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• Department of the Air Force announces preferred locations for STARCOM HQ, 3 Deltas US Air Force 31 May 2023 -- The Department of the Air Force selected Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, as the preferred location to hostthe Space Training and Readiness Command Headquarters, along with Space Delta 10. Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the preferred location for Space Delta 11 and Schriever SFB, Colorado, is the preferred location for Space Delta 12.
• Colorado Springs to host DEL 15, 2 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance squadrons US Air Force 31 May 2023 -- The U.S. Space Force's Space Delta 15, activated in March 2023, is expected to be permanently based at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, along with the new 75th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Squadron. Additionally, the service expects the 74th ISR Squadron, activated in November 2022, to be based at Peterson SFB, Colorado.
• CLB-15: Helicopter Support Team USMC News 31 May 2023 -- The helicopter support team is responsible for the rapid transportation of cargo via helicopter when it cannot be transported by ground or needs to be transported from ship to shore. In this exercise, the HST partnered with a CH-53E Super Stallion attached to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 to test a new lift operation method utilizing wheel-nets to carry a Polaris MRZR, an ultra-light turbo diesel combat vehicle.
• Seeing into the future: AF looks to AI for data analysis US Air Force 31 May 2023 -- In an effort to digest and rapidly analyze the process of decision making, Headquarters Air Force Digital Operations Directorate (A3X) developed an artificial intelligence-based software that can be applied to all Air Force specialty codes to better examine and predict operational outcomes.
• Michigan Guard Brings HIMARS Capability to Swift Response 23 Army News 31 May 2023 -- For most of the year, National Guard members have civilian occupations — some are firefighters, police officers, teachers, mechanics and electricians. But when military duty calls, they drop everything to put on their uniforms and support U.S. national security interests.
• NATO AWACS planes secure Moldova Summit airspace NATO 31 May 2023 -- NATO AWACS surveillance flights will contribute to the protection of the European Political Community Summit in Moldova. Flying over Allied airspace, NATO AWACS will guard the skies over the Summit venue from 31 May to 2 June.
• Informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Oslo: getting ready for the summit in Vilnius Germany Federal Foreign Office 31 May 2023 -- On 31 May and 1 June, the NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs will be meeting in Oslo. Their agenda will focus on getting ready for the summit in Vilnius in early July. This, however, is no ordinary ministerial meeting.
• Statement by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock prior to her departure for the Informal Meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Oslo Germany Federal Foreign Office 31 May 2023
• NATO Secretary General, Allies commemorate victims of 22 July terrorist attacks NATO 31 May 2023 -- In a tribute to the victims and survivors of the 22 July 2011 terrorist attacks in Norway, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised the resilience of the Norwegian people and the strength of democracy on Wednesday (31 May 2023).
• Minsk Believes Deploying Russian Tactical Nuclear Arms to Cool Down War-Like Rhetoric Sputnik 31 May 2023 -- Minsk expects that agreements with Russia on the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in the republic will cool down the war-like rhetoric of neighboring Western countries and Ukraine and will not allow a more global military confrontation, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said on Wednesday.
• Ukrainian Official Discusses Timetable for Deploying Fighter Jets VOA 31 May 2023 -- Earlier this month the White House changed its stance on providing F-16 warplanes to Ukraine, agreeing to allow the jets to be sent to the country to better help it defend itself from Russian attacks.
• US Providing $300 Million in More Aid for Ukraine VOA 31 May 2023 -- The United States will provide another $300 million in new military aid for Ukraine in a package that is expected to include munitions for Ukraine's Patriot missile defense system, defense officials tell VOA.
• Memorandum on Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 The White House 31 May 2023
• Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine DoD 31 May 2023 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs. This authorization is the Biden Administration's thirty-ninth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.
• DOD Announces New Security Assistance Package for Ukraine DoD News 31 May 2023 -- The Defense Department announced an additional security assistance package for Ukraine today that contains key capabilities to arm against Russian airstrikes targeting critical infrastructure across the country.
• U.S. Announces More Military Aid For Ukraine Amid Uptick In Attacks Inside Russia RFE/RL 31 May 2023 -- The United States on May 31 announced an aid package for Ukraine that includes Patriot air-defense batteries, ammunition, and other defense equipment as Ukrainian authorities said attacks by Russian troops killed one person in Ukraine's Donetsk region and one person in the Kherson region.
• US Has Gotten Ukraine's 'Assurances' F-16s Won't Be Used on Russian Land - Kirby Sputnik 31 May 2023 -- The United States has repeatedly ignored any terrorist attacks committed by Ukraine against Russian civilians, with the latest being drone strikes Kiev attempted to execute against Moscow.
• White House: US 'Does Not Encourage Attacks on Russia' Sputnik 31 May 2023 -- The United States does not encourage Ukraine to attack Russia and does not want to see the military conflict escalate, White House Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said on Wednesday, following the recent drone attacks on Moscow.
• Additional U.S. Security Assistance for Ukraine US Dept. of State 31 May 2023 -- Russia is continuing to wage a brutal and unprovoked war against Ukraine. In the month of May alone, Russia launched 17 air assaults against Kyiv, threatening Ukrainian families and devastating civilian areas.
• War in Ukraine - Military support for Ukraine Germany - Federal Government 31 May 2023 -- Germany provides support for Ukraine by supplying equipment and weapons, these come from supplies of the Federal Arms Forces and from deliveries from industry financed from the Federal Government's funds for security capacity building. An overview.
• US Warns 'Alarming Increase' in Aggressive Chinese Intercepts VOA 31 May 2023 -- U.S. defense officials are warning of an "alarming increase" in aggressive intercepts from Chinese military aircraft and vessels following a close encounter between a Chinese fighter jet and a U.S. military plane in international airspace over the South China Sea last week.
• US Says Chinese Fighter Jet Conducted 'Unnecessarily Aggressive Maneuver' Near US Reconnaissance Plane VOA 31 May 2023 -- The U.S. military says a Chinese fighter jet flew close to one of its reconnaissance aircraft during a patrol mission over the South China Sea last week.
• US accusation of Chinese intercept of US spy plane aims to hype 'China threat' theory at Shangri-La Dialogue: experts Global Times 31 May 2023 -- The US military on Tuesday accused China of conducting an "unprofessional" intercept of a US spy plane over the South China Sea, however it is the US that should reflect on its own provocative military operations near China in the first place, Chinese experts said on Wednesday.
• US recon aircraft spies on Chinese aircraft carrier, professionally dealt with by PLA: PLA Southern Theater Command spokesperson Global Times 31 May 2023 -- The US reconnaissance aircraft that was intercepted by a Chinese fighter jet was spying on and disturbing a routine exercise by the Shandong aircraft carrier group in the South China Sea, and the US' accusation calling the Chinese interception "unprofessional" is a false countercharge as the US is the one to blame, experts said on Wednesday.
• US hypes on 'China threat' ahead of Shangri-La Dialogue Global Times 31 May 2023 -- Ahead of the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue toward which there has been growing speculation about the meeting between the Chinese and US defense ministers, the US, following its commonly-used tactics, hyped again China's "unprofessional" intercept of a US spy plane over the South China Sea, aiming to peddle the "China threat" theory and create some "sensational topics" for the defense summit.
• Xi urges accelerated efforts to modernize national security system, capacity Global Times 31 May 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for accelerated efforts to modernize the country's national security system and capacity.
• Xi urges accelerated efforts to modernize national security system, capacity People's Daily 31 May 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for accelerated efforts to modernize the country's national security system and capacity.
• DPRK/North Korea: Statement by the Spokesperson on the attempted satellite launch European External Action Service (EEAS) 31 May 2023 -- The EU strongly condemns the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launch using ballistic military technology that occurred on 31 May.
• NATO Secretary General condemns North Korea military satellite launch NATO 31 May 2023
• North Korea vows to try again after failed satellite launch Radio Free Asia 31 May 2023 -- On the heels of a failed spy satellite launch on Wednesday, North Korea vowed that a second launch would come soon, state media reported.
• UN chief strongly condemns DPRK spy satellite launch UN News 31 May 2023 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the latest satellite launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), his spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.
• US Condemns North Korean Attempted Spy Satellite Launch VOA 31 May 2023 -- Washington strongly condemned the attempted launch of North Korea's first military spy satellite, a device that Pyongyang says it needs to monitor joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea.
• KCNA Report KCNA 31 May 2023 -- The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) made public the following report on Wednesday as regards an accident occurred during the launch of military reconnaissance satellite:
• North Korea's reconnaissance satellite crashes into sea after rocket failure Press TV 31 May 2023 -- North Korea's first military reconnaissance satellite launch has ended in failure after the rocket's newly developed second-stage thruster malfunctioned, state media said.
• Shelter Warnings Startle Seoul After North Korea Attempts Satellite Launch VOA 31 May 2023 -- South Koreans, who typically shrug off North Korean missile launches, were awakened Wednesday by air raid sirens and shelter warnings following an attempted North Korean satellite launch.
• Iran ready to export defense equipment to friendly countries: Top general Press TV 31 May 2023 -- Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says the Islamic Republic stands ready to export in wholesale its defense equipment to friendly countries and share its military expertise with them.
• Partnership takes flight over northern waters Australia DOD 31 May 2023 -- Flying together over Australia's northern oceans, aircrew from the Royal Australian Air Force's 11 Squadron and 5 Squadron from Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU) conducted maritime surveillance missions as part of Exercise Albatross AusIndo.
• 3rd India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue India MEA 31 May 2023 -- The 3rd India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue was held on 31 May 2023 at New Delhi.
• Government endorses procurement of 246 infantry fighting vehicles Czech Republic Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces 31 May 2023 -- The Government of the Czech Republic authorised the procurement of 246 CV90 infantry fighting vehicles for CZK 59.7 billion and on the very same day, the Director General of the MoD Armaments and Acquisition Division Lubor Koudelka signed an agreement with the Swedish party.
• Closing speech by the President of the French Republic. Élysée - President of France 31 May 2023
• A look at Defence news 22 - 28 May Netherlands Ministry of Defence 31 May 2023 -- The EU Defence Ministers met in Brussels this week. The topics discussed included military support to Ukraine, scaling up production capacity and new defence projects.
• UAE rejects Western media's 'mischaracterization' of talks with US over Persian Gulf security Press TV 31 May 2023 -- The United Arab Emirates has rejected the Western media's "mischaracterization" of the country's talks with the United States over the Persian Gulf's security, and announced its withdrawal from a US-led maritime coalition in the region.
• UAE Withdraws From American-Led Naval Coalition, Dealing Blow to US Military Prestige Sputnik 31 May 2023 -- US officials are rushing to downplay the withdrawal as a temporary state of affairs, but the United Arab Emirate's recent diplomatic overtures to Iran suggest otherwise.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with Spanish State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs Moreno Bau US Dept. of State 31 May 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre After Their Meeting US Dept. of State 31 May 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council Ministerial Co-Chairs at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 31 May 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken at the Fourth U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council Stakeholders Engagement US Dept. of State 31 May 2023
• Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Verma's Meeting with Comorian President Azali US Dept. of State 31 May 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby The White House 31 May 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 31, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 31 May 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 31 May 2023
• UN vessel arrives at moored oil tanker off Yemeni coast for rescue preparation People's Daily 31 May 2023 -- A United Nations (UN) ship arrived on Tuesday at the site of the floating storage and offloading (FSO) Safer vessel, a decaying super oil tanker, off the coast of Ras Issa, Hodeidah in western Yemen.
• Anti-Refugee Rhetoric, Forced Deportations of Syrians Increase in Lebanon VOA 31 May 2023 -- As many as 1.5 million Syrian refugees have fled death and destruction engulfing their homeland by crossing into Lebanon. Their presence has drawn more hostility from Lebanese since the country's economic crisis came to a head in 2019.
• Sudanese Army Quits Cease-Fire Talks With Paramilitary Forces VOA 31 May 2023 -- Sudan's military Wednesday broke off negotiations with the country's paramilitary forces over extending a cease-fire agreement, accusing their rivals of repeatedly violating the U.S.-Saudi-brokered truce.
• Sudan army suspends participation in ceasefire talks Press TV 31 May 2023 -- Sudan's army has suspended its participation in the Saudi-backed talks with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces to end months of fighting.
• Artillery Strikes Reported on Paramilitary Bases as Sudanese Army Leaves Ceasefire Talks Sputnik 31 May 2023 -- Sudan has sat on the verge of open civil war since April 25, when a powerful paramilitary group revolted against an attempt to integrate it into the Sudanese military. However, the violence has flared for years as the military attempts to hold onto power amid a swelling civilian movement for democracy.
• Myanmar troops torch Sagaing region village a second time Radio Free Asia 31 May 2023 -- Disaster has once again hit a community in northwestern Myanmar's war-torn Sagaing region.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement on incidents in Northern Kosovo Republic of Poland 31 May 2023 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its serious concern about the increase of tensions in Northern Kosovo and strongly condemns the unprovoked attacks on NATO troops taking part in the KFOR operation, which resulted in several dozen of Allied soldiers being wounded.
• EU Intensifies Effort To Calm Crisis In North Kosovo As Serb Protesters Rally RFE/RL 31 May 2023 -- European Union officials met on May 31 with Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Bratislava as part of international efforts to end a crisis in Kosovo that for days has drawn ethnic-Serb demonstrators into the streets of northern towns in the former province of Serbia.
• 'Z' Marks The Trouble Spot: Russia's Symbol Of War Appears In Northern Kosovo RFE/RL 31 May 2023 -- As ethnic trouble brewed and the latest confrontations erupted this week in northern Kosovo, a powerful symbol of Russian expansionism emerged alongside the Serbian flags denoting resistance to Pristina's authority.
• Hague Panel Rejects Appeal By Milosevic Spymasters, Lengthens Prison Sentences RFE/RL 31 May 2023 -- A panel of United Nations judges on May 31 have rejected the appeals by two former Serbian intelligence officers against their convictions two years ago for murder, crimes against humanity, and other offenses in western Bosnia during the 1992-95 war there, and expanded their sentences in the process.
• UN commends Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, as final judgement is delivered UN News 31 May 2023 -- The UN chief on Wednesday commended the work of the judges and staff of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), as its final judgement was delivered, increasing the prison sentences on appeal of two former top Serbian security officials.
• Explosion kills five at Palestinian base in Lebanon: Lebanese security source Press TV 31 May 2023 -- Five members of a Palestinian resistance group have been killed in an accidental blast overnight at a base near Lebanon's border with Syria, according to a Lebanese security source.
• 27th Meeting of the Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border affairs (WMCC) India MEA 31 May 2023 -- The 27th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border affairs (WMCC) was held on 31st May 2023 in person in New Delhi.
• 27th Meeting of the Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border affairs (WMCC) India MEA 31 May 2023 -- The 27th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border affairs (WMCC) was held on 31st May 2023 in person in New Delhi.
• Cameroon Asks for More Border Troops after New Boko Haram Attacks VOA 31 May 2023 -- Officials in northern Cameroon have in a crisis meeting on Wednesday requested more troops from Cameroon, Nigeria and Chad to be deployed to their common border after fresh Boko Haran attacks killed at least 12 people including six soldiers on Tuesday. The officials say several hundred heavily armed Islamist extremists have infiltrated the volatile Lake Chad region attacking, looting and causing panic.

News Reports

• Moldova: Press remarks by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the handover of EPF financed equipment European External Action Service (EEAS) 31 May 2023
• Moldova: Press remarks by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the launch of the EU Partnership Mission in Chisinau European External Action Service (EEAS) 31 May 2023
• Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with Moldovan President Sandu European Commission 31 May 2023
• EU Places Sanctions On Seven For Destabilizing Moldova, Doubles Macroeconomic Support RFE/RL 31 May 2023 -- The European Union has announced sanctions on seven individuals accused of destabilizing actions against Moldova and that it was doubling its grant of macroeconomic support to 290 million euros ($310 million).
• Meeting with Government members President of Russia 31 May 2023 -- The President held a meeting with Government members via videoconference.
• Meeting with President of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki President of Russia 31 May 2023 -- Vladimir Putin had a meeting with President of the State of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki at the Kremlin.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to Mozambique Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 31 May 2023
• Moscow decries Germany's 'ill-thought-out' move after Berlin closes Russian consulates Press TV 31 May 2023 -- Berlin has closed four of Russia's five consulates in Germany as bilateral ties between the two countries have hit a new low over the Ukraine war. Moscow has denounced the decision as an "ill-thought-out" move and vowed a response.
• Medvedev: UK waging an 'undeclared war' against Russia Press TV 31 May 2023 -- The United Kingdom is waging an "undeclared war" against Russia, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said.
• Medvedev Bashes 'Goofy' UK Officials for 'Leading De Facto Undeclared War' on Russia Sputnik 31 May 2023 -- On May 30, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly evaded a question about Kiev's involvement in Tuesday morning's drone attacks on Moscow, but said that Ukraine has the right to project force beyond its borders.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on May 31, 2023 PRC MofA 31 May 2023
• China In Eurasia Briefing: What Beijing Is Learning From The Western Response To Ukraine RFE/RL 31 May 2023
• China urges U.S. to right wrongs, show sincerity in military dialogue People's Daily 31 May 2023 -- Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Tuesday urged the U.S. side to immediately correct wrong practices and show sincerity for dialogue and communication between the two militaries.
• Chinese Embassy in US strongly condemns US sanctions on 13 Chinese entities, individuals Global Times 31 May 2023 -- The Chinese Embassy in the US on Wednesday strongly condemned US sanctions on 13 China-based entities and individuals, vowing to do what is necessary to safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and individuals.
• HKSAR establishes Chief Executive Policy Unit, showing increasing priority of integrating into national development plan Global Times 31 May 2023 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government announced on Tuesday the establishment of the Chief Executive Policy Unit (CEPU) Expert Group and the appointment of 56 members, with a one-year term of appointment. The CEPU Expert Group comprises members of different backgrounds including high-level experts and scholars from the Chinese mainland, showing the increasing priority of integrating into the national development plan in the HKSAR government's work agenda.
• Shenzhou-16 crew enter space station, complete handover in five days People's Daily 31 May 2023 -- The three astronauts aboard China's Shenzhou-16 spaceship entered the country's space station and met with another astronaut trio on Tuesday, starting a new round of in-orbit crew handover.
• Journalists Expelled in China-India Visa Fight VOA 31 May 2023 -- China said on Wednesday it had taken "appropriate" action in response to what it called India's "unfair and discriminatory" treatment of Chinese journalists, in the latest move that underscores rising tensions between the Asian countries.
• Chinese mainland respects Taiwan-funded companies to independently choose their listing place: Taiwan Affairs Office of State Council Global Times 31 May 2023 -- The Chinese mainland respects Taiwan-funded companies to independently choose their listing place, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson from the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council told a press conference on Wednesday.
• Chinese mainland blasts US-DPP collusion as escalating tension shows Washington's 'bankrupt credibility' Global Times 31 May 2023 -- The Chinese mainland on Wednesday lashed out at a series of recent moves by Taiwan's secessionists Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities and the US over arms sales, trade deals, political visits to the US and attempts to obstruct cross-Straits exchanges, adding that such collusions would only push Taiwan island into a more dangerous situation.
• Taiwan's DPP slammed for fabricating, spreading disinformation People's Daily 31 May 2023 -- A mainland spokesperson said Wednesday that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have fabricated and continued to spread false information, thereby smearing the mainland since it came to power seven years ago.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan May 31, 2023 ROC MND 31 May 2023
• Biden aide visited Oman to seek mediation with Iran: Report IRNA 31 May 2023 -- US President Joe Biden's senior West Asia adviser took a low-profile trip to Oman earlier this month for talks with Omani officials on "possible diplomatic outreach" to Iran over its nuclear program, according to a report.
• Iranian FM: Tehran, Washington communicate through mediators/ Iran in touch with EU ISNA 31 May 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that there is a direct interaction between Iran and European Union and also communication with the US over nuclear deal is made through mediators.
• IAEA confirms resolution of two outstanding issues with Iran: Report IRNA 31 May 2023 -- Iran has resolved two outstanding inquiries of the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to a report by the Associated Press citing documents from the United Nations agency.
• IAEA chief confirms progress between Iran, nuclear watchdog IRNA 31 May 2023 -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi confirms that Iran and the agency have made progress on certain issues.
• IAEA closes Iran nuclear site file after false claims are debunked Press TV 31 May 2023 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has decided to close the file on traces of what is claimed to be nuclear material at one of the alleged "undetected" sites in Iran following progress in cooperation between Tehran and the nuclear watchdog.
• The Farda Briefing: Journalists Who Broke Mahsa Amini Story Stand Trial Behind Closed Doors RFE/RL 31 May 2023
• Iranian Judiciary Chief Defends Executions Of Protesters RFE/RL 31 May 2023 -- The head of Iran's judiciary has staunchly defended issuing death sentences for several demonstrators involved in nationwide protests that erupted in September 2022 following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini soon after she was detained by morality police for allegedly violating the mandatory hijab law.
• Ayatollah Khamenei: Iran determined to complete key transit corridor Press TV 31 May 2023 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has expressed Iran's determination to complete a key transit corridor, which travels through the Islamic Republic linking the countries lying to its north to the Sea of Oman.
• Iran to double gas imports from Turkmenistan Press TV 31 May 2023 -- Iran will soon double its gas imports from Turkmenistan as the two energy-rich nations seek to rebuild ties that were once affected by arrears.
• Junta clamps down on displaying photos of Aung San Suu Kyi Radio Free Asia 31 May 2023 -- Military junta authorities are threatening - and sometimes arresting - people who display photos of Myanmar's former leader Aung San Suu Kyi in their homes, residents in Yangon, Mandalay and the Ayeyarwaddy region told Radio Free Asia.
• Pakistan Urged to Desist from Trying Civilians in Military Courts VOA 31 May 2023 -- Global and local human rights campaigners in Pakistan asked the government Wednesday to transfer political activists who are set to be prosecuted in military courts for arson to the civilian justice system.
• Spacecraft Carrying Saudi Astronauts Splashes Down Successfully in Atlantic Ocean SPA 31 May 2023 -- The Saudi Space Commission (SSC) said the spacecraft carrying astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Alqarni, and the crew of the "Ax-2" mission to Earth has returned, marking the end of the two Saudi astronauts' distinguished scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station.
• Brazil's Lula pushes for common currency in South America IRNA 31 May 2023 -- Brazilian President has stressed the need for agreeing on the use of a common regional currency to replace it with the US dollar.
• Brazil's Lula calls for instituting common S American currency Press TV 31 May 2023 -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called for the establishment of a common currency for the South American region in efforts to reduce its reliance on the US dollar.
• Palau says Chinese vessel slowed over undersea cable during incursion into waters Radio Free Asia 31 May 2023 -- A Chinese research vessel appeared to show interest in Palau's undersea fiber optic cable during a days-long foray into the Pacific island country's waters, a government official said.
• Oversight's key to ensure sustainability in outer space: Guterres UN News 31 May 2023 -- Effective governance of outer space is necessary to propel innovation and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a new policy brief published on Wednesday.
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Tsahkna to British colleague: grey areas in Europe only exacerbate instability Estonia MFA 31 May 2023 -- Yesterday, on 30 May, Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna met with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in Tallinn to discuss continued support for Ukraine, the security situation in Europe, and deepening bilateral cooperation.
• Press briefing by Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt Government of Norway 31 May 2023
• Polish-Bosnian political consultations in Warsaw Republic of Poland 31 May 2023 -- The Russian aggression against Ukraine, the EU's enlargement process, and compensation for losses suffered as a result of World War II—these were the central themes of the talks Secretary of State Arkadiusz Mularczyk held with Deputy Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Josip Brkić.