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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Statement by Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs on Intelligence That Russian GRU Operatives Were Engaged in Malign Activity Against the U.S. and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan DoD 29 Jun 2020
• White House Defends Trump Not Being Briefed on Russia 'Bounty' for US Soldiers VOA 29 Jun 2020 -- The White House is on the defensive about President Donald Trump not being briefed on reports that a Russian military intelligence unit offered bounties to Taliban militants in Afghanistan to kill U.S. soldiers.
• Congress Calls for Probe Into Reported Russian Bounties on US Troops VOA 29 Jun 2020 -- As members of Congress called for an investigation, President Donald Trump said Sunday he was not briefed on reports that a Russian military intelligence unit offered bounties to Taliban militants in Afghanistan to kill U.S. soldiers because U.S. intelligence officials did not deem them credible.
• Lawmakers Press For Briefing On Claims Russia Paid Bounties For Taliban To Kill U.S. Troops RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- Democratic and Republican lawmakers are demanding a full congressional briefing from top intelligence officials on reports that Russia offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
• Explainer: Controversy Over Alleged Russian Bounties Puts Spotlight On Moscow's Motives, History In Afghanistan RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- Controversy continues to mount over reports that Russian security officers allegedly offered bounties to the Taliban for the killing of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
• White House: No Consensus Among US Intel on Alleged 'Russian Bounties' for US Troops in Afghanistan Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- The New York Times' allegation that Russia has been offering reward money to Taliban-linked militants in Afghanistan to kill US and coalition troops has been attacked from all sides, with Moscow, the Trump administration and the Taliban itself saying that the claims aren't true.
• Kremlin Refutes Reports of Russia's 'Deal' With Taliban, Notes Trump Doesn't See Claims as Credible Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- On Friday, The New York Times ran a story citing an anonymous source claiming that President Trump had received an intelligence report suggesting that Moscow paid the Taliban to kill US soldiers in Afghanistan. The Taliban refuted the report and President Trump dismissed the claims saying he had never been presented with such intelligence data.
• Moscow Sees Reports About 'Bounties' for Taliban as 'Blatant Lies' Refuted Even by Trump Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- Russia sees new media reports about its alleged bounties offered to Taliban militants in Afghanistan to kill US troops there as part of the US' domestic political fight, since forces interested in US military presence in the country use fake news to justify their failure, Russia's special presidential representative said.
• Trump denies being briefed on alleged Russian-Taliban bounties intelligence Global Times 29 Jun 2020 -- US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he was never briefed on intelligence that Russians offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing US troops.
• Kremlin rejects reports of Russian bounties to Taliban to kill US troops in Afghanistan Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- Russia has dismissed as "lies" media reports alleging that a Russian military intelligence unit attempted to pay bounties to members of the Taliban militant group to kill American troops in Afghanistan.
• Trump: No briefings ever on Russian bounties to kill US troops in Afghanistan Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- US President Donald Trump has denied he was ever briefed about an alleged Russian attempt to pay bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill Western forces, including US troops, in Afghanistan, blasting a report by The New York Times on the bounties.
• Rocket Attack Kills 23 Afghan Civilians VOA 29 Jun 2020 -- A rocket attack on a crowded marketplace in Afghanistan's volatile southern Helmand province killed at least 23 civilians and injured 15 others on Monday.
• Mortar Attack On Afghan Market Kills At Least 23; Taliban, Government Blame Each Other RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- A mortar attack on a market in southern Afghanistan has killed at least 23 people and injured dozens of others.
• 23 civilians, kids included, die in rain of rockets on Afghan market Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- Nearly two dozen civilians, including children, have been killed and several others injured when a barrage of rockets fell on a cattle market in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper's Phone Call With Dutch Minister of Defense Ank Bijleveld DoD 29 Jun 2020
• USS New York Stops at Naval Station Rota for Maintenance, Supplies NNS 29 Jun 2020 -- The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) visited the safe-haven port of Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, Spain, for scheduled maintenance and supplies, June 28.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 29 Jun 2020
• Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Conducts Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise in 5th Fleet NNS 29 Jun 2020 -- The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) conducted a live, non-firing advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise in the Arabian Sea June 15-17.
• USS Carney Concludes Time as FDNF-E Asset NNS 29 Jun 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) departed Naval Station Rota, Spain, for the last time as a Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) asset, June 27, 2020.
• Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 Supports Ie Shima Training Facility Repairs NNS 29 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Navy Seabees with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 started resurfacing a vertical take-off and landing pad and a coral runway to minimize foreign object damage at the Ie Shima Training Facility (ISTF) in Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 19.
• NDW Installations Transition to Health Protection Condition Bravo NNS 29 Jun 2020 -- Naval District Washington (NDW) installations transitioned today from Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Charlie to Bravo, June 29.
• Eielson AFB Airmen build first bombs for PACAF F-35s US Air Force 29 Jun 2020 -- Airmen from Eielson Air Force Base's 354th Maintenance Squadron munitions flight built the first bombs intended for the 354th Fighter Wing's F-35A Lighting IIs, June 15-19.
• Negatively pressurized conexes ready to save lives US Air Force 29 Jun 2020 -- On June 24, the first Negatively Pressurized Conex ready for operational use touched down at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, with 16 experts from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina and three members of the program office team to stand on alert status and train additional Airmen on the NPC.
• Exercise Dynamic Mongoose underway in High North NATO 29 Jun 2020 -- Reykjavik, Iceland -- NATO exercise Dynamic Mongoose is starting in the High North on 29 June 2020. Ships, submarines, as well as aircraft and personnel from 6 Allied nations are converging off the coast of Iceland for Anti-Submarine warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface warfare training.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General calls for a global approach to tackle global challenges NATO 29 Jun 2020 -- Today (29 June 2020), NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană participated in the virtual European Council of Foreign Relations (ECFR) Annual Council Meeting.
• Russian Su-27 Fighters Scrambled to Intercept Two US Military Planes Over Black Sea Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- Russia has scrambled Su-27 fighters to intercept two US military aircraft over the Black Sea, according to the Russian National Defence Management Centre.
• Russia's Roscosmos Reveals Cost of Angara Heavy-Lift Rocket for Defence Ministry Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- The production cost of each of Russia's new Angara-A5 heavy-lift rockets, manufactured for the Defence Ministry under a contract on test flights, is below 5 billion rubles ($71.6 million), the State Space Corporation Roscosmos said on Monday.
• China Puts Huge Warship at Woody Island Ahead of Naval Exercise Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2020 -- China has docked what looks to be a Type 071 warship in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy at Woody Island, China's main administrative center and military base in the South China Sea's Paracel Islands.
• CPC, central military commission to lead reserve forces Global Times 29 Jun 2020 -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Central Military Commission will lead reserve military forces starting July 1, in a move which analysts said will help bring out the best in reserve forces, especially in border areas of its Tibet and Xinjiang regions, improve combat capability and facilitate their cooperation with active-duty units.
• Chinese C919 aircraft begins high temperature test in Xinjiang Global Times 29 Jun 2020 -- China's first civil aircraft with its own intellectual property rights, the C919, started its high temperature operating test on Sunday and landed at Turpan Jiaohe Airport in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
• PLA to conduct military exercises in waters off Xisha Islands PLA Daily 29 Jun 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is going to conduct military exercises in waters off China's Xisha Isands from July 1st to 5th, according to a navigation warning released by the Hainan MSA Bureau on June 27 on the website of the Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) of the People's Republic of China.
• China to adjust leadership structure for reserve forces PLA Daily 29 Jun 2020 -- China's reserve military forces will be brought under the centralized and unified command of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Central Military Commission starting from July 1, according to a decision issued by the CPC Central Committee.
• President announces measures to strengthen military reserves CNA 29 Jun 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) announced measures Monday to make Taiwan's military reserve force a more reliable backup for the regular forces in protecting the county amid increased military movements around Taiwan.
• U.S. warplanes spotted flying over waters near Taiwan CNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Several American warplanes were observed flying over the Bashi Channel near Taiwan at separate times on Monday, according to posts by several aircraft tracking accounts on Twitter.
• US using Taiwan as 'last card' may only speed up reunification Global Times 29 Jun 2020 -- As the US has been increasingly high-profile in demonstrating its illegal military cooperation with the island of Taiwan such as releasing on Monday rare footage showing joint training exercises between US and Taiwan forces on the island, on the same day, both Chinese and US military aircraft were seen in the airspace near the island of Taiwan.
• Qatar Emiri Air Force partners with U.S. to gain newest F-15 to their fleet CENTCOM 29 Jun 2020 -- Many military leaders can attest that the ability to conduct operations and win in modern warfare is rooted in a nation's ability to work by, with, and through allies and partners.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany The White House 29 Jun 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 29, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 29 June 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 29 Jun 2020
• US Navy Flexes at China With Back-to-Back Dual Carrier Drills in Philippine Sea Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- For the second time in as many weeks, the US Navy has partnered two of its aircraft carriers for joint drills off the Chinese coast. The muscle-flexing comes after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) issued a stern rebuke to Beijing for its South China Sea claims.
• Yemeni forces score major territorial gains in Bayda, Ma'rib provinces Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- The spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces says the country's troops, supported by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have managed to wrest control over large swathes of land in the central provinces of al-Bayda and Ma'rib, following fierce clashes with Saudi-sponsored militiamen loyal to former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.
• US, Russia Maintain Deconfliction Communications in Syria, Pentagon Says Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- The US-led coalition in Syria continues to maintain deconfliction communications with Russia which has announced its decision to abandon the United Nations deconfliction mechanism in the country's northwest, a CENTCOM spokesperson said.
• UN Appeals for Scaling Up of Syrian Cross-Border Aid VOA 29 Jun 2020 -- The U.N. humanitarian chief appealed to the Security Council on Monday to extend authorization for aid to continue entering Syria through Turkey and to reinstate a closed border crossing from Iraq, crucial to delivering medical supplies as the country faces COVID-19.
• US, Russia Maintain Deconfliction Communications in Syria, Pentagon Says Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- The US-led coalition in Syria continues to maintain deconfliction communications with Russia which has announced its decision to abandon the United Nations deconfliction mechanism in the country's northwest, a CENTCOM spokesperson said.
• Moscow Exited UN Syria Deconfliction Mechanism Because Terrorists Used It, Russian Envoy Says Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- Washington expressed "shock" over Russia's decision to exit the mechanism on Monday, accusing Moscow of endangering the lives of millions of people in militant-controlled parts of northwestern Syria.
• Syrians in Dayr al-Zawr town denounce presence of SDF militants Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- Protesters in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr have denounced the presence of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed alliance of mainly Kurdish militants operating against Damascus.
• Turkey-backed militants stealing ancient artifacts in Syria's Afrin: Report Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- Turkey-backed militants have begun a new operation to steal ancient artifacts from Syria's northwestern city of Afrin, a report says.
• Extend cross border 'lifeline' into Syria, Lowcock urges Security Council UN News 29 Jun 2020 -- With COVID-19 cases in Syria multiplying, its economy in freefall, and some households cooking weeds to eat in order to survive, the UN's emergency relief coordinator is pressing the Security Council to extend its authorization for cross-border aid deliveries from Turkey.
• Iraq frees 14 PMU members detained in 'US-dictated' raid Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- Iraq has released more than a dozen members of Popular Mobilization Units, better known as Hashd al-Shaabi, a few days after an unprecedented raid on the headquarters of Kata'ib Hezbollah, which is said to have been dictated by the US.
• Top UN Rights Official Warns of 'Disastrous' Consequences from Israel Annexation VOA 29 Jun 2020 -- U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned Monday the consequences of Israel's planned annexations in the West Bank are likely to be "disastrous" for Israel, the Palestinians and the region, and will "grievously harm the prospect of a two-state solution."
• Hamas official urges unified strategy in face of Israel's annexation plan Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- The popular 'Day of Rage' against Israel's plan to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank is 'a step in the right direction,' says a senior official of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.
• Israel's illegal annexation plans for Palestine, 'disastrous' for wider Middle East – Bachelet UN News 29 Jun 2020 -- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned Israel on Monday not to proceed along the "dangerous path" of annexing a swathe of occupied Palestinian territory, urging the Government to listen to its own former senior officials along with the "multitude of voices around the world".
• UN rights chief urges Israel to halt 'illegal' annexation plan Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- The UN human rights chief has denounced the Israeli regime's "illegal" plan to annex large parts of the occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank, warning about the "disastrous" consequences of the move.
• Lebanese President Says Israel Drilling in Disputed Waters to Heighten Tensions Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- Israel's intent to explore for oil and gas in an offshore area that is subject to a territorial dispute between it and Lebanon is fraught with exacerbating the tensions, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Monday.
• EU Extends Economic Sanctions Against Russia Over Ukrainian Conflict RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- European Union member states have formally extended a six-month extension of economic sanctions imposed against Russia over its role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
• India Urged to Rethink Its Policy on Tibet After Deadly Border Violence Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2020 -- Recent deadly clashes between Indian and Chinese forces along the unmarked border between the two countries are prompting calls for India to rethink its policy toward Tibet, which before its conquest by China had historically served as a buffer between the two larger powers.
• Kosovo's President To Address War Crimes Charges In Speech To Nation RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- Kosovar President Hashim Thaci plans to address the nation on June 29 about the war-crimes charges filed against him, including crimes against humanity, stemming from Kosovo's war of independence in 1998-99.
• Kosovar President Vows To Resign If War-Crimes Charges Confirmed RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- Kosovar President Hashim Thaci says he will "immediately resign" if a judge in The Hague confirm war-crimes charges filed against him, including crimes against humanity, stemming from Kosovo's war of independence in 1998-99.
• Thousands of Rakhines Flee Despite Myanmar Army About-Face on Emptying Villages Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2020 -- The Myanmar army reversed plans to empty dozens of villages in Rakhine state to pursue rebel fighters after criticism from Western diplomats over the weekend, but a local lawmaker said Monday that 10,000 civilians had fled their homes as reports of artillery fire raised fears of an attack.
• Who Exactly is a Communist Rebel? Philippine Anti-Terrorism Act Has Answers VOA 29 Jun 2020 -- Legislators in the Philippines have passed an anti-terrorism law that broadens President Rodrigo Duterte's power to squelch armed rebels along with backers of the Communist party linked to a widespread violent struggle.

News Reports

• Russia Denies Nuclear Incident Following Detection Of Isotopes In Northern Europe RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- Russia has denied any nuclear incidents after an international body detected unusual radioactive isotopes produced by nuclear fission in northern Europe.
• COVID-19 Disinformation From Russia, China More Influential Than Domestic News Sources, Study Finds RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- Coronavirus disinformation published by Chinese and Russian state media outlets in France, Spain, and Germany is in some cases reaching a greater audience on social media than news coverage of the global pandemic produced by major domestic media outlets in those countries, according to a study by the Oxford Internet Institute (OII).
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on June 29, 2020 PRC MofA 29 Jun 2020
• Statement from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on Revocation of Hong Kong Special Status US Dept. of Commerce 29 Jun 2020 -- With the Chinese Communist Party's imposition of new security measures on Hong Kong, the risk that sensitive U.S. technology will be diverted to the People's Liberation Army or Ministry of State Security has increased, all while undermining the territory's autonomy.
• US Ends Exports of Defense, Dual-use Technologies to Hong Kong VOA 29 Jun 2020 -- The United States is ending exports to Hong Kong of defense equipment and dual-use technologies that originate in the U.S. – as it does for China – citing national security purposes.
• U.S. Government Ending Controlled Defense Exports to Hong Kong US Dept. of State 29 Jun 2020 -- "The Chinese Communist Party's decision to eviscerate Hong Kong's freedoms has forced the Trump Administration to re-evaluate its policies toward the territory."
• US stops sensitive military exports to Hong Kong Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the country is ending the export of sensitive military items of American origin to Hong Kong, no longer treating the territory separately from China.
• US Revokes Hong Kong Special Status, Ends Exports of Defence Equipment, Sensitive Technologies Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier denounced Beijing for "decreeing an end to freedom in Hong Kong", warning that the United States will treat Hong Kong as "just another piece of mainland China", since the Chinese Communist Party appears to treat the region in the same way.
• Report: China's Birth-Control Policy On Uyghur Women May Amount To 'Genocide' RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- China is forcing women to be sterilized or use contraceptive devices in an attempt to limit the population of Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim minority groups in the western Xinjiang region, according to new research published on June 29.
• On China's Coercive Family Planning and Forced Sterilization Program in Xinjiang US Dept. of State 29 Jun 2020
• On China's Threats To Impose Visa Restrictions on U.S. Officials US Dept. of State 29 Jun 2020
• US Report Says China Prizes Rare Earths Industry for Geopolitical Influence VOA 29 Jun 2020 -- Beijing is using state subsidies to build up its rare earths industry and plans to use it as a geopolitical weapon against the West, according to a new report by U.S. researchers.
• Experts: New National Security Law Likely to Expand China's Control Over Hong Kong VOA 29 Jun 2020 -- China's top law-making body is expected to pass a sweeping national security law for Hong Kong on Tuesday – a move that many critics and ordinary Hong Kongers fear will empower the Communist Party to tighten its control and threaten the unique status of the freest city on Chinese soil.
• Chinese lawmakers deliberate draft national security law for Hong Kong in group discussions PLA Daily 29 Jun 2020 -- Chinese lawmakers Sunday held group discussions to deliberate a draft law on safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), during an ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.
• No one can stop China's determination to promote HK national security law: Foreign ministry Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- China has voiced strong opposition to the passage of the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" by the US Senate, saying no one can dent Beijing's determination to promote national security legislation in the semi-autonomous city.
• China to Introduce Visa Restrictions on US Officials Meddling in Hong Kong Affairs - Ministry Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- Earlier, China's Embassy in the United States called on Washington to lift the newly introduced visa restrictions for Chinese officials over the situation in Hong Kong.
• China to slap visa restrictions on Americans over Hong Kong Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- China says it will slap visa restrictions on Americans with bad records in Hong Kong-related issues, criticizing Washington for attempts to throw a wrench in a national security law planned to be introduced in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
• China slaps sanctions on US troublemakers ahead of natl security law vote Global Times 29 Jun 2020 -- Ahead of the final voting procedure to enact the national security law for Hong Kong, China announced visa restrictions on US personnel on Monday - a sign that China rejects firmly foreign interference in the Hong Kong affairs.
• China announces visa restriction countermeasures on US personnel over HK issues Global Times 29 Jun 2020 -- The Chinese government will impose visa restrictions on personnel from the US who have "behaved badly" on Hong Kong-related issues, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a routine press conference on Monday.
• HK police make 53 arrests during unlawful march against natl. security law Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- Police in Hong Kong have made dozens of arrests as clashes break out during a protest against a national security law planned to be introduced by mainland China in the semi-autonomous region.
• Hong Kong Police Detain Dozens Amid Rally Ahead of Draconian Security Law Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2020 -- Hong Kong police arrested dozens of people, some of them out shopping with young families, after a mass kettling of a rally against draconian security laws likely to be imposed on the city by the ruling Chinese Communist Party this week.
• US to End Exports of Defence Equipment, Sensitive Technologies to Hong Kong, Pompeo Says Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier denounced Beijing for "decreeing an end to freedom in Hong Kong", warning that the United States will treat Hong Kong as "just another piece of mainland China", since the Chinese Communist Party appears to treat the region in the same way.
• Beijing Expresses Protest Over US Exerting Pressure on Chinese Firms - Foreign Ministry Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- Beijing expresses its resolute protest against the US exerting pressure on Chinese companies and calls on Washington to stop such a practice, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's press service said on Monday amid reports of possible US sanctions against a number of Chinese firms.
• O'Brien's China speech full of political lies: Chinese FM Global Times 29 Jun 2020 -- The recent groundless accusations made by the US national security advisor Robert O'Brien against China's domestic and foreign policies was full of political lies and exposed the US' deep-rooted Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday.
• Exposed Australian spy activities against China just 'tip of the iceberg': Chinese FM Global Times 29 Jun 2020 -- The exposed spy activities conducted by the Australian side, including the establishment of an intelligence station, spying on the Chinese embassy in Australia, and Australian diplomats engaging in espionage activities, are just the "tip of the iceberg" of the country's espionage offensive against China, said China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson.
• Forced Population Controls Targeting Uyghurs in Xinjiang Likely Amount to Genocide: Report Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2020 -- Forced sterilizations and abortions targeting Uyghurs in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) have dramatically increased in recent years and likely constitute a government-led campaign of genocide under United Nations' definitions, according to a report released Monday.
• Pompeo: US Condemns China Over Reports of Forced Sterilization Against Uighurs Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is calling on China to "cease its campaign of repression" against "Uyghur and other minority women."
• Distinguished Statesman Leads DPRK to Prosperity KCNA 29 Jun 2020 -- It has been four years since Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un was elected as chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK.
• The United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain Issue Joint Statement on Iran Arms Embargo Following Consultations US Dept. of State 29 Jun 2020Special Representative for Iran and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State of the United States, Brian Hook, held discussions on Iran with His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister and His Excellency Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani on June 29, 2020.
• Iran Issues Arrest Warrant for Trump That Interpol Rejects VOA 29 Jun 2020 -- Iran has issued an arrest warrant for U.S. President Donald Trump, whom the Islamic Republic accuses of being involved in a January drone strike that killed a top Iranian commander.
• U.S. Dismisses Iran Arrest Warrant For Trump Over Soleimani Killing As 'Propaganda Stunt' RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- Iran has issued an arrest warrant for U.S. President Donald Trump and 35 others over the drone killing of its top general, Qasem Soleimani, in what a U.S. official dismissed as a "propaganda stunt."
• Iran Issues Arrest Warrant Against Trump Over Soleimani's Killing, Asks Interpol for Assistance Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds Force and one of the most respected figures in Iran, was killed in a US drone strike in January during a goodwill visit to Iraq.
• Iran identifies 40 Americans involved in assassination of General Soleimani IRNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Mohsen Baharvand said on Monday that Iran identified 40 Americans who had been involved in the assassination of Iran's anti-terror commander Lieutenant-General Qasem Soleimani.
• Iran to sue Trump for General Soleimani assassination case IRNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Tehran Prosecutor Ali Qasi Mehr said Iran through Interpol has ordered arresting 36 US political and military officials, including President Donald Trump, who were involved in the assassination of Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani.
• Iran issues arrest warrant for Trump, US officials over top IRGC general's assassination Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- A senior Iranian judge says Interpol Red Notices have been issued for the prosecution of dozens of military and political officials of the United States, including President Donald Trump, on charges of planning and implementing a terrorist attack in the Iraqi capital that assassinated Iran's top general Qassem Soleimani and his companions.
• Prosecutor In Iran Claims He Has Issued An Arrest Warrant For Trump Radio Farda 29 Jun 2020 -- A prosecutor in Iran says he has issued "arrest warrants" for the President Donald Trump and 35 others involved in the killing of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' (IRGC) Qods Force commander, Qassem Soleimani.
• More details of Ukrainian plane's crash released by Military Prosecutor IRNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Tehran Military Prosecutor Gholam Abbas Torki explained some more details on Monday about the crash of the flight 752 that was unintentionally targeted by Iran's defensive missile system in southern Tehran on January 8 shortly after take-off.
• Iran's military court follows up downed plane victims' compensation IRNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Head of Iran's Judiciary Organization of the Armed Forces said that they specifically follow up paying compensation to the families of the victims of the Ukrainian Airliner which crashed last year.
• Iran, France finalize date to read black box of Ukrainian plane ISNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Iranian deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Mohsen Baharvand said Iran and France have finalized the date to read the black box of the Ukrainian plane.
• Ukraine plane downed due to human error, sabotage ruled out: Military prosecutor Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- The military prosecutor for Tehran Province says the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane in early January was the result of human error on the part of the air defense unit's operator, ruling out the possibility of a cyberattack or any other type of sabotage.
• Tehran Prosecutor Reportedly Says One Missile Fired at Ukrainian Plane Overshot Target Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- The military prosecutor for the Tehran province, Gholam Abbas Torki, said on Monday that the Ukrainian International Airlines passenger aircraft that crashed in Iran in January was downed by one missile rather than two, as was previously reported, the Iranian Tasnim news agency reported.
• Iran Says No Indication Cyberattack Led To Downing Of Ukrainian Airliner RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- An Iranian military prosecutor says there is no indication that the downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet in Iran in January was due to a cyberattack on the country's defense system.
• US Warns Lifting Arms Embargo on Iran Would Create Instability in Middle East Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- Lifting an arms embargo on Iran would strengthen the country's government and threaten security across the entire Middle East, US special representative Brian Hook told reporters in Riyadh on Monday.
• US: Lifting arms embargo on Iran will trigger regional arms race Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook has again called for extending an expiring United Nations weapons embargo on the Islamic Republic, claiming that lifting the arms embargo on the country will trigger an arms race in the Middle East region.
• US in no position to undermine nuclear deal's achievements: Iran Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- Iran says the United States has forfeited all rights to bring the 2015 Iran nuclear deal's achievements into doubt, urging Washington and its European allies against trying to damage the agreement any further.
• U.S., Saudis Say Lifting UN Arms Embargo On Iran Will Make Tehran More Aggressive RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- U.S. and Saudi officials say an expiring United Nations arms embargo on Iran must remain in place to prevent Tehran from acquiring and proliferating weapons across the Middle East.
• Return of all to JCPOA can save it: Spox IRNA 29 Jun 2020 -- The spokesman of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday in his weekly press conference that the way to save the nuclear deal is everyone's return to the accord.
• Is Compromise Possible For Extending UN Arms Embargo On Iran? Radio Farda 29 Jun 2020 -- Radio Farda is publishing a series of expert analysis and commentaries on the United States move to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran beyond October 2020.
• The Role Of Europe In Iran Arms Embargo Diplomacy Radio Farda 29 Jun 2020 -- Radio Farda is publishing a series of expert analysis and commentaries on the United States move to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran beyond October 2020.
• Iran's gas exports up by 3.6 bn cubic meters year on year in March: NIGC Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- The National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) says its exports of natural gas surged by more than a quarter in the calendar year ending March 2020.
• Iran Claims Romania Has Not Shared Full Information On Death Of Fugitive Judge Radio Farda 29 Jun 2020 -- The spokesman of Iran's foreign ministry today has complained that Romanian has not provided full information on the death of a fugitive Iranian judge who died in mysterious circumstances in Bucharest June 19.
• Judiciary chief: Judicial system supports those who report corruption Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeisi says the entire judicial system backs those people who report corruption cases and directives have been issued to various sections of the Judiciary to this effect.
• Khamenei's Intervention In Corruption Cases Opens Door To Leniency Radio Farda 29 Jun 2020 -- The Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's June 27 remarks defending the reputation of the former head of the Judiciary seem to have had an immediate impact on important corruption trials.
• An Iran-China 25-Year Agreement: Wishful Thinking Or A 'Lion-Dragon Pact'? Radio Farda 29 Jun 2020 -- Iran's former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says, "The Iranian nation will not recognize a new secret 25-year agreement between Iran and China," and warned that any contract signed with a foreign country without the people knowing about it will be void.
• Watering Down Iran Arms Embargo Sets A Troubling Precedent Radio Farda 29 Jun 2020 -- Radio Farda is publishing a series of expert analysis and commentaries on the United States move to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran beyond October 2020.
• Venezuela's Maduro Orders EU Envoy to Leave Within 72 Hours Over Newly Imposed Sanctions Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered EU envoy Isabel Brilhante Pedrosato to leave within 72 hours after the EU sanctioned a group of Venezuelan officials.
• India's first human space mission "Gaganyaan" will not be affected by COVID pandemic: Dr.Jitendra Singh India PIB 29 Jun 2020 -- Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that the launch of India's first human space mission "Gaganyaan" will not be affected by COVID pandemic and preparation are carrying on in the right direction.
• New Delhi Brushes Off Pakistan's Claims Indian Spy Agency Behind Karachi Attack as 'Absurd' Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- Earlier in the day, four terrorists attacked the Karachi Stock Exchange - also known as Pakistan's Wall Street - killing two security guards and one police officer. All the terrorists were gunned down by security personnel within eight minutes.
• Four Militants Killed As Pakistani Security Forces Thwart Attack On Karachi Stock Exchange RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- Four militants have been killed in an attack on Pakistan's stock-exchange building in the southern port city of Karachi.
• Gunmen stage deadly attack on Pakistan stock exchange Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- Heavily armed gunmen have staged a deadly attack on the Pakistani Stock Exchange building located in a high security zone in the city of Karachi.
• Chinese National Guilty of Laundering Millions for Mexican Drug Cartels US Dept. of Justice 29 Jun 2020 -- A Chinese national pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with laundering more than $4 million in drug proceeds generated by large-scale cocaine trafficking in the United States.
• Kyrgyzstan The Missing Link In China's Railway To Uzbekistan...And Beyond RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- The big problem with the announcement in early June that the first freight train had left the Chinese city of Lanzhou bound for the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, is that the railway link in Kyrgyzstan needed for the trip is not yet done.
• Exclusive: Records Reveal Money Trail In Kyrgyz Corruption Scandal RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- Hundreds of financial records leaked by a self-confessed money launderer at the center of a corruption scandal in Kyrgyzstan have been published, showing how hundreds of millions of dollars linked to a secretive cargo empire were funneled out of the country over the course of several years.
• Green Party Surges in France's Local Elections VOA 29 Jun 2020 -- Some are calling it an historic moment for France's Greens party, others for the environmental movement in general. The Greens went from controlling just one major French city – Grenoble – to capturing a string of other large and mid-sized towns, including Bordeaux, Lyon, Strasbourg and Besançon.
• Georgian Lawmakers Approve Reforms To Parliamentary Election Process RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- Georgian lawmakers have approved a bill on election reforms following a foreign-brokered deal to change a system that opposition parties insisted unfairly favored the ruling party heading into elections this autumn.
• On the Passage of Georgian Constitutional Reform US Dept. of State 29 Jun 2020 -- The United States applauds Georgia's historic adoption of constitutional amendments that establish a more proportional electoral system. Enacted as a result of the important March 8 agreement among a majority of political parties, they will help promote greater stability and parliamentary pluralism in Georgia's October parliamentary elections.
• Lao Premier Announces New Power Rates Following Widespread Public Anger at Costs Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2020 -- Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisolith has announced a reduction in prices for power use following weeks of public anger at high costs, saying "This is something we have to do."
• Water cooperation between States 'key' to Blue Nile dam project UN News 29 Jun 2020 -- The Blue Nile is "critical for the livelihoods and development" of Egyptians, Ethiopians and Sudanese, the top UN official for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs told the Security Council on Monday, urging those States to reach a construction agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).