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News Reports

Current Operations

• Squadron of F-35 Lightning IIs arrive in U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility CENTCOM 26 Jul 2023 -- As part of a pre-announced Department of Defense deployment, a squadron of U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs has arrived in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility.
• US claims drone damaged by flares from Russian jet over Syria amid escalating tensions Press TV 26 Jul 2023 -- A Russian jet fighter flew recently within a few meters of an occupying US spy drone over Syria and fired flares at it, striking the illegally flying American aircraft and damaging it, the US military has claimed amid multiple encounters between the rival military powers over Syrian air space in recent weeks.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Former Military Officials Testify Before US Congress About Extraterrestrials, Alien Craft VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- The U.S. government "absolutely" has recovered extraterrestrial craft, according to a former combat officer who was a member of a Department of Defense task force that investigated unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAP.
• Austin Meets Papua New Guinea Leaders to Chart Security Course DoD News 26 Jul 2023 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Papua New Guinea defense leaders today to discuss ways the two nations can cooperate to help build a secure and stable region.
• Austin Visits Papua New Guinea, Australia on Latest Trip to Pacific DoD News 26 Jul 2023 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III became the first defense secretary to visit Papua New Guinea today, a sign of the warming relationship between the two countries.
• Experts: Austin's Papua New Guinea Visit Spotlights Defense Pact VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's visit to Papua New Guinea will focus, in part, on detailed discussion establishing a U.S. military presence in the country, according to experts.
• Pentagon Expects China Will Try to Inhibit US Ability to Use Space Sputnik 26 Jul 2023 -- The US military expects that China will try to inhibit the United States' capabilities in space, President Joe Biden's nominee for commander of the US Space Command, Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting, said during his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
• Department of Commerce and Department of Defense Sign Memorandum of Agreement to Strengthen U.S. Defense Industrial Base US Dept. of Commerce 26 Jul 2023 -- The United States Departments of Commerce (DoC) and Defense (DoD) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to expand collaboration to strengthen the U.S. semiconductor defense industrial base.
• Department of Commerce and Department of Defense Sign Memorandum of Agreement to Strengthen U.S. Defense Industrial Base DoD 26 Jul 2023 -- The United States Department of Commerce and Department of Defense have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to expand collaboration to strengthen the U.S. semiconductor defense industrial base. The agreement will increase information sharing between the Departments to facilitate close coordination on the CHIPS for America's incentives program, ensuring that their respective investments position the U.S. to produce semiconductor chips essential to national security and defense programs.
• Statement from President Joe Biden on the 75th Anniversary of the Desegregation of the Armed Forces The White House 26 Jul 2023
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Statement Marking 75 Years Since the Desegregation of the Department of Defense DoD 26 Jul 2023
• Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks Closing Remarks for the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of Racial Desegregation in the Armed Forces and Federal Workforce DoD 26 Jul 2023
• U.S. Military Integration Spawned Peerless Fighting Force DoD News 26 Jul 2023 -- Seventy-five years ago today, President Harry S. Truman signed two executive orders that, for the first time, desegregated the U.S. military and the federal workforce.
• Talisman Sabre 23 Field Exercise Sets Benchmark for Combined Military Training in Indo-Pacific DoD News 26 Jul 2023 -- Inside a small tent on a sprawling military training range on Australia's northeast coast, U.S. and Australian exercise planners are immersed as the product of years of painstaking preparation unfolds in real time.
• 3d MLR demonstrates Fight Now capabilities at MASA 23 USMC News 26 Jul 2023 -- 3d Marine Littoral Regiment demonstrated its unique ability to get to the future fight and establish a forward presence during Marine Aviation Support Activity 23. In a matter of days, the inaugural MLR deployed its forces across the Pacific, established a fully operationally capable expeditionary advanced base in the vicinity of Northern Luzon, Philippines, and initiated communications with a reach-back cell based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The exercise marked a historical demonstration of 3d MLR's Fight Now capabilities.
• A Ready Marine Corps in the Western Pacific: The Stand-in Force Emerges in III Marine Expeditionary Force USMC News 26 Jul 2023 -- On a tropical island within the First Island Chain, planners from the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force are deeply engrossed in their work, studying maps under tan weathered tents. Their focus is on wargaming enemy actions within their battlespace, while attentive interpreters in their native military uniforms mediate technical discussions, dictating their nation's part in the Stand-in Force.
• Kadena AB aces dispersed operations during Northern Edge 23-2 US Air Force 26 Jul 2023 -- U.S. service members integrated with Japan Self-Defense Forces, French air and space forces and other allies and partners to enhance Agile Combat Employment capabilities from dispersed locations during Northern Edge 23-2, July 2-21.
• Connected battlespace modernizes fight in Indo-Pacific US Air Force 26 Jul 2023 -- History was made during exercise Northern Edge 23-2 as the Utah Air National Guard's 151st Air Refueling Wing, working with the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Test Center, sent their modified KC-135 Stratotanker to Kadena Air Base for use in the Western Pacific.
• Rooted in Maritime History: Stennis Holds Mast Stepping Ceremony US Navy 26 Jul 2023 -- The crew of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and members of Newport News Shipbuilding marked a major milestone in the ship's refueling, complex and overhaul (RCOH) maintenance period with a mast stepping ceremony, July 26.
• USS Normandy Arrives in Rijeka, Croatia US Navy 26 Jul 2023 -- The USS Normandy (CG 60), a part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, arrived in Rijeka, Croatia for a regularly scheduled port visit and mid-deployment voyage repair (MDVR), July 26, 2023.
• Russia-CAR Defense Industry Cooperation Actively Developing - Ambassador Sputnik 26 Jul 2023 -- Defense industry ties between Russia and the Central African Republic (CAR) are thriving, and Moscow has recently delivered an L-39 fighter jet to Bangui, Russian Ambassador to the CAR Alexander Bikantov told Sputnik.
• Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu holds talks with his North Korean counterpart Russia MoD 26 Jul 2023 -- Today, the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoigu held talks with the Minister of Defence of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea General of the Army Kang Sun-nam in Pyongyang.
• Russia Reinvigorating Ties With North Korea Sputnik 26 Jul 2023 -- A Russian delegation led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu embarked on a trip to the DPRK on July 25-27. What message does the high-profile visit send?
• Russia's defense chief, Chinese officials in N Korea to mark Victory Day, expand ties Press TV 26 Jul 2023 -- Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has arrived in North Korea leading a military delegation, joining a high level Chinese delegation to attend the country's Victory Day events marking the end of the Korean War and hold talks on expanding defense ties.
• Russian Military Delegation Arrives in Pyongyang KCNA 26 Jul 2023 -- A military delegation of the Russian Federation led by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived here on Tuesday to pay a congratulatory visit to the DPRK on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War.
• Images Show More Military Equipment Gathered At 'Wagner Camp' In Belarus RFE/RL 26 Jul 2023 -- Military equipment and vehicles believed to belong to the private Wagner mercenary group continue to move to a site in the village of Tsel in eastern Belarus that is believed to be a site where troops from Yevgeny Prigozhin's company have settled after its aborted mutiny in Russia last month.
• NATO-Ukraine Council Condemns Russia's Withdrawal From Black Sea Grain Deal RFE/RL 26 Jul 2023 -- NATO allies and Ukraine on July 26 condemned Russia's decision to withdraw from the Black Sea grain deal and what they said were Russia's deliberate attempts to stop Ukraine's agricultural exports.
• NATO-Ukraine Council addresses serious security situation in the Black Sea NATO 26 Jul 2023 -- The NATO-Ukraine Council met on Wednesday (26 July 2023) to address the serious security situation in the Black Sea region following Russia's unilateral termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by the United Nations and Türkiye.
• There will be no Ukraine if it joins NATO: Duma deputy speaker Press TV 26 Jul 2023 -- A top Russian lawmaker insists that there will be no Ukraine if the East European country joins the US-led NATO military alliance.
• Hungarian Parliament Would Veto Ukraine's Accession to NATO - Party Head Sputnik 26 Jul 2023 -- Hungary's parliament would veto Ukraine's accession to NATO because the move could lead to another world war, the leader of Hungary's national conservative political party Our Homeland Movement party, Laszlo Toroczkai, told Sputnik on Wednesday.
• Ukraine wasting Western military training: German intelligence report Press TV 26 Jul 2023 -- Ukraine's counteroffensive is failing to make progress because its army is not fully implementing the training it has received from the West, a leaked German intelligence document has revealed, blaming Ukraine's lack of success on the tactics of its commanders.
• US military shipment to Ukraine for first time includes spy drones Press TV 26 Jul 2023 -- The United States has announced a fresh package of military assistance to Ukraine, including nano spy drones for the first time in military supplies.
• Cambodian Ream Naval Base Modernized by China Nears Completion: Defense Ministry VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- Cambodian officials say renovation work on a naval base in the coastal city of Sihanoukville is nearly complete, but U.S. officials have voiced suspicions the facility, being upgraded by China, will be used exclusively by China's military.
• PLA Air Force open-day event displays advanced aircraft Global Times 26 Jul 2023 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force open-day event and the Changchun Aviation Exhibition kicked off in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province, on Wednesday, with 45 aircraft of 13 types delivering a spectacular visual show to the audience, many of whom said they could feel the atmosphere of combat and the PLA Air Force's readiness and vigilance in safeguarding the country's skies.
• China, Russia to hold third joint naval patrol in West, North Pacific Global Times 26 Jul 2023 -- China and Russia will soon launch their third joint naval patrol, which will see both sides' warships sail into West and North Pacific waters following the Northern/Interaction-2023 joint exercises in the Sea of Japan.
• Tsai inspects military drill day after testing positive for COVID CNA 26 Jul 2023 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) visited Taoyuan on Wednesday morning to oversee a military exercise at an oil refinery, her first public appearance since testing positive for COVID-19.
• Hostage, bomb threat drill held at Taipei Main Station CNA 26 Jul 2023 -- Taiwan's military and civilian police joined forces early Wednesday for a hostage crisis and bomb threat drill in Taiwan's busiest transportation hub, as part of the ongoing live-fire part of the Han Kuang military exercises.
• In a first, Taiwan military conducts drill at major civilian airport CNA 26 Jul 2023 -- Taiwan's military on Wednesday conducted its first ever anti-takeover drill at the country's major international gateway to test its ability to fend off a Chinese invasion, as Taiwan's annual live-fire Han Kuang drills continued.
• Air raid drill slated for Thursday in central Taiwan canceled: MND CNA 26 Jul 2023 -- The annual Wanan air raid drill scheduled for Thursday in central Taiwan has been canceled as the country braces for the impact of Typhoon Doksuri, the Ministry of National Defense said Wednesday.
• Headquarters digs-in Australia DOD 26 Jul 2023 -- Hidden beneath a gumtree canopy and covered by camouflage netting, Headquarters 7th Brigade sat dug into the ground ... three metres deep.
• Democrats question proposed part of AUKUS deal Radio Free Asia 26 Jul 2023 -- A key part of the AUKUS security pact aiming to create a "seamless" defense industry across Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States appears at risk after congressional Democrats raised doubts about Canberra's ability to protect U.S. military designs from China.
• Warplane crashes in SW Saudi Arabia, killing all those on board Press TV 26 Jul 2023 -- A Saudi Arabian warplane has crashed in the kingdom's southwest, killing all those on board.
• Turkiye's First Main Battle Tank to Be Put Into Serial Production in 2025 Sputnik 26 Jul 2023 -- The serial production of Turkiye's first main battle tank Altay will start in 2025, once the first batch of the 250 combat vehicles is delivered to the Turkish military, Mehmet Karaaslan, the general manager of the BMC Defense manufacturing company, told Sputnik.
• UK and Turkey continue to strengthen ties at Defence industry fair UK MOD 26 Jul 2023 -- The UK and Turkey's defence relationship will continue to strengthen, following Ministerial meetings at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul.
• German flight squadron deployed to Iceland "Government of Iceland 26 Jul 2023 -- A squadron of six Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from the German Air Force will arrive in Keflavik to conduct a training mission in Icelandic airspace later this week.
• A look at the Defence news 16 - 23 July Netherlands Ministry of Defence 26 Jul 2023
• France Eyes New Deal With Qatar on Supply of Rafale Fighter Jets - Reports Sputnik 26 Jul 2023 -- France was planning to agree on another contract to deliver 24 Rafale fighter jets to Qatar after the supply of 36 aircraft in 2015, a French newspaper reported Tuesday, citing sources.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Nanaia Mahuta at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 26 Jul 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Prime Minister Hipkins of New Zealand US Dept. of State 26 Jul 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Tongan Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 26 Jul 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken at the U.S. Embassy Nuku'alofa Dedication US Dept. of State 26 Jul 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby The White House 26 Jul 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For July 26, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 26 July 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Jul 2023
• After Deadline Passes, Afghan Women Pay The Price As Beauty Salons Shut Their Doors RFE/RL 26 Jul 2023 -- Beauty salons across Afghanistan were silent as of July 26, a day after a deadline from Taliban rulers passed in another sign of the curbing of rights and freedoms of women in the impoverished country.
• UN Envoy Pressed to Prioritize Female Rights in Afghan Crisis Review VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- A rights watchdog said Wednesday that human rights in Afghanistan, especially those of women and girls, should be at the center of a U.N. Security Council-mandated independent assessment of the global response to the country's crisis.
• Afghan Relocation Flights Paused, Activists Call For Resumption VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- Relocation flights from Afghanistan carrying Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants to U.S. immigration processing centers in Qatar and other countries have been suspended for more than one month, and it's unclear when they will resume.
• Afghan Journalists Wary of Taliban Registration VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- Journalists in Afghanistan are facing a new requirement from the Taliban's Ministry of Information and Culture to register and obtain identification cards in order to verify their identities and professional affiliations.
• The UN's milestone operation to salvage Yemen's stricken oil tanker: Key questions answered UN News 26 Jul 2023 -- After nearly two years of "political groundwork, fundraising, and project development", in the words of UN chief António Guterres, the UN-led operation to avert environmental disaster in the Red Sea of the Yemeni coast, is fully underway.
• Junta shelling kills man, forces residents to flee village in Myanmar's Shan state Radio Free Asia 26 Jul 2023 -- Myanmar's military shelled a village in Shan state, killing a man and forcing most residents to flee, locals told RFA Wednesday.
• Critical funding gap for onward transportation for people fleeing Sudan risks to create a humanitarian catastrophe in the border areas UNOCHA 26 Jul 2023 -- The humanitarian community in South Sudan is calling for urgent funding to ensure continued support for onward transportation for people fleeing the Sudan conflict to South Sudan.
• Pakistan Condemns the Provocative Remarks Made by India's Defence Minister Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Jul 2023 -- Pakistan condemns the provocative remarks by India's Defence Minister, made on 26 July 2023, in Drass, Ladakh, boasting readiness to cross the Line of Control.
• Erdogan holds talks with Palestinian president Abbas, Hamas leader Haniyeh in Ankara Press TV 26 Jul 2023 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has held a joint meeting with the Palestinian president and the head of Hamas political bureau, pushing for unity among Palestinian factions ahead of a summit of Palestinian factions set for the weekend.
• Azerbaijan: Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell on the humanitarian situation on the ground European External Action Service (EEAS) 26 Jul 2023 -- The European Union is deeply concerned about the serious humanitarian situation affecting the local population in the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. The movement through the Lachin corridor remains obstructed for more than seven months, despite Orders by the International Court of Justice to reopen it.

News Reports

• Niger Soldiers Claim President Bazoum Has Been Overthrown VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- A group of soldiers claimed on national television in Niger on Wednesday that President Mohamed Bazoum has been removed from power.
• US Joins ECOWAS, Others Condemning Apparent Coup Attempt in Niger VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- The United States joined African leaders Wednesday in calling for the release of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, who is being held inside the country's presidential palace by members of his presidential guard.
• Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan On Developments in Niger The White House 26 Jul 2023
• On Reports of an Attempted Takeover in Niger US Dept. of State 26 Jul 2023 -- "The United States is gravely concerned about developments in Niger. We strongly support the democratically elected President and condemn in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and disrupt the constitutional order."
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Nigerien President Bazoum US Dept. of State 26 Jul 2023
• UK statement on violence in Niger UK FCDO 26 Jul 2023 -- The Minister for Africa Andrew Mitchell has made a statement following violence in Niger.
• Guterres condemns apparent coup attempt in Niger UN News 26 Jul 2023 -- The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned an attempted power grab in the West African nation of Niger, following reports that the democratically elected president is being held by some of his own guards inside his official residence.
• Nigerien Military Claims President Bazoum Removed From Power Amid Border Closures Sputnik 26 Jul 2023 -- The military of Niger appeared on national television and announced Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum had been removed from power after the leader had earlier been presented with an ultimatum.
• Rebels in Niger Refuse to Free President Despite Ultimatum From Armed Forces Sputnik 26 Jul 2023 -- Rebels in Niger continue to hold captive President Mohamed Bazoum, while the armed forces gave them an ultimatum, a French news agency reported on Wednesday, citing sources from the president's inner circle.
• 'Coup attempt' underway in troubled Niger as president held by guards Press TV 26 Jul 2023 -- Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum has reportedly been seized by members of the presidential guard, triggering warnings from regional powers that a coup is underway.
• Increased spread of disinformation directed towards Sweden Government Offices of Sweden 26 Jul 2023 -- Today, Wednesday 26 July, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin held a press briefing on recent influence campaigns against Sweden. Mikael Östlund, Head of Communications at the Psychological Defence Agency (MPF), also took part.
• Fourth U.S.-ROK Working Group Meeting on the DPRK Cyber Threat US Dept. of State 26 Jul 2023 -- The Republic of Korea (ROK) hosted the 4th U.S.-ROK Working Group on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Cyber Threat on July 26, led by Deputy Special Representative for the DPRK Dr. Jung Pak and ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General for North Korean Nuclear Affairs Lee Jun-il.
• Brazil's Parana Declares 6-Month State of Emergency Due to Bird Flu Sputnik 26 Jul 2023 -- The southern Brazilian state of Parana, which borders Paraguay, has declared a 180-day emergency due to the detection of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza among migratory birds, the regional government said on Tuesday.
• Jordan's War on Illegal Drugs From Syria May Need Iran VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- When Jordan and other Arab nations brought Syria back into the Arab League, one of the conditions was that it tackle its burgeoning unregulated drug production and stop using Jordan as a transit point for its criminal drug trade to wealthy Gulf nations. However, observers say they are seeing little action from Damascus.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, July 26, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Jul 2023
• Meeting with New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff President of Russia 26 Jul 2023 -- Vladimir Putin met with Dilma Rousseff, President of the New Development Bank, established by the BRICS states, at the Constantine Palace.
• Russia-Ethiopia talks President of Russia 26 Jul 2023 -- Vladimir Putin held talks with Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed at the Constantine Palace.
• To participants and guests of the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum President of Russia 26 Jul 2023
• Meeting with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi President of Russia 26 Jul 2023 -- Vladimir Putin met with President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi at the Constantine Palace on the sidelines of the second Russia-Africa Summit.
• Fewer Leaders to Visit Russia-Africa Summit Due to Western Pressure - Kremlin Sputnik 26 Jul 2023 -- The Russia-Africa Summit 2023 will be attended by fewer foreign leaders largely due to their own plans, but there is also pressure of the United States that has played a role in it, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.
• What Africa and Russia Have to Gain From Summit VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- African leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, are heading to St. Petersburg this week for the second Russia-Africa Summit, as an isolated Moscow looks to shore up its influence in a key region.
• Putin's visit to China during BRI forum in October shows Russia's support to China: experts Global Times 26 Jul 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation shows Russia's support to China and the two countries are expected to enhance cooperation during the visit, experts said on Wednesday.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: participation of Russian and Belarusian citizens in sports events cannot be supported Latvia MFA 26 Jul 2023 -- At a time when Russia is waging and Belarus is supporting a full-scale military aggression against Ukraine, participation of Russian and Belarusian citizens in national and international sporting events cannot be supported.
• Joint statement by Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Foreign Ministers to the International Olympic Committee regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the upcoming Olympic Games beginning on July 26 next year in Paris Latvia MFA 26 Jul 2023 -- The Olympic Games in Paris will open exactly one year from today. We, the Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania commend the recent confirmation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that Russia and Belarus will not receive formal invitations to the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
• Russia And Belarus Not Among 203 Countries Invited To Paris Olympics RFE/RL 26 Jul 2023 -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has formally invited 203 countries to compete in the 2024 Paris Games, notably excluding Russia and Belarus from the list.
• Moscow Court Sentences Cybersecurity Company Chief To 14 Years RFE/RL 26 Jul 2023 -- The Moscow City Court has sentenced Ilya Sachkov, the head of a leading Russian cybersecurity company, to 14 years in prison on a high treason charge.
• Exclusive: Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center suffers cyberattack from the US; investigation underway Global Times 26 Jul 2023 -- The Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center has recently suffered a cyberattack launched by an overseas organization, the city's emergency management bureau which the center is affiliated to said in a statement on Wednesday. This is another case of its kind following the June 2022 cyberattack from overseas against a Chinese university.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on July 26, 2023 PRC MofA 26 Jul 2023
• US seeks to advance high-level exchanges but 'sincerity needed' Global Times 26 Jul 2023 -- China and the US continue to maintain the momentum of high-level engagement, with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo unveiling plans to visit China "later this summer," media reported, following successive visits by high-level US officials to Beijing. However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken continued to slander China's image during his latest trip to the Pacific, even as he emphasized the importance of managing US-China relations in a responsible way, which reflects the duplicity of Washington's China policy, experts said.
• China Looms Large as US Heavyweights Head to the Pacific VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- Top U.S. military officials and diplomats are embarking this week on another concerted push against Chinese influence across the Indo-Pacific, hoping to expand security agreements with key Pacific Island nations.
• Trilateral talks between China, Japan and S.Korea set to resume Global Times 26 Jul 2023 -- China and Japan have agreed to resume high-level trilateral talks with South Korea at the end of this year, the first time in four years. The trilateral talks, if successfully convened, could at least inject impetus to economic cooperation between Northeast Asia's three biggest economies and pave the way for regional stability, said Chinese observers. Yet for the talks to yield concrete result, leaders from both Japan and South Korea are facing the ordeal of excluding extraterritorial pressure, experts said.
• Fiji prime minister shelves China visit after falling while looking at mobile phone Radio Free Asia 26 Jul 2023 -- Fiji's prime minister has canceled an official visit to China after he tripped while looking at his mobile phone and injured his head.
• China issues guidelines to save the economy - from Xi Jinping Radio Free Asia 26 Jul 2023 -- China's economic planning agency announced an initiative this week, following up on last Wednesday's 31-point Party plan, to incentivize the private sector and kickstart the economy in the second half of the year, state media reported.
• China In Eurasia Briefing: China's Missing Foreign Minister Gets Replaced RFE/RL 26 Jul 2023
• Amid Chinese Foreign Ministry Shake-Up, Wang on Africa Tour VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- This week as Beijing suddenly announced that China's foreign minister Qin Gang had been removed after just seven months in the job, his predecessor and now replacement, seasoned diplomat Wang Yi, was on a tour of some of Africa's key economies.
• China's top legislature holds session, foreign minister, central bank governor appointed People's Daily 26 Jul 2023 -- China's top legislature voted to appoint Wang Yi as foreign minister and Pan Gongsheng as central bank governor, as it convened a session on Tuesday.
• Foreign minister stresses role of Global South countries People's Daily 26 Jul 2023 -- Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called on countries of the Global South, a rising group of emerging economies and developing nations on the world stage, to remain firm and confident in following their own paths and support each other on issues related to their core interests and major concerns.
• Wang Yi calls for unity and cooperation among countries of the Global South Global Times 26 Jul 2023 -- Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday called for unity and cooperation among countries of the Global South, a rising group of emerging economies and developing nations, to oppose ideological barriersand camp confrontation and stand up for themselves in pursuing theirown development paths.
• Build a better nation, Xi tells HK students People's Daily 26 Jul 2023 -- President Xi Jinping has called on students from a high school in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to develop a deep love for the motherland and its people, hone their abilities and become talents capable of shouldering important responsibilities from an early age.
• Liu Guangyuan removed from post of foreign ministry's commissioner in HKSAR People's Daily 26 Jul 2023 -- China's central government has decided to remove Liu Guangyuan from the post of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
• Central bank governor pledges allegiance to Constitution People's Daily 26 Jul 2023 -- Pan Gongsheng, newly appointed governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), made a public pledge of allegiance to the Constitution at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday.
• CPC leadership holds meeting to analyze economic situation, make arrangements for work in the second half of the year People's Daily 26 Jul 2023 -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Monday held a meeting to analyze the current economic situation and make arrangements for economic work in the second half of the year. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.
• U.S. House passes bill to safeguard Taiwan's international participation CNA 26 Jul 2023 -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed legislation aimed at countering efforts by China to exclude Taiwan from participating in international organizations.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Jul.26, 2023 ROC MND 26 Jul 2023
• KPA Commanding Officers Visit Kumsusan Palace of Sun KCNA 26 Jul 2023 -- Commanding officers of the Korean People's Army (KPA) including Kang Sun Nam, Jong Kyong Thaek and Pak Su Il visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on Tuesday on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War.
• Measures Taken to Minimize Crops Damage by Disastrous Abnormal Weather KCNA 26 Jul 2023 -- The agricultural sector of the DPRK takes thorough measures to minimize the crops damage by El Nino this year.
• Iran, IAEA enjoy stable ties based on March agreement: Nuclear chief IRNA 26 Jul 2023 -- The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog have continuous and stable interactions based on an agreement reached months ago.
• Tehran set to settle remaining issues with IAEA over two nuclear sites: Iran's nuclear chief Press TV 26 Jul 2023 -- Iran's nuclear chief says the country has provided the UN nuclear watchdog with new information over its recent probe into what it terms the unexplained presence of uranium particles in certain locations in Iran and is willing to settle those issues with the agency.
• Iranian Supreme Court Annuls Protester's Death Sentence, Case To Be Reviewed RFE/RL 26 Jul 2023 -- Iran's Supreme Court has annulled the death sentence of Mohammad Ghabadloo, a protester who was arrested amid a crackdown on nationwide unrest last year.
• Iranian Activist Sentenced Again For 2009 Presidential Campaign Speeches RFE/RL 26 Jul 2023 -- Ahmad Zeidabadi, a prominent Iranian political activist, has been sentenced to a year of punitive imprisonment and 50 lashes in a case he says is linked to speeches he gave during the 2009 presidential election.
• Iran not to give up legitimate right to Hirmand water share: Minister IRNA 26 Jul 2023 -- Iran's Minister of Energy says water share from Hirmand River is Iran's legal, natural and international right, and the country will not give up by any means.
• Malaysia talks of leeway for ASEAN members' informal approach to Myanmar Radio Free Asia 26 Jul 2023 -- Malaysia and the Philippines on Wednesday discussed giving fellow ASEAN states more latitude in pursuing individual and informal approaches for dealing with the post-coup crisis in Myanmar.
• 8th India-Australia Defence Policy Talks held in Canberra India PIB 26 Jul 2023 -- The 8th India-Australia Defence Policy Talks (DPT) was held at Canberra in Australia on 24-25 July 2023
• Foreign Minister's telephone call with Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Jul 2023 -- Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of the Russian Federation today.
• China, Trade and Security to Dominate Australia-New Zealand Talks VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is making his first official visit to New Zealand on Wednesday. Trade and security, as well as China's ambitions in the Pacific, are expected to be on the agenda.
• Press conference - Wellington, New Zealand Prime Minister of Australia 26 Jul 2023
• Australia-New Zealand Leaders' Meeting 2023 Prime Minister of Australia 26 Jul 2023
• Opening remarks - Aus-NZ leaders' meeting Prime Minister of Australia 26 Jul 2023
• Israeli Supreme Court to Consider Law Weakening Its Power VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- Israel's Supreme Court said Wednesday it would hear petitions in September seeking to overturn a law passed this week by parliament's right-wing governing coalition to curb the court's authority to overturn laws that the court considers to be "unreasonable."
• Israel: Statement by the Spokesperson on the developments related to the judicial reform European External Action Service (EEAS) 26 Jul 2023 -- The European Union is following the developments in Israel related to the judicial reform closely and with concern.
• Netanyahu's poll ratings flounder as domestic woes mount over judicial overhaul Press TV 26 Jul 2023 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken a hit in opinion polls from a judicial overhaul by his hard-right coalition that has triggered unprecedented protests across Israel over the past few months.
• South Africa Opposition Protests Race Quotas for Management Jobs VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- Members of South Africa's main opposition party took to the streets Wednesday in Cape Town to protest a new law that allows racial quotas in the workplace, saying it will discriminate against minority whites, Indians and mixed-race people.
• Syria's Assad blames US, allies for fomenting 'global instability' to harm Russia Press TV 26 Jul 2023 -- Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has blamed the US for fomenting global crises, saying Washington and its Western allies have generated "a state of global instability" in efforts to weaken rival Russia.
• "We are determined to break the dirty hands encroaching on Türkiye" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 26 Jul 2023 -- Making a speech at the Graduation Ceremony of Police Vocational Colleges, President Erdoğan said: "We are determined to break the dirty hands encroaching on Türkiye, no matter where they are. Our aim is to make sure that terrorist organizations can no longer pose a threat to our country."
• Cambodia's Hun Sen says he'll hand power to eldest son in August Radio Free Asia 26 Jul 2023 -- For years, people have talked about Prime Minister Hun Sen's desire to eventually hand over power to his eldest son, the foreign-educated military general, Hun Manet.
• Explainer: What does Hun Sen's resignation mean? Radio Free Asia 26 Jul 2023 -- Three days after Cambodia's highly controlled national election, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced Wednesday he will step down and hand power to his eldest son, army chief Hun Manet.
• Cambodian PM Hun Sen to retire, hand over power to Hun Manet in new gov't People's Daily 26 Jul 2023 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Wednesday that he will retire after serving as the premier for 38 years in the Southeast Asian kingdom and will pass the reins of power to his eldest son Hun Manet.
• Cambodia: UN rights chief regrets 'severely restricted' poll and opposition clampdown UN News 26 Jul 2023 -- The UN human rights chief on Wednesday lamented the severe electoral clampdown by the Cambodian Government during the weekend vote, including restrictions on opposition parties, NGOs and media.
• Death toll in Ecuador jail riots reaches 31 as govt. declares state of emergency Press TV 26 Jul 2023 -- The death toll from a wave of jail riots in Ecuador's most dangerous prison has reached 31, authorities say, hours as the government declared a 60-day state of emergency for the country's prisons.
• Laos to fall short of UN sustainability goals Radio Free Asia 26 Jul 2023 -- High levels of foreign owned debt and a lack of high-paying work means that Laos likely won't be able to achieve two UN sustainable development goals - providing everyone with electricity and employment by the year 2030, government officials and analysts told Radio Free Asia.
• Amid Crackdown In Restive Region, Tajikistan Targets Properties Linked To Aga Khan RFE/RL 26 Jul 2023 -- Officials in Tajikistan have taken over several major properties, including a hotel, a lycee, and a city park that are linked to the influential spiritual leader Aga Khan in the country's restive Gorno-Badakhshan region.
• Moldova To Sharply Reduce Number Of Russian Diplomats Amid 'Destabilization' Fears RFE/RL 26 Jul 2023 -- Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu has announced that Moldova is drastically reducing the number of accredited Russian diplomats allowed into the country.
• Thaksin's Return Set to Heat Up Thai Politics VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- Fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will end 15 years of self-exile by returning to Thailand next month, the billionaire's daughter said Wednesday, turning up the political heat just as his family's party scrambles to form a new government.
• Ghana Abolishes Capital Punishment VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- Ghana's parliament has voted to abolish the death penalty. The move comes three decades after the last death sentence was carried out in the West African nation. Rights group Amnesty International has hailed the Tuesday vote, describing it as a "landmark decision," and urged President Nana Akufo-Addo to sign it into law.
• UN Condemns, Demands Repeal of Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act VOA 26 Jul 2023 -- A U.N. watchdog committee condemned Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act Wednesday and called on the government to repeal what it calls a harmful, discriminatory law, which criminalizes consenting sexual relations between adults of the same sex.