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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Statement by President Biden on Successful Counterterrorism Operation The White House 12 Jul 2022
• 'Top Five' IS Leader in Syria Killed in US Drone Strike VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- The United States is claiming another victory over Islamic State, saying it tracked, targeted and killed one of the terror group's "top five" leaders during a drone strike in northwestern Syria.
• Strike conducted in Syria CENTCOM 12 Jul 2022 -- U.S. Central Command Forces conducted a UAS strike outside Jindayris, northwest Syria targeting two senior ISIS officials, July 12, 2022. Maher al-Agal, one of the top five ISIS leaders and the leader of ISIS in Syria, was killed in the strike. A senior ISIS official closely associated with Maher was seriously injured during the strike. Extensive planning went into this operation to ensure its successful execution. An initial review indicates there were no civilian casualties.
• Report Alleges British Soldiers Committed War Crimes in Afghanistan VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- Rights defenders are demanding an urgent inquiry into reported allegations that British special forces executed dozens of detainees and unarmed men in suspicious circumstances during anti-insurgency operations in Afghanistan a decade ago.
• British forces killed 54 Afghan civilians 'in cold blood', damning report reveals Press TV 12 Jul 2022 -- Commandos in Britain's elite Special Air Service (SAS) corps killed at least 54 Afghan civilians in controversial circumstances but the senior military officials refused to act despite being aware of it, a BBC investigation has revealed.

Defense Policy / Programs

• National Security Memorandum on The President's Intelligence Priorities The White House 12 Jul 2022
• Blyden Says Problems of Sahel Requires African/Partner Coordination, Buy-in DoD News 12 Jul 2022 -- Africa is a huge and complex continent. Its problems are such that it will require African nations working with other nation partners to address the complex problems that beset it, Chidi Blyden, the Defense Department's deputy assistant secretary for African affairs, said to the Senate Foreign Relations committee.
• Red Tails conduct joint air integration exercise US Air Force 12 Jul 2022 -- The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing conducted a joint air integration exercise alongside partner nation Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, July 6.
• USCGC Mohawk arrives in Dakar, Senegal US Navy 12 Jul 2022 -- The Famous-class medium endurance cutter USCGC Mohawk (WMEC 913) arrived in Dakar, Senegal for a scheduled port visit, July 12, 2022.
• U.S. Naval Forces Begin Maritime Exercise with Lebanon US Navy 12 Jul 2022 -- Naval forces from Lebanon and the United States began a two-week maritime exercise in Lebanon, July 12.
• CNO, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy Discuss Partnership and NATO Alliance US Navy Press Release 12 Jul 2022 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with the Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy, Vice Adm. René Tas at the Pentagon for an office call, July 12.
• SECNAV Delivers Remarks at the Joint Women's Leadership Symposium US Navy Speech 12 Jul 2022
• Start of Construction Marked for T-ATS 11 US Navy 12 Jul 2022 -- Construction began on the Navy's newest towing, salvage and rescue ship, T-ATS 11 at Austal USA's Mobile, Alabama shipyard, July 11.
• Deputy Secretary General opens annual NATO Partnerships 360 Symposium NATO 12 Jul 2022 -- On Tuesday (12 July 2022), NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană opened the annual NATO Partnerships 360 Symposium, a forum bringing together civilian and military representatives from Allied and partner nations to facilitate dialogue on the future of NATO's partnerships policy. In
• War in Ukraine - Military support for Ukraine Germany - Federal Government 12 Jul 2022 -- This list provides an overview of lethal and non-lethal German military support for Ukraine. It contains deliveries from the German Armed Forces, as well as deliveries from German industry financed by German funds for security capacity building.
• World's Largest Missile Being Prepared for New Tests in Russia Sputnik 12 Jul 2022 -- Named after the Sarmatian people of ancient times who populated the Eurasian Steppe, the RS-28 Sarmat is Russia's next-gen nuclear-capable and multiple independent reentry vehicle (MIRV)-equipped super-heavy intercontinental ballistic missile, designed to ensure Russian strategic parity with the United States and its allies for decades to come.
• Rights Group Says Hundreds Of Prisoners In Russia's North Caucasus Recruited For War In Ukraine RFE/RL 12 Jul 2022 -- A human rights group that monitors the treatment of inmates at Russian penitentiaries says hundreds of men at a prison in the North Caucasus region of Adygea have agreed to be sent to fight in Russia's war against Ukraine as a result of aggressive recruiting.
• U.S. Says Iran Preparing To Send Drones To Russia For Use In Ukraine War RFE/RL 12 Jul 2022 -- The U.S. government has said it believes Iran is planning to provide Russia with "hundreds" of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including weapons-capable drones, for use in its war in Ukraine.
• Greetings to commanders and personnel of 17th Guards Army Aviation Brigade President of Russia 12 Jul 2022 -- Vladimir Putin sent greetings to commanders and personnel of the 17th Guards Army Aviation Brigade on receiving the honorary title of Guards.
• Greetings to commanders and personnel of 2nd Detached Guards Special Operations Brigade President of Russia 12 Jul 2022 -- Vladimir Putin sent greetings to the command and personnel of the 2nd Detached Guards Special Operations Brigade on being awarded the honorary Guards title.
• China's deep space radar may have military uses Radio Free Asia 12 Jul 2022 -- China has started building what it calls "the world's most far-reaching radar" in the country's southwest - a facility that could also have a military purpose, an analyst warned.
• China-Pakistan joint naval drill enters live-fire phase with participation of both countries' Type 054A frigates for 1st time Global Times 12 Jul 2022 -- The ongoing China-Pakistan joint naval drill off Shanghai entered a live-fire phase on Tuesday after wrapping up the exchange phase on shore, with analysts saying that the Pakistan Navy's China-built Type 054A/P frigate is expected to gain valuable experience from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's vessel of the same type.
• South Korea says its missiles capable of dealing 'fatal blow' Press TV 12 Jul 2022 -- A senior South Korean general says the country's missile systems are capable of dealing a "fatal blow" to a potential enemy.
• Australian Defense Chief Announces Major Military Buildup in Indo-Pacific Sputnik 12 Jul 2022 -- Australia will bolster its national security and military footprint in the home region of Indo-Pacific to keep potential adversaries at bay, Defense Minister Richard Marles has announced.
• Port visit reinforces Indo-Pacific relationship Australia DOD 12 Jul 2022 -- The strong relationship between the Australian and Indonesian navies was further enhanced recently with a logistics port visit and a cooperative training activity between the two nations' warships.
• Israel Hopes to Wow Biden With Iron Beam, Iron Dome, David's Sling Missile Show and Tell Sputnik 12 Jul 2022 -- The US president is slated to arrive in Israel on Wednesday as part of a much-anticipated regional tour which will also take him to the West Bank and Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to ask the Gulf oil kingdom to ramp up crude output to help ease the West's self-inflicted energy crisis.
• Eritrea, Somalia Leaders Vow Cooperation on Defense, Political Efforts VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- The leaders of Eritrea and Somalia have announced the signing of an agreement covering defense, security, diplomatic and political cooperation.
• President Biden and President Lopez Obrador Joint Statement The White House 12 Jul 2022
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with President Lopez Obrador of Mexico The White House 12 Jul 2022
• Remarks by Vice President Harris and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 12 Jul 2022
• Remarks by Vice President Harris at the Pacific Islands Forum The White House 12 Jul 2022
• Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official Previewing Vice President Harris's Engagement With the Pacific Islands Forum The White House 12 Jul 2022
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan The White House 12 Jul 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Belgian Secretary General Gentzis US Dept. of State 12 Jul 2022
• Online Press Briefing with Ambassador Bonnie Denise Jenkins, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security US Dept. of State 12 Jul 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For July 12, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 12 July 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 Jul 2022
• Reliable information 'a matter of life and death' UN chief tells Security Council UN News 12 Jul 2022 -- Access to information is a human right, Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Tuesday, underscoring that for peacekeepers, it can be "a matter of life and death, and the difference between peace and war".
• Secretary-General's remarks at the Security Council Debate on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: The Key Role of Strategic Communications UN Secretary-General 12 Jul 2022
• UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell's remarks at the global launch of the UNICEF report, "25 years of children and armed conflict: Taking action to protect children in war" UNICEF 12 Jul 2022 -- are important and necessary.
• Tajikistan Concerned By Provocative Taliban Watchtower On Border RFE/RL Gandhara 12 Jul 2022 -- A watchtower being built on the Afghan-Tajik border that is manned by members of the "Tajik Taliban" has caught the attention of Tajik officials.
• Activists call on Marcos to pursue Philippine maritime claims against China Radio Free Asia 12 Jul 2022 -- Filipino nationalists and activists pressed new President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to actively assert their country's territorial rights, as the Philippines marked the sixth anniversary on Tuesday of an arbitration court's ruling that invalidated Beijing's sweeping claims in the South China Sea.
• UN extends controversial 'aid' deliveries to flashpoint Syria province despite Damascus' objection Press TV 12 Jul 2022 -- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has voted in favor of extending deliveries of "aid" consignments to a terrorist-held northwestern Syrian province despite Damascus' objection.
• UN Aid Operation to NW Syria Gets 6-Month Extension VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- A U.N. aid operation from Turkey into opposition-held areas of northwest Syria may now resume for six months — with the possibility of six additional months — after its authorization expired Sunday due to disagreements within the U.N. Security Council.
• Syria: Security Council extends cross-border aid delivery for six months UN News 12 Jul 2022 -- The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution to extend lifesaving aid deliveries into northwest Syria from Türkiye for a further six months following a vote on Tuesday.
• Minister for Asia and the Middle East statement on cross-border aid into Syria UK FCDO 12 Jul 2022 -- Minister for Asia and the Middle East, Amanda Milling, statement on the United Nations Security Council adopting Resolution 2642.
• With today's vote, innocent Syrians can breathe no sigh of relief: UK at Security Council UK FCDO 12 Jul 2022 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward after the adoption of a resolution on the mandate for cross-border aid into Syria.
• Six killed, 11 injured by landmines amid renewed tensions in Myanmar's Rakhine state Radio Free Asia 12 Jul 2022 -- Six people were killed and at least 11 others injured in nearly 30 landmine explosions over the past two months in Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin states, an ethnic Rakhine group said Tuesday, amid reports of clashes between the military and Rakhine rebels.
• ICJ to rule on Myanmar's objections to Rohingya genocide case this month Radio Free Asia 12 Jul 2022 -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) plans to deliver its judgement on Myanmar's objections to the genocide case brought against it by The Gambia, on July 22.
• Refugees International: Thailand should allow delivery of humanitarian aid to Myanmar Radio Free Asia 12 Jul 2022 -- Thailand should allow delivery of cross-border humanitarian aid into Myanmar and not push back people seeking refuge from threats to their life and freedom in that country, a U.S.-based NGO is urging in a new report.
• Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministries of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden on the designation of Palestinian civil society organisations as terrorist organisations Germany Federal Foreign Office 12 Jul 2022 -- On October 22 2021, Israel designated six Palestinian civil society organisations as terrorist organisations. Accusations of terrorism or links to terrorist groups must always be treated with the utmost seriousness.
• French Court Sentences Rwandan Genocidaire Laurent Bucyibaruta to 20 Years in Prison Sputnik 12 Jul 2022 -- A French court on Tuesday sentenced Laurent Bucyibaruta, the former prefect of Rwanda's Gikongoro Province, to 20 years in prison for his role in the 1994 genocide of Rwandan Tutsis and Twa.
• Tibetan monks uncertain quake-destroyed monastery will be rebuilt Radio Free Asia 12 Jul 2022 -- Monks from the Gyalrong Tsodun Kriti Monastery in northeastern Tibet do not know if they will receive help from local Chinese officials to rebuild after the structure was destroyed by an earthquake last month, a person with knowledge of the situation said on Tuesday.
• Mali Arrests Ivorian Soldiers in Bamako VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- Mali's military government has arrested nearly 50 Ivorian troops who provide support to a contingent of the U.N. mission, calling them "mercenaries."

News Reports

• NASA to Release Images from Most Powerful Space Telescope VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- The U.S. space agency is set to release the full set of the first full-color images from the James Webb Space Telescope on Tuesday, a day after sharing a full-color picture showing stars and galaxies from deeper into the cosmos than ever seen before.
• US Capitol Riot Investigators Allege Trump Ignited the Mayhem VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- The congressional panel investigating the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol last year alleged Tuesday that former President Donald Trump ignited the mayhem with an "explosive invitation" for supporters to come to Washington to try to block certification of his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
• New US Capitol Riot Hearing to Focus on Extremist Group Links to Trump, Associates VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- The congressional panel investigating the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol last year is set to hear testimony Tuesday linking far-right extremist groups to the mayhem as they attempted to block the certification of Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election over then-incumbent Donald Trump.
• Taiwan reports second case of monkeypox CNA 12 Jul 2022 -- A second case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Taiwan, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Tuesday, specifying that it was another imported infection.
• Russia Says Man Returning From Europe Has First Case Of Monkeypox RFE/RL 12 Jul 2022 -- Russian health officials said the first case of monkeypox has been detected in the country, attributing it to a "young man" with a mild form of the disease.
• DHS to Expand Security Cooperation with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates DHS 12 Jul 2022 -- Last week, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Under Secretary for Policy Robert Silvers was in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to expand security cooperation between the United States and each nation, and to advance key homeland security agreements and objectives.
• Readout of National Cyber Director Chris Inglis's Travel to Israel and Europe The White House 12 Jul 2022
• Veteran U.S. Negotiator Richardson May Travel To Russia For Talks On Griner, Whelan RFE/RL 12 Jul 2022 -- Veteran U.S. hostage negotiator Bill Richardson could travel to Russia to seek the release of U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan, U.S. and Russian media are reporting.
• EU Says Members Have Frozen $13.8 Billion In Russian Assets Since Start Of War RFE/RL 12 Jul 2022 -- European Union member states have so far frozen Russian assets worth $13.8 billion since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders has said.
• Iran starts handling first Russian cargo transit to India Press TV 12 Jul 2022 -- Iran has started transiting a first Russian cargo to India through a new route that experts believe will lead to increased trade in the region.
• Russia Launches Criminal Case Against Opposition Politician Yashin RFE/RL 12 Jul 2022 -- Russian authorities have launched a criminal case against Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin for allegedly spreading false information about the Russian Army, his lawyer said on July 12.
• In Russia's Poorest Regions, Mothers And Wives Are Fighting To Bring Their Soldiers Back Home RFE/RL 12 Jul 2022 -- "My brother was sent for 333 exercises," said a woman from the south Siberian region of Buryatia about her relative serving in the Russian military in Ukraine. "He didn't sign up for a war in another country. It was basically a deception. Only on the eve of the invasion were they informed they would cross the border."
• For The First Time, Russia Fines Apple For Refusing To Localize User Data RFE/RL 12 Jul 2022 -- A court in Moscow has fined Apple for failing to localize the storage of personal data of its users amid a Russian government campaign to tighten state control over the Internet.
• Gazprom's Maintenance Cuts Raise EU Energy Fears VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- As parts of Europe endure sweltering heat, fears are growing of a cold winter ahead after Russia's Gazprom energy company cut off a key pipeline to Germany this week — ostensibly for routine maintenance. The move has sparked alarm and is intensifying European Union efforts to slash energy consumption and find alternatives.
• Meeting with Rosseti CEO Andrei Ryumin President of Russia 12 Jul 2022 -- Vladimir Putin met with Andrei Ryumin, Chairman of the Management Board and Director General of the national grid company Rosseti. The company director informed the president about the company's performance in 2021, the completion of the autumn and winter period, and preparations for the upcoming peak load season, as well as measures taken to ensure the sustainable development of the power grid.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on anti-Russia statements by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 Jul 2022
• Interview with Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Kyiv - "Russia is constantly attempting to distort reality" Germany - Federal Government 12 Jul 2022 -- One of the weapons being used by Russia in its war against Ukraine is disinformation. By selectively spreading misleading and false information, Russia is being deliberately deceptive and seeking to influence public opinion. In this interview, Yuliya Tychkivska of the Aspen Institute Kyiv describes why Russian disinformation poses a threat to her country, what narratives Russia is spreading, and how she and her fellow campaigners are countering this targeted misinformation.
• Telephone conversation with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev President of Russia 12 Jul 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
• Putin, Erdogan discuss bilateral relations, situation in Ukraine over phone People's Daily 12 Jul 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the development of bilateral economic cooperation, and the situation in Ukraine during a telephone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.
• Brazilian president unveils deal to import Russian diesel People's Daily 12 Jul 2022 -- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday announced his government has reached a deal to begin importing diesel fuel from Russia as part of measures to lower fuel prices at home.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on July 12, 2022 PRC MofA 12 Jul 2022
• Hong Kong to get China-style COVID-19 app, sparking fears of totalitarian control Radio Free Asia 12 Jul 2022 -- Hong Kong will impose a China-style COVID-19 app on the city's seven million residents, sparking fears of ever-increasing state control over the movements of individuals.
• China's Central Wuhan Reports Cholera Case VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- Chinese authorities on Monday confirmed that a case of cholera had occurred in the central city of Wuhan where the outbreak of COVID-19 began before spreading globally. State media acknowledged that the case has sparked public worries in a society still coping with the COVID outbreak.
• Chinese FM stresses no interest in geostrategic jostling in PICs, refutes 'unfounded' rumors Global Times 12 Jul 2022 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry rebutted a series of smears against China in the Pacific Island countries on Monday, saying that China never seeks to build any sphere of influence and is not interested in geostrategic jostling, as its only focus is development and win-win cooperation. 
• Chinese FM calls on ASEAN to uphold vision of peace, independence, insulate region from geopolitical calculations Global Times 12 Jul 2022 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a policy speech on Monday on safeguarding open regionalism at the ASEAN Secretariat, urging to uphold the vision of peace, development, independence and inclusiveness.
• China ready to work with relevant countries, intl financial institutions to help Sri Lanka tackle current difficulties: FM Global Times 12 Jul 2022 -- China will continue providing assistance for the economic and social development of Sri Lanka and support its efforts to recover the economy and improve its people's livelihoods, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
• Chinese frigate spotted off Hualien CNA 12 Jul 2022 -- A Chinese military ship was spotted 35 nautical miles off Hualien Port in eastern Taiwan around noon on Sunday, a military source told CNA Tuesday.
• Analysts: China's Taiwan Strategy Signals Growing Resolve to Unify VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- A strategy outlined this month by China for Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island, shows the Communist government's resolve in unifying the two sides without making any new threats, experts say.
• Chinese top diplomat says one-China principle is the mainstay of stabilizing Taiwan Straits at ASEAN Secretariat Global Times 12 Jul 2022 -- The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and the one-China principle is the mainstay of stabilizing the Taiwan Straits, emphasized Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday at ASEAN Secretariat, when asked about the root cause of the current tension across the Taiwan Straits.
• More Measures Taken to Prevent Natural Disaster Damage in DPRK KCNA 12 Jul 2022 -- An intensive campaign for minimizing damage by natural disaster in the rainy season is underway across the DPRK.
• DPRK Premier Inspects Industrial Establishments KCNA 12 Jul 2022 -- Kim Tok Hun, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., Workers' Party of Korea, vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and premier of the Cabinet, inspected the Taean Heavy Machine Complex and the Chongchongang Thermal Power Plant.
• 'Driven By Fear': Iran Cracks Down On Dissent Amid Rising Public Discontent RFE/RL 12 Jul 2022 -- Iranian authorities have renewed their crackdown on dissent amid rising antiestablishment sentiment and near daily protests across the Islamic republic.
• Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing visits Russia Radio Free Asia 12 Jul 2022 -- Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for what Russia's Embassy in Myanmar called a "private" visit, only two days after U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken vowed to ramp up international pressure on the military regime.
• Sri Lankan Lawmakers to Choose New President, No Agreement on New Prime Minister VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- Amid economic and political collapse, Sri Lankan lawmakers have agreed to choose a new president next week, but they have yet to decide on the makeup of a new government as the country deals with the crises.
• Sri Lanka's new president to be elected on July 20: speaker People's Daily 12 Jul 2022 -- Sri Lanka's speaker of parliament on Monday said political party leaders have decided to elect a new president on July 20 through a vote in parliament.
• China ready to work with relevant countries, intl financial institutions to help Sri Lanka tackle current difficulties: FM Global Times 12 Jul 2022 -- China will continue providing assistance for the economic and social development of Sri Lanka and support its efforts to recover the economy and improve its people's livelihoods, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
• Two Financial Asset Managers Charged in Alleged $1.2 Billion Venezuelan Money Laundering Scheme US Dept. of Justice 12 Jul 2022 -- Two financial asset managers have been charged with money laundering as part of a $1.2 billion international scheme to launder funds corruptly obtained from Venezuela's state-owned and state-controlled energy company, Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA).
• Vietnam cracks down on Coast Guard oil smuggling ring Radio Free Asia 12 Jul 2022 -- The wife of a former Coast Guard regional commander has been prosecuted for accepting bribes for her husband's role in smuggling oil from Singapore to Vietnam.
• Cambodian farmers call for government help during extended drought Radio Free Asia 12 Jul 2022 -- A severe drought in northwest Cambodia has destroyed at least 10,000 hectares (24,700 acres) of rice and farmers are calling on the government to provide irrigation and other assistance.
• Cambodian opposition official testifies in defamation case filed by election monitor Radio Free Asia 12 Jul 2022 -- A senior official for Cambodia's main opposition party accused of defamation for claiming there were irregularities in the June 5 local commune elections said his trial is a waste of time after testifying before the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday.
• Laos to increase minimum wage starting Aug. 1 in response to inflation Radio Free Asia 12 Jul 2022 -- Laos' minimum wage will increase to 1.2 million (U.S. $80) per month starting on Aug. 1, the country's government announced, despite complaints from business owners that say they cannot afford the increase.
• Gang Violence, Rising Prices Send Food Shortages in Haiti Spiraling Out of Control VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- The World Food Program said nearly half of Haiti's population of 11.4 million is facing hunger, due to gang violence and soaring food costs.
• Gang violence in Port-au-Prince threatens more than a million food-insecure Haitians UN News 12 Jul 2022 -- Surging and deadly gang violence in the Haitian capital has contributed to runaway food insecurity for well over one million people there, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday.
• Multiple crises and surging gang violence set to worsen hunger in Haiti WFP 12 Jul 2022 -- In Haiti, where almost half the population is already food insecure, hunger is set to rise amidst increasing inflation, high costs of food and fuel and deteriorating security, warns the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). As criminal groups block roads, WFP continues to provide assistance to vulnerable Haitians and supports the humanitarian community with vital air and sea transport.
• Nearly One-Fourth of World's Population at Risk of Floods: Study VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- More than 1.8 billion people worldwide are at risk of severe floods, new research shows. Most reside in low- and middle-income countries in Asia, and four out of 10 live in poverty.
• Sub-Saharan Africa Facing Severe Food Shortage VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross warns hundreds of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa are going hungry due to conflict, climate shocks, and rising food prices triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• Cameroon Orders Investment in Wheat Production to Quell Protests Sparked by Shortages VOA 12 Jul 2022 -- Cameroon President Paul Biya says the government will increase funding to grow more wheat after protests over wheat shortages and price spikes sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Before Russia's Black Sea blockade, Cameroon imported 60 percent of its wheat from Ukraine. The cut-off has led to a nearly 50 percent increase in the price of bread.
• Hundreds Protest In Budapest As Parliament Discusses Orban's Tax Changes RFE/RL 12 Jul 2022 -- Hundreds of protesters blocked a bridge over the Danube River in Budapest as parliament debated a motion by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's conservative government that would increase the tax rate for hundreds of thousands of small businesses.