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• AFSBn-Africa teams up to prepare, load and move 40 ammo containers by rail Army News 21 Dec 2022 -- Total team effort - a common phrase in the Army and one the 405th Army Field Support Brigade's Africa Battalion helped flawlessly demonstrate recently at Leghorn Army Depot in Livorno.
• Marine Corps Completes Environmental Assessment for Home Basing Two New Aircraft USMC News 21 Dec 2022 -- The Marine Corps has completed an Environmental Assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to determine the impacts of home basing two new aircraft here: the KC-130J aircraft and the MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft. The EA involved a detailed analysis, extensive consultations with the local community and government agencies, and full consideration of public comments. Based on the results of that analysis (details below), the Marine Corps has determined that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required and has subsequently issued a Finding of No Significant Impact. This paves the way for the basing of a KC-130J squadron here; it also modernizes an existing squadron - Marine Unmanned Aerial Squadron 3 - by replacing its current RQ-21 unmanned aircraft with the MQ-9 aircraft.
• USS Milius Returns To Yokosuka After Successful Deployment US Navy 21 Dec 2022 -- The forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) returned to Yokosuka, Japan Dec. 21, concluding their successful deployment in the 7th Fleet area of operations.
• CARAT/MAREX Indonesia Concludes, Enhances At-Sea and Ashore Collaboration US Navy 21 Dec 2022 -- Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)/Marine Exercise (MAREX) Indonesia 2022 concluded in Situbondo, Indonesia, Dec. 21, following 15 days of in-person and at-sea engagements that enhanced collaboration between the Indonesian and U.S. military.
• USNS Comfort Completes 12th Iteration of Continuing Promise 2022 US Navy 21 Dec 2022 -- The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) returned to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, concluding Continuing Promise, Dec. 21, 2022.
• Cyber focus unveiled at Justified Accord 23 final planning event Army News 21 Dec 2022 -- U.S. and Kenya military planners gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, Dec. 5-9, to finalize plans for U.S. Africa Command's largest East Africa military training exercise.
• Republic of Korea, U.S. stage combined air drills involving America's B-52H bombers, F-22 fighters SPA 21 Dec 2022 -- The Republic of Korea and the United States conducted combined air drills, involving U.S. B-52 strategic bombers and F-22 stealth fighters, on Tuesday, in an effort to strengthen the credibility of America's "extended deterrence," Yonhap cited Seoul's defense ministry as saying.
• US flies bombers in drills with S.Korea, 'adds fuel' to tensions on Korean Peninsula Global Times 21 Dec 2022 -- The US deployed B-52H bomber and F-22 stealth fighter jets for joint military drills with South Korea on Tuesday, a move that Chinese observers said created deterrence to North Korea and add fuel to the "spiral of escalation" of tension on the Korean Peninsula.
• Meeting of Defence Ministry Board President of Russia 21 Dec 2022 -- Vladimir Putin spoke at an expanded meeting of the Board of the Defence Ministry, which was held at the National Defence Control Centre.
• Putin says NATO using all its potential against Russia, vows to fulfill military goals Press TV 21 Dec 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday vowed to fulfill the objectives of the country's "special military operation" in Ukraine even as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy left for the US to lobby for more arms.
• Putin: Almost Entirety of NATO's Military Potential Being Actively Used Against Russia Sputnik 21 Dec 2022 -- Russian officials and some Western media and pundits have characterized the conflict in Ukraine as a proxy war between the West and Russia. The US and its allies have poured tens of billions of dollars' worth of military aid into Ukraine, trained tens of thousands of troops, and provided Kiev with intelligence and strategic level planning support.
• Senior Defense Official and Senior Military Official Hold a Background Briefing DoD 21 Dec 2022
• Americans 'Have Stood Proudly' With Ukrainians, Biden Tells Zelenskyy VOA 21 Dec 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrapped up his visit to Washington Wednesday with an impassioned speech before a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, saying Ukraine's struggle "will define in what world our children and grandchildren will live."
• $1.85 Billion in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine DoD 21 Dec 2022 -- On December 21, as part of President Zelenskyy's visit to the White House, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced $1.85 billion in additional security assistance for Ukraine.
• $1.85 Billion in Additional U.S. Military Assistance, Including the First Transfer of Patriot Air Defense System US Dept. of State 21 Dec 2022 -- As Russia continues its brutal attacks against critical infrastructure in Ukraine, the United States welcomes President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Washington, D.C. today to underscore our enduring commitment to the people of Ukraine.
• Memorandum on Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 The White House 21 Dec 2022
• Background Press Call on the Upcoming Visit of President Zelenskyy of Ukraine The White House 21 Dec 2022
• Statement by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Visit of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine The White House 21 Dec 2022
• Remarks by President Biden and President Zelenskyy of Ukraine in Joint Press Conference The White House 21 Dec 2022
• Remarks by President Biden and President Zelenskyy of Ukraine Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 21 Dec 2022
• Ukraine Getting Patriot Battery, Other Defense Weapons DoD News 21 Dec 2022 -- Today, the Defense Department announced $1.85 billion in additional security assistance for Ukraine, including a Patriot air defense battery and munitions.
• US Announces $1.85Bln in New Military Aid for Ukraine, Including Patriot System: Blinken Sputnik 21 Dec 2022 -- The United States will provide an additional $1.85 billion in military assistance for Ukraine that will include a Patriot air defense system, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.
• Pentagon OIG Confirms Agency Looking for Signs of Fraud, Abuse in Ukraine Defense Contracts Sputnik 21 Dec 2022 -- The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) at the Pentagon is looking for signs of fraud and abuse in the contracts being awarded as part of efforts to help Ukraine amid Russia's special military operation there, Defense News reported, citing the principal deputy director of the service.
• U.S. and PRC Hold Working Level Meeting on DoD 2022 Annual Report DoD 21 Dec 2022 -- U.S. defense officials held a hybrid in-person and virtual meeting with PRC defense officials to discuss the Department's recently released National Defense Strategy and the Department's annual report on "Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China," known as the China Military Power Report.
• China, Russia kick off joint naval drill in East China Sea, promote new steps in tackling maritime security threats Global Times 21 Dec 2022 -- China and Russia on Wednesday launched the Joint Sea 2022 naval drill in the East China Sea, a move naval officers and experts said reflected a high level of strategic mutual trust and will further promote the two navies' capabilities in jointly dealing with maritime security threats, and contributing to the safeguarding of peace and stability in the region and the world.
• China-Russia joint naval exercise kicks off PLA Daily 21 Dec 2022 -- Based on the annual cooperation schedule between the Chinese and Russian militaries, the navies of the two countries will hold joint military exercise, Joint Sea 2022, in the East China Sea from December 21 to 27.
• China, Russia hold joint military drill in East China Sea Press TV 21 Dec 2022 -- The naval forces of China and Russia have launched a one-week joint exercise off the coast of the Chinese Zhejiang Province in the East China Sea.
• U.S. funding bill allows loan, but not grant, to Taiwan to buy weapons CNA 21 Dec 2022 -- A United States government funding bill for 2023 unveiled Tuesday authorized US$2 billion in loans to Taiwan to buy weapons from the U.S., but did not include grants for similar purposes that had been approved in a separate defense bill.
• E-2K aircraft landing incident likely caused by pilot error: Source CNA 21 Dec 2022 -- A bad landing by an Air Force E-2K airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft during a training mission last month was likely caused by pilot error, a military source told CNA on Wednesday.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat: iDEX-DIO signs 150th contract for defence innovation on Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target capable of simulating sound & movement of a submarine India PIB 21 Dec 2022 -- Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the flagship initiative of Department of Defence Production, has reached a milestone with the signing of its 150th contract. The contract relates to an Indian Navy project of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC 7) SPRINT edition.
• Japan, Sweden Sign Agreement on Transfer of Defense Equipment, Technology: Tokyo Sputnik 21 Dec 2022 -- Tokyo and Stockholm have signed an agreement on the transfer of defense equipment and technology, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
• Finland receives EUR 25.13 million in EU funding for Transport Military Mobility project Finnish Government 21 Dec 2022 -- A total of EUR 25.13 million was granted to Finland by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for a Transport Military Mobility project. Finland received the support it had applied for the road connections at Rissala airport, i.e. the project on highway 9 in Kelttu, Siilinjärvi.
• Negative decision on real estate transaction in Kankaanpää Finnish MoD 21 Dec 2022 -- On 21 December 2022, the Ministry of Defence took a negative decision on a real estate transaction of the former Lohikko residential home for older people in Kankaanpää, South-West Finland. The buyers of the property are Russian citizens.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bhutto Zardari US Dept. of State 21 Dec 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Panamanian Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 21 Dec 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Panamanian Foreign Minister Tewaney US Dept. of State 21 Dec 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 21, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 21 December 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Dec 2022
• Joint Statement from Foreign Ministers on Taliban Decision to Ban Women from Universities US Dept. of State 21 Dec 2022 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Governments of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, and the High Representative of the European Union on the occasion of the Taliban's decision to ban women from universities.
• Afghanistan: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on additional restrictions by the Taliban to the right of education of girls and women EC/CEU 21 Dec 2022 -- The announcement on 20 December by the Taliban to ban women from universities is another violation of international obligations and constitutes an institutionalised, systematic discrimination against women and girls.
• Taliban Enforce Ban on Afghan Female University Students Amid Global Outrage VOA 21 Dec 2022 -- Female university students in Afghanistan returned to campuses Wednesday morning as usual but left in tears after being turned away by Taliban security forces, citing an overnight ban on their higher education.
• UN condemns Taliban decision to bar women from universities, calls for 'immediate' revocation UN News 21 Dec 2022 -- The UN family and the entire humanitarian community in Afghanistan condemned the Taliban's decision to close universities to women and called on Wednesday for the de facto authorities to "immediately revoke the decision".
• 'A Bird With No Wings': Afghan Women React With Despair To Taliban's University Ban RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Dec 2022 -- The Taliban's ban on women attending university hit like a bombshell to current and future students, despite the consistent erosion of the rights of women and girls since the hard-line Islamist group seized power last year.
• UN Mission Urges Taliban To Reverse Move To Ban Women From Universities RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Dec 2022 -- The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has urged the country's de facto Taliban rulers to immediately revoke a decision to ban female students from universities as guards stopped women from entering campuses and medical students in the eastern part of the country protested against the measure.
• UN chief alarmed by Taliban banning women from universities People's Daily 21 Dec 2022 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was alarmed by reports that the Afghan Taliban have banned women and girls from attending universities, said his spokesman on Tuesday.
• Taliban govt. ban women from universities, sparking international outcry Press TV 21 Dec 2022 -- The de-facto Taliban government in Kabul has announced an indefinite ban on university education for women in Afghanistan, sparking international condemnation and outcry.
• China denies report it is developing reefs and cays in the South China Sea Radio Free Asia 21 Dec 2022 -- China has dismissed a report that Beijing has been developing at least four unoccupied features in the South China Sea. Some U.S. experts have also casted doubt on the claims.
• CCG vessels patrol territorial waters surrounding Diaoyu Islands on December 21 PLA Daily 21 Dec 2022 -- The China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels patrol in the Chinese territorial waters surrounding the Diaoyu Islands on Wednesday, according to a statement released by the CCG's official Wechat account on December 21, 2022.
  
• Omani delegation arrives in Yemen to push for renewal of UN-brokered truce Press TV 21 Dec 2022 -- An Omani delegation has arrived in the Yemeni capital city to hold talks with high-ranking members of the Ansarullah resistance movement on extending the UN-brokered nationwide ceasefire that expired in early October.
• Pakistani raid on prison leaves all Taliban hostage-takers dead, officials say Press TV 21 Dec 2022 -- Pakistani officials have announced the end of a hostage standoff at a prison in the restive tribal region near the Afghan border, with all 33 hostage-takers dead.
• Syria: Needs rise amid deepening humanitarian and economic crisis UN News 21 Dec 2022 -- Humanitarian needs in Syria have reached their worst levels since conflict began nearly 12 years ago, the Security Council heard on Wednesday.
• UN Appeals for Continued Access to Syrians in Northwest VOA 21 Dec 2022 -- The United Nations humanitarian chief said Wednesday that a record 15.3 million Syrians will need assistance next year, as the fate of a cross-border aid operation is due to be decided in early January.
• Cross-border aid in Syria cannot be replaced: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 21 Dec 2022 -- Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria
• More than 100 Rohingya arrested near an island in Myanmar's Ayeyarwady region Radio Free Asia 21 Dec 2022 -- Junta troops arrested 112 Rohingya near an island off Bogale township in Myanmar's southwestern Ayeyarwady region, local residents told RFA.
• Vucic Says Kosovo Roadblocks Won't Be Removed Until Serbian Municipalities' Association Created RFE/RL 21 Dec 2022 -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says barricades set up by ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo will be removed when Kosovo forms an association of municipalities with majority Serb residents.
• Chinese envoy calls on Armenia, Azerbaijan to properly settle Lachin road issue People's Daily 21 Dec 2022 -- A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Tuesday called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to properly settle their disputes over the latest developments on the Lachin road linking Armenia with the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• Indian Buddhist organization says no to Beijing-appointed Dalai Lama successor Radio Free Asia 21 Dec 2022 -- An India-based Buddhist organization has declared that it would not support any Chinese-appointed successor to the Dalai Lama, Tibet's foremost spiritual leader, and neither would the people of the Himalayan region.
• UNSC Lifts DR Congo Arms Supply Notification Requirements, Extends MONUSCO Until End of 2023 Sputnik 21 Dec 2022 -- The Democratic Republic of the Congo continues its efforts to bring lasting peace to a country that has faced recurring armed conflicts since the mid-Nineties.
• Ethiopia, Tigray Rebel Officials Meet to Review Implementation of Peace Deal VOA 21 Dec 2022 -- Officials from Ethiopia's federal government and the Tigray region are meeting in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, to discuss the next steps for a peace deal to end two years of war.
• First Batch of Somali Troops Trained in Eritrea Arrives Home VOA 21 Dec 2022 -- The first batch of several thousand Somali troops that were sent to Eritrea for training in 2019 and 2020 have arrived back in Mogadishu. Parents of the soldiers, who feared their sons would be used in Ethiopia's Tigray war, in which Eritrea was involved, had pressured the Somali government to bring the troops home.
• Cameroon Deploys Troops to Quell Gang Violence in Economic Hub VOA 21 Dec 2022 -- Cameroon has deployed troops to its port city of Douala, the country's economic hub, to try to stem a wave of gang violence.
• The UK encourages the African Union and Somalia to seize this opportunity UK FCDO 21 Dec 2022 -- Explanation of Vote by Alice Jacobs, UK Deputy Political Coordinator at the UN, at the Security Council on ATMIS

News Reports

• Pro-Trump Lawyer Reportedly Advised Ex-White House Aide Hutchinson to Mislead Jan. 6 Panel Sputnik 21 Dec 2022 -- Former top ethics attorney in the Donald Trump administration, Stefan Passantino, advised his then-client, former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson to provide misleading testimony to the US House committee investigating the January 6 riot, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
• Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco Delivers Remarks at the 34th Pan Am 103 Memorial Service US Dept. of Justice 21 Dec 2022
• Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on Anniversary of Pan Am Flight 103 Bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland US Dept. of Justice 21 Dec 2022
• Launch ceremony of Kovykta gas field President of Russia 21 Dec 2022 -- Vladimir Putin took part, via videoconference, in ceremony to launch Kovykta field and Kovykta-Chayanda section of Power of Siberia gas pipeline.
• Meeting with State Secretary of Union State of Russia and Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev President of Russia 21 Dec 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with State Secretary of the Union State of Russia and Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev.
• Russia to Remain at International Space Station for Maximum Possible Term: Roscosmos Head Sputnik 21 Dec 2022 -- Russia will remain at the International Space Station (ISS) for as long as possible, Yury Borisov, the head of Russia's state space corporation Roscosmos, said on Wednesday.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's participation in the 45th BSEC Ministerial Meeting Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Dec 2022
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the 45th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers' Council of the Black Sea Cooperation Organisation, Moscow, December 21, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Dec 2022
• Russia: Statement by the Spokesperson on efforts to shut down Moscow Helsinki Group European External Action Service (EEAS) 21 Dec 2022 -- The Russian Justice Ministry has filed for a court order to shut down one of the country's most respected human rights organisations, the Moscow Helsinki Group. This initiative is clearly politically motivated.
• Russia's VTB bank starts transfer services to Iran: Report Press TV 21 Dec 2022 -- Russia's second largest bank the VTB has launched a first transaction service involving the Russian rouble and Iranian rial, according to reports published in the Russian media.
• Interview: NYT White House Correspondent On What Every President Gets Wrong About Vladimir Putin RFE/RL 21 Dec 2022 -- A bestselling author who is now covering his fifth administration as the White House correspondent for The New York Times, Peter Baker was a reporter in Moscow in the early days of the presidency of Vladimir Putin, who came to power in 2000. In an interview with RFE/RL, Baker discusses the response of the Biden administration to the war in Ukraine -- and the many miscalculations U.S. presidents have made about Putin.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on December 21, 2022 PRC MofA 21 Dec 2022
• Xi Jinping Meets with Chairman of the United Russia Party of Russia Dmitry Medvedev PRC MofA 21 Dec 2022 -- On December 21, 2022, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President Xi Jinping met with Chairman of the United Russia Party of Russia Dmitry Medvedev, who visited China at the invitation of the CPC, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
• Xi meets United Russia party chairman Medvedev PLA Daily 21 Dec 2022 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, on Wednesday met with Chairman of the United Russia party Dmitry Medvedev, who visited China at the invitation of the CPC.
• Xi-Medvedev meeting highlights bilateral ties; could promote 'more profound and actual progress of peace talks' Global Times 21 Dec 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Wednesday met with Chairman of the United Russia party Dmitry Medvedev, who visited China at the invitation of the CPC.
• Xi Holds Meeting With Medvedev at State Residence in Beijing on Wednesday Sputnik 21 Dec 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting with Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev in the state residence in Beijing on Wednesday.
• China and Germany have always been partners of dialogue, development, cooperation: Xi Global Times 21 Dec 2022 -- China and Germany have always been partners of dialogue, development and cooperation, as well as partners for handling global challenges, Chinese President Xi Jinping told German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a phone conversation on Tuesday evening, saying China is willing to carry out more extensive and in-depth cooperation with Germany in tackling such global challenges as sluggish economic recovery in the post-pandemic era, climate change, food crisis and energy crisis.
• China-Australia ties 'on fast track to recovery' as leaders agree to initiate, restart dialogues in 6 areas Global Times 21 Dec 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping told Australian leaders on Wednesday that China is ready to advance relations with Australia based on mutual respect and win-win principles as Australia's top diplomat is paying an "ice-breaking" visit to China to fix the damaged ties.
• Xi says China ready to advance relations with Australia based on mutual respect, win-win principles PLA Daily 21 Dec 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that China is ready to advance relations with Australia based on mutual respect, win-win principles.
• Hong Kong teachers told to inform on students, colleagues in free speech crackdown Radio Free Asia 21 Dec 2022 -- Teachers in Hong Kong will soon be required to report "potential violations" of the city's laws to the authorities, in a further clampdown on freedom of speech in the city's schools, as well as passing an exam testing their knowledge of a draconian national security law.
• China approves restructuring for Baowu, Sinosteel, accelerating consolidation Global Times 21 Dec 2022 -- The State Council, China's cabinet, has approved the restructuring plan of China's largest steelmaker, state-owned China Baowu Steel Group Corp and Sinosteel Group Corp, with Baowu assuming full control of Sinosteel, according to a statement on the website of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council on Wednesday.
• Increasing Chinese military presence spotted in waters off eastern Taiwan CNA 21 Dec 2022 -- There has been increased military activity by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) in waters off eastern Taiwan since earlier this month, a military source told CNA on Wednesday.
• Sanctioning Iranian Officials Connected to Serious Human Rights Abuses US Dept. of State 21 Dec 2022 -- Since protests erupted across Iran in September, the Iranian regime has responded with ruthless crackdowns on peaceful protestors in an effort to suppress the Iranian people's voices.
• Treasury Sanctions Iranian Regime Officials Tied to Continued Violence Against Protestors US Treasury 21 Dec 2022 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is targeting the Prosecutor General and key military and paramilitary officials in Iran, as well as a company manufacturing and providing Iran's Law Enforcement Forces with anti-riot equipment. As nationwide protests continue throughout Iran, the response from Iranian security forces has continued to escalate.
• Iranian Actor Mohammadi Among Five Handed Death Sentences RFE/RL 21 Dec 2022 -- Iranian actor Hossein Mohammadi is among five protesters to have been handed death sentences over the death of a Basij militia member during unrest triggered by the death in custody of a young woman over an alleged head scarf violation.
• Iran Denies Report That Doctor's Death Sentence Was Revoked RFE/RL 21 Dec 2022 -- Iran's judiciary has denied a report that a decision has been made to annul the death sentence of Iranian doctor Hamid Qarahasanlou, who was sentenced to death along with four other defendants for allegedly having a role in the murder of a security officer.
• Iran FM slams France's 'unacceptable' meddling in its domestic affairs Press TV 21 Dec 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has strongly criticized France's intervention in Iran's internal affairs, saying the approach of Paris to the recent developments in the country is "unacceptable."
• FM censures France for meddling in Iran's internal affairs IRNA 21 Dec 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has criticized France for interfering in Iran's internal affairs.
• Saudi Arabia ready to resume talks with Iran: FM Amirabdollahian IRNA 21 Dec 2022 -- Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that Riyadh is prepared to resume negotiations on restoration of diplomatic ties with Tehran.
• Saudi FM says Riyadh ready to continue dialog with Iran: Amir-Abdollahian Press TV 21 Dec 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has held a meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, with the latter expressing Riyadh's readiness to continue dialog with Tehran, amid efforts by the two neighbors to fix their troubled ties.
• FM Spox slams 'shameful' US support for MKO leader IRNA 21 Dec 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has slammed some "bankrupt US politicians" for their "shameful support" for the leader of the terrorist Mojahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO), adding that such stances further expose the fake claims of the US in dealing with human rights issues.
• Iran FM calls meeting with Borrell friendly, constructive IRNA 21 Dec 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has described his meeting in the Jordanian capital Amman with European Union's Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell as quite frank, friendly and constructive.
• Chinese envoy calls for efforts to revitalize Iran nuclear deal People's Daily 21 Dec 2022 -- A Chinese envoy has called for efforts to revitalize the 2015 Iran nuclear deal between Iran and the six powers of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.
• Vienna talks can be wrapped up 'within days' but US is reluctant: Russia Press TV 21 Dec 2022 -- A senior Russian diplomat says the Vienna talks aimed at the removal of US sanctions and revival of the 2015 nuclear deal can be wrapped up within days but the United States is not ready to take the necessary steps.
• Minister: Iran's oil output reaches 3 million barrels per day Press TV 21 Dec 2022 -- Iran's oil production has reached 3 million barrels per day, Minister of Petroleum Javad Owji says.
• Iran's oil output reaches nearly 3 mln bpd: Minister IRNA 21 Dec 2022 -- Iranian Minister of Petroleum Javad Owji says that the country's oil production has reached nearly 3 million barrels per day (bpd).
• UN Security Council Adopts Resolution on Burma US Dept. of State 21 Dec 2022 -- The United States welcomes the UN Security Council's adoption of Resolution 2669 on Burma.
• Thousands flee troop deployment near Chinese-run copper mine in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 21 Dec 2022 -- More than 6,000 residents from nine villages near a Chinese-operated copper mine in northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region fled their homes as troops loyal to the ruling military junta entered their communities on Wednesday, locals said.
• This resolution sends a firm message to the Myanmar military: UK Statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 21 Dec 2022 -- Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council meeting on the Situation in Myanmar
• Australia's 2 Rocket Test Failures Hamper Country's Space Ambition, Reports Say Sputnik 21 Dec 2022 -- Australia failed two rocket tests last week, delaying the country's plans to become a sovereign space power, Australian media reported on Wednesday.
• UN calls for support for international force for Haiti UN News 21 Dec 2022 -- Now is not the time for the world to turn away from Haiti, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said on Wednesday, calling for international solidarity and support as the country continues to confront gang violence, political instability and a deadly cholera outbreak.
• Cambodian court hears final arguments in Kem Sokha's treason trial Radio Free Asia 21 Dec 2022 -- A court in Cambodia on Wednesday heard closing arguments in the trial of opposition leader Kem Sokha, who faces unsubstantiated charges of treason.
• Under Fire For Backsliding On Democracy, Hungary's Orban Calls For Dissolution Of European Parliament RFE/RL 21 Dec 2022 -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose right-wing nationalist government has been targeted by corruption accusations and criticized for backsliding on the rule of law, on December 21 accused the European Union of "Hungarophobia" and pointed the finger at the scandal-ridden European Parliament, calling for its dissolution.
• Peruvian Congress Approves Plan for Early Elections in Bid to Quell Political Unrest Sputnik 21 Dec 2022 -- Protests being held across Peru over the last few weeks have called for new general elections, the dissolution of Congress and the creation of a new constituent assembly since the removal of ousted President Pedro Castillo.
• After Jordan's Deadly Fuel Protests, Calls Grow for Reforms VOA 21 Dec 2022 -- Weeks of protests by truckers over high fuel prices have stalled Jordan's economy and resulted in the killing of a senior Jordanian police officer.
• Somalia Must Strengthen Resilience Against Climate Shocks VOA 21 Dec 2022 -- U.N. agencies are calling for more spending to help Somalia strengthen its resilience against future climate effects and ward off crises such as the current famine-inducing drought.
• Republic of Congo President Hopeful After US-Africa Leaders Summit VOA 21 Dec 2022 -- Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso says significant developments came out of this year's U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington.