11 July 2019 Military News

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Nominee for Top US General: Afghan Withdrawal Would Be 'Strategic Mistake' VOA 11 Jul 2019 -- President Donald Trump's nominee for the top military officer of the United States says leaving Afghanistan prematurely would be a "strategic mistake," as the U.S. and the Taliban are negotiating a potential peace settlement to end nearly two decades of war.
Swedish Group Demands Probe Into Deadly Attack on Its Afghan Health Clinic VOA 11 Jul 2019 -- An international relief agency Thursday condemned an attack on one of its health clinics in central Afghanistan that killed four people and demanded an independent investigation.
U.S. General: Premature Afghan Pullout Would Be 'Strategic Mistake' RFE/RL 11 Jul 2019 -- A premature withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan would be "a strategic mistake," U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to be the top military officer said on July 11.
Radical Pakistani Cleric Who Fought U.S. Forces In Afghanistan Dies RFE/RL 11 Jul 2019 -- Sufi Muhammad, a radical Pakistani cleric who waged war against foreign forces in neighboring Afghanistan, has died.

Defense Policy / Programs

Acting Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper Appoints Convening Authority for al-Nashiri and al-Bahlul Military Commission DoD 11 Jul 2019 -- Acting Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper designated Mr. Robert D. Hogue as convening authority for matters related to the military commissions of United States v. Abd al Rahim Hussayn Muhammad al-Nashiri and United States v. Ali Hamza Ahmad Suliman al-Bahlul, effective July 5.

Greywolf assumes Korea mission Army News 11 Jul 2019 -- The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, (Greywolf), 1st Cavalry Division (Rotational), uncased its colors during an official transfer of authority ceremony, June 7, at Robertson Field, here.
Operation Hickory Sting keeps NC Guard Soldiers in the fight Army News 11 Jul 2019 -- "Tactics win battles, logistics wins wars," an ancient and anonymous military axiom proved by Operation Hickory Sting across hundreds of square miles of the High Mojave Desert where almost 4,200 Soldiers of the North Carolina National Guard's 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team with nearly 350 armored vehicles and more than 1,500 other wheeled vehicles maneuvered and fought in 24-hour operations against OPFOR, or Opposing Force, Army peers who mimic weapons and tactics of the most current real-world threats at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, in the heat of early July. Multi-million dollar, jet turbine powered tanks burn through thousands of gallons of fuel, the best weapons money can buy need spare parts, Soldiers pushed to their limits need food and water, all continue mission because of the Soldiers of the 630th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), 113th Sustainment Brigade.
Guard units join Army and Hungarian forces in exercise Army News 11 Jul 2019 -- National Guard units joined with the U.S. Army and Hungarian Defense Forces (HDF), who partnered for a live-fire training exercise as a part of Breakthrough 2019 on June 12.
Wisconsin National Guard holds UH-60 Black Hawk training Army News 11 Jul 2019 -- Aircrew with the Wisconsin National Guard at Madison operated several UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters June 19 at Fort McCoy, Wis., as part of annual training at the post.
Kearsarge ARG MEU Departs U.S. 6th Fleet NNS 11 Jul 2019 -- The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit concluded routine operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet (C6F) area of responsibility (AOR) July 8.
Overnight radar replacements for NEXRAD US Air Force 11 Jul 2019 -- The sun went down on Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, one night and when it rose, Cannon AFB was the first Department of Defense site to host a refurbished weather radar system, courtesy of a program managed at Hanscom AFB.
US Seeks to Use Space As Theatre of War, Refuses Discussion with Russia – Russian General Staff Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- President Donald Trump decreed in February to establish the US Space Force in a bid to counter China and Russia in the space among other priorities. Moscow has repeatedly urged for the prevention of an arms race in space and its transformation into another theatre of armed confrontation.
Remarks by Vice President Pence to Vandenberg Air Force Base Personnel The White House 11 Jul 2019

'Don't See the Urgency': US Facing Tough Sell on Arab Anti-Iran Coalition Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- While Washington has grand designs for a multinational force to patrol strategic waters near Iran and Yemen, no country has yet agreed to take part, and promised US sanctions against Tehran are doomed to fail as well, Massoud Shadjareh, founder of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, told Sputnik Wednesday.

NATO works with North Macedonia to improve disaster response NATO 11 Jul 2019 -- With NATO's help, North Macedonia is implementing a new system to enhance real time situational awareness and better deal with disasters such as landslides and floods.

Komsomolets Wreck Site Reveals High Radiation Levels 30 Years After Soviet Sub Sinks RFE/RL 11 Jul 2019 -- The K-278 Komsomolets was on its first operational patrol when the Soviet nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed submarine met its fiery demise in the Barents Sea on April 7, 1989, killing 42 crewmen.
Russian Military Equipment to Participate in Drills in Venezuela on 24 July - Moscow Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- Russian military equipment will participate in military drills in Venezuela, scheduled for 24 July, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday.

Icebreaker Xuelong 2 joins service on China national maritime day Global Times 11 Jul 2019 -- China's first domestically built polar research vessel and icebreaker, Xuelong 2, was delivered to the China polar research institute in Shanghai on Thursday afternoon, China National Maritime Day, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.
China Launches First Ever Domestic Icebreaker Vessel Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- China's first domestically-manufactured polar research ship, also referred to as a polar icebreaker, is expected to be deployed to Antarctica later this year to carry out expeditions.
China holds military-civilian cross-sea transport drills in Yellow Sea Global Times 11 Jul 2019 -- China recently conducted a joint military-civilian cross-sea transport drill in the Yellow Sea, as naval and civilian ships carried troops and armored vehicles across the sea, leading Chinese military experts to say on Thursday that China will be ready for a potential landing mission, be it on the island of Taiwan or islands in the South China Sea.

N. Korea's ICBM-level Hwasong-15 capable of striking any part of U.S. mainland: USFK ARIRANG 11 Jul 2019 -- The first official assessment from U.S. Forces in South Korea that the North has a missile that can reach ANY PART of the U.S. mainland the Hwasong-15 ICBM.
North Korea's latest ICBM can hit any target in America: US military Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- The US military says North Korea's latest Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) can easily hit targets anywhere on the US mainland.
South Korea's F-35 jet acquisition extremely dangerous action: North Korean official Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- North Korea has criticized the South's acquisition of American F-35 stealth fighter jets as an "extremely dangerous action" that could jeopardize inter-Korean relations.
'Extremely Dangerous Action': Pyongyang Fires Off Lethal Threats Over Seoul's F-35 Jet Pick-Up Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- On Thursday, North Korea claimed it would develop and test unspecified "special armaments" to destroy US F-35 fighter jets if South Korea continues to deploy them.

France to Train 300,000 African Personnel to Serve in UN Missions by 2020 - Deputy Envoy Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- The government of France will prepare more than 30,000 African soldiers to participate in UN peacekeeping operations by 2020, French Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Anne Gueguen said during the UN Security Council open debate on peacekeeping.

Israeli Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missile Had Failed Indian-Army's Trial: Source Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- The revelation holds significance in view of the official version of the Indian government, maintaining that the deal was cancelled to give preference to the indigenous man-portable anti-tank guided missile developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation.
India In Rush to Bridge Missiles Gap with Pakistan Air Force Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- The Indian Air Force (IAF) has expedited the process of acquiring air missiles in an attempt to fill the missile gap that was exposed during the dogfight with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in February this year.

Department Press Briefing – July 11, 2019 US Dept. of State 11 Jul 2019

Defense Industry

Contracts for July 11, 2019

Other Conflicts

11 July 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Jul 2019

Islamic State Remains Unpredictable as it Regroups VOA 11 Jul 2019 -- The Islamic State terror group is adapting to the loss of its self-declared territorial caliphate by returning to its origins and becoming once again a more local, Iraq-focused insurgency, and is recruiting in remote border areas in Iraq's western desert. But it still harbors ambitions to strike in the West, warn European officials and analysts.

France admits missiles found in rebel general's base are its Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- France has confirmed that missiles seized last month from forces loyal to Libyan renegade general Khalifa Haftar belonged to the French military.
Libyan National Army Says Successfully Concluded 1st Stage of Tripoli Offensive Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- The eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, has successfully completed the first stage of its operation to capture the Libyan capital of Tripoli, Gen. Ali Saleh Qahtani, the commander of the 73rd infantry brigade of the LNA main command, told Sputnik on Thursday.

Al-Qaeda Chief Tells Kashmiri Separatists to 'Bleed India Through Unrelenting Terror Attacks' Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- India's investigation and intelligence agencies are likely to be in a greater state of high alert following al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri's latest video message to separatists in the northern Kashmir Valley to bleed the Indian economy through unrelenting terror attacks.

Ukrainian Soldier Killed In Clashes With Russia-Backed Separatists RFE/RL 11 Jul 2019 -- The government in Kyiv says one of its soldiers has been killed and nine others wounded in a battle with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Zelenskiy, Putin Discuss East Ukraine Conflict In First Phone Call RFE/RL 11 Jul 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have held their first telephone call and discussed the conflict in eastern Ukraine as well as swapping prisoners.
Putin Held Phone Conversation With Zelenskyy on Ukrainian President's Initiative - Moscow Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the latter's initiative, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.
Ukraine-Russia Tensions Spark Human Rights Debate VOA 11 Jul 2019 -- A U.N. report on extensive human rights violations in the Russian-backed separatist regions of eastern Ukraine and in the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula has triggered a fiery debate at the U.N. human rights council.

European Commission Says Proposed Steps on Turkey's Drilling Off Cyprus to EU Leaders Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- The European Commission and the EU diplomatic service have proposed several possible measures on Turkey's drilling off Cyprus coast to EU leaders, Maja Kocijancic, the spokesperson for the vice president of the commission and EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said Thursday.

Israel won't allow uprooting of settlements under any deal with Palestine: Netanyahu Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the regime will not evacuate the settlements it has built in defiance of international law on the occupied Palestinian territories under any conflict resolution deal with Palestine.

Cameroon Fights Boko Haram Recruitment with Goats, Sheep VOA 11 Jul 2019 -- The government of Cameroon this week began rolling out an unlikely weapon in the fight against Boko Haram militants.

Expert: Armed Groups Risk CAR's Peace Deal by Violating the Accord They Signed VOA 11 Jul 2019 -- An independent expert warns an agreement to restore peace and reconciliation in the Central African Republic is at risk because of violations by some of the signatories to the accord. The expert submitted her report Wednesday to the U.N. Human Rights Council.

News Reports

U.S. Administration Officials Warn Of 'Active Threats' To 2020 Elections RFE/RL 11 Jul 2019 -- U.S. administration officials have warned of "active threats" to the 2020 presidential elections as they briefed Congress on measures that the government has taken to improve security following what the U.S. intelligence community said was Russian interference in the 2016 campaign.

US Immigration Raids Planned VOA 11 Jul 2019 -- U.S. officials reportedly plan to start immigration raids on Sunday and are expected to target at least 2,000 undocumented people for whom deportation orders have been issued, some as a result of their failure to appear in court for immigration proceedings.
Democrats Push Trump Administration on Immigration Oversight VOA 11 Jul 2019 -- Congressional Democrats hope to put last month's scuffle over the $4.6 billion emergency border bill behind them with renewed oversight of the Trump administration's immigration policies and legislation to strengthen protections for families detained at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The United States Takes Action Against Venezuela's Counterintelligence Agency US Dept. of State 11 Jul 2019 -- On July 11, the United States sanctioned the Maduro-aligned General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence, known as DGCIM, for operating in Venezuela's defense and security sector, pursuant to E.O. 13850, as amended.
Treasury Sanctions Venezuela's Military Counterintelligence Agency Following the Death of a Venezuelan Navy Captain US Treasury 11 Jul 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the Government of Venezuela's General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence, or La Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar, most commonly known as the DGCIM. This action, taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13850, as amended, targets the DGCIM for operating in Venezuela's defense and security sector.
US Imposes Sanctions against Venezuelan Counterintelligence Agency VOA 11 Jul 2019 -- The United States Department of Treasury announced sanctions against Venezuela's counterintelligence agency Thursday, in reaction to the death of a Venezuelan captain in the organization's custody.
Presence of Russian Experts in Venezuela Does Not Change Regional Forces Balance - Moscow Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- Commander of US Southern Command, Admiral Craig Foller, previously alleged at a Senate hearing that hundreds of Russian military staff and contractors are in Venezuela.
US Slaps Sanctions on Venezuela's General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- The United States imposed several rounds of sanctions against Venezuela after the country's opposition leader Juan Guaido illegally declared himself interim president in late January.

Sudan Military Rulers Claim Coup Attempt Thwarted Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- Sudan's Transitional Military Council announced on Thursday that a coup attempt had been thwarted in the country.

Tusk: Russia's Georgia Flight Ban 'Unjustified' RFE/RL 11 Jul 2019 -- European Council President Donald Tusk says Russia's move to ban direct flights to Georgia was "unjustified and disproportional."

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, July 11, 2019 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 11 Jul 2019

Italian Prosecutors Investigate Russian Funding Allegations RFE/RL 11 Jul 2019 -- Italian prosecutors are investigating allegations of illicit Russian funding of the far-right League party of Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, media reports said on July 11.

Kim Jong-un named supreme leader representing N. Korea in new constitution ARIRANG 11 Jul 2019 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is now officially the North's head of state.

Kamalvandi: Iran never violates additional protocols to NPT Safeguard Agreement IRNA 11 Jul 2019 -- Atomic Energy Organization of Iran ( AEOI) Spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said on Thursday that the Islamic Republic of Iran has passed the ceiling of 300 kilograms of enriched uranium with 3.67 percent purity but has not violated any of additional protocols to the NPT Safeguards Agreement.
"Inconsistent" int'l reactions to Iran's second step in JCPOA IRNA 11 Jul 2019 -- In response to Tehran's second step in the JCPOA and crossing the amount of uranium enrichment beyond the specified boundary in the agreement, reactions have been made by some officials in the world that include a "European warning and concern", "The welcome and warmongering rhetoric by Israel" and "The silence of the Arabs".
Iran's FM Zarif: US experiences another political defeat at IAEA BoG IRNA 11 Jul 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif believes that the United States has been defeated politically as it could not make even a sentence of a statement at the IAEA against Iran.
IAEA Board of Governors' meeting brings nothing for US: Iran envoy IRNA 11 Jul 2019 -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna Kazzem Gharibabadi said on Thursday that the IAEA Board of Governors' meeting in the Austrian capital had no outcome for the US.
US isolates itself once again: FM spox IRNA 11 Jul 2019 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi on Wednesday described Board of Governors' meeting as another defeat for the US, saying that the US isolated itself once again.
No need to overreact to Iran's nuclear moves: Chinese delegate People's Daily 11 Jul 2019 -- The international community should not overreact to Iran's recent nuclear moves because they do not incur any proliferation risks, said Fu Cong, head of the Chinese delegation at an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday.
US officials push for sanctions on China over buying Iranian oil: Report Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- Senior Donald Trump administration officials are pushing sanctions against China claiming the Asian power defied American sanctions when it imported more than a million barrels of crude oil from Iran last month, according to three US officials.
US on deliberate, premeditated course to exacerbate tensions: Russia Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- Russia has blamed the US for the escalation of tensions between Washington and Tehran after Britain claimed that Iranian boats had attempted to impede a British oil tanker in the Persian Gulf waters.
IAEA Board of Governors meeting proved US isolation: Iran's Zarif Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says an emergency meeting held by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the Austrian capital, Vienna, proved the US isolation among member states more than ever before.
Non-EU states to join INSTEX trade mechanism with Iran: Senior EU official Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- A senior European Union official says non-EU members will be taking part in a mechanism established to enable non-dollar trade between the 28-nation bloc and Iran.
Zarif to US: Economic terrorism, talks don't go together Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the United States needs to stop "economic terrorism" against the Iranian nation if it really seeks talks with the Islamic Republic.
Iran, Russia say US 'was isolated' at IAEA's special meeting Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- Tehran says the UN nuclear watchdog's special meeting held at Washington's request to win the Board of Governors' support for its anti-Iran claims turned into another failure for Americans.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards deny impeding a British oil tanker Global Times 11 Jul 2019 -- Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Thursday that the US and Britain will "strongly regret" the seizure of a tanker off Gibraltar, the semiofficial Fars News Agency reported.
IRGC denies intending to seize UK oil tanker IRNA 11 Jul 2019 -- The public relations office of the fifth district of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' Navy dismissed the US media claims that the IRGC's speed boats have been trying to approach a UK oil tanker.
Iranian president warns UK of "consequences" of oil tanker seizure People's Daily 11 Jul 2019 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday warned Britain of the "consequences" of the recent seizure of an Iranian oil tanker in the Strait of Gibraltar, Press TV reported.
UK, US will seriously regret tanker seizure: IRGC commander Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- The second-in-command of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) warns that the United Kingdom and the United States will soon seriously regret the recent seizure of a supertanker carrying Iranian oil.
IRGC rejects US claim of Iran attempt to seize UK tanker in Persian Gulf Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has dismissed a claim by US officials that its naval forces tried to stop a British tanker in the Persian Gulf.
Iranian Boats 'Attempted To Impede' British Oil Tanker In Strategic Strait RFE/RL 11 Jul 2019 -- Britain says three Iranian boats "attempted to impede" a British oil tanker in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, in a move that followed threats from Tehran that London would face consequences for the seizure of an Iranian supertanker last week.
Britain Raises Ship Security Level to 'Critical' as Tanker Row With Iran Escalates - Report Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- Over the past two days, British oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf have reportedly been spotted under escort by Royal Navy vessels. Although the reason for this has not been officially explained, the situation comes amid threats by Tehran to seize British ships in response to the arrest of its tanker in Gibraltar.
Islamic Revolutionary Guards Deny Trying to Stop UK Oil Tanker - Reports Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- A Royal Navy ship earlier escorted the oil tanker British Heritage in the Strait of Hormuz after reports that several Iranian military boats had approached the vessel.
UK Tanker in Hormuz Strait Approached by Five Allegedly Iranian Boats - DoD Official Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- On Wednesday, a total of five boats believed to belong to the Iranian government approached UK oil tanker British Heritage in the Strait of Hormuz, only to withdraw after receiving a warning from the accompanying Royal Navy warship HMS Montrose, a US Department of Defense official told Reuters.

Central government backs Hong Kong chief Global Times 11 Jul 2019 -- The liaison office for China's central government in Hong Kong on Thursday voiced its firm support for the city's chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, the Hong Kong police and those Hongkongers who aired their demands through reasonable and peaceful means.
Double standards hinder counter-terrorism work Global Times 11 Jul 2019 -- China issued on Thursday a stern response to countries which signed a joint letter to the UN criticizing China's policies in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, with observers saying their criticism is based on groundless guesswork and double standards on human rights issues would hinder the global counter-terrorism work.

China explores space technology to facilitate economic growth People's Daily 11 Jul 2019 -- China has sent over 200 satellites into space and will launch nearly 100 more by 2025, an official with the China National Space Administration said on July 9.

Taiwan government defends 'CCP agents' bill CNA 11 Jul 2019 -- The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Thursday defended the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) efforts to introduce a bill that will ban "agents of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)" from undermining Taiwan's national security and social stability, saying such an endeavor is necessary and should be prioritized.

US senator introduces bill to punish bin Salman, Saudi over rights abuses Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- A senior Republican senator in the US Congress has introduced a bipartisan bill that would punish Saudi Arabia for its extensive violations of human rights, including the war on the people of Yemen and over the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
EU mulls adding Saudi Arabia to new money laundering grey list Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- The European Union, under pressure from Saudi Arabia, may add the Arab kingdom to a money laundering grey list, five months after blacklisting it.

Mass measles vaccination campaign begins in Ebola-hit DR Congo province UN News 11 Jul 2019 -- Health workers have started a massive measles vaccination campaign in north-east Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a region that's in the grip of the second deadliest Ebola virus outbreak on record.

Erdogan Faces New Challenger as Party Split Looms VOA 11 Jul 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could be facing his biggest political challenge, with the resignation of his former economic czar Ali Babacan threatening to split his ruling AKP Party. Party discontent is escalating amidst economic malaise and deteriorating human rights.

Wait, That's My Name: 'Clone Candidates' Fill Ukrainian Parliamentary Election Ballots RFE/RL 11 Jul 2019 -- If Ukraine's presidential elections marked the rise of the so-called "clone candidates," then its parliamentary elections mark their revenge.
EU Court Annuls Yanukovych Asset Freezes RFE/RL 11 Jul 2019 -- The European Union's General Court on July 11 has annulled asset freezes imposed on former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, his son Oleksandr, and five other associates.
Ukraine Inaugurates Its New Safe Confinement Dome Over Chernobyl Reactor Sputnik 11 Jul 2019 -- Thirty-three years after the precipitous reactor explosion, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant now has a protective dome expected to last a century.

Hezbollah: New sanctions widen US assault on Lebanon Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement says new US sanctions against some of its officials and lawmakers have widened Washington's assault on the Middle Eastern country.

Police use live ammunition to disperse Zakzaky supporters in Nigeria capital Press TV 11 Jul 2019 -- Nigerian police have fired live ammunition and teargas at protesting Shia Muslims as large crowds gathered in the capital city Abuja Thursday to demand the release of ailing cleric Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky.

Atambaev Again Refuses To Obey Subpoena, May Be Detained For Questioning RFE/RL 11 Jul 2019 -- Former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev has refused for the second time to obey a subpoena for questioning at the Interior Ministry in Bishkek in an unspecified criminal investigation, opening the way for authorities to detain him for interrogation.

Romania's President Blasts Government Over Corruption Report RFE/RL 11 Jul 2019 -- President Klaus Iohannis has accused Romania's government of ignoring the will of its own citizens by not adopting anti-corruption recommendations made by a European anti-graft body.

Algerian Parliament Elects Islamist Speaker Amid Efforts to Widen National Dialogue VOA 11 Jul 2019 -- Algerian lawmakers have elected a reputedly moderate Islamist political figure as their new parliament speaker to replace the veteran ruling party loyalist, who recently stepped down. Slimane Chenine was elected amid friction between the military and parts of the opposition movement, as efforts intensify to widen national dialogue talks aimed at easing tensions and electing a new president.

24-Hour Power Not Close for Haiti, UN Official Says VOA 11 Jul 2019 -- Many Haitians dream of having electricity available at all times, but their hopes were dashed Wednesday when Jean Michel Durosca, a U.N. representative for development, bluntly said, "The power problem will take several presidential terms to resolve, I want everyone to understand that."

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