Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Trump Renews Promise to Withdraw US Troops from Afghanistan VOA 28 May 2020 -- President Donald Trump has renewed his resolve to "bring our soldiers back home" from Afghanistan, publicly questioning again the goal of the current U.S. military mission to the war-torn country.
• At least 14 Afghan militants killed in separate Taliban attacks: Officials Press TV 28 May 2020 -- At least 14 members of Afghanistan's security forces have been killed in an attack blamed on the Taliban, officials say, the first deadly assaults since a three-day ceasefire between the government and the militants ended.
• Taliban Delegation In Kabul For Talks As Officials Blame Militants For Deadly Attack RFE/RL 28 May 2020 -- A Taliban delegation has arrived in Kabul for talks over a prisoner swap, just hours after Afghan officials blamed the militant group for a deadly attack in the country's north.
• US Coast Guard Seizes Half Ton of Cocaine near Puerto Rico VOA 28 May 2020 -- The U.S Coast Guard said crews from two of its cutters recovered nearly 500 kilograms of cocaine off the coast of Puerto Rico.
• Iowa National Guard helps set up COVID-19 test site Army News 28 May 2020 -- Members of the Iowa Air and Army National Guard, working with the Iowa Department of Public Health, helped set up a COVID-19 test site in Northwest Iowa.
• Oklahoma Guard supports statewide COVID-19 contact tracing Army News 28 May 2020 -- The Oklahoma National Guard is assisting the Oklahoma State Department of Health with COVID-19 contact tracing to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Senior Leaders host Global Virtual Town Hall on COVID-19 DoD 28 May 2020 -- Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper; Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley; Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Chairman Ramon Colon-Lopez
• VP-40 Completes Fleet's Final Active Duty P-8A Transition NNS 28 May 2020 -- The Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 Fighting Marlins successfully completed transition from the P-3C Orion to the P-8A Poseidon, the Navy's newest maritime patrol aircraft, May 14.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 28 May 2020
• DOD Announces Defense Production Act Title 3 COVID-19 PPE Project: $2.2 Million Investment Will Increase U.S. Domestic Production of N95 Mask Respirator and Mask Ventilator Filter Production by Over 30 Million Combined Over the Next 120 Days DoD 28 May 2020 -- The Department of Defense, in support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has signed a $2.2 million contract with Hollingsworth & Vose to increase U.S. domestic production of 27.5 million N95 ventilator filters, and 3.1 million N95 respirators per month, starting in August.
• Leaders Describe Lessons Learned From COVID-19 Risk Mitigation DoD News 28 May 2020 -- Some practices adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic have benefitted the troops and may be continued after the pandemic abates, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said.
• DOD, USAF Warfare Center to Build a 5G Network, Test Prototype Software at Nellis DoD 28 May 2020 -- The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) and the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center (USAFWC) at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada have teamed to build a fifth-generation (5G) cellular network on Nellis as part of DOD's development of 5G for both defense and civilian uses.
• F-35s arrive at MCAS Miramar USMC News 28 May 2020 -- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 welcomed its most recent delivery of the F-35C Lightning II at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar May 18, 2020.
• AFRL, AFSOC launch palletized weapons from cargo plane US Air Force 28 May 2020 -- Through a partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Air Force Special Operations Command successfully released simulated palletized munitions in three airdrops at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, Jan. 28 from an MC-130J Commando II, a multi-mission, combat, transport and special operations tanker.
• US to conduct nuclear test 'within months' if Trump orders: Pentagon Press TV 28 May 2020 -- A senior Pentagon official says the US could carry out a live nuclear test "within months" if President Donald Trump orders it.
• NATO Secretary General discusses impact of COVID-19 with military commanders NATO 28 May 2020 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed NATO military commanders by videoconference on Thursday (28 May 2020). The conference, hosted by Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Tod D. Wolters, provided an opportunity for commanders across Allied Command Operations to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on NATO missions, operations and activities.
• Spain successfully completes first month leading NATO's Baltic Air Policing NATO 28 May 2020 -- Spain will complete its first month leading the current rotation of NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission this week, after taking over on the 1st of May. Based at Šiauliai Airbase in Lithuania, the Spanish Air Force is helping to protect the airspace of NATO's Baltic Allies Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania until the end of August. Spain's deployment is supplemented by detachments of UK jets at Siauliai, as well as French jets based at Amari Airbase in Estonia.
• Russia Cannot Rule Out Washington's Potential Withdrawal from Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Sputnik 28 May 2020 -- The Washington Post has reported, citing sources, that the US Administration is discussing the possibility of the US conducting its first nuclear test since 1992.
• Sweden Eyes New 'Psychological Defence' Authority Against Foreign Threats Sputnik 28 May 2020 -- A new authority tasked with boosting society's "overall resilience within the psychological defence" should be established, according to investigator Anders Danielsson. In his own words, this aims to "safeguard the formation of opinions" and "parry undue influence and other misleading information".
• Military deputy to NPC calls for improved actual combat level under normalized epidemic prevention and control PLA Daily 28 May 2020 -- In a special test to combat COVID-19, Chinese military has worked hard for more than 80 days and achieved the goal of winning the battle with zero infection. Currently, implementing military training under conditions of normalized epidemic prevention and control is an emerging concern for the troops.
• China Seen As Rising Military Power In Central Asia, Foreshadowing Future Friction With Russia RFE/RL 28 May 2020 -- China is steadily increasing its security footprint in Central Asia and closing the gap with Russia, a trend that could see Moscow's influence "undermined in the coming decade," according to a new report.
• Over 100 vessels in various classes join IRGC navy IRNA 28 May 2020 -- More than 100 vessels in various classes joined The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) naval base in Bandar Abbas on Thursday in the presence of Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami and the IRGC Commander Hossein Salami.
• More than 100 domestically-built missile-launching speed boats join Iran's naval fleet Press TV 28 May 2020 -- Iranian naval forces have received more than 100 missile-launching speed boats designed and manufactured by experts at home, in what will boost the Islamic Republic's offensive power in the strategic Persian Gulf waters.
• More Than 100 Gunboats Delivered To Revolutionary Guard's Navy Radio Farda 28 May 2020 -- In a ceremony in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on Thursday more than 100 new gunboats were delivered to the Revolutionary Guard's Naval Force.
• Iran tightening Persian Gulf security belt, defense minister says IRNA 28 May 2020 -- Iran's Minister of Defense Brigadier-General Amir Hatami said on Thursday that with the production and delivery of the combat speedboats to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) navy forces, the security belt of the Persian Gulf region, the Strait of Hormuz in particular, will be more tightened.
• Kuwait - Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancements (MSEs) with Canisters DSCA 28 May 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of eighty-four (84) Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancements (MSEs) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $800 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Kuwait - Patriot Missile Repair and Return DSCA 28 May 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of a Patriot missile Repair and Return program for an estimated cost of $200 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Kuwait - Patriot Program Sustainment and Technical Assistance Support DSCA 28 May 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of Patriot program sustainment and technical assistance as follow-on support for an estimated cost of $425 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Japanese Study to Find Site for Missile Defence System Delayed Due to COVID-19 - Reports Sputnik 28 May 2020 -- An ongoing study in northern Japan to find a suitable site for the deployment of a US-made Aegis Ashore ground-based missile system has been delayed due to the ongoing coronavirus disease outbreak, the NHK broadcaster reported on Thursday citing a source involved in the investigation.
• Taiwan aiming to buy coastal defense missile system from U.S.: official CNA 28 May 2020 -- Vice Defense Minister Chang Che-ping (張哲平) said Thursday that Taiwan will seek to purchase a coastal defense missile system from the United States to boost its anti-ship arsenal.
• Pentagon Reportedly Signs Off on Additional $125 Million in Lethal Military Aid to Ukraine Sputnik 28 May 2020 -- The US has already provided the country some $1.5 billion in 'security assistance' over the past five years, including everything from patrol vehicles and fast boats to radar systems, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and training support.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 28, 2020

Other Conflicts

• Security Council: Paralysis and 'political infighting' must end, to boost COVID-19 fight: EU foreign affairs chief UN News 28 May 2020 -- The global coronavirus pandemic is testing the multilateral system like never before and the Security Council must stop the "infighting", and step up to the challenge, the European Union's foreign policy chief told the 15-member body on Thursday.
• In Letter to UN Chief, Indonesia Takes Stand on South China Sea Radio Free Asia 28 May 2020 -- Indonesia added its weight to recent diplomatic moves by ASEAN members opposing Beijing's claims in the South China Sea, sending a rare diplomatic note to the head of the United Nations earlier this week.
• US Conducts 2nd Freedom of Navigation Operation in Paracels in a Month Radio Free Asia 28 May 2020 -- The U.S. Navy on Thursday sailed a guided missile destroyer close to the Paracel Islands, its latest freedom of navigation operation in the disputed South China Sea, drawing a furious reaction from Beijing.
• PLA expels US warship illegally trespassing into S.China Sea Global Times 28 May 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Thursday expelled a US warship that trespassed into Chinese territorial waters off the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea, and the US operation amid the COVID-19 pandemic showed the US is the source that sabotages peace and stability in the South China Sea, a Chinese military spokesperson said on Thursday.
• China slams US warship's illegal intrusion into China's territorial waters off Xisha Islands PLA Daily 28 May 2020 -- A US guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin trespassed into Chinese territorial waters off the Xisha Islands without China's permission on May 28, 2020. In response, the Southern Theater Command (STC) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) organized naval and air forces to conduct whole-process monitoring and verification on the US warship and warned off it. Senior Colonel Li Huamin, spokesperson for the PLA STC, said in a written statement on Thursday.
• Saudi-led coalition impounding 20 ships loaded with food, oil off Yemen coast: Official Press TV 28 May 2020 -- The Saudi-led coalition waging a brutal military campaign against Yemen is reportedly seizing nearly two dozen ships carrying food and oil supplies for the impoverished and war-ravaged Arab country.
• Saudi-led coalition conducts 47 new airstrikes on Yemen Press TV 28 May 2020 -- Warplanes from the Saudi-led military coalition waging war on Yemen have carried out 47 airstrikes on different parts in the country, further destroying the impoverished country's infrastructure.
• Yemen: Humanitarians seeking $2.41 billion to keep aid flowing amid COVID-19 pandemic UN News 28 May 2020 -- UN agencies and their global partners are seeking $2.41 billion to fight COVID-19 spread in Yemen while continuing to support millions affected by the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
• Syrian civilians block US military convoys seeking to enter two villages in Hasakah Press TV 28 May 2020 -- The residents of two small villages in the northern countryside of Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah have blocked US military convoys attempting to pass through their areas, forcing them to return to their bases.
• Infighting flares up among Turkish-backed militants over stolen objects in Syria's Hasakah province Press TV 28 May 2020 -- Several Turkish-backed militants have been killed and injured during a fierce infighting between Turkish-backed rival groups in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah, a local media report says.
• Interview: Russia And Turkey Kick A 'Wasp's Nest' In Libya RFE/RL 28 May 2020 -- Russia and Turkey seem to be on the brink of a serious confrontation in Libya, while simultaneously supporting opposing sides in the civil war in Syria.
• Libya's Economic Losses From Ports Blockade Reach About $5 Billion, National Oil Corporation Says Sputnik 28 May 2020 -- Economic losses resulting from the blockade of Libyan ports used by the National Oil Corporation (NOC) have reached about $5 billion, the NOC reports.
• Armed bandits kill 60 people in northwest Nigeria Press TV 28 May 2020 -- Armed bandits have killed at least 60 people in a string of attacks on villages in the restive northwest of Nigeria, local sources say.
• Armed bandits kill 60 people in northwest Nigeria Press TV 28 May 2020 -- Armed bandits have killed at least 60 people in a string of attacks on villages in the restive northwest of Nigeria, local sources say.
• Takfiri militants kill 40 civilians in DR Congo Press TV 28 May 2020 -- Takfiri militants have launched a brutal attack on a village in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo near the Ugandan border, killing at least 40 civilians.
• India Rules Out Mediation Offer by US President Trump on Border Stand-off With China Sputnik 28 May 2020 -- US President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, took to Twitter to inform India and China about Washington's readiness to mediate their border stand-off which erupted in the first week of May over infrastructure development works in the Ladakh region.
• India, China Prepare for Long Haul as Satellite Images Show Heavy Troop, Vehicle Movement in Ladakh Sputnik 28 May 2020 -- India and China say they are using diplomatic channels to deflate border tension but the heavy movement of troops and vehicles suggest otherwise. The Asian giants have been in a conflict over infrastructure development near the Line of Actual Control.
• Myanmar NGOs Call on National Rights Body to Take Up Abuses in Conflict Zones Radio Free Asia 28 May 2020 -- More than 20 rights NGOs have urged the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, which was revamped in January and has been criticized as toothless, to focus on reported rights violations committed during the COVID-19 pandemic by military troops in conflicts in Rakhine, Kachin, and Shan states.
• Tajikistan Accuses Kyrgyzstan Of 'Destabilizing' Border Situation After Another Shooting RFE/RL 28 May 2020 -- Tajikistan's Border Guarding Directorate has accused Kyrgyzstan of "attempting to destabilize" the situation at a disputed segment of the border between the two Central Asian nations after fresh clashes in recent days.

News Reports

• US Democrats in House of Representatives Pull Vote on Surveillance Bill Extension Sputnik 28 May 2020 -- Leading Democrats in the US House of Representatives have pulled a vote to reauthorize three surveillance programs, which the Federal Bureau of Investigation views as a vital tool in defending against terrorism, after President Donald Trump urged lawmakers to oppose the bill.
• House Democrats Withdraw Controversial Surveillance Authorization Bill VOA 28 May 2020 -- U.S. House Democrats cancelled a scheduled vote on a controversial set of surveillance authorization measures Thursday, citing the threat of a presidential veto looming over their efforts to pass the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
• Russian Ambassador Summoned to German Foreign Ministry Over Hacking Attack on Bundestag Sputnik 28 May 2020 -- Earlier in May, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Germany still hasn't presented any evidence that Russia was involved in the 2015 hacking of emails from computers in the Bundestag.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, May 28, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 May 2020
• Venezuela reaches deal with UN to buy food, medicine with gold Press TV 28 May 2020 -- Venezuela has reached a deal with the United Nations to purchase food and medicine with gold amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to its central bank governor.
• Venezuela, UN Reach Deal to Spend Part of Gold Assets Frozen in UK Vaults on Pandemic Response Sputnik 28 May 2020 -- The Bank of England froze an estimated $1.2 billion worth of Venezuelan gold in its vaults last year, after London joined other US allies in recognizing self-proclaimed 'interim president' Juan Guaido as the Latin American nation's ruler. The haul is just part of the tens of billions of dollars in Venezuelan assets frozen in banks abroad.
• China's Campaign to Cut Plastic Trash Delayed by Coronavirus Radio Free Asia 28 May 2020 -- China's coronavirus lockdown has brought a halt to the nation's nascent efforts to recycle plastic trash.
• China, US should respect each others' core interests: Chinese PM warns Press TV 28 May 2020 -- The Chinese prime minister says China and the United States should respect each others' core interests and try to settle their differences, warning that persisting rows between Beijing and Washington will harm both sides.
• Billions in the Balance as US Weighs Changing Hong Kong Trade Status VOA 28 May 2020 -- Billions of dollars in trade are hanging in the balance as U.S. lawmakers consider suspending Hong Kong's special trading status after the State Department said it could no longer certify the territory's high degree of autonomy from China.
• Joint Statement on Hong Kong US Dept. of State 28 May 2020 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
• US, 3 Other Countries Condemn China's Move to Control Hong Kong VOA 28 May 2020 -- The U.S., Britain, Australia and Canada on Thursday condemned China's decision to impose a national security law on Hong Kong, saying it would "dramatically erode" its autonomy and threaten its stability and prosperity.
• UK Joins Condemnation of China's Hong Kong Bill as Undermining 'One Country, Two Systems' Principle Sputnik 28 May 2020 -- The new security legislation for Hong Kong has made it a crime for citizens to undermine Beijing's authority in the territory. It could also see China installing its own security agencies in the region for the first time.
• China Rubber-Stamps Plan to Impose Sedition Law on Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 28 May 2020 -- Beijing on Thursday ratified a plan to impose draconian sedition and subversion legislation on Hong Kong that would enable its feared state security police to operate in the city, which was promised the continuation of its traditional freedoms under the 1997 handover to China.
• Chinese Parliament Passes Resolution on Hong Kong Security Bill Sputnik 28 May 2020 -- Protests have erupted in Hong Kong in recent days over two controversial bills, which are being reviewed by the Chinese parliament. One of the bills seeks to outlaw secessionism in the territory, while the other stipulates hefty fines or jail terms for those ridiculing China's anthem.
• China's Parliament Approves Controversial National Security Law for Hong Kong VOA 28 May 2020 -- China's rubber stamp parliament has approved a new national security law for Hong Kong that critics say threatens the city's semi-autonomous status.
• Highlights of China's decision on Hong Kong national security legislation PLA Daily 28 May 2020 -- China's national legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), on Thursday adopted a decision on Hong Kong national security legislation.
• China rejects US call for UN Security Council meeting over Hong Kong Press TV 28 May 2020 -- China has rejected attempts by the United States to have the United Nations Security Council hold a meeting over Beijing's proposed national security law for Hong Kong, emphasizing that the issue is an internal matter.
• International Concerns Grow Over Rule of Law in Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 28 May 2020 -- The passage through China's rubber-stamp parliament of plans to impose a draconian subversion and sedition law on Hong Kong sparked further international criticism on Thursday, with the governments of the U.K., U.S., Australia, and Canada expressing "deep concern" over the city's future.
• Tsai denounces China's approved national security law for Hong Kong CNA 28 May 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Thursday that a national security law approved by China earlier in the day would undermine freedom and rule of law in Hong Kong and that her administration was planning how best to assist asylum seekers from the special administrative region.
• Taiwan finalizing plan to help Hong Kong asylum seekers: MAC CNA 28 May 2020 -- The Taiwan government is devising an action plan to offer humanitarian assistance to people in Hong Kong who wish to seek asylum, and the draft will be completed within a week, the agency in charge of cross-Taiwan Strait relations said Thursday.
• China's top legislature adopts draft decision on HK national security legislation Global Times 28 May 2020 -- China's top legislature voted on Thursday to adopt a draft decision on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) to safeguard national security at the closing meeting of the third session of the 13th National People's Congress.
• US cancellation of HK special status 'beneath notice' Global Times 28 May 2020 -- The US' move to announce that Hong Kong is "no longer autonomous from China" and threatening to cancel the city's special status in trade won't shake China's determination to finish national security legislation for Hong Kong to crack down on anti-China activities in the city sponsored by the US and other foreign interests, said Chinese analysts, and they even encouraged the central government to speed up the legislation to clean up the mess in Hong Kong as soon as possible.
• Pompeo makes arrogant, hysterical statements about HK autonomy Global Times 28 May 2020 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement in the late evening on Wednesday (Beijing time) that reads, "No reasonable person can assert today that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy from China." He stated that Hong Kong "does not continue to warrant treatment under United States laws in the same manner as US laws were applied to Hong Kong before July 1997." He also said hypocritically, "We stand with the people of Hong Kong."
• Education on Chinese history and national identity needs to be boosted in Hong Kong: experts Global Times 28 May 2020 -- As the Ministry of Education is in its annual process of selecting and dispatching teachers from the Chinese mainland to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, some experts and officials are calling for a boost to education on Chinese history and national identity among students and teachers.
• China adopts decision to make Hong Kong national security laws People's Daily 28 May 2020 -- China is set to make Hong Kong national security laws as a related decision was adopted at the national legislature on Thursday.
• Chinese lawmakers deliberate draft decision on Hong Kong national security legislation People's Daily 28 May 2020 -- Chinese lawmakers deliberating a draft decision on national security legislation for Hong Kong agreed that it is a major move that will help safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.
• HKSAR Legislative Council resumes 2nd reading debate on National Anthem Bill People's Daily 28 May 2020 -- The Legislative Council (LegCo) of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday resumed the second reading debate on the National Anthem Bill and will continue the debate on Thursday as the procedure is not finished.
• Chinese premier says China fully, faithfully implements "one country, two systems" People's Daily 28 May 2020 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Thursday said the Chinese central government has been fully and faithfully implementing "one country, two systems."
• China fully, faithfully implements "one country, two systems": premier PLA Daily 28 May 2020 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Thursday said the central government has been fully and faithfully implementing "one country, two systems."
• Highlights from Premier Li's news conference People's Daily 28 May 2020 -- Premier Li Keqiang started a press conference Thursday after the closing of the third session of the 13th National People's Congress.
• China has wisdom, ability to handle its own affairs: premier People's Daily 28 May 2020 -- The Chinese nation has the wisdom and capabilities to handle its own affairs, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday.
• Li maintains focus on economy amid rising tensions Global Times 28 May 2020 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday sent the clearest signal yet that China will maintain its strategic focus on keeping domestic social and economic development stable, even as the country faces an increasingly complex and challenging external environment marked by near "cold war" tensions with the US.
• Top legislature adopts Civil Code Global Times 28 May 2020 -- If someone steals my virtual goods in a video game, can I get them back? Can my unborn baby inherit property? Can I sue someone for using my voice for deep faking?Now, you can get the answers to all these questions simply by opening the encyclopedia of your life, China's first Civil Code, which has been adopted by the nation's top legislature.
• China slams 'unjust' Huawei CFO ruling Global Times 28 May 2020 -- A Canadian court on Thursday defied widespread expectations and ruled to keep Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou in custody, a move China firmly opposes, with Chinese experts saying it shows that Canada has completely surrendered its self-proclaimed judicial and diplomatic independence to US bullying, and foreshadows the "worst-ever" China-Canada ties.
• China expresses firm opposition to Huawei CFO ruling, urging Canada to release the Chinese citizen Global Times 28 May 2020 -- China has expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to a Canadian court's ruling to keep Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in custody, urging the country to immediately release the Chinese citizen.
• Ruling on Meng 'won't alter Huawei's set strategy Global Times 28 May 2020 -- A court ruling in Canada over the fate of Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou has again put the Chinese tech giant in the global spotlight. The ruling, though disappointing, won't alter the firm's set strategy toward the US supplies ban - from building backups and finding alternatives to quietly adjusting its management structure for long-term development.
• China's top legislature holds closing meeting of annual session People's Daily 28 May 2020 -- Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
• China to promote peaceful reunification: premier People's Daily 28 May 2020 -- China will promote the peaceful reunification of the country, Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday in response to a question related to Taiwan.
• US indicts N Koreans, accuses state-owned bank of evading sanctions Press TV 28 May 2020 -- The United States has accused a North Korean bank of breaking US sanctions laws and indicted two dozen North Korean and Chinese individuals over charges of money laundering, bank fraud and other crimes.
• UK temporarily closes North Korea embassy due to difficulties caused by coronavirus restrictions Press TV 28 May 2020 -- The United Kingdom has temporarily closed its embassy in North Korea and pulled out its diplomatic personnel from the country, the UK ambassador to Pyongyang has announced.
• Britain Closes Embassy in North Korea Citing Strict Coronavirus Restrictions VOA 28 May 2020 -- Britain's ambassador to North Korea says the embassy has temporarily closed in the autocratic regime due to strict coronavirus restrictions.
• Russia blasts US for ending Iran sanctions waivers, quitting intl. treaties Press TV 28 May 2020 -- Russia condemns the United States for undermining international security by deciding to end waivers on the American sanctions that target Iran and withdraw from a number of international treaties, including a recent one pertaining to unarmed surveillance flights.
• Diplomat: US pulls final plug in violating JCPOA, UNSCR 2231 IRNA 28 May 2020 -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi referred to US' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's decision to end sanctions waiver on JCPOA-related projects in Iran, saying US has pulled the final plug in violating UNSCR 2231.
• Brian Hook To Iran: Negotiate Or Manage Economic Collapse Radio Farda 28 May 2020 -- The U.S. Special Representative for Iran on Wednesday reiterated that maximum economic pressure on Iran would prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
• U.S. Ending Sanctions Waivers On Iran's Civilian Nuclear Program RFE/RL 28 May 2020 -- The United States has announced it will end sanctions waivers that allow Russian, Chinese, and European firms to carry out civilian nuclear cooperation with Iran, effectively scrapping the last remnants of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a move dismissed by Tehran as "desperate."
• Iran Rejects US Cancelation of Nuclear Sanctions Waivers VOA 28 May 2020 -- Iran says a U.S. move to cancel the last remaining sanctions waivers from the 2015 nuclear agreement will not impact its nuclear work.
• Fourth Iranian oil tanker enters Venezuelan special economic zone IRNA 28 May 2020 -- The fourth Iranian tanker carrying fuel for Venezuela has entered the country's special economic zone, according to a report by MarineTraffic.
• Fuel Shipments To Venezuela Hailed In Iran As 'Humiliation For America' Radio Farda 28 May 2020 -- Fuel shipments to Venezuela are being celebrated in some Iranian circles as a blow to the United States, which has imposed heavy sanctions on Tehran and Caracas targeting both regimes.
• Lawmakers elect Ex-Tehran mayor Qalibaf as new Parliament speaker Press TV 28 May 2020 -- Iranian lawmakers have overwhelmingly voted to elect ex-Tehran mayor Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf as speaker of the country's newly-inaugurated Parliament (Majlis).
• Who Is Qalibaf, Iran's New Parliament Speaker Radio Farda 28 May 2020 -- Brigadier General Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf who was elected as the Speaker of Iran's parliament (Majles) on Thursday May 28, has 40 years of experience in military, political, economic, policing and urban management. Nonetheless, he is best known for being implicated in major financial corruption cases.
• Former Tehran Mayor Becomes Speaker Of Parliament RFE/RL 28 May 2020 -- Iran's new hard-line-controlled parliament has elected former Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who served as air force commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), as its speaker for one year.
• Iran UN envoy: 'Desperate' US move to end sanctions waivers 'pulls final plug' on JCPOA Press TV 28 May 2020 -- Iran's ambassador to the United Nations says the US has destroyed the last means of retention of the 2015 nuclear agreement between the Islamic Republic and major world powers by ending waivers for sanctions prohibiting nuclear cooperation with Tehran.
• Iran Police Arrests Fourteen On Charges Of Separatism In Southern City Radio Farda 28 May 2020 -- The Law Enforcement Commander of Khuzestan Province on Wednesday said the security police of Mahshahr Port has arrested "fourteen agents of Takfiri and separatist groups".
• Turkey Replacing Natural Gas Imports From Iran, Russia By LNG From The US Radio Farda 28 May 2020 -- Official Turkish data show a significant drop in natural gas imports from its eastern neighbor, Iran, in the first quarter of 2020.
• Iran Can Supply Itself With Nuclear Fuel Without Russia's Help - Atomic Energy Body Sputnik 28 May 2020 -- Iran is capable of supplying itself with nuclear fuel even without Russia's assistance, Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) spokesman, Behruz Kamalvandi, said on Thursday.
• Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office Drops Graft Probe Into Former Ruling Party Official RFE/RL 28 May 2020 -- The Bulgarian Prosecutor-General's Office has terminated a 14-month investigation into how Tsvetan Tsvetanov, the former deputy chairman of the GERB ruling party, acquired a luxury apartment in the capital, Sofia.
• Kosovo's President Welcomes Court Ruling On Appointment Of Prime Minister RFE/RL 28 May 2020 -- Kosovar President Hashim Thaci has welcomed a decision of the Constitutional Court upholding his decree appointing a new prime minister to replace acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
• U.S. Blacklists Bosnian Politician Over Involvement In 'Significant Corruption' RFE/RL 28 May 2020 -- The U.S. State Department has blacklisted Amir Zukic, a former member of Bosnia-Herzegovina's lower house of parliament who is accused of involvement in "significant corruption" in the Balkan country.
• Kazakh Parliament's Upper Chamber Approves Bill On 'Parliamentary Opposition' RFE/RL 28 May 2020 -- Kazakh parliament's upper chamber, the Senate, has approved a draft law introducing the concept of an opposition, legislation that has been dubbed in the media as the "parliamentary opposition" bill and harshly criticized as misleading by the tightly controlled Central Asian nation's political opposition.