Beijing held a major military parade (FT) to celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). At the same time, tens of thousands of protesters filled the streets in Hong Kong to call for more democracy in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
 
Despite a police ban on protests in Hong Kong, demonstrators gathered in at least a dozen districts (TIME), clashing with police who called on “rioters to stop breaking the law.” A protester was shot by police with live ammunition for the first time since demonstrations began four months ago. President Xi Jinping, in a Tuesday speech (SCMP), said the government will uphold the “one country, two systems” model of governance for Hong Kong and that the army will protect Chinese sovereignty. Weapons showcased at the parade included a new hypersonic ballistic nuclear missile (AP) believed to be capable of breaching existing defense shields.

A 2 percent increase on the country’s consumption tax takes effect today (Japan Times) after twice being postponed. The government said it will maintain an 8 percent tax on food and nonalcoholic beverages, as well as implement welfare programs to cushion higher consumer costs.

President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the two leading candidates in last week’s presidential election, both said they were on track to win the vote (NYT) despite official results not being due until mid-October.
 
India: At least 113 people have been killed in monsoon rains (Reuters) in the country’s north since Friday, according to officials.

The opening marked a step toward normalization (WaPo) between the two countries and what Syria’s interior minister called “the result of our peoples’ victories” over the self-proclaimed Islamic State and other terrorist groups. The Qaim border crossing had been closed since 2012.
 
Yemen: Houthi rebels released close to three hundred detainees (UN) in a goodwill gesture, the International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed. The UN special envoy for Yemen said he hopes the move will facilitate the release of all conflict-related detainees.

U.S. and partner forces conducted two air strikes (AFRICOM) that killed ten suspected militants, according to U.S. Africa Command, following an attack on a Somali base used by U.S. special forces. The attack was claimed by the militant group al-Shabab.
 
CFR looks at the controversy over U.S. strikes in Somalia.
 
Uganda: The government banned civilians from wearing red berets (AFP), the signature headwear of opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine.
 
CFR’s Michelle Gavin discusses the possibility of increased political violence as Uganda’s 2021 election approaches.

The European Commission’s president-elect, Ursula von der Leyen, must seek new candidates (FT) to serve on the body after her nominees from Romania and Hungary were rejected by the European Parliament due to financial conflicts of interest.
 
This CFR Backgrounder looks at how the European Union works.
 
Russia: The United States imposed new sanctions (State Dept.) on several people and legal entities linked to the Internet Research Agency, a Russian firm suspected of spreading misinformation (RFE/RL) to interfere in U.S. elections.

President Martin Vizcarra dissolved Congress (AP) and announced he will call new legislative elections after lawmakers fast-tracked a controversial vote to replace almost all of the justices on Peru’s top court.
 
Colombia: The head of intelligence of Colombia’s armed forces left his post (Reuters) following the release of a dossier Colombian officials said proves Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro supports guerrilla groups. The report was widely criticized, though Colombian officials stood by its conclusions.

During a recent phone call, President Donald J. Trump asked Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to help U.S. Attorney General William Barr in an inquiry aimed at discrediting the investigation led by former Special Counsel Robert Mueller, according to a New York Times report. The White House reportedly restricted access to the record of the call.