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Defense Policy / Programs

• USCGC Mohawk arrives in Lagos, Nigeria US Navy 18 Aug 2022 -- The Famous-class medium endurance cutter USCGC Mohawk (WMEC 913) arrived in Lagos, Nigeria for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 18, 2022.
• U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Royal Danish Navy host Maritime Operations Planning Workshop with Gulf of Guinea partners US Navy 18 Aug 2022 -- In a combined effort, U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) and the Royal Danish Navy will host the Maritime Operations Planning Workshop (MOPW) in Accra, Ghana for West African partners from 14 nations, Aug. 18, 2022.
• Department of Defense Awards $2 Million for Universities to Research Hypersonics Technologies DoD 18 Aug 2022 -- The DoD announced today that four universities have been selected for one-year, $500,000 applied research awards to advance hypersonics technology. The awardees are:
• Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks Visits U.S. Transportation Command and Purdue University DoD 18 Aug 2022 -- Today, Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks visited U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; and Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
• Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks Speaks With Traveling Press at Purdue University DoD 18 Aug 2022
• Biden Administration Moves to Strengthen Hostage Policy VOA 18 Aug 2022 -- The White House faces constant pressure from more than 60 American families whose relatives are held hostage overseas, including one whose family, this week, marks 10 years without him.
• NATO Helping to Develop Kosovo Security Force - Kosovar Prime Minister Sputnik 18 Aug 2022 -- NATO is helping to develop the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), Prime Minister of the partially-recognized Republic of Kosovo Albin Kurti said, adding that Pristina wants to boost cooperation with the alliance and later join it.
• Russia relocates three warplanes to Kaliningrad near Lithuania Press TV 18 Aug 2022 -- The Russian army has relocated three warplanes equipped with nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles to its exclave of Kaliningrad on the coast of the Baltic Sea, with the goal of being on "round-the-clock combat duty," according to Russia's Defense Ministry.
• Moscow Reportedly Moves Three Warplanes With Hypersonic Missiles To Kaliningrad Exclave RFE/RL 18 Aug 2022 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has deployed three MiG-31E warplanes equipped with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles to the far western Kaliningrad exclave, according to Russian media.
• State Dept: US Prepared to Begin Negotiating New Arms Control Framework If Russia Willing Sputnik 18 Aug 2022 -- The United States is prepared to begin negotiating a new arms control framework with Russia once the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) expires if Moscow is willing to engage, State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Thursday.
• Domestic combat drone gets upgrade PLA Daily 18 Aug 2022 -- The Caihong-4, China's top-selling unmanned combat aircraft, will soon have a more powerful engine that is expected to greatly improve its operational capability, according to its maker.
• Chinese peacekeepers to Lebanon participate in UNIFIL Angel Rescue Exercise PLA Daily 18 Aug 2022 -- The Angel Rescue Exercise, an emergency medical rescue drill organized by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), wrapped up on the morning of August 15, local time. Peacekeepers from seven countries including China, Spain, Cambodia, and France participated in the exercise. As the main medical support force in the mission area, the Chinese medical unit successfully completed its tasks in the exercise, with its emergency rescue and coordination support capabilities further tested.
• China to join Vostok-2022 Russia with other countries; closer China-Russia ties 'crucial to defend global stability to counter US hegemony' Global Times 18 Aug 2022 -- Chinese troops will go to Russia to participate in the joint military exercises Vostok-2022 with Russia and other countries, according to China's Defense Ministry and experts pointed out that one focus of this year's combined training is to deal with potential threat from the direction of the Pacific Ocean. The cooperation in military and other fields between China and Russia will be further improved despite the increasing hype that the US and the West are the only ones committed in the mission of defending regional and global stability.
• 51 Chinese warplanes, six warships spotted near Taiwan: MND CNA 18 Aug 2022 -- A total of 51 warplanes and six warships from China were spotted in areas around Taiwan as of 5 p.m. Thursday, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND), as Taiwan and the United States announced the same day that they would begin formal trade negotiations this fall.
• Chinese warship detected near Taiwan missile testing site: Navy CNA 18 Aug 2022 -- A Chinese warship was detected in waters off Green Island on Thursday, when Taiwan was set to begin a new round of missile tests from the nation's eastern coast, according to a military source.
• Mastering combat logistics at sea Australia DOD 18 Aug 2022 -- Informally known as the 'tanker taskforce', Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 command taskforce (CTF) 173 was more than support and replenishment.
• Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise Vinbax 2022 Concludes at Chandimandir India PIB 18 Aug 2022 -- Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise VINBAX 2022 concluded at Chandimandir with an impressive display of Multi Agency Humanitarian Assistance in Disaster Relief (HADR) demonstration and an equipment display showcasing the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. The exercise had commenced on 01 August and was focused on deployment of Army Engineer and Medical teams in UN Peacekeeping operations. What made the exercise unique was the fact that it was the first time ever that the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) was undertaking a Field Training Exercise with any foreign Army. The fact that Vietnam chose India for this honour, speaks volumes about the value the two countries place on their mutual relationship.
• CULMINATION OF EXERCISE UDARASHAKTI India PIB 18 Aug 2022 -- The bilateral exercise, Ex UDARASHAKTI between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) culminated at the RMAF Air Base Kuantan on 16 Aug 2022
• Powerful IRGC Navy forces tasked with mission to be deployed to high seas, Chief Commander says Press TV 18 Aug 2022 -- Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami has praised the naval warfare service branch of his force as "powerful and prevailing," stating that his fellow marines have been tasked with bolstering their presence in remote high seas areas.
• Russia Begins Supplies of Second S-400 Regiment to Turkey: Defense Cooperation Agency Sputnik 18 Aug 2022 -- Russia has started the supplies of the second regiment of its S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to Turkey after the signing of a relevant contract, Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Director Dmitry Shugaev told Sputnik on Thursday.
• Defence Forces to procure artillery munitions Finnish MoD 18 Aug 2022 -- The Defence Forces Logistics Command will procure 155 mm projectile shells and hollow charges from Nammo Lapua Oy.
• Noise annoys: Thailand and China to move air exercise due to complaints Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2022 -- The renewed 'Falcon Strike' joint air force exercise between Thailand and China will be relocated as of next year from the current site which served as a U.S. air base during the Vietnam War, officials said.
• Department Press Briefing - August 18, 2022 US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 18, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 18 August 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Aug 2022
• Death Toll Rises to at Least 21 in Afghan Mosque Bombing VOA 18 Aug 2022 -- Taliban authorities in Afghanistan said Thursday that the death toll from an overnight bomb blast inside a mosque in Kabul had risen to at least 21.
• UN deplores deadly attack in Afghanistan, killing scores and injuring many others UN News 18 Aug 2022 -- The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemned on Thursday, a fatal attack on a Mosque in the capital, Kabul.
• Police Say 21 Killed In Kabul Mosque Blast RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Aug 2022 -- An explosion that ripped through a mosque packed with worshippers during evening prayers in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on August 17 killed 21 people, police say.
• Blast kills 21, injures 33 in Afghan capital Kabul People's Daily 18 Aug 2022 -- A blast targeted worshipers at a mosque in the Afghan capital Kabul, killing at least 21 people and injuring 33 others late on Wednesday, a security official confirmed Thursday.
• Afghan Police Confirm 21 Killed, 33 Injured in Mosque Explosion Near Kabul Sputnik 18 Aug 2022 -- The Afghan police confirmed on Thursday that at least 21 people had been killed and 33 others injured in an explosion at a mosque north of Kabul the day before.
• Yemen warns against 'suspicious' activities of US, French troops in occupied southern cities Press TV 18 Aug 2022 -- The parliament of the Sana'a-based National Salvation Government has warned about the suspicious movements of American and French troops in the occupied areas of southern Yemen, which has been the target of a devastating Saudi-led war since 2015.
• Myanmar junta forces raid village in Magway, torching hundreds of homes Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar junta forces and members of an affiliated militia group torched most of the homes in a village in the central Magway region, another display of the regime's reliance on arson in its fight to hold onto power 18 months after removing the democratically elected government in a coup.
• Two farmers killed in Sagaing region village Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2022 -- Two residents of a village in Sagaing region's Kale township have been shot dead by junta troops, according to locals.
• UN calls on Myanmar military to end violence, release political prisoners Press TV 18 Aug 2022 -- The United Nations has once again called on the junta in Myanmar to halt executions, end violence, and release all political prisoners.
• India set to deport Rohingya Muslim refugees in New Delhi Press TV 18 Aug 2022 -- India's Home Ministry says the persecuted Rohingya Muslim refugees in New Delhi will be held at a detention center and then expelled.
• Mali Accuses France of Supporting Islamist Militants VOA 18 Aug 2022 -- Mali's Foreign Affairs Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, in a Monday letter to the U.N. Security Council's president for August, accused France of supporting "terrorist groups."
• Mali accuses France of arming terrorists, seeks emergency UN meeting Press TV 18 Aug 2022 -- Mali has requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting as the country has accused France of violating its airspace and delivering weapons to armed groups, an attempt considered to destabilize the West African country.
• Amid Mali's Meddling Claims, France Admits Still Has 3,000 Troops in Africa's Sahel Region Sputnik 18 Aug 2022 -- The French general staff has confirmed that it still has thousands of soldiers in Africa's Sahel region, even after completing its withdrawal from Mali. The news comes as Bamako brings accusations that Paris supported terrorist groups inside Mali before the United Nations.
• France Calls Mali's Accusations of Paris Supporting Terrorism 'Information Manipulation' Sputnik 18 Aug 2022 -- France condemns Mali's statement that Paris is allegedly supplying terrorists with weapons and regards it as an "information manipulation" designed to distract attention from the deteriorating security situation in the West African country, a spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
• Peru Reverses Course, Ends Recognition of Saharawi Arab Republic in Western Sahara Sputnik 18 Aug 2022 -- In a sudden reversal of policy, Peru on Thursday endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, severing relations with the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) declared by indigenous Saharawis in the non-self-governing territory, which has UN support for an independence referendum.
• Rebel Leader Erdimi Returns to Chad After Decade in Exile VOA 18 Aug 2022 -- Exiled Chadian rebel leader Timan Erdimi has returned to the country after a decade in exile in Qatar for talks aiming to pave the way for democratic elections. But boycotts by rebel and opposition groups remain major hurdles.
• Exiled Chadian Rebel Leader Returns to Country Ahead of National Talks Sputnik 18 Aug 2022 -- Earlier this month, the Transitional Military Council of Chad and paramilitary opposition groups signed a peace agreement in the Qatari capital of Doha, pledging to initiate a national dialogue conference in the African country later in August.
• Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue: Press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell after the high-level meeting with President Vučić and Prime Minister Kurti European External Action Service (EEAS) 18 Aug 2022 -- Check against delivery!
• EU's Borrell Calls For 'Flexibility' As Kosovo-Serbia Talks Begin In Brussels RFE/RL 18 Aug 2022 -- The European Union's top diplomat has opened high-level crisis talks between the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels with an appeal to both sides to show flexibility.
• Israel urged to allow humanitarians to continue working in Palestine UN News 18 Aug 2022 -- Allow human rights and humanitarian organizations to continue their work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), UN agencies and other partners have urged Israel.
• TPLF Alleges Government Attacks in Ethiopia's Tigray Region VOA 18 Aug 2022 -- Tigrayan forces have warned of renewed conflict in northern Ethiopia, accusing federal forces of firing on their positions this week, despite a months-long cease-fire. The office of the prime minister dismissed the allegation and said it was aimed at deflecting efforts to engage in peace talks.
• Thailand Says Peace Talks with Muslim Insurgents Still on Track After Major Rebel Assault VOA 18 Aug 2022 -- A series of coordinated violent attacks that rocked Thailand's far south this week will not derail peace talks or negotiations for a long-sought ceasefire with Muslim insurgents, the government's chief negotiator said Thursday.
• East African Regional Bloc Begins Deployment of Troops to DRC VOA 18 Aug 2022 -- Burundi this week became the first country to send troops to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of an East African regional force that aims to end decades of unrest in the eastern DRC. But few details have been released about the deployment and some security experts worry that Burundi, like other DRC neighbors, has its own security agenda.

News Reports

• Press Briefing by White House Monkeypox Response Team and Public Health Officials The White House 18 Aug 2022
• FACT SHEET: White House Announces New Actions to Combat Monkeypox Outbreak The White House 18 Aug 2022
• US to Boost Monkeypox Vaccine Supply VOA 18 Aug 2022 -- The White House announced Thursday it will make an additional 1.8 million doses of monkeypox vaccine available for distribution beginning next week.
• Judge Considers Releasing Redacted Affidavit Used in Trump Search VOA 18 Aug 2022 -- A federal judge in Florida ordered the Department of Justice to propose redactions to the affidavit that justified the warrant used last week to search former President Donald Trump's Florida estate.
• Estonia Repels Massive Cyberattack Linked To Removal Of Soviet Memorial RFE/RL 18 Aug 2022 -- Estonia says it was targeted by "the most extensive cyberattacks since 2007" shortly after removing a Soviet-era monument in a region with a sizeable ethnic Russian majority.
• Russian Sought By U.S. Over 'Ryuk' Ransomware Extradited From Netherlands RFE/RL 18 Aug 2022 -- A Russian national sought by U.S. prosecutors for allegedly laundering cryptocurrency tied to a notorious ransomware gang has been extradited to the United States from the Netherlands.
• American Investor Known For Russian Nightclub, Pro-Ukrainian Stances, Found Dead In Washington RFE/RL 18 Aug 2022 -- An American stockbroker, who made a fortune in the Russian market in the 1990s and 2000s and later co-founded a posh Moscow nightclub before leaving the country, died after being found lying on a sidewalk in Washington, police said.
• Meeting on developing shipbuilding industry President of Russia 18 Aug 2022 -- The President held a meeting, via videoconference, on developing the shipbuilding industry.
• Briefing by Deputy Director of the Foreign Ministry Information and Press Department Ivan Nechayev, Moscow, August 18, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18 Aug 2022
• Telephone conversation with President of Indonesia Joko Widodo President of Russia 18 Aug 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of Indonesia Joko Widodo.
• Finnish, Estonian FMs discuss Russian visa issue People's Daily 18 Aug 2022 -- The foreign ministers of Finland and Estonia met in Helsinki on Wednesday to discuss restrictions on visas for Russian citizens.
• Russian Billionaire Deripaska Sues Navalny Over Report About Lavrov Links RFE/RL 18 Aug 2022 -- Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska has filed a lawsuit against jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, his team, and several foreign entities over an investigative report they produced about alleged corruption links between the tycoon and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on August 18, 2022 PRC MofA 18 Aug 2022
• Nearly 30 activists plead guilty to 'subversion' in Hong Kong security case Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2022 -- Hong Kong democracy activists Joshua Wong, Benny Tai and dozens of other defendants pleaded guilty to subversion charges brought under Hong Kong's draconian national security law after they took part in a democratic primary in the summer of 2020, local media reported.
• Dozens of anti-China figures including Benny Tai and Joshua Wong plead guilty, sending deterrent to secessionists Global Times 18 Aug 2022 -- Dozens of former local politicians and extreme separatist activists in other sectors involved in the infamous "35-plus" political strategy in 2020, including former legal professor Benny Tai Yiu-ting and secessionist Joshua Wong Chi-fung, pleaded guilty of "conspiring to subvert state power" on Thursday. The case will be handed over to the Hong Kong High Court for sentencing in September and November respectively.
• High-Profile Visits Aid Beijing Propaganda, Experts Say VOA 18 Aug 2022 -- Dubbing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "a selfish child" whose visit to Taiwan was destined to be "torn up by history," China's state media generated dozens of articles on a U.S. politician who has been criticizing Beijing for more than 30 years.
• Xi: CPC is always with the people People's Daily 18 Aug 2022 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said more efforts should be made so that the people feel the CPC serves the people wholeheartedly and is always with the people.
• Chinese premier stresses seeking new impetus for stabilizing economy, promoting development People's Daily 18 Aug 2022 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged efforts to advance explorations in reform and opening-up to seek new impetus for stabilizing the economy and promoting development.
• Chinese vice premier urges efforts to boost foreign trade, consumption People's Daily 18 Aug 2022 -- Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua on Wednesday urged efforts to expand consumption and further stabilize foreign trade and foreign investment.
• Chinese vice premier stresses energy, power supply People's Daily 18 Aug 2022 -- Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng has urged stronger policy support and solid efforts to ensure the energy and power supply in the country.
• Chinese tech giants hand over algorithms as Beijing tightens internet controls Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2022 -- Dozens of technology companies have submitted their proprietary algorithms to China's internet regulator in recent weeks, including Alibaba, Tencent and Weibo, according to official documents.
• 90% of people in Taiwan opposed to Chinese drills: Survey CNA 18 Aug 2022 -- Almost 90 percent of people in Taiwan expressed opposition to the military drills held by China around Taiwan and the firing of missiles near the island, a survey conducted by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) found Thursday.
• Taiwan, U.S. to kick off trade negotiations in fall CNA 18 Aug 2022 -- Taiwan and the United States are scheduled to hold the first round of negotiations this fall on an ambitious 11-area trade initiative with the aim of working toward a trade agreement.
• Taiwan question bears on basic trust, political foundation of ties, China tells Japan at high-level dialogue Global Times 18 Aug 2022 -- Taiwan question bears on the political foundation of China-Japan relations and the basic trust and good faith between the two countries, Chinese top diplomat Yang Jiechi reiterated during a high-level dialogue with Japanese national security advisor Takeo Akiba on Wednesday amid heightened cross-Straits tensions.
• Taiwan island's missile tests, US command aircraft's sortie 'no threat to PLA' Global Times 18 Aug 2022 -- Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan island reportedly began a series of live-fire missile tests starting on Thursday, with an E-8C command aircraft of the US military reportedly flying over the Bashi Channel before the tests, a move Taiwan-based media claimed was a "deterrent" to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). However, Chinese mainland military experts said that the remarks were ignorant, as neither the island's missiles nor the US aircraft pose credible threats to the PLA.
• China urges U.S. to strictly observe one-China principle People's Daily 18 Aug 2022 -- China on Wednesday urged the United States to draw lessons from history, honor the three China-U.S. joint communiques and strictly observe the one-China principle.
• Punitive measures against diehard "Taiwan independence" secessionists have sufficient legal basis: spokesperson People's Daily 18 Aug 2022 -- A State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson on Wednesday said that Taiwan is a part of China and there is a sufficient legal basis for China to impose punitive measures on diehard "Taiwan independence" secessionists.
• US says will take steps to counter China's activity around Taiwan Press TV 18 Aug 2022 -- The United States says it plans to adopt measures to counter China's military and economic activity around Chinese Taipei, amid heightened tensions between Taipei and Beijing.
• Russia Respecting One China Principle on Taiwan Issue, US Strategy Will Fail - Ministry Sputnik 18 Aug 2022 -- Russia is respecting the One China principle when it comes to Taiwan, Pyotr Ilyichev, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of International Organizations, told Sputnik, adding that the US strategy on the matter will fail.
• African Leaders Quick to Address US-China Tensions Over Taiwan VOA 18 Aug 2022 -- A spike in tensions between China and the United States over Taiwan has not gone unnoticed in Africa and has prompted responses that underscore the continent's tilt toward Beijing.
• North Korea's 'corn inspection squads' patrol rural streets to catch grain thieves Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2022 -- Authorities in North Korea have organized "corn inspection squads" that patrol areas near rural collective farms and stop citizens to check their bags for stolen grains, sources in the country told RFA.
• No talk of good, lasting agreement unless all issues agreed upon, Iran FM tells Omani counterpart Press TV 18 Aug 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says no party can definitely talk about conclusion of a good and lasting agreement on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal in the Austrian capital of Vienna unless all issues have been worked out.
• 'Agreement can be reached in Vienna if red lines met, economic benefits guaranteed' Press TV 18 Aug 2022 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the next steps for a possible agreement for restoration of the 2015 nuclear deal can be taken if Tehran's red lines are respected and economic benefits guaranteed.
• Users Say Iranian Authorities Blocking Verification Codes On Cell Phones RFE/RL 18 Aug 2022 -- Iranian authorities have blocked cell phone users from receiving two-step verification codes on their devices in a move to further restrict access to social media and to filter access to information.
• Tanker Trackers: After Iraqi Oil Blending Scheme, Iran Found Better way to Evade US Sanctions VOA 18 Aug 2022 -- An apparent scheme by Iran and its shipping industry allies to blend U.S.-sanctioned Iranian oil with Iraqi oil in 2020 was short-lived, according to tanker trackers who say Tehran dropped it in favor of a more efficient way to evade sanctions on its oil exports.
• Iran makes "political decision" on nuke deal, awaits U.S. decision: senior lawmaker People's Daily 18 Aug 2022 -- A senior Iranian lawmaker said on Wednesday that Iran has made its "political decision" on a possible agreement on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, urging the United States to make its own one, the Student News Network (SNN) reported.
• Iran says ready to deal with prisoners issue with U.S. People's Daily 18 Aug 2022 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday announced Iran's readiness for "immediate" implementation of the existing agreement with the United States on prisoners.
• Vienna talks final result hinges on how US reacts: Ulyanov IRNA 18 Aug 2022 -- Mikhail Ulyanov, Top Russian Negotiator to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal revival talks, said on Wednesday that the final result of the negotiations depends on how the United States reacts to the latest Iranian reasonable suggestions.
• PM Lapid Speaks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Israel - Prime Minister 18 Aug 2022 -- Prime Minister Yair Lapid spoke today, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
• Russia says 'likely' to close Jewish Agency amid tensions with Israel over Ukraine Press TV 18 Aug 2022 -- Russia has expressed the likelihood of dissolving a so-called Jewish Agency that works to encourage the emigration of Jews to Israel after the country's Ministry of Justice accused the Moscow-based agency of violating Russia's privacy laws.
• Israel says restores full diplomatic ties with Türkiye People's Daily 18 Aug 2022 -- Israel and Türkiye have agreed to reinstate full diplomatic ties and will return ambassadors and consuls general to each other, the Israeli prime minister said Wednesday.
• Relatives Of Kazakhs Jailed For Taking Part In January Unrest Demand Retrials, Justice RFE/RL 18 Aug 2022 -- Relatives of Kazakh citizens who were handed lengthy prison terms on charges of taking part in mass disorder and stealing firearms during unprecedented anti-government protests in January that left at least 238 people dead have demanded their release or a retrial.
• Big Blow to Imran Khan as Election Commission Rejects His Nomination Papers for Faisalabad Bypolls Sputnik 18 Aug 2022 -- The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and ex-PM Imran Khan have been at loggerheads ever since the cricketer-turned-politician lost power in April. While Khan has accused the organization of being in league with the current Shehbaz Sharif-led government, an ECP investigation alleged that his party had received prohibited funding from overseas.
• Syria denies holding U.S. journalist missing for 10 years People's Daily 18 Aug 2022 -- Syria on Wednesday denied U.S. claims that it has been holding U.S. freelance journalist Austin Tice, who has been missing for 10 years since entering Syria.
• Orban-Linked NGO In Serbia Responsible For Distributing Postal Votes To Ethnic Hungarians RFE/RL 18 Aug 2022 -- An NGO in Serbia with ties to the ruling Hungarian Fidesz party of authoritarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was not only given access to voter lists of ethnic Hungarians in Serbia but was tasked with distributing absentee ballots for Hungary's recent parliamentary elections.
• South Sudan: 'Urgent collective efforts' needed in most dangerous humanitarian situation UN News 18 Aug 2022 -- On the eve of World Humanitarian Day, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, called on Thursday for joint action to address the aid crisis in the country and end attacks against civilians and humanitarian workers.
• Three Liberian Government Officials Suspended Following US Sanctions VOA 18 Aug 2022 -- Liberian President George Weah suspended three officials Tuesday after the U.S. government announced sanctions on them for public corruption. The officials include the president's chief of staff, the country's chief prosecutor, and the managing director of Liberia's National Port Authority.