COVID-19 - Daily News

01 June 2021 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
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Current Operations

Update on withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan May 31, 2021 CENTCOM 01 Jun 2021 -- U.S. Central Command provides the following update on the orderly and responsible withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, as of 10 a.m. on May 31, 2021.
US Military Says Afghan Pullout Nears Halfway Mark VOA 01 Jun 2021 -- The U.S. pullout from Afghanistan is speeding up, with military planners saying almost half of U.S. forces and equipment has been sent home or destroyed.
Afghan Peace Talks Set to Resume, Sources Tell VOA VOA 01 Jun 2021 -- Representatives of warring parties in Afghanistan are set to return to the negotiating table in Qatar this week to discuss, among other pressing issues, a de-escalation in Afghan violence as international forces continue to withdraw from the conflict-torn country.
Largest US Military Base in Afghanistan to be Handed Over to Afghan Forces, Reports Suggest Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- The United States' largest military base in Afghanistan, Bagram air base, will be handed over to Afghan security forces, Afghan broadcaster 1TV reported on Tuesday, citing an unnamed US military spokesman.
US to hand Bagram base to Afghan forces within 20 days: Official Press TV 01 Jun 2021 -- The US military is set to hand over its largest military base in Afghanistan to the government forces in the upcoming weeks as Washington has pledged to withdraw its troops from the war-ravaged Asian country by September 11.
Taliban Making 'Strategic' Military Gains In Afghanistan As Foreign Forces Pull Out RFE/RL Gandhara 01 Jun 2021 -- Since the start of the international military withdrawal on May 1, the Taliban has seized strategic districts near the capital, Kabul, overrun military sites, and besieged towns and cities across Afghanistan.
NATO Chief Says Afghan Pullout Progressing In 'Orderly Way' Amid Continued Violence RFE/RL Gandhara 01 Jun 2021 -- NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said the military alliance's exit from Afghanistan is "progressing in an orderly and coordinated way" ahead of a planned complete pullout by September 11.

Defense Policy / Programs

Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 01 Jun 2021
Department of Defense Releases 2022 Military Intelligence Program Budget Request DoD 01 Jun 2021 -- The Department of Defense released the Military Intelligence Program (MIP) top line budget request for Fiscal Year 2022. The total is $23.3 billion and is aligned to strategic priorities of the Secretary of Defense.
ESX ARG, 11th MEU Conduct Integrated Training US Navy 01 Jun 2021 -- Sailors and Marines of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed integrated training off the coast of Southern California, May 27.
USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) Successfully Intercepts Ballistic Targets US Navy 01 Jun 2021 -- As part of the ongoing At-Sea-Demo/Formidable Shield 2021 exercise, the U.S. Navy Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) fired two Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptors to engage ballistic missile targets launched from the Hebrides Range, May 26 and May 30, 2021.
Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group Operates with JMSDF US Navy 01 Jun 2021 -- Ships and aircraft from the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) conducted integrated operations that concluded May 29.
USS Carter Hall Departs Souda Bay, Greece US Navy 01 Jun 2021 -- The Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), operating as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group (IWOARG), departed Souda Bay, Greece, May 30, after it's three-day maintenance and logistics stop.
US Air Force Probes Reports of Soldiers Revealing Data on Nuclear Arms in Europe Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- The US Air Force is investigating reports that its service members may have disclosed locations of bases with nuclear weapons in Europe through an application they used to memorize security protocols, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Tuesday.
Pentagon Warns Middle East Countries Against Security Cooperation With Russia, China Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- A senior Pentagon official on Tuesday warned that Middle Eastern countries that test waters of deeper security cooperation with China or Russia put at risk their partnerships with the United States.

US Raises Concerns Over Chinese Military Presence at Cambodia Naval Base Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- The United States is alarmed by the presence of Chinese forces at Cambodia's naval base, the US State Department said in a release after a meeting between Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.

Secretary Blinken's Participation in the Virtual NATO Foreign Ministerial US Dept. of State 01 Jun 2021
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Participation in the Defense Ministerial Hosted by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg DoD 01 Jun 2021
NATO Defence Ministers address Afghanistan and the NATO 2030 agenda NATO 01 Jun 2021 -- NATO defence ministers met virtually on Tuesday (1 June 2021) to discuss preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit and the way forward in Afghanistan. To prepare for the Summit, defence ministers addressed the NATO 2030 agenda to strengthen the Alliance. They focused on plans to reinforce Allied unity, including with a strengthened commitment to collective defence. "This means rapid and full implementation of our military adaptation and continued improvements to our readiness, our capabilities and our defence investments," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Foreign Ministers prepare the NATO Summit, exchange views on NATO 2030 NATO 01 Jun 2021 -- NATO Foreign Ministers met on Tuesday (1 June 2021) in order to prepare for the NATO Summit on 14 June. "Ministers addressed a range of issues including Afghanistan, Belarus, Russia and China; and overall, the need for NATO to adapt to a new era of growing global competition," said Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. "We are presented with a number of challenges to our security that we need to tackle together, because no country and no continent can deal with them alone. Against this background, Ministers addressed the NATO 2030 agenda on how to continue to adapt NATO for the future."
Foreign and Defence Ministers meet ahead of NATO Summit NATO 01 Jun 2021 -- NATO Foreign and Defence ministers will meet via secure teleconference on Tuesday (1 June 2021). They will focus on the NATO 2030 initiative, which is at the heart of the upcoming Summit of NATO leaders on June 14 in Brussels. They are also expected to discuss topical issues, including the way forward for NATO's engagement in Afghanistan, and developments in Belarus and Ukraine.
UK Ministers lead NATO charge on innovation UK MOD 01 Jun 2021 -- Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab have backed NATO's vision of a technologically advanced, globally focused Alliance equipped to confront threats of the future.
NATO restricts access to its HQ by Belarusian diplomats People's Daily 01 Jun 2021 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has restricted access to its headquarters by members of Belarus' diplomatic mission, the alliance's secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said Monday, citing "assessment of security measures at the headquarters."

NATO Ready to Continue Funding Afghan Security Forces After Troop Withdrawal Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed on Tuesday that the alliance will continue to provide financial support to the Afghan security forces after withdrawing its troops from the country, which is expected to finish by 11 September.

Russia Announces Arctic Military Drills In Further Sign Of Increasing Presence RFE/RL 01 Jun 2021 -- Russia says it will conduct strategic military drills in the Arctic this autumn, in another sign of the Kremlin's drive to assert its presence in the region.
There is No Need for Increase in Non-Arctic States' Military Presence in Arctic, Moscow Says Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- Russia believes that there are no challenges in the Arctic that would require a build-up of the regional military presence of non-Arctic nations, Nikolai Korchunov, the ambassador-at-large of the Russian Foreign Ministry and a senior official of the Arctic Council, said.
Russia updates national security strategy to address new threats: official People's Daily 01 Jun 2021 -- Russia's Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said on Monday that the country's national security strategy is being renewed in light of the changing nature of security threats.
Russia to strengthen Western Military District amid NATO threat People's Daily 01 Jun 2021 -- Russia will create about 20 new units and formations in its Western Military District by the end of this year to counter threat of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday.

Lavrov: India Confirms Commitment to Buying S-400 Systems From Russia Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- India is firm in its commitment to buy S-400 air defence systems from Russia, and the contracts are being implemented, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

Iran Showing Interest in 'Various' Russian Arms, Russian Defence Cooperation Agency Chief Says Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- Iran is interested in arms supplies from Russia and new contracts can be expected, Dmitry Shugaev, the director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, said on Tuesday.
Two Iranian Pilots Reportedly Die as They Are Ejected From F-5 Plane Before Take-off Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- According to IRIB, the incident took place on Tuesday morning at the Dezful air force base in the southwestern province of Khuzestan.

International forces to arrive ahead of Exercise Talisman Sabre Australia DOD 01 Jun 2021 -- International forces participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre, Australia's largest bilateral training activity with the United States, will arrive into Australia throughout June and July.

Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 01 Jun 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 01 Jun 2021
Secretary Blinken's Call with Tajikistan Foreign Minister Muhriddin US Dept. of State 01 Jun 2021
Secretary Blinken's Call with Republic of Cyprus Foreign Minister Christodoulides US Dept. of State 01 Jun 2021
Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Aboard Air Force One En Route Tulsa, OK The White House 01 Jun 2021

Defense Industry

Contracts For June 1, 2021

Other Conflicts

1 June 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 01 Jun 2021

Malaysia Will Lodge Diplomatic Protest With China Over Maritime Airspace 'Intrusion' Radio Free Asia 01 Jun 2021 -- Malaysia said Tuesday it would issue a diplomatic protest to Beijing after 16 Chinese military planes "intruded" into its maritime airspace over disputed South China Sea waters near Borneo Island a day earlier.

UN aid supplies 'unconditionally absolute right' of entire Yemenis: Ansarullah Press TV 01 Jun 2021 -- Yemen's popular Houthi Ansarullah movement has lashed out at the United Nations for boasting about the dispatch of humanitarian aid to the war-torn country, saying that receiving such supplies is an "unconditionally absolute right" of all people across the world as well as the entire Yemenis.
Yemen censures UAE for transferring Israeli tourists to Socotra Island Press TV 01 Jun 2021 -- Yemen has strongly condemned a recent move by the United Arab Emirates to transfer Israeli tourists to the strategic island of Socotra on Emirati visas.

Israel starts construction of 350 settler units near Ramallah, defying intl. outcry Press TV 01 Jun 2021 -- Israeli officials have laid the foundation stone for a new project to construct 350 settler units in the Beit El settlement near the West Bank city of Ramallah, irrespective of the international outcry against the Tel Aviv regime's illegal settlement expansion activities in occupied Palestinian territories.
Hamas, Hezbollah chiefs discussed plan for liberation from Israeli occupation, paper says Press TV 01 Jun 2021 -- Leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah resistance movements, Ismail Haniyeh and Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, met in Lebanon last year to draw up a plan for the liberation of the Israeli occupied territories, a Lebanese paper reports.
Qatar to Provide Funds for Restoring Over 45,000 Destroyed Houses in Gaza, Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- There are plans to restore over 45,000 destroyed houses in the Gaza Strip with the funds provided by Qatar within just six months, the Qatari Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman, Assistant Minister Lolwah Al-Khater said.

Militants Kill Four Pakistani Soldiers In Twin Attacks RFE/RL Gandhara 01 Jun 2021 -- The Pakistani military says suspected militants in separate attacks raided a security post and targeted a vehicle carrying troops, resulting in the deaths of at least four soldiers and four militants.

Fresh Clashes in Myanmar's Kayah State Kill Two as Displaced Surpass 100,000 Radio Free Asia 01 Jun 2021 -- Fresh clashes between the military and a local militia in Myanmar's Kayah state have left at least two dead and half a dozen wounded, prompting yet another wave of refugees, sources said, as aid workers clocked the number of displaced people in the region at 100,000 since fighting broke out a week ago.

Morocco, Spain trade accusations over Western Sahara Press TV 01 Jun 2021 -- Tensions between Morocco and Spain have escalated, with each side accusing the other of violating good 'neighborliness' in a dispute triggered by the Western Sahara territorial issue.
Western Sahara's Polisario Front Says Leader Brahim Ghali Successfully Left Spain for Algeria Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- Spain recently pulled out of massive US Africa Command drills, reportedly due to Madrid objecting to some of the exercises being held in Western Sahara. However, other reports claim Morocco kicked Spain out of the exercises because it had welcomed in Polisario Front secretary-general Brahim Ghali, who Rabat considers a war criminal.
Madrid Backs Out of AFRICOM 'African Lion' Drill to Protest Western Sahara Occupation, Paper Claims Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- Madrid has pulled its forces out of the forthcoming 2021 African Lion exercises in Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal reportedly after learning part of the maneuvers would be held in Western Sahara.
Spain Refuses to Detain Western Sahara Independence Leader Receiving Medical Treatment Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- A court in Spain on Tuesday declined the request of rights activists for preliminary detention of Brahim Ghali, the secretary-general of the Polisario Front movement that wants Western Sahara's independence from Morocco, citing insufficient evidence of alleged war crimes.

55 massacred in eastern DR Congo: UN Press TV 01 Jun 2021 -- At least 55 people have been massacred by armed militants in two villages in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations (UN) has announced.

France's Macron Calls For Azerbaijani Troop Pullout From 'Armenian Territory' RFE/RL 01 Jun 2021 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Azerbaijan to withdraw its troops from "the sovereign territory of Armenia" after a series of recent border incidents between the two South Caucasus countries heightened regional tensions.

WFP feeds more than one million in Tigray, but needs support to reach more UN News 01 Jun 2021 -- More than one million people in two areas of the war-ravaged Tigray region in Ethiopia have received emergency food assistance since distributions began in March, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported on Tuesday.

News Reports

Cyberattack On World's Biggest Meat Company 'Likely Based In Russia' RFE/RL 01 Jun 2021 -- A ransomware attack on JBS, the world's largest meat processor, has forced some operations to stop production and is believed to have been carried out by cybercriminals based in Russia.
Cyberattack Forces World's Largest Meat Supplier to Shut Down Operations VOA 01 Jun 2021 -- JBS Foods, the world's largest meat supplier, has been forced to shut down operations in Australia and North America Monday, as the company has been a target of a cyberattack over the weekend, according to officials at its headquarters in Brazil. Authorities said they are working to resolve the impact.

Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization US Dept. of Justice 01 Jun 2021 -- A Washington man was arrested on Friday, May 28, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on criminal charges related to his alleged efforts to join Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, in order to engage in violent acts of terrorism in the Middle East or the United States.

Macron urges "clarity" over alleged U.S. spying on Merkel, others People's Daily 01 Jun 2021 -- French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that all must be clarified concerning reports that the United States intelligence agency had used the Danish infrastructure to spy on senior European officials, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Wiretapping scandal: Merkel, Macron want US, Denmark to explain spying on allies Press TV 01 Jun 2021 -- With the emergence of a controversial report that Washington had over the years spied on its allies in the European continent, with help from Danish intelligence service, two leading European powers, France and Germany, are now demanding explanations from the United States and Denmark over the scandal.
White House: US to Explain Spying on EU Leaders Via Security Channels With Allies Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- The United States will address the issue of spying on the European leaders, including the German chancellor Angela Merkel, and Denmark's role in it through the national security channels with its allies, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at a stand-alone meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations, Moscow, June 1, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 01 Jun 2021
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of Mongolia Batmunkh Battsetseg, Moscow, June 1,2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 01 Jun 2021
Russia to respond to EU hostility yet ready for dialogue: FM People's Daily 01 Jun 2021 -- Russia will retaliate for any "unfriendly" moves from the European Union (EU) but remains ready for open dialogue based on equality, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
Russian Police Detain Opposition Politician Gudkov, Ratchet Up Pressure On Open Russia RFE/RL 01 Jun 2021 -- Russian opposition politician and former State Duma deputy Dmitry Gudkov has been detained by police, the state-run TASS news agency reported on June 1, after he said law enforcement searched his cottage and the homes of some of his close associates amid a broader Kremlin crackdown on opposition forces in the country.
Germany, U.S. Discuss Nord Stream 2 In Washington, Berlin Says RFE/RL 01 Jun 2021 -- Germany and the United States are holding talks in Washington to try to settle a dispute over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told reporters on June 1.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on June 1, 2021 PRC MofA 01 Jun 2021
New Zealand Assures Australia There Is No Rift Over China VOA 01 Jun 2021 -- New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has insisted relations with close ally Australia are not going to be negatively impacted by China. The Ardern government has been accused of going soft on Beijing in order to profit from better trade relations with the East Asian nation.
U.S. political manipulation is wrecking Hong Kong's democracy in nature People's Daily 01 Jun 2021 -- On May 27, the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China passed overwhelmingly a bill on amending the electoral laws, marking the completion of local legislative work for improving Hong Kong's electoral system.
Brother of World Uyghur Congress President Sentenced to Life in Prison in China's Xinjiang Radio Free Asia 01 Jun 2021 -- The brother of World Uyghur Congress president Dolkun Isa has been jailed for life by authorities in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), a police officer from the region told RFA.
Former Victims of 'One Child' Policy Hit Out at China's New Birth Drive Radio Free Asia 01 Jun 2021 -- A former victim of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s draconian "one-child" curbs has hit out at the government over a 180-degree policy shift that now seeks to encourage Chinese citizens to have up to three children per married couple.
3-child policy proposed as society ages People's Daily 01 Jun 2021 -- A key meeting of the Communist Party of China unveiled on Monday a policy that would allow all couples to have up to three children, in place of the current universal two-child policy, in a bid to cope with an increasingly aging society. It also pledged stronger support for families.
Chinese Blogger Jailed for Casting Doubt on China-India Border Clash VOA 01 Jun 2021 -- A popular Chinese blogger will spend the next eight months in jail under a new provision in China's criminal law that prohibits "defaming martyrs."

US Diplomat Raises Concerns about Political Crackdown and Chinese Base in Cambodia Radio Free Asia 01 Jun 2021 -- Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, the most senior U.S. official to visit Cambodia in almost a decade, voiced concern about a possible Chinese military base in the Southeast Asian nation and urged Phnom Penh to drop "politically motivated" court cases against opponents and critics, the State Department said.

What is going on in 5th round of Vienna talks? IRNA 01 Jun 2021 -- The fifth round of the Joint Commission meetings of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is part of a set of meetings to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and hopes are mounting while there are still certain differences.
There no obstacle in Vienna talks: Iran's government spokesman ISNA 01 Jun 2021 -- Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei stressed on Tuesday that no major obstacle is on Vienna talks about revival of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Envoy confirms Iran nuclear chief's letter to IAEA IRNA 01 Jun 2021 -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Vienna-based International Organizations Kazem Gharibabadi said that Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi has sent a letter to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
AEOI chief Salehi sends letter to IAEA Grossi ISNA 01 Jun 2021 -- Ambassador and permanent representative of Iran to the International Organizations in Vienna, Kazem Gharibabadi announced that the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali-Akbar Slahehi has sent a letter to Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi.
Iran nuclear chief responds to Grossi's letter on recent cooperation with IAEA Press TV 01 Jun 2021 -- Iran's permanent representative to Vienna-based international organizations says the country's nuclear chief has sent a letter to the UN nuclear agency head, welcoming the latter's readiness for "proactive and focused effort" to settle issues pertaining to Tehran's nuclear activities.
UN's Nuclear Watchdog Says Iran Has Failed To Explain Uranium Traces RFE/RL 01 Jun 2021 -- The UN's nuclear watchdog agency said on May 31 that Iran has failed to explain traces of uranium found at several undeclared sites and that it continues to breach enrichment limits spelled out in the 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers.

Turmoil in Myanmar: Anti-junta protests, public defiance, ethnic insurgency continue Press TV 01 Jun 2021 -- Tensions are still running high in Myanmar, where there seems to be no let-up in daily protest rallies and public demonstrations of defiance. Lately, the situation has been further complicated by a reignition of heavy fighting between the army and ethnic militia groups in border areas.

Saudis slam crown prince, call for his ouster, after major Yemeni military operation Press TV 01 Jun 2021 -- Saudi Arabia's embattled Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the architect of the war on Yemen, has come under fire at home after more than 70 Saudi forces were killed in a successful Yemeni army operation in the southwestern port city of Jizan.

Egypt rejects Ethiopian PM's statements on building new dams People's Daily 01 Jun 2021 -- Egypt rejected on Monday the statements of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that Ethiopia will build a number of dams across the country.
Ethiopian PM's Claim About Building 100 New Dams Provokes Egyptian Ire VOA 01 Jun 2021 -- Egyptian media broadcast an angry statement by Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez criticizing Ethiopian Prime Minister Abi Ahmed's declaration about building "100 new small and medium-sized dams" on waterways across his country during the next year.

New EU Prosecutor's Office to Target Financial Fraud VOA 01 Jun 2021 -- The European Union's new prosecutor's office opened its doors in Luxembourg Tuesday, tasked with cracking down on fraud—just before the 27 member states receive a $920 million injection of post-coronavirus recovery funds. But not all have signed onto the initiative—and one, Slovenia, may be putting up roadblocks.

Balkan Corruption Risks Derailing Bid to Join European Union VOA 01 Jun 2021 -- European Union leaders are scheduled in the next few weeks to discuss once again advancing the long-stalled applications from Balkan states to join the bloc. But recent studies exploring the scale of money-laundering in the region are unlikely to assuage France and the Netherlands, which among other member states want to delay EU enlargement, say officials.

Top U.S., EU Envoys Tell Kosovo That Better Ties With Serbia Will Open Door To Europe RFE/RL 01 Jun 2021 -- Top officials from the United States and the European Union are visiting Kosovo to press its leadership to resume talks on the normalization of ties with former foe Serbia.

Lebanon's economic crisis among world's worst in more than 150 years: World Bank Press TV 01 Jun 2021 -- The World Bank says Lebanon's economic collapse is likely to rank among the world's worst financial crises since the mid-19th century.

Ex Uganda Army Commander Survives Apparent Assassination Attempt VOA 01 Jun 2021 -- Uganda's army spokesman said unidentified gunmen attacked the transport minister and former defense forces chief, General Edward Katumba Wamala, on Tuesday while he was traveling in an army vehicle with his daughter. The army says he was injured, while his daughter and driver were killed.
Ugandan minister hurt in assassination attempt, daughter killed Press TV 01 Jun 2021 -- Gunmen have opened fire on a car carrying Uganda's transport minister in what police described as a "targeted drive-by shooting," wounding the former army commander and killing his daughter and driver.
Ugandan Minister Injured, at Least Two Killed in Assassination Attempt, Media Says Sputnik 01 Jun 2021 -- Gunmen attacked General Katumba Wamala, Uganda's Minister of Works and Transport, in his car, according to an army spokeswoman and local media reports.

Kyrgyz Ex-President's Brother Among Politicians Arrested In Gold Mine Probe RFE/RL 01 Jun 2021 -- Kyrgyz authorities say they have detained at least five prominent politicians as part of an investigation into corruption during the development of the Central Asian country's largest gold mine.

Testimony Concludes on Alleged Atrocities Under Gambian Ex-Dictator Jammeh's Rule VOA 01 Jun 2021 -- Gambia's truth commission has wrapped up more than two years of public hearings into alleged human rights violations committed during the 22-year rule of former dictator Yahya Jammeh.

Spain Grapples with Venezuela Extradition Request VOA 01 Jun 2021 -- Spain is grappling with the dilemma of whether it should allow the courts to consider a request to extradite the leading Venezuelan opposition activist to Caracas.

US, Egypt Mull Human Rights Dialogue Amid Scrutiny of Egypt's Record of Repression VOA 01 Jun 2021 -- The United States says it plans to engage in a "constructive" human rights dialogue with Egypt as rights groups and activists draw attention to the record of Egypt's human rights abuses.

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