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• Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds a Press Briefing DoD 08 Jun 2023
• Pentagon Spokesman Addresses Indo-Pacific, Ukraine and Race DoD News 08 Jun 2023 -- Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder resumed briefing today after a grueling around-the-world trip with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.
• Indo-Pacific Nations Bolstering Defense Ties, Capabilities DoD News 08 Jun 2023 -- Nations in the Indo-Pacific want a continued strong U.S. presence and they are increasing their military capabilities and improving interoperability and training with U.S. and regional partners, said the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs.
• USAFCENT flexes air-to-ground capabilities in historic first for BTF US Air Force 08 Jun 2023 -- Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) aircraft joined two B-1B Lancers over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, along with five partner nations and other coalition forces, during a Bomber Task Force mission, June 8.
• AFMC innovation team revolutionizes stealth fighter fleet US Air Force 08 Jun 2023 -- An F-35A Lightning II from the 461st Flight Test Squadron recently took flight with a complement of software applications developed by government and industry providers previously tested on the F-22 Raptor - demonstrating for the first time the ability to use the same tactical software applications on both stealth fighters.
• USAFCENT flexes air-to-ground capabilities in historic first for BTF CENTCOM 08 Jun 2023 -- Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) aircraft joined 2 B-1B Lancers over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, along with five partner nations and other coalition forces, during a Bomber Task Force mission, June 8.
• Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Dr. Ely Ratner Participates in a CNAS Discussion on Building a Networked Security Architecture in the Indo-Pacific DoD 08 Jun 2023
• SECNAV Addresses Leadership Development, Culture of Belonging at ANSO Eastern Regional Symposium US Navy Press Release 08 Jun 2023
• Defense Leaders See Increase in Risky Chinese Intercepts DoD News 08 Jun 2023 -- U.S. forces operating in international waterways or airspace are seeing an alarming increase in the number of risky aerial intercepts and confrontations at sea by Chinese aircraft and vessels, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said he's worried over chances of miscalculation at a conference in Singapore last week.
• US defense official: China's maneuvers risk conflict Radio Free Asia 08 Jun 2023 -- A rise in "dangerous maneuvers" by China's military risks "a crisis or conflict" in the South China Sea or Taiwan Strait, the U.S. assistant secretary of defense responsible for the region said Thursday.
• NATO MCM Demonstrates Readiness with Real-World Benefit in BALTOPS 23 US Navy 08 Jun 2023 -- Ships and ashore units from 11 NATO Ally nations commenced the mine countermeasures (MCM) phase of exercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23) in Germany, Poland and in the Baltic Sea, June 5.
• The Goverment issued a decree on the NATO Ottawa Agreement Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland 08 Jun 2023 -- The Government plenary session issued a decree on the Agreement on the Status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, National Representatives and International Staff, also known as the Ottawa Agreement on 8 June.
• Russian Officer Accuses Wagner Group Of Abductions, Torture Of Russian Military Personnel RFE/RL 08 Jun 2023 -- Russian Colonel Roman Vinivitin, who was captured by Wagner fighters in eastern Ukraine issued a video on June 8 accusing the private mercenary company of abducting Russian armed forces personnel and torturing them.
• Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoygu makes a working visit to the troops of the Western Military District Russia MoD 08 Jun 2023 -- At the arsenals and storage bases of the Western Military District, Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoygu inspected the preparation of hardware and weapons for shipment to the zone of the special military operation.
• Pacific Fleet detachment resupplied water and fuel in off-shore maritime zone Russia MoD 08 Jun 2023 -- A Russian Pacific Fleet detachment made up of vessels Gromkiy and Sovershenniy replenished water and fuel supplies from an auxiliary vessel. Medium-sized marine tanker Pechenga resupplied both ships.
• Congressman Crow Leads Bipartisan Coalition Calling for Fourth Gen Fighter Aircraft, ATACMS to be Sent to Ukraine Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) 08 Jun 2023 -- Today, Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), co-chair of the For Country Caucus and former Army Ranger, led a coalition of For Country Caucus members in sending a bipartisan letter to President Biden calling for the United States to send fourth generation fighter aircraft and ATACMS to Ukraine. The letter also calls for an expedited transfer of Abrams tanks and additional air defense capabilities to improve Ukraine's ability to defend their sovereign territory.
• NATO-Ukraine Commission meets with Ukrainian Foreign Minister, addresses destruction of Kakhovka dam NATO 08 Jun 2023 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg chaired a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission on Thursday (8 June 2023), bringing together Allied ambassadors with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Participating virtually, Minister Kuleba briefed Allies on the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine, outlining the devastation it has caused.
• NATO Officials 'Committed' To Ukraine Victory Ahead Of Alliance Summit Set To Discuss Enlargement RFE/RL 08 Jun 2023 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith said on June 7 that NATO funding will be a major topic at the military alliance's summit next month in Vilnius along with enlargement and security guarantees.
• The trends and developments around the sea and air space in and around the Taiwan Strait by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), (June 8, 2023) ROC MND 08 Jun 2023
• The Ministry of Defense issues a press release explaining the "Implementation of air surveillance and long-distance voyage training by CCP" ROC MND 08 Jun 2023
• PLA holds large-scale drills around Taiwan island after record-breaking China-Russia joint patrol in Asia-Pacific Global Times 08 Jun 2023 -- Right after a two-day China-Russia joint aerial strategic patrol in the Asia-Pacific region, which set a record in the number of warplanes involved, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Thursday launched what appeared to be a large-scale exercise around the island of Taiwan.
• The Ministry of National Defense issues a press release in response to media reports that "The United States, Taiwan, and Japan will share real-time data from naval reconnaissance drones." ROC MND 08 Jun 2023
• China, Pakistan and Iran hold first meeting of trilateral consultation on counter-terrorism, security Global Times 08 Jun 2023 -- China on Wednesday held a consultation meeting in Beijing with Pakistan and Iran on counter-terrorism and security, marking the first meeting of its kind.
• Iran missile activities complies with intl. law: Spox IRNA 08 Jun 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has emphasized that the missile activities of the Islamic Republic are conventionalو legitimate and defensive in nature and fully comply with international law.
• Iran says missile activities 'legitimate' as West raises 'invalid' concerns Press TV 08 Jun 2023 -- Iran has dismissed as "invalid" the meddlesome statements released by certain Western countries on its first hypersonic missile, saying the Islamic Republic's missile activities are "conventional" based on international law.
• Conclusion of the "Firm Hand" Exercise - The IDF's Main General Staff Exercise Israel Defense Forces 08 Jun 2023 -- The IDF's "Firm Hand" Exercise has concluded. Over the past two weeks, IDF soldiers in active and reserve duty, from the general headquarters to the operational units, in all commands, branches and directorates, participated in the exercise. The "Firm Hand" exercise simulated dealing with operational challenges in all operational arenas and in a multitude of arenas simultaneously.
• MAIDEN INDIA-FRANCE-UAE MARITIME PARTNERSHIP EXERCISE India PIB 08 Jun 2023 -- The first edition of India, France and UAE Maritime Partnership Exercise commenced on 07 Jun 23 in the Gulf of Oman. INS Tarkash and French Ship Surcouf both with integral helicopters, French Rafale aircraft and UAE Navy Maritime Patrol Aircraft are participating in the exercise.
• 'Agni Prime' ballistic missile successfully flight-tested by DRDO off Odisha coast India PIB 08 Jun 2023 -- New Generation Ballistic Missile 'Agni Prime' was successfully flight-tested by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on June 07, 2023. During the flight test, all objectives were successfully demonstrated.
• Norway Orders Nearly 300 Military Trucks From Germany's Rheinmetall Sputnik 08 Jun 2023 -- The massive procurement comes as Norway is ramping up its defense expenditure. The country's chief of defense, Eirik Kristoffersen, recently asked to increase the annual military allocations by $730 million, citing "an increased probability of a conflict involving Norway."
• Slovak and German Ministries of Defence sign gift agreement for MANTIS air defence systems Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 08 Jun 2023 -- During their meeting at the SVK Ministry of Defence (MOD) today, the Slovak National Director for Defence Capabilities, Dalibor Pavolka, and his German counterpart, Thomas Frankenberger, have signed a gift agreement under which the Federal Republic of Germany will donate two MANTIS very short range air defence (VSHORAD) systems to Slovakia to bolster the country's air defences on its eastern border with Ukraine, which is otherwise protected by national and Allied GBAD capabilities.
• US, Japan & Taiwan to Integrate Real-Time Drone Data As Tensions Mount Over 'China Threat' Sputnik 08 Jun 2023 -- The US has been claiming that China - dubbed a security challenge last year by the NATO alliance - is preparing to take control of Taiwan, which Beijing sees as its rogue province, by military force. Washington and its NATO allies have been building up their presence in the Indo-Pacific, and further ratcheting up tensions.
• PM and President Biden of the USA meeting: 8 June 2023 Gov.UK 08 Jun 2023
• PM opening remarks at the White House: Thursday 8 June Gov.UK 08 Jun 2023
• Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom in Joint Press Conference The White House 08 Jun 2023
• Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 08 Jun 2023
• The Atlantic Declaration: A Framework for a Twenty-First Century U.S.-UK Economic Partnership The White House 08 Jun 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Hiba Nasr of Asharq News US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council President Al-Alimi US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council President Rashad al-Alimi Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023
• Joint Statement Following the Ministerial Meeting of the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mekonnen US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Before Meeting on Multilateralism in the Sahel US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023
• Background Press Call Previewing the Vice President's Travel to the Bahamas The White House 08 Jun 2023
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with Prime Minister Davis of The Bahamas The White House 08 Jun 2023
• Remarks by Vice President Harris at U.S.-Caribbean Leaders Meeting The White House 08 Jun 2023
• Letter to the Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate on War Powers Report The White House 08 Jun 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hussein US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 8, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 8 June 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 Jun 2023
• Deadly Blast Hits Afghan Mosque During Memorial Service For Taliban Official VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- A bomb blast ripped through a mosque in Afghanistan's northeastern Badakhshan province during a memorial ceremony Thursday for the Taliban provincial deputy governor who was assassinated in an Islamic State group attack this week.
• 'In Dire Straits': Taliban's Alleged Interference In Foreign Aid Deprives Afghans Of Lifesaving Help RFE/RL 08 Jun 2023 -- Ghulam Haider has depended on food and cash handouts from international aid agencies in order to survive.
• Explosion Rips Through Mosque In Northern Afghanistan During Funeral, At Least 19 Dead RFE/RL 08 Jun 2023 -- An explosion has torn through a mosque in the northern Afghan province of Badakhshan during a funeral service for a Taliban official, killing at least 19 people, including the former Taliban security commander in the city of Baghlan, and wounding 38 others.
• Bomb kills 11, injures 30 inside mosque in northern Afghanistan Press TV 08 Jun 2023 -- Eleven people have been killed in a bomb explosion inside a mosque in Afghanistan's northern province of Badakhshan.
• ASEAN members to hold first joint drills in contested South China Sea Radio Free Asia 08 Jun 2023 -- Southeast Asian nations will hold their first joint military exercises in the South China Sea, ASEAN chair Indonesia said Thursday, amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington in the disputed waterway and Taiwan Strait.
• Joint Communiqué by Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023 -- The following statement was released by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and the Foreign Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS following today's meeting.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Ministerial Opening Session US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023
• US Sees Islamic State Affiliates Pooling Resources, Growing Capabilities VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- U.S. officials tasked with tracking Islamic State are seeing worrisome signs that the terror group's core leadership is strengthening control over its global network of affiliates despite a series of key losses.
• Blinken: Islamic State Fight 'Not Yet Done' VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that when it comes to defeating the Islamic State militant group, the "fight is not yet done."
• Foreign Minister Announces that Kingdom Joined Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh Africa Focus Group SPA 08 Jun 2023 -- Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister for Foreign Affairs and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken chaired today the Riyadh-hosted ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition against Daesh.
• UN investigative team outlines findings around ISIL chemical weapons use UN News 08 Jun 2023 -- During their nearly four-year reign of terror in Iraq, ISIL extremists developed at least eight chemical agents, tested them on humans, and carried out at least 13 attacks, UN experts reported on Thursday.
• Myanmar military kills 6 people in raid on Sagaing region village Radio Free Asia 08 Jun 2023 -- Junta troops have shot dead six people in a raid on a village in Myanmar's northern Sagaing region, residents and People's Defense Force officials told RFA Thursday.
• Bangladesh must suspend plans to return Rohingya refugees to Myanmar: Rights expert UN News 08 Jun 2023 -- Bangladesh must "immediately suspend" a pilot repatriation project for Rohingya refugees to return to Myanmar, where they face "serious risks" to their lives and freedom, a UN-appointed independent rights expert said on Thursday.
• Argentine court to investigate Myanmar genocide against Rohingya Muslims Press TV 08 Jun 2023 -- Members of the Rohingya Muslim minority have testified in person for the first time in an Argentine court on genocide and war crimes committed by Myanmar military officials, in a "historic fight for justice."
• Sarajevo Court Sentences Five Ethnic Serbs To Prison For Crimes Committed During Bosnian War RFE/RL 08 Jun 2023 -- Bosnia-Herzegovina's state court has sentenced five ethnic Serb ex-policemen to prison terms for committing war crimes against Muslim Bosniak civilians during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War.
• 'Robust' cooperation with Arab League can quell conflict in the region UN News 08 Jun 2023 -- From settling the conflict in Sudan to realizing a two-State solution in Israel and Palestine, cooperation with the League of Arab States is key to stabilizing the region, Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, told the Security Council on Thursday.
• The rights of civil society members are being violated by all entities in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, UN Commission of Inquiry says; Israeli Government restrictions intrinsically linked to occupation UN Human Rights Council 08 Jun 2023 -- The rights of civil society members in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory are being violated by authorities in all areas through harassment, threats, arrests, interrogations, arbitrary detention, torture and inhuman and degrading treatment, according to a report to the Human Rights Council issued today by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.
• Azerbaijan Asks for Postponement of US-Hosted Talks with Armenia VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- The timing of new U.S.-sponsored peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which had been expected to start Monday, is now uncertain despite the U.S. administration's conviction that direct dialogue between the two nations is key to any stable peace agreement.

News Reports

• Trump Indicted, Accused of Mishandling Classified Documents VOA 09 Jun 2023 -- In an unprecedented move, a federal grand jury in the southern U.S. state of Florida charged former U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday with mishandling sensitive government documents after he left the White House, making him the first ex-American president in history to face a federal indictment.
• The Trump Documents Case: Why It Matters VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed on his social media platform that his lawyers were informed by the Justice Department that he had been indicted and summoned to appear in federal court in Miami on Tuesday.
• Trump Says He's Been Indicted Over Mar-a-Lago Docs, Told to Appear Tuesday in Court Sputnik 08 Jun 2023 -- The announcement comes a day after reports revealed that Trump's legal team had been notified they were the subject of an investigation over the doc seizures. The former president is now expected to appear in court on June 13.
• Terrorist Designation of ISIS General Directorate of Provinces Leaders US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023 -- ISIS remains an active threat to peace and stability and maintains connections to the global financial system to fund its terrorist activities.
• Reporting on Serbian Leader's Links to Criminal Groups Raises Questions for US VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- In early May, The New York Times Magazine published an in-depth story about Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic with details about his alleged connections with a criminal group that is being prosecuted for a range of crimes including drug trafficking and murder.
• Australia to Ban Public Display of Nazi Symbols VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- New legislation is set to be introduced next week in the Australian parliament that will ban the public display of Nazi symbols. Under the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill, offenders could face up to a year in prison.
• Meeting with Governor of the Orel Region Andrei Klychkov President of Russia 08 Jun 2023 -- Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Orel Region Governor Andrei Klychkov to discuss the region's socioeconomic development.
• Press release on electing non-permanent UN Security Council members for 2024-2025 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Jun 2023
• Russia points finger at 'Anglo-Saxons' in 2022 Nord Stream blasts Press TV 08 Jun 2023 -- The Kremlin says the United States and some of its allies were aware of a Ukrainian plan last year to blow up the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines that connect Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea.
• Russia's Putin, Saudi crown prince discuss bilateral ties, cooperation within OPEC+: Kremlin Press TV 08 Jun 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have discussed cooperation within the OPEC+ and bilateral ties between the two countries.
• Council of Europe leaders profoundly concerned about Russia's non-execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, including the non-payment of just satisfaction Council of Europe 08 Jun 2023 -- The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers has reiterated the Russian Federation's unconditional legal obligation to implement judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and to pay 'just satisfaction' awarded by the Court.
• Council Of Europe Envoy Calls Russian Rights Defender Oleg Orlov's Trial 'Travesty Of Justice' RFE/RL 08 Jun 2023 -- The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic has called the trial of Oleg Orlov, a leader of the liquidated Memorial Human Rights Center in Moscow, over the alleged discrediting of Russian forces involved in Kremlin's ongoing invasion of Ukraine "a travesty of justice."
• Russian Trade Rises Despite Sanctions, as NATO Member Turkey Offers 'Critical Lifeline' VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- Despite Western attempts to stifle Russia's economy through sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine last year, Russian trade volumes with dozens of countries have actually increased since the war began — with NATO member Turkey providing a "critical" economic lifeline for Moscow, according to an analysis by the Washington-based Atlantic Council.
• Pentagon: Media Reports on China Spy Station in Cuba Are 'Not Accurate' VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- The Pentagon says reports that China and Cuba have reached a secret pact allowing Beijing to build an electronic eavesdropping facility on the island that is 160 kilometers from the United States are "not accurate."
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on June 8, 2023 PRC MofA 08 Jun 2023
• US Not Asking Nations to Choose Sides, Blinken Says Ahead of China Trip VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- The U.S. is not asking anyone to choose between the United States and China, but it is demonstrating the benefits of partnership, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday while visiting Saudi Arabia.
• Stalemate in US-China Ties Appears Likely to Continue Despite Talks VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- After a series of renewed talks between the U.S. and China leading up to Secretary of State Antony Blinken's expected visit to Beijing in coming weeks, experts said the two rivals need to come up with a plan to avoid conflict.
• US urged to stop wasting China's goodwill for dialogue, experts say Global Times 08 Jun 2023 -- The battle of words between China and the US continued Thursday with the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin refuting US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns' accusation of China failing stop production of fentanyl. Analysts said that the US should stop wasting China's goodwill in being open to dialogue and should become sincere in improving relations instead of flip-flopping.
• US should adopt responsible fiscal, monetary policies: Chinese FM Global Times 08 Jun 2023 -- China urges the US to earnestly adopt responsible fiscal and monetary policies, strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination with other economies, jointly safeguard international economic and financial stability and promote the world's economic recovery, China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
• China-Russian trade jumps by 51.9% from Jan-May amid strong partnership, high complementarity and local currency settlement Global Times 08 Jun 2023 -- Chinese and Russian trade have witnessed a remarkable growth of 51.9 percent from January to May, as indicated by data from China's General Administration of Customs on Wednesday. Both imports and exports have experienced double-digit growth, highlighting the strong partnership and high complementarity between the two countries.
• Hong Kong Authorities Seek Ban of Protest Song Online, in Public VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- Hong Kong is aiming to ban digital and public performances of a song that was widely used during the pro-democracy protests four years ago, a move critics say is part of a broader trend to stamp out dissent. The ban, if implemented, would present new challenges for tech companies operating in Hong Kong, analysts add.
• State banks cut yuan deposit rates to spur investment, consumption Global Times 08 Jun 2023 -- Major Chinese state banks officially lowered their yuan deposit rates on Thursday for a second time since last September. The move is expected to ease pressure on profit margins and inject liquidity into the bricks-and-mortar economy, experts said.
• China's forex market to remain resilient, backed up economic recovery: central bank Global Times 08 Jun 2023 -- China's foreign exchange market has a sound foundation for smooth operation despite recent gains of the US dollar versus the yuan, a Chinese government official told an economic forum on Thursday.
• U.S. understands bullying, intimidation better than any other country: Chinese FM People's Daily 08 Jun 2023 -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Wednesday said the United States understands bullying and intimidation better than any other country in the world, and there is no room for China to concede or back down when it comes to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Chinese planes enter Taiwan ADIZ on long-range recon training: MND CNA 08 Jun 2023 -- A total of 37 Chinese warplanes were detected entering the southwestern part of Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) Thursday, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Jun. 8, 2023 ROC MND 08 Jun 2023
• Press Statement of DPRK Maritime Administration Spokesperson KCNA 08 Jun 2023 -- A spokesperson for the Maritime Administration of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) issued the following press statement on Thursday:
• Iran starts building two new nuclear power plants in Bushehr IRNA 08 Jun 2023 -- Iran has started construction works for two new nuclear power plants in its southern province of Bushehr, according to the top government official in the region who says the power plants will each be capable of producing 1,080 megawatts of electricity.
• President Raeisi vows no retreat in dealing with 'enemies' Press TV 08 Jun 2023 -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raeisi insists his government will not back down from ensuring sustainable economic growth despite the brutal US-led sanctions against Tehran, further underlining his administration's determination to tackle existing problems.
• Iran, Azerbaijan seek resolution of existing misunderstandings Press TV 08 Jun 2023 -- Iran and Azerbaijan have laid emphasis on the need for the resolution of existing misunderstandings between the countries towards the alignment of their mutual ties in their natural course.
• Iran's Relations With Azerbaijan Get Heated Over Attacks, Baku's Ties To Israel RFE/RL 08 Jun 2023 -- For the second time in just months, Baku has warned its citizens against traveling to Iran in the wake of a deadly attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran in January that it blamed on the "unstable situation in the Islamic republic."
• Iran Hands Labor Activist Razavi 5-Year Sentence For Organizing Protests RFE/RL 08 Jun 2023 -- Iran's judiciary has handed down a five-year discretionary imprisonment sentence to labor activist Davood Razavi for organizing protests demanding better wages and working conditions.
• Myanmar junta shuts down NGO access to cyclone-hit Rakhine state Radio Free Asia 08 Jun 2023 -- Myanmar's junta has issued a blanket ban on transportation for aid groups operating in Rakhine state only a day after granting them permission to assist victims of one of the worst cyclones to hit the country in a decade.
• Kazakhstan Seeks 'Image,' Investors At Forum Amid The Demise Of 'Russia's Davos' RFE/RL 08 Jun 2023 -- Two international forums this month -- one in Kazakhstan and the other in Russia -- have very different messages.
• New UK sanctions legislation allows the government to target Belarus exports, internet propaganda, and crack down on circumvention UK FCDO 08 Jun 2023 -- New sanctions legislation allows the UK to target exports from Belarus funding the Lukashenko regime and crack down on Russia's efforts to circumvent sanctions.
• Prime Minister holds telephone conversation with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia India MEA 08 Jun 2023 -- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
• Special Briefing by External Affairs Minister on 9 years of Modi Government (June 08, 2023) India MEA 09 Jun 2023
• Foreign Secretary's Roundtable Meeting with ASEAN Committee in Islamabad, Thursday 8th June 2023 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Jun 2023 -- Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan held a roundtable meeting with the resident ASEAN Heads of Missions today. The meeting was held as part of Pakistan's continued engagement with ASEAN. The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to fortifying the partnership between Pakistan and ASEAN in all spheres, in line with its East Asia Vision.
• Transcript of the Media Briefing by the Spokesperson Thursday, 08 June 2023 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Jun 2023
• Telephone conversation with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud President of Russia 07 Jun 2023 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
• Saudis snub US push on Tel Aviv ties, oil prices, Syria during Blinken's high-profile visit Press TV 08 Jun 2023 -- Saudi officials have snubbed US Secretary of State's latest push for the Kingdom's normalization of relations with the Israeli regime and his bid to win further concessions on oil prices and Riyadh's recent resumption of ties with Syria and Iran during his high-profile visit to Saudi Arabia.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2023
• Rule of Law: Commission launches infringement procedure against POLAND for violating EU law with the new law establishing a special committee Republic of Poland 08 Jun 2023 -- Today, the European Commission opened an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Poland for violations of EU law. This decision follows a thorough assessment by the Commission of the new law in Poland on the State Committee for the Examination of Russian influence on the internal security of Poland between 2007 and 2022, which is in force since 31 May 2023.
• Laos to proceed with seventh Mekong dam despite impact concerns Radio Free Asia 08 Jun 2023 -- Pressing ahead with its vision to become the "Battery of Southeast Asia," the government of Laos is going forward with plans to build its seventh of nine mainstream dams on the Mekong River, despite widespread concerns that it could inflict social and environmental damage.
• Report: US Suspends Food Aid to Ethiopia Amid Theft Accusations VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- The U.S. government says it is suspending food aid to Ethiopia after finding that food supplies are being diverted from people in need.
• Nearly a Year into Office, Marcos Gets Mixed Analyst Reviews VOA 08 Jun 2023 -- Nearly a year since being sworn in as president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is getting mixed reviews from political analysts.