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Defense Policy / Programs

• Guantanamo Bay Detainee Transfer Announced DoD 24 Jun 2022 -- The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of Asadullah Haroon al-Afghani also known as "Gul" from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to facilitate his repatriation to Afghanistan, his native country.
• U.S. Releases Afghan Detainee From Guantanamo Bay Prison RFE/RL Gandhara 24 Jun 2022 -- U.S. authorities have released one of the last remaining Afghan detainees held inside the Guantanamo Bay detention center on the island of Cuba.
• Taliban: US Frees One of Last Two Afghans from Guantanamo VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- Afghanistan's Taliban announced Friday that the United States had freed one of the last two Afghans from the U.S. military detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after 15 years.
• Afghan national freed from Guantanamo Bay after 15 years Press TV 24 Jun 2022 -- The United States has released Assadullah Haroon Gul, an Afghan national held in the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay for fifteen years.
• US Transfers Guantanamo Detainee Back to Afghanistan Sputnik 24 Jun 2022 -- The US government has transferred an Afghan detainee from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility to Afghanistan, the Department of Defense said in a statement on Friday.
• Statement by Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States on the Establishment of the Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP) The White House 24 Jun 2022
• Senior Defense Officials Hold a Background Briefing, June 24, 2022 DoD 24 Jun 2022
• MRF-D ACE Enhances Combined Air Superiority through Exercises RAPTOR'S STRIKE and DIAMOND STORM USMC News 24 Jun 2022 -- The Marine Rotational Force-Darwin Aviation Combat Element participated in Exercises RAPTOR'S STRIKE 22 and DIAMOND STORM 22 alongside Australian Defence Force members from May 2 - June 24.
• Little Rock AFB selected to host ANG C-130J Formal Training Unit US Air Force 24 Jun 2022 -- The Department of the Air Force selected Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, as the location to host the Air National Guard C-130J Formal Training Unit, June 24.
• Navy to Christen Expeditionary Sea Base USS John L. Canley US Navy Press Release 24 Jun 2022 -- The Navy will christen its newest expeditionary sea base, the future USS John L. Canley (ESB 6), during a 9:00 a.m. PDT ceremony Saturday, June 25, at General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (GD-NASSCO) shipyard in San Diego.
• Navy to Commission Virginia-Class Fast Attack Submarine Montana US Navy Press Release 24 Jun 2022 -- The Navy will commission the future USS Montana (SSN 794), the newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine, during a 10:00 a.m. EST ceremony on Saturday, June 25, at Naval Station Norfolk.
• Utah National Guard Joins African Lion Exercise in Morocco Army News 24 Jun 2022 -- Soldiers and Airmen from the Utah National Guard began arriving in Morocco June 14 to participate in African Lion 2022.
• Georgia Army Guard Hones Readiness at XCTC Exercise Army News 24 Jun 2022 -- Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 177th Brigade Engineer Battalion familiarized themselves with M2 and M249 machine guns and M4A1 carbines during an Exportable Combat Training Capabilities exercise June 22.
• Army announces updated COVID-19 vaccination statistics US Army 24 Jun 2022 -- The U.S. Army announced updated COVID-19 vaccination rates and exemption requests as of June 23, 2022.
• US: Statement by the Spokesperson on the change of anti-personnel landmine policy European External Action Service (EEAS) 24 Jun 2022 -- The United States has announced a change of its anti-personnel landmine policy that will limit the use of anti-personnel landmines. This will contribute to the reinforcement of the humanitarian aims of the Ottawa Convention and to closer alignment with a global humanitarian movement that has demonstrated a positive impact in reducing civilian casualties.
• Denmark Sends Frigate to North Atlantic to Help US-Led Carrier Battle Group 'Deter' Russia Sputnik 24 Jun 2022 -- Danish Radio's defense analyst Mads Korsager described the impetus for the Nordic country's mission as being a "desire to contribute to the deterrence of Russia" and keep and eye on its nuclear submarines, as well as a signal of friendship to the Americans.
• Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine DoD 24 Jun 2022 -- The United States has committed approximately $6.8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration, including approximately $6.1 billion since the beginning of Russia's unprovoked invasion on February 24.
• Two Security Assistance Packages for Ukraine Contribute to Coastal, Waterway Defense DoD News 24 Jun 2022 -- In the last month, the U.S. pledged more than $1.4 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. Some of that assistance is aimed at helping the Ukrainian military better defend their coast and waterways.
• U.S. to send Ukraine more rocket systems in new weapons package People's Daily 24 Jun 2022 -- The United States will provide Ukraine with an additional 450 million U.S. dollars' worth of security assistance, including four more advanced rocket systems, the Department of Defense announced Thursday.
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the completion of the First Meeting of the States Parties (MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24 Jun 2022
• 4 killed in Russian military plane crash People's Daily 24 Jun 2022 -- The death toll rose to four after an Il-76 military transport aircraft crashed in Russia's western region of Ryazan early Friday, TASS news agency reported.
• Four People Killed In Russian Military Plane Crash Southeast Of Moscow RFE/RL 24 Jun 2022 -- Four people are dead after a Russian military cargo plane crashed when it was forced into an emergency landing in a field near the city of Ryazan, southeast of Moscow.
• Plane Crashes Near Russia's Ryazan, Several People Left Injured Sputnik 24 Jun 2022 -- A plane crashed on Friday near the Russian city of Ryazan, leaving several people injured, a spokesperson for the city hospital told Sputnik.
• Russian Military Plane Crashes in Western Russia Killing Four VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- Russian news agencies say a Russian military cargo plane crashed near the western city of Ryazan late Thursday, killing four people and injuring five others.
• China warns of 'dangerous' NATO expansion into Asia-Pacific Press TV 24 Jun 2022 -- Amid growing friction, China has called on the NATO military alliance to avoid attempts to start a new Cold War, describing its expansion to the Asian-Pacific region as dangerous.
• China steps up anti-NATO rhetoric ahead of Madrid summit, citing 'Cold War' ethos Radio Free Asia 24 Jun 2022 -- China is stepping up anti-NATO rhetoric ahead of the military alliance's summit next week, calling it a "product of the Cold War" dominated by the United States, while an envoy of leader Xi Jinping is hoping to convince European leaders the country doesn't back the Russian invasion of Ukraine, analysts said.
• Why NATO's China Focus May Endure VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- When the top leaders of NATO countries meet next week in Spain, the discussion will be dominated by the Ukraine war and how to deter further Russian aggression in Europe.
• China, Vietnam wrap up 32nd joint patrol in Beibu Gulf PLA Daily 24 Jun 2022 -- The Chinese and Vietnamese naval forces successfully completed the 32nd joint patrol mission in Beibu Gulf on June 23. The joint patrol played a positive role in maintaining the security and stability in this area and promoting the sound development of the relationship between the two militaries.
• Ship Yuanwang-3 completes satellite maritime measurement and control missions PLA Daily 24 Jun 2022 -- On June 23, Beijing time, China successfully launched the remote sensing satellite Yaogan-35 02 into space with the Long March 2D carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, and China's space-tracking ship Yuanwang-3 successfully completed relevant maritime measurement and control missions at predesigned sea areas.
• Taiwan's first locally designed, built missile fuel factory opens CNA 24 Jun 2022 -- The first locally designed and built missile propellant factory in Taiwan was officially opened in Pingtung County Friday, according to the National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST).
• Crew chief in Taiwan Navy's S-70C helicopter crash dies CNA 24 Jun 2022 -- The crew chief of a Taiwan Navy S-70C anti-submarine helicopter that crashed in Kaohsiung two days ago died late Thursday night, hours after his family agreed to a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order, according to the military.
• 4th helicopter crash in two years in Taiwan military shows 'low capacity' of island defense Global Times 24 Jun 2022 -- A US-made S-70C anti-submarine helicopter with over 30 years of service crashed in Taiwan island on Wednesday, injuring four local officers and killing one.
• RAAF concludes air warfare instructor course Australia DOD 24 Jun 2022 -- The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has concluded its third biennial Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC), following a six-month long series of exercises throughout Australia.
• AACAP kicks off in its 25th year Australia DOD 24 Jun 2022 -- This year the Australian Army celebrates its 25th year of providing support to remote First Nations communities through the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Programme (AACAP).
• Additional helicopters give Defence capability a lift Australia DOD 24 Jun 2022 -- Defence's aviation capability has been given a lift with the arrival of two CH-47F Chinooks at RAAF Base Townsville.
• Storm passes to reveal gems of instructors Australia DOD 24 Jun 2022 -- The largest Royal Australian Air Force Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC) to date, which culminated in Exercise Diamond Storm 2022, has concluded in the Northern Territory.
• Lightning strikes friend and foe in Storm Australia DOD 24 Jun 2022 -- The 'enemy' enjoyed an advantage on Exercise Diamond Storm 22, with No. 75 Squadron flying F-35A Lightning II aircraft from RAAF Base Tindal in an adversary role.
• Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile successfully flight-tested by DRDO & Indian Navy off Odisha coast India PIB 24 Jun 2022 -- Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) was successfully flight-tested by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy from an Indian Naval Ship at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on June 24, 2022. The VL-SRSAM, a ship borne weapon system, is meant for neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets.
• IAF TO PARTICIPATE IN TACTICAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME WITH EGYPTIAN AIR FORCE India PIB 24 Jun 2022 -- Indian Air Force would be participating in Tactical Leadership Programme at Egyptian Air Force Weapon School from 24 Jun - 24 Jul 22 in Egypt (Cairo west Airbase) with three Su-30MKI aircraft, two C-17 aircraft and 57 IAF personnel (including C-17 contingent).
• IAF CONDUCTS CAPSTONE SEMINAR FOR THE FIRST 'WARFARE & AEROSPACE STRATEGY PROGRAM' India PIB 24 Jun 2022 -- The Indian Air Force today conducted the Capstone Seminar at Air Force Auditorium, New Delhi, marking the culmination of the first Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Program (WASP). The seminar was conducted under the aegis of College of Air Warfare and Centre for Air Power Studies. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff, delivered the keynote address on the occasion which was attended by senior officers from all three services, air power scholars, academia from principal think tanks and premier colleges of the country.
• UK Gov't to Greenlight Takeover of Defense Firm Ultra Electronics Sputnik 24 Jun 2022 -- The takeover is set to be completed by Cobham - a company that is formally British, but is owned by a US private equity firm, Advent.
• Royal Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office announce review of Project Mosquito UK MOD 24 Jun 2022 -- Project Mosquito, the future uncrewed Combat Aircraft Technology Demonstration being explored by the Royal Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO), will not proceed beyond the design phase.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Press Availability US Dept. of State 24 Jun 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken During the Uniting for Global Food Security Conference US Dept. of State 24 Jun 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 24 Jun 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And German Vice Chancellor and Minister For Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 24 Jun 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 24 Jun 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 24, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 24 June 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Jun 2022
• UN Chief Warns Of Global Food 'Catastrophe' Amid Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine, Other Crises RFE/RL 24 Jun 2022 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the world faces a "catastrophe" because of the global food shortage, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine only adding to an already difficult situation.
• UN Chief Says World Faces 'Real Risk' of Multiple Famines This Year VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told an international conference on food security Friday that the world is facing the "real risk" of multiple famines this year and that 2023 could be even worse.
• UN plan calls for real progress towards ending internal displacement crisis UN News 24 Jun 2022 -- With record numbers of people uprooted within their homelands due to conflict, disasters, the climate emergency and other tragedies, more must be done to end this crisis, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday, launching his Action Agenda on Internal Displacement.
• Taking forward the UN Secretary-General's Action Agenda on Internal Displacement UNHCR 24 Jun 2022 -- Today, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres launched his Action Agenda on Internal Displacement. With over 59 million people currently internally displaced around the world - the highest number ever recorded - there has never been a more critical moment to address this global crisis.
• Aid Begins Reaching Quake Victims in Eastern Afghanistan VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- Aid began reaching parts of eastern Afghanistan on Friday to help those injured and left homeless by this week's deadly earthquake, as the death toll from the quake rose and an aftershock hit the same area.
• Russia, Afghanistan Seek to Enhance Trade Amid Sanctions VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- A new agreement signed by commerce officials from Afghanistan and Russia calls for expanding trade relations between the countries at a time when both face severe economic sanctions from the U.S. and Europe.
• India Sends Humanitarian Assistance and Technical Team to Kabul VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- India has sent relief assistance to Afghanistan to help the victims of a powerful earthquake that rocked the country Wednesday along with a "technical team" to be based in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
• UNICEF Geneva Palais briefing note on the situation of children and families affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan UNICEF 24 Jun 2022 -- This is a summary of what was said by Mohamed Ayoya, UNICEF Representative to Afghanistan - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
• Life-saving relief continues to reach quake-hit eastern Afghanistan UN News 24 Jun 2022 -- Emergency lifesaving aid relief continued to flow into quake-hit eastern Afghanistan on Friday, as UN humanitarians and partners rushed to help the most vulnerable communities.
• Death Toll In Afghan Quake Rises To 1,150 As Authorities Stop Search For Survivors RFE/RL Gandhara 24 Jun 2022 -- An aftershock has killed five people in eastern Afghanistan just hours after Taliban authorities said they have ended search-and-rescue operations from a major earthquake two days ago and raised the death toll to at least 1,150 in the war-torn country's worst such disaster in two decades.
• Afghan earthquake: Kabul appeals for emergency medical aid for survivors Press TV 24 Jun 2022 -- With the death toll from a devastating earthquake in Afghanistan rising, the Taliban have appealed to the international community for help, saying the crisis-stricken country lacks sufficient medicine and equipment to treat the wounded.
• UK provides lifesaving support to the Afghan people following devastating earthquake UK FCDO 24 Jun 2022 -- Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announces the UK will provide £2.5 million to help the Afghan people with immediate life-saving support.
• UNHCR rushes relief supplies, humanitarian staff to Afghanistan's earthquake-hit regions UNHCR 24 Jun 2022 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has rushed tons of relief items and several expert staff to support relief efforts in the south eastern parts of Afghanistan hit by Wednesday's deadly earthquake.
• China willing to work with Philippine new govt to promote joint maritime gas, oil exploration: FM Global Times 24 Jun 2022 -- China is willing to work with the new Philippine government to promote negotiation on joint maritime oil and gas exploration and to make concrete progress to benefit the people of the two countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Friday in response to news that the Philippines has terminated talks on the joint exploration.
• Joint Statement on the Situation in Libya US Dept. of State 24 Jun 2022 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom:
• Hundreds forced to flee after troops torch homes in Magway Radio Free Asia 24 Jun 2022 -- More than 500 residents of Kan Nat village were forced to flee when military forces and junta-affiliated Pyu Saw Htee members torched nearly all of its 115 homes.
• Arrests in Rakhine raise fears of renewed conflict between military, Arakan Army Radio Free Asia 24 Jun 2022 -- Residents in western Myanmar's Rakhine state are increasingly on edge, worried that fighting between the military and the Arakan Army (AA) will soon erupt once again as arrests of personnel from both sides escalate.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: UN rights chief urges leaders to 'turn the page on rhetoric' UN News 24 Jun 2022 -- Leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina must abandon divisive policies and focus on building an inclusive future for all, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Friday in the capital, Sarajevo, concluding an official visit to the country.
• Abu Akleh shooting: fatal shot came from Israeli forces, says OHCHR UN News 24 Jun 2022 -- Israeli forces were behind the fatal shooting of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the West Bank - not indiscriminate Palestinian firing - the UN human rights office, OHCHR, alleged on Friday.
• Cameroon Deploys Hundreds of Troops to Protect 40,000 People Displaced by Boko Haram VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- Cameron has deployed hundreds of troops along its border with Nigeria after attacks by Boko Haram militants forced more than 40,000 villagers over the past two months to flee the area. Cameroon's defense minister is visiting the border to assess the security situation and assure villagers that it is safe to return home.

News Reports

• EU leaders grant Ukraine, Moldova EU candidate status People's Daily 24 Jun 2022 -- European Union (EU) leaders have accepted Ukraine and Moldova as candidates for membership of the bloc, European Council President Charles Michel said on Thursday.
• Zelensky welcomes EU decision to grant Ukraine candidate status People's Daily 24 Jun 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday welcomed the decision of the European Council to grant Ukraine candidate status for accession to the European Union (EU).
• Witnesses Detail Trump Bid to Pressure Justice Department VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- The congressional panel investigating the 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol heard testimony Thursday that former President Donald Trump pushed Justice Department officials to investigate voter fraud allegations even though he had been assured there were no widespread irregularities that would upend his reelection defeat.
• Taiwan reports first monkeypox case CNA 24 Jun 2022 -- A man who recently returned from Germany has been diagnosed with monkeypox, in the first confirmed case of the viral disease in Taiwan, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Friday.
• WHO considers declaring monkeypox 'emergency of international concern' as Asia reports more imported cases Global Times 24 Jun 2022 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering whether to declare the outbreak of monkeypox a "public health emergency of international concern," the highest level of global alert. This comes as the disease has not only affected countries in West and Central Africa, but also has spread to the rest of the world.
• U.S. expands monkeypox testing capacity amid rising cases People's Daily 24 Jun 2022 -- The U.S. administration has announced expanding monkeypox testing capacity in order to cope with rising infection cases.
• Ex-Air Force officers accused of spying for China indicted CNA 24 Jun 2022 -- Two retired Air Force officers have been indicted on national security charges after being accused of accepting bribes from a known Chinese spy to set up an espionage ring in Taiwan.
• Lavrov: EU & NATO Seem To Be Forming Bloc for War With Russia Sputnik 24 Jun 2022 -- Countries from both organizations imposed sanctions against Russia, criticizing its special military operation in Ukraine. In addition, NATO started redeploying more troops towards its eastern fringes bordering Russia, while EU nations resurrected talks of a European army.
• BRICS+ meeting President of Russia 24 Jun 2022 -- Vladimir Putin attended a BRICS+ meeting involving the leaders of several invited states, held via videoconference.
• G7's irresponsible actions responsible for inflation in West, not Russia's military operation: Putin Press TV 24 Jun 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has blasted the West for trying to deflect blame for the skyrocketing inflation in Europe and the United States, saying the crisis is a direct result of "irresponsible actions" by the G7 countries, not Russia's military operation in Ukraine.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions following talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, Baku, June 24, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24 Jun 2022
• The Week In Russia: Behind The Facade RFE/RL 24 Jun 2022 -- At an annual economic forum in St. Petersburg, President Vladimir Putin sought to justify the invasion of Ukraine and portray Russia as a constructive force in the world. But the destruction and death continued, Moscow faced accusations of exacerbating world hunger, and Ukraine took a step toward joining the European Union.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on June 24, 2022 PRC MofA 24 Jun 2022
• The 14th BRICS Summit Is Held President Xi Jinping Chairs the Summit and Delivers Important Remarks PRC MofA 24 Jun 2022 -- On the evening of June 23, Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired the 14th BRICS Summit in Beijing via video link. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Summit.
• Xi Jinping: Only Through Continuous Development Can the People's Dream for a Better Life and Social Stability Be Realized PRC MofA 24 Jun 2022 -- On the evening of June 24, Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired the High-level Dialogue on Global Development in Beijing via video link and delivered important remarks. President Xi Jinping recounted the story and his experience of being a farmer on the Loess Plateau.
• Forging High-quality Partnership For a New Era of Global Development PRC MofA 24 Jun 2022 -- Remarks by H.E. Xi Jinping
• Chair's Statement of the High-level Dialogue on Global Development PRC MofA 24 Jun 2022
• Hong Kong Textbook Revision Seen as Chinese Political Move VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- Experts call China's most recent move to rewrite Hong Kong's history textbooks part of a larger plan to solidify a national identity in the city, which has been rocked by political turmoil since 2019.
• Hong Kong Nears Bottom in New Human Rights Survey VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- Human rights in Hong Kong have deteriorated rapidly since Beijing's crackdown after the pro-democracy protests of 2019, according to a new survey.
• Xi calls on BRICS to form one big family to reject small circles Global Times 24 Jun 2022 -- In a virtual speech delivered at the 14th BRICS Summit in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday lauded the BRICS mechanism as having shown resilience and vitality in the current global crisis, and called on the mechanism to stay open and inclusive to welcome like-minded partners to join the big BRICS family, while firmly opposing the abuse of unilateral sanctions and rejecting "small circles" built around hegemony.
• Northeastern China's first nuclear power plant becomes fully operational: media report Global Times 24 Jun 2022 -- After 168 hours of test operation, Unit 6 of the Hongyanhe nuclear power plant, in Northeast China's Liaoning Province, received the qualification for commercial operation, marking an important milestone with all the six units of the first nuclear power plant in the northeast of the country is fully operational, according to media reports.
• US Poseidon Reconnaissance Plane Transits Taiwan Strait Amid Dispute Over Waterway's Status Sputnik 24 Jun 2022 -- A US maritime patrol aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait on Friday in an aerial parallel to the "freedom of navigation acts" (FONOPS) performed by US warships to demonstrate their contempt for other nations' alleged "excessive" sea claims.
• Qatar reiterates one-China principle; timely correction of Taiwan island reference on World Cup App appreciated Global Times 24 Jun 2022 -- Zhou Jian, the Chinese ambassador to Qatar, on Thursday met with Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, and the latter reiterated that Qatar firmly supports the one-China principle.
• KCNA Commentary on Japan's Reckless Military Maneuvers KCNA 24 Jun 2022 -- Shortly ago, the Japanese government announced its intention to increase the amount of missiles and ammunition under the pretext of continuously bolstering up the combat efficiency of the "Self-Defense Forces".
• North Korean leader ends key meeting, orders strengthening of 'war deterrent' Press TV 24 Jun 2022 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has wrapped up a key meeting with top military officials, ordering the country's defense capabilities to be strengthened.
• Report on Third Enlarged Meeting of Eighth Central Military Commission of WPK KCNA 24 Jun 2022 -- Now all the Party members and the whole society of the DPRK are waging a gigantic struggle to bring about an epoch-making phase in the course of development of Korean-style socialism by boldly braving stern trials and challenges with faith in sure victory and iron will, true to the idea and decisions of the 5th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee. At this stirring time, the 3rd Enlarged Meeting of the 8th Central Military Commission of the WPK was held at the office building of the WPK Central Committee from June 21 to 23 to review the overall military and political activities of the Korean People's Army (KPA), the revolutionary armed forces of the Party, and determine its important and heavy duty for the times and history.
• In Major Security Shakeup, Iran Replaces IRGC Intelligence Chief RFE/RL 24 Jun 2022 -- Hossein Taeb, a hard-line cleric, was the intelligence chief of Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the elite branch of the armed forces, for over a decade. But in a surprise move, the IRGC announced on June 23 that it had removed Taeb from his prominent post.
• Iran says top EU diplomat due in Tehran to discuss nuke talks People's Daily 24 Jun 2022 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced Friday that European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell will arrive in Tehran on Friday night for talks on the latest status of the international nuclear talks, according to the official news agency IRNA.
• EU's top diplomat Borrell to visit Tehran Friday amid stalled Vienna talks Press TV 24 Jun 2022 -- Iran says the European Union's top diplomat will arrive in Tehran later on Friday to hold deliberations with Iranian officials on resuming the stalled talks in Vienna and lifting anti-Iran sanctions.
• Iran Says EU's Top Diplomat To Arrive Later On June 24 For Talks RFE/RL 24 Jun 2022 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry says Josep Borrell, the European Union's top diplomat, will arrive late on June 24 for a visit in an attempt to breathe new life into talks on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal with global powers.
• UK cyber support will help the Commonwealth stand up to malign regimes UK FCDO 24 Jun 2022 -- The Foreign Secretary will today announce a £15 million package to support Commonwealth countries to defend themselves from cyber-attacks.
• Saudi Prince Visit to Turkey Touted as Reset But Mistrust Remains VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on Wednesday with a military band and an equestrian escort.
• Taps in South Africa's Eastern Cape Go Dry VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- South Africans living in the Eastern Cape are counting down to "Day Zero" when the taps in the Nelson Mandela Bay area will run dry. Experts say climate change induced drought has left reservoirs almost empty, while municipal mismanagement has city authorities scrambling to plug more than 3,000 leaking water pipes.
• EU grants Ukraine candidate status in show of solidarity, as US rallies allies to target adversaries Global Times 24 Jun 2022 -- The European Union's decision to grant Ukraine candidate status is the start for the West and the US to show their "solidarity" amid a string of meetings since this week, including the summits of the Group of Seven and NATO.
• EU grants Ukraine candidate status, aims at 'prolonged military conflict' to drag down Russia Global Times 24 Jun 2022 -- As the European Union and Ukraine hailed the granting of Ukraine candidate status to the bloc, many analysts said it is more like a political gesture as a lengthy process of negotiations and domestic reforms are needed before Ukraine could formally get the membership.
• Ukraine, Moldova Hail EU Candidacy; Balkan States, Georgia Told to Wait VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the European Union's decision to grant his country candidate status Friday, a key milestone in joining the bloc. Moldova was also granted accession candidate status.
• European Council conclusions on Wider Europe and the Conference on the Future of Europe, 23 June 2022 EC/CEU 24 Jun 2022
• Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel and President Macron following the meeting of the European Council of 23-34 June 2022 European Commission 24 Jun 2022 -- Today, we had the opportunity to hold an in-depth discussion on the economy during the Euro Summit. The euro area is forecast to continue growing both in 2022 and 2023 although by less than we anticipated before the war.
• Tens Of Thousands Resume Pro-EU, Anti-Government Rallies In Georgian Capital RFE/RL 24 Jun 2022 -- Tens of thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets again to rally in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi in favor of European Union membership and against the current government.
• Bulgaria presidential and early parliamentary elections 2021: ODIHR election assessment mission final report OSCE 24 Jun 2022 -- The November 2021 presidential and early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria were administered efficiently, but took place in an atmosphere of disillusionment towards the political establishment and voter fatigue from two previous parliamentary elections held within the same year.
• Bulgarian Lawmakers Vote To Lift Veto On North Macedonia's EU Talks RFE/RL 24 Jun 2022 -- Bulgarian lawmakers have conditionally approved dropping Sofia's opposition to North Macedonia opening accession talks with the European Union, raising the prospect of progress in the Western Balkans' quest for EU membership amid Russia's war in Ukraine.
• European Bank Lends Moldova 300 Million Euros To Boost Energy Security As Ukraine War Rages RFE/RL 24 Jun 2022 -- The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is lending Moldova 300 million euros ($316 million) to help it secure additional gas reserves that could offset possible supply disruptions caused by Russia's war against Ukraine.
• Cambodia's ruling party scores landslide win in commune elections People's Daily 24 Jun 2022 -- The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen won a landslide victory in the fifth commune elections on June 5, according to official results released by the National Election Committee (NEC) on Friday.
• Vietnam's human rights record is poor but improving, HRMI says Radio Free Asia 24 Jun 2022 -- Vietnam's human rights situation has improved over the past year but remains poor, according to the annual report from Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI), released on Wednesday. Progress is still needed in areas such as empowerment, the survey showed.
• Vietnam Communist Party head says officials in bribery scandal apologized Radio Free Asia 24 Jun 2022 -- Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Vietnam Communist Party, has said that two senior officials caught in a recent bribery scandal apologized to him for their actions but still needed to be punished as a warning to others, state media reported.
• Commonwealth Countries Meet to Cement Relations VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- Leaders of 54 countries in the British Commonwealth are meeting in Rwanda to discuss trade, food security, health issues, and climate change. The summit comes as Britain and Rwanda are facing criticism on a controversial migrant deal.