US News

• The US defense contractor L3Harris is in talks to take over NSO Group’s surveillance technology. 
• The US imposed visa restrictions on 93 Nicaraguan officials. [Link]

Russia

• Biden blames rising gas prices on Russia invading Ukraine. The President said, “I’m doing everything in my power to blunt Putin’s gas price hike. Just since he invaded Ukraine, it’s gone up $1.74/gallon. Because of nothing else BUT that!” [Link]
• The US expects the announcement of more weapons for Ukraine at a meeting of nearly 50 nations in Brussels that will take place on Wednesday. [Link]
• The head of the Ukrainian parliament’s financial committee said Tuesday that Ukraine needs $5 billion in external financial assistance or it will be facing sharp budget cuts. [Link]
• Ukraine’s military has enough ammunition and weapons, but needs more long-range weapons, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. [Link]
• A Telegram account in Ukraine is soliciting messages that, for a fee, are painted on various artillery shells fired at the Russian front lines. [Link]
• Sweden is prepared to “change” its anti-terrorism legislation to accommodate complaints from Turkey. [Link]
• Turkey warns that it will delay Sweden and Finland’s membership in Nato for more than a year unless it receives satisfactory assurances that the two Nordic countries are willing to address support for Kurdish groups. [Link]

China

• Taiwan says the Taiwan Strait is an international waterway and Taiwan’s government supports U.S. warships transiting it. [Link] The US-backed Taiwan’s assertion that the strait dividing the island from the Chinese mainland is an international waterway. [Link]

Middle East

• Greece has freed the Iranian tanker Pegas, which was seized in April. [Link]
• Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Tuesday that Israel and Arab nations in the Middle East should build up their military capabilities together against Iran under the leadership of Washington. [Link]
• The White House confirmed that President Biden will visit Saudi Arabia and meet with the Kingdom’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. [Link]
• Saudi Arabia and the Houthi have resumed direct talks. [Link]

South Sudan

• The World Food Program reports it has been forced to suspend food assistance for 1.7 million people in South Sudan because of a funding shortfall. [Link]