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• Biden Announces Changes in U.S. Force Posture in Europe DoD News 29 Jun 2022 -- President Joe Biden announced moves that will enlarge the U.S. troop presence in Europe and strengthen the NATO alliance.
• FACT SHEET - U.S. Defense Contributions to Europe DoD 29 Jun 2022 -- The United States responded swiftly and effectively in close cooperation with our NATO Allies to the European security crisis brought about by Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The U.S. contributions to the Alliance's response were enabled by the substantial forces that we had already stationed in and deployed to Europe, including robust prepositioned equipment and stocks, as well as substantial investments in infrastructure and military mobility enabled by European Deterrence Initiative funding.
• Biden: US to Bolster European Military Presence VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden announced Wednesday the United States is bolstering its military presence in Europe, including the deployment of additional naval destroyers in Spain and positioning more troops elsewhere.
• US Beefing Up Military Presence Across Europe: Here's Where Everything is Going Sputnik 29 Jun 2022 -- The United States operates dozens of military facilities across Europe, including nearly two dozen Air Force bases, seven large Army garrisons, and seven Navy bases and support facilities. Most of the bases are situated in Germany, a country the US occupied in 1945 after World War II but never left.
• US, NATO to increase military presence in Europe amid Russia's offensive Press TV 29 Jun 2022 -- The United States and its NATO allies say they have decided to increase their military presence in Europe in response to Russia's offensive against Ukraine, which is now in its fourth month.
• The Department of the Navy Hosts Climate Tabletop Exercise US Navy Press Release 29 Jun 2022 -- The Department of the Navy (DON) today hosted a first-of-its-kind Climate Tabletop Exercise at Marine Barracks Washington to examine the impacts that climate change has on mission, readiness, and warfighting capacity.
• Minnesota National Guard, Croatia Collaborate via State Partnership Program Army News 29 Jun 2022 -- "It always feels good to help a friend," said U.S. Army Sgt. Nathan Buck, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter technical inspector with the Minnesota National Guard's Bravo Company, 834th Aviation Support Battalion.
• 101st Airborne Division arrives in Europe to support NATO Allies Army News 29 Jun 2022 -- Elements of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) began arriving to the Mihail Kogalniceanum Airbase in Romania June 20, and are scheduled to continue arriving during the next several days.
• CENTCOM leaders visit Tel Aviv, focus on regional partnerships CENTCOM 29 Jun 2022 -- Senior U.S. Central Command leaders and staff visited their Israel Defense Forces counterparts in Tel Aviv last week to reflect on their decades-long partnership and explore ways to deepen security relationships across the Middle East.
• DLA Program Introduces Domestic Germanium Recycling Capability DoD News 29 Jun 2022 -- A Defense Logistics Agency program for recycling optical-grade germanium used in military weapons systems and night vision equipment brought about new capability in the U.S. defense industrial base.
• DOD Official Testifies on Supporting Naturalization of Eligible Servicemembers DoD News 29 Jun 2022 -- Since the U.S. founded its military, it has strongly supported and actively promoted the recruitment and naturalization of those who are not nationals or citizens, the Defense Department's accession policy director said.
• RIMPAC gets underway amid rising U.S.-China tensions Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2022 -- The world's largest naval exercise, the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) started Wednesday, promoting maritime cooperation in a region being clouded by U.S.-China rivalry.
• USS Lassen Sets Example for Self-Sufficiency at Sea US Navy 29 Jun 2022 -- In the face of debilitating obstacles and hurdles, Sailors on board the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) devised a creative solution to restore the ship's engineering plant to bring Lassen back into the fight.
• Biden Thanks Erdogan for Dropping Veto on Sweden, Finland NATO Bids VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday for dropping his objections to the bids by Sweden and Finland to join NATO, leading the way for the military alliance to expand even closer to Russia.
• NATO Leaders Officially Invite Sweden, Finland to Join Alliance Sputnik 29 Jun 2022 -- The invitation was made possible after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dropped his objection to the Nordic nations' membership in the bloc. Ankara held up Finland and Sweden's NATO bids for weeks over the countries' sheltering of Kurdish paramilitaries Turkey classifies as 'terrorists'.
• Amid Russia's War On Ukraine, Turkish Deal With Finland, Sweden Opens The Door To Momentous NATO Enlargement RFE/RL 29 Jun 2022 -- Late on June 28, the leaders of Finland, Sweden, and Turkey signed a trilateral memorandum on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid, paving the way for the Nordic duo to join the military alliance. But what did they actually agree to and what will happen next?
• Turkey, Sweden, Finland and NATO to hold 4-way meeting in Madrid People's Daily 29 Jun 2022 -- Turkey will hold a four-way meeting with Sweden, Finland and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Spain on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday.
• NATO formally invites Finland, Sweden to join bloc, Russia calls it 'destabilizing factor' Press TV 29 Jun 2022 -- NATO on Wednesday formally invited Sweden and Finland to join the US-led military alliance, in a historic expansion of the 30-member bloc, triggering strong reaction from Russia that called it "a purely destabilizing factor."
• PM meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö: 29 June 2022 Gov.UK 29 Jun 2022 -- Prime Minister Boris Johnson met Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö at the NATO Summit in Madrid today.
• Turkey greenlights Sweden, Finland's NATO bid, internal conflicts remain People's Daily 29 Jun 2022 -- Turkey changed its position and agreed to support Sweden and Finland's NATO membership applications on Tuesday during the ongoing NATO Summit in Madrid, while conflicts within the military bloc still remain.
• NATO leaders approve new Strategic Concept NATO 29 Jun 2022 -- NATO heads of state and government meeting in Madrid on Wednesday (29 June 2022) approved a new Strategic Concept for the Alliance, setting out the Alliance's priorities, core tasks and approaches for the next decade.
• US, NATO Trade Charges With China Over New Strategic Concept VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- The United States joined its NATO allies on Wednesday to issue a strong rebuke to "malicious hybrid and cyber" threats from the People's Republic of China, warning the "no-limits" partnership between China and Russia is undercutting a rules-based international order.
• New NATO Strategic Concept Targets Russia, China VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- NATO heads of state and government meeting in Madrid on Wednesday approved a new Strategic Concept for the alliance, naming "Russia's aggression," "systemic challenges posed by the People's Republic of China" and the "deepening strategic partnership" between the two countries as its main priorities.
• NATO Officially Declares Russia A 'Significant And Direct Threat' To Members' Peace And Security RFE/RL 29 Jun 2022 -- NATO has declared Russia the "most significant and direct threat" to its members' peace and security amid Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
• NATO agrees new Strategic Concept, strengthened deterrence and defence, more support for Ukraine, invites for Finland and Sweden NATO 29 Jun 2022 -- NATO leaders took far-reaching decisions to continue adapting the Alliance in the first working session at the Madrid Summit on Wednesday (29 June 2022).
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Heads of State and Government (2022 NATO Summit) NATO 29 Jun 2022
• Then and Now: The Changes Between 2 NATO Madrid Summits DoD News 29 Jun 2022 -- At the NATO summit in Madrid, alliance leaders — including U.S. President Joe Biden and alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg — stress that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has changed the security environment globally.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares At the NATO Public Forum US Dept. of State 29 Jun 2022
• Remarks by President Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg | Madrid, Spain The White House 29 Jun 2022
• FACT SHEET: The 2022 NATO Summit in Madrid The White House 29 Jun 2022
• NATO leaders meet with key partners to address global challenges, Indo-Pacific partners participate in a NATO Summit for the first time NATO 29 Jun 2022 -- At the Madrid Summit on Wednesday (29 June 2022), Allied leaders were joined by some of NATO's closest partners to address global challenges.
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Heads of State and Government with Partners (2022 NATO Summit) NATO 29 Jun 2022
• Secretary General welcomes US President to NATO Summit NATO 29 Jun 2022 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed US President Joe Biden to the NATO Summit in Madrid on Wednesday (29 June 2022).
• Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and US President Joe Biden at the start of the 2022 NATO Summit NATO 29 Jun 2022
• NATO leaders set to take key decisions to transform the Alliance NATO 29 Jun 2022 -- Arriving at the start of the NATO Summit in Madrid on Wednesday (29 June 2022), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg outlined the key decisions that will be taken to transform the Alliance and protect its citizens.
• Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the start of the 2022 NATO Summit NATO 29 Jun 2022
• NATO Public Forum session on NATO in an era of great power competition: Foreign Secretary's remarks UK FCDO 29 Jun 2022 -- Liz Truss spoke at the panel session of the NATO Public Forum in Madrid about how we must be united to ensure Ukraine wins, and deter aggressors like China.
• UK to make more forces available to NATO to counter future threats UK MOD 29 Jun 2022 -- Contribution of fighter aircraft, land forces, and maritime vessels to New Force Model will protect people across the Alliance against future threats.
• PM to tell NATO: Allies must dig deep to prepare for a more dangerous decade ahead Gov.UK 29 Jun 2022 -- The PM will urge NATO allies to invest more to modernise defence and restore deterrence in Europe, warning that the decade ahead is likely to be more dangerous and competitive than the last, at the Summit of NATO leaders beginning in Madrid today (Wednesday).
• Statement by the Prime Minister on NATO's invitation to Finland and Sweden to join the Alliance Prime Minister of Canada 29 Jun 2022 -- The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on NATO's invitation to Finland and Sweden to join the Alliance.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Prime Minister of Canada 29 Jun 2022 -- Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Jens Stoltenberg, on the margins of the NATO Summit.
• Canada and Latvia sign Joint Declaration to augment NATO's enhanced Forward Presence Latvia Canada 29 Jun 2022 -- Canada's commitment to the NATO Alliance is steadfast. Against the backdrop of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Canada is continuing to strengthen NATO's deterrence and defence posture, including in Latvia.
• Joint declaration between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia and the Department of National Defence of Canada concerning augmented forward presence Latvia Canada 29 Jun 2022
• Remarks by President Biden, President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea, and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan Before Trilateral Meeting The White House 29 Jun 2022
• Readout of President Biden's Trilateral with President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan The White House 29 Jun 2022
• Kishida, Yoon debut at NATO, casting shadow on Asian peace Global Times 29 Jun 2022 -- For the first time in history, leaders of Japan and South Korea joined the NATO Summit in Madrid on Wednesday to express their interest in underpinning a security alliance with the US' Western allies, following an "unprecedented" tough stance against China in a joint statement released after the G7 leaders' meeting wrapped up in Germany on Tuesday.
• Zelenskiy Asks NATO Allies For Modern Heavy Weapons, More Financial Support RFE/RL 29 Jun 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has told NATO leaders that his country needs more advanced heavy weapons and additional financial support to stave off Russia's unprovoked invasion, warning that Moscow's ambitions won't stop with Ukraine.
• NATO allies to supply weapons to Ukraine 'as long as necessary', vows Germany Press TV 29 Jun 2022 -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says NATO will continue to supply Ukraine with weapons in the war against Russia for "as long as necessary".
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Ukraine's Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov DoD 29 Jun 2022
• Jordanian FM denies 'Arab-Israeli NATO,' says Arab countries seek close ties with Iran Press TV 29 Jun 2022 -- Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi says Arab countries look for promotion of diplomatic relations with Iran, roundly dismissing the existence of any talks on the formation of an anti-Iran Middle Eastern military alliance similar to NATO, which would include Israel.
• Slovakia Reportedly Decides to Procure Swedish Combat Vehicles for $1.5 Billion in Record Deal Sputnik 29 Jun 2022 -- The Swedish family of tracked combat vehicles known as Stridsfordon 90 or CV90 are known for their high mobility in snow and wetlands while carrying up to eight fully equipped soldiers.
• PLA Navy transport aircraft hold simulated landing on carrier, 'indicate 3rd carrier to be equipped with cargo planes' Global Times 29 Jun 2022 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently held simulation training for transport aircraft to land on aircraft carriers, with military analysts saying on Wednesday that the move indicated that China is now developing fixed-wing transport aircraft and special mission aircraft including early warning aircraft for its third aircraft carrier, thanks to the latter's electromagnetic catapults.
• NATO itself is the cause of trouble, China opposes 'Asia-Pacific version of NATO': Chinese UN representative Global Times 29 Jun 2022 -- China firmly opposes NATO's involvement in the Asia-Pacific region or the creation of an "Asia-Pacific version of NATO," said the Chinese Permanent Representative to the UN Zhang Jun during a meeting of the UN Security Council on Ukraine.
• North Korea accuses US, regional allies of seeking to form 'Asian NATO' Press TV 29 Jun 2022 -- North Korea has slammed joint US-led war games with Japan and South Korea as a prelude to forming an "Asian version of NATO" and having a "sinister aim" against Pyongyang.
• Exercise Pitch Black returns to the top end Australia DOD 29 Jun 2022 -- Exercise Pitch Black will once again return to the Top End this year, with Australian and international military aircraft training over the Northern Territory from 19 August until 8 September.
• New patrol boat has a home Australia DOD 29 Jun 2022 -- Navy's first Evolved Cape-class patrol boat (ECCPB), Australian Defence Vessel Cape Otway, was officially welcomed to its home port of Cairns on June 24.
• Exercise Pitch Black returns to the Top End Australia DOD 29 Jun 2022 -- Australian and international military aircraft will once again return to the Northern Territory skies for Exercise Pitch Black from August 19 to September 8.
• 'Optimistic in the Extreme': Australia's Nuclear Submarines Under AUKUS Unlikely to Be Ready by 2030 Sputnik 29 Jun 2022 -- The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is reportedly set to start retiring its current fleet of Collins-class diesel-electric attack submarines before the end of this decade. Meanwhile, the first nuclear-powered submarines to be developed under the AUKUS arrangement aren't expected before 2040, stoking concerns of a "capability gap".
• Three Belarusian 'Railway Guerrillas' May Face Death Penalty RFE/RL 29 Jun 2022 -- Three Belarusian activists who were arrested for allegedly damaging railways in the country to disrupt Russian arms and troops supply to war-torn Ukraine may face the death penalty if convicted.
• High speed Expendable Aerial Target - ABHYAS - successfully flight-tested off Odisha coast India PIB 29 Jun 2022 -- ABHYAS - High speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) was successfully flight-tested from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on June 29, 2022. The performance of the aircraft at low altitude including sustained level and high manoeuvrability was demonstrated during the test flight. The target aircraft was flown from a ground based controller in a pre-designated low altitude flight path, which was monitored by various tracking sensors deployed by ITR, including radar and electro-optical targeting system.
• Caspian states agree to keep foreign militaries out Press TV 29 Jun 2022 -- The five countries along the Caspian Sea have reaffirmed their shared commitment to keep foreign militaries out of the region.
• US, UK military trainers arrive at southeast Yemen port with arms cache: Report Press TV 29 Jun 2022 -- A top-ranking Yemeni official says US and British military trainers have arrived at a port in the country's southeastern province of al-Mahrah bordering Saudi Arabia and Oman on vessels loaded with munitions as well as military and logistical equipment.
• On-the-Record Press Call by NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby and Assistant Secretary for Defense Celeste Wallander The White House 29 Jun 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 29, 2022
• Justice Department Sues to Block Booz Allen Hamilton's Proposed Acquisition of EverWatch US Dept. of Justice 29 Jun 2022 -- The Department of Justice filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today to block Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation's (Booz Allen) proposed acquisition of EverWatch Corp. (EverWatch), a subsidiary of EC Defense Holdings LLC.

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 29 June 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 29 Jun 2022
• Taliban to Convene All-Male Meeting of Clerics, Elders for Afghan Unity Debate VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- Afghanistan's Islamist Taliban have invited about 3,000 religious scholars and tribal elders from across the country to a meeting Thursday in Kabul, where officials said national unity would be discussed.
• Taliban-US Huddle in Doha on Afghan Frozen Funds, Economic Issues VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- The United States and the Taliban are scheduled to hold talks in Qatar later this week that are expected to focus on economic and banking sanctions on Afghanistan, where last week's devastating earthquake has worsened a humanitarian crisis.
• 2nd batch of China-donated quake relief supplies arrives in Afghansitan PLA Daily 29 Jun 2022 -- The second shipment of earthquake relief supplies donated by the Chinese government arrived at Afghanistan's Kabul International Airport on Tuesday and has been handed over to the Afghan side.
• Iran urges Taliban officials to take 'serious action' after border guard is killed Press TV 29 Jun 2022 -- Iran has called on the caretaker Taliban government in Afghanistan to take "serious action" after the killing of an Iranian border guard near the common border.
• Taipei Dismisses Manila's Protest Over Drills Off Disputed South China Sea Island Sputnik 29 Jun 2022 -- The quarrel centers around Taiping Island, the largest of the South China Sea's Spratly Islands. The island, which the Philippines calls Ligaw, also has several other claimants, but has been under Taipei's control since 1956.
• Taiwan stands firm on Taiping drills despite Manila protests CNA 29 Jun 2022 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Wednesday asserted Taiwan's right to conduct live-fire drills on Taiping Island, following protests from the Philippines, which claims the South China Sea territory as its own.
• Houthi: Yemeni army's defense capabilities greater than many Arab states Press TV 29 Jun 2022 -- The leader of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement on Wednesday commended the country's meteoric progress in developing indigenous long-range ballistic missiles, stressing that Yemenis have overcome difficult stages and challenges over the past eight years of Saudi-led war.
• Over 19 million Yemenis facing hunger amid dramatic food aid cuts: UN Press TV 29 Jun 2022 -- As the World Food Programme (WFP) announces further dramatic cuts to food aid in Yemen, a new UN report says more than 19 million Yemenis are now facing hunger, setting a new record since the beginning of the devastating Saudi-led war on Yemen in 2015.
• Accountability is Pivotal to Prosecute Those Responsible for War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity in Libya UNOHCHR 29 Jun 2022 -- The Independent Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Libya uncovers further evidence of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and gross human rights violations in its comprehensive report, which comes amid growing tensions and a persistent political stalemate, contributing to insecurity and ongoing impunity.
• UN Human Rights Council 50: UK statement during Interactive Dialogue on Syria UK FCDO 29 Jun 2022 -- Ambassador Simon Manley, UK Permanent Representative in Geneva, delivered the UK statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria.
• Syria's needs are at their highest ever, says top rights probe UN News 29 Jun 2022 -- Syria's humanitarian needs are at their highest ever and any move to block aid from reaching the war-torn country should be resisted strongly, a top UN Human Rights Council probe said on Wednesday.
• Fighting intensifies in Myanmar's eastern Kayin state Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2022 -- Military junta forces and allied militia have been fighting for four days against Kayin National Union (KNU) forces in eastern Myanmar's Kayin state, leading to heavy casualties on both sides, according to the KNU and Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO).
• Myanmar: Shocking toll on children must be spur to action, says UN rights expert UN News 29 Jun 2022 -- Myanmar's military junta is responsible for shocking violence against children caught up in the bloody aftermath of last February's coup, a top independent Human Rights Council-appointed investigator said on Wednesday.
• Nine killed in junta raids on Myanmar villages near China-backed copper mine Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2022 -- At least nine civilians are dead, and dozens are missing after a month of military raids on villages near a China-backed copper mine in Myanmar's Sagaing region that prodemocracy paramilitaries had threatened to destroy because it could provide income for the junta, residents said Wednesday.
• African Union Urges Calm in Border Dispute After Sudanese Forces Bombard Ethiopian Positions Sputnik 29 Jun 2022 -- The risk of a new war in eastern Africa continues to rise after an old border dispute between Sudan and Ethiopia was rekindled last week.
• African Union Urges Restraint after Ethiopia-Sudan Border Clashes VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- The African Union called for restraint Wednesday after clashes between Ethiopia and Sudan in a disputed border area. The tensions broke out after Sudan accused Ethiopia of executing seven of its troops, which Ethiopia blamed on a local militia.
• Ethiopian Government and TPLF Wrangle Over Peace Talks Mediation VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- Ethiopia's ruling party said this week it wants the African Union, partnering with the United States, to mediate any peace talks to end the war with Tigrayan forces. But the Tigray People's Liberation Front, or TPLF, has said it does not trust the AU and wants Kenya to mediate.
• UN: Well-Armed M23 Rebels Resurgent in DRC VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- The top U.N. official for the Democratic Republic of the Congo said Wednesday that the resurgent M23 rebel group in the country's east is well-armed and equipped, posing a growing threat to civilians.
• Human rights under threat in DR Congo and beyond, Security Council hears UN News 29 Jun 2022 -- The resurgence of the M23 armed group has "broad repercussions" for the security, human rights and humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and for the wider region, the UN Special Representative there told the Security Council on Wednesday.
• Stressing the importance of diplomatic efforts over military solutions to deliver long-term stability for DRC UK FCDO 29 Jun 2022 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council briefing on DRC
• UN Investigator Calls For Access to Burundi to Probe Human Rights Violations VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- In his first oral report since beginning his job as the United Nations special rapporteur on Burundi's human rights, Fortune Gaetan Zongo appealed to Burundian authorities to grant him access to their country to properly discharge his mandate to investigate alleged violations in that country.

News Reports

• Former White House aide testifies at hearing on U.S. Capitol riot People's Daily 29 Jun 2022 -- A former White House aide testified at a public hearing on Tuesday held by the U.S. House select committee investigating the Capital riot last year.
• Justice Department's Criminal Division Creates New England Prescription Opioid Strike Force to Focus on Illegal Opioid Prescriptions US Dept. of Justice 29 Jun 2022 -- Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., of the Justice Department's Criminal Division today announced the formation of the New England Prescription Opioid (NEPO) Strike Force, a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division's Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorneys' Offices for three federal districts, as well as law enforcement partners at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the FBI.
• French Court Finds All Defendants in 2015 Paris Terrorist Attack Case Guilty - Report Sputnik 29 Jun 2022 -- A French court has found all defendants in the 2015 Paris terrorist attack case guilty, the BFMTV broadcaster reported on Wednesday.
• New UK support to protect Georgia against Russian cyber attacks Gov.UK 29 Jun 2022 -- Russia has long used Georgia as a testing ground for its cyber capability. This began in 2008 when some of the world's first coordinated cyber attacks were used to cripple the country's security architecture while Russia carried out its illegal annexation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
• IDF's Secret Cyber Unit Claims It Helped Thwart Attack on US Power Plants Sputnik 29 Jun 2022 -- Israel and regional adversary Iran have engaged in a years-long cyberwarfare campaign, targeting both physical and virtual infrastructure. Last year, the Israel Defense Force Joint Cyber Defense Division and the Pentagon's Cyber Command held joint drills involving training "for a variety of cyber defense challenges in the US."
• Exclusive: US plants Trojan horse programs in hundreds of important Chinese information systems; new cyber weapon targets China, Russia Global Times 29 Jun 2022 -- On Wednesday, China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center and a leading cybersecurity company disclosed a new vulnerability attack weapon platform deployed by the US National Security Agency (NSA), which experts believe is the main equipment of the NSA's computer network hacking operation team, and it targets the world with a focus on China and Russia.
• U.S. to distribute monkeypox vaccines nationwide to curb outbreak People's Daily 29 Jun 2022 -- The White House said Tuesday it will start distributing the monkeypox vaccines across the country to address the spread of the virus, focusing on people most at risk and communities with the highest numbers of cases.
• United States Hosts U.S.- EU Space Dialogue US Dept. of State 29 Jun 2022 -- As part of our deep ongoing collaboration on outer space issues, officials from the United States and the European Union met for the 11th U.S.-EU Space Dialogue in Washington, D.C.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, June 29, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 29 Jun 2022
• 6th Caspian Summit President of Russia 29 Jun 2022 -- Vladimir Putin took part a meeting of the heads of state participating in the 6th Caspian Summit.
• Vladimir Putin answered journalists' questions President of Russia 29 Jun 2022 -- In conclusion of his working visit to Turkmenistan, Vladimir Putin answered questions from media representatives.
• Meeting with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov President of Russia 29 Jun 2022
• Talks with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev President of Russia 29 Jun 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the 6th Caspian Summit.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's video address to the organisers of and participants in the roundtable discussion dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the SCO Charter and the 15th anniversary of the SCO Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation, June 29, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 29 Jun 2022
• Russia bans more Americans from entry People's Daily 29 Jun 2022 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that an additional 25 U.S. citizens have been indefinitely barred from entering Russia in response to the sanctions repeatedly imposed by Washington.
• Russian Foreign Ministry Summons Norwegian Charge d'Affaires Over Russian Goods Delivery Issue Sputnik 29 Jun 2022 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned Norwegian Charge d'Affaires Solveig Rossebo over Oslo's refusal to let Russian cargo into the archipelago of Svalbard.
• Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs Task Force Joint Statement US Dept. of Justice 29 Jun 2022 -- The Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs (REPO) Task Force has leveraged extensive multilateral coordination to block or freeze more than $30 billion worth of sanctioned Russians' assets, freeze or seize sanctioned persons' high-value goods, and heavily restrict sanctioned Russians' access to the international financial system.
• Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs Task Force Joint Statement US Treasury 29 Jun 2022 -- The Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs (REPO) Task Force has leveraged extensive multilateral coordination to block or freeze more than $30 billion worth of sanctioned Russians' assets, freeze or seize sanctioned persons' high-value goods, and heavily restrict sanctioned Russians' access to the international financial system.
• US, allies have frozen '$330bn of Russian assets' since Ukraine war Press TV 29 Jun 2022 -- The United States and its Western allies have frozen more than $330 billion in financial resources owned by Russia's elite and its central bank since the war in Ukraine began in late February, a task force says.
• US & Allies Have Blocked, Frozen $330Bln of Russian Assets Over Past 100 Days, Treasury Says Sputnik 29 Jun 2022 -- The United States and allies have blocked $300 billion worth of Russia's central bank assets, and over $30 billion worth of sanctioned individuals' assets in the past 100 days, the US Treasury said Wednesday.
• US-Backed Task Force Seizes More Than $30B of Russian Oligarch Assets VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- A multinational task force created in March as part of Western efforts to press Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine says it has blocked or seized more than $30 billion worth of assets owned by Russian oligarchs.
• Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs Task Force Joint Statement European Commission 29 Jun 2022 -- The Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs (REPO) Task Force has leveraged extensive multilateral coordination to block or freeze more than $30 billion worth of sanctioned Russians' assets, freeze or seize sanctioned persons' high-value goods, and heavily restrict sanctioned Russians' access to the international financial system. REPO members have achieved these successes through close and extensive national and international coordination and collaboration.
• Britain Announces New Russia Sanctions List That Includes Potanin And Putin's Cousin RFE/RL 29 Jun 2022 -- The United Kingdom has announced new sanctions aimed at Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle, including his close ally Vladimir Potanin, the country's second-wealthiest man with an estimated net worth of more than $30 billion.
• UK sanctions Russia's second richest man UK FCDO 29 Jun 2022 -- The UK government has today announced new sanctions, hitting Putin's inner circle.
• Russian Lawmakers OK 'Foreign Agent' Amendment Making It Easier To Target Domestic Critics RFE/RL 29 Jun 2022 -- The Russian parliament's lower chamber, the State Duma, has approved a bill that would allow it to define any person who receives financial assistance from abroad as a "foreign agent," a change making it easier for the state to target its domestic critics.
• Russia legalizes parallel imports amid Western sanctions People's Daily 29 Jun 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill into law on Tuesday legalizing "parallel imports" in the country in a bid to stabilize prices amid Western economic sanctions.
• CPC membership exceeds 96.7 million People's Daily 29 Jun 2022 -- The number of the Communist Party of China (CPC) members surpassed 96.71 million at the end of 2021, the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee announced on Wednesday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on June 29, 2022 PRC MofA 29 Jun 2022
• China A 'Military Threat' to Australia, According to New Poll VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- A vast majority of Australians now see China as a military threat to their country, according to a respected Sydney-based research organization. Russia's war in Ukraine has also been identified as a major security concern in a recently released survey by the Lowy Institute that says Australians are worried about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the potential for conflict between China and Taiwan.
• China Deepens Balkan Footprint With Plans For Power Plant In Bosnia RFE/RL 29 Jun 2022 -- Despite lacking the necessary legal permits and facing growing pushback from local activists, a Chinese company is moving forward with plans to build a hydroelectric plant in southeastern Bosnia-Herzegovina.
• US, Britain Join Other Democracies Urging China to Honor Hong Kong Commitments Ahead of Handover Anniversary VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China's rule, the United States and Britain joined other democracies urging Beijing to honor its commitments to ensure autonomy and freedoms to the former British colony.
• Hong Kong's achievements are backed by the motherland's overall strength: first LegCo president Global Times 29 Jun 2022 -- Over the past 25 years, the country has been treating Hong Kong very well, but some in Hong Kong do not feel grateful for that, and now they have to understand it and be grateful for the care shown by 1.4 billion compatriots, Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, the president of the first-term Legislative Council after the city returned to the motherland, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview. Over the past years, Hong Kong made achievements not by itself but they are backed by the country's overall strength, she said.
• Rights Groups Urge Thailand Not to Force Captive Uyghurs Back to China VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- Rights groups are urging Thailand not to send any of some 50 Uyghurs it has been holding captive for the past eight years back to China, fearing a repeat of 2015, when the government forcibly returned more than 100 Uyghurs to China.
• Taiwan parliamentary delegation holds meetings in Washington CNA 29 Jun 2022 -- A parliamentary delegation to the United States led by Johnny Chiang (江啟臣), former chair of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and convener of the Legislature's Foreign and National Defense Committee, kicked off three days of meetings with U.S. officials in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.
• Taiwan activist Lee Ming-Cheh says world pressure on his Chinese jailers helped him Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2022 -- Taiwanese NGO worker Lee Ming-Cheh was released from Chishan Prison in the central Chinese province of Hunan on April 15 after serving nearly five years for "attempting to subvert state power."
• US, Japan, South Korea Leaders Voice Concerns About North Korean Aggression VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden and the leaders of South Korea and Japan expressed new worries Wednesday about the North Korean nuclear threat as they met on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid.
• Rodong Sinmun on Absolute Authority of Respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un KCNA 29 Jun 2022 -- Rodong Sinmun Wednesday stresses in a co-signed article that the Korean people's dignity and honor of being citizens of a powerful country and the invincible stamina and bright future of our state are linked with the absolute authority of the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un .
• Premier Inspects Hydro-meteorological Administration and Emergency Disaster Committee KCNA 29 Jun 2022 -- Kim Tok Hun, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee, vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and premier of the Cabinet, inspected the State Hydro-meteorological Administration and the State Emergency Disaster Committee on Tuesday as the rainy season has set in.
• Mass Campaign to Prevent Natural Disaster Underway in DPRK KCNA 29 Jun 2022 -- Now that heavy rainfall, accompanied by downpour, lashes the whole of the DPRK, North and South Hamgyong and Kangwon provinces and other areas in the eastern part of the country launched a dynamic mass campaign to minimize the damage by flood and typhoon.
• Wheat and Barley Harvest Mainly Concluded KCNA 29 Jun 2022 -- Farms in South Hwanghae Province of the DPRK push ahead with the work to conclude earlier crop farming in a responsible manner.
• Sinister Aim of Joint Military Exercises Disclosed KCNA 29 Jun 2022 -- The United States tries to stage Pacific Dragon joint military exercises together with Japan, south Korea and others in Hawaii within August.
• China urges US "to fulfill its commitment" to JCPOA IRNA 29 Jun 2022 -- China's Foreign Ministry spokesman said that his country welcomed the resumption of talks between Iran and the United States on removing sanctions against Iran and stressing that Washington "needs to fulfill its commitment of returning to the JCPOA."
• Iran: G7 ignored US breaching of JCPOA, maximum sanctions against Iran IRNA 29 Jun 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said here on Tuesday that the G7 final statement is baseless, unilateral, and unjust, as it intentionally ignored clear breaching of UNSC Resolution 2231 by America, and imposing maximum sanctions against the noble Iranian nation.
• Doha talks on Iran sanctions end with sides vowing to keep in touch Press TV 29 Jun 2022 -- The two-day negotiations in the Qatari capital to discuss how to remove sanctions on Iran have ended, with the two sides saying they will keep in touch "about the continuation of the route and the next stage of the talks".
• Iran Nuclear Talks In Qatar Proceeding, Iran Says, Denying Report They'd Ended RFE/RL 29 Jun 2022 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry says indirect talks between Tehran and Washington in Qatar are continuing, denying an Iranian media report that they had ended.
• Iranian Court Confirms Long Prison Sentence For Espionage For French National Briere RFE/RL 29 Jun 2022 -- A court in Iran has denied an appeal by French citizen Benjamin Briere and confirmed his prison sentence of eight years and eight months for espionage, a charge he and his family have rejected.
• Deadly Message: Rise In Iranian Executions Sends Warning Against Dissent RFE/RL 29 Jun 2022 -- Sajad Sanjari was arrested at the age of 15 for fatally stabbing a man he said was trying to rape him. The teenager was sentenced to death by a court in western Iran that rejected his claims of self-defense.
• Iran: Agreement within reach if US 'in possession of serious resolve' Press TV 29 Jun 2022 -- Iran says an agreement in the new round of talks over the 2015 nuclear deal will be within reach if the United States shows serious willingness and act realistically.
• Tehran rejects G7's anti-Iranian statement as baseless, one-sided, unfair Press TV 29 Jun 2022 -- Tehran has vehemently denounced as "baseless, one-sided, and unjust" an anti-Iranian statement by the Group of Seven industrialized states.
• UN Human Rights Council 50: UK statement during Interactive Dialogue on Belarus UK FCDO 29 Jun 2022 -- The UK Permanent Representative in Geneva, Ambassador Simon Manley, delivered the UK statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Belarus.
• Belarus 'engulfed in fear', Human Rights Council hears UN News 29 Jun 2022 -- The deterioration of human rights in Belarus continues to engulf the country in a climate of fear and arbitrary rule, a UN-appointed independent human rights expert warned on Wednesday.
• UN: Climate of Fear and Impunity Reigns in Belarus VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- A U.N. investigator warns that systematic and widespread repression in Belarus is eroding peoples' civic and political rights. The investigator's report was presented Wednesday at a meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council. Belarus boycotted the meeting.
• Second trip to Myanmar minus key stakeholders underway for ASEAN Envoy Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2022 -- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Special Envoy to Myanmar Prak Sokhonn kicked off his second trip to Myanmar Wednesday to mediate the country's political crisis despite being denied access to key stakeholders, prompting observers to question the value of his visit.
• Bennett Says He Will Not Participate in Next Israeli Elections Sputnik 29 Jun 2022 -- Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told members of his Yamina party that he has no plans to participate in the next parliamentary elections, his press office said on Wednesday.
• Scottish leader sets date for new referendum on independence People's Daily 29 Jun 2022 -- Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Tuesday that a fresh referendum on Scotland's independence from the United Kingdom (UK) will be held on Oct. 19, 2023. The first independence vote in 2014 failed to pass.
• PM meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: 29 June 2022 Gov.UK 29 Jun 2022 -- Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the NATO Summit in Madrid today.
• PM meeting with President Erdoğan: 29 June 2022 Gov.UK 29 Jun 2022 -- The Prime Minister met Turkish President Erdoğan at the NATO Summit in Madrid today.
• Readout of President Biden's Meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey The White House 29 Jun 2022
• Remarks by President Biden and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of the Republic of Turkey Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 29 Jun 2022
• Kazakh Official Says Six People Arrested After January Unrest Were Tortured To Death RFE/RL 29 Jun 2022 -- Kazakhstan's deputy prosecutor-general, Aset Shyndaliev, says six people were tortured to death after being arrested for taking part in January anti-government protests that led to the removal of former President Nursultan Nazarbaev and his relatives from the oil-rich Central Asian nation's political scene.
• Striking South African Electricity Workers Return to Work Amid Severe Outages VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- South Africa's state-owned power company, Eskom, said some workers were returning to their posts Wednesday, amid a strike over pay issues that caused severe nationwide power cuts. The rolling blackouts have dealt a blow to South Africa's already ailing economy.
• Cambodian court warns Kem Sokha, on trial for 'treason,' not to get political Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2022 -- A court in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh warned opposition leader Kem Sokha not to engage in any further political activities after the prosecution played a recorded conversation he held with supporters ahead of recent local elections, the latest wrinkle in his trial that started more than two years ago on unsubstantiated charges of treason.
• Maasai in Tanzania Move to New Homes Amid Eviction Effort VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- Tanzanian authorities say violent clashes on June 10 between police and ethnic Maasai people they were trying to evict from a conservation area left one officer dead and scores of Maasai shot and wounded. While rights groups have condemned Tanzanian authorities for what they call unlawful evictions, some Maasai families say they had no choice but to move from their ancestral home to a reservation 600 kilometers away.