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Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 24 Sep2018 [PDF]
• US airstrikes have killed 3,300 civilians in Syria: Observatory Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- A pro-opposition monitoring group says US airstrikes have killed 3,331 civilians in Syria since they began four years ago.
• US secretly expanding military role in Tunisia: Report Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- A recent report suggests the United States is quietly expanding its role in Tunisia's operations against militants near the western borders amid controversy inside the North African state over Washington's military presence there.
• Afghan Forces Proving Their Resilience, U.S. Examines Possible Polish Base, Mattis Says AFPS 24 Sep 2018 -- Afghan security forces have taken severe casualties, but they continue to fight and protect the populace, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said here today.
• Taliban Detainee Goes on Killing Spree in Afghan Prison VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- Officials in Afghanistan confirmed Monday a Taliban prisoner has killed at least eight policemen, including three senior officers, after covertly seizing an assault rifle from a guard at the detention facility in southern Zabul province.

Defense Policy / Programs

• New Army technology guides Soldiers in complete darkness Army News 24 Sep 2018 -- Researchers at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory developed a new type of thermal imaging camera that allows Soldiers to see hidden objects that were previously undetectable.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis' Meeting with Malaysian Minister of Defense Mohamad Bin Sabu DoD 24 Sep 2018
• Secretary Mattis Media Availability at the Pentagon DoD 24 Sep 2018 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis
• Secretary Mattis Media Availability Prior to Malaysian Honor Cordon DoD 24 Sep 2018 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis
• Navy Combat Camera Legacy Honored during Bicoastal Disestablishment Ceremonies NNS 24 Sep 2018 -- Ceremonies recognizing the disestablishment of the Navy's two combat camera units were held in Norfolk and San Diego, Sept. 21.
• Mattis Stresses Geneva Process for Syria, Gives DoD Good Grades for Hurricane Effort AFPS 24 Sep 2018 -- The fight continues in the Middle Euphrates River Valley to wrest the last 2 percent of land once controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria from the grasp of the terror group, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said here today.
• Air Force awards contract for new helicopter AFNS 24 Sep 2018 -- Today the Air Force awarded the first portion of a $2.38 billion firm-fixed-price contract to The Boeing Company for a UH-1N Replacement helicopter.
• USS Michael Murphy Completes Kakadu Exercise NNS 24 Sep 2018 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), along with a P-8 Poseidon maritime-surveillance aircraft assigned to the "Pelicans" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 45, and staff from Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, and Commander, Task Force 70 participated in the Australian naval exercise Kakadu, Sept. 6-13.
• ASD Jacksonville Earns Seventh Consecutive Blue 'E' for Supply Excellence NNS 24 Sep 2018 -- Aviation Support Division (ASD) Jacksonville was awarded its seventh consecutive Ashore Navy Supply Blue "E" Award for Logistics Excellence Aug. 27, in a ceremony at NAS Jacksonville, Florida.
• USS Abraham Lincoln Participates in Fleet Synthetic Training - Group Commander NNS 24 Sep 2018 -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) continued its pre-deployment work-up cycle with the Fleet Synthetic Training - Group Commander (FST-GC) exercise conducted pierside Sept. 19-21.
• NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic CERT Returns from MCAS Cherry Point after Conducting Hurricane Damage Assessments NNS 24 Sep 2018 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic deployed a Contingency Engineering Response Team (CERT) returns from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina after conducting Hurricane Florence damage assessments.
• Ronald Reagan Strike Group Arrives in Guam following Valiant Shield 2018 NNS 24 Sep 2018 -- The Ronald Reagan Strike Group arrived at Naval Base Guam for a port visit Sept. 24.
• NAVSUP WSS Assists 7th Fleet with Logistics Hub in Sri Lanka NNS 24 Sep 2018 -- If you've ever had a sip of Ceylon tea and wondered where it came from, look no further than Sri Lanka – a destination where members of the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) Transportation and Distribution (T&D) division recently assisted U.S. Seventh Fleet (7th Fleet) in expanding logistics support services.
• US Certifies Russian Tu-214 Aircraft for Open Skies Treaty Flights - Pentagon Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- The United States has certified Russia's Tu-324 aircraft to operate under the Open Skies Treaty, Pentagon Spokesman Eric Pahon told Sputnik on Monday.
• Russia to Supply New Missile Defense System to Syria VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- Russia says it will supply Syria with a more modern S-300 missile defense system in the coming weeks, over the objections of Israel.
• Russia to supply S300 to Syria in two weeks IRNA 24 Sep 2018 -- Russia's defense minister, Sergey Shoygu, has announced it will provide advanced S300 missile defense system to Syria in the next two weeks.
• U.S. Says Russia Supplying S-300 Missiles To Syria Is 'Major Mistake' RFE/RL 24 Sep 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he expects to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in New York amid concerns expressed by Washington over Moscow's plans to supply Syria with the S-300 surface-to-air missile system.
• Delivery of S-300 to Syria to Increase Risk to US, Coalition Forces - State Dept Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- Russia's planned delivery of S-300 air defense systems to the Syrian government will increase the risk to the US-led coalition forces in Syria, a US Department of State official told Sputnik on Monday.
• Russia says to give Syria S-300; plane incident to harm Israel ties Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu says Russia will supply Syria with a modern S-300 system within two weeks and block the communication of planes bombing the country from the Mediterranean.
• Supplying Syria With S-300 Will Increase Security Risks - Netanyahu to Putin Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- Following an incident with a Russian Il-20 plane downed in Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Moscow will deliver S-300 air defense systems to the country in order to "prevent ill-considered actions" threatening Russian servicemen.
• Russia Supplying S-300 to Syria to Have No Effect on Ties With Israel - Moscow Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- Russia's decision to supply advanced S-300 air defense systems to Syria should not affect the relations between Russia and Israel, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov stated.
• Russia to Send S-300 Anti-Missile System to Syria After Il-20 Crash - DM Shoigu Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- The Russian Defense Ministry promised to take "adequate" measures to boost the security of Russian servicemen after the Israeli Air Force used the Russian Il-20 as a shield while attacking targets in Syria, which led to the downing of the aircraft by Syrian air defenses last week.
• PLA halts US talks in protest over sanctions People's Daily 24 Sep 2018 -- The Chinese military has halted major military dialogue for the near future with the United States in protest of its recent sanctions on Chinese military entities for procuring Russian military hardware, China's Ministry of National Defense said on Saturday night.
• Taiwan minister will not attend defense industry conference in U.S. CNA 24 Sep 2018 -- Defense minister Yen De-fa (嚴德發) will not attend an annual defense industry conference between Taiwan and the United States this year after the Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced Monday that instead, a deputy minister will attend the event.
• Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) – Foreign Military Sales Order (FMSO) II Case DSCA 24 Sep 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sales Order (FMSO) II to provide funds for blanket order requisitions to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) for an estimated cost of $330 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• UK Media Claims Royal Navy Didn't Send Subs to Hit Syria Due to Lack of Assets Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- In early September, a number of media outlets reported that the UK had dispatched a nuclear-powered submarine carrying cruise missiles capable of hitting ground targets, to the Mediterranean.
• Streets ahead: British AI eyes scan future frontline in multinational urban experiment UK MOD 24 Sep 2018 -- British autonomous technology able to scour urban environments for enemy advances has been tested alongside an arsenal of futuristic military technology by Canadian soldiers on the streets of Montreal.
• European Parliament Seeks to Boost Battle Forces Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- The European Parliament has submitted a proposal to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, suggesting that the number of EU military groups be quadrupled: from 18 battle groups to 18 brigades.
• Press Briefing on the President's Agenda at the U.N. General Assembly | New York, NY The White House 24 Sep 2018
• Pompeo Says Now Not Time to Ease Pressure on North Korea Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo addressed Washington's relations with NOrth Korea, Russia and Turkey in a briefing on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Monday.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 24, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 24 September 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Sep 2018
• Yemen: amid major roadblocks, an 'unprecedented' response to an unprecedented tragedy UN News 24 Sep 2018 -- Despite continuing challenges in Yemen, the United Nations and partners have provided a robust humanitarian response to the world's largest humanitarian crisis, thanks to major donor support. However, as the situation continues to worsen for civilians across the country, aid agencies warned on Monday that international aid efforts must be sustained to avoid a major catastrophe and called for a political end to the conflict.
• Yemen: Tackling the world's largest humanitarian crisis UN News 24 Sep 2018 -- With three-quarters of the population requiring some form of basic assistance to survive, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, now in its fourth year, has reached unprecedented levels of need. On Monday, ahead of the United Nation's 73rd General Assembly high-level debate, a special event will focus on the humanitarian response across the country, its major achievements and its daily challenges, in an attempt to galvanize more international support.
• Yemeni forces shoot down Saudi reconnaissance drone in Hudaydah Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- Yemeni army forces, supported by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have intercepted and targeted an unmanned aerial vehicle, belonging to the Saudi-led military coalition, as it was flying in the skies over the country's strategic western province of Hudaydah.
• New Data Clearly Indicates That Syrian S-200 Missile Targeted Israeli Jets - MoD Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- Moscow has blamed the Israeli Air Force (IAF) for using the Russian Il-20 aircraft as cover, subjecting it to an attack by Syrian air defense systems.
• Syrian Army Shifts Forces From Idlib to Southern Syria to Eliminate Daesh Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- With Moscow and Ankara striking a deal earlier this month to avert all-out war in Syria's Idlib province, the Syrian Army has decreased its commitment of forces in the area, suggesting President Assad intends on adhering to the terms of the agreement.
• Hashd al-Sha'abi accuses US-led forces of attacking its base in Iraq's Anbar Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units have accused the US-led coalition purportedly fighting the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group of attacking its base in the country's western province of Anbar as government troops and their allies are seeking to purge the war-ravaged Arab country of remnants of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.
• Half a million children face 'immediate danger' in Libyan capital: UNICEF Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- The UN children's agency (UNICEF) says intensified fighting in the Libyan capital Tripoli has put the lives of half a million children in "immediate danger," warning that more than 2.6 million children are living in dire conditions across the conflict-ridden North African country.
• Irked by genocide report, Myanmar army chief says UN has no right to 'interfere' Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- Striking a defiant tone, Myanmar's army chief says the United Nations has no right to meddle in his country's "internal" issues, a week after the world body's investigators called for him and fellow top generals to stand trial for "genocide" against minority Rohingya Muslims.
• Five suspected militants, one Indian soldier killed in Kashmir Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- A total of five suspected militants and one Indian soldier have been killed in fierce fighting in Kashmir over the past two days, the Indian army says, amid an escalation of violence in the disputed territory following the cancelation of high-level talks between New Delhi and Islamabad.

News Reports

• US Looking to Place More Spies Worldwide VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- The United States' premier spy agency is looking to expand its presence around the globe in order to eliminate so-called "intelligence gaps" and take on the growing threat from major powers like Russia and China.
• Release And Catch: Russia's Navalny Freed, Then Immediately Detained Again RFE/RL 24 Sep 2018 -- Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny was detained immediately after his release following a 30-day jail term, and faces up to 20 additional days behind bars for allegedly violating legislation restricting public gatherings.
• Challengers Defeat Pro-Kremlin Candidates In Regional Races RFE/RL 24 Sep 2018 -- Two challengers have defeated pro-Kremlin candidates in gubernatorial runoffs, amid widespread anger over pension reforms backed by the ruling United Russia party and President Vladimir Putin.
• Russia Summons Norway's Ambassador After Arrest Of Man On Espionage Charges RFE/RL 24 Sep 2018 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has summoned Norway's ambassador to protest the arrest of a Russian citizen outside Oslo on suspicion of spying.
• Readout of President Donald J. Trump's Meeting with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea The White House 24 Sep 2018
• Remarks by President Trump and President Moon of the Republic of Korea at U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement Signing Ceremony The White House 24 Sep 2018
• Remarks by President Trump and President Moon of the Republic of Korea Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 24 Sep 2018
• Trump Promises Second Summit with Kim Soon VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- South Korea's president personally relayed a message on Monday to U.S. President Donald Trump, telling him that North Korea's leader wants to meet him again soon to make progress on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
• US CIA Director: Indications N. Korea Serious About Giving Up Nukes VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- There may be indications North Korea is finally getting serious about giving up its nuclear arsenal in order to improve the lives of its citizens.
• Pompeo says Trump prepared to meet DPRK's Kim again People's Daily 24 Sep 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday that President Donald Trump was prepared to meet the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s top leader Kim Jong Un again, hopefully in the "not-too-distant future."
• Trump Says 2nd Summit With Kim to Have Similar Format, Likely Different Location Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- US President Donald Trump ahead of a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday told reporters that there will be a second summit between the United States and North Korea in a similar format as the first, but the location has not been determined yet.
• Activists Call for Need to Address N. Korean Human Rights Abuses VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in claimed success following his three-day summit in North Korea last week, where he was able to secure agreements from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on a variety of inter-Korean projects and revitalize denuclearization talks. However, as the president openly speaks about a new era of peace and prosperity, absent from the discussion has been the North's human rights abuses.
• Rouhani: No hope in Trump behavior change IRNA 24 Sep 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a meeting with a group of senior American media directors, pointed out that US President Donald Trump had done some very wrong actions against Iran, saying Iran has no hope in change of behavior of the US president.
• Rouhani rules out meeting with Trump in New York Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has ruled out a possible meeting between him and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, saying Iranians could not easily ignore Trump's hostile measures against the Islamic Republic.
• Iran says its missing barrels cannot be compensated Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- Iran says no country can ever compensate for its missing oil supplies to markets in case the US materializes its threat to bring the Islamic Republic's oil exports to zero with a top official saying that US President Donald Trump would sooner or later have a change of heart over his campaign to the same effect.
• Trump's Iran policy of regime change 'wishful thinking': US national security leaders Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- More than 50 prominent US foreign policy, intelligence and national security figures have urged the administration of President Donald Trump to change its strategy toward Iran, saying any desire for "regime change" in the country is "wishful thinking."
• Volvo Stops Operations In Iran Due to U.S. Sanctions RFE/RL 24 Sep 2018 -- Swedish truck-maker AB Volvo has stopped assembling trucks in Iran because U.S. sanctions are preventing it from being paid, a spokesman for the company told Reuters.
• US to Find Options for New Sanctions Against Iran If Sees No Changes - Bolton Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- The United States will find new options for sanctions against Iran if renewed previous sanctions do not lead to changes inside the country, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Sunday.
• Iran Vows to Avenge Terror Attack as Confusion Mounts VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- A deadly terrorist attack Saturday on a military parade in Ahvaz, Iran, ratcheted up tensions between the country and its Arab neighbors, leading for calls of retribution even as confusion grew over responsibility for the violence.
• Iran's leader warns terrorists of severe punishment IRNA 24 Sep 2018 -- Iran's Supreme Leader described Ahvaz terrorist attack as a 'cowardly act' and warned the perpetrators of a severe punishment.
• Ahvaz terror attack draws int'l condemnations IRNA 24 Sep 2018 -- International condemnations poured in after a terrorist attack during a military parade in southwestern Iran on Saturday killed 25 people and wounded 60 others.
• Iran to take revenge from terrorists: Defense Minister IRNA 24 Sep 2018 -- Iran's Defense Minister vowed Monday that the country will take revenge against the terrorists who killed scores of people in southwestern Iran.
• Daesh releases video, claiming Ahvaz terror attack IRNA 24 Sep 2018 -- Daesh (ISIS) released a video on Sunday, showing three people who claim the deadly terror strike in Iran's southwest city of Ahvaz.
• Masterminds of Ahvaz terrorist attack to be crushed: Commander IRNA 24 Sep 2018 -- Iran's Armed Forces will strongly confront the terrorist masterminds of Ahvaz attack that killed 25 people, including children, a senior general vowed on Monday.
• Ahvaz terror attack perpetrators to face severe punishment: Ayat. Khamenei Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran will severely punish those "cowardly" elements who were behind a recent terrorist attack in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz.
• Iran Mourns Victims Of Military Parade Attack, Warns Of 'Devastating' Response RFE/RL 24 Sep 2018 -- Thousands of people have gathered in the streets of the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz to mourn the victims of an attack on a military parade that killed at least 25 people and wounded dozens.
• 22 Arrested for Links to Attack on Military Parade - Iranian Intel Ministry Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry announced on Monday that authorities have apprehended nearly two dozen in connection to the deadly attack on an Iranian military parade on Saturday that left 25 dead and 53 wounded.
• Iran Blames US, Gulf Arab Allies for Attack on Military Parade VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- Iran's president is blaming the United States and its Gulf Arab allies for the brazen attack on a military parade in southwestern Iran that killed at least 25 people and wounded nearly 70.
• Hong Kong's Rights and Freedoms Must Be Respected - UK Foreign Office Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- Earlier in the day, Hong Kong Secretary for Security John Lee announced that the government of the Chinese special administrative region had banned the Hong Kong National Party (HKNP), which advocates for the region becoming an independent state.
• Hong Kong Officially Bans Pro-Independence Party VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- Hong Kong has banned a political party that advocates for independence from China, a further sign of the mainland's tightening grip on the semi-autonomous territory.
• Taiwan urges Hong Kong to be tolerant after political party ban CNA 24 Sep 2018 -- Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) urged Chinese authorities and the Hong Kong government on Monday to adopt a tolerant, rational and open attitude when dealing with city resident demands for more political freedom.
• Amnesty International Demands China Reveal Fate of Detained Ethnic Muslims VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- Amnesty International is demanding China account for as many as one million ethnic Muslims the group says have been arbitrarily detained in the remote western Xinjiang region.
• China releases white paper on facts and its position on trade friction with U.S. People's Daily 24 Sep 2018 -- China published a white paper on Monday to clarify the facts about China-U.S. economic and trade relations, demonstrate its stance on trade friction with the United States, and pursue reasonable solutions.
• US, China increase tariffs as trade war intensifies Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- The United States and China have imposed new tariff hikes on each other's goods, giving no sign of compromise in an intensifying trade war that is weighing on global economic growth.
• US using false trade claims to intimidate other countries: China Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- Beijing has hit out at Washington for resorting to "false accusations" on trade to intimidate other countries, hours after the United States' biggest round of tariffs imposed on Chinese goods took effect amid an escalating trade dispute between the two economic powers.
• US, China Exchange New Round of Tariffs in Trade War VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- Another set of tit-for-tat tariffs imposed by the United States and China on each other's goods took effect Monday.
• Counter ISIS Finance Group Leaders Issue Joint Statement US Treasury 24 Sep 2018 -- On September 20-21, the Counter ISIS Finance Group (CIFG) convened its 52 member states and observers in Warsaw, Poland to discuss the ongoing global efforts to counter ISIS financing. The CIFG was established in January 2015 as one of five working groups within the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS, a broad international group formed to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIS. This was the tenth meeting of this group co-chaired by the United States, Italy, and Saudi Arabia.
• Maldives: UN hails peaceful elections, as opposition wins out UN News 24 Sep 2018 -- The United Nations on Monday commended "the commitment" to democracy in the Indian Ocean republic by voters in the Maldives, after opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih defeated incumbent Abdulla Yameen in Sunday's presidential elections.
• Maldives opposition leader wins presidential vote, urges incumbent to accept defeat Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- The Maldives' opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has won Sunday's presidential election, urging incumbent Abdulla Yameen to ensure a peaceful transition of power following his shock defeat.
• Congratulations on Maldivian Election US Dept. of State 24 Sep 2018
• Maldives President Concedes Defeat VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- The president of Maldives has conceded defeat in Sunday's presidential election.
• Opposition Candidate Declares Surprise Victory in Maldives VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- Maldives opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih says he has won the country's controversial presidential election.
• Quang Remembered as Low-key Functionary, Close to Country's Police Organs VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- The Vietnamese president who died this month will be remembered for heading a tough public security ministry but otherwise as a low-key functionary who followed the will of a more powerful Communist Party general-secretary in stopping dissent, graft and any barriers to economic development.
• Kazakhstan: A Falling Presidential Confidant And A Rising Presidential Daughter RFE/RL 24 Sep 2018 -- Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev signed an order recently relieving his longtime head of the presidential administration, Adilbek Jaksybekov, of his post and sending him into retirement.
• 7600 employees active in upstream space industry IRNA 24 Sep 2018 -- The director of Iranian Space Agency said that 7600 employees work in Iran's upstream space industry, which includes building space satellites and their launchers.
• India Aims to Establish Firmest Conclusion of Water, Minerals on Moon's Surface Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- India's second moon mission, Chandrayaan-2, will begin its lunar studies in January-February 2019 with an orbiter that carries a wider range spectrometer that goes up to 5 microns to clearly provide a water signature.
• Russia May Help India to Launch Country's First Manned Space Mission - Reports Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- Russia and India can conclude an agreement on the exchange of experience and interaction in preparation for the launch of the first Indian manned space mission, Indian media reported on Sunday.
• Turkish authorities order to arrest 61 soldiers over affiliation to Gulen movement Press TV 24 Sep 2018 -- Turkish authorities have ordered the arrest of 61 soldiers from the navy and land forces, including senior officers, on suspicion of affiliation to a movement led by US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of having masterminded and orchestrated the mid-July 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Erdogan US Visit Seen as Opportunity to Reset Ties VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in New York for the U.N. General Assembly at a time of high tensions with Washington. But Erdogan's four-day visit could offer an opportunity to reset ties.
• Macedonia's 'Fake News' Exports Now For Domestic Consumption RFE/RL 24 Sep 2018 -- In Macedonia's shadowy "fake news" industry, it seems that what goes around comes around.
• Moldova Court Again Suspends President's Powers Over Ministerial Appointments RFE/RL 24 Sep 2018 -- The Moldovan Constitutional Court has suspended the powers of the country's Russia-friendly president amid a standoff over ministerial appointments with his opponents in Chisinau's pro-Western government.
• Moldovan Court Suspends President Over Refusal to Endorse New Ministers Sputnik 24 Sep 2018 -- The Constitutional Court of Moldova has ruled that the chairman of the parliament or the prime minister could appoint two members of the government instead of President Igor Dodon thus temporarily suspending his on this issue, Constitutional Court chairman Mihai Poalelungi said.
• Liberians Take to Streets to Demand Return of Lost Millions VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- Hundreds of demonstrators marched in Liberia's capital on Monday to press the government for an independent accounting into how millions of dollars were diverted from the Central Bank of Liberia.
• Uganda's Kyagulanyi Urges Museveni to Be More Democratic VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- Ugandan opposition lawmaker Robert Kyagulanyi is appealing to President Yoweri Museveni to place statesmanship ahead of political ambitions. In his first official address to the media since his return from the U.S. last week, Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, asked Museveni to think about his life after office.