Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US Demands Investigation Into Killing of Afghan Prosecutors VOA 23 Jun 2020 -- The United States has strongly condemned Monday's assassination of a team of five Afghan government employees, including two prosecutors, and demanded that authorities investigate the attack.
• Taliban Kills At Least 14 Afghan Forces In Raids On Checkpoints RFE/RL 23 Jun 2020 -- Afghan officials say dozens of Taliban fighters staged overnight raids and stormed several checkpoints in the northern part of the country, killing at least 14 security personnel.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Submission to Congress of the "Report on Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments" (Compliance Report) US Dept. of State 23 Jun 2020 -- The State Department has submitted to Congress the unclassified 2020 Report on Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments, also known as the Compliance Report.
• U.S. Pushes For Broadening Of New START Treaty, Pushes For China To Join Accord RFE/RL 23 Jun 2020 -- The United States has pushed for a broadening of the main agreement to control nuclear arms with Russia as it pushes for China to join the talks.
• NAVSUP WSS Awards P-8A Contract to Small Business NNS 23 Jun 2020 -- NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support (WSS) awarded a five-year, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), long-term contract for the P-8A Poseidon Maritime aircraft estimated at $30 million to small business, S&K Aerospace, in May 2020.
• USS Porter Executes Passing Exercise with Tunisian Navy NNS 23 Jun 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) executed a passing exercise with Tunisian naval counterparts in the Mediterranean Sea, June 13, 2020.
• U.S. Navy Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation, Contests Venezuela's Excessive Maritime Claim in Caribbean Sea NNS 23 Jun 2020 -- Today, while peacefully operating in the Caribbean Sea, the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) conducted a freedom of navigation operation, contesting an excessive maritime claim by Venezuela.
• First CMV-22B for Operational Use Arrives at Naval Air Station North Island NNS 23 Jun 2020 -- The Navy's first CMV-22B Osprey for operational use arrived at Naval Air Station North Island, June 22.
• Senate Democrats Rebuke White House For Withdrawal From Open Skies Treaty With Russia RFE/RL 23 Jun 2020 -- A group of top Democratic senators rebuked the Trump administration for unilaterally withdrawing from a treaty that permits the United States and Russia to conduct reconnaissance flights over each other's territory, saying it impairs national defense.
• US Reportedly Planning to Transfer 30 F-16s to Poland From Germany, Beef Up Troop Contingent Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- Earlier this month, after the Trump administration announced plans to pare down the number of US troops in Germany from 34,500 to 25,000 over Berlin's "delinquency" on NATO spending obligations, Moscow warned that Russia-NATO relations could worsen if these forces were moved east to Poland.
• Misawa AB demonstrates combat readiness in first joint, bilateral elephant walk US Air Force 23 Jun 2020 -- Members of the 35th Fighter Wing completed a readiness exercise designed to validate the wing's ability to rapidly generate combat airpower at Misawa Air Base, June 23. The exercise culminated in a joint and bilateral "elephant walk" formation composed of 31 aircraft, demonstrating large-scale combat airpower local to Misawa AB.
• Tanker Directorate team installs ADS-B Out on KC-135 fleet US Air Force 23 Jun 2020 -- The U.S. Air Force's KC-135 Stratotanker fleet has received the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out, or ADS-B Out, upgrade, thanks to the efforts of a team led by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Tanker Directorate.
• First-of-its-kind Army model expands military fuel options Army News 23 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Army researchers developed a new, advanced scientific model that will allow vehicle maintenance specialists to turn to bio-derived fuels in austere locations.
• Seven New Members Appointed to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services DoD 23 Jun 2020 -- The Department of Defense announced today the induction of seven new members to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. DACOWITS provides the Secretary of Defense with advice and recommendations on matters and policies relating to the recruitment, retention, employment, integration, well-being, and treatment of women in the U.S. Armed Forces.
• US May Send Thousands of Troops Withdrawn From Germany to Pacific - National Security Adviser Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- Following news that US President Donald Trump intends to withdraw thousands of troops from Germany, White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien suggested they might be headed for the Pacific instead.
• Group of 67 Countries Release Joint Statement in Defence of ICC Against US Sanctions Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- A group of 67 states released a joint statement on Tuesday to reaffirm their support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the face of the United States which has earlier threatened the international judiciary with sanctions over the latter's Afghanistan probe.
• Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Brussels Forum NATO 23 Jun 2020
• China derides US move to place Chinese flags at empty seats in nuclear talks with Russia Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- China says a move by the United States to place Chinese flags at a table of nuclear arms control negotiations with Russia was an act of "performance art."
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh's press statement at media interaction in Moscow India PIB 23 Jun 2020 -- Following is the text of statement issued to press by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in Moscow on June 23, 2020:
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath reviews India-Russia defence cooperation with Russian Deputy Prime Minister India PIB 23 Jun 2020 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviewed India-Russia defence cooperation with Mr. Yury Borisov, Deputy Prime Minister of Russian Federation in Moscow today. Mr Borisov is the co-chair of the Inter-Governmental Commission with India on Trade & Economic & Scientific Cooperation. He also co-chairs with Raksha Mantri the High Level Committee on Science & Technology. Their discussions on bilateral cooperation and regional issues were very positive and productive.
• Russia Agrees to Expedite Delivery of Ongoing Defence Contracts to India Including S-400, DM Says Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- The Indian government has reportedly requested Russia to fast-track the delivery of defence equipment, including a S-400 air defence missile system. India and Russia have signed defence contracts worth over $12 billion since 2018.
• OPERATION SAMUDRA SETU - INS AIRAVAT BRINGS BACK 198 INDIAN CITIZENS FROM MALDIVES India PIB 23 Jun 2020 -- INS Airavat, deployed by the Indian Navy for "Operation Samudra Setu", entered Tuticorin harbour early morning today, 23 Jun 2020 with 198 Indian nationals embarked from Male, Maldives. Thus far Indian Navy has brought back 2386 Indian citizens from Maldives to India.
• Taiwan conducts mine drill amid increasing Chinese military activity CNA 23 Jun 2020 -- The Navy held an exercise recently to hone its troops' skills in naval mine warfare amid increasing Chinese military activity around Taiwan, a military source confirmed Tuesday.
• Military to remain vigilant amid Chinese Airforce intrusions: Tsai CNA 23 Jun 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Tuesday called on Taiwan's military to remain vigilant in the wake of frequent incursions by Chinese Airforce planes into the nation's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over the past few weeks.
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 23 Jun 2020
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany The White House 23 Jun 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 23, 2020

Other Conflicts

• Taiwan repeats position on Diaoyutais amid envoy's dissenting view CNA 23 Jun 2020 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Tuesday reasserted Taiwan's sovereignty over the disputed Diaoyutai Islands after Taiwan's envoy to Japan seemed to say otherwise in a Facebook post.
• South China Sea Surveys Pressure Claimants, Mine Info With Military Use Radio Free Asia 23 Jun 2020 -- China has increased its tempo of deep sea surveys in the South China Sea, worrying claimant states and other nations. Experts say that the mapping of the sea floor is a pressure tactic in disputed waters and could help China's Navy in monitoring submarine traffic.
• Yemeni armed forces target strategic sites deep in Saudi Arabia Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- The Yemeni army says it has carried out large-scale attacks on a number of strategic sites deep in Saudi Arabia in retaliation for the Riyadh regime's bloody military campaign against the impoverished nation.
• Saudis Say They Intercepted Missiles, Drones Launched By Iran-Backed Houthis Radio Farda 23 Jun 2020 -- Saudi Arabia announced early on Tuesday that Houthi rebels in Yemen unleashed a ballistic missile and bomb-laden drone attack on various targets in the kingdom, including the cities of Najran and Jizan.
• The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception and Destruction A Ballistic Missile Launched by the Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia from (Sana'a) Toward the Kingdom SPA 23 Jun 2020 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki "Joint Coalition Forces have successfully intercepted and destroyed this morning (Tuesday) a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia from (Sana'a) toward Riyadh in a hostile, deliberate and systematic operation to target civilians and civilian objects.
• Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception and Destruction of (8) Bomb-Laden UAVs, (3) Ballistic Missiles Launched by the Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia to Target Civilians in the Kingdom SPA 23 Jun 2020 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki: "The terrorist, Iran-backed Houthi militia launched Monday (23 June 2020) evening (8) bomb-laden UAVs targeting civilians and civilian objects in the Kingdom, all intercepted and destroyed by Joint Coalition forces. And (3) ballistic missiles from (Sa'dah) governorate toward the Kingdom. Joint Coalition Forces intercepted (2) ballistic missiles toward (Najran) and (1) ballistic missile toward (Jazan).
• Saudi-Led Coalition Destroys Missile Launched by Yemen's Houthis Towards Riyadh Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- Earlier, the air defences of the Saudi-led coalition shot down several drones launched by the Houthis in Yemen.
• Syrian air defenses respond to Israeli aggression in multiple areas Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- Syrian media say the country's air defenses have responded to Israeli airstrikes in several parts of the country, with reports of multiple casualties as a result of the aggression.
• Attacks in Syria US Dept. of State 23 Jun 2020 -- "We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of innocent civilians killed and those wounded in Syria today in the terrorist attack in Tel Halaf and the airstrike in Kobane."
• New US sanctions meant to revive terrorism in Syria, serve Israel: FM Muallem Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem has denounced the latest round of United States economic sanctions against his country, saying the coercive measures are meant to revive terrorism in Syria and force Damascus to turn its back on the anti-Israel resistance front.
• Syria's air defenses intercept invading drones Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- Syrian air defense units have managed to intercept an unknown drone attack over the city of Jableh on the Mediterranean coast.
• Syrian Air Defences Reportedly Intercept Israeli Attack on Airspace Near Town of Sweida Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- On Monday, Syrian state media reported that the country's air defences thwarted drones in the airspace of Jableh.
• US-backed Syrian Forces Say US Sanctions Hurting Them VOA 23 Jun 2020 -- Recent U.S. sanctions against the Syrian government are already hurting U.S. allies in the country's northeast, and immediate action should be taken to mitigate the unintended consequences, the commander of the U.S.-backed forces in the region said.
• Libya warns Egypt against military intervention; France backs Cairo Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- Libya's High Council of State, an advisory body to the internationally-recognized government in the country, has warned Egypt against military intervention in Libya.
• Russia says Libyan conflict has no military solution, calls for urgent truce Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- Russia says the conflict in Libya has no military solution and an immediate ceasefire is required as foreign intervention continues to flame the fighting in the North African country.
• Lavrov Says There Is No Military Solution to Libya Conflict Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday that the crisis in Libya could not be solved militarily.
• France 'Won't Tolerate' Turkey's Behavior in Libya, Macron Says VOA 23 Jun 2020 -- French President Emmanuel Macron says he "won't tolerate" the role that Turkey is playing in Libya, calling it an obstacle to peace.
• Internet Ban in Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin States Will Continue, Military Says Radio Free Asia 23 Jun 2020 -- Myanmar's military said Tuesday it will maintain a year-long shutdown of internet services to war-hit areas of Rakhine and Chin states, dismissing calls from rights groups and diplomats to lift the ban, which has cut civilians off from information flows and help from aid groups amid the coronavirus outbreak.
• Why Is A Czech Firm Selling Furniture In Separatist-Controlled Donetsk? RFE/RL 23 Jun 2020 -- A blue upholstered wooden chair and a chrome-and-plastic barstool stand in a spartan display window under the flag that Russia-backed forces use for the land they control in Ukraine's Donetsk region. In the adjacent window, a sign boasts in Russian of furniture from the Czech Republic above the name of the firm, Hanak, and its official logo.
• Diplomats, military work to cool tension Global Times 23 Jun 2020 -- Recent frequent communications between China and India through both military and diplomatic channels show that the two sides, which have a mature mechanism to resolve border disputes, are willing to de-escalate tensions after the June 15 clash, Chinese analysts said.
• China says agrees with India to ease tensions on contested border after deadly clashes Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- China and India have reached an agreement to defuse border tensions, days after their deadliest clashes in more than half a century on the disputed Himalayan border claimed the lives of 20 Indian troopers in fierce hand-to-hand fighting.
• India, China Reach 'Mutual Consensus' to Disengage From All Friction Points in Ladakh Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- Earlier, clashes between India and China erupted in the small disputed area where the Indian region of Ladakh borders China's Aksai Chin region.
• Territorial Claims of New Delhi, Beijing Remain Unchanged After Long Talks - Indian Army Source Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- India and China have finished a meeting on the level of corps commanders with not much deviation in their stances on conflicting territorial claims amid a recent escalation on the borderline, a source in the Indian army said on Monday.
• Beijing Slams Reports of 40 Chinese Casualties From Recent Skirmish With India as 'Fake News' Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- Earlier in the day, the Indian Army said in a statement that talks between New Delhi and Beijing that were held on 22 June were held in a cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere, and finished with a mutual consensus to disengage.
• India, China Agree to Cool Border Tensions VOA 23 Jun 2020 -- India and China have agreed to cool tensions along their disputed Himalayan border following their worst border clash in 50 years that left 20 Indian soldiers dead.
• Kashmir Police Chief Accuses Pakistan of Trying to Infiltrate With More Terrorists Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- Early on Tuesday morning, two militants and a paramilitary soldier were killed following a gunfight between security forces and militants in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Police personnel confiscated the two AK-47 assault rifles the militants had used.
• Two Militants, One Soldier Killed in Intensified Anti-Militancy Operations in Kashmir Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- Indian security forces have stepped up operations to eliminate militants from Kashmir since the region was stripped of its special status in August 2019. According to security forces, they have shot and killed about 35 militants in June alone in the twin districts of Pulwama and Shopian in South Kashmir.
• UN condemns killing of Indonesian peacekeeper in DR Congo UN News 23 Jun 2020 -- The United Nations has strongly condemned an attack believed to be carried out by rebel militia on peacekeepers serving with the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which left one Indonesian 'blue helmet' dead, and another injured.
• UN agency assisting Palestinians working at 'full capacity with inadequate resources' UN News 23 Jun 2020 -- Some 75 countries and non-governmental organizations have pledged $130 million in financial commitments to the UN agency that assists Palestinian refugees across the Middle East, UNRWA, following a virtual conference on Tuesday,
• Civilian Killed as Suicide Bomber Attacks Turkey Military Training Center in Somalia VOA 23 Jun 2020 -- One person was killed, and two others were injured after a suicide bomber blew himself up near the Turkey-Somalia military training academy in Mogadishu on Tuesday, witnesses and officials say.

News Reports

• Remarks by President Trump in Press Gaggle After the Commemoration of the 200th Mile of New Border Wall | San Luis, AZ The White House 23 Jun 2020
• Remarks by President Trump in Roundtable on Border Security | Yuma, AZ The White House 23 Jun 2020
• Putin Announces Tax Hike For High Earners Ahead Of Constitutional Vote RFE/RL 23 Jun 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed raising income tax on high earners as of next year, as he laid out measures to tackle the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
• India, Pakistan Expel Embassy Staff In Latest Spying Row RFE/RL 23 Jun 2020 -- India says it has decided to expel half the staff in Pakistan's Embassy in New Delhi, saying they have been engaged in "acts of espionage" and maintained contacts with "terrorist organizations."
• India to Mandate 50% Staff Cut at Pakistan's Embassy - Ministry of External Affairs Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- India wants Pakistan to reduce by half the strength of its diplomatic mission in New Delhi, citing the questionable activities of Pakistani diplomats, the Ministry of External Affairs said Tuesday.
• Pakistan, India in Diplomatic Feud VOA 23 Jun 2020 -- Pakistan on Tuesday ordered India to cut its embassy staff in Islamabad by half, just hours after New Delhi announced a similar decision.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on June 23, 2020 PRC MofA 23 Jun 2020
• Fear, lack of confidence push US to restrict Chinese media Global Times 23 Jun 2020 -- The latest US restrictions on Chinese media that saw the listing of four more Chinese media outlets as foreign missions exposed its declining confidence and increasing fear of China, after the media's objective reports on China's effective fight against COVID-19 showed a stark contrast to US failures. Chinese experts said China should take reciprocal actions by limiting US media and implementing countermeasures.
• FM slams US envoy's tweet, urges US to stop playing 'boring tricks' on arms control talks Global Times 23 Jun 2020 -- The US should stop playing boring tricks, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Tuesday when asked for comments on tweets by US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea that showed China's national flag on the desks for US-Russian military negotiations, which China is not scheduled to attend.
• Xi eyes more stable, mature China-EU ties in post-pandemic era People's Daily 23 Jun 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday met via video link with President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
• Natl security law won't affect judges' appointments in HK: Carrie Lam Global Times 23 Jun 2020 -- Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam reiterated that the national security law for Hong Kong will not affect the region's judicial independence, clarifying that the current appointment procedure for judges will not change for national security cases.
• National security legislation crucial to stability, order in Hong Kong: Carrie Lam People's Daily 23 Jun 2020 -- Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said Monday that the national security legislation for the HKSAR is crucial to restoring constitutional order, maintaining stability, and supporting corporate and individual confidence in Hong Kong.
• China threatens to retaliate against US curbs on Chinese outlets Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- China has threatened to retaliate against the new restrictions imposed by the United States on four Chinese media outlets.
• Chinese Police Formally Arrest Dissident Who Told President to Step Down Radio Free Asia 23 Jun 2020 -- China's state security police have formally arrested dissident Xu Zhiyong for subversion after he called publicly on President Xi Jinping to resign.
• Police Warn Against Posting Footage, Reports of Massive Flooding in China's Chongqing Radio Free Asia 23 Jun 2020 -- Authorities in flood-hit southwestern China have prevented state-controlled media from reporting on the true extent of flood damage alongside Yangtze river districts in and around the megacity of Chongqing, RFA has learned.
• China completes BDS navigation system, reduces reliance on GPS Global Times 23 Jun 2020 -- Carrying the last satellite of China's domestically developed BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, or BDS, the Long March-3B launch vehicle blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center Tuesday morning.
• China launches last BDS satellite to complete global navigation constellation PLA Daily 23 Jun 2020 -- China launched the last satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) on Tuesday, marking the completion of the deployment of its own global navigation system.
• DPRK reinstalling loudspeakers near border with S. Korea: media People's Daily 23 Jun 2020 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been reinstalling loudspeakers in areas near the border with South Korea, multiple local media reported Monday.
• 'North Korea reinstalling border loudspeakers amid renewed tensions with South' Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- A South Korean military source says North Korea is reinstalling loudspeakers used to broadcast anti-South messages across the border, amid heightened tensions between the two Koreas.
• China Quietly Shipping Grain to North Korea, Port Sources Say Radio Free Asia 23 Jun 2020 -- Ships carrying grain labelled as "construction materials" have been sailing from a northeastern Chinese port to nearby North Korea, dockworkers told RFA, describing a secret operation run at night kept to avoid international scrutiny.
• Kim Jong Un Suspends Anti-South Korea Military Plans - Report Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has suspended anti-South Korea military plans, according to a report by Yonhap News Agency, a South Korean outlet.
• US wants UN Security Council to extend arms embargo against Iran Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- The United States has proposed a UN Security Council resolution which calls for a 2015 arms embargo against Iran to be extended.
• Russia slams Europe's dual standards on JCPOA, 'destructive' US actions Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- Russia has censured the European signatories to a 2015 nuclear deal for putting pressure on Iran over its nuclear program in spite of claiming they remain committed to the accord, saying such problems are rooted in "destructive" measures adopted by the United States against the accord.
• Russia says statements by EU officials do not conform to their commitment to JCPOA IRNA 23 Jun 2020 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the statements of the EU states about the use of trigger mechanism did not conform to their commitments to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Iran Parliamentary Committee Ratifies Bill To Leave NPT Additional Protocol Radio Farda 23 Jun 2020 -- Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee on Tuesday ratified a motion to oblige the government to cease its voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• US Pushes Ahead With Bid to Extend Arms Embargo Against Iran Indefinitely Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- In order to prolong a UN arms embargo against Iran, Washington has argued that it effectively remains a party to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal, notwithstanding its withdrawal from that agreement in 2018. Foreign diplomats have dismissed the US legal argument as "ridiculous".
• Iran to send Ukrainian plane's flight recorder to France in coming days ISNA 23 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran will send the black box of a Ukrainian passenger plane that crashed near Tehran in January to France for analysis in coming days.
• Ukraine President Threatens Lawsuit Against Iran Over Downed Airliner Radio Farda 23 Jun 2020 -- The President of the Ukraine has threatened that if Iran does not fulfill its obligations regarding the Ukrainian airliner downed in January over Tehran, Kyiv will file a lawsuit against the Islamic Republic in international courts.
• Iran's rial starts recovering losses as government injects $55 mln: Report Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- Reports from local media in Iran suggest the country's foreign currency market is witnessing signs of stability after a government decision to inject tens of millions of dollars into the market caused prices of international currencies to fall.
• Iran pressing exporters to bring back hard currency to forex market Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- Central Bank of Iran (CBI) authorities have ramped up pressure on the country's exporters to return the hard currency they have earned over the past two and a half years to the forex market where prices have soared to highs not seen in decades.
• Workers At Iran's Restive Industrial Complex On Strike For Second Week Radio Farda 23 Jun 2020 -- Workers at one of Iran's most restive industrial units, the Haft Tapeh sugarcane complex resumed their strike for the eighth consecutive day on Monday, June 22.
• US Dollar Breaks Important Threshold, Rising Above 200,000 Rials In Iran Radio Farda 23 Jun 2020 -- The rate of exchange for the U.S. dollar set yet another record on Tuesday June 23, leaving the 200,000 rials landmark behind and reaching an unprecedented 205,000 rials per dollar rate within half an hour Tuesday afternoon.
• Iranian Currency Plunges To New Lows Against Dollar As Rohani Denounces 'Psychological Warfare' RFE/RL 23 Jun 2020 -- The Iranian currency plunged to new depths against the U.S. dollar on June 23, as the country continues to wrestle against the economic effects of U.S. sanctions, the coronavirus, and low oil prices.
• Iran celebrates first ever overhaul of Bushehr nuclear plant by its experts Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- Iranian experts have carried out overhaul and maintenance work on Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant for the first time and reconnected it to the national grid, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said on Tuesday.
• Romanian Prosecutor Says Iran Fugitive Judge Died Possibly By Falling From Heigth Radio Farda 23 Jun 2020 -- Romanian prosecutors on Tuesday announced that an autopsy was carried out on the body of the fugitive Iranian judge, Gholamreza Mansouri, which indicated that he possibly fell to his death from a height at the Duke hotel in Bucharest where he was staying.
• Victims Recall Harassment By Fugitive Iranian Judge Found Dead In Romania RFE/RL 23 Jun 2020 -- A few days after Azam Jangravi was arrested in Tehran two years ago for removing her head scarf to protest the country's dress code, a judge told her that her action demonstrated she was mentally unfit and shouldn't be allowed to work, study, or raise her daughter.
• Iranian cargo ship docks at Venezuelan port IRNA 23 Jun 2020 -- An Iranian-flagged cargo ship carrying food and medical supplies has docked at the Venezuelan port of La Guaira, IRNA reported on Tuesday.
• Former Kyrgyz President Atambaev Sentenced To 11 Years In Prison For Release Of Crime Boss RFE/RL 23 Jun 2020 -- A Kyrgyz court has sentenced former President Almazbek Atambaev to 11 years and two months in prison for the illegal release of notorious crime boss Aziz Batukaev in 2013.
• International Pressure Mounts On Minsk To Stop Press Crackdown Ahead Of Election RFE/RL 23 Jun 2020 -- Belarus has come under international pressure for a crackdown on media in which at least 14 journalists were detained and three convicted for their coverage of protests against President Alyaksandr Lukashenka last week.
• Myanmar Leaders Face Heat Over Retirement Perk They Once Swore Off Radio Free Asia 23 Jun 2020 -- Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other top officials have come under fire for being granted prime real estate in the capital at preferential prices under a state program, contradicting their reformist pledges to shun perks of power in a country impoverished by decades of misrule.
• Acid Bath Threat Prompts Fall of a Roma Crime Clan VOA 23 Jun 2020 -- One mafia ex-wife was threatened with an acid bath. Another found herself menaced regularly with a knife to her throat, wielded by her own mother-in-law, the boss of Rome's legendary Roma – or Gypsy - crime clan.
• Boogaloo Boys Aim to Provoke 2nd US Civil War VOA 23 Jun 2020 -- In April, three U.S. military veterans in the state of Nevada began plotting attacks on government targets to bring about a second American civil war – what they called the "Boogaloo."
• President Mutharika Votes in Malawi's Fresh Presidential Election VOA 23 Jun 2020 -- Millions of Malawians cast votes Tuesday in the re-run of last year's presidential election. The fresh election comes after Malawi's Constitutional Court nullified President Peter Mutharika's victory in last year's election, citing massive fraud. Malawi's Electoral Commission (MEC) says it expects a free and fair election this time, although a few incidents of violence were reported.