COVID-19 - Daily News

07 July 2020 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Afghan president says Taliban violence threatening peace process Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has warned that violence by Taliban is threatening the country's peace process, as his administration prepares for talks with the militant group.
Afghan President Warns Of 'Serious Challenges' To Peace Process RFE/RL 07 Jul 2020 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has warned that a spike in violence by militants in the country poses a "serious" threat to the peace process with the Taliban.
China, Afghanistan, Pakistan Seek 'Orderly' Foreign Troop Exit VOA 07 Jul 2020 -- China, Afghanistan and Pakistan are calling for a "responsible" withdrawal of U.S.-led international forces from Afghanistan to prevent what they say is "potential terrorist resurgence" in the conflict-torn nation.

Defense Policy / Programs

Secretary Mark T. Esper Message to the Force on Accomplishments in Implementation of the National Defense Strategy DoD 07 Jul 2020 -- Today, Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper released a video address to thank the members of the Department for their hard work and contributions as a team to achieve the goals of the National Defense Strategy over the past year.
Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper Message to the Force on Accomplishments in Implementation of the National Defense Strategy DoD 07 Jul 2020 -- Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper
Australia-Japan-United States Defense Ministers' Meeting Joint Statement DoD 07 Jul 2020
Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Phone Call With the Brunei Minister of Defence II Pehin Halbi DoD 07 Jul 2020
Navy and Marine Leaders Brief Reporters on Training During COVID-19 DoD 07 Jul 2020 -- Major General William F. Mullen, Commanding General, Marine Corps Training And Education Command; Rear Admiral Milton J. Sands, Commander, Naval Service Training Command
Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 07 Jul 2020
'Protective Bubble' Erected Around Recruit Training DoD News 07 Jul 2020 -- Initial training for Navy and Marine Corps recruits is continuing, as the services have adapted to keep the training pipeline open while maintaining safety measures necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Urgent Acquisition Effort Provides Safe COVID-19 Patient Transport in 95 Days DoD News 07 Jul 2020 -- The Air Force, Air Mobility Command and U.S. Transportation Command have a new capability to bring large numbers of COVID-19 patients home via airlift without putting associated flight crews at risk – and the solution arrived quicker than expected.
Nimitz, Reagan Demonstrate Unmatched Commitment to Free and Open Indo-Pacific NNS 07 Jul 2020 -- The Nimitz and Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Force are conducting dual carrier operations in the South China Sea, July 6.
US Navy Fires Program Manager for Troubled Aircraft Carrier USS Ford Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- The US Navy has fired the head of its USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier program. The warship is far behind schedule and over budget, plagued with malfunctioning systems and costly repairs even though it has yet to be commissioned in the Navy.
US Army Begins Testing for New Missile Defense System That May Enter Service by 2022 Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- The US Army has begun a key test of a new integrated air defense system that was delayed due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. If successful, it could mean the introduction of a new, advanced generation of expanded anti-missile defenses.

Advanced weapons deployed at China's plateau regions Global Times 07 Jul 2020 -- China had deployed a variety of advanced weapons fit for high-altitude combat to the country's western plateau regions as India continued to move forces and hold drills amid border tensions between the two countries, media reported.
China wraps up legal procedures to join Arms Trade Treaty: FM Global Times 07 Jul 2020 -- Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, on Monday deposited China's Instrument of Accession to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. This marked China's completion of all legal procedures to join this treaty, which will become effective for China after 90 days from Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.
Land for military installations shall not be encroached PLA Daily 07 Jul 2020 -- Since the land attached to a railway line dedicated to military use was encroached by a local resident, a depot of the Shenyang Joint Logistic Support Center under the Joint Logistic Support Force of the Central Military Commission (CMC) took actions in accordance with the law, to ensure that the railway line for military use keeps a normal state of combat readiness.
Chinese envoy deposits instrument of accession to arms trade treaty to UN chief PLA Daily 07 Jul 2020 -- Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Monday deposited the instrument of accession to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) of the People's Republic of China to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
More foreign merchant vessels seek escort from PLA Navy PLA Daily 07 Jul 2020 -- Recently, the 35th Chinese naval escort taskforce escorted four foreign merchant vessels to a predetermined sea area, successfully completing its 1317th convoy mission.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviews progress of border infrastructure India PIB 07 Jul 2020 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh chaired a high level meeting here today to review the progress of various infrastructure projects under construction in border areas. The meeting was also attended by Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and other senior officials of the Ministry.
India's Top Court Orders Army to Give Permanent Commissions to Female Officers Within a Month Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- On 17 February, India's top court delivered a landmark judgement which ruled that women officers are entitled to permanent commissions on a par with their male counterparts. The Chief of Army Staff said that the military does not discriminate against any soldier based on gender, caste or creed.
India Deploys AN-32 Aircraft and Mi17 Helicopters to Airstrips Near the Chinese Border- Videos Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- India and China have been in a border stand-off for over 60 days in the Eastern Ladakh sector along the 4,057km Line of Actual Control, the de facto border between the two states. On Monday, both sides agreed to disengage troops in the Galwan Valley, where 20 India soldiers were killed in a skirmish on 15 June.

Commander: Iran ready to make military, non-military aircraft simulators IRNA 07 Jul 2020 -- The commander of the Air Force of the Army Brigadier-General Aziz Nasirzadeh said today Iran is capable of producing various simulators for military and non-military aircraft.

UK to resume arms sales to Saudi Arabia despite Yemen concerns Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- As the war in Yemen rages on, with mounting evidence of Saudi war crimes, the UK government has seen fit to resume arms sales to the Kingdom.
UK to Resume Arms Exports to Saudi Arabia Despite 'Isolated' Breaches of International Law in Yemen Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- In June 2019, London's court of appeal forced the UK government to suspend new licences for the export of arms to Saudi Arabia and to review existing ones over possible breaches of international law by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. UK officials now say that there is no risk of breaches and arms exports can restart.

Jordan - U-60M Black Hawk Helicopters DSCA 07 Jul 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Jordan of one (1) UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter and related equipment for an estimated cost of $23 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
Pentagon to Sell Single Black Hawk Helicopter to Jordan for $23 Million to Transport Royal Family Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- Pentagon is to sell a single Black Hawk helicopter to Jordan for $23 million, with the proposed deal approved by the US Department of State, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a press release on Tuesday.

Defense Industry

Contracts For July 7, 2020

Other Conflicts

7 July 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 07 Jul 2020

China's Coast Guard Shows Up at Vanguard Bank Again Radio Free Asia 07 Jul 2020 -- Less than a week after China sent a survey vessel into Vietnamese waters, vessel-tracking software shows that the China Coast Guard has shown up at Vanguard Bank, a known South China Sea flashpoint between Vietnam and China.
US Aircraft Carriers Nimitz, Reagan Conducting Round-The-Clock Drills in South China Sea Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- Hundreds of aircraft launched from two US carriers in the South China Sea this week are participating in an around-the-clock drill to support free navigation in the South China Sea, the US Navy said in a press release.

US fully responsible for Saudi-led military aggression against Yemen: Army spox Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- The spokesman for Yemeni army has censured the US as the conspirator of the Saudi-led military onslaught on his country, saying Washington arms the Riyadh regime and its regional allies, defines goals for them and is involved in a political cover-up for their acts of aggression.
Houthis Say Saudi Coalition Launched Over 60 Airstrikes on Yemeni Land in Past 24 Hours Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- The Saudi-led coalition has carried out over 60 intensive airstrikes on the positions of the Shia rebel Houthi movement in four western Yemeni provinces over the past 24 hours, the Houthi-controlled Al Masirah broadcaster reported.

US Smuggles 27 Truckloads of Military Equipment, Supplies Into Syria Through Iraq, Report Says Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- The US beefed up its presence in oil and gas-rich northeastern Syria in October 2019, after Turkey launched an abortive invasion of the Arab Republic's Kurdish-controlled northern territories. After that, the US moved troops away from the border toward the region's oil infrastructure to prevent the Damascus government from restoring control.
Fresh evidence of war crimes committed by all sides in Syrian conflict, probe finds UN News 07 Jul 2020 -- Hospitals, schools and homes have all been targeted during Syria's brutal and long-running conflict, said UN-appointed investigators, who on Tuesday condemned likely fresh war crimes committed by all parties.
Pro-Syrian, Terrorist Forces Accused of War Crimes in Battle for Idlib VOA 07 Jul 2020 -- The three-member U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Syria is accusing pro-government Syrian forces and terrorist groups of widespread human rights violations and war crimes in their battle to control Idlib in northwest Syria. The report will be submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council later this month.

US plotting soft coup against Hashd al-Sha'abi forces in Iraq: Lawmaker Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- An Iraqi legislator warns that the United States is fomenting a soft coup against Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), better known by the Arabic word Hashd al-Sha'abi, stating Washington is trying to constrain the role of the anti-terror forces.

Landmines planted by Libya rebels kill, injure nearly 140 in Tripoli: UN Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- Landmines planted by rebels in Libya have killed and wounded nearly 140 people in the south of the capital, Tripoli, over the past two months, a United Nations (UN) official says.

Russian Authorities In Occupied Crimea Detain Tatar Activists, Search Their Homes RFE/RL 07 Jul 2020 -- Russian authorities have detained seven Crimean Tatar activists after searching their homes in different parts of Ukraine's Moscow-controlled Crimea region.

Hamas lauds Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei over unwavering support for Palestine Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- A senior Hamas official has praised Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei for sending a note of support to the Palestinian resistance movement, saying the letter shows Iran will not leave Palestine alone in the face of Israeli and American plots.
OIC urges UN Security Council to stop Israel annexation plan Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) writes to the members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), urging the body to come in the way of a plan announced by Israel for annexation of significant portions of the occupied West Bank.
Israeli land grab plan aggression against Palestinians: Hezbollah, Hamas Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- The Palestinian and Lebanese resistance movements, Hamas and Hezbollah, have censured Israel's plan to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank as an act of "aggression against the Palestinian people," calling for a united front against the US-backed land grab bid.

India, China Begin Pulling Back Troops from Disputed Border VOA 07 Jul 2020 -- In the first sign that India and China are deescalating tensions along their disputed border, both sides have agreed to a "disengagement process" and pulled back troops from the site of a clash that killed 20 Indian soldiers in mid June.
White House Official Indicates US Military Support For India in Border Stand-off with China Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- United States' Secretary of State Michael Pompeo spoke to India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar at the height of border tensions between India and China following the violent face-off between Indian and Chinese soldiers in Ladakh's Galwan Valley.

Central Mali Seeks Protection Following Deadly Attacks VOA 07 Jul 2020 -- Local officials in central Mali are calling on the government to deploy additional troops to the restive region following several attacks that targeted civilians last week.

News Reports

Donald Trump Officially Withdraws the US From WHO, Senator Bob Menendez Announces Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- In March, Trump said that the US would cut all ties with the World Health Organisation (WHO), citing what he described as the international health watchdog's poor handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its alleged agreement with China to mislead the world about the spread of the virus.
US Formally Starts Withdrawal From WHO VOA 07 Jul 2020 -- The White House has formally notified the United Nations that it is pulling the United States out of the World Health Organization, despite the surging number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

U.S. Citizen Pleads Guilty To Fleeing Country With Classified Data, Seeking Russian Help RFE/RL 07 Jul 2020 -- A 46-year-old U.S. citizen has pleaded guilty after fleeing the country with her daughter and national-security materials that she hoped to offer Russia in exchange for Moscow's assistance.

Kremlin Vows Reciprocal Measures Over U.K. Sanctions Against Russians RFE/RL 07 Jul 2020 -- Russia has threatened to respond with reciprocal measures to British sanctions against more than two dozen Russian citizens in connection with the mistreatment and death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in 2009.
Russia to slap counter-sanctions on UK: Kremlin Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- Russia says it will introduce sanctions against the United Kingdom in retaliation for British bans targeting more than two dozen Russian officials.
Russia 'reserves right to retaliate' UK sanctions Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- Russia says it reserves the right to retaliate against the United Kingdom for imposing sanctions on 25 Russian officials over alleged human rights violations.
'Everyone's Asking Who's Next': Chechens In Europe Warn Of More Killings RFE/RL 07 Jul 2020 -- Chechen blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov says no one was surprised to hear that Mamikhan Umarov had been killed. "All the world knew [he was in danger]," Abdurakhmanov told Current Time. "Umarov himself knew it very well."
Austria Probes Checkered History Of Chechen Asylum Seeker For Clues Into Possible Political Murder RFE/RL 07 Jul 2020 -- Austrian police are investigating whether the murder of a Chechen asylum seeker outside the capital, Vienna, over the weekend was a political assassination or related to organized crime.
Russia arrests aide to space agency chief on charges of treason Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- Russia has arrested an aide to the head of the country's space agency Roscosmos on charges of state treason.
Russian Space Agency Aide, Former Journalist Pleads Not Guilty To High Treason RFE/RL 07 Jul 2020 -- Ivan Safronov Jr., an adviser to the chief of Russia's Roskosmos state space agency and a former journalist, has pleaded not guilty after being detained on a charge of high treason for allegedly passing military secrets to a NATO government.
Roscosmos Chief's Adviser Safronov Placed in Custody for Two Months Over Treason Charges, Court Says Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- Safronov, serving as an adviser to the chief of the Russian space agency Roscosmos since May, was detained earlier in the day. The ex-defence reporter denies the treason charges.
Roscosmos Chief's Adviser Safronov Denies Treason Charges Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- Ivan Safronov, an adviser to the head of Russian space corporation Roscosmos, denied on Tuesday his guilt in handing classified defence information to NATO, a Sputnik correspondent reported from a district court in Moscow.

The Threat Posed by the Chinese Government and the Chinese Communist Party to the Economic and National Security of the United States FBI 07 Jul 2020 -- Christopher Wray, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI Opens a New China-Related Counterintelligence Case Almost Every 10 Hours, Director Wray Says Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- Last month, the US domestic intelligence agency added to its laundry list of allegations against Beijing, accusing the Chinese ambassador and another diplomat of working to recruit American scientists in an effort to get access to advanced US research and technology.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on July 7, 2020 PRC MofA 07 Jul 2020
FBI Director: China Uses Anti-Corruption Campaign to Target Dissidents in US VOA 07 Jul 2020 -- China is targeting hundreds of Chinese dissidents in the United States under the cover of a global anti-corruption effort, using coercive tactics to force critics to return to China, FBI Director Christopher Wray said on Tuesday.
Pompeo Accuses Chinese Authorities of 'Orwellian' Censorship on Hong Kong Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused China's authorities of "Orwellian" censorship on Hong Kong.
Pompeo: US 'looking at' ban on Chinese social media apps Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said Washington is "certainly" seeking to ban Chinese social media apps such as TikTok, claiming it shared information with the Chinese government.
TikTok to Exit Hong Kong Market Over New National Security Law VOA 07 Jul 2020 -- TikTok, the popular short-form video app, says it will exit the Hong Kong market in response to the new national security law for the semi-autonomous city recently enacted by Beijing.
Hong Kong is a 'City in Danger' Under Security Law, According to Its Journalists Radio Free Asia 07 Jul 2020 -- Hong Kong's promised freedoms are now in danger, as the ruling Chinese Communist Party imposes a draconian security law on the city and the local authorities announce sweeping new powers to enforce it, according to a journalists' group.
New implementation rules of national security law spark legal battle with social media giants Global Times 07 Jul 2020 -- Several Western social media giants, such as Facebook, Twitter and Telegram, which are now in the spotlight, made high-profile announcements that they will "pause" processing the Hong Kong government's request to access data, following some local and foreign media outlets' exaggeration of the national security law enforcement rules they described as eroding Hong Kong's online privacy, a move experts call a cheap show of their "moral standards."
Implementation rules for Article 43 of national security law for HK take effect on Tuesday Global Times 07 Jul 2020 -- The implementation rules for Article 43 of national security law for HK take effect on Tuesday. Experts hailed the efficiency and close cooperation between the central government and the HKSAR government on providing legal guarantee on the matter.
Chinese FM refutes Aussie travel warning, says law-abiding foreigners have no need to worry Global Times 07 Jul 2020 -- China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said foreigners in China have no need to worry as long as they obey the law, and their legitimate rights and interests are guaranteed in accordance with law, refuting a warning by the Australian government that their residents could face "arbitrary detention" if they go to the Chinese mainland.
Carrie Lam dispels misunderstandings on implementation rules for Article 43 of natl security law for HK Global Times 07 Jul 2020 -- The implementation rules for Article 43 of the national security law for Hong Kong took effect on Tuesday, further providing legal guarantees for police to apply the law and safeguard national interests.
National security law ensures high degree of autonomy and people's freedom in HK: Liu Xiaoming Global Times 07 Jul 2020 -- The Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, held a virtual news conference regarding the national security law for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to allow the British public to understand the legislation comprehensively and accurately. He also answered questions regarding the British National Overseas (BNO) passport, and Huawei's 5G network project in the UK.
Implementing rules further detail enforcement of national security law for HK Global Times 07 Jul 2020 -- The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Monday publicized the implementation rules of an article from the national security law for Hong Kong, which will take effect on Tuesday and further provide legal guarantee for police to apply the law and safeguard the China's national interests, with experts applauding the efficiency and close cooperation between the central government and the HKSAR government.
Pro-secession HK riot leader pleads guilty to charges regarding unauthorized assembly Global Times 07 Jul 2020 -- A former leader of a dissolved Hong Kong pro-secession political group pleaded guilty to two charges in court on Monday, while other key figures like Joshua Wong and Ivan Lam denied charges of inciting others to knowingly participate in unauthorized assembly.
Implementation rules for Article 43 of national security law in HKSAR take effect PLA Daily 07 Jul 2020 -- The Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) take effect on Tuesday, the HKSAR government said when the implementation rules were gazetted on Monday evening.
Hong Kong's leader rejects 'doom and gloom' depictions of new security law Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam has defended the new national security law enacted in the semi-autonomous Chinese city last week, dismissing exaggerated accounts of its implications for the city.
Hong Kong Protester Calculates Personal Toll After a Year of Activism VOA 07 Jul 2020 -- The lives of many Hong Kong protesters have changed radically over the past year, as China pushed new national security laws eroding Hong Kong's freedoms.
Lack of Ruling on Nature of Crimes in Xinjiang 'a Shortcoming' of Trump Administration: Adrian Zenz Radio Free Asia 07 Jul 2020 -- Adrian Zenz, a senior fellow in China Studies at the Washington-based Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, has emerged as a leading expert on the mass incarceration of Uyghurs in internment camps in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
Thousands in Signature Campaign as China Plans End to Mongolian-medium Classes Radio Free Asia 07 Jul 2020 -- Thousands of ethnic Mongolian parents and activists have signed a petition to authorities calling for an end to the withdrawal of Mongolian-medium classes in schools in China's Inner Mongolia region, RFA has learned.
Implementing Visa Restrictions Under the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act US Dept. of State 07 Jul 2020 -- "The United States seeks fair, transparent, and reciprocal treatment from the People's Republic of China for our citizens. We have taken several steps to further this goal."
US Issues Visa Restrictions on Chinese Officials Over Tibetan Access Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- The US Department of State announced on Tuesday it had imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials deemed to be responsible for Beijing's policies controlling foreigners' access to the Tibet Autonomous Region.
BDS promotes China-Arab cooperation to higher level PLA Daily 07 Jul 2020 -- On July 6, the 9th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum was held via video-link.

Taiwan will counter new rule in HK security law if necessary: Tsai CNA 07 Jul 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Tuesday that if necessary, her administration will consider countermeasures to the newly implemented rules under Hong Kong's national security law, which state that authorities there can ask Taiwanese "political groups" to provide evidence in the investigation of potential violators.
Taiwan Would Welcome Visit by Tibet's Dalai Lama, Foreign Ministry Says Radio Free Asia 06 Jul 2020 -- Taiwan would welcome a visit by exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday, adding that any invitation would be handled under "relevant rules" if a request to visit is received.
Taiwan slams Chinese criticism of Somaliland ties CNA 07 Jul 2020 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Tuesday reemphasized that Taiwan is not part of China and has every right to pursue relations with other countries, following Beijing's criticism of the nation's establishment of ties with Somaliland.

Director General of Department of U.S. Affairs of DPRK Foreign Ministry Issues Statement KCNA 07 Jul 2020 -- Kwon Jong Gun, director general of the Department of U.S. Affairs of the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK, issued the following statement on Tuesday:
North Korea says won't hold new talks as US envoy arrives in Seoul Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- North Korea has stressed that it has no intention of holding new negotiations with the United States, following a call by South Korea for Pyongyang and Washington to hold a new summit.

Iran parliament discusses Natanz incident with intelligence minister in attendance IRNA 07 Jul 2020 -- The National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian parliament in the presence of Iranian Intelligence Minister and representative of security bodies reviewed Natanz nuclear site accident today.
Israel's Lieberman urges PM to 'shut up' official claiming Natanz 'bomb attack' Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- Israel's former minister of military affairs, who has now turned into an opposition figure, says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should gag an unnamed official leaking to the press Tel Aviv's alleged role in a recent incident at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility.
Security Website Says Incident At Iran's Nuclear Plant Was 'Deliberate Attack' Radio Farda 07 Jul 2020 -- A website close to Iran's Supreme Council of National Security (SCNS) has published a commentary on the blast at Iran's "centrifuge assembly line" in Natanz which says the incident was "a deliberate attack".
Incident At Iran Nuclear Site Discussed In Parliament Commission Meeting Radio Farda 07 Jul 2020 -- Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission spokesman Abolfazl Amouei says his committee held a meeting Tuesday evening to investigate the recent "accident" at the uranium enrichment facility in the city of Natanz.
Factory Blast Latest in Spate of Incidents Targeting Iran Infrastructure, Fueling Media Speculation Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- Amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran over the latter's nuclear program, a series of blasts have occurred in Iran near Tehran's Parchin military complex, at the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) and a power plant in Ahvaz, with reports claiming that Iranian officials regard the incidents as "sabotage".
Iran dismisses rumors on explosion in Yazd nuclear complex IRNA 07 Jul 2020 -- The public relations office of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEoI) in a statement dismissed the false news and rumors concerning an alleged explosion taking place in Shahid Rezaei Nejad nuclear complex in Yazd.
AEOI says no explosion hit Yazd nuclear site in central Iran Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has dismissed rumors about an explosion at a nuclear facility in the central province of Yazd, saying such claims are in line with an anti-Iran propaganda campaign serving Israeli and American goals.
UN Rights Rapporteur Calls U.S. Killing Of Top Iranian General 'Unlawful' RFE/RL 07 Jul 2020 -- A UN expert has concluded that a U.S drone strike that killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Iraq early this year constituted an "arbitrary killing" that was "unlawful."
UN Investigator Rules US Killing of Soleimani 'Unlawful', Implies That It Constitutes 'Act of War' Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- Last week, Iranian authorities issued an arrest warrant against US President Donald Trump and 35 other persons over the drone strike assassination of Revolutionary Guards Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad on January 3. Interpol indicated that it would not honour any Iranian extradition request over the Soleimani case.
UN Drone Strike Report Calls US Attack on Iranian General 'Arbitrary Killing' VOA 07 Jul 2020 -- As part of a new report on targeted killings using drones, a U.N. human rights investigator says a January U.S. strike that killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was an "arbitrary killing," and that Iran's retaliatory missile attack was not justified.
Spox: China ready to work with Iran to advance practical ties IRNA 07 Jul 2020 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian hailed traditional relations between Iran and China, saying his country is ready to advance practical cooperation with Iran.
First vice-president: US' anti-Iran sanctions doomed to failure IRNA 07 Jul 2020 -- Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said on Monday that the US has failed to bring Iran's economy to its knees through imposing unilateral sanctions.
South Korea releases parts of frozen Iranian funds: Businessman Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- South Korea has agreed to release a part of funds belonging to Iran and frozen in the country's banks under pressure from the United States, says a businessman leading trade between the two countries.
Middle East Countries Want Iran's Arms Embargo Extended, Pompeo Says Radio Farda 07 Jul 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday, July 6, that Middle Eastern countries demand to extend Iran's arms embargo, and the United Nations Security Council should listen to them.
Iran Exiled Crown Prince Calls Proposed Iran-China Accord 'Despicable Radio Farda 07 Jul 2020 -- In a statement on Tuesday, Iran's exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi condemned a planned 25-year agreement Iran is seeking to sign with China.
Ukraine Set To Sue Iran In International Courts Over Downed Airliner Radio Farda 07 Jul 2020 -- Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Yevhen Yenin says Kyiv is preparing to file a lawsuit against the Islamic Republic in international courts over Tehran's lack of cooperation after the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane in January.
Iran's Judiciary Says Many Licensed Exporters Were 'Fake Entities' Radio Farda 07 Jul 2020 -- Judicial Deputy of Tehran Prosecutor on Monday said many of the exporters flagged by the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) for not transferring currency earnings to the government FOREX system cannot be identified or are "fake entities".
Mossad Thwarted 'Iranian Plot' to Target Israeli Embassies Around the World, Report Claims Sputnik 07 Jul 2020 -- The report comes amid media speculation that Israel may have been involved in the 2 July blast at Iran's Natanz nuclear power plant. Defence Minister Benny Gantz appeared to deny the claims on Sunday, saying "not every event that happens in Iran is connected to us".

Iran Condemns Assassination Of Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Expert In Baghdad Radio Farda 07 Jul 2020 -- In a statement on Monday evening, the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad condemned the assassination of Iraqi historian and researcher of jihadi groups, Hisham al-Hashimi in Baghdad.
Iran condemns assassination of Iraqi researcher in security, strategic affairs ISNA 07 Jul 2020 -- Iran's embassy in Baghdad in a statement condemned assassination of Hisham al-Hashemi, an Iraqi researcher in security and strategic affairs.
Leading Iraqi security expert shot dead in Baghdad Press TV 07 Jul 2020 -- A leading Iraqi security analyst and government advisor has been shot dead outside his home in the capital Baghdad, sparking public anger and a wave of condemnations from the country's senior officials.
Prominent Iraqi Analyst Shot Dead After Pro-Iran Militia Threats RFE/RL 07 Jul 2020 -- A leading Iraqi political analyst was assassinated on July 6 outside his home in Baghdad after receiving threats from Iran-backed militias.

UK announces first sanctions under new global human rights regime UK FCO 07 Jul 2020 -- The new 'Magnitsky'-style sanctions regime will target those who have been involved in some of the gravest human rights violations and abuses around the world.

France's New Government Takes Office at Tough Time VOA 07 Jul 2020 -- France's newly appointed government gets down to work this week facing big challenges, including coronavirus and the economic crisis – not to mention general elections in less than two years.
The Reinvention of Emmanuel Macron VOA 07 Jul 2020 -- Buffeted by social unrest, economic woes and the coronavirus pandemic, French President Emmanuel Macron is in the process of rebooting his government two years out from a reelection bid, hoping to go one better than immediate predecessors who served just one term.

Corruption, Weak Rule of Law Cited as Myanmar Probes Latest Jade Disaster Radio Free Asia 07 Jul 2020 -- A team appointed by the Myanmar government to probe a massive landslide at a jade mine in northern Myanmar has begun its investigation into the deadly accident that killed at least 172 people, a Kachin state official said Tuesday.

Rights Group Calls for Protection of Hindu Minority in Pakistan VOA 07 Jul 2020 -- Pakistan's authorities must protect the rights of the Hindu minority in the country, Amnesty International said Tuesday after authorities agreed to demands to cease the construction of a Hindu temple.

Inability to Resolve Cambodia's Land Disputes Tied to Official Complicity: Minister of Interior Radio Free Asia 07 Jul 2020 -- Cambodia's government is unable to resolve the country's myriad land disputes because many of them involve senior officials, Minister of Interior Sar Kheng said in a rare acknowledgement Tuesday, as a rights group urged authorities to take action against all perpetrators of illegal land grabs equally.

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