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• New START Treaty Aggregate Numbers of Strategic Offensive Arms US Department of State 12 May 2023 -- In the interest of transparency and the U.S. commitment to responsible nuclear conduct, the United States is voluntarily releasing aggregate data for its nuclear forces covered by the New START Treaty in this Fact Sheet.
• U.S. to Increase International Coordination, Presence in Strait of Hormuz CENTCOM 12 May 2023 -- U.S. 5th Fleet is working with regional allies and partners to increase the rotation of ships and aircraft patrolling in and around the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's recent unlawful merchant vessel seizures.
• U.S. to Increase International Coordination, Presence in Strait of Hormuz US Navy 12 May 2023 -- U.S. 5th Fleet is working with regional allies and partners to increase the rotation of ships and aircraft patrolling in and around the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's recent unlawful merchant vessel seizures.
• SUBLANT Completes Exercise Agile Player 23 US Navy 12 May 2023 -- Multiple submarines under Submarine Force Atlantic's (SUBLANT) organizational structure participated in Exercise Agile Player 2023 (AP23).
• Structural Upgrades Completed on Dry Dock 4, Continue on Two other Docks US Navy 12 May 2023 -- Interim seismic mitigation efforts, which began Feb. 15 on Dry Dock 4, have been completed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton. The dry dock has been tested and re-certified and USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) was docked for its Extended Refit Period May 11.
• USS Milius (DDG 69) Conducts Port Visit in Saipan US Navy 12 May 2023 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) departed Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, after a scheduled port visit, May 12.
• Make It Where You Need It: OSD Program Funds Technology to Enable Point-of-Need Manufacturing DoD 12 May 2023 -- The Office of the Secretary of Defense Manufacturing Technology Program (OSD ManTech) has announced the winners of the first-of-its-kind "Point of Need Challenge Pitch Event" for solutions to support forward-deployed forces in austere environments.
• Special Ops Civilian Chief Speaks of Future of Community DoD News 12 May 2023 -- Special operations forces are carefully, but quickly, adjusting their mission sets to account for the world of strategic competition, said Christopher Maier, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low intensity conflict.
• Unique Reserve Unit Supports the Active Component Globally USMC News 12 May 2023 -- This year, 14th Marine Regiment deployed small teams of Marines as a part of Force Artillery Headquarters detachment in support of multiple bilateral and joint training exercises.
• Navy to Commission Guided-Missile Destroyer Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee US Navy Press Release 12 May 2023 -- The Navy will commission its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), during a 10:00 a.m. EDT ceremony on Saturday, May 13, in Key West, Florida.
• SECNAV Names Navy's First-in-Class Expeditionary Medical Ship after National Naval Medical Center Bethesda US Navy Press Release 12 May 2023 -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro announced USNS Bethesda (EMS 1) as the name for the lead ship in the new Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS(X)) class of ships during his mental health awareness month video. EMS(X) will now be referred to as the Bethesda Class Expeditionary Medical Ship.
• Statement from President Joe Biden Ahead of the Fifth Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention The White House 12 May 2023
• Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks' Meeting With U.K. Permanent Under Secretary for the Ministry of Defence David Williams at the U.S.-UK Defense Dialogue DoD 12 May 2023
• New York Army Guard leaders plan August exercise with Brazil Army News 12 May 2023 -- Two New York Army National Guard leaders visited State Partnership Program partner Brazil May 1-5 to lay the groundwork for Guard participation in a Brazilian disaster response exercise in August.
• Future USS Augusta (LCS 34) Delivered to the Navy US Navy 12 May 2023 -- The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Augusta (LCS 34) at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, May 12. USS Augusta is the second ship named in honor of the city of Augusta, Maine.
• NATO's spearhead force deploys to Sardinia for Exercise Noble Jump NATO 12 May 2023 -- The NATO Response Force's quick-reaction unit, the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) has tested its deployment at short notice for the protection and defence of NATO's southern flank through Exercise Noble Jump 23.
• GCC's Assistant Secretary for Political Affairs and Negotiations Meets with NATO's Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy SPA 12 May 2023 -- The Assistant Secretary for Political Affairs and Negotiations of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States (GCC) Dr. Abdulaziz Hamad Al-Owaishiq met yesterday with NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Security Policy Javier Colomina, on the sidelines of the fifth Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) Policy Advisory Group Meeting of (NATO) which is being held in the Bahraini capital, Manama.
• Baltic Fleet's surface action group trains to launch a missile strike Russia MoD 12 May 2023 -- The Baltic Fleet's missile ships carried out electronic missile launches against sea and shore targets as part of a routine exercise at sea ranges.
• South Africa Denies Approving Arms Sale To Russia After U.S. Ambassador's Allegation RFE/RL 12 May 2023 -- The South African government did not approve any weapons shipments to Russia late last year, the country's communications minister said on May 12, one day after the U.S. ambassador to South Africa said he was confident that a Russian ship had picked up weapons at a South African port in December.
• Foreign Ministry statement on the UK's decision to transfer the Storm Shadow missile system to Ukraine Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 May 2023
• Xi urges submarine crew to become elite force People's Daily 12 May 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping recently wrote a letter to a submarine crew, urging them to continuously improve their ability to fulfill missions and tasks, and strive to become an elite force with overall competency.
• Laos, China launch joint 'Friendship Shield' military exercises in Laos Radio Free Asia 12 May 2023 -- Laos and China have officially kicked off 20 days of joint military exercises in Laos aimed at shoring up the ability of their armed forces to combat terrorism, media reports said Thursday.
• INDIAN NAVAL SHIPS VISIT SIHANOUKVILLE, CAMBODIA India PIB 12 May 2023 -- As part of Indian Navy's deployment to ASEAN countries, Indian Naval ships Delhi and Satpura, under the command of Rear Admiral Gurcharan Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF), are making a port call at Sihanoukville, Cambodia from 11 - 14 May 23. The port call demonstrates India's cordial ties with the Kingdom of Cambodia.
• Iran to receive 1st batch of Russian-made SU-35 jets next week Press TV 12 May 2023 -- Iran will receive the first batch of Russian SU-35 fighter jets next week, according to a report.
• IRGC Navy at highest preparedness level, fully monitoring Persian Gulf: Top Iranian commander Press TV 12 May 2023 -- The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy says his forces are currently at their highest level of preparedness and have complete control over the Persian Gulf in the air, surface, and subsurface area.
• IRGC naval forces monitor Persian Gulf closely: Cmdr IRNA 12 May 2023 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy Alireza Tangsiri has underlined that the naval forces of the IRGC enjoy the highest level of preparedness and have complete control over the Persian Gulf in air, surface, and subsurface.
• Statement from the Minister of National Defence on the 65th Anniversary of the Creation of NORAD Canada 12 May 2023 -- The Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Anita Anand, issued the following statement today to recognize the 65th anniversary of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD):
• South Korea Kicks Off Regular Large-Scale Air Force Drills - Reports Sputnik 12 May 2023 -- The South Korean air force has begun regular large-scale drills in an effort to improve its combat readiness and maintain the country's defense capabilities, South Korean media reported on Friday, citing the military branch.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Dermer US Dept. of State 12 May 2023
• Readout of President Joe Biden's Meeting with President Pedro Sanchez of Spain The White House 12 May 2023
• Digital Press Briefing on the 2023 African Land Forces Summit US Dept. of State 12 May 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 12, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 12 May 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 May 2023
• The Azadi Briefing: Afghans Evacuated From Sudan Face Uncertain Fate Under Taliban RFE/RL 12 May 2023
• Sudan's warring generals take 'important first step' on humanitarian protection UN News 12 May 2023 -- A declaration by Sudan's warring parties committing to protect civilians is an "important first step", after more than three weeks of heavy fighting, the UN's top official in the African nation said on Friday.
• Sudan requires a huge response as needs mount and rains loom UNHCR 12 May 2023 -- As violence in Sudan continues for a fourth week, nearly 200,000 refugees and returnees have been forced to flee the country, with more crossing borders daily seeking safety. Additionally, hundreds of thousands have been internally displaced with many more confined to their homes, unable to access necessities.
• Another Bitter Blow for Children in Sudan UNICEF 12 May 2023 -- "The factory in Khartoum which produces therapeutic food for children in Sudan suffering the most dangerous form of malnutrition has been burnt down.
• UN Refugee Agency Says 200,000 Have Fled Sudan VOA 12 May 2023 -- The United Nations refugee agency said Friday that 200,000 people have fled the violence in Sudan, with 60,000 total having fled to neighboring Chad.
• Sudan: Statement by the Spokesperson on the Declaration of Commitment to protect civilians European External Action Service (EEAS) 12 May 2023 -- The European Union notes the signature overnight by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces of a declaration of commitment to protect civilians three weeks into a conflict which has already cost the lives of around 600 civilians, 190 of whom were children.
• Statement on the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan Government of Norway 12 May 2023
• Sudan's rival fighting forces sign agreement but no ceasefire Press TV 12 May 2023 -- Sudan's army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have signed an agreement to facilitate humanitarian aid to the conflict-ridden African country, which faces a severe food crisis following weeks-long military conflict.
• Sudan's Army, RSF Sign Agreement Committing to Avoid Injuring Civilians - Report Sputnik 12 May 2023 -- The Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group for the first time signed an agreement in which they committed to do everything possible to avoid injuring civilians, media reported on Thursday.
• Assistant Secretary Molly Phee's Continued Diplomacy to Resolve the Crisis in Sudan US Dept. of State 12 May 2023
• Tripartite Mechanism Welcomes the Initial Arrangement to Protect Civilians in Sudan SPA 12 May 2023 -- The Tripartite Mechanism comprising the United Nations, the African Union and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) welcomed the initial arrangement to protect civilians in Sudan.
• Kingdom and United States of America Announce Signing of Representatives of Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces a Declaration Commitment to Protect Civilians of Sudan SPA 12 May 2023 -- The kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America are pleased to announce that on May 11, 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces signed a declaration commitment to protect the civilians of Sudan. The declaration of commitment recognizes the obligations of both sides, under international humanitarian and human rights law to facilitate humanitarian action to meet the emergency needs of civilians.
• Canada's statement on escalation between Israel and Gaza Canada 12 May 2023
• Netanyahu launched Gaza aggression to divert attention away from Israeli crisis: Hezbollah chief Press TV 12 May 2023 -- Benjamin Netanyahu launched Israel's latest deadly campaign of bombardment and assassinations in the Gaza Strip in an attempt to divert attention away from the crisis in Israel, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah says.
• New Israeli airstrike kills 3 more people in Gaza; Palestinian death toll now at 33 Press TV 12 May 2023 -- A new Israeli airstrike on the besieged Gaza Strip has left at least three Palestinians martyred and 10 others injured. The overall death toll now stands at 33.
• Rockets fired at al-Quds for first time as Israel keeps up strikes Press TV 12 May 2023 -- Israeli airstrikes have hit areas in the central and southern Gaza Strip, with no immediate reports of injuries.
• Palestinians vow to keep up retaliation until Israel stops aggression Press TV 12 May 2023 -- The Islamic Jihad vows to keep up its retaliatory strikes against the occupied territories until the Israeli regime stops its deadly acts of aggression against the Gaza Strip, where the Palestinian resistance group is headquartered.
• Myanmar junta forces commit more atrocities, burn 19 civilians to death Radio Free Asia 12 May 2023 -- Myanmar troops burned alive 19 civilians, including eight minors, on Wednesday, relatives of the dead, witnesses and a spokesman for the shadow government said, in the latest atrocity committed by junta soldiers in the country's civil war.
• Moura: Over 500 killed by Malian troops, foreign military personnel in 2022 operation UN News 12 May 2023 -- There are "strong indications" that more than 500 people were killed - the vast majority summarily executed - by Malian troops and foreign military personnel during a five-day operation in the village of Moura in central Mali in March 2022.

News Reports

• Telephone conversation with President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa President of Russia 12 May 2023 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa at the South African side's initiative.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with South African Minister Pandor US Dept. of State 12 May 2023
• South Africa Summons US Ambassador Over Russia Weapons Row VOA 12 May 2023 -- A war of words is brewing between the U.S. and South Africa after the U.S. ambassador to the country said he would "bet his life" on U.S. intelligence that South African weapons were loaded onto a Russian vessel when it docked at a Cape Town naval base in December. The South African government hit back, saying that while it would investigate the matter, the U.S. ambassador's remarks had "undermined" the relationship between the two nations.
• Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives Phone Call from Russian Counterpart SPA 12 May 2023 -- Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, received today a telephone call from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 May 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's video address to the participants in the session of the 11th St Petersburg International Legal Forum 'Foundations of the international legal order vs the "rules-based order": The future of international law,' Moscow, May 12, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 May 2023
• Medvedev: Russia Using All Tools to Punish Those Responsible for Nord Stream Explosions Sputnik 12 May 2023 -- Russia will continue using any available legal mechanisms to bring to justice those responsible for the Nord Stream explosions, although obtaining justice from international judicial bodies is unlikely, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday.
• Medvedev: WW3 Will Have No Winners Sputnik 12 May 2023 -- The planet is close to the World War Three but it will have no winners if unleashed, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday.
• The Week In Russia: Theater Of War RFE/RL 12 May 2023 -- There's Red Square, and there's reality. Russian President Putin Vladimir Putin rehearsed grievances and repeated falsehoods at a Victory Day military parade as the war ground on in Ukraine. Farther from the Kremlin, the clampdown continued.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on May 12, 2023 PRC MofA 12 May 2023
• Wang-Sullivan meeting opens window for breaking China-US diplomatic stalemate but Washington's sincerity essential for meaningful progress Global Times 12 May 2023 -- The meeting between China's top diplomat Wang Yi and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Vienna opens a window for the two countries to remove obstacles and ease tensions amid a diplomatic stalemate after the balloon incident, but whether the bilateral relations can be fixed remains to be seen given US' problematic China policy and its inconsistent words and actions, analysts said.
• Exclusive: Anonymous official reveals details of Wang Yi's 10-hour-long meeting with Sullivan Global Times 12 May 2023 -- The meeting between China's top diplomat Wang Yi and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Vienna lasted for more than 10 hours with the two sides having "candid, in-depth, substantive and constructive" exchanges on major topics, including on bilateral relations, the Taiwan question, Asia-Pacific situation, and the Ukraine crisis, the Global Times has learned exclusively from a senior official familiar with the meeting.
• Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with PRC Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi The White House 12 May 2023
• US Lawmakers Seek to Curb Chinese Farmland Purchases VOA 12 May 2023 -- The Midwestern state of Illinois is one of the top producers of corn and soybeans in the United States, and it's where Wendell Shauman farms land that his family has owned for several generations near the city of Galesburg.
• Hong Kong Newspaper Cuts Cartoonist 'Zunzi' After Officials Complain VOA 12 May 2023 -- A Hong Kong newspaper has pulled a popular, decades-old political comic strip after government officials accused it of smearing the government's image and misleading the public.
• Sentencing of Human Rights Defender Guo Feixiong US Dept. of State 12 May 2023 -- "We condemn the reported sentencing of human rights activist and lawyer Guo Feixiong, also known as Yang Maodong."
• China's CO2 emissions hit record in first quarter, report says Radio Free Asia 12 May 2023 -- China, the world's top polluter, has emitted record carbon dioxide in the first quarter of this year, with emissions set to rise to an all-time high in 2023, according to a new report published on Friday.
• Senior Chinese, U.S. officials talk on bilateral ties People's Daily 12 May 2023 -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had candid, in-depth, substantive and constructive discussions on bilateral ties here on Wednesday and Thursday.
• US' reported move to limit tech investment in China violates principles of market economy: MOFCOM Global Times 12 May 2023 -- The US' reported move to restrict domestic enterprises and intending to coerce allies and partners to jointly restrict investment in China is a serious violation of the market economy principles and fair competition, Chinese spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday, responding to the latest technology blockage attempt by the US against China.
• Another Chinese drone partially circles Taiwan as 13 aircraft breach ADIZ CNA 12 May 2023 -- A total of 13 Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) between Thursday and Friday, including a CH-4 drone that flew around most of the island, according to Taiwan's defense ministry.
• Bill to establish international affairs unit under Legislature passes CNA 12 May 2023 -- An amendment bill to establish an international affairs department under the Legislature to promote parliamentary diplomacy passed on Friday.
• Kazakh President Says It's 'Absolutely Clear' That Taiwan Is Part Of China RFE/RL 12 May 2023 -- Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev said it is "absolutely clear" that Taiwan is a part of China as the Central Asian nation looks to build ties with its eastern neighbor.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan May 12, 2023 ROC MND 12 May 2023
• North Korea cracks down on bribery in prisons Radio Free Asia 12 May 2023 -- North Korea is cracking down on prison officials who accept bribes from wealthy prisoners in exchange for preferential treatment while they are incarcerated, two former inmates in the country told Radio Free Asia.
• Iran retakes oil tanker after 5 years IRNA 12 May 2023 -- An Iranian oil tanker, which was seized by a foreign company five years ago, has been returned to the Islamic country in an operation by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
• Iranian oil tanker retaken in joint operation by IRGC Navy, Intel Ministry after 5 years Press TV 12 May 2023 -- An Iranian oil tanker, which was illegally seized by a foreign company five years ago, has been retaken in a joint operation by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy and Iran's Intelligence Ministry.
• Iran released French nationals based on good faith: Spox IRNA 12 May 2023 -- Spokesman of Iran's Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanaani has said that the judiciary system of the Islamic Republic released two French nationals in response to the French government's demand and based on humanitarian grounds.
• Iran releases two French nationals on humanitarian grounds, out of goodwill: Foreign Ministry Press TV 12 May 2023 -- Iran says it has released two French citizens jailed in separate cases on humanitarian grounds and out of its goodwill.
• Iranian Official Says 26 Security Officers Indicted For 'Bloody Friday' Massacre RFE/RL 12 May 2023 -- The head of Iran's Armed Forces Judicial Organization has revealed that indictments have been issued for 26 individuals suspected of having links to the November 30 massacre in the southeastern Iranian city of Zahedan that saw at least 100 people killed.
• Deepening Political Crisis Pushes Pakistan Toward The Breaking Point RFE/RL 12 May 2023 -- Since he was ousted as prime minister, Imran Khan has waged an unprecedented campaign against Pakistan's powerful military, accusing the institution of conspiring to oust him from power and then plotting to assassinate him.
• Pakistan Ex-PM Khan Granted Two-Week Bail After Freed From Arrest RFE/RL 12 May 2023 -- Former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 12 was granted release on bail for two weeks by judges in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, a day after the Supreme Court ruled as unlawful his arrest that sparked a wave of deadly unrest across the south Asian nation.
• Ex-Pakistan PM Khan Says Protests Over His Arrest Killed 40 People VOA 12 May 2023 -- Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan alleged Friday that the powerful military was behind his short-lived arrest on graft charges, saying that violent nationwide protests sparked by the unlawful action had killed 40 people.
• Pakistani court orders ex-PM Khan's release on bail after 'unlawful' arrest Press TV 12 May 2023 -- A Pakistani court has ordered former Prime Minister Imran Khan's release on bail for two weeks following an arrest that sparked deadly unrest in the country.
• Arctic Council Statement on the Occasion of the Thirteenth Meeting of the Arctic Council Canada 12 May 2023
• Informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers (Gymnich): Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell at the press conference European External Action Service (EEAS) 12 May 2023
• Informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers (Gymnich): Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival European External Action Service (EEAS) 12 May 2023
• Cambodia's main opposition party may not appear on July ballots Radio Free Asia 12 May 2023 -- There's a growing possibility that Cambodia's main opposition Candlelight Party may not be allowed to compete in July's general elections after the Ministry of Interior is refusing to reissue a registration certificate.
• Cyclone Mocha barrels toward Myanmar and Bangladesh Radio Free Asia 12 May 2023 -- Potentially devastating Cyclone Mocha is expected to slam into the shared border region between Myanmar and Bangladesh on Sunday, putting hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced at risk.
• Papua New Guinea foreign minister faces backlash over primitive animals comment Radio Free Asia 12 May 2023 -- Papua New Guinea's foreign minister is facing an intense public backlash and calls to resign after he labeled critics of his daughter's ostentatious TikTok video from a taxpayer funded trip to the U.K. monarch's coronation as "primitive animals."
• Extended Absence Of Turkmenistan's 'National Leader' Sparks Speculation RFE/RL 12 May 2023 -- Turkmenistan's Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov is a fan of setting obscure world records, and he is now at risk of breaking his own record for consecutive days absent from national news bulletins, recharging speculation around the enigmatic strongman's health.
• Uzbek Leader to Seek New Term Under Reform Constitution VOA 12 May 2023 -- Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced snap elections less than a week after securing public approval for a new constitution that opens the door for him to extend his time in office by more than a decade.
• Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia Launch Project to Reopen Borders VOA 12 May 2023 -- A new project aims to reopen the official border crossings between Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, which have been partially or fully closed in recent years due to security issues.
• Common Currency on Agenda for South African BRICS Summit VOA 12 May 2023 -- The creation of a BRICS currency will be one of the main topics up for discussion when the group of five emerging nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- meet in Johannesburg in August, South African officials said this week.
• Somalia's Hope for Debt Relief Under Threat, Experts Warn VOA 12 May 2023 -- A renewed political dispute between the federal government of Somalia and the Puntland federal member state, and a failure of the fragile reforms to boost revenue collection and fiscal transparency, could endanger Somalia's hope for full debt relief from the International Monetary Fund and other multilateral lenders by the end of the year, officials and experts warn.