Key Storylines
- AFRICA: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed vowed to repel attacks by “enemies” following the launch of a new rebel offensive in the Tigray region.
- AMERICAS: The first death of Cuba’s ongoing anti-government protests was confirmed during a clash between protesters and police.
- ASIA: At least 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals, died in a bus explosion in Pakistan.
- EUROPE: Armenia said one of its soldiers died in a shootout with Azerbaijani forces at the two countries’ border.
- MIDDLE EAST: The United Arab Emirates officially opened its embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: Four private television stations in Georgia demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili following the recent attacks on LGBT activists and journalists that left one cameraman dead.
Top Story
- Global: US charges four in Iran plot to kidnap activists.
- An Iranian intelligence official and three alleged members of an Iranian intelligence network were charged in a Manhattan federal court with plotting to target Iranian opposition activists in the US and other countries.
- The conspirators also allegedly targeted people in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates.
- All of the targets were critics of Iran’s government, according to the indictment.
- The identity of the alleged targets was not revealed but Iranian-American author and activist Masih Alinejad confirmed she was told by authorities that she was among the conspirator’s targets.
- According to the indictment, the conspirators sought to lure the New York-based journalist to a third country for her planned abduction and they researched a service offering military-style speed boats for evacuation from New York for possible evacuation to Venezuela.
- Reporting: BBC, Reuters, WSJ, AP, Guardian
Africa
- DR Congo: An arrest warrant was reportedly issued for former Prime Minister Matata Ponyo Mapon over corruption allegations. (Reuters)
- Ethiopia: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed vowed to repel attacks by “enemies” following the launch of a new rebel offensive in the Tigray region. (AFP)
- South Africa: At least 72 people have died in the ongoing rioting and violence following former President Jacob Zuma’s arrest. (BBC)
Americas
- Region: The US urged Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro to release detained opposition lawmaker Freddy Guevara and said his detention cast a shadow over Maduro’s supposed openness to negotiate with the opposition. (AFP)
- Colombia: The UN Special Envoy for the country urged the country to use the 2016 peace agreement between the government and FARC as an opportunity to address the many long term issues that provoked recent protests. (AP)
- Cuba: The first death of the ongoing anti-government protests was confirmed during a clash between protesters and police. (BBC)
- Haiti: Police said they were tracking five new fugitives as part of a sweeping investigation into the assassination of President Jovenal Moise, including a former senator, a fired government official and an informant for the United States. (AP)
Asia
- Region: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington rejected China’s “unlawful” claims in the South China Sea. (Reuters)
- Afghanistan: The Taliban claimed to capture the strategic Spin Boldak border crossing along the country’s border with Pakistan. (AFP)
- Pakistan: At least 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals, died in a bus explosion in the country’s north. (Reuters)
- Sri Lanka: Authorities limited the import of chemicals, cars, and staple spice turmeric amid dwindling foreign exchange reserves and debt repayment difficulties. (AP)
Europe
- Region: Armenia said one of its soldiers died in a shootout with Azerbaijani forces at the two countries’ border. (AFP)
- Region: The European Union approved the COVID-19 recovery fund plans of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovakia, and Spain. (UPI)
- France: There was a boost in the number of people seeking COVID-19 vaccinations after President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of possible restrictions for unvaccinated people. (Reuters)
Middle East
- Region: The United Arab Emirates officially opened its embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Reuters)
- Iran: Outgoing President Hassan Rouhani warned that Tehran could enrich uranium at weapons-grade levels of 90%. (AP)
- Saudi Arabia: An ammunition dump containing “unserviceable munitions” southeast of capital city Riyadh exploded. (AP)
Tech & Communications
- Media: Four private television stations in Georgia demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili following the recent attacks on LGBT activists and journalists that left one cameraman dead. (RFE-RL)
World
- Cyclones: Nothing to report.
- Hurricanes: Nothing to report.
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 15JUL21)
- Confirmed cases: 187,901,297
- Deaths: 4,050,892
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 15JUL21)
Tomorrow’s Outlook (15JUL21)
- Global: UN World Youth Skills Day – 2015
- Global: Uzbekistan will hold a conference on Central and South Asia regional interconnection. (to 16JUL)
- Global: The UN will hold a ministerial meeting as part of a high-level political forum on sustainable development.
- Global: A WTO ministerial meeting will be held to discuss a deal on over-fishing rules.
- Asia: China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. (to 16JUL)
- Europe: The European Court of Justice will rule on whether Poland’s establishment of a disciplinary regime to oversee judges violates EU law.
- Europe: The European Court of Justice will rule on German workplace headscarf bans involving Muslim employees.
- China: The government will release its latest quarterly GDP data.
- Ireland: Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe will present a Summer Economic Statement.
- Russia: US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Ambassador John Kerry will visit and meet with government officials.
- Slovenia: Russian inspectors will visit a military facility in the country.
- Turkey: The 5th anniversary of a failed coup attempt.
- United States: German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit and meet with President Joe Biden.
- United States: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will present the Monetary Policy Report to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Uzbekistan: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit. (to 16JUL)
END
