An UN-backed tribunal in the Netherlands has begun issuing (Reuters) its ruling on the 2005 killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, with the chief judge saying neither Hezbollah leadership nor Syria played a role. Hariri died in an explosion (National), allegedly carried out by Hezbollah members, that killed twenty-one other people, injured more than two hundred, and incited mass protests. 

The court’s ruling has been delayed (Haaretz) for nearly two weeks as Lebanon struggles to right itself after explosions devastated Beirut and prompted the government to resign. Lebanon, already hamstrung by a multilayered economic and social crisis, is also dealing with a surge of coronavirus cases that could overwhelm (WSJ) its fragile health system.

The U.S. Commerce Department banned foreign sales (WSJ) of chips made using U.S. technology to Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. President Donald J. Trump cited concerns of spying by the company. Separately, U.S. officials arrested and charged (SCMP) a former CIA officer for providing intelligence to China.

This CFR Backgrounder looks at Washington’s restrictions on Huawei.

Japan: Temperatures are soaring across Japan (WaPo), with the city of Hamamatsu tying a national record of 106°F yesterday. Last year, high temperatures in Japan killed fifty-seven people and caused the hospitalizations of more than eighteen thousand.

At least fourteen rockets reportedly injured seventeen people (TOLO) in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, as the country commemorated its independence day. No group has claimed responsibility for the strikes, which the Ministry of Interior said originated from two moving vehicles.

Sri Lanka: A technical issue at an electrical facility caused a countrywide blackout (AFP), the worst in Sri Lanka since 2016, with power yet to be restored in some areas after seven hours. Authorities are investigating the disruption.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin announced he invited (Times of Israel) Emirati Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed to visit Jerusalem after their countries agreed to normalize ties last week. Meanwhile, Israel is working to start direct flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

CFR’s Steven A. Cook explains what to know about the new peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. 

At least seventy-seven people were reportedly detained (Radio Dabanga) and others injured during demonstrations on the first anniversary of a power-sharing deal between Sudan’s military and pro-democracy movement. Protesters’ demands included the swift formation of a legislative council and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s personal receipt of a memorandum.

Uganda: U.S. authorities charged two Americans and a Ugandan lawyer with fraud and money laundering (AFP) for a scheme that allegedly placed Ugandan children who were not orphaned with adoptive families in the United States. The U.S. Treasury also sanctioned the Ugandan lawyer, her husband, and two Ugandan judges.

Spain’s royal household announced that former King Juan Carlos I, who fled Spain two weeks ago, has been staying in the United Arab Emirates (El Pais). Juan Carlos faces allegations of financial misconduct, and Spanish prosecutors could investigate him (Politico) for money laundering and tax evasion.

Germany/Israel: Six Israeli fighter jets landed in Germany (DW) for two weeks of joint exercises, their first on German soil. In a flight and memorial service today, the two countries will honor the Israelis killed during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich and Holocaust victims.

Bill Morneau resigned as Canada’s minister of finance and said he would step down as a parliamentarian, choosing to instead seek (CBC) the secretary-general position at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Morneau had faced pressure to resign over a government contract scandal.

Colombia: U.S. and Colombian officials announced a joint initiative to increase investment in rural Colombia as part of an effort to encourage nearshoring of U.S. businesses. Colombian President Ivan Duque also reiterated support (Reuters) for controversial U.S. candidate Mauricio Claver-Carone’s bid to lead the Inter-American Development Bank.

The Interior Department said it will prepare to sell drilling leases (NYT) for part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, where billions of barrels of oil could lie. Environmentalists say U.S. officials have not fully weighed how drilling might affect the refuge’s ecosystem and climate change.

CFR tracks the 2020 presidential candidates’ views on foreign policy.