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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• June 12 U.S. Central Command Update CENTCOM 12 Jun 2024 -- In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed three anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) launchers in a Houthi controlled area of Yemen and one uncrewed aerial system (UAS) launched from a Houthi controlled area of Yemen over the Red Sea.
• US, UK strike Yemen's Hudaydah IRNA 12 Jun 2024 -- The US and the UK have conducted airstrikes on western Yemen in yet another act of aggression against the country over its support for the Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press Briefing DoD 12 Jun 2024
• Following 2-Day Pier Closure, 1,000 Tons of Aid Are Delivered to Gaza's Shore DoD News 12 Jun 2024 -- Yesterday and today, more than 1,000 metric tons of humanitarian aid were delivered over the U.S. military-provided Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore pier that is attached to the Gaza shore.
• Exercise Native Fury 24 CENTCOM 12 Jun 2024 -- The above photos show U.S. Marines conduct tactical vehicles onload on a bulk carrier after concluding exercise Native Fury 24 at a port in the United Arab Emirates on May 28, 2024.
• Ramstein hosts NATO fighter exercise US Air Force 12 Jun 2024 -- At five times the force of gravity, the force of acceleration is enough to overwhelm a heart's ability to pump blood to the brain. If the effects aren't mitigated, a typical human can expect to black out within a few seconds from oxygen starvation.
• CMC Signs the First Training and Education Annual Report on Force Design USMC News Release 12 Jun 2024 -- U.S. Marine Corps Commandant General Eric M. Smith has signed the U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Annual Report (TEAR), June 12, 2024.
• Navy Medicine Logistics Summit Highlights Support to the High-End Fight US Navy 12 Jun 2024 -- The Navy Medicine Logistics Summit brought together medical logisticians from across the service to discuss key issues and celebrate top performers at Defense Health Headquarters, June 4-6.
• U.S. 4th Fleet Announces Continuing Promise 2024 Deployment US Navy 12 Jun 2024 -- The U.S. Navy expeditionary fast transport USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) will deploy this July and August to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet's Continuing Promise 2024 mission. After several months of detailed planning, USNS Burlington is scheduled to visit Jamaica, Costa Rica, Honduras, Colombia, and Panama during the nearly two month-long mission.
• RIMPAC To Begin June 27 US Navy Press Release 12 Jun 2024 -- Planning and preparations are being finalized for the 29th biennial Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), a multinational exercise involving 29 nations and more than 25,000 personnel, set to run June 27 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.
• DOD Establishes Cyber Academic Engagement Office DoD 12 Jun 2024 -- In accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Section 1531, the Department of Defense (DoD), Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) has established the Cyber Academic Engagement Office (CAEO) to serve as the consolidated focal point for cyber-related activities carried out between the DoD and academia stakeholders.
• NATO Secretary General meets Hungarian Prime Minister in Budapest NATO 12 Jun 2024 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Budapest on Wednesday (12 June 2024) to discuss preparations for the Washington Summit.
• Minister of National Defence departs for Brussels to attend the NATO Defence Ministerial, Ramstein format meeting, visit Denmark Lithuania MND 12 Jun 2024 -- Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas departs for Belgium to attend the NATO Defence Ministers' meeting and the Ramstein format Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels on June 13-14.
• Türkiye Participates in Exercise Ramstein Legacy 2024 Republic of Turkey Ministry of National Defence 12 Jun 2024 -- Türkiye is participating in NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defence Exercise Ramstein Legacy 2024 on 3-14 June 2024, hosted by Bulgaria and Romania, with Turkish Air Force components.
• Russia's Non-Strategic Nuclear Arms Drills Involve Obtaining Ammo for Iskander-M - Statement Sputnik 12 Jun 2024 -- Formations of Russia's Leningrad Military District are practicing obtaining ammunition for the Iskander-M as part of the second stage of drills on the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
• US, Ukraine to sign security agreement VOA 12 Jun 2024 -- U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are set to sign a long-term defense and security agreement Thursday at the Group of Seven summit in Italy.
• Senior U.S. Diplomat Says Ukraine-NATO Policy Unchanged Despite Biden Comments RFE/RL 12 Jun 2024 -- U.S. President Joe Biden's recent comments signaling Ukraine is unlikely to become a NATO member during its war to repel invading Russian troops is not a change in Washington's position on the issue ahead of a key summit for the military alliance's leaders, a senior State Department diplomat told RFE/RL.
• US to send Ukraine another Patriot missile system after Kiev's desperate pleas Press TV 12 Jun 2024 -- The United States is set to send Ukraine an additional surface-to-air Patriot missile system in response to urgent pleas from Kiev to bolster its air defenses.
• Defence Ministers prepare for Washington Summit, by strengthening defences and bolstering support for Ukraine NATO 12 Jun 2024 -- On Wednesday (12 June 2024) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg outlined the priorities for the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers on Thursday and Friday (13 and 14 June 2024).
• Stoltenberg Says Hungary Agrees Not To Block NATO Support To Ukraine RFE/RL 12 Jun 2024 -- NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says Hungary will not block support to Ukraine, though it will exercise its opt-out and not provide soldiers or funds the military alliance supplies to Kyiv as it battles to repel invading Russian forces.
• First batch of built-in-Canada armoured vehicles heading to Ukraine's Armed Forces Canada 12 Jun 2024 -- The first four of 50 new Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSVs) built by Canadian workers for donation to Ukraine are departing for Europe, where members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) will be trained in their use this summer. The first 10 of these vehicles being donated are the ACVS ambulance variant.
• The Cabinet approved transfer of M113 for Ukraine Lithuania MND 12 Jun 2024 -- On June 12 the Government approved the decision to transfer 14 units of M113 armored personnel carriers to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The shipment is estimated to reach Ukraine by the end of this week.
• Netherlands Has No Plans to Send Military Instructors to Ukraine Sputnik 12 Jun 2024 -- The Netherlands has no intention of sending military instructors to Ukraine, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has told Dutch broadcaster NOS on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 held in Berlin.
• Norway to Provide Ukraine With $257Mln in Aid for Air Defense Measures - Defense Ministry Sputnik 12 Jun 2024 -- Norway will contribute 240 million euros (over $257 million) to Ukraine for air defense measures, the Norwegian Defense Ministry has announced on social media.
• China's third aircraft carrier's reported second sea trial attracts media attention Global Times 12 Jun 2024 -- China's third aircraft carrier, the electromagnetic catapult-equipped Fujian, reportedly wrapped up its second sea trial on Tuesday, an expansive and intensive test that experts said on Wednesday reflects the smooth progress made by the 80,000 ton-class warship.
• Xi signs order to promulgate revised regulations on military audit People's Daily 12 Jun 2024 -- Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, has signed a decree to promulgate a set of revised regulations on military audit.
• Arrival of the first MQ-4C Triton on track Australia DOD 12 Jun 2024 -- The first MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft (AUS 1) will soon arrive in Australia following the successful delivery and installation of its ground support systems.
• China gives 6 patrol boats to Myanmar's military junta Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2024 -- China has delivered six patrol boats to Myanmar's military junta, fulfilling a promise made in 2020 to the country's previous democratically elected civilian government, the Chinese Embassy said in a statement on Wednesday.
• From partner to ally - The Swedish NATO accession and Sweden's new space diplomacy Government Offices of Sweden 12 Jun 2024 -- Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström's during his visit to Texas 13-15 May 2024.
• A look at the Defence news 3 - 9 June Netherlands Ministry of Defence 12 Jun 2024
• Iran, Azerbaijan to carry out tactical military exercises Press TV 12 Jun 2024 -- Military divisions of Iran and Azerbaijan are scheduled to carry out a tactical drill in Azerbaijan's exclave of Nakhchivan, as the two neighboring countries eye further promotion of bilateral relations in a wide range of spheres.
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan En Route Brindisi, Italy The White House 12 Jun 2024
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Jalal Chahda of Al Jazeera US Dept. of State 12 Jun 2024
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani At a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 12 Jun 2024
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani US Dept. of State 12 Jun 2024
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Republic of The Gambia President Barrow US Dept. of State 12 Jun 2024
• Deputy Secretary Campbell's Meeting with Former Finnish President/EU Special Advisor Sauli Niinistö US Dept. of State 12 Jun 2024

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 12, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 12 June 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 Jun 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• What Does Gantz's Resignation Means for the Future of Netanyahu's Government? Sputnik 12 Jun 2024 -- Benny Gantz's recent resignation from the "wartime government" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not necessarily herald the immediate collapse of the government, says Tel Aviv-based international affairs expert Simon Tsipis.
• June 11: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 12 Jun 2024
• Aid for Gaza sits on beach VOA 12 Jun 2024 -- More than 1,000 metric tons of humanitarian aid have arrived since Tuesday over the U.S. temporary pier off the coast of Gaza.
• Guterres highlights 'unique level of destruction' in Gaza ahead of G7 summit UN News 12 Jun 2024 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his solidarity with the people of Gaza and the global body's deep commitment to the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) on Wednesday, while also issuing a stark message to the world's richest nations ahead of the G7 Summit in Italy to do more to help emerging economies crippled by debt repayments.
• Gaza: Hamas, Israel committed war crimes, claims independent rights probe UN News 12 Jun 2024 -- Palestinian armed groups and Israeli authorities have both committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the attack on 7 October and the subsequent military operations, according to a new report by a UN independent human rights body.
• Israeli authorities, Palestinian armed groups are responsible for war crimes, other grave violations of international law, UN Inquiry finds OHCHR 12 Jun 2024 -- Israeli authorities are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the military operations and attacks in Gaza since 7 October 2023, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, said in a new report today.
• UN reports 'unprecedented scale' of violations against children in Gaza, West Bank in 2023 Press TV 12 Jun 2024 -- A new UN report says violence against children reached "extreme levels" in conflict-stricken countries last year, with more grave violations being committed against children in war-torn Gaza and the occupied West Bank than anywhere else in the world.
• Blinken: Hamas has proposed unworkable changes to cease-fire deal VOA 12 Jun 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Hamas has proposed "numerous changes" to a cease-fire deal on the table and that some are workable, and some are not.
• Minister Hussen attends conference in Jordan on humanitarian response for Gaza Canada 12 Jun 2024 -- The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, recently travelled to Jordan, where he attended an international conference on June 11, 2024. The conference, Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza, was organized by Jordan, Egypt and the United Nations.
• Qatar calls for complete halt to Israeli aggression against Gaza Press TV 12 Jun 2024 -- Following a UN-backed ceasefire plan, the Qatari prime minister has emphasized the need for a permanent solution to the ongoing Israeli onslaught in the besieged Gaza Strip rather than simply "temporary measures."
• Qatar, Egypt receive Hamas response to Gaza truce proposal: ministry People's Daily 12 Jun 2024 -- Qatar and Egypt have received a response from Hamas regarding the proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement by the Qatari Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
• Palestinian Resistance continues operations against Israeli aggression ISNA 12 Jun 2024 -- The Palestinian Resistance continues to confront and inflict heavy losses on invading Israeli forces across Gaza for the 250th consecutive day as part of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, with fierce battles especially concentrated in Rafah and Gaza City.
• Hamas, PIJ submit response to UN-backed Gaza ceasefire plan ISNA 12 Jun 2024 -- The Hamas movement has presented a few remarks to the mediators regarding the proposal laid out by the United States for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Al Mayadeen on Tuesday.
• Hamas belies Blinken claim about Israel's 'acceptance' of truce proposal Press TV 12 Jun 2024 -- Hamas has belied US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's claim that the Israeli regime has "accepted" American President Joe Biden's proposal aimed at bringing about a truce in Tel Aviv's ongoing genocidal war against the Gaza Strip.
• Hamas: Blinken part of problem in Gaza ceasefire talks Press TV 12 Jun 2024 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has slammed remarks by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken blaming the movement for the Gaza ceasefire stalemate, saying the remarks show he's part of the problem and not the solution to the conflict.
• Hamas Rejects Biden-proposed Deal on Freeing Hostages - Reports Sputnik 12 Jun 2024 -- The Palestinian movement Hamas has rejected a proposal on freeing hostages, which was presented by US President Joe Biden, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing an Israeli official.
• Hezbollah vows to ramp up attacks on Israel after commander killed IRNA 12 Jun 2024 -- A senior Hezbollah official has vowed that the Lebanese resistance movement will ramp up the "quantity and quality" of its attacks against the Israeli regime.
• Hezbollah targets Zionist military, spy facilities in northern occupied lands IRNA 12 Jun 2024 -- Lebanon's Hezbollah has launched successful attacks on Zionist targets in northern parts of the Palestinian Israeli-occupied territories, local media reported.
• Hezbollah yet to use its precision-guided missiles against Israel: Reports IRNA 12 Jun 2024 -- Israeli media have warned that Hezbollah has not yet tapped into its massive arsenal of precision-guided missiles in cross-border exchanges of fire with the Israeli military.
• Hezbollah targets another Zionist base with missile IRNA 12 Jun 2024 -- Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement have targeted yet another base of the Zionist regime's army in the occupied territories with missile.
• Hezbollah pledges more powerful strikes on Israel after senior commander killed Press TV 12 Jun 2024 -- A senior Hezbollah official says the resistance movement will definitley increase the "quantity and quality" of its anti-Israel operations in the wake of an Israeli attack that killed a senior commander in southern Lebanon.
• Hezbollah rains 100 rockets on occupied territories after top commander killed Press TV 12 Jun 2024 -- The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement has conducted a massive rocket attack against the northern side of the 1948 Israeli-occupied territories after a high-ranking field commander of the group was killed in Israeli attacks.
• Yemen conducts new anti-Israeli ops incl. in cooperation with Iraqi resistance Press TV 12 Jun 2024 -- Yemen's Armed Forces have announced conducting fresh anti-Israeli operations, including in cooperation with Iraq's Islamic Resistance.
• Iraqi resistance launches drone attack against occupied Eilat port IRNA 12 Jun 2024 -- The Islamic Resistance of Iraq has said that it attacked a vital air base at Eilat port (Umm al-Rashrash) with several drones.
• Iraq resistance strikes vital Israeli target Press TV 12 Jun 2024 -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq says it has conducted a new retaliatory strike on an Israeli position in the occupied territories.

Other Conflicts

• Secretary-General's opening remarks at press encounter on the forthcoming G7 Summit UN Secretary-General 12 Jun 2024
• Waiting would be 'death sentence' for millions on brink of starvation: Relief chief UN News 12 Jun 2024 -- Millions of people are teetering on the brink of starvation as conflict rages across many corners of the world. Nowhere is this more evident than in Sudan and Gaza, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said on Wednesday.
• G7 leaders can and must prevent manmade famine - Statement by Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator UNOCHA 12 Jun 2024 -- As the powerful Group of Seven (G7) meets in Italy tomorrow, conflicts in Sudan, Gaza and beyond are raging out of control. War is pushing millions of people to the brink of starvation.
• Chinese defense spokesperson comments on Dutch navy shipborne helicopter's provocation People's Daily 12 Jun 2024 -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Tuesday made remarks on the provocation of a Dutch navy shipborne helicopter.
• ASEAN aims to conclude South China Sea code of conduct by 2026 VOA 12 Jun 2024 -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations will speed up negotiations with China on a code of conduct to mitigate the risk of conflicts in the hotly contested South China Sea, a senior official from the Southeast Asian bloc said. The bloc hopes to conclude talks by 2026.
• Vietnam president stresses rule of law in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2024 -- Vietnam's new President To Lam has asked that Beijing respect Hanoi's rights and interests in disputed waters, days after Vietnamese officials protested against what they called "China's illegal activities" in the Gulf of Tonkin.
• Afghan girls endure 1,000 days without school under Taliban rule VOA 12 Jun 2024 -- The Taliban's ban on educating girls over the age of 12 in Afghanistan reached 1,000 days Thursday amid global outrage and demands for the immediate resumption of children's learning.
• Houthi Detentions US Dept. of State 12 Jun 2024 -- The United States strongly condemns the recent detentions by the Houthis of United Nations, diplomatic, and non-governmental organization staff.
• Junta interrogation results in more deaths in Myanmar's west: source Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2024 -- Junta soldiers in Myanmar's west interrogated dozens of detained villagers and tortured several to death, residents told Radio Free Asia.
• Congress passes bill urging China to resolve Tibet dispute Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2024 -- The U.S. Congress on Wednesday passed a bill urging Beijing to re-engage with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders to peacefully resolve their dispute over the status and governance of Tibet.
• U.S. Diplomat Says Armenia-Azerbaijan Deal A 'Momentous' Step Forward RFE/RL 12 Jun 2024 -- The leaders of Armenian and Azerbaijan say they are committed to a "momentous" demarcation accord signed last month that is designed to end decades of hostile relations in the volatile region, a top U.S. diplomat said during a visit to Yerevan.
• WFP and African Development Bank project boosts wheat production in war-torn Sudan, amid soaring hunger WFP 12 Jun 2024 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) announced today that the AfDB-financed Sudan Emergency Wheat Production Project had increased wheat production in the country by up to 70% in targeted project locations across five states in the last year. This development comes at a critical time as Sudan is facing a looming hunger catastrophe due to the ongoing conflict, which also impeded the past agricultural season.

News Reports

• Jury Convicts Kentucky Man of Multiple Terrorism Charges US Dept. of Justice 12 Jun 2024 -- A federal jury in Bowling Green, Kentucky, convicted a Kentucky man yesterday of providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), conspiring to provide material support to ISIS and receiving military-type training from ISIS. ISIS is a designated foreign terrorist organization.
• Austria Says Security Concern Was Behind Decision To Pull TASS Accreditation RFE/RL 12 Jun 2024 -- Austria annulled the accreditation of two correspondents working for Russia's TASS news agency in April "due to a negative security assessment by the security authorities," the Interior Ministry said.
• Microsoft Says Russia 'More Aggressive' In Cyberspace RFE/RL 12 Jun 2024 -- U.S. tech giant Microsoft said Russian cyberattacks are becoming even "more aggressive" and warned that Moscow could deepen collaboration with U.S. adversaries in cyberspace, making it much harder to prevent intrusions.
• Thirteenth Meeting of the Law Enforcement Coordination Group Focused on Countering Hizballah's Terrorist and Illicit Activities US Dept. of State 12 Jun 2024 -- The United States Department of State, United States Department of Justice, and Europol convened the thirteenth meeting of the Law Enforcement Coordination Group (LECG) on countering Hizballah's terrorist and illicit activities on June 6-7.
• Busting US-Zionist spy network in Yemen great victory: Ansarullah leader IRNA 12 Jun 2024 -- The leader of Yemen's Ansarullah Movement has hailed the country's military for dismantling an American-Israeli espionage network, calling it "a great and important victory" for the Arab country.
• Sayyed al-Houthi: Exposed spy network reveals US breach of sovereignty ISNA 12 Jun 2024 -- The leader of the Ansar Allah movement affirms that the dismantling of the dangerous espionage network reveals the destructive and conspiratorial face of the United States.
• Russia vows to respond to new wave of 'aggressive' sanctions by US Press TV 12 Jun 2024 -- Russia has vowed to respond to a new raft of "aggressive" sanctions imposed by the United States mainly aimed at weakening the Russian military.
• US expands sanctions against Russia VOA 12 Jun 2024 -- The United States widened sanctions on Russia Wednesday, targeting more than 300 new entities and people "whose products and services enable Russia to sustain its war effort and evade sanctions."
• Taking Additional Measures to Degrade Russia's Wartime Economy US Dept. of State 12 Jun 2024 -- As President Biden and Group of Seven (G7) Leaders prepare to meet this week in Italy, the U.S. Department of the Treasury is issuing sweeping new measures guided by G7 commitments to intensify the pressure on Russia for its continued cruel and unprovoked war against Ukraine. Today's actions ratchet up the risk of secondary sanctions for foreign financial institutions that deal with Russia's war economy; restrict the ability of Russian military-industrial base to take advantage of certain U.S. software and information technology (IT) services; and, together with the Department of State, target more than 300 individuals and entities both in Russia and outside its borders—including in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Caribbean—whose products and services enable Russia to sustain its war effort and evade sanctions.
• As Russia Completes Transition to a Full War Economy, Treasury Takes Sweeping Aim at Foundational Financial Infrastructure and Access to Third Country Support US Treasury 12 Jun 2024 -- As President Biden and Group of Seven (G7) Leaders prepare to meet this week in Italy, the U.S. Department of the Treasury is issuing sweeping new measures guided by G7 commitments to intensify the pressure on Russia for its continued cruel and unprovoked war against Ukraine. Today's actions ratchet up the risk of secondary sanctions for foreign financial institutions that deal with Russia's war economy; restrict the ability of Russian military-industrial base to take advantage of certain U.S. software and information technology (IT) services; and, together with the Department of State, target more than 300 individuals and entities both in Russia and outside its borders—including in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Caribbean—whose products and services enable Russia to sustain its war effort and evade sanctions.
• Russian Foreign Ministry Denies Reports on Reestablishing Diplomatic Relations With Georgia Sputnik 12 Jun 2024 -- Since Russia and Georgia broke off diplomatic relations, dialogue between the countries has been maintained through the Geneva discussions.
• Two Russia-Born U.S. Citizens Arrested for Conspiring to Send $500,000 Worth of Luxury Goods to Russia US Dept. of Justice 12 Jun 2024 -- An indictment was returned yesterday in the District of Alaska charging Sergey Nefedov, 40, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Mark Shumovich, 35, of Bellevue, Washington, with allegedly operating a scheme to illegally export nearly half a million dollars' worth of snowmachines and associated parts from the United States to Russia without the required licenses and approvals, in violation of U.S. export laws.
• Imprisoned Kremlin Critic Yashin Says He Will Reject Swap With Russians Jailed In West RFE/RL 12 Jun 2024 -- Imprisoned Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin, who is serving an 8 1/2-year prison term for his criticism of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, says he will not agree to get exchanged for Russian citizens jailed in the Western countries if such a proposal occurs.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 Jun 2024
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement during a joint news conference with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Moscow, June 12, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 Jun 2024
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Moscow, June 12, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 Jun 2024
• G7 Takes Aim At Small Chinese Banks To Combat Russian War Economy RFE/RL 12 Jun 2024 -- With Western officials looking to hamper Beijing's support for a Russian economy reoriented around the war in Ukraine, China's smaller banks have emerged as a new target.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on June 12, 2024 PRC MofA 12 Jun 2024
• Premier's 3-nation trip set to boost ties People's Daily 12 Jun 2024 -- Premier Li Qiang will make official visits to New Zealand, Australia, and Malaysia starting on Thursday, a significant diplomatic move that analysts said highlights China's efforts to further strengthen its relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific region amid rising economic and security challenges.
• US doesn't want 'regime change' in China, diplomat says Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2024 -- The U.S. government does not seek "regime change" in China akin to the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said Wednesday at a forum in Washington.
• US' tightened suppression of Chinese semiconductor sector cannot stop China's tech advance: FM Global Times 12 Jun 2024 -- The US' tightened suppression of the Chinese semiconductor industry will not stop the country's technological advance, and will only inspire Chinese enterprises to strengthen their own foothold, Lin Jian, spokesperson from China's Foreign Ministry, told a press conference on Wednesday.
• Working productively with China will benefit everyone in the region Prime Minister of Australia 12 Jun 2024 -- Opinion by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
• Third foreign judge to quit Hong Kong's final appeal court Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2024 -- Another foreign judge is departing Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal, the third to do so amid a broadening crackdown on dissent, as a former colleague said the city is becoming 'a totalitarian state.'
• Hong Kong revokes exiled activists' passports over UK spying charge Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2024 -- Hong Kong's security chief on Wednesday revoked the Chinese passports of six U.K.-based activists including former pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law, imposing financial sanctions on them and hitting back at the British government for "deliberately discrediting" the city with spying charges against one of its officials.
• Measures targeting HK absconders including canceling passports 'necessary, justifiable and lawful' action: FM Global Times 12 Jun 2024 -- China's Foreign Ministry called on Wednesday the latest action of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to cancel passports of six absconders currently living in UK including anti-China rioters Nathan Law Kwun-chung and Simon Cheng Man-kit necessary, justifiable and lawful.
• Hong Kong activists passport cancellation underscores slide into authoritarianism Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2024 -- "Today I woke up in London to news that was inevitable under Hong Kong's new Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, or '"Article 23" - Hong Kong authorities have canceled the passports of six pro-democracy activists who live in exile in the UK.""
• Hong Kong cancels passports of six self-exiled democracy activists VOA 12 Jun 2024 -- Hong Kong authorities have canceled the passports of six pro-democracy activists living in self-exile in Britain.
• Top office overseeing HK, Macao affairs slams British judge's remarks, calling him politically hijacked, destroy his own reputation Global Times 12 Jun 2024 -- The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council slammed the latest remarks made by Jonathan Sumption, a British judge who recently resigned from Hong Kong's highest court, saying he has willingly become a tool of British political manipulation, making people not only shocked but also feel ashamed and disgraced for him.
• US urged to revoke illegal sanctions imposed on three additional Chinese firms under the guise of human rights Global Times 12 Jun 2024 -- China on Wednesday urged the US to immediately stop smearing China, revoke the illegal unilateral sanctions against Chinese companies, stop interfering in China's internal affairs under the guise of human rights and harming China's interests and development, after the US added additional three Chinese companies to a list that bars imports from firms allegedly associated with the so-called forced labor in China's Xinjiang region.
• BRI very important for NDB members: bank head Global Times 12 Jun 2024
• HK legal representatives stress confidence in local judicial independence, dismissing British judge's criticism Global Times 12 Jun 2024 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Tuesday that it strongly disagreed with remarks made by Jonathan Sumption, a British judge who recently resigned from the city's highest court, who claimed that "the rule of law in Hong Kong is in grave danger." The HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday that Sumption's recent statement appears to be contradictory to his previous stance in this regard.
• Xi stresses improving modern corporate system with Chinese characteristics People's Daily 12 Jun 2024 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday stressed efforts to improve the modern corporate system with Chinese characteristics and foster a globally competitive open environment for scientific and technological innovation.
• 22 PLA aircraft, ships detected near Taiwan: Defense ministry CNA 12 Jun 2024 -- A total of 22 People Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and vessels were detected in the airspace and waters around Taiwan in the 24-hour period starting at 6 a.m. Tuesday, according to the country's Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• Taiwan is an integral part of China, and Nvidia CEO should read up on the history: spokesperson Global Times 12 Jun 2024 -- Responding to Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang's describing the island of Taiwan as a "country" during his recent visit there, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said on Wednesday that Huang should read up on the history, noting that Taiwan has never been a country and will never be one.
• Mainland condemns Taiwan authorities' latest ECFA move as veiled bid for "Taiwan independence" People's Daily 12 Jun 2024 -- A mainland spokesperson on Wednesday slammed the Taiwan authorities led by Lai Ching-te for an attempt to internationalize the Taiwan question by trying to discuss issues concerning a cross-Strait economic agreement through WTO.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 12 Jun 2024
• Democratic People's Republic of Korea Should Develop Economy, Not Missiles, Civil Society Representative Tells Security Council, Highlighting Population's Plight UN Security Council 12 Jun 2024 -- Delegates Voice Concern Over Human Rights Violations, as UN Commissioner Stresses Their Intricate Link to International Peace, Security in Korean Peninsula
• North Koreans face lives devoid of hope, UN rights chief says VOA 12 Jun 2024 -- The U.N. high commissioner for human rights delivered a bleak assessment of the situation in North Korea on Wednesday, a decade after an in-depth report shed light on severe and widespread abuses in the country.
• You cannot separate North Korea's human rights violations from the threat it poses to international peace and security: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 12 Jun 2024 -- Statement by UK Permanent Representative Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on North Korea.
• Life in DPR Korea still 'daily struggle devoid of hope' warns human rights chief UN News 12 Jun 2024 -- The international community must continue to pay close attention to the troubling human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and find ways to revive dialogue with the Government, the UN Security Council heard on Wednesday.
• South Korea and Cuba finalize plans for opening embassies Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2024 -- South Korea and Cuba announced on Wednesday that they have finalized plans to open embassies in Havana and Seoul, and will send diplomats within the week.
• 'Iran, Russia determined to strengthen ties' IRNA 12 Jun 2024 -- Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has said that the Islamic Republic and Russia are determined to further expand their mutual cooperation in the wake of what he called common threats.
• Lavrov: Russia and Iran fully agree on text of state treaty ISNA 12 Jun 2024 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says his country and Iran have reached full agreement on the text of a major cooperation deal that is expected to elevate relations between the two allied countries to a new level.
• No logic behind E3 anti-Iran resolution at IAEA: Russia IRNA 12 Jun 2024 -- Russia's ambassador and permanent representative to Vienna-based International Organizations calls unnecessary and illogical a resolution at the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under the pretext of increasing Iran's cooperation with the agency.
• Iran court orders US to pay $2.88bn in damages for Ahvaz attack IRNA 12 Jun 2024 -- An Iranian court has ordered the government and authorities of the United States to pay $2.88 billion as damages for the terror attack in the southwestern city of Ahvaz in 2018.
• Iran welcomes Canadian court ruling on downed Ukrainian jet IRNA 12 Jun 2024 -- Iran's Deputy President for Legal Affairs Mohammad Dehghan says the Islamic Republic has welcomed the ruling of the Canadian court regarding a plane that was mistakenly shot down by Iranian military forces in Tehran on January 8, 2020, in the tension caused by the assassination of Iran's Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq by the US army.
• Hezbollah stands strong, won't let Israel commit folly: Iran Press TV 12 Jun 2024 -- Iran's Interim Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has praised the remarkable capabilities of the resistance front in the region, warning that the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah will respond to any follies by the Israeli occupation regime.
• Iran's Top Presidential Candidate Called Out After Talking Up Free-Speech Credentials RFE/RL 12 Jun 2024 -- Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, widely considered the front-runner in Iran's June 28 presidential election, has come under fire after boasting about his free-speech credentials.
• Iran Commutes Death Sentence Of Sunni Cleric Detained During 2022 Protests RFE/RL 12 Jun 2024 -- Iran's judiciary has commuted the death sentence of Sunni cleric Mohammad Khezrnejad to imprisonment after widespread criticism of the punishment both at home and abroad.
• Telephone conversation with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko President of Russia 12 Jun 2024 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Opposition Leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya of Belarus The White House 12 Jun 2024
• Myanmar crackdown on property abroad hits Thai sales Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2024 -- A crackdown in Myanmar on the purchase of property abroad in a bid to halt a slide in the kyat currency has hit demand for condominiums in neighboring Thailand, where many Myanmar citizens have moved to escape turmoil since the military ousted an elected government in 2021, property agents in Thailand said.
• World Bank: Inflation, poverty keep climbing in war-torn Myanmar VOA 12 Jun 2024 -- Myanmar's economy shows no signs of recovering from the 2021 military coup, as civil war drives more workers abroad, pushes inflation into triple digits in some parts of the country and pulls it deeper into poverty, a new World Bank report says.
• With Jaishankar's reappointment, 'no major change in India's China policy anticipated' Global Times 12 Jun 2024 -- With Subrahmanyam Jaishankar retaining his position as India's External Affairs Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration in his new term, Chinese experts are not expecting a significant shift in India's foreign policy. Still, India is urged to send positive signals on China-India relations and form a synergy in improving bilateral relations as China does, observers said.
• Transcript of Special Briefing by Foreign Secretary on Visit of Prime Minister to Italy for G7 Summit (June 12, 2024) India MEA 12 Jun 2024
• Unfinished Business: Alia Nazarbaeva Poses A Problem For 'New Kazakhstan' RFE/RL 12 Jun 2024 -- Former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev's youngest daughter, Alia, has suffered what would have been unthinkable during her father's long reign: a defeat in court.
• South Korean opposition leader indicted on bribery charges VOA 12 Jun 2024 -- South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has been indicted on bribery charges connected to an alleged scheme involving transferring funds to North Korea.
• Pashinian Defends Yerevan Police After Bloody Clashes With Demonstrators RFE/RL 12 Jun 2024 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has defended police actions taken on June 12 against demonstrators outside parliament where he was participating in a regular question period that saw him indicate Armenia would withdraw completely from the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
• Georgia's protesters vow to stay on streets until government falls VOA 12 Jun 2024 -- Protesters in Georgia have vowed to continue anti-government demonstrations driven largely by the so-called "foreign agent" law that took effect last week.
• Georgia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the continued acts of intimidation, threats and assaults on civil society European External Action Service (EEAS) 12 Jun 2024 -- The European Union regrets the increasing number of reported acts of intimidation, threats and physical assaults on civil society representatives, political leaders, civil activists and journalists in Georgia. The EU, once again, calls on the Georgian authorities to put an end to these negative developments and investigate the documented acts of violence and intimidation thoroughly and in a timely manner. We also call upon Georgian political actors to refrain from using language which could further fuel the extreme polarisation in the country.
• Laos' falling currency has made debt payments challenging, ADB expert says Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2024 -- The steadily declining value of Laos' national currency has made it increasingly difficult for the government to make its regular debt payments, an Asian Development Bank financial expert told Radio Free Asia.