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Defense Policy / Programs

• Army announces Total Army COVID-19 vaccination statistics US Army 15 Jul 2022 -- The U.S. Army announced COVID-19 vaccination rates and exemption requests for the Total Army as of July 14, 2022.
• Maryland National Guard, European Partners Protect Network Security Army News 15 Jul 2022 -- The Maryland Army National Guard's 169th Cyber Protection Team, Maryland Air National Guard's 175th Operation Support Squadron and members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) participated in a joint cybersecurity seminar June 29.
• Air Force focuses on future of Indo-Pacific alliances, Agile Combat Employment US Air Force 15 Jul 2022 -- The Cope North 2022 exercise in Guam marked a decade of Indo-Pacific security cooperation between Japan, Australia and the United States, and an opportunity to modernize training for the future.
• The 'Future Fight' is here: Red Flag-Nellis 22-3 US Air Force 15 Jul 2022 -- The familiar roar of America's airpower filled the skies over Las Vegas and the Nevada Test and Training Range, which signaled the start of another Red Flag exercise. However, participants of this iteration found themselves facing unfamiliar opposition as the first, dedicated fifth-generation aggressor force took to the skies for Red Flag-Nellis 22-3.
• USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) arrives in Palma, Spain US Navy 15 Jul 2022 -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) arrived in Palma, Spain for a scheduled port visit, July 15.
• Australian and New Zealand Hydrographic Teams Mine for Information During RIMPAC SOCAL 2022 US Navy 15 Jul 2022 -- Royal Australian Navy hydrographic surveyors aboard the San Antonio-class transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD-27) are working with surveyors from the Royal New Zealand Navy to locate inert mines along the coast in Southern California, USA as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 in Southern California.
• U.S. Naval Forces Europe participates in Bulgarian exercise Breeze US Navy 15 Jul 2022 -- U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) units and personnel, including P-8A Poseidon aircraft from Commander, Task Force (CTF) 67, based in Sigonella, Italy, and personnel assigned to CTF 68, based in Rota, Spain, kicked off participation in the Bulgarian exercise Breeze in the Black Sea region, July 14, 2022.
• Senior Military Official Holds a Background Briefing DoD 15 Jul 2022
• U.S.-Provided HIMARS Effective in Ukraine DoD News 15 Jul 2022 -- American High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems being used in Ukraine are making an impact on the conflict there between Ukrainians fighting to preserve their national sovereignty and Russian forces who have illegally invaded that country.
• Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) - Blanket Order Contractor Technical Assistance Support DSCA 15 Jul 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) of Blanket Order Contractor Technical Assistance Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $108 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• U.S. House passes defense bill with Taiwan provisions CNA 15 Jul 2022 -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed an annual defense policy bill with provisions to reinforce the partnership between Washington and Taipei, including requiring the U.S. president to invite Taiwan to join an upcoming U.S.-led military exercise in the region.
• Raksha Mantri launches Y- 3023 Dunagiri, Project 17A frigate at GRSE Ltd, Kolkata India PIB 15 Jul 2022 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched Y- 3023 Dunagiri, Project 17A frigate built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders Limited (GRSE) in Kolkata on July 15, 2022. Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff, and other senior officers from Indian Navy and Ministry of Defence were amongst the dignitaries who attended the ceremony.
• Iran's Army unveils 1st drone-carrier division IRNA 15 Jul 2022 -- The first drone-carrier division of the Iranian Army was unveiled in the presence of the Army Commander Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi.
• Iran's Navy unveils 1st naval drone carriers division in southern waters Press TV 15 Jul 2022 -- Iran's Navy has upgraded its force by incorporating a special division tasked with transporting and operating various drones, days after Washington threatened to use force against the Islamic Republic.
• Two Royal Canadian Navy ships return from European NATO missions Canada 15 Jul 2022 -- Today, the ships' companies of Her Majesty's Canadian Ships (HMCS) Halifax and Montréal return to their homeport of Halifax, Nova Scotia after the successful completion of their deployments on Operation REASSURANCE, in support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) assurance and deterrence measures in European waters.
• Korea - MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes DSCA 15 Jul 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea of MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes and related equipment for an estimated cost of $130 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• £2.35 billion Typhoon upgrade sustains 1,300 UK jobs UK MOD 15 Jul 2022 -- Typhoon fighter jets will be fitted with the world's most advanced radar - part of a £2.35 billion investment at the Royal International Air Tattoo
• Norway - AIM-120 C-8 or D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles DSCA 15 Jul 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Norway of AIM-120 C-8 or D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $950 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Estonia - M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) DSCA 15 Jul 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Estonia of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and related equipment for an estimated cost of up to $500 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Armenian President Appoints New Army Chief After Months Of Vacancy RFE/RL 15 Jul 2022 -- President Vahagn Khachaturian appointed a new chief of the Armenian Army's General Staff, filling a position that has been vacant for nearly five months after a handful of dismissals spearheaded by the prime minister.
• Seven Injured in Military Helicopter Crash in Thailand, Reports Say Sputnik 15 Jul 2022 -- A military helicopter carrying a commander of the fourth district of the Thai land forces crashed in Thailand's southern province of Songkhla on Friday, leaving seven people injured, including the general, media reported.
• HRH Crown Prince, U.S. President Hold Official Session of Talks and Chair Expanded Meeting At Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah SPA 15 Jul 2022 -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, and President Joe Biden of the United States of America held an official talks session at Al-Salam palace in Jeddah today.
• Jeddah Security and Development Summit/ Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques meets President of United States of America SPA 15 Jul 2022 -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, met with President Joseph Biden of the United States of America at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah today.
• Jeddah Security and Development Summit/ President of United States of America arrives in Jeddah SPA 15 Jul 2022 -- At the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President Joseph Biden of the United States of America arrived in Jeddah today on a two-day official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during which he will meet with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister.
• Joe Biden 'Doesn't Regret' Calling Saudi Arabia a 'Pariah State' After Meeting with Crown Prince Sputnik 15 Jul 2022 -- US President Joe Biden met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on Friday. The two leaders discussed a variety of subjects ranging from regional security to Biden's critical remarks over the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi during his 2020 Presidential campaign, according to the US President.
• Saudi Arabia Opens Airspace for All Civil Air Carriers for Overflying Sputnik 15 Jul 2022 -- Saudi Arabia is opening its airspace for all civil air carriers for overflying, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced on Friday.
• In Reset With Saudis, Biden Bolsters Israel's Security Against Iran Threat VOA 15 Jul 2022 -- President Joe Biden met Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on Friday to bolster Israel's security against the threat of Iran and reassert U.S. influence in the Middle East, engaging a kingdom whose poor human rights record he has condemned in the past.
• The Jeddah Communique: A Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia The White House 15 Jul 2022
• FACT SHEET: Results of Bilateral Meeting Between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia The White House 15 Jul 2022
• Remarks by President Biden on His Meetings in Saudi Arabia The White House 15 Jul 2022
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan En Route Jeddah, Saudi Arabia The White House 15 Jul 2022
• Statement by President Biden Welcoming the Opening of Saudi Airspace to Israel The White House 15 Jul 2022
• PM Lapid on Saudi Decision to Open Airspace to Israeli Airlines Israel - Prime Minister 15 Jul 2022
• Khashoggi shadow looms large as Biden seeks reset of ties with 'pariah' Press TV 15 Jul 2022 -- The slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's shadow loomed large over US President Joe Biden's maiden visit to Saudi Arabia on Friday and his much-anticipated meeting with Khashoggi's killer - the kingdom's de-facto ruler and crown prince Mohammad Bin Salman.
• On the 2022 Elie Wiesel Act Report to Congress and New U.S. Strategy to Anticipate, Prevent, and Respond to Atrocities US Dept. of State 15 Jul 2022
• Humanitarian Assistance for Africa US Dept. of State 15 Jul 2022 -- The United States, represented by Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Julieta Valls Noyes, announced today in Kampala, Uganda more than $592 million in humanitarian assistance for Africa through the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
• Remarks by President Biden and President Al Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 15 Jul 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call With French Foreign Ministry Secretary General Delattre US Dept. of State 15 Jul 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For July 15, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 15 July 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Jul 2022
• Joint Statement by the Heads of the Food and Agriculture Organization, International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, World Food Programme, and World Trade Organization on the Global Food Security Crisis WFP 15 Jul 2022 -- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director General Qu Dongyu, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank Group (WBG) President David Malpass, World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director David Beasley and World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala issued the following joint statement calling for urgent action to address the global food security crisis.
• Cash-Strapped Taliban 'Exploiting' Afghanistan's Natural Resources To Boost Revenue RFE/RL Gandhara 15 Jul 2022 -- Cash-strapped and cut off from international aid, the Taliban-led government is tapping into Afghanistan's natural resources to boost revenue.
• Stop abusing China's restraint on warplane provocations, Chinese FM tells US, Canada & Australia Global Times 15 Jul 2022 -- Answering to a question raised at Friday's media briefing about US, Canada and Australia claiming they had "unsafe interactions" with Chinese fighter jets in the South China Sea, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin noted that actions of warplanes of these countries are a complete provocation to China. He warned the involved parties not to abuse China's restraint while continually jeopardizing China's national sovereignty.
• North Waziristan Religious Leaders Killed When Vehicle Ambushed RFE/RL Gandhara 15 Jul 2022 -- Two religious scholars have been killed in Pakistan's troubled North Waziristan in the latest in a wave of seemingly targeted attacks.
• Thousands forced to flee Sagaing airstrikes that killed one and injured two Radio Free Asia 15 Jul 2022 -- Around 4,000 locals were forced to flee junta airstrikes on around 15 villages in Myanmar's northwestern Sagaing region on Thursday. The attacks are part of a three-day scorched-earth campaign that continued Friday. It involved around 100 troops, targeting residents of a township that has fiercely resisted military rule.
• US Renews Ties with Palestinians, Nudges Saudi - Israel Normalization VOA 15 Jul 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the last leg of his trip to the Middle East, flying directly from Tel Aviv on Friday just hours after the Saudi Kingdom announced the opening of its airspace to "all carriers," ending the country's ban on flights to and from Israel.
• Biden meets PA president as Palestinians protest his visit to occupied lands Press TV 15 Jul 2022 -- US President Joe Biden has met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank, as hundreds of people staged a demonstration to express their outright rejection of his visit to the occupied territories on his first Middle East tour as the US president.
• Remarks by President Biden and President Abbas of the Palestinian National Authority in Joint Press Statement | Bethlehem, West Bank The White House 15 Jul 2022
• Readout of President Biden's Meeting with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority The White House 15 Jul 2022
• Status of Israel-Lebanon Maritime Negotiations US Dept. of State 15 Jul 2022
• UN envoy hails positive developments in Colombia, warns against violence People's Daily 15 Jul 2022 -- The top UN envoy for Colombia, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, on Thursday hailed the encouraging political developments in Colombia and warned against persistent violence as an obstacle to the consolidation of peace in the country.
• Bosnian Court Quashes Serb Entity's Genocide-Denial Maneuver RFE/RL 15 Jul 2022 -- Bosnia-Herzegovina's Constitutional Court has annulled an attempt by the country's Serb-dominated republic to prevent genocide denial from being punishable, keeping a year-old ban in place from the international community's overseer to the fractious Balkan country.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the Transnistrian settlement process Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Jul 2022

News Reports

• US Secret Service erased text messages sought in Jan. 6 probe, say officials Press TV 15 Jul 2022 -- The US Secret Service erased text messages from January 5 and 6, 2021, after an oversight agency requested them, according to a letter given by the Department of Homeland Security to the House and Senate committees.
• Statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on Capture of Rafael Caro-Quintero US Dept. of Justice 15 Jul 2022 -- Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today released the following statement on the capture of Rafael Caro-Quintero, one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Caro-Quintero was wanted for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murder of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena in 1985.
• Mexico Arrests Rafael Caro-Quintero, Cartel Leader Convicted of Killing DEA Agent in 1985 Sputnik 15 Jul 2022 -- Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has publicly taken a softer stance against the cartels in Mexico, promising to fight poverty rather than wars with drug dealers.
• Notorious Kyrgyz Kingpin Chyngyz Jumagulov Detained On Extortion Charges RFE/RL 15 Jul 2022 -- Kyrgyz authorities say they have detained notorious criminal boss Chyngyz Jumagulov, who has been linked to another infamous kingpin for whom the United States has offered a $1 million reward.
• US Orders 2.5Mln Monkeypox Vaccine Doses, 131,000 Available Immediately Sputnik 15 Jul 2022 -- The US Department of Health and Human Services said in a press release on Friday that it has ordered 2.5 million of additional vaccine doses against monkeypox and has made 131,000 doses available for immediate use.
• U.S. reports over 1,000 monkeypox cases People's Daily 15 Jul 2022 -- The United States had reported over 1,000 confirmed monkeypox cases in 43 states as of Wednesday, according to the latest data of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• COVID-19 fuels slowest rate of childhood vaccination in three decades, leaving millions at risk UN News 15 Jul 2022 -- Official data published by UN agencies on Friday shows the largest sustained decline in childhood vaccination rates in approximately 30 years, with 25 million infants missing out on lifesaving shots.
• COVID-19 pandemic fuels largest continued backslide in vaccinations in three decades WHO 15 Jul 2022
• Meeting with permanent members of Security Council President of Russia 15 Jul 2022 -- Vladimir Putin held a regular meeting with the permanent members of the Security Council, via videoconference.
• New Russian space boss unveiled RT 15 Jul 2022 -- The top Russian official responsible for the defense industry has been reassigned to head up the space agency Roscosmos. This move was part of a reshuffle ordered by President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
• Putin Appoints Former Deputy PM Borisov Head of Russian Space Agency Sputnik 15 Jul 2022 -- Yuri Borisov has served as deputy prime minister in charge of the military-industrial complex since May 2018, and is a career military man as well as doctor of technical sciences.
• Yury Borisov appointed Roscosmos Director General President of Russia 15 Jul 2022 -- The President signed the Executive Order On the Director General of the Roscosmos State Space Corporation.
• Yury Borisov dismissed from post of Deputy Prime Minister President of Russia 15 Jul 2022 -- The President signed the Executive Order On Yury Borisov.
• Dmitry Rogozin dismissed from post of Roscosmos Director General President of Russia 15 Jul 2022 -- Vladimir Putin signed the Executive Order On Dmitry Rogozin.
• Controversial Director Of Russian Space Agency Dismissed By Kremlin RFE/RL 15 Jul 2022 -- The Kremlin has dismissed the controversial head of the Russian space agency Roskosmos, ending a term that was dogged by rampant allegations of corruption and major tensions with other space agencies, including NASA.
• Denis Manturov appointed Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Industry and Trade President of Russia 15 Jul 2022 -- Vladimir Putin signed the Executive Order On the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
• Russian State Duma Approves Manturov As Deputy Prime Minister RFE/RL 15 Jul 2022 -- The Russian parliament's lower chamber, the State Duma, approved at its extraordinary session on July 15 Denis Manturov, the minister of industry and trade, as a deputy prime minister in charge of weapons industries.
• OSCE Media Freedom Representative denounces new legal restrictions in Russia as "deeply troubling for freedom of expression and media freedom" OSCE 15 Jul 2022 -- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, today denounced the continued shrinking space for freedom of expression and media freedom in Russia as the authorities enact more restrictive laws.
• Implementation of EU sanctions against Russia: Commission adopts proposal for "maintenance and alignment" package European Commission 15 Jul 2022 -- The European Commission has today adopted a joint (High Representative-Commission) proposal for a new package of measures to maintain and strengthen the effectiveness of the EU's six wide-ranging and unprecedented packages of sanctions against Russia.
• Yellen Pushes Plan to Cap Price of Russian Oil on Global Markets VOA 15 Jul 2022 -- The United States is pressing to implement a plan meant to force Russia to sell oil at artificially low prices on the global market, in order to deprive the Kremlin of funding for its war in Ukraine.
• U.S. Clarifies Russia-Related Licenses To Ease Businesses' Concerns Over Sanctions RFE/RL 15 Jul 2022 -- The United States on July 14 sought to reassure businesses that facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports that their transactions would not breach sanctions imposed on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
• Europe Warns of Russian Pressure From Africa VOA 15 Jul 2022 -- Across Europe, there is a growing uneasiness that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is serving to overshadow another critical, even existential threat that could do severe damage to the West while serving the Kremlin's interests.
• The Week In Russia: Civilian Deaths And 'A New, Dark Page Of Repression' RFE/RL 15 Jul 2022 -- Civilian casualties mount as Russia strikes Ukrainian cities, some close to the front line and some far away. Moscow faces more war crimes accusations, this time over forced deportations and "filtration" centers. And at home, those who dare speak out against the war face prison terms.
• Russia Bans News Outlets Bellingcat, The Insider, Czech Group As 'Security Threats' RFE/RL 15 Jul 2022 -- Russian prosecutors have declared investigative news outlets Bellingcat and The Insider "a threat" to the country and banned them as "undesirables" from operating inside Russia.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on July 15, 2022 PRC MofA 15 Jul 2022
• Xi inspects Urumqi in China's Xinjiang, second visit in eight years Global Times 15 Jul 2022 -- neral secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected a university, an international land port area, a residential community and a museum in the city of Urumqi, capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning.
• Xi stresses implementing Party's policies on Xinjiang, highlights stability, security Global Times 15 Jul 2022 -- President Xi Jinping has stressed efforts to fully and faithfully implement the policies of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for the governance of Xinjiang in the new era, highlighting social stability and lasting security as the overarching goal.
• Xi inspects Urumqi in China's Xinjiang People's Daily 15 Jul 2022 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected a university, an international land port area, a residential community and a museum in the city of Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning.
• Xi inspects Shihezi City of Xinjiang People's Daily 15 Jul 2022 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited Shihezi City on Wednesday afternoon during an inspection tour in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
• Xi inspects Turpan City of Xinjiang PLA Daily 15 Jul 2022 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited Turpan City on Thursday afternoon during an inspection tour in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
• China's Weibo bans sound-alike expressions used to evade censorship of banned words Radio Free Asia 15 Jul 2022 -- Chinese internet giant Sina Weibo says it is banning the use of puns, homophones and other word-play claiming to be "typos" by people wanting to get around automated blocks and filters and refer to politically sensitive topics behind the Great Firewall.
• Mainland denounces DPP's sinister aim of damaging cross-Strait relations People's Daily 15 Jul 2022 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Thursday criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority for its sinister intention of deliberately obstructing exchanges of compatriots across the Taiwan Strait and damaging cross-Strait relations.
• Great Efforts Directed to Preventing Flood Damage in DPRK KCNA 15 Jul 2022 -- Jagang Province of the DPRK is concentrating all efforts and means on the work to prevent flood damage, true to the intention of the Party to thoroughly protect the life and safety of the people and land of the country from natural disasters.
• Measures for Normalizing Production in Rainy Season Taken KCNA 15 Jul 2022 -- The coal industrial sector of the DPRK is conducting a work to prevent damage from heavy rain and gale and normalize the production.
• Auto parts are a hot commodity in a North Korea cut off from new supplies Radio Free Asia 15 Jul 2022 -- Thieves in North Korea are scouring the city for cars to strip, as a severe parts shortage grips the country due to a ban on imports in response to the coronavirus pandemic, sources in the country told RFA.
• U.S., Israel pledge to deny Iran nuclear weapon People's Daily 15 Jul 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid signed a joint declaration in Jerusalem on Thursday, vowing to stop Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
• Iran: Top rights expert welcomes Swedish verdict in mass executions case UN News 15 Jul 2022 -- The conviction of an Iranian official by a Swedish court for his part in the mass execution and torture of political prisoners was welcomed on Friday by a top UN-appointed independent rights expert.
• Junta troops torch more than 150 oil wells in Myanmar's Magway region Radio Free Asia 15 Jul 2022 -- Junta troops have set fire to more than 150 private oil wells over the past two weeks in Myanmar's Magway region, residents and members of the armed opposition said Friday, destroying the local economy and leaving villagers with no way to earn a living.
• Despite the risks, many doctors in Myanmar stand firm against the junta Radio Free Asia 15 Jul 2022 -- Physicians and other medical workers in Myanmar who joined a national strike last year to protest the ruling military regime are resisting the junta's efforts to convince them to return, as the country's health care system feels the strain of widespread absences.
• Belarus Hits Back At Moody's For Debt Default Assessment RFE/RL 15 Jul 2022 -- The Finance Ministry of Belarus has accused international debt-rating agency Moody's of a provocation that Minsk says is intended to affect its eurobond market.
• South Africa 'on the precipice of explosive xenophobic violence', UN experts warn UN News 15 Jul 2022 -- A group of independent UN human rights experts have condemned reports of escalating violence targeting foreign nationals in South Africa, and called for accountability against rising xenophobia, racism and hate speech aimed at migrants, refugees, asylum seekers - and even citizens perceived as outsiders - throughout the country.
• Statement by a Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson on the situation in Sri Lanka Germany Federal Foreign Office 15 Jul 2022
• Sri Lankan president resigns, PM sworn in as interim president People's Daily 15 Jul 2022 -- Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as interim president before the chief justice on Friday, following the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, according to the prime minister's office.
• Sri Lankan armed forces empowered to use force following clashes People's Daily 15 Jul 2022 -- The Sri Lankan armed forces are empowered to use force if the situation deems necessary to protect public property, key installations, vulnerable points and human lives, the army announced on Thursday.
• Sri Lanka crisis: Rajapaksa finally hands in resignation, protesters retreat Press TV 15 Jul 2022 -- The resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the fugitive president of crisis-hit Sri Lanka, was accepted by the country's parliament on Friday, days after he fled the island amid mass protests over an unprecedented economic crisis.
• Ensure peaceful and constitutional transfer of power in Sri Lanka, urges UN Resident Coordinator UN News 15 Jul 2022 -- The head of the UN Country Team in Sri Lanka has urged senior politicians to ensure a peaceful transfer of power in line with the national Constitution, following weeks of protests that finally saw the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday.
• Sri Lanka to Get New President Next Week, Protesters Celebrate Rajapaksa's Exit VOA 15 Jul 2022 -- Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been sworn in as Sri Lanka's interim president a day after Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled to Singapore, stepped down as the country's top leader.
• Seize historic chance to launch EU accession negotiations, von der Leyen tells N. Macedonia People's Daily 15 Jul 2022 -- North Macedonia has a historic chance to seize and by endorsing the French proposal to resolve conflicts with Bulgaria it will have the opportunity to launch accession negotiations with the European Union (EU) soon, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said here on Thursday.
• Lawmakers In North Macedonia Resume Debate On Proposal To Unblock EU Bid RFE/RL 15 Jul 2022 -- Lawmakers in North Macedonia have resumed a contentious debate on a French compromise deal to lift Bulgaria's veto blocking Macedonian talks on joining the European Union.
• Indonesia: Unity among G20 needed to avoid 'catastrophic' crisis in developing world Radio Free Asia 15 Jul 2022 -- Indonesia's finance minister said Friday it is imperative that G20 countries are united in dealing with a looming food crisis caused by the conflict between breadbaskets Russia and Ukraine, or the world's most vulnerable countries will face disastrous consequences.
• Cambodia's proposed constitutional amendment against people's will, citizens say Radio Free Asia 15 Jul 2022 -- A proposed amendment to Cambodia's Constitution is a thinly veiled attempt by Prime Minister Hun Sen to keep power within his family and does not reflect the will of the people, citizens of the Southeast Asian country told RFA.
• Estonian PM asked to form new coalition government after resignation People's Daily 15 Jul 2022 -- Estonian President Alar Karis on Thursday proposed that Reform Party leader Kaja Kallas form the next coalition government after she resigned as prime minister together with her minority government.
• Protesters Block Bridge In Budapest For Third Night Over Orban's Tax Law Amendment RFE/RL 15 Jul 2022 -- Hundreds of protesters blocked a downtown Budapest bridge on July 14 for the third day in a row to demonstrate a tax change backed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government.
• Italian President Rejects Resignation of Prime Minister Draghi Sputnik 15 Jul 2022 -- Italian President Sergio Mattarella rejected resignation pf Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the presidential palace said on Thursday.
• The United States Stands With the People of South Sudan and Calls for Urgent Progress From South Sudan's Leaders US Dept. of State 15 Jul 2022 -- The United States laments the failure of South Sudanese leaders to implement the commitments they have made to bring peace to South Sudan and has consequently decided to end U.S. assistance for peace process monitoring mechanisms, effective July 15, as we assess next steps.