NEW YORK, June 10 [Category: International] -- Human Rights Watch posted the following news: * * * Azerbaijan: Exiled Critics Convicted in Absentia * (Berlin, June 10, 2026) - Azerbaijani authorities are prosecuting critics in exile, often based on social media posts and online commentary, Human Rights Watch said today. Those targeted, often convicted in absentia with long sentences, are at risk of extradition, detention during travel, and other forms of cross-border pressure. "These trials of government critics abroad lack all credibilit more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 [Category: Sociological] -- Cato Institute issued the following news release: * * * Cato Scholar: Pentagon Budget Misses the Point * House Republicans today proposed a $1.072 trillion Pentagon spending bill for FY2027, with a massive surge in munitions funding in response to shortages in U.S. stockpiles as a result of the ongoing war in Iran and significant drawdowns to arm Ukraine. Cato senior fellow Katherine Thompson argues the spending increase without structural reforms on munitions expenditure is an expensive ban more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 -- The Center for European Policy Analysis issued the following commentary on June 10, 2026, by Emanuele Rossi, editor at Formiche magazine, and senior analyst at Decode39: * * * Europe and India: A Marriage of Convenience The biggest of the so-called middle powers are seeking greater cooperation to hedge against war and uncertainty. - Europe's strategic horizon is shifting eastward. Russia's war against Ukraine, instability in the Red Sea, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, transatlantic trade and political fricti more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 -- The Center for European Policy Analysis issued the following commentary on June 10, 2026, by Mathieu Boulegue, senior fellow with the Transatlantic Defense and Security Program: * * * Russia-China Military Ties: Behind the Window Dressing It's important to distinguish between a genuine military alliance and the picture-perfect imagery of authoritarian propaganda. - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing on May 19-20 during a highly publicized two-day summit. The pair announce more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 -- The Center for Strategic and International Studies issued the following transcript of a press briefing on June 9, 2026, entitled "Previewing the G7 Summit". Event participants included President Victor Cha and Chief of Staff Will Todman, both of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department, Philip Luck, director of Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business, Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and Stuart Center, Maria Snegovaya, senior fellow of the Europe, Russia, and Eu more PR

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio, June 9 -- The U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center issued the following news: * * * DAF senior leaders explain, justify sizable budget boost in Senate hearing * Presenting a unified front, the highest-ranking civilian and military leaders of the Air Force and Space Force told a Senate subcommittee June 9 that the historic boost in spending for the department is necessary to defend the nation and that mechanisms are already in place to spend the funds wisely and to maximum effect. 04:58 Video Player 0 more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11211) by section research manager Kristin Archick. Here are excerpts: * * * The European Parliament and U.S. Interests A Key EU Institution The European Parliament (EP) is the only directly elected institution of the 27-country European Union (EU). The EP's current 720 members represent the EU's roughly 450 million citizens. The EP has accumulated more power over time (most recently with the 2009 Lisbon Treaty) as part of E more PR

BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 11 -- The European Policy Centre issued the following commentary on June 9, 2026, by Amanda Paul, deputy head of the Europe in the World Programme and a senior policy analyst: * * * Armenia votes West, but cannot quit Russia On 7 June 2026, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party won just under 50% of the vote in Armenia's parliamentary elections. While this gives Pashinyan a parliamentary majority, it falls short of the constitutional majority needed to call a referendum on amending the constitution, in more PR

SILVER SPRING, Maryland, June 10 [Category: Health Care] -- Humanity and Inclusion issued the following news release: * * * Explosive Weapons Killed More Than 22,600 Civilians in 2025, New Report Finds * Today, on the occasion of the publication of the Explosive Weapons Monitor 2025 annual report, Humanity & Inclusion (HI) calls on States to reaffirm the fundamental principle of civilian protection, strengthen International Humanitarian Law, and end the use of prohibited weapons. According to the Explosive Weapons Monitor's annual report, more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 -- Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-New Hampshire, issued the following news release: * * * Goodlander Helps Force Vote, Pass Bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act to Protect Workers' Right to a Fair First Contract * Washington, D.C. -Today, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act, legislation Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) cosponsored to stop unnecessary roadblocks preventing recently unionized workers from securing a fair first contract. Goodlander also helped lead the charge o more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 -- Hudson Institute, a research organization that says it promotes leadership for a secure, free and prosperous future, issued the following commentary on June 9, 2026, by senior fellow John Lee to The Australian: * * * Why a Rogue North Korea Could Be Xi's Weakest Link The more aggressive and militarily capable North Korea becomes, the more likely Japan, South Korea, and the US threaten China. - Xi Jinping doesn't do overseas trips for diplomatic show. So why did he meet Kim Jong-un in North Korea earlier this week in  more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 -- Hudson Institute, a research organization that says it promotes leadership for a secure, free and prosperous future, issued the following commentary on June 10, 2026, by nonresident senior fellow Can Kasapoglu: * * * Ukraine Military Situation Report | June 10 Executive Summary * Battlefield assessment. Ukraine and Russia continued to engage at a heightened operational tempo, with Pokrovsk bearing the brunt of the fighting and Russia making localized gains near Kostiantynivka and Chasiv Yar. * Ukrainian strikes. Ukr more PR

BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 10 [Category: Media] -- The International Federation of Journalists posted the following news release: * * * Italy: IFJ-EFJ call for the reinstatement of journalist Gabriele Nunziati * Italian journalist Gabriele Nunziati, Brussels correspondent for the Nova news agency, was told his collaboration with the agency was stopped on 27 October after asking European Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho a question about Israel's responsibility for the reconstruction of Gaza. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) a more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 -- The Jamestown Foundation issued the following commentary on June 10, 2026, by foreign affairs analyst Fuad Shahbazov in the foundation's Eurasia Daily Monitor: * * * Russia Balances Relationship with Iran and Other Gulf States Executive Summary: * Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on April 27 about the ongoing conflict in and around Iran. The visit highlighted the two states' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, signed in January 2025. * Russia  more PR

WASHINGTON, June 9 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Kaine, Van Hollen, And Merkley Introduce Bill to Strengthen State Department Workforce * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the State Department Integrity and Transparency Act, legislation to strengthen the State Department workforce and ensure senior State Department officials are selected based on merit. This bill wo more PR

WASHINGTON, June 9 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * KAINE, VAN HOLLEN, AND MERKLEY INTRODUCE BILL TO STRENGTHEN STATE DEPARTMENT WORKFORCE * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the State Department Integrity and Transparency Act, legislation to strengthen the State Department workforce and ensure senior State Department officials are selected based on merit. This bill w more PR

BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 10 -- NATO issued the following news: * * * NATO Secretary General highlights the importance of NATO-EU cooperation * On Wednesday (10 June 2026), NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with the Conference of Presidents at the European Parliament in Brussels. In a session chaired by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, the Secretary General called NATO's cooperation with the European Union essential to protect the security and freedom of our citizens. In his opening remarks, Mr. Rutte emphasized that Europ more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 -- Rep. Deborah Ross, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Representatives Ross, Lawler Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Promote Energy Independence and Security in Moldova * Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Mike Lawler (NY-17), co-chairs of the Congressional Moldova Caucus, introduced the Promoting Oversight With Energy Resilience for Moldova, or the POWER Moldova Act of 2026. This legislation would help Moldova build more secure and independent energy infrastructure b more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 -- Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * Republicans Unveil $1 Trillion+ Defense Funding Bill, Largest in History, Amid Steep Domestic Program Cuts * WASHINGTON -House Appropriations Committee Republicans today released their 2027 Defense funding bill, which will be considered by the Defense subcommittee during a closed meeting tomorrow. The bill sets the Pentagon budget at more than $1 trillion - the largest in U.S. history and a $234 billion increase over 2026. The extravagant incre more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Connecticut, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on June 10, 2026: * * * Republicans Unveil $1 Trillion+ Defense Funding Bill, Largest in History, Amid Steep Domestic Program Cuts The $1,072,210,299,000 Pentagon budget is the most expensive in U.S. history, a $234 billion increase - House Appropriations Committee Republicans today released their 2027 Defense funding bill, which will be considered by the Defense subcommittee during a closed me more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48978) entitled "Russian Military Activities in Asia: Combined Military Exercises and Patrols" by Andrew S. Bowen, Russian and European affairs analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Historically, Russia has claimed a role as a major actor in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2012, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a policy by which Russia would seek to emphasize and further develop economic and trade opportunities with Asia, in part more PR

SANTA CRUZ, California, June 10 -- The University of California Santa Cruz campus issued the following news: * * * Thirty years of investing in communities: Alumna Shannon Lawder on language, philanthropy, and following your passion * UC Santa Cruz alumna Shannon Lawder (Kresge '91, Russian studies) is the director of the Civil Society Program at the Mott Foundation. The Mott Foundation has supported communities worldwide for 100 years, and Lawder has been part of that mission for 31 years. June 10, 2026 By Haneen Zain Key takeaways  more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 -- Achim Steiner, administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, presented an adaptation strategy during the annual session of the UNDP/U.N. Population Fund/U.N. Office for Project Services Executive Board to address a changing development landscape marked by exponential crises and an unprecedented 23.1 percent drop in official development assistance. Steiner highlighted the rollout of five key flagships--including the Jobs for Prosperity Facility, Climate Promise: Forward and an Investment Accelerator--designed  more PR

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 10 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Massachusetts. *** Optical System ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, June 9 -- VULCANFORMS INC., Devens, Massachusetts has been assigned a patent (No. US 12649278 B2, initially filed Nov. 30, 2023) developed by three inventors Michael von Dadelszen, Merrimack, New Hampshire; Ramunas Wierzbicki, San Jose, California; and Thomas J. Evans, Bedford, Massachusetts, for "Optical system." *** Flow Control Assembly Having Localized Non- Volatile Memory ALEXANDRIA, Virgini more ST

NOTTINGHAM, England, June 10 -- The British Geological Survey issued the following news release: * * * Ukraine and the UK strengthen their commitment to geological cooperation * Ukraine and the UK have reaffirmed their strategic partnership with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on geological science and resource development. The agreement underscores a shared commitment to Ukraine's long-term economic recovery while deepening bilateral ties. Amid increasing global demand for critical minerals essential f more PR

GREATER MANCHESTER, England, June 10 -- The University of Salford issued the following news: * * * Supporting vulnerable communities with accessible and sustainable warmth Growing up across south and southeast Asia, Sri Hollema witnessed firsthand the daily challenges faced by vulnerable communities with limited access to reliable energy and heating. She is now the founder of Mat Zero, which is developing safe, portable and sustainable heating solutions for displaced communities and disaster relief efforts. The team from the Energy House L more PR

WASHINGTON, June 9 -- Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: * * * Van Hollen, Kaine, and Merkley Introduce Bill to Strengthen State Department Workforce * Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the State Department Integrity and Transparency Act, legislation to strengthen the State Department workforce and ensure senior State Department officials are selected based on merit. This bill would help more PR