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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 20 July 2010 [PDF]
• U.S. Army trains Iraqi aviators Army News 20 Jul 2010 -- U.S. Army aviators flew with aviators from the Iraqi Army July 19 for a training mission in the Baghdad area intended to strengthen relations between their units and train the Iraqi aviators on VIP transportation.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill, Capture Insurgents AFPS 20 Jul 2010 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed or captured numerous insurgents during operations conducted across Afghanistan yesterday, military officials reported.
• British death rate in Afghanistan doubles IRNA 20 Jul 2010 -- The rate at which British troops have been killed has virtually doubled in Afghanistan in the past year and is proportionately far higher than their American counterparts, according to figures released by the Medical Research Council (MRC).
• Karzai Wins Backing For Afghan Control Over Security By 2014 RFE/RL 20 Jul 2010 -- The international community has endorsed sweeping Afghan government plans to take responsibility for security across the country by 2014, as well as efforts to forge peace with extremist militants and take greater control of aid projects.
• Blast rocks Kabul ahead of Afghanistan talks, 2 killed RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2010 -- Two people were killed and five others were injured on Tuesday when a bomb went off in the Afgnah capital, Kabul, just ahead of the International Conference on Afghanistan, witnesses said.
• Russia to continue supplying Afghan army and police RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2010 -- Russia is ready to continue equipping the Afghan army and police force, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told an International Conference on Afghanistan on Tuesday.
• In Kabul, Ban urges full support for Afghan peace and development efforts UN News Centre 20 Jul 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced support for the priorities laid out by the Afghan Government to advance peace and development and called on the country’s men and women to rally around these efforts, as he opened a major international conference in the capital, Kabul.
• Kabul Conference Endorses 2014 Afghan Security Takeover VOA 20 Jul 2010 -- Representatives from more than 70 countries and international organizations on Tuesday endorsed Afghan President Hamid Karzai's plan for Afghan forces to take charge of their country's security by 2014.
• Rogue Afghan Soldier Kills 2 US Trainers, Afghan Recruit VOA 20 Jul 2010 -- NATO says an Afghan soldier shot and killed two U.S. civilian trainers and one Afghan recruit at a training facility in northern Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US, South Korea Announce 'Show of Force' VOA 20 Jul 2010 -- The United States and South Korea formally announced Tuesday they will conduct naval exercises in the Yellow Sea, between China and the Korean Peninsula, in spite of Chinese government objections. The announcement was made following a meeting between U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and his South Korean counterpart, Kim Tae-young.
• New Plan Will Lead to Stronger Alliance, Gates Says AFPS 20 Jul 2010 -- With wartime operational control for forces on the Korean peninsula now scheduled to transfer to the South Korean military in December 2015, officials of both countries have time to forge a stronger, more effective alliance, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told soldiers here today.
• Gates Plans Demilitarized Zone Visit as Gesture of Solidarity AFPS 20 Jul 2010 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will visit Korea’s demilitarized zone tomorrow in a demonstration of U.S.-South Korean solidarity.
• Seoul Meetings Emphasize Strength of U.S., South Korean Pact AFPS 20 Jul 2010 -- In 1950, the United States and many other countries of the United Nations came to the defense of South Korea when North Korea invaded. The meetings in Seoul beginning tomorrow are a reaffirmation of U.S. commitment to South Korea, said Navy Adm. Mike Mullen.
• Projected S. Korea-US Joint Saber-rattling Assailed KCNA 20 Jul 2010 -- The puppet Ministry of National Defense of south Korea on July 15 announced that south Korea-U.S. joint military exercises would be staged in the East and West Seas of Korea within this month and its specific action plan would be decided upon at "the talks between the U.S. and south Korean diplomatic and defense chiefs" slated to take place in Seoul on July 21.
• U.S.-Korean Defense Leaders Announce Exercise Invincible Spirit AFPS 20 Jul 2010 -- The United States and South Korea today announced a series of military exercises designed to send a strong, clear message to North Korea to stop its provocative and warlike acts.
• Gates Discusses Korea Tour Lengths, Army Deployments AFPS 20 Jul 2010 -- Tour lengths for servicemembers assigned to South Korea and the Army’s deployment cycles were on the minds of soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division’s 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team when they met with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates here today.
• Media Availability with Secretary Gates at Camp Casey, South Korea DoD 20 Jul 2010 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Remarks by Secretary Gates at Camp Casey, South Korea DoD 20 Jul 2010 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Media Availability with Geoff Morrell, Adm. Willard and a Senior Defense Official from Seoul, South Korea DoD 20 Jul 2010 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Robert Willard and a Senior Defense Official
• Intelligence Requires Team Effort, Clapper Tells Senate AFPS 20 Jul 2010 -- James R. Clapper, Jr., the undersecretary of defense for intelligence and President Barack Obama’s nominee as director of national intelligence, said during his confirmation hearing today that intelligence is a team effort and the DNI is in a unique position to ensure that.
• US Won't Bow to Chinese Concerns on Yellow Sea Exercises VOA 20 Jul 2010 -- The top American military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, says the United States will continue to conduct military exercises in the international waters of the Yellow Sea, in spite of strong objections from the Chinese government. The Pentagon confirmed last week that there will soon be joint U.S.-South Korean naval exercises in both the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan, to the east, in response to North Korea's sinking of a South Korean Navy ship earlier this year. Admiral Mullen arrived Tuesday to join the first ever joint meeting of the American and South Korean foreign and defense ministers.
• Airmen help Trinidadian officials build disaster plan AFNS 20 Jul 2010 -- A military medical team is helping Trinidadian officials develop more comprehensive disaster plans, and also providing them the forum to coordinate their plans with other local agencies here July 20.
• USACE People: Field Force Engineering team returns from Iraq Army News 20 Jul 2010 -- More than a dozen members of the 533rd Engineer Detachment Forward Engineer Support Team – Main returned in stages from June 6 to 28 after a yearlong deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• U.S., Iraqi soldiers provide safer routes Army News 20 Jul 2010 -- During the pre-dawn hours recently, two platoons from 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division completed their final rehearsals for a joint route clearance mission. They partnered with the 10th Iraqi Army Field Engineer Regiment stationed at Joint Security Station Sparrowhawk.
• Army exercise decentralizes network, commander Army News 20 Jul 2010 -- During raids as an infantry company commander in Iraq, Maj. Bill Venable experienced frequent 45-minute drives to receive detailed mission orders from battalion headquarters.
• Unit Risk Inventory provides commanders snapshot of unit Army News 20 Jul 2010 -- Often, when an officer takes command of a unit, he or she might not know the Soldiers well.
• Grand-openings at 409th CSB equals improved service Army News 20 Jul 2010 -- Two ceremonies, one goal. The 409th Contracting Support Brigade, Expeditionary Contracting Command Europe, recently celebrated two ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremonies to offer more effecting contracting support.
• LF Det 2/24 conducts LFAM in South Korea USMC News 20 Jul 2010 -- More than 150 Marines from Landing Force Detachment, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment locked and loaded in the Korean Mountains here during a live fire and maneuver exercise July 19-20.
• New Submarine Squadron 15 Facilities on Guam to Promote Mission Readiness Navy NewsStand 20 Jul 2010 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Marianas and Submarine Squadron 15 hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at Polaris Point on U.S. Naval Base Guam July 15.
• U.S. Fleet Forces Visits RIVGRU, NECC Navy NewsStand 20 Jul 2010 -- The commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) presented awards to Riverine Group (RIVGRU) 1 and Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story July 19.
• Naval Base Guam Has New Mini-mart, Gas Station Navy NewsStand 20 Jul 2010 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Marianas awarded a $6.6 million firm-fixed-price task order July 13 to P&S Construction, Inc. of Lowell, Mass., for the design and construction of a new Navy Exchange mini-mart and gas station on board U.S. Naval Base Guam.
• Center for Surface Combat Systems Change of Command Ceremony Navy NewsStand 20 Jul 2010 -- The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) will be holding a change of command ceremony July 30 at 10:30 a.m. on board Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Va.
• General Outlines U.S. Mission, Challenges in Africa AFPS 20 Jul 2010 -- As U.S. Africa Command matures and strengthens ties with African nations, American interests on the continent become more stable, the command’s top officer said today.
• President nominates 35th commandant of the Marine Corps USMC News 20 Jul 2010 -- President Barack Obama announced his nomination July 20 for Gen. James F. Amos to be appointed 35th commandant of the Marine Corps.
• Arctic Construction: Marines build road for new village over Alaskan tundra USMC News 20 Jul 2010 -- Marines with 6th Engineer Support Battalion, Battle Creek, Mich., are spending their summer building a future for the isolated villagers of Newtok, Alaska.
• Marksmanship tips from the pros: 'It's all about the basics' USMC News 20 Jul 2010 -- The phrase “every Marine a rifleman” can be attributed to the level of skill a Marine possesses with a rifle. Not everyone is born a rifleman, but with proper training, a Marine marksmanship instructor can transform someone who has never fired a weapon into an expert shooter.
• Farnborough International Air Show highlights servicemembers, aircraft AFNS 20 Jul 2010 -- One of the largest air shows in the world kicked off here July 19, and U.S. servicemembers are among 1,500 exhibitors from around the world showing off the latest in aviation technology.
• Spouse Jobs Program to Relaunch in October AFPS 20 Jul 2010 -- The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program will resume Oct. 25, but with some significant changes to the popular spouse employment program, a defense official announced today.
• DoD News: DOD to Resume Restructured Military Spouse Career Program DoD 20 Jul 2010 -- The Department of Defense announced today the resumption of a restructured military spouse career advancement account program - MyCAA, following a comprehensive review. The program will be available to spouses of service members in the pay grades of E1-E5, W1-W2 and O1-O2 beginning October 25 at 8 a.m. EDT.
• Gates Urges Soldiers to Complete Survey AFPS 20 Jul 2010 -- Input from individual servicemembers is vital to ensuring the Defense Department acts in a way that makes sense if Congress repeals the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law that bans gays from serving openly in the military, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told soldiers here today.
• Latvia to host military drills involving NATO aviation RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2010 -- Two-day military exercises involving NATO fighter jets will begin on Tuesday at the Adazi training around outside Riga, the mixnews.lv website has said, quoting NATO Air Force officer Miroslav Svoboda.
• Iskander missile deployment in northwestern Russia incomprehensible – Estonian defense minister RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2010 -- The deployment of Iskander missiles in Russia's northwestern military district is incomprehensible in view of Russia's current relations with NATO, Estonian Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo has said.
• Israel completes tests of Iron Dome air defense system RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2010 -- The Israeli Defense Ministry has reported that tests of the Iron Dome air defense system have been completed and that interceptor missiles will soon be deployed.
• Israel to Deploy Hi-Tech Anti-Rocket System VOA 20 Jul 2010 -- Israel's new anti-rocket system, called the Iron Dome, has passed final tests and will be deployed near the country's borders by November. The system was produced by the state-owned Rafael Arms Development Authority and is partially financed by the United States.
• Iraqi Army continues training on M1A1 tanks Army News 20 Jul 2010 -- By 8:30 a.m., it is 98 degrees Fahrenheit under the tarpaulin. A group of eager Iraqi Army soldiers huddle around Sgt. Jasen Sumner as he explains how to conduct preventive maintenance checks and services on the track pads of the M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank.
• July 20, 2010 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 Jul 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 20, 2010
• Boeing Flight Demonstrates Narrowband Communications Relay on ScanEagle Boeing 20 Jul 2010 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and its subsidiary Insitu Inc. announced today that they successfully demonstrated a high-performance Narrowband Relay communications system aboard a ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in June. The relay was designed to meet the needs of small distributed forces operating in areas where Line of Sight (LOS) communications would not normally be possible.
• Astrium launches the next generation airborne satcom terminal - AirPatrol EADS 20 Jul 2010 -- Astrium has today launched an innovative airborne terminal – AirPatrol – designed to provide end users with a light-weight, high performance communications module capable of operating in the most demanding conditions.
• Raytheon Unveils New Modernized Patriot System Interface Raytheon 20 Jul 2010 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is providing attendees at the Farnborough International Airshow with a hands-on experience of its new state-of-the-art Patriot modern man station (MMS).
• BAE Systems Opens Service And Support Facilities In Afghanistan BAE Systems 20 Jul 2010 -- BAE Systems has opened two new facilities dedicated to service and support services in Afghanistan.
• Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle Demonstrator Completes 1st Weapon Launch Boeing 20 Jul 2010 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] successfully launched a missile from the F-15 Silent Eagle's newly designed Conformal Weapons Bay (CWB) on July 14. Demonstration aircraft F-15E1 departed from Point Mugu Naval Air Weapon Station, Calif., at 5:59 p.m Pacific time, launched an inert AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) from its left-side CWB, and returned to base at 6:52 p.m.
• EADS Defence & Security and Danish company Terma join forces in security electronics EADS 20 Jul 2010 -- EADS Defence & Security (DS) and the leading Danish defense company Terma will extend their established cooperation in the field of security and defense electronics.
• Airbus Military A400M development aircraft named Grizzly EADS 20 Jul 2010 -- Airbus Military is formally adopting the name Grizzly for its five-strong development fleet of A400M airlifters.
• ASTRAEA drives forward on next steps to open airspace to Unmanned Aircraft Systems Thales 20 Jul 2010 -- A unique partnership of industry, public sector, regulatory and academic bodies has reconvened a programme to research, develop and validate the necessary technologies, systems, facilities and procedures to enable the safe, routine and unrestricted use of unmanned air systems (UAS) in the UK.
• GTV Delivers Right-Hand Operation JLTV Technology Development Vehicles On Schedule General Dynamics 20 Jul 2010 -- The General Tactical Vehicles (GTV) team of General Dynamics Land Systems and AM General today delivered two Right-Hand Operation (RHO) Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs), one companion trailer and supporting equipment on schedule to the U.S. government for Technology Development (TD) phase testing in support of the U.S. and Australia’s Land Force Capability Modernization Project Arrangement (PA).
• Major Program Milestone Demonstrates Success For Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules Program Lockheed Martin 20 Jul 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently completed assembly of its 200th C-130J Super Hercules. The aircraft is the second HC-130J for the U.S. Air Force’s Air Combat Command and is a clear demonstration of the success and continued growth of the C-130J program, which produces the world’s most advanced airlifter. During media briefings at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, Lockheed Martin representatives discussed this and the many other reasons why the C-130J is the airlifter of choice around the world.
• Name change for Defense Logistics Agency elements AFNS 20 Jul 2010 -- The Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service and the local Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office or DRMO took on a new name today. This is much more than a name change. It's about helping Department of Defense and our customers see the full value of Defense Logistics Agency as we enter a time of ever-shrinking resources
• GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team's 'Outstanding' Test Year Continues GE Aviation 20 Jul 2010 -- The fourth F136 engine to test in 2010 is in final assembly and will begin running within a few weeks, as the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team moves toward flight testing next year in the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.
• Israel Aerospace Industries' Multi Mission Radar Performed an Active Role in a Successful series of Tests of the "Iron Dome" System Israel Aerospace Industries 20 Jul 2010 -- Nissim Hadas, President of ELTA Systems Ltd: "The MMR radar is based on advanced, modern technology, providing unique capabilities and excellent operational results."
• Lockheed Martin F-16 Is Ready For The Future As The World’s Most Advanced 4th Generation Fighter Lockheed Martin 20 Jul 2010 -- The versions of the F-16 being delivered to customers now are the most advanced 4th Generation multi-role fighter aircraft currently available on the international market and are building on the F-16’s reputation for effectiveness and value, the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] director of business development for the program said today.
• Northrop Grumman Signs Teaming Agreement With Astronautics Corporation of America for F-5 Worldwide Sustainment and Life Cycle Logistics Northrop Grumman 20 Jul 2010 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and Astronautics Corporation of America, Milwaukee, have signed an agreement to provide worldwide sustainment and life cycle logistics as an effort to offer a broad capability to countries flying the F-5 Tiger aircraft.
• Pratt & Whitney Signs Agreement with Australian Supplier Broens Industries for F135 Engine Work Pratt & Whitney 20 Jul 2010 -- Pratt & Whitney has selected Broens Industries to design and manufacture a critical component as part of the maintenance and overhaul solution for the F135 propulsion system powering the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. This new order, signed today at the Farnborough Air Show, has a potential value of more than $7 million.
• Pratt & Whitney Awards F135 IBR Production Contract to Alp Aviation Pratt & Whitney 20 Jul 2010 -- Pratt & Whitney has awarded Alp Aviation a contract to produce F135 fully machined titanium Integrally Bladed Rotors (IBR). Alp will produce these components at their main facility in Eskisehir, Turkey. The contract has the potential value of over half a billion US dollars over the life of the JSF program. Alp Aviation has also completed the first article inspections of the second and third stage IBRs for Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine, and now are ready for full production.
• Pratt & Whitney and Kale Group Form Joint Venture Partnership Pratt & Whitney 20 Jul 2010 -- Pratt & Whitney and Kale Havacilik San, A.S., (Kale Group) of Istanbul, Turkey, announced the formation of a joint venture partnership to produce aircraft engine components today at the Farnborough Airshow. Under the terms of the joint venture, Kale will own 51 percent and Pratt & Whitney will own 49 percent of the joint venture company located in Turkey. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
• Rewinged P-3 Orion Takes Flight Lockheed Martin 20 Jul 2010 -- The first P-3 Orion to receive the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) modifications was flown for the first time on July 19 from the Lockheed Martin facility here. This aircraft, without its familiar radar rotodome, was redelivered to U.S. Customs and Border Protection in ceremonies on July 13. The P-3 MLU program replaces the outer wings, center wing lower surface, horizontal stabilizer and horizontal stabilizer leading edges.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded Tech Maturation Contract for Next Generation Jammer Northrop Grumman 20 Jul 2010 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a $41.9 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to mature technologies it has proposed for the U.S. Navy's Next Generation Jammer airborne electronic attack system development. This is for the Technology Maturation phase of the program. Work on this 21-month effort begins immediately.
• Raytheon Expands International Electronic Warfare Business with Egyptian Air Force Contract Win Raytheon 20 Jul 2010 -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) newest integrated electronic warfare suite "ACES" has been selected by the Egyptian Air Force to provide self-protection capabilities for its F-16 aircraft. The EAF recently agreed to purchase 20 Block 52 F-16 aircraft from prime contractor Lockheed Martin.
• U.S. Navy Awards $250 Million V-22 Contract to Raytheon Raytheon 20 Jul 2010 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a five-year, $250 million indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contract for support of the V-22 aircraft. Tasks under the contract include V-22 avionics systems software, situational awareness software and prototype hardware, and avionics acquisition support for the customer.
• Sikorsky Aircraft Delivers 200th UH-60M BLACK HAWK Helicopter to U.S. Army Sikorsky 20 Jul 2010 -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced today the delivery of the 200th UH/HH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopter to the U.S. Army. Sikorsky is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
• Boeing Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Aeronautics for DA42 Dominator Unmanned Aircraft System Boeing 20 Jul 2010 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today at the Farnborough Airshow announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Aeronautics Ltd. to market the DA42 Dominator unmanned aircraft system.
• Russia's fifth-generation fighter to be cheaper than foreign analogues RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2010 -- Russia's fifth-generation fighters for export will be cheaper than their foreign analogues, the general director of the aviation companies Sukhoi and MiG said on Tuesday.
• Russia to market 300 warplanes domestically, abroad by 2015 RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2010 -- Russia is to sell around 300 MiG- and Su-family warplanes at home and abroad by 2015, Sukhoi and MiG companies said on Tuesday.
• U.S. Army selects Hamilton Sundstrand Auxiliary Power Unit Hamilton Sundstrand 20 Jul 2010 -- The U. S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., recently awarded Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) a five-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for follow-on Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) production in support of the U.S. Army/Navy Black Hawk/Seahawk Helicopter program.
• Rockwell Collins selects Hamilton Sundstrand Auxiliary Power Unit Hamilton Sundstrand 20 Jul 2010 -- Rockwell Collins has selected Hamilton Sundstrand to provide a new Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for the U.S. Navy E-6B TACAMO aircraft as part of the Block 1A ECP Program. Hamilton Sundstrand is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

Other Conflicts

• 20 July 2010 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Jul 2010
• UN welcomes steps by Eritrea and Djibouti to end border dispute UN News Centre 20 Jul 2010 -- The United Nations today welcomed steps by Eritrea and Djibouti to resolve their border dispute through mediation by Qatar, saying Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was ready to provide technical support if needed to facilitate a settlement.

News Reports

• Investigation Sheds Light On Giant, Unwieldy U.S. Intelligence System RFE/RL 20 Jul 2010 -- "The complexity of this system defies description." Those are the words of retired Lieutenant General John Vines, who last year reviewed the methods used to track the U.S. Defense Department's top-secret programs.
• Iranian Conservatives Unite In Bid To Undermine Ahmadinejad RFE/RL 20 Jul 2010 -- Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian discussed Armenian-Iranian cooperation and regional security issues with Iranian political and military leaders during an official weekend visit to Tehran, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
• Iranian Officials Rule Out Talks With US Amid Economic Troubles VOA 20 Jul 2010 -- Top Iranian leaders and officials say they have no intention of conducting negotiations with the United States. Meanwhile, a strike by merchants appears to be continuing in several Iranian cities.
• CIA abetted terror in Zahedan to cover up spy game scandal IRNA 20 Jul 2010 -- First Vice-President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi said on Tuesday that the US intelligence agency abetted the inhuman terror attacks in Zahedan to cover up the US spy game scandal over kidnapping Iranian nuclear scientist Shahram Amiri from Saudi Arabia.
• Iran dismayed at Medvedev perception about Iran’s nuclear program IRNA 20 Jul 2010 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast on Tuesday expressed dismay over Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's perception about Iranian nuclear program.
• Majlis instructs IAEO to enrich uranium up to 20 percent IRNA 20 Jul 2010 -- Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization was instructed upon a Majlis approval to enrich uranium up to 20 percent for research reactors.
• US-Iran talks not possible presently: Spokesman IRNA 20 Jul 2010 -- No talks or meetings are presently likely between the Iranian and US officials yet due to Washington’s hostile policies against Tehran, Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday.
• EU Ministers to Approve Tighter Sanctions on Iran VOA 20 Jul 2010 -- European Union foreign ministers are poised to adopt tighter sanctions against Iran, including measures to ban investment in the oil and gas industry.
• CHAD: Moving the aid spotlight west IRIN 20 Jul 2010 -- Eastern Chad is well known as one of the most challenging settings for emergency relief in the world due to the spillover from Sudan’s Darfur conflict and internal strife, but far less attention is being focused on western regions where 1.6 million people are facing crop failure and food shortages ahead of the October harvest, according to WFP and the government.
• Analysis: NGOs' to-do list for incoming UN relief coordinator IRIN 20 Jul 2010 -- IRIN consulted the heads of some of the largest NGO networks on what they thought should be the top priorities of the incoming UN Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) and Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, who is expected to take up her role within two or three months.
• Kyrgyz security forces committing human rights violations, says top UN official UN News Centre 20 Jul 2010 -- Security forces in southern Kyrgyzstan are responsible for human rights violations, ranging from arbitrary detention to torture, threatening the fragile peace in the area six weeks after it was rocked by deadly inter-ethnic violence, a top United Nations official said today.
• Sudanese President to Visit Chad Despite Arrest Warrant VOA 20 Jul 2010 -- Officials in Sudan say President Omar al-Bashir will travel to Chad this week, his first visit to a country that is a member of the global court seeking his arrest.
• Thailand Lifts State of Emergency in 3 Provinces VOA 20 Jul 2010 -- Thailand said Tuesday it is lifting a state of emergency in three northern provinces, but it will remain in force in others, including the capital, Bangkok.
• British Prime Minister Cameron Makes First Official Visit to US VOA 20 Jul 2010 -- As Prime Minister David Cameron makes his first visit to Washington as the British leader, he is expected to defend embattled oil company BP. In addition to the Gulf oil spill, American lawmakers are displeased that the oil giant may have had a hand in the release of the alleged Lockerbie bomber, freed last year on compassionate grounds. Mr. Cameron and President Obama are also expected to discuss Afghanistan; Mr. Cameron says he would like British troops out by 2015.
• Alleged suicide bomber planned attack on Moscow RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2010 -- One of the alleged female suicide bombers detained last week in Russia's Dagestan was planning a terrorist attack on Moscow in July, a high-ranking police source said on Tuesday.
• Medvedev's anti-terrorism bill sparks concerns RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2010 -- Opponents of a new bill proposed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stipulating harsher punishment for terrorists and their "backers," fear that it might be applied to those who had no intention of aiding in terrorism, a Russian leading business daily said on Tuesday.
• Iraq war increased terror threat to UK, says former spy chief IRNA 20 Jul 2010 -- The former head of Britain’s MI5 security services Tuesday gave a damning indictment of the Iraq war, saying it "substantially" increased the terrorist threat to the UK, while Saddam Hussein posed little threat.