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• DAF COVID-19 Statistics - Aug. 23, 2022 US Air Force 23 Aug 2022
• Air Defenders test newest Patriot Missile upgrades Army News 23 Aug 2022 -- Sixty-five Soldiers and 135 Government Civilians started a yearlong test on the latest Patriot Missile System upgrade. This upgrade is the newest one since 2018.
• USCGC Mohawk (WMEC 913) arrives in Tema, Ghana US Navy 23 Aug 2022 -- The Famous-class medium endurance USCGC Mohawk (WMEC 913) arrived in Tema, Ghana for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 23, 2022.
• New Coast Guard Cutters arrive in Bahrain US Navy 23 Aug 2022 -- Two U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutters arrived in Bahrain, Aug. 23, marking the arrival to their ultimate destination after departing Key West, Florida in June.
• Ohio-Class Submarines work with USAF and USMC during VERTREP US Navy 23 Aug 2022 -- Two Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines demonstrated their ability to replenish while operating at sea during a series of vertical replenishment (VERTREP) exercises off the coast of California July through August, 2022.
• Production model Infantry Squad Vehicles airdrop tested for long-term ruggedization Army News 23 Aug 2022 -- Airborne equipment testers here are working with aerospace engineers on modifying airdrop rigging techniques because of structural and mechanical changes made by the manufacture of the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV).
• Fitzgerald Returns to Homeport US Navy 23 Aug 2022 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) returned to Naval Base San Diego, following a seven-month deployment to U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleets, Aug. 23.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar DoD 23 Aug 2022
• NATO EXECUTES COMPLEX MULTI-NATIONAL EXERCISE OVER SLOVAKIA NATO 23 Aug 2022 -- Allied fighters, bombers and support aircraft conducted a large-scale, complex, multinational exercise over NATO's Eastern flank, August 22.
• Reports: U.S. To Announce $3 billion In New Military Aid To Ukraine RFE/RL 23 Aug 2022 -- The United States is expected to announce a new security assistance package for Ukraine totaling about $3 billion as it tries to beat back invading Russian forces.
• US giving Ukraine more weapons than announced: Report Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- US media have published news about Washington providing Ukraine with more weapons than the Biden administration had publicly announced.
• US possibly preparing Ukrainians for 'closer combat': Report Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- The United States is possibly helping Ukraine prepare for an impending counterattack against Russia, according to a report.
• US May Be Providing Ukraine With More Weapons Than Publicly Announced - Reports Sputnik 23 Aug 2022 -- The United States may be providing Ukraine with weapons that are not made public any time Washington announces a new security assistance package, Politico reported.
• Secretary General stresses NATO long-term support for Ukraine at Crimea Platform NATO 23 Aug 2022 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participated with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other world leaders in the online Summit of the International Crimea Platform on Tuesday (23 August 2022). He detailed the strong support that NATO and Allies are providing Ukraine.
• Netherlands Announces $80 Million Aid Package for Ukraine, Defense Ministry Says Sputnik 23 Aug 2022 -- The Netherlands has decided to provide Ukraine with an additional aid package worth about 80 million euros ($80 million), the Dutch Defense Ministry said in a statement.
• Dutch Defense Ministry: 90 Service Members Involved in Training of Ukrainian Soldiers in UK Sputnik 23 Aug 2022 -- About 90 Dutch troops are involved in the training of Ukrainian soldiers in the UK, the Defense Ministry of the Netherlands said in a statement.
• Switzerland to Hold Referendum on F-35 Purchase Next Year, Official Says Sputnik 23 Aug 2022 -- A referendum on the procurement of US-made fighter jets F-35 will take place in Switzerland on March 12, 2023, after the country faced a political split and a backlash from the population, Swiss Federal Chancellery Information Officer Beat Furrer told RIA.Novosti on Tuesday.
• United States to donate eight H1 helicopters to the Czech Republic Czech Republic Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces 23 Aug 2022 -- The Czech Republic will receive eight helicopters from the H-1 program free of charge from the U.S. Government the Czech Minister of Defence Jana Černochová confirmed during her visit to the 24th Transport Air Force Base.
• China likely to beef up its navy with new aircraft carriers and subs Radio Free Asia 23 Aug 2022 -- China may have enough resources to expand its naval force to 419 ships and submarines in the next ten years, including five aircraft carriers and 28 nuclear-powered subs, according to a new report.
• China restarts mass production of Type 052D destroyers, media reports say Global Times 23 Aug 2022 -- With five Type 052D destroyers allegedly spotted under construction at the Dalian Shipyard, China is said to have restarted the mass production of this type of warship, with foreign media hyping that the fast pace of China's shipbuilding makes the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy "the largest navy in the world," a claim that Chinese analysts slammed on Tuesday as being the rhetoric of the "China threat" theory.
• Chinese research ship leaves Sri Lanka after riling India, US Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- A Chinese research vessel departed from Sri Lanka's Hambantota port on Monday after six days marked by tensions between India and China with New Delhi becoming increasingly uneasy over Beijing's growing influence in the region.
• Royal Australian Air Force strengthens ties with the French Air and Space Force Australia DOD 23 Aug 2022 -- The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF) rendezvoused over the Coral Sea on 17 August 2022.
• Iranian Army to begin drone drills on Wednesday IRNA 23 Aug 2022 -- Iranian Army plans to start major drone drills across the country, according to Deputy Coordinator of the Iranian Army Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari.
• Iran to launch mass military drone drills: Cmdr Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- The Islamic Republic will stage large scale drone drills across the country with the participation of different units of the Army, says a senior Iranian Army commander.
• UK's Truss Says Ready to Launch Nuclear Missiles If Necessary Sputnik 23 Aug 2022 -- UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, a top contender for the position of the next UK prime minister and Conservative Party leader, said on Tuesday that she was ready to launch nuclear missiles should the necessity arise.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Head of Cabinet of the President of the European Council Bernard US Dept. of State 23 Aug 2022
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Israeli National Security Advisor Eyal Hulata The White House 23 Aug 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 23, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 23 August 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Aug 2022
• VOA Exclusive: Former CENTCOM Commanders Say the US Not Safer Following Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan VOA 23 Aug 2022 -- The United States is not safer following the pullout of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, and President Donald Trump's and President Joe Biden's determination to withdraw all U.S. forces from there led to Kabul's fall, according to the last commanders to oversee a U.S. military presence in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
• Russia says Turkey's military action in Syria would be 'unacceptable' Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has lambasted Turkey's declared plans to launch a new military campaign in northern Syria, stressing that an escalation of military actions in the war-ravaged Arab country would be "unacceptable."
• Turkey says no preconditions for 'goal-oriented' dialogue with Syria Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- Turkey does not have preconditions for dialogue with the Syrian government, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced on Tuesday, stressing that talks should be goal-oriented.
• IRGC general and military advisor martyred in Syria Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- A senior member of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) ground forces, General Abolfazl Alijani, has been martyred in Syria.
• Reports: Senior Commander With Iran's Revolutionary Guards Killed In Syria RFE/RL 23 Aug 2022 -- Iranian media is reporting that General Abolfazl Alijani, a senior commander with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), has been killed in Syria.
• UNHCR appeals for renewed support and solutions for Rohingya refugees UNHCR 23 Aug 2022 -- This week marks five years since more than 700,000 Rohingya women, men and children fled Myanmar for Bangladesh, joining hundreds of thousands of other Rohingya who had sought and found refuge in the country in previous years. The latest exodus from Myanmar is now officially defined as being a protracted situation.
• Myanmar: 5 years since Rohingya mass exodus, UNHCR urges solutions UN News 23 Aug 2022 -- This week marks five years since more than 700,000 ethnic Rohingya fled military persecution from Myanmar for neighbouring Bangladesh, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Tuesday, appealing to the international community for greater support.
• Wheels of Justice Turn Slowly for Displaced Rohingya People VOA 23 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar's displaced Rohingya Muslims are marking a solemn anniversary this week.
• Darfur: Trial of Janjaweed leader must not be 'a false dawn' for justice, Security Council hears UN News 23 Aug 2022 -- The trial of senior Janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb - the first prosecution to get underway at the request of the UN Security Council - represents "a glimmer of hope for justice in Darfur," Sudan, the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor on the case told the chamber on Tuesday.
• Cameroon Says Border Conflict Exacerbating Hunger and Malnutrition VOA 23 Aug 2022 -- Authorities in Cameroon say thousands of people who fled communal violence near the borders with Chad and Nigeria are suffering from malnutrition with scores of children dying in the past few weeks.

News Reports

• US National Archives: Trump Took 700 Pages of Classified Documents to Florida VOA 23 Aug 2022 -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump left Washington with more than 700 pages of classified documents, including some containing the government's top secrets, when his presidency ended last year, the National Archives disclosed Tuesday.
• National Archives Retrieved 700 Pages of Classified Files From Mar-a-Lago in January, Letter Reveals Sputnik 23 Aug 2022 -- Former US President Donald Trump has tried to protect his papers from one government inquiry after another through the repeated assertion of executive privilege, or his right as head of state to maintain confidential communications. However, the Supreme Court has set definite limits on what the rule can and cannot protect from scrutiny.
• Trump held over 300 classified documents after leaving office: Report Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- Former US President Trump had more than 300 classified documents in his possession after leaving office, which were retrieved by the National Archives in January, a damning new report has revealed.
• Trump Asks for Special Master to Review Seized Documents VOA 23 Aug 2022 -- Lawyers for former U.S. President Donald Trump have asked a federal court to temporarily block the FBI from reviewing documents recovered from his Florida estate until a special master can be appointed to separate out any materials covered by executive privilege and return them to him.
• Trump asks for appointment of "special master" to oversee handling of materials taken in Mar-a-Lago search People's Daily 23 Aug 2022 -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday asked for the appointment of a "special master" to oversee the handling of materials taken in the Mar-a-Lago search earlier this month.
• Readout of Justice Department Officials' Remarks to National Association of Election Officials US Dept. of Justice 23 Aug 2022 -- Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. met today with a bipartisan group of election officials at the 37th Annual National Conference of The National Association of Election Officials.
• New Ebola case reported in DR Congo, linked to previous outbreak People's Daily 23 Aug 2022 -- The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Monday confirmed a new case of the Ebola virus in the northeastern North Kivu Province, the health ministry said in a statement.
• DR Congo declares Ebola resurgence after new case confirmed Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared a resurgence of Ebola virus after a new case was confirmed in the country's eastern province of North Kivu.
• DR Congo Rushes to Contain Resurfacing Ebola Outbreak Amid Deadly Anti-UN Protests Sputnik 23 Aug 2022 -- On 4 July 2022, the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared the end of an Ebola outbreak that erupted on 23 April in Mbandaka, the capital of Equateur Province. There had been four confirmed cases and one probable case, all of whom died. Since 1976, the Democratic Republic of Congo has suffered 14 outbreaks of Ebola.
• WHO supports DR Congo authorities as Ebola resurges in volatile east UN News 23 Aug 2022 -- Ebola has resurfaced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following confirmation of a case in the restive eastern province of North Kivu, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Tuesday, citing authorities in the country.
• Colombia Suspends Forced Coca Eradication With Glyphosate - Police Chief Sputnik 23 Aug 2022 -- Henry Sanabria, the recently appointed director of the National Police of Colombia, on Tuesday suspended forced coca crop destruction and submitted a request to the national environmental regulator to revoke the national permit for the use of the Glyphosate herbicide.
• Meeting with VEB.RF State Development Corporation Chairman Igor Shuvalov President of Russia 23 Aug 2022 -- Chairman of the State Development Corporation VEB.RF Igor Shuvalov informed the President about the priority areas of the bank's operations amidst the external sanction pressure.
• Telephone conversation with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon President of Russia 23 Aug 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.
• Canada Slaps More Sanctions On Russia, Including Regional Heads, Over Ukraine RFE/RL 23 Aug 2022 -- Canada has imposed sanctions on 62 more Russian citizens and one defense company over Moscow's ongoing unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
• Serbia reaffirms its refusal to join EU's 'anti-Russian hysteria' Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- Reaffirming his country's strong ties with Russia, Serbia's interior minister on Monday highlighted Belgrade's refusal to join Western sanctions against Moscow, after meeting with the top Russian diplomat in a rare visit by a state official from Europe.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions following talks with Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faisal Mekdad, Moscow, August 23, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Aug 2022
• Russia to show 'no mercy' for killers of Dugin's daughter: Lavrov Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said there can be "no mercy" for organizers, instigators and perpetrators behind a car bombing that killed the daughter of Russian political philosopher Alexander Dugin, who is known for his staunch anti-West views.
• Dugin urges Russia to avenge his daughter's murder, blaming Ukraine for it Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- Russian political philosopher Alexander Dugin, who is known for his staunch anti-West views, has blamed Ukraine for the car bomb attack that killed his daughter, urging Russia to avenge the murder.
• Russian Claims On Killing Of Dugin's Daughter Prompt Skepticism, Speculation About Kremlin Infighting RFE/RL 23 Aug 2022 -- Russia's speed at "solving" the car-bomb assassination of the daughter of prominent Russian far-right ideologue Aleksandr Dugin, who has played a prominent role in justifying and drumming up support for President Vladimir Putin's geopolitical ambitions, has attracted considerable skepticism.
• White House's Kirby on Dugina Murder: There's No Place for This Kind of Violence Sputnik 23 Aug 2022 -- National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Tuesday that there is no place for such violence that resulted in the killing of Russian national Daria Dugina.
• Russia's Anti-War Movement After Six Months: What Happened To 'The Most Important People On The Planet'? RFE/RL 23 Aug 2022 -- On March 6, Russian police detained more than 5,000 people in 69 cities across the country for protesting Moscow's unprovoked invasion of neighboring Ukraine just two weeks earlier.
• Russian Prosecutor Seeks Five Years In Prison For Anarchist Couple That Criticized FSB RFE/RL 23 Aug 2022 -- The prosecution has asked a court to sentence a couple, who are self-declared anarchists, to five years in prison each for criticizing the Federal Security Service (FSB), the successor to the Soviet-era KGB, with a protest banner they unfurled at the agency's headquarters in 2018.
• Russian Internet Giant Yandex Sells Homepage, News To Kremlin-Friendly Rival VK RFE/RL 23 Aug 2022 -- Russia's Internet giant Yandex has completed the sale of its news aggregator and Yandex.ru homepage to Kremlin-friendly rival VK, the owner of the eponymous social network -- a move experts have said will deal a further blow to Russians' access to independent media.
• China, South Korea to enhance mutual trust, avoid sensitive issues like THAAD as countries celebrate 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties Global Times 23 Aug 2022 -- Amid a high celebratory atmosphere for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of South Korea-China diplomatic ties on Wednesday, the latest statistics from the South Korean trade body show that the country's exports to China surged over 160 times over the past three decades, reflecting South Korea's unavoidably close economic ties with China.
• For China's Top Leaders — Other Than Xi — Age Is More Than Just a Number VOA 23 Aug 2022 -- The 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party this fall will determine China's political direction for the next five years.
• China's political advisors discuss employment-first policy People's Daily 23 Aug 2022 -- The Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee convened a meeting on Monday to discuss the implementation of the country's employment-first policy.
• China's power supply, energy structure tested in extreme drought amid transition to cleaner energy future Global Times 23 Aug 2022 -- As the rare triple-dip La Nina treks the globe leaving behind it extreme weather phenomena and disasters, some regions in southern China are experiencing a severe drought that only happens once in decades, which has challenged the country's power supply and storage system.
• Dazhou, Sichuan facing power shortage amid ongoing heatwave Global Times 23 Aug 2022 -- Dazhou in Southwest China's Sichuan Province issued a new warning about high temperatures on Tuesday as it continues to be hit by extreme heat and power shortages. City authorities have ramped up efforts in seeking to bolster power supply to ensure residents' basic living standards.
• China issues urgent notice, vows all-out efforts to win battle of autumn harvest against drought, heat waves Global Times 23 Aug 2022 -- With China issuing the highest heat alert for 12 consecutive days on Tuesday, four Chinese government departments including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MOA) and Ministry of Water Resources jointly issued an urgent notice on reducing the impact of heat waves and drought on the country's autumn grain production.
• President Tsai visits troops in charge of monitoring Chinese drills CNA 23 Aug 2022 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Tuesday inspected three military units responsible for monitoring People's Liberation Army (PLA) movements around Taiwan to thank them for their service in the wake of unprecedented Chinese military drills launched earlier this month following a visit by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
• President affirms Taiwan's resolve on 64th anniversary of Kinmen bombardment CNA 23 Aug 2022 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said on Tuesday the nation's success in defending an offshore frontline island from Chinese bombardment 64 years ago was a testament that "no threat of any kind could shake the Taiwanese people's resolve to defend their nation," amid the latest round of cross-Strait tensions following a visit by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this month.
• China's ambition to change status quo must be stopped: Visiting Japan lawmaker CNA 23 Aug 2022 -- Calling China's launches of ballistic missiles in its recent military exercises earlier this month "unacceptable," Japanese parliamentarian Keiji Furuya, who is on a three-day visit to Taiwan, said Tuesday during a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) that Beijing's ambition of changing the status quo in the Taiwan Strait must be stopped.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on Japanese Lawmaker's Visit to Taiwan PRC MofA 23 Aug 2022
• China strongly deplores Japanese lawmaker's Taiwan visit, vows to take strong measures to defend natl sovereignty Global Times 23 Aug 2022 -- China on Tuesday expressed strong condemnation to the visit of a delegation of Japanese lawmakers to China's Taiwan region, calling it an "egregious move", and vowed to take resolute and strong measures to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Iran FM says foreign interference behind terrorism in West Asia, Africa Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says terrorism in the West Asia and Africa is a product of interference by extra-regional countries.
• FM: Comprehensive cooperation with Mali tops Iran foreign policy IRNA 23 Aug 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said that cooperation with Mali in economic, defense, and academic fields is among the priorities of Iran's foreign diplomacy, including mutual cooperation in international organizations, that is among important bilateral interactions.
• Iran calls for real commitment to nuclear disarmament by US ISNA 23 Aug 2022 -- Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi called for a real commitment to nuclear disarmament by the United States and a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction.
• Iran yet to receive U.S. response to EU's nuke deal revival proposals: spokesman People's Daily 23 Aug 2022 -- Iran has not yet received any response from the United States concerning the European Union (EU)'s recent proposals on the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
• IAEA chief's political, non-technical behavior main obstacle to JCPOA revival: Iran's Nour News Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is obstructing the revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal by his continued political approaches amid the US administration's foot-dragging in removing economic sanctions against Tehran, according to Iran's Nour News.
• Most countries involved in JCPOA talks agree with EU proposal: Borrell Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- The European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell has said that most countries involved in negotiations with Iran agree with the EU proposal aimed at salvaging the 2015 nuclear deal that the US unilaterally abandoned in 2018 despite Iran's full compliance.
• Borrell Says Most Nations In Iran Nuclear Talks Agree With EU Proposal RFE/RL 23 Aug 2022 -- The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, says most countries that are part of discussions with Iran on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal say they agree with the bloc's latest proposal as all sides wait for the United States to respond after Tehran gave its opinion on the draft.
• Russia Approves Latest Draft of Deal to Revive JCPOA, Lavrov Says Sputnik 23 Aug 2022 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday confirmed that Moscow approves the latest version of a deal to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Iran Reportedly Drops Some Demands to Revive JCPOA Sputnik 23 Aug 2022 -- Iran has dropped some demands to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing US officials.
• Female Political Prisoners Ink Letter Deploring Conditions At Tehran's Evin Prison RFE/RL 23 Aug 2022 -- A group of female political prisoners incarcerated in Iran's notorious Evin prison have published a letter expressing concern about the conditions they endure at the institution.
• Corruption Investigation Rocks Iran's Largest Steelmaker, Pins Graft On Rohani Administration RFE/RL 23 Aug 2022 -- One of Iran's biggest cash cows, the Mobarakeh Steel Company, is reeling from the release of a lengthy parliamentary investigation that alleges corruption amounting to $3 billion tied to the administration of former President Hassan Rohani.
• Iran Resumes Diplomatic Relations with UAE and Kuwait, Talks Continue with Saudi Arabia VOA 23 Aug 2022 -- Amid positive signals surrounding nuclear talks among Iran and Western nations, both the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have quietly restored diplomatic ties with Tehran. Iran's Foreign Ministry indicated Monday that talks with Saudi Arabia over resuming ties are also going in a positive direction.
• UN faces heat over envoy's trip to Myanmar Radio Free Asia 23 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and more than 850 civil society groups called on the United Nations to remove its appointed envoy to the country after her visit last week and demonstrate a "serious commitment" to resolving the nation's worsening humanitarian crisis.
• Devalued Kyat currency stops trade at Myanmar-China border Radio Free Asia 23 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar merchants who trade goods across the border with China say their country's kyat has depreciated so much relative to the Chinese yuan that they are no longer able to stay in business.
• Islamabad Court Summons Ex-PM Imran Khan Over Remarks on Judiciary During Public Rally Sputnik 23 Aug 2022 -- Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have been facing allegations ranging from foreign funding to treason in different courts. Khan was ousted from power in April through a parliamentary vote, a process he considered part of a US conspiracy.
• Turkey's Erdogan Eyes Reset With Syria VOA 23 Aug 2022 -- Turkey, a strong supporter backer of the Syrian opposition, is indicating that it could now be ready for talks with the Damascus regime. Ankara severed its diplomatic ties with the government of President Bashar al-Assad at the start of Syria's civil war but is now looking to return millions of Syrian refugees.
• Iraq's main political currents should agree on way out of existing political issues through dialogue: Iran ISNA 23 Aug 2022 -- Referring to the moves of the Iraqi government to improve the political climate of the region, Iranian President emphasised the need to implement the agreements made in this field and welcomed the acceleration of interactive measures following the implementation of the agreements.
• Sadr's supporters launch sit-in outside Iraq's top judicial body Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- Supporters of prominent Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr have launched a sit-in outside the country's highest judicial body, weeks after they breached Baghdad's heavily fortified "Green Zone" and occupied the legislature.
• Prime Minister concludes a successful visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Prime Minister of Canada 23 Aug 2022 -- The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, welcomed the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, to Canada from August 21 to 23 to further strengthen our close partnership. With stops in Montréal, Quebec, Toronto, Ontario, and Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, the two leaders worked together to make progress on shared priorities, including support for Ukraine, addressing the broader global impacts of Russia's illegal invasion such as food security, strengthening bilateral cooperation on energy and leadership on climate action, promoting trade and investment that benefits everyone, and advancing the transition to the clean economy.
• In a first, Israeli plane flies over Saudi airspace to non-Persian-Gulf destination Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- In a first, an Israeli commercial flight flew over Saudi Arabia's airspace to a non-Persian Gulf destination since Riyadh opened its skies to all air carriers, including Israeli ones, last month.
• United States Enters into Agreement with Nigeria to Repatriate Over $23 Million in Assets Stolen by Former Nigerian Dictator General Sani Abacha US Dept. of Justice 23 Aug 2022 -- The United States, through the Department of Justice and FBI, forfeited approximately $23 million traceable to the corruption and money laundering of former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha and his co-conspirators. This money will be returned to the Nigerian people through an agreement between the Governments of the United States and the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Nigeria) signed today in Abuja, Nigeria, by U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard.
• Malaysian ex-PM Najib goes to jail for multi-billion dollar graft scandal Press TV 23 Aug 2022 -- Malaysia's top court upholds former PM Najib Razak's conviction relating to a multi-billion dollar graft scandal, ordering him to begin his 12-year jail sentence.
• Rights Watchdog Says Protesters In Tajikistan's Gorno-Badakhshan Region Denied Fair Trials RFE/RL 23 Aug 2022 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Tajik authorities to stop the "wrongful detention" of residents of the Central Asian nation's volatile Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), dozens of whom have been arrested since protests in May protests and "are facing closed, unfair trials."
• Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga Appointed Interim Prime Minister of Mali Sputnik 23 Aug 2022 -- On 13 August, Mali's prime minister, Choguel Maiga, suffered a stroke and was ordered by his doctor to rest after months of intense exertion, according to prime minister's office.
• UN Agencies: Severe Hunger Sliding Toward Famine in Horn of Africa VOA 23 Aug 2022 -- U.N. agencies warn that severe hunger is sliding toward famine-like conditions in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somalia, as four years of consecutive drought have wiped out peoples' ability to grow the crops they need to feed themselves.
• Angola Braces for Tight General Election VOA 23 Aug 2022 -- Angola holds presidential and parliamentary elections Wednesday in what is expected to be the biggest challenge to the country's longstanding one-party rule.