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Current Operations

• Trump to Reduce US Troop Numbers in Afghanistan in 2020 Election Run Up - Pompeo Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has issued an unambiguous directive that the number of US troops deployed to Afghanistan must be reduced before the 2020 presidential elections, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview on Monday.
• Scores of casualties as Ghani's running mate escapes attack Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- A huge blast has left scores of people dead and injured in Afghanistan's capital city Kabul.
• Pompeo Says Trump Wants To 'Reduce' Foreign Forces In Afghanistan By November 2020 RFE/RL 29 Jul 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says President Donald Trump wants combat forces of the United States and its allies reduced in Afghanistan before the next U.S. presidential election in November 2020.
• US Military Aid to Afghanistan Still in Chaos After $83Mln Spent - Inspector General Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- US security aid to Afghanistan remains chaotic after more than $83 billion were spent since the beginning of this century, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopko said on Monday.
• Afghan Taliban Responded Positively to PM Imran Khan's Invite: Foreign Minister Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- Pakistan has always sought an acceptable political solution in Afghanistan and in this regard is taking positive diplomatic steps to facilitate an Intra-Afghan dialogue at the earliest, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Monday.
• Two Americans Killed in Apparent Insider Attack in Afghanistan VOA 29 Jul 2019 -- Two U.S. service members have been killed in action in Afghanistan in what appears to be an insider attack.

Defense Policy / Programs

• AZ Guard, Kazakh Service Members keep Partnership Rolling CENTCOM 29 Jul 2019 -- The Arizona National Guard hosted five members of the Armed Forces from the Republic of Kazakhstan for a week-long vehicle maintenance exchange at the Papago Park Military Reservation July 15-19.
• Remarks by Secretary Esper at an Event in Honor of Egyptian Minister of Defense General Zaki DoD 29 Jul 2019 -- Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper
• Agile Spirit 19 kicks off in Georgia Army News 29 Jul 2019 -- Soldiers from various parts of the world have begun exercise Agile Spirit 19 with their host nation of Georgia, on July 28, 2019. Co-led by Georgian Defence Forces (GDF) and U.S. Army Europe, this joint and multinational exercise supports 14 ally and partner nations consisting of approximately 3,300 military personnel.
• U.S. Army Teams with Fijian Military for exercise Cartwheel 2019 Army News 29 Jul 2019 -- Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, Inf. Brigade Combat Team, 25th Inf. Division from, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, arrived at Nadi International Airport July 27, 2019, to partner with the 3rd Fijian Infantry Regiment (RFMF) for a series of bilateral military-to-military exercises, collectively named Exercise Cartwheel 2019.
• Pa. Guard and Lithuanian Land Forces build on partnerships Army News 29 Jul 2019 -- The State Partnership Program relationship between the Lithuanian army and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard continued to evolve and strengthen through a staff exchange held July 19-27 at Fort Indiantown Gap in Annville, Pa. Thirteen Lithuanian Land Forces Army leaders visited the Guard training base to meet with their 28th Infantry Division counterparts.
• Remarks by Secretary Esper at an Event in Honor of Egyptian Minister of Defense General Zaki DoD 29 Jul 2019 -- Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper
• USNS Spearhead Supports Fleet Experimentation NNS 29 Jul 2019 -- The Military Sealift Command's expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) recently completed a two-day underway.
• Warship USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) Brought to Life NNS 29 Jul 2019 -- The ship's namesake, Paul Ignatius, served honorably as Secretary of the Navy under President Lyndon Johnson from 1967 to 1969 and as a commissioned lieutenant during World War II aboard the Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Manila Bay (CVE 61).
• Strike Eagles participate in joint integration exercise with Navy US Air Force 29 Jul 2019 -- U.S. Air Forces Central Command F-15E Strike Eagles attached to the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron participated in an air operations in maritime surface warfare integration exercise with the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) and a P-3 Orion in the Arabian Gulf, July 24.
• US to Keep Strait of Hormuz Open But Building Maritime Alliance to Take Time - Pompeo Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday said that the United States and its allies will make sure that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, even though building out a maritime security alliance will take more time than originally planned.
• Pentagon Plans to Reject Japan's Request to Join F-35 Project Despite Row With Turkey – Report Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- Earlier, Washington booted Turkey out of the F-35 stealth fighter programme and said the country wouldn't be getting its 120 stealth fighter jets after Ankara refused to cancel its S-400 missile system deal with Russia.
• Russia Launches Mass Production of 5th Generation Su-57 Fighters - Developer Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- Mass production of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter has started in Russia, the brochure dated to the 80th anniversary of the Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer, read.
• Beijing holds military drills in East, South China Sea Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- China is holding military exercises in waters near Taiwan, days after Beijing reiterated it does not rule out military action against secessionist moves in the self-ruled island.
• China's New Soar Dragon Spy Drone Tailed a US Cruiser in Taiwan Strait Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- An advanced Chinese spy drone was spotted watching the USS Antietam as it transited the Taiwan Strait last week, according to Taiwanese media, along with a host of Chinese fighter aircraft.
• China Deploys New Stealth Fighter at Military Command 200 Km Off Taiwan Amid US Tensions - Report Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- Earlier this month, Beijing said it would sanction US defence enterprises doing business with Taiwan, and announced military drills off the Taiwan Strait, following Washington's approval of a $2.2 billion arms deal with the island nation, which China considers a breakaway province.
• Military exercises conducted in waters near Taiwan Global Times 29 Jul 2019 -- China has started military exercises in both the East and South China Seas near coastal areas, according to two navigation restriction notices released by maritime safety authorities on Sunday and Monday.
• Beijing Delivers New Ocean-Going Research Vessel to Disputed South China Sea Waters Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- China has delivered a new long-range research vessel which it says heralds a "new era" in maritime exploration, deploying it to the waters of the South China Sea, disputed with other countries in the region.
• Germany Resolves Its Latest Military Aviation Glitch as It Airlifts Troops to Lithuania Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- The past few years have seen a spate of German military aviation mishaps; the latest such incident took place last Saturday when a Bundeswehr transport wing kept an Airbus A310 at its base near Cologne due to a suspected engine malfunction.
• India Signs $215 mn Contract with Russia for Air-to-Air Missile Used to Down Pakistani F-16 Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- The R-73 air-to-air missile was used by Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman to allegedly shoot down an F-16 of the Pakistan Air Force on 27 February when the two countries engaged in an aerial clash.
• Indian Navy Adds More Teeth With Amphibious Ship in Indian Ocean Amid Increasing Chinese Presence Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- Amid the increasing presence of Chinese warships in the Indian Ocean Region, the Indian Navy has added an amphibious ship which can carry 145 tons of military equipment in addition to 160 troops with a speed of over 15 kt (knot). It aims to have a fleet of 200 warships by 2027, but currently, has only 130 navy vessels.
• Indian Volunteer Organisation Plans to Start Army-Linked School for First Time Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- An affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) paramilitary volunteer organisation, the ideological parent of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to set up a school with links to the Indian armed forces.
• Indian Army Reconsiders Purchase of US Drones After Iran's Downing of American UAV - Reports Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- In June, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed that they had downed a US spy drone after it had violated Iranian airspace. Washington, in turn, insisted that the unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed by the IRGC in international waters.
• Iran, Russia to stage joint drills in Persian Gulf: Iran Navy chief Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi says Iran and Russia have agreed to conduct joint naval drills in the Persian Gulf region "in the near future."
• Nowhere to Hide: Iranian Military Claims Its Radars Can Detect All Sorts of 'Advanced US Planes' Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- The Iranian general also praised the capabilities of Iran's new defensive weapon systems, saying that thanks to them, the country's enemies now realise the potential cost of war with Iran.
• UK Sends Extra Forces to Bahrain Amid Tensions With Iran in Persian Gulf - Reports Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- The United Kingdom is sending additional troops to Bahrain to help increase protection for ship amid the tensions with Iran in the Persian Gulf, local media reported.
• South Korea says looking into 'various options' to protect ships in Persian Gulf Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- South Korea says it is examining "various options" to protect ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, refuting earlier reports that it will join a US-led military coalition to deter what Washington calls Iran's threat to shipping in the Persian Gulf region.
• South Korea to Send Warship to Strait of Hormuz After US Call to Join Anti-Iran Coalition – Reports Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- Earlier, the United States invited Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, South Korea and the United Kingdom, among others, to join an international coalition to ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Taiwan holds live fire drill along southeastern coast CNA 29 Jul 2019 -- The military-affiliated National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) on Monday conducted a live-fire drill at its coastal base in Pingtung County, following a missile test at the same location last week, according to the defense ministry.
• Vucic Praises Putin For 'Strengthening' Serbia's Military RFE/RL 29 Jul 2019 -- Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic has thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for "strengthening" the combat capability of the Balkan nation's armed forces.
• North Korea, South China Sea Top Agenda as Pompeo Heads to Asia VOA 29 Jul 2019 -- The United States is not ruling out working-level talks with North Korean officials on the sidelines of Southeast Asian regional meetings in Thailand this week, with experts noting Pyongyang's recent missile launch is unlikely to reverse Washington's current diplomatic efforts.

Defense Industry

• Contracts for July 29, 2019

Other Conflicts

• 29 July 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 29 Jul 2019
• Yemen drones hit Saudi airbase in precision counterattack Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- The Yemeni army says it has launched several drones against an airbase in southwestern Saudi Arabia after the kingdom and its allies slew more than a dozen people in northern Yemen.
• At least 14 civilians killed in Saudi-led airstrike on crowded market in Yemen's Sa'ada Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- At least 14 civilians have been killed when Saudi-led warplanes conducted an airstrike on a crowded market in Yemen's northern province of Sa'ada, as the Riyadh regime presses ahead with its bombardment campaign against its southern neighbor.
• Dozens of Saudi soldiers, mercenaries killed in Yemeni missile strike Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- Dozens of Saudi troopers and Saudi-sponsored militiamen loyal to Yemen's former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi have been killed when Yemeni army soldiers and fighters from allied Popular Committees launched an offensive against their positions in the kingdom's southwestern region of Asir.
• Yemeni Defense Minister praises efforts of Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen SPA 29 Jul 2019 -- Yemeni Defense Minister Lieutenant General Mohammad Ali Al-Maqdashi praised the efforts of the brotherly countries of Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to restore Yemen and support the military operations and their support for rebuilding of military establishment and their sacrifices in this common fateful battle.
• Coalition airstrikes destroy Houthi operation room in Sa'ada SPA 29 Jul 2019 -- The Arab coalition fighter jets on Monday destroyed an operation room for Iran-backed Houthi militia in the east of Sa'ada province.
• Saudi Airstrike on Yemeni Market Kills 10 VOA 29 Jul 2019 -- A Saudi-coalition airstrike on a market in northern Yemen has killed at least 10 people, including children, and wounded more than 20 others, medics and Houthi rebel media say.
• Yemen's Houthis Target Saudi Arabia's Abha Airport with Drone Attack – Reports Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- Yemen's Houthi movement said it launched on Sunday a drone attack on Saudi Arabia's Abha airport, Houthi affiliated Al-Masirah TV reported, citing the group's spokesman.
• UN Warns Islamic State Leader Plotting Comeback from Iraq VOA 29 Jul 2019 -- The Islamic State terror group's self-declared caliphate may be dead, but its leaders are hanging on in Syria and Iraq, dreaming of the day when they can again direct attacks on targets around the world.
• The Russian Armed Forces General Staff accused American PMCs of plundering Syrian oil facilities TASS 29 Jul 2019 -- According to the Russian military, such companies operate under the guise of aviation of the international coalition led by the United States.
• US forces take over illegal oil trade in Syria from Daesh terrorists: Top Russian general Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- A high-ranking Russian military official says American military forces have taken over illegal oil trade in war-torn Syria from the extremists.
• Civilians killed in US-led airstrikes on village in Syria's Dayr al-Zawr Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- An unspecified number of civilians have lost their lives in airstrikes conducted by the US-led military coalition on a village in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr.
• Turkey Accused of Forcible Deportation of Syrian Refugees VOA 29 Jul 2019 -- An international human rights group is accusing Turkey of forcibly deporting Syrians to their war-torn country. Ankara denies the accusation but is defending its ongoing crackdown on unregistered refugees.
• Tripoli International Airport Under Fire, Flights Redirected - Officials Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- Mitiga International Airport in the Libyan capital of Tripoli came under fire on Monday as passengers were boarding a flight operated by a local airline, which was set to fly to the Tunisian city of Sfax, the airport authorities said in a statement.
• Libyan National Army Begins 2nd Phase of Tripoli Offensive – Lawmaker Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- The Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, has begun the second stage of the offensive on the Libyan capital of Tripoli, Ali Qaidi, a member of the country's Tobruk-based parliament, said on Monday.
• Libyan GNA Accuses Haftar-Led Army of Conducting Airstrike on Field Hospital Near Tripoli Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- The Government of National Accord (GNA) has accused the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, of carrying out an airstrike on a field hospital in Tripoli, which left five doctors dead.
• With Libyans now 'fighting the wars of others' inside their own country, UN envoy urges Security Council action to end violence UN News 29 Jul 2019 -- Fighting in Libya "shows no signs of abating", the head of the United Nations Support Mission (UNSMIL), told the Security Council on Monday, painting a grim picture of worsening humanitarian conditions, and warning that the instability and influx of foreign weapons is fueling a proxy war in the north African country.
• UN Calls for Eid Truce in Libya VOA 29 Jul 2019 -- The top U.N. official for Libya has called for a truce during the upcoming Eid al-Adha religious holiday, saying the fighting in that country needs to end before it "grows into a full-blown civil war."
• Pakistan Summons Indian Envoy for Second Time in a Week Over Alleged Ceasefire Violations Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- Last week, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia and condemned the ceasefire breach by the Indian Army along the Line of Control (LoC) on 22 and 23 July 2019.

News Reports

• Trump's Pick for Intelligence Chief is Longtime Loyalist VOA 29 Jul 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's choice for the next director of national intelligence is an ardent supporter of the president who was harshly critical of former special counsel Robert Mueller during his congressional hearing last week.
• US spy chief to resign, Trump taps John Ratcliffe Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- The US' National Intelligence director Dan Coats is expected to step down amid chronic differences with Donald Trump over such issues as Iran and Russia, with the president nominating a congressman, who recently defended the commander-in-chief during the highly-publicized Mueller testimony.
• U.S. Intelligence Chief To Step Down After Tenure Marked By Clashes With Trump RFE/RL 29 Jul 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is replacing the director of national intelligence, Dan Coats, whose assessments of security threats from Iran and Russia were often contradicted by the president.
• Senate Intel Chairman Burr Statement on Departure of Director Coats Office of Senator Burr 29 Jul 2019 -- Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC) released the following statement on the departure of Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Dan Coats:
• Trump Administration Further Tightens Asylum Eligibility Requirements VOA 29 Jul 2019 -- The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has tightened the eligibly requirements for seeking asylum in the United States, making it more difficult for those persecuted because of family ties to be granted protection.
• Snipers shoot dead at least 5 protesters in central Sudan rally Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- At least five demonstrators, including four students, have been shot dead during a protest rally in a city in central Sudan, as an ongoing political turmoil worsens in the crisis-hit African country.
• Troika Statement on the South Sudan Peace Process US Dept. of State 29 Jul 2019 -- "The Troika (the United States, United Kingdom, and Norway) reaffirm their commitment to the IGAD-led South Sudan peace process and to the lasting peace the people of South Sudan deserve. The significant drop in political violence and the presence of many opposition politicians in Juba are welcome developments."
• Analysis: Why The Official Response To The Moscow Protests May Be A Turning Point RFE/RL 29 Jul 2019 -- The images from Moscow's streets were familiar enough. Riot police, clad in helmets, black-and-blue camouflage, and jackboots, bludgeoning cowering protesters, frog-marching others into armored police vans. Demonstrators - many in shorts, T-shirts, sneakers, some in baseball caps, many recording on smartphones - wrestling with crowd barriers, chanting taunts and aspirational slogans.
• Moscow Courts Begin Sentencing, Fining Demonstrators From Mass Rally Against Municipal Election Irregularities RFE/RL 29 Jul 2019 -- Russian courts have begun sentencing politicians and demonstrators who were detained during a mass rally against the exclusion of opposition candidates from the ballot for Moscow city council that was violently dispersed by police on July 27.
• Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Says He May Have Been 'Poisoned' In Prison RFE/RL 29 Jul 2019 -- Jailed Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny said in a statement on July 29 that he might have been "poisoned" in his prison cell amid a crackdown on anti-Kremlin protesters.
• Navalny To Appeal Arrest As 3 Moscow Duma Candidates File Complaints With Election Officials RFE/RL 29 Jul 2019 -- The Moscow City Court is scheduled to hear an appeal on July 30 by opposition activist Aleksei Navalny over his 30-day prison sentence, his lawyer Olga MIkhailova said.
• Texas Man Convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Trade Secrets US Dept. of Justice 29 Jul 2019 -- Following a nine-day trial, Shan Shi, 54, of Houston, Texas, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets. Shi was originally indicted in June 2017 for conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets, and a superseding indictment containing one count of conspiracy to commit economic espionage and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering charges issued in April 2018. Shi was acquitted on the other charges.
• Treasury Designates a Vietnam-Based Representative of a WMD Entity US Treasury 29 Jul 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated a North Korean individual operating from Vietnam, Kim Su Il, for his ties to the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). Kim Su Il is also an employee of the Munitions Industry Department (MID); a WPK subordinate that is United Nations (UN)- and U.S.-designated for its involvement in key aspects of North Korea's missile program, which is subject to a range of U.S. sanctions restrictions.
• Iran's UK envoy: Tanker-for-tanker barter impossible Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- Iran's ambassador to London rules out a suggestion made by some British media outlets for an exchange between the countries featuring an Iranian-operated supertanker and a British-flagged vessel.
• Zarif's proposal proves US not serious about negotiation: Spox IRNA 29 Jul 2019 -- The proposal by Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif proved that the US officials are not serious when they speak of negotiations, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
• Iran to reduce commitments more if EU not to take practical action IRNA 29 Jul 2019 -- Spokesman of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abbas Mousavi said on Monday that if Europe doesn't take a practical action to remedy its renegade on commitments to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Iran will implement the third phase of reducing commitments decisively.
• Russia: JCPOA Arbitral Commission decided to lift sanctions IRNA 29 Jul 2019 -- Russian Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations said that the states parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action taking part in theJCPOA Arbitral Commission held in Vienna on July 28 decided to usher in the process of lifting sanctions on Iran.
• Iran eyes three-fold increase in propylene output Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- Iranian authorities say the output of propylene, a key hydrocarbon derived from oil and gas refining, would increase by more than three times in the new near future.
• Zarif: We will not compromise on territorial integrity with anybody Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the foreign ministry will not compromise on the country's territorial integrity with anybody, including with regard to Iran's territorial waters.
• Iran begins gasoline export with first shipment to Afghanistan Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- Iran has officially kicked off a long-anticipated program for gasoline export with a shipment to neighboring Afghanistan as authorities seek to offset the impacts of US sanctions on the oil industry through the sale of refined products.
• Iran ready to unleash 3rd nuclear step if EU fails again Press TV 29 Jul 2019 -- Iran has warned the UK, France and Germany -- the three European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal – that it will not hesitate to take the third step in reducing its commitments under the agreement if they once again fail to meet its demands.
• Iran Calls on China and Other Allies to Buy More Oil Amid Beijing's Condemnation of US Sanctions Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- Chinese imports of Iranian oil dropped nearly 60% in June compared to the previous year after the US reinstated its sanctions against the Islamic Republic in May.
• Persian Gulf Security Should Be Ensured Exclusively by Regional Countries - Tehran Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- Persian Gulf states are solely responsible for cooperation on regional security, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi said Monday, blaming local tensions on the presence of non-regional countries.
• 'No Quid Pro Quo': Britain Refuses to Agree to Tanker Swap With Iran Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- The relations between the UK and Iran have been under strain after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps detained a UK-flagged oil tanker earlier this month. The seizure comes against the backdrop of the detainment of an Iranian-flagged vessel off Gibraltar.
• Iran to Continue Reducing JCPOA Commitments If Its Requirements Not Met - Ministry Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- Tehran will continue reducing its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iranian nuclear deal, if Iran's demands are not met, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said.
• Iran Protests Arrival of Second British Navy Vessel In Persian Gulf RFE/RL 29 Jul 2019 -- A second British warship arrived in the Persian Gulf as Iran has called Britain's proposal for a European-led maritime mission to escort tankers in the area "provocative."
• US State Secretary Pompeo Said Iran Did Not Accept His Offer to Visit Tehran Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- US State Secretary Mike Pompeo said that Iran did not accept his offer to visit Tehran and talk directly to Iranian people.
• KMT denounces violence in Hong Kong CNA 29 Jul 2019 -- Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT), seen by many as a more China-friendly political party compared to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), denounced the recent violence in Hong Kong on Monday.
• Central government hails Hong Kong police Global Times 29 Jul 2019 -- The central government on Monday saluted the Hong Kong Police Force and stressed that the priority at the moment is to punish the violent criminals and bring peace and stability back to Hong Kong society.
• Chinese central govt praises HK police, urges society to restore order Global Times 29 Jul 2019 -- Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong, and Western countries have no right to interfere in Hong Kong affairs. And the Hong Kong police have made great efforts to maintain law and order and sacrificed a lot amid recent riots, Yang Guang, a spokesperson of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said on Monday.
• HK opposition should not misjudge situation Global Times 29 Jul 2019 -- Officials from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council expressed their firm support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, Hong Kong police and Chief Executive Carrie Lam at a press conference on Monday. This shows the riots that have lasted over 50 days in Hong Kong failed to waver Beijing's position and shake the "one country, two systems" principle.
• Traitors seek to separate Hong Kong and fuel street violence Global Times 29 Jul 2019 -- Protest against the Hong Kong extradition bill has been used by the opposition to create a violent movement, evident in a series of violent attacks against the Legislative Council, national emblem and innocent civilians, bringing chaos and disruption to Hong Kong's public order and affecting its economy.
• Priority is for HK to maintain sound business climate Global Times 29 Jul 2019 -- Social unrest in Hong Kong has had a negative impact on its international image and it is a priority for the global financial hub to maintain a sound business environment to prevent the local finance industry from facing more risks given the complicated global economic climate, a Chinese official said on Monday.
• Legal professionals of Hong Kong deplore damage of legal system by illegal gatherings, violence People's Daily 29 Jul 2019 -- Violent protesters organized illegal gatherings and even attacked police officers in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at the weekend. Members of the Hong Kong legal profession deplored these radical acts, which they say have sabotaged the social peace and challenged the legal system.
• Two Men Arrested for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 29 Jul 2019 -- John Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Michael Bailey, the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, Michael McGarrity, Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division, and Sean Kaul, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Phoenix Field Office, announced that on July 26, Ahmed Mahad Mohamed and Abdi Yemani Hussein, were arrested for conspiring to provide material support and resources to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
• India's Lunar Probe Three Steps Closer to the Moon: ISRO Sputnik 29 Jul 2019 -- India's lunar probe Chandrayaan 2 has edged closer to the Moon, after a third earth bound orbit raising manoeuvre on Monday.
• Turkmen Celebs Try To Debunk Rumors Of President's Death RFE/RL 29 Jul 2019 -- As rumors persist of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov's demise despite official denials, local celebrities in that tight-lidded nation have taken to Instagram to quell the speculation.
• Top Romanian Court Nullifies Government's Criminal Code Reversals RFE/RL 29 Jul 2019 -- Romania's Constitutional Court has struck down amendments to the Criminal Code made by the government -- a ruling that comes amid public outrage over the suspected kidnapping, rape, and murder of a teenage girl whose telephone calls to an emergency hotline were mishandled by police.