan Issue: Foreign Ministry. South Korea remains committed to respecting the "One China" policy amid tensions in the Taiwan Strait following the inauguration ceremony of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te earlier this week, the foreign ministry said.

Russia/Europe/West

3.       Russia Passes Decree to Allow Seizure of US Assets. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing the confiscation of assets inside Russia belonging to the United States, its citizens and companies, to compensate those hit by Western sanctions against Moscow.

4.       Russia to React if Japan Repeals Pacifist Article of its Constitution. Lyudmila Vorobieva, director of the Third Asian Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that Russia will take countermeasures if Japan repeals Article 9 of its Constitution, which provides for the renunciation of the Armed Forces.

REGIONAL

India/South Asia

5.       Indian Forces Using Myanmar Militants for Proxy War in Manipur: NSCN. The NSCN (IM) has said that the Indian government is setting the Indian forces to go for proxy war against the Naga army by using the Kuki National Army (Burma) KNA (B) along with the Myanmar-based People’s Defence Force (PDF).    

IIOJK

6.       Rajouri and Poonch Resemble War Zone Ahead of Sham Elections. According to Kashmir Media Service, widespread surveillance and search operations are underway across the districts. Authorities have implemented stringent measures, including increased patrols, additional checkpoints, and a robust deployment of forces in both urban and rural areas.

Afghanistan

7.       Taliban Supports Chabahar Port as a Distinct Alternative to Karachi. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has voiced strong support for the Chabahar Port, terming it an alternative to Pakistan’s Karachi Port for Afghanistan’s trade needs with the endorsement coming weeks after India and Iran signed a 10-year contract on the development of the port.

Middle East/Africa

8.       Israel Anticipates ICJ Injunctions to Halt Gaza War. Israel expects that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will order a halt to Israel’s deadly offensive in the Gaza Strip, according to local media.

Iran

9.       Iran's Interim President Pledges Tehran's Full Support for Resistance Axis, Syria.  Interim Iranian President Mohammad Mokhber assured the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that Tehran will continue its full support for the resistance axis, particularly Syria.

INTERNAL

Security

10.      COAS Asim Munir Meets Civil, Military Leadership in Germany Visit. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir has held meetings with civil-military leadership while paying a visit to Germany, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

Economy

11.      More than 11,000 SIMs of Non-Filers Blocked So Far: FBR. FBR spokesperson Bakhtiar Mohammad told Dawn.com that “11,252 SIMs had been blocked till 22 May under Income Tax General Order.”

Politics

12.      High Courts Moved Against PEMRA Gag Order on TV Reporting of Court Proceedings. Three separate petitions were filed in the Lahore and Islamabad high courts against a notification from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) barring the reporting and airing of content on sub-judice matters.