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News Reports

Current Operations

• Afghans Worry About Medical Charity Withdrawal from Kabul Hospital VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- A decision last week by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders to end its operation in Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital has been met with concern among Afghans that it could diminish the quality of essential maternal care in the Afghan capital.
• National Guard in US Capital Ready to Help Police Protect Monuments, Pentagon Says Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- About 400 US National Guardsmen in the nation's capital are prepared to help support the police in their mission to protect federal monuments from being destroyed by protesters, Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Chris Mitchell said.
• Pentagon Extends Mission at Mexico Border, But Decreases Number of Troops VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- The Pentagon will put up to 4,000 troops at the U.S. southern border with Mexico from this October through September 2021, a move that will decrease the overall number of troops there while extending the mission another year.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Northern Strike remains Guard's premier joint fires exercise Army News 25 Jun 2020 -- Since 2012, exercise Northern Strike has been held at Michigan National Guard training facilities, morphing into the Department of Defense's largest annual joint, reserve component readiness event. This year the exercise will look different, but will still take place as the DOD's premier joint fires integration training opportunity.
• Army researchers augment combat vehicles with AI Army News 25 Jun 2020 -- When Soldiers enter a new environment, their mission demands they stay one step ahead of the enemy; however, they may find it challenging to maintain a high level of alertness if they're driving a combat vehicle across unfamiliar or dangerous terrain.
• Prepping For the Pacific: US Navy Acquires Two Second-Hand MQ-9A Reaper Drones Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- A $26.8 million contract from US Naval Air Systems Command has been awarded to US-based defense corporation General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. for the delivery of two MQ-9A Reaper unmanned air systems (UAS) and accompanying ground control equipment.
• Navy Establishes COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Program NNS 25 Jun 2020 -- The U.S. Navy established a surveillance testing program, called Sentinel Surveillance Testing (SST), to test asymptomatic service members for COVID-19 June 25. This testing will enable the service to detect asymptomatic COVID-positive individuals, assist in bounding an outbreak, and detect any potential second wave or resurgence of the disease early.
• B-52s demonstrate bilateral, joint force integration in Indo-Pacific US Air Force 25 Jun 2020 -- Two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers integrated with the Koku-Jieitai, or Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) fighters and U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growlers over the Sea of Japan, June, 17.
• Air Force, Navy sign memo establishing Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling service-lead transfer US Air Force 25 Jun 2020 -- Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen W. Wilson and Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. William K. Lescher signed a Memorandum of Agreement June 24 transferring the lead responsibility of Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., from the Navy to the Air Force.
• Bataan Amphibious Ready Group Marine Expeditionary Unit aviation assets conduct live-fire training in Albania USMC News 25 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venoms and AH-1W Super Cobras assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and attached to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group participated in a live-fire training exercise in Bize, Albania, June 22, 2020.
• With 161 Days Consecutively Operating At Sea, Dwight D. Eisenhower and San Jacinto Break U.S. Navy Record NNS 25 Jun 2020 -- As of June 25, 2020, the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) and its escort ship, the guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), have been continuously at sea for 161 days, setting a new record for the U.S. Navy.
• USS Oak Hill Departs the Black Sea NNS 25 Jun 2020 -- The Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) began its southbound transit from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, June 25, after conducting maritime security operations alongside the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78).
• Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Conduct Maritime Training Exercise with Italian, French Partners NNS 25 Jun 2020 -- The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted a maritime training exercise with naval ships and aircraft from Italy and France, June 24.
• USS Preble Returns After Successful Counter-Narcotics Deployment NNS 25 Jun 2020 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) returned to their homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam following the ship's surge deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations, June 25.
• Trump says "probably" sending U.S. troops from Germany to Poland People's Daily 25 Jun 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he probably would send some U.S. troops from Germany to Poland during his joint press conference with visiting Polish President Andrzej Duda.
• Trump: US moving troops to Poland to send 'very strong signal' to Russia Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- President Donald Trump has said that the United States plans to redeploy some troops from Germany to Poland "to send a very strong signal to Russia."
• US sanctions against international court staff a 'direct attack' on judicial independence UN News 25 Jun 2020 -- The decision by the United States to authorize sanctions targeting staff at the International Criminal Court (ICC) is "a direct attack to the institution's judicial independence", UN human rights experts said on Thursday.
• Deputy Secretary General Geoană at Jagello Conference: Health and economic downturn should not become a security crisis NATO 25 Jun 2020 -- Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană delivered a virtual address to the Jagello Security Conference on Thursday (25 June 2020) and commended the Czech Republic for its generous support to Allies during the COVID 19 pandemic, including with donations of medical equipment to Italy, Spain, and North Macedonia.
• Chinese military conducts high-altitude training: spokesperson PLA Daily 25 Jun 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army Tibet Military Command recently held an exercise in a high-elevation region, a spokesperson said Wednesday.
• Chinese military steps up training under regular epidemic control PLA Daily 25 Jun 2020 -- The Chinese military has stepped up training under regular epidemic prevention and control measures, a military spokesperson said Wednesday.
• India Urges Russia to Deliver Igla-S Missile System ASAP Amid Border Tensions, Media Claims Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- Media outlets earlier reported that Indian authorities have decided to "pressure" Russia into expediting the delivery of its S-400 air defence missile system to New Delhi amid the latter's ongoing border face-off with China.
• Delivery of Kowsar jets proves failure of US sanctions IRNA 25 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Defense Minister says that delivery of three domestically-built Kowsar fighter jets to Army Air Force carried a message to the enemies, US in particular, that the US sanctions have worked to the contrary.
• Three Kowsar fighter jets delivered to Iran Army Air Force IRNA 25 Jun 2020 -- Three domestically-built Kowsar fighter jets were delivered on Thursday to Iran's Army Air Force.
• Iran Air Force gets domestically-made Kowsar fighter jets Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Air Force has received three advanced fighter jets designed and manufactured by the country's experts as the Islamic Republic moves to renovate its air fleet.
• Advanced Domestically-Made Fighter Jets Enter Service With Iranian Air Force Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- In late May, Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force commander Mohammad Zalbeigi said that the creation of a new Iranian-made fighter jet is just a matter of time, despite the burden of US sanctions.
• Japan confirms cancellation of US missile system deployment Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Japan's government has confirmed the cancellation of a plan to deploy a multibillion-dollar US anti-missile system in the country, amid pressure from local residents complaining about the health risks posed by the project.
• Japan Abandons Plans to Deploy US Aegis Ashore Missile Defence System Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- Japan has abandoned its plans to deploy US Aegis Ashore land-based missile defence system, the Kyodo news agency reported on Thursday, citing Defence Minister Taro Kono.
• Japan to Abandon US Missile Defense System VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- Japan Defense Minister Taro Kono announced Thursday Japan had decided to scrap plans to deploy the U.S.-made land-based Aegis Ashore missile defense system that was intended to protect Japan from North Korean threats.
• U.S. defense bill supports Taiwan's military, COVID-19 cooperation CNA 25 Jun 2020 -- The Armed Services Committee of the U.S. Senate released on Tuesday its version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes provisions that support both the strengthening of Taiwan's military and further cooperation on efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Three U.S. military planes spotted south of Taiwan CNA 25 Jun 2020 -- Three American military aircraft were seen Thursday flying over the Bashi Channel, a strategic waterway south of Taiwan that is used by Chinese submarines sailing from Hainan Province into the Pacific.
• A New Transatlantic Dialogue US Dept. of State 25 Jun 2020 -- Speech by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 25, 2020

Other Conflicts

• Japan and ASEAN Weigh China Threat in Disputed Seas Radio Free Asia 25 Jun 2020 -- Japan and the members of the Southeast Asian bloc voiced concerns Thursday over increasing tensions in the South and East China Seas, as China's assertiveness grows and ASEAN considers when to resume negotiations with Beijing on a code of conduct.
• 'What a Busy Day!': Four US Surveillance Planes Spotted Over South China Sea Wednesday Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- On Wednesday, four US surveillance planes and a cargo transport were spotted flying past Taiwan and over the South China Sea. However, this was just the busiest day in a string of US surveillance flights over the region.
• UN warns Yemen's economy heading for 'unprecedented calamity' due to aid cuts Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- The United Nations has warned that Yemen's war-ravaged economy is going to plunge into an "unprecedented calamity" due to large cuts in humanitarian aid, slowing remittances, a weakening currency, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Civilians in northeastern Syrian village stop another US convoy, force it to return to base Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Another US military convoy has been forced to turn back from an area in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah after a group of people blocked a road and prevented it from driving through their community.
• Syrian protesters vow to fully liberate Golan Heights from Israeli occupation Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- A large number of Syrian demonstrators have gathered to protest Tel Aviv's control over the Golan Heights, which the Israeli regime has been occupying for more than half a century.
• Israel's plan to annex parts of West Bank amounts to 'declaration of war': Hamas Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, has severely denounced the Israeli regime's planned annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank and the Jordan Valley, saying the contentious decision amounts to a "declaration of war" on the Palestinian nation.
• Hamas Says 'Annexation' of West Bank by Israel Declaration of War Against Palestinians Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- The Hamas Islamist movement will consider an extension of sovereignty over parts of the West Bank by Israel a declaration of war against Palestinians, Abu Ubaida, the spokesman for a Hamas military wing, the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, said on Thursday.
• UN Official Warns Against Israeli Annexation of Part of West Bank VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- As the July 1 date for Israel's annexation of part of the West Bank approaches, international officials warn that the move would be a violation of international law. The head of the Arab League said that if Israel goes ahead it could spark a religious war, and Hamas in Gaza said the annexation would be a declaration of war.
• China, India Open New Front of Escalation With Deployment of Heavy Vehicles, Troops in Depsang Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- The Indian Army on Tuesday announced that it had reached a consensus with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to disengage from the Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso. Army sources said that the disengagement process started on Wednesday evening.
• India, China Swear Upon Past Agreements, New Confidence-Building Measures to Break Stand-off Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- India and China have been in a border stand-off along the 4,057km long Line of Actual Control since the last week of April. The tensions between the neighbours escalated last week when 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a violent face-off between the Indian Army and PLA.
• India, Pakistan Engage in Mortar Shelling, Firefight at Border Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- India and Pakistan, at odds over Jammu and Kashmir since independence, have been accusing each other of constant ceasefire violations across the Line of Control (LoC). While India claimed that Pakistan has violated the ceasefire over 2,000 times in 2020, Islamabad accused New Delhi of breaking the pact over 957 times.
• Two Terrorists Killed, 5 Members of Pakistan-Based Terror Group Lashkar-e-Taiba Arrested in Kashmir Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- Indian security forces have been engaged in major counter-terror operations in the Kashmir Valley since April of this year. Security forces have eliminated more than 110 terrorists so far, with intelligence services claiming that infiltration attempts from the Pakistani border may witness a sharp increase this summer.
• Rohingya from Stranded Boat Land in Indonesia Radio Free Asia 25 Jun 2020 -- Locals in Indonesia's Aceh province helped nearly 100 Rohingya who were stranded off its coast come ashore Thursday, despite resistance to let them in by officials who said the refugees would be sent back out to sea after boat repairs.
• Myanmar Road Blockades in Rakhine Conflict Leave 3,000 Villagers Hungry Radio Free Asia 25 Jun 2020 -- More than 3,000 residents of Myanmar's war-ravaged Rakhine state face severe food shortages due to road blockades by government forces that have locked down the area for about six months, local residents said.
• MSF, ICRC Leave South Sudan's Pibor Area VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- As fighting in South Sudan's Jonglei state continues to spiral out of control, thousands of people including staff working for charity organizations have fled into the bush, forcing aid agencies to suspend operations in and around the Pibor Administrative Area.
• After Kosovo President War Crimes Indictment, Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue Uncertain VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- This weekend the White House had hoped to host high-profile talks between leaders of Kosovo and Serbia, but the indictment of Kosovo's president on war crimes charges forced officials to suspend the talks indefinitely, putting future negotiations in limbo.
• After Hague Indictments, Kosovo's PM Cancels Washington Talks With Serbia's President RFE/RL 25 Jun 2020 -- Kosovar Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti has canceled his participation in U.S.-brokered talks with Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic that had been scheduled at the White House in Washington on June 27.

News Reports

• Bolton, in VOA Interview, Calls Trump Erratic, Dangerous VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- Former White House national security adviser John Bolton defended his scathing critique of President Donald Trump as an "erratic" leader, willing to undercut American security to improve his reelection prospects, during a VOA interview on Wednesday.
• Transcript of VOA Interview with Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton VOA 25 Jun 2020
• Microsoft Details Sophisticated Hacking Linked To Iranian Cyber Espionage Group Radio Farda 25 Jun 2020 -- The Microsoft Threat Protection Intelligence Team has identified a chain of attacks on its cloud service in a post published on June 18.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, June 25, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25 Jun 2020
• Russians Start Voting On Reforms, Multiple Voting Already An Issue RFE/RL 25 Jun 2020 -- Russians have begun casting ballots in a vote on constitutional reforms that could pave the way for an extension of President Vladimir Putin's rule by 12 years.
• Russia Baffles German Historians With Request They Supplement Lectures With An Article By Putin RFE/RL 25 Jun 2020 -- When Julia Obertreis, a professor at a university in Bavaria, Germany, checked her e-mail on June 22, she was surprised to see a message from the Russian Embassy in Berlin.
• Western Attitudes Harden Toward Beijing, Poll Finds VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- Western attitudes have hardened toward Beijing amid the coronavirus pandemic, with a majority of Britons, Americans and French viewing China as a malign force in the world, according to a new poll.
• Canada's Trudeau Rejects Pressure to Release Chinese Executive VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is refusing to release Chinese high-tech executive Meng Wanzhou in exchange for two high-profile Canadians under arrest in Beijing.
• Trump administration: Huawei, 19 other firms in US backed by Chinese military Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump claims that 20 top Chinese firms operating in the United States are either owned or backed by the Chinese military, a report says.
• New US blacklist targeting Chinese firms is insane and ignorant: experts Global Times 25 Jun 2020 -- The US is reportedly cooking up a new list targeting 20 companies with accusations that they are backed by the Chinese military. As insane and ignorant as this is, this groundless move will foolishly damage American commerce and industry, Chinese experts said.
• US National Security Adviser Calls for Tougher Stance Against China VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser says China is trying to "remake the world' in its image.
• Pompeo: US, EU Should Confront China Together VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called on the United States and the European Union to cultivate a shared understanding of China in order to create an effective resistance strategy to Beijing's increasing economic power.
• HKSAR gov't to fulfill obligations after enactment of national security legislation: official People's Daily 25 Jun 2020 -- China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government will fulfill its obligations after the law on safeguarding national security in the HKSAR is enacted, John Lee Ka-chiu, the HKSAR government's secretary for security, said on Wednesday.
• Police Arrest Protesters in Hong Kong Amid Growing Fears Over New Law Radio Free Asia 25 Jun 2020 -- Police in Hong Kong on Thursday arrested 14 people after a protest in a shopping mall in the city, where China is getting ready to impose a draconian new subversion law.
• US Senate Approves Sanctions Against Chinese Officials Over Hong Kong Security Law Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- The Hong Kong security bill has sparked criticism from a number of countries and triggered massive protests in the autonomous city. The legislation, which bans secessionist activities, among other things, is regarded by residents of Hong Kong as undermining their liberties.
• Who's Next: Pondering Leadership Succession in Family-Run North Korea Radio Free Asia 25 Jun 2020 -- Seventy years after North Korean founder Kim Il Sung (1912-94) launched the June 25, 1950 surprise attack on South Korea that sparked the Korean War, Kim's grandchildren, Kim Jong Un and his younger sister Kim Yo Jong, are in charge in Pyongyang – and embroiled in conflict with Seoul and Washington over nuclear weapons and economic sanctions.
• South Korean, US Defence Ministers Urge Pyongyang to Follow Denuclearization Agreements Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and US Defence Secretary Mark Esper on Thursday urged Pyongyang to follow the previously agreed denuclearization commitments, according to a joint statement issued by the two ministers.
• UN chief urges all-out push to prevent Iran deal 'destruction' Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Amid the US's unashamed drive targeting the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world countries, the United Nations secretary-general urges exhaustion of all possible means to prevent "destruction" of the historic accord.
• US keeps targeting Iran metal industry with more sanctions Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- The United States has, in its most recent move to target Iran's record-holding metal industry, issued sanctions against four steel, aluminum, and iron companies operating in the Islamic Republic, and also taken aim at the sales of Iran's largest steel manufacturer.
• New U.S. Sanctions Hit Firms Linked To Iran's Metals Sector RFE/RL 25 Jun 2020 -- The United States has unveiled new sanctions against the Iranian metallurgical sector, blacklisting several companies, including domestic and foreign subsidiaries of the country's main steel producer.
• President urges IAEA, Europe not to submit to US, Israel pressure IRNA 25 Jun 2020 -- The Iranian president has warned the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Europe not to capitulate to US and Israeli pressure.
• At UN, US pushing for extension of Iran arms ban, warns Russia, China Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Amid a much-criticized American push to rally support at the Security Council behind an extension of a UN arms embargo on Iran, Washington's point man on Iran claims Russia and China will face "isolation" at the world body should they stand in the way of a US-drafted resolution designed to prevent the expiry of the ban.
• Treasury Targets Major Iranian Metals Companies and Foreign Subsidiaries and Sales Agents US Treasury 25 Jun 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against four steel, aluminum, and iron companies operating within Iran's metals sector, including one subsidiary of Mobarakeh Steel Company – Iran's largest steel manufacturer.
• Iran president opens three important oil projects IRNA 25 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated Thursday three important oil and petrochemical projects on southern, central and northwestern Iran.
• President: Oil projects strengthen Iran position as energy supplier IRNA 25 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani is to open three important oil projects that will not only meet the country's needs but also strengthen Iran's position as the international energy supplier.
• Iran annual petchem output nearing 100 mln tons: Minister Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Iran has opened two major petchem projects in northwest and center of the country to add some 25 million tons of capacity to its annual output.
• Rouhani Says Iran Building Pipeline To Circumvent Hormuz Radio Farda 25 Jun 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Thursday, June 25, the 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) Goureh-Jask oil pipeline would enable the Islamic Republic to export its oil without relying on the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iranian President Unveils Three Oil, Petrochemical Projects Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has unveiled three oil and petrochemical projects which have been launched in the country's central, southern and northwestern parts, the official IRNA news agency reported on Thursday.
• Iran Assigns Large Steel Project To Chinese Company Without Holding Tender Radio Farda 25 Jun 2020 -- Iran's state-owned Esfahan's Mobarakeh Steel Company has assigned a large steel project to China's Xian Heavy Equipment & Technology without holding a tender, Sharq newspaper reported on Thursday.
• Rights Groups Say Iran's State TV Aired 355 Confessions Extracted Under Duress Over A Decade RFE/RL 25 Jun 2020 -- A joint report by two rights organizations accuses Iran's state-controlled television of airing the forced confessions of at least 355 individuals between 2009 and 2019 to create fear and repress dissent.
• Iran Is 'Foremost Sponsor of Terrorism', US Report Says Radio Farda 25 Jun 2020 -- In its annual Country Reports on Terrorism on June 24, the U.S. State Department has classified the Islamic Republic as the "foremost state sponsor of terrorism," maintaining that Iran provides "a range of support, including financial, training, and equipment, to [terrorist] groups around the world – particularly Hezbollah."
• Venezuela warns of 'forceful' response after US Navy operation Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Venezuela has warned of a "forceful" response after a US Navy ship navigated close to the Latin American country's territorial waters, a move denounced by Caracas as a provocation.
• Iran, Venezuela 'steadfast' in countering US sanctions: Official Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Iran slams the US sanctions against the captains of five Iranian oil tankers which delivered fuel to Venezuela in defiance of US bans, saying such moves will not keep Tehran and Caracas from defying Washington's sanctions against both nations.
• Be Ready for 'Forceful Response', Venezuelan MoD Warns US Navy on Its Caribbean 'Act of Provocation' Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- On Tuesday, the US Southern Command said that the American Navy missile destroyer USS Nitze had carried out a "freedom of navigation" mission in the vicinity of Venezuela's coast.
• Iran Rips 'Unlawful US Sanctions' Over Venezuela Oil Supply as 'Miserable Failure of Max Pressure' Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on five Iranian ship captains who delivered oil to Venezuela, with the Latin American country knocking the measure as "an outburst of arrogance".
• Iran cargo ship unloads food & medical supplies at Venezuela port IRNA 25 Jun 2020 -- Iranian cargo ship carrying food and medical supplies docked and unloaded at Venezuelan northern port of La Guayra on Wednesday night.
• Pakistani PM Says Americans 'Martyred' Osama Bin Laden VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has come under severe criticism for saying in a nationally televised speech to the parliament Thursday that al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden had been "martyred."
• Pakistan's Khan Under Fire For Calling Osama Bin Laden A 'Martyr' RFE/RL 25 Jun 2020 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has drawn sharp criticism after he called slain Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden a martyr.
• Lebanon parliament chief urges 'financial state of emergency' amid protests Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Amid growing protests over Lebanon's economic woes, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has called on the government, central bank and commercial banks to declare a "financial state of emergency" and review measures to protect the country's collapsing currency.
• DRC Ebola Outbreak Officially Ends, as Coronavirus Surges on African Continent VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- Amid a global pandemic, a glimmer of hope: The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially beaten its tenth Ebola outbreak, which raged for two years in the nation's volatile east. As top international health officials welcomed the news, they noted lessons learned in the Ebola battle that can be used to fight the coronavirus, which they say is surging on the continent.
• DR Congo: eastern Ebola outbreak defeated, 'mission impossible' now a 'sign of hope' UN News 25 Jun 2020 -- After nearly two years and 2,280 deaths, the world's second-deadliest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is finally over, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.
• U.S. Adds Afghanistan To List Of Worst Human Traffickers Over Child Sexual Slavery, Child Soldiers RFE/RL 25 Jun 2020 -- The U.S. State Department has added Afghanistan to a list of nations doing little to stop human trafficking, saying Kabul has failed to properly address child sexual slavery and the recruitment of child soldiers.
• Remarks at the 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report Launch Ceremony US Dept. of State 25 Jun 2020 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State, Ivanka Trump, Advisor to the President, John Cotton Richmond, Ambassador-at-Large, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
• COVID-19's far reaching impact on global drug abuse UN News 25 Jun 2020 -- More than 35 million people around the world now suffer from drug addiction, according to the latest annual report on the scourge, from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released on Thursday, which also analyzes the far-reaching impact of the coronavirus pandemic on global drug markets.
• As Pre-Election Crackdown Continues, Lukashenka Accuses Russia, Poland Of Meddling RFE/RL 25 Jun 2020 -- President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has accused Russia and Poland of "meddling" in the country's upcoming presidential election as he continues to crack down on potential challengers and the independent media.
• Sasha 3%? Belarusians Poke Fun At President's Slipping Support RFE/RL 25 Jun 2020 -- In power since 1994, Lukashenka is facing growing public unrest and skepticism largely due to his government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
• Sudan Seeks Financial Aid at International Donor Teleconference VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- The antidote to Sudan's fiscal misery could depend on an international donor teleconference taking place in Berlin on Thursday.
• First Early Results Announced in Malawi Presidential Election VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- Malawi's Electoral Commission has started announcing preliminary results from Tuesday's re-run of last year's presidential election. Local media gave opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera a comfortable lead over incumbent President Peter Mutharika.
• Hun Sen Tempers Speculation Son Will Be Next Cambodian Leader VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has groomed his eldest son as a potential successor ever since that son, Hun Manet, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point almost 20 years ago, and is confidently predicting his ruling Cambodian People's Party will remain in power for another 100 years.
• As Investors Move from China, Vietnam Adds EU Trade Pact to Arsenal VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- Volvo from Sweden, Adidas from Germany, and Zara from Spain are all European companies that have increased their investment in Vietnam in recent years. Analysts expect that trend to deepen when the Vietnam-European Union trade deal approved earlier this month by Vietnam's National Assembly takes effect this summer, particularly as companies seek to reduce their reliance on neighboring China.
• As Nile Dam Tensions Rise, 'Miscalculation' Could Lead to Conflict VOA 25 Jun 2020 -- Ethiopia is moving forward with a plan to fill a massive reservoir behind a new dam on the Nile River and Egypt is calling the move a threat to peace and security in the region and is asking the United Nations to step in.