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Defense Policy / Programs

• Secretary General praises Germany's contributions to NATO NATO 19 Jun 2023 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Monday (19 June 2023), in order to prepare for the Alliance's upcoming Vilnius Summit.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General addresses European Air and Missile Defence Conference NATO 19 Jun 2023 -- Addressing the European Air and Missile Defence Conference at the Paris Air Show on Monday (19 June 2023), NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană said that further developing air and missile defence in Europe was "a crucial part" of NATO's work to bolster deterrence and defence. "
• NATO's innovation accelerator becomes operational and launches first challenges NATO 19 Jun 2023 -- On Monday (19 June 2023), NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) became operational and launched its first call for proposals to solve critical defence and security challenges.
• Macron's 'NATO Plot': France Pushes UK to 'Stay Out of Western European Affairs' Sputnik 19 Jun 2023 -- Macron looks to "appease" France's national interests when taking steps that indicate an apparent challenge to the US, including his alleged "no" to Ben Wallace as the new NATO chief, Paolo Raffone, a strategic analyst and director of the CIPI Foundation in Brussels, told Sputnik.
• NATO welcomes innovators to help tackle security challenges UK MOD 19 Jun 2023 -- Applications have today opened for world-class innovators from the UK and across NATO with novel ideas to help solve critical defence and security problems.
• Russian Defence Ministry briefing on US military and biological activity Russia MoD 19 Jun 2023 -- Russian Defence Ministry continues to analyse US and its allies military and biological activity in Ukraine and other regions of the world.
• Pentagon Has Access to Potential Agents of Biological Weapons - Russian MoD Sputnik 19 Jun 2023 -- The Pentagon's biological and military projects around the world allow the United States access to potential bioweapon agents, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological defense troops of the Russian armed forces, said on Monday.
• Latest in Ukraine: No NATO Invite for Now, Says Stoltenberg VOA 19 Jun 2023 -- There are no ongoing discussions about Ukraine joining NATO in the upcoming July summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, said NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg during a news conference Monday in Berlin.
• NATO Chief Says Allies Not Discussing Ukraine's Accession Sputnik 19 Jun 2023 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated on Monday that allies were not talking about sending a formal invitation to Ukraine to join the 31-nation bloc ahead of the Vilnius summit in July.
• Lockheed Martin Says Ready to Train Ukrainians to Pilot F-16s Once NATO Reaches Agreement Sputnik 19 Jun 2023 -- Pentagon contractor Lockheed Martin is ready to train Ukrainians to fly and maintain F-16s, if NATO allies agree to send the jets to Kiev, Frank St. John, the defense manufacturer's chief operations officer, said on Monday.
• EU Wants to Mandate Arms Makers to Prioritize Orders for Ukraine Sputnik 19 Jun 2023 -- The European Union put forward a "temporary emergency measure" which will obligate manufacturers of explosives to prioritize the orders of firms producing ammunition for Ukraine, the military news portal reported on Monday, citing a European Commission spokesperson.
• The trilateral Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian Brigade has adapted to the status quo: Ukrainian units receive training in line with NATO standards Lithuania MND 19 Jun 2023 -- On June 18-20 military personnel assigned to the joint military unit of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, Great Hetman Konstantyn Ostrozky Brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG), are on a visit in Lithuania.
• China issues social interaction norms for military officials Global Times 19 Jun 2023 -- China's Central Military Commission (CMC) has issued a code of conduct for the social interactions of military officials, including behaviors on social media platforms.
• Air Force Command issues a press release with respect to "the MQ-9B deal being Leshan Radar Station all over again, in which the US will profit while the ROC has to pay" ROC MND 19 Jun 2023
• Yushan amphibious transport dock commissioned into service CNA 19 Jun 2023 -- The Navy's first 10,000-tonne amphibious transport ship, the Yushan, was commissioned into service Monday at a ceremony in Kaohsiung.
• Nuclear-powered Submarine Propulsion Challenge Australia DOD 19 Jun 2023 -- Defence has launched a Nuclear-Powered Submarine Propulsion Challenge in Australian high schools today, providing a new generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students the chance to win a trip to HMAS Stirling in Western Australia to see first-hand how submarines work.
• Readout of Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre's Engagements in the Indo-Pacific Canada 19 Jun 2023 -- Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre recently concluded a series of productive engagements in the Indo-Pacific, starting with the Shangri-La Dialogue on 2-4 June in Singapore and in support of Minister of National Defence Anita Anand's program at Asia's leading defence and security summit.
• INDIAN ARMY CONTINGENT PARTICIPATES IN MULTINATIONAL JOINT EXERCISE "EX KHAAN QUEST 2023" IN MONGOLIA India PIB 19 Jun 2023 -- Multinational Peacekeeping Joint Exercise "Ex Khaan Quest 2023" featuring participation from military contingents and observers from over 20 countries has commenced in Mongolia today. Mr Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, the Hon'ble President of Mongolia inaugurated the Exercise in a ceremony organised at the exercise location in Mongolia. The exercise is co-sponsored by Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) and United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC).
• Raksha Mantri & Minister of National Defence of Vietnam hold talks in New Delhi to carry forward bilateral defence cooperation India PIB 19 Jun 2023 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held talks with Minister of National Defence of Vietnam General Phan Van Gang in New Delhi on June 19, 2023. Progress on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives was reviewed during the meeting, with both sides expressing satisfaction at the ongoing engagements.
• Annual report on export of defence materiel 2022 published Finnish MoD 19 Jun 2023 -- In 2022, the Ministry of Defence granted 269 licences for permanent exports and for transfers of defence materiel to 47 countries. A total of 342 licences were granted, 63 of which concerned, for example, intro-ductory, warranty and service exports.
• NORDEFCO ministerial meeting in Reykjavik Finnish MoD 19 Jun 2023 -- Director General, MoD, Janne Kuusela is representing the Defence Minister at a ministerial meeting on Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) in Reykjavik on 20 to 21 June.
• In addition to Allied assistance, we are seeking our own solution to Slovakia's Air Defence Capability Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 19 Jun 2023 -- Today (19 June 2023), Defence Minister Martin Sklenár has departed to Paris and is now taking part in a conference of EU defence ministers on Europe's air and missile defence.
• The Swedish Defence Commission submits its report on Sweden's Security Policy to Minister for Defence Pål Jonson Government Offices of Sweden 19 Jun 2023 -- On 19 June 2023, the Swedish Defence Commission submitted its report on Sweden's Security Policy to Minister for Defence Pål Jonson. The Defence Commission concludes that the world is at a crossroads.
• Canada announces the deployment of Leopard 2 tanks to Latvia during the NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels Latvia MOD 19 Jun 2023 -- On Friday, 16 June, during the NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels, Canada's Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, announced deployment of Leopard 2 tanks to Latvia.
• Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on June 12-18, 2023 Lithuania MND 19 Jun 2023 -- On June 12-18 fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states were scrambled 4 times to identify and escort aircraft of the Russian Federation flying in violation of flight rules in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
• Spain to Host Europe's First Joint Military Drills in Fall Sputnik 19 Jun 2023 -- Spain will host Europe's first joint military exercises this fall to coincide with the country's presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins July 1, Spanish newspaper reported on Monday.
• Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken's Press Availability US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken with Margaret Brennan of CBS News US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2023
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre En Route Palo Alto, CA The White House 19 Jun 2023

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 19 June 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 Jun 2023
• World Refugee Day: Joint Statement by the European Commission and the High Representative European Commission 19 Jun 2023 -- "Today, more than 110 million people are forcibly displaced around the world. On the occasion of World Refugee Day, we reiterate the EU's commitment to continue being a leading humanitarian and development donor and to step up our efforts to ensure that the EU remains a place where refugees find protection and safety.
• Joint Statement by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence European External Action Service (EEAS) 19 Jun 2023 -- Conflict-related sexual violence is a scourge deeply rooted in inequalities and rigid gender norms. This is why, on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the United Nations and the European Union join forces to call for more decisive action to prevent and eliminate sexual violence, and to advance gender equality as a political priority. We are alarmed by the growing use of sexual violence as a cruel tactic of war, torture, terror and political repression, and threat to collective security.
• Aid Group: World Failing Afghanistan During Major Locust Outbreak VOA 19 Jun 2023 -- A global aid agency warned Monday that a large-scale plague of locusts is ravaging northern Afghanistan and could destroy 1.2 million metric tons of wheat, almost one-quarter of the country's annual harvest.
• Yemeni warring parties conclude 3-day prisoner swap talks with "positive" results People's Daily 19 Jun 2023 -- The Yemeni government and Houthi rebels on Sunday concluded the three-day UN-sponsored talks in Jordan on the prisoner swap with "positive" outcomes.
• No: 150, 19 June 2023, Press Release Regarding High Level Meeting on Syria in Astana Format and Technical Meeting of Quadripartite Process Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Jun 2023 -- The 20th round of High Level Meeting on Syria in Astana format will be held on 20-21 June 2023 in Astana.
• Secretary-General's remarks to the High-Level Pledging Event on Sudan and the Region UN Secretary-General 19 Jun 2023
• UN Chief Calls for Talks Amid 'Catastrophic' Situation in Parts of Sudan VOA 19 Jun 2023 -- The international community pledged $1.5 billion Monday toward tackling the massive humanitarian crisis in Sudan, as fighting between forces led by rival generals has only been punctuated by brief truces and no political solution appears close at hand.
• Latest Sudan Cease-Fire Appears to Be Holding VOA 19 Jun 2023 -- Some residents of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, say they have not heard any gunshots since a 72-hour cease-fire began Sunday morning. Residents say even though the cease-fire appears to be holding, they still worry about a shortage of basic commodities in local markets.
• Sudan: Guterres urges donors to boost aid response to halt death, destruction UN News 19 Jun 2023 -- A UN-led appeal for funding to help the people of Sudan raised $1.5 billion on Monday as UN chief António Guterres warned that the country was descending "into death and destruction" at breakneck speed.
• As humanitarian needs skyrocket in Sudan and the region, UN-backed event raises nearly US$1.5 billion UNOCHA 19 Jun 2023 -- As the conflict in Sudan fuels a humanitarian catastrophe in the country and a refugee crisis beyond its borders, donors at a United Nations-backed event today announced nearly US$1.5 billion to fund life-saving relief efforts in Sudan and the region and called on parties in Sudan to immediately end the fighting.
• WFP and the Government of Egypt establish a humanitarian corridor between Egypt and Sudan providing critical support to thousands of people trapped by conflict WFP 19 Jun 2023 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Egypt, working closely with the Egyptian Government, has opened a humanitarian corridor between Aswan in Upper Egypt, and Wadi Halfa in Sudan, to address the urgent needs of people affected by the ongoing conflict.
• WFP reaches over one million people in Sudan with life-saving food assistance despite insecurity and access challenges WFP 19 Jun 2023 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered emergency food assistance to more than one million people in Sudan in the six weeks since operations resumed on 3 May. WFP briefly paused operations when the conflict broke out but has since rapidly scaled up food distributions, delivering life-saving assistance to people in 14 of 18 States as fighting continues and the humanitarian situation deteriorates.
• Sudan: EU commits €190 million in additional humanitarian and development aid European Commission 19 Jun 2023 -- With the conflict in Sudan causing untold suffering to the country and forcing millions to flee their homes in search of safety, the Commission has pledged today a total of €190 million in humanitarian and development assistance.
• Canada provides new funding to respond to humanitarian needs in Sudan and neighbouring countries Canada 19 Jun 2023 -- Canada is deeply concerned by the rapid increase in humanitarian needs arising from the conflict in Sudan, which has displaced more than 1.4 million people within the country and forced another 470,000 to flee to neighbouring countries since mid-April.
• Statement by Minister of State Katja Keul at the High Level Pledging Conference on Sudan Germany Federal Foreign Office 19 Jun 2023
• UN HRC53: UK Statement on the human rights situation in Sudan UK FCDO 19 Jun 2023 -- Statement on the report of the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in Sudan as delivered by UK's Ambassador to the WTO & UN in Geneva, Simon Manley.
• UN HRC53: Statement on High Commissioner's report on Sudan. UK FCDO 19 Jun 2023 -- Statement on the report of the High Commissioner on human rights situation in Sudan, as delivered by Simon Manley, UK Ambassador to the WTO and UN in Geneva.
• UN chief: Sudan descending into death, destruction at unprecedented speed Press TV 19 Jun 2023 -- The secretary general of the United Nations has expressed grave concern over the current situation in Sudan, saying the North African country is rapidly descending into death and destruction.
• Israel/Palestine: Statement by the spokesperson on latest developments European External Action Service (EEAS) 19 Jun 2023 -- The European Union is strongly concerned by the latest events in Jenin, which have led to several civilian casualties. Military operations must be proportionate and in line with international humanitarian law.
• UN 'deeply concerned' by Israel's unrelenting settlement expansion Press TV 19 Jun 2023 -- The United Nations has voiced deep concern about Israel's plan to approve the construction of a significant number of new settler units in the occupied West Bank.
• PA cancels summit with Israel over settlement plans Press TV 19 Jun 2023 -- The Palestinian Authority has boycotted a planned economic meeting with Israel over a pair of controversial measures by the occupying regime that ease illegal settlement construction activities in the West Bank.
• Israeli forces kill 5 Palestinians, injure dozens in Jenin shootout Press TV 19 Jun 2023 -- Israeli special forces have killed at least five Palestinians and wounded dozens of others during heavy clashes that broke out between resistance fighters and the regime's troops after the latter carried out a raid in the occupied northern West Bank city of Jenin.
• Israel Raids West Bank Refugee Camp, Killing 5 Palestinians, Wounding 91 VOA 19 Jun 2023 -- The Israeli military killed five Palestinians and wounded 91 others on Monday as it deployed helicopter gunships in a raid on a refugee camp in the West Bank city of Jenin.
• Raisi: Normalizations with Zionists will go nowhere IRNA 19 Jun 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has stressed that the normalization of the relations between the Zionist regime and the Islamic and Arab governments will bear no fruit, saying that the Zionists are seeking to dash the hopes of Palestinian youth for liberation of their occupied lands through engaging in such normalization pacts with other countries.
• Resistance brings Palestinians closer to victory over Israeli regime: Raeisi Press TV 19 Jun 2023 -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raeisi insists that acts of resistance by brave Palestinians have brought them ever closer to triumph over the occupying Israeli regime.
• The political process must move forward to deliver the stability and security the people of Libya want and deserve: UK statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 19 Jun 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.
• Libya: 'Persistent disagreements' must be overcome, Security Council hears UN News 19 Jun 2023 -- Libyan political leaders who are being encouraged to set aside their differences for the sake of a new democratic future, must put the interests of the people "above all else", said the UN's Special Representative for the country on Monday.
• NATO Chief Urges De-Escalation As Serbia, Kosovo Leaders Downplay Crisis Talks RFE/RL 19 Jun 2023 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has urged a de-escalation between Balkan neighbors Serbia and its former province Kosovo as tensions simmer over ethnically divisive mayoral appointments and three Kosovar police officers detained last week by Serbian authorities.
• No Signs of Preparations for Direct Attack on Transnistria - Republic's Head Sputnik 19 Jun 2023 -- There are no signs of preparations for a direct attack on Transnistria, but the risk of new provocations is not excluded, the breakaway republic's head, Vadim Krasnoselsky, told Sputnik.
• The Malian Transition Government's Withdrawal of Consent for MINUSMA US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2023 -- The United States regrets the transition government of Mali's decision to revoke its consent for MINUSMA.
• Final Report by UN Group of Experts US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2023 -- The United States welcomes the final report by the United Nations Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• UN sounds the alarm over rampant violence and rising humanitarian needs in eastern Congo UNOCHA 19 Jun 2023 -- The world's top relief officials have triggered an immediate scale-up of humanitarian operations in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following months of relentless violence and rising humanitarian needs, with a focus on the scarcity of food, protection concerns and the spread of treatable diseases in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, as well as in South Kivu.
• 43 Al-Shabab Fighters Killed in Airstrike in Somalia VOA 19 Jun 2023 -- Somalia's government says 43 al-Shabab militants, including two senior commanders, were killed by Somali National Army forces during a weekend airstrike about 14 kilometers from the Jamame District in the Lower Juba region.
• Three Kenyan Soldiers Killed in Suspected Al-Shabab Attack VOA 19 Jun 2023 -- Three Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) soldiers were killed, and more than 10 others injured when their vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device Sunday in coastal Lamu County. The incident comes a few days after eight KDF soldiers were killed in a similar attack in Garissa County in Kenya's northeast.
• Cameroon Overwhelmed With Refugees, Aid Funding Shortages VOA 19 Jun 2023 -- Ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20, humanitarian agencies are distributing aid to the nearly 500,000 refugees who live in Cameroon. The U.N. refugee agency says another 400 Nigerians arrive every month in the country, which in addition to the refugees houses a million internally displaced persons. Despite the staggering numbers, UNHCR says it has received only 30% of the funds needed to help the refugees.
• 20 Suspected ADF Collaborators Arrested in Uganda VOA 19 Jun 2023 -- Ugandan police say they have arrested 20 suspected collaborators of the rebel Allied Democratic Forces, or ADF, who killed 42 people in a school Friday night.

News Reports

• US Judge Orders Trump Lawyers Not to Release Any Materials in Classified Documents Probe Sputnik 19 Jun 2023 -- A US judge has ordered the lawyers of former President Donald Trump not to release any materials in the ongoing classified documents probe to the media or members of the public, a court order showed on Monday.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the meeting of the United Russia Party General Council Commission on International Cooperation and Support for Compatriots Abroad, Moscow, June 19, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Jun 2023
• Uzbekistan Signs 2-Year Contract With Gazprom to Purchase Russian Gas Sputnik 19 Jun 2023 -- Uzbekistan has signed a two-year contract with Russian energy giant Gazprom to purchase natural gas, with deliveries to begin on October 1, the Uzbek Energy Ministry said on Monday.
• New legislation allows Russian sanctions to remain until compensation is paid to Kyiv UK FCDO 19 Jun 2023 -- The UK government is taking powers to maintain Russian sanctions until compensation is paid to Ukraine.
• Navalny Faces Additional 30 Years As New Trial Opens Behind Closed Doors In Russian Prison RFE/RL 19 Jun 2023 -- Jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny faces an additional three decades in prison in a new trial on extremism charges that the Moscow City Court decided on June 19 will be held behind closed doors.
• CYLC national congress calls for youth to dedicate to historic tasks Global Times 19 Jun 2023 -- The Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) started its 19th national congress in Beijing on Monday with the attendance of nearly 1,500 delegates who carry the trust of 73 million league members across the country.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on June 19, 2023 PRC MofA 19 Jun 2023
• President Xi Jinping Meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken PRC MofA 19 Jun 2023 -- On the afternoon of June 19, President Xi Jinping met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing.
• Secretary Blinken's Visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC) US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2023 -- Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken traveled to Beijing, the People's Republic of China for meetings with President Xi Jinping, Director of the CCP Central Foreign Affairs Office Wang Yi, and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang from June 18-19.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Director of the CCP Central Foreign Affairs Office Wang Yi US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And People's Republic of China President Xi Jinping Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2023
• China's president meets top US diplomat in Beijing Radio Free Asia 19 Jun 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square in Beijing late Monday afternoon in a climax of high-stakes diplomacy.
• Blinken Highlights Need for Direct Engagement in US, China Talks VOA 19 Jun 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday the United States and China have an obligation to manage their relationship responsibly, and that he told Chinese leaders during meetings in Beijing that direct engagement is the best way to ensure disagreements do not turn into conflict.
• Blinken, Chinese President Xi Meet in Beijing VOA 19 Jun 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Monday with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on the second and final day of a visit aimed at stabilizing relations between the two powers.
• Xi meets Blinken, calling on US to translate statements to actions Global Times 19 Jun 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing on Monday afternoon, calling on the US side to adopt a rational and pragmatic attitude to avoid major-country competition, and to respect China's legitimate rights and interests. The closely watched meeting is expected to inject some confidence into the world as the downward spiral in China-US relations has raised more concerns of potential conflicts, some experts said, who see Blinken's two-day visit as yielding some positive results with a clear roadmap brought up to bringing bilateral relations back to the correct track.
• Biden: US-China Relations on 'Right Trail' After Blinken Visit to Beijing Sputnik 19 Jun 2023 -- President Joe Biden said the relationship between the United States and China is on the "right trail" after Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing and spoke with Chinese leaders, according to the White House press pool.
• Blinken Claims US Not Seeking New Cold War Nor to Change Chinese System Sputnik 19 Jun 2023 -- The United States does not seek a new cold war and does not want to change the Chinese system, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Monday.
• China's top diplomat urges US not to project its hegemonic image onto China Global Times 19 Jun 2023 -- China's top diplomat Wang Yi met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing on Monday, during which Wang asked the US to stop hyping the "China threat" narrative, lift illegal unilateral sanctions on China, stop pressuring China's technology and developments and stop willfully interfering in China's internal affairs.
• Make a choice between 'dialogue and confrontation': China tells US Press TV 19 Jun 2023 -- China's top diplomat Wang Yi has warned US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Washington must choose between "dialogue and confrontation" in its relations with Beijing, further reiterating that Taiwan meddling remains a red line for China.
• Chinese premier's Germany visit to cement friendship and push for new devt in ties Global Times 19 Jun 2023 -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Berlin, capital of Germany, on Sunday local time for an official visit, a trip that he believes will cement the two countries' traditional friendship and push for new development in bilateral ties.
• Netherlands Soon to Announce Controls on IT Exports to China VOA 19 Jun 2023 -- The Dutch government is soon to join the United States and Japan in rolling out new semiconductor export control measures aimed at keeping sensitive technology away from China due to concern for potential misuse, the country's economic affairs minister told reporters on a visit to Washington.
• Hong Kong launches dual counter model, as yuan's internationalization makes steady progress Global Times 19 Jun 2023 -- The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd (HKEX) officially launched the highly anticipated Hong Kong dollar-yuan dual counter model on Monday, marking a landmark progress in the yuan's internationalization and strengthening the city's status as an international financial hub.
• China's anti-graft chief stresses boosting disciplinary inspection, supervision People's Daily 19 Jun 2023 -- China's top anti-graft official Li Xi has asked disciplinary inspection and supervisory agencies to accomplish the high-quality development of disciplinary inspection and supervision work.
• China, US to keep exchanges at a high level People's Daily 19 Jun 2023 -- China and the United States agreed on Sunday to jointly implement the important consensus reached at the meeting between President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden in Bali, Indonesia, in November, and "effectively control differences and promote dialogue, exchanges and cooperation".
• Chinese premier calls for new development in China-Germany ties People's Daily 19 Jun 2023 -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived here on Sunday for an official visit to Germany, where he will also hold the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation.
• To attract TSMC, countries should seek closer ties with Taiwan: FM Wu CNA 19 Jun 2023 -- Countries looking to attract investment by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) should consider the broader picture of their relations with Taiwan, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said recently.
• H-6K bombers conduct nighttime Taiwan island encirclement flights Global Times 19 Jun 2023 -- H-6K bombers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force have carried out nighttime sorties encircling the island of Taiwan, a move experts said on Monday will become routine and will send a warning to everyone who attempts to separate the island from China.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Jun. 19, 2023 ROC MND 19 Jun 2023
• Beijing Says No Compromise on Taiwan, US Must Stick to One-China Principle Sputnik 19 Jun 2023 -- Chinese Central Foreign Affairs Office Director Wang Yi said at a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Beijing will not compromise on the issue of Taiwan, and Washington must respect China's sovereignty, a Chinese broadcaster reported on Monday.
• North Korea vows to launch another surveillance satellite after failed attempt Press TV 19 Jun 2023 -- Top North Korean officials have vowed to press forward with launching another surveillance satellite into space following the recent failure of the first try.
• 15th Politburo Meeting of 8th C.C., WPK KCNA 19 Jun 2023 -- The 15th meeting of the Political Bureau of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) took place at the office building of the WPK Central Committee on June 18.
• Report on 8th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of 8th WPK Central Committee KCNA 19 Jun 2023 -- At a time when the invincibility and fortitude of our cause have been further demonstrated all over the world and the all-people struggle for ushering in a new upsurge in socialist construction is gaining momentum thanks to the scientific and strong guidance and practice by the ever-victorious Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee convened a plenary meeting to promote the perfect and substantial attainment of the grand goals of national prosperity.
• Press Release of 8th Plenum of 8th C.C., WPK KCNA 19 Jun 2023 -- The members and alternate members of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee and members and alternate member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, by-elected at the 8th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the WPK, are as follows:
• Canada sanctions judges of Iran's Revolutionary Courts for human rights violations Canada 19 Jun 2023 -- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations.
• Iran, Russia-led EAEU likely to sign free trade pact by year-end: Moscow Press TV 19 Jun 2023 -- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk says Iran and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are expected to sign a free trade zone agreement by the end of the year.
• Iran sees no obstacles for deepening ties with neighbouring countries: President Raisi ISNA 19 Jun 2023 -- Emphasizing the need to prepare a roadmap to develop cooperation and implement the understandings between Iran and Uzbekistan, President Ebrahim Raisi said that Iran's successful presence at the international industrial exhibition in Tashkent is a sign of Iran's serious determination to develop economic and trade relations with the country.
• '20 foreign intelligence services played active role in Iran riots' IRNA 19 Jun 2023 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Intelligence Organization has revealed that as many as 20 foreign intelligence services played an active role in recent riots in Iran.
• 20 foreign intelligence agencies played 'active' role in last year riots: IRGC intel chief Press TV 19 Jun 2023 -- The head of the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has revealed that as many as 20 foreign intelligence agencies played an active role in last year's Western-backed riots in Iran.
• More Iranian Teachers Summoned Amid Government Clampdown RFE/RL 19 Jun 2023 -- Five more teachers who supported anti-government protests in Iran have been summoned to the Revolutionary Court, the latest in a series of similar moves, including trials, of teachers in other cities across the country.
• Iranian Student Groups Issue Warnings As Policing Of Dress Code Rises RFE/RL 19 Jun 2023 -- Students from at least a dozen universities across Iran have issued statements of solidarity with their peers protesting at Tehran's Art University as anger builds over the increased enforcement of dress codes on campuses across the country.
• Senior Iranian official says Tehran supports security, stability in Iraq Press TV 19 Jun 2023 -- A senior Iranian official says the Islamic Republic supports promotion of security and stability in Iraq, welcoming the expansion of relations between the two neighboring countries.
• Myanmar's ousted president receives medical treatment in prison Radio Free Asia 19 Jun 2023 -- Myanmar's ousted president is being treated for an unspecified disease at Bago region's Taungoo Prison, sources close to Win Myint and the prison told RFA on Monday.
• Transcript of Special briefing by Foreign Secretary on Prime Minister's visit to USA and Egypt (June 19, 2023) India MEA 19 Jun 2023
• Biden Rolls Out White House Red Carpet for Modi VOA 20 Jun 2023 -- In a clear sign that India is increasingly crucial for the United States, the White House will be rolling out its full pageantry on Thursday for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official state visit and state dinner.
• CURTAIN RAISER : Fifth Round of Pakistan-Russia Bilateral Political Consultations Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Jun 2023 -- Pakistan and the Russian Federation will hold the 5th round of Bilateral Political Consultations on 20 June 2023 in Islamabad. The Russian delegation will be led by Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko who will visit Islamabad on 20-21 June 2023. Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan will lead the Pakistan delegation.
• 12th round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Iran Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Jun 2023 -- The 12th round of Pakistan-Iran Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) was held in Tehran on 17-18 June 2023. Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan and Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, Mr. Ali Bagheri Kani, led the respective sides. Ambassador of Pakistan Rahim Hayat Qureshi and other senior officials from both sides also attended the meeting.
• PM call with EU Commission President Von der Leyen: 19 June 2023 Gov.UK 19 Jun 2023
• Controversial Bulgarian Top Prosecutor Is Out, But It's Not A Victory For Judicial Independence RFE/RL 19 Jun 2023 -- Ever since Ivan Geshev, then the only candidate, was chosen in 2019 to become Bulgaria's next prosecutor-general, critics at home and abroad have been demanding his dismissal, citing what they called his checkered record before and during his tenure as the nation's top law enforcer.
• Wider Europe Briefing: How Georgia Could Still Squeak Into The EU RFE/RL 19 Jun 2023
• Moldova's Consitutional Court Bans Pro-Russian Shor Party RFE/RL 19 Jun 2023 -- Moldova's Constitutional Court has declared the pro-Russian Shor party "unconstitutional" and has dissolved it amid moves by the impoverished former Soviet republic to escape Moscow's orbit.
• Qatar and the United Arab Emirates Restore Diplomatic Ties US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2023 -- The United States welcomes and congratulates Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on their resumption of diplomatic representation and reopening embassies.
• Qatar, UAE resume diplomatic relations, reopen embassies Press TV 19 Jun 2023 -- Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have resumed relations after a six-year break, reopening their respective embassies.
• OHCHR Chief: Human Rights in Perilous State as Fundamental Values Disregarded VOA 19 Jun 2023 -- Volker Türk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, says that human rights around the world are in a perilous state as countries are failing to honor the fundamental rights and freedoms of all peoples as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• Malawi Controls Deadliest Cholera Outbreak in History VOA 19 Jun 2023 -- Malawi is emerging victorious in its battle against the deadliest cholera outbreak in the country's history, which has killed nearly 2,000 people since its onset in March of last year. Health authorities say the country has seen a steady decline in the death rate, with no new cases or hospitalizations for the past two weeks.