25 September 2018 Military News

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OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 25 Sep 2018 [PDF]

UN Probe Indicates Airstrikes Killed 21 Afghan Civilians VOA 25 Sep 2018 -- The United Nations announced Tuesday its initial findings have indicated recent airstrikes by pro-government forces in Afghanistan killed at least 21 civilians, almost all of them women and children.
Afghanistan: Sunday airstrike killed 12 women and children from one family, UN mission reports UN News 25 Sep 2018 -- Preliminary findings from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released on Tuesday, indicate that 12 women and children from a single family were killed in an airstrike that took place on Sunday, conducted by pro-Government forces.
UN raises concern over rising Afghan civilian casualties in US airstrikes Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has expressed concern about the increasing number of civilian casualties resulting from airstrikes conducted by US forces this year across the violence-wracked country.
UN Raises Concern Over 'Rising' Civilian Casualties In Afghan Air Strikes RFE/RL 25 Sep 2018 -- The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has voiced concern over the "rising" number of civilian casualties as a result of air strikes by the international coalition or the Afghan Air Force.

Guard nation comes together after Hurricane Florence Army News 25 Sep 2018 -- "Hurricane Florence slammed into the Carolina coast as a Category 1 storm Sept. 14, and then it sat there. (...)In addition to North Carolina National Guard's (NCNG) seven Black Hawk helicopters and two Lakota helicopters available for storm response, 13 states brought helicopters, crews, and mechanics to join in the more than 3,000 North Carolina Guard members activated in preparation for the massive storm."

Defense Policy / Programs

Black Jack, USAOTC complete testing of new Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle Army News 25 Sep 2018 -- 1st Cavalry Division Soldiers here completed a two-month program field testing the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) Sept. 24.
RDECOM's road map to modernizing the Army: Long-range precision fires Army News 25 Sep 2018 -- To prepare for the battlefield of the future, the U.S. Army must be ready to fight in a very different operational environment from any wars previously fought. The character of war has changed significantly, and the Army, along with its joint service partners, must be ready to deploy and fight in a high-intensity environment where all domains will be challenged.
Remarks by Secretary Mattis at the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia DoD 25 Sep 2018-- Presenter: Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis; General Binford J.H. Peay, VMI Superintendent
Indo-Pacom Wraps Up Valiant Shield 2018 AFNS 25 Sep 2018 -- U.S. military forces from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command wrapped up exercise Valiant Shield 2018, Sept. 23rd, around the Marianas Island Range Complex and on Guam.
Multi-domain command and control is coming AFNS 25 Sep 2018 -- In his remarks during this year's Air Force Association's Air, Space, and Cyber Conference in National Harber, Maryland, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein explained the importance of Multi-Domain Command and Control in executing the nation's next fight.
U.S. Readiness in Korea Important to Diplomacy, Nominee Tells Senate Panel AFPS 25 Sep 2018 -- The North Korean military remains dangerous, and U.S., South Korean and allied forces on the Korean Peninsula "should remain clear-eyed about the situation on the ground and allow diplomacy to continue to work," President Donald J. Trump's nominee to be the next commander of U.S. forces in Korea told the Senate Armed Services Committee at his confirmation hearing today.
US General: Suspended Drill on Korean Peninsula Caused Military 'Degradation' VOA 25 Sep 2018 -- The U.S. general nominated to be the next commander of American forces in South Korea said the suspension of a major joint military exercise between the United States and South Korea has caused "degradation" to military readiness on the peninsula.
Southcom Nominee Stresses Commitment in Confirmation Hearing AFPS 25 Sep 2018 -- President Donald J. Trump's nominee to serve as the next commander of U.S. Southern Command told the Senate Armed Services Committee today that he would commit all of his energy to ensure Southcom is ready to do its part to pursue opportunity and manage challenges.
Defense Department Selects Scientists to Participate in LUCI Program DoD 25 Sep 2018 -- The Defense Department announced selection of ten scientists working across Department of Defense (DoD) Laboratories to participate in the Laboratory University Collaboration Initiative (LUCI) program. These researchers will receive $600,000 over a three-year period to explore their proposed basic research ideas.
DoD Announces BARI Award for US-UK Collaboration on Human-Machine Teaming DoD 25 Sep 2018 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) announced selection of an academic team comprised of researchers from the U.S. and United Kingdom for the Bilateral Academic Research Initiative (BARI).
Future USS South Dakota Delivered to U.S. Navy NNS 25 Sep 2018 -- The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the future USS South Dakota (SSN 790), the 17th submarine of the Virginia class, Sept. 24.
Transportation Management Office supports nuclear monitoring improvements AFNS 25 Sep 2018 -- When members of the only Defense Department agency charged with monitoring nuclear treaties discovered shipped equipment was not being accurately accounted for at forward supply points, they took to the drawing board to devise a solution.
3rd Annual Advance Cyber Law Course Held at U.S. Fleet Cyber Command NNS 25 Sep 2018 -- The U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet (FCC/C10F) Staff Judge Advocate (SJA), in coordination with the Naval Justice School and the Navy Office of the Judge Advocate General, co-hosted the annual Advanced Cyber Law Course at FCC/C10F headquarters, for the 3rd consecutive year, from Sept. 12-14.

Beijing Denies US Navy Request for F-35 Carrier Port Call in Hong Kong Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- China denied a request from the US Navy's USS Wasp F-35 carrier to make a port call in Hong Kong amid trade tensions between the superpowers and Beijing's recent decision to recall an admiral from participating in the International Seapower Symposium in Rhode Island.

Poland Has Money for Permanent US Military Base – Prime Minister Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- Poland has enough money to fund permanent US military presence on its soil, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki confirmed Tuesday, after the Polish president offered to pay billions for a base.

NATO Secretary General joins world leaders for UN General Assembly NATO 25 Sep 2018 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is joining world leaders in New York on Tuesday (25 September 2018) to attend the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). During his three-day visit to the United States, Mr. Stoltenberg will meet with several world leaders and senior officials, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, African Union Chairperson Paul Kagame and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
NATO Chief, Russian FM Lavrov Agree To 'Continue Contacts' RFE/RL 25 Sep 2018 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says he wants a more constructive relationship with Russia, even as the alliance is taking steps to respond to Moscow's increasing assertiveness.

S-300 Deliveries to Syria to Make Russia Reliable Arms Supplier - Arab League Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- Jaber Habib Jaber, the ambassador of the LAS to Russia, told Sputnik constant position of the LAS on S-300 deliveries to Syria, further dialogue with Russia and Russian-Turkish agreement on Syria's Idlib.

Russian, Kyrgyz Troops To Hold Counterterror Drills In Eastern Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 25 Sep 2018 -- Some 2,000 Russia and Kyrgyz troops are getting ready to launch joint counterterrorism exercises in eastern Kyrgyzstan.

Russia decides to provide S-300 missile system to Syria after Israel-linked plane downing People's Daily 25 Sep 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday told his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad that Russia will provide Syria with S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile system, state news agency SANA reported.
Russia making 'major mistake' by giving Syria S-300 air defense system: Bolton Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- Russia's decision to provide Syria with advanced S-300 air defense systems is a "major mistake," US National Security Advisor John Bolton has warned, advising Russia against escalating the already high tensions in the Middle East region.
Israel Warns Russia Over 'Dangers' Of Supplying Syria With Advanced Air Defenses RFE/RL 25 Sep 2018 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin against delivering an advanced air-defense system to Syria, saying it will further destabilize the war-torn region.
Russia's S-300 Will be Able to Close Parts of Syrian Airspace - Moscow Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- On Monday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Moscow would provide Syria with its advanced S-300 air defense systems to boost the security of Russian servicemen stationed in the country following the downing of the Russian Il-20 plane last week.

U.S. announces US$330 million arms sale to Taiwan CNA 25 Sep 2018 -- The U.S. State Department has approved a proposal to sell arms worth US$330 million to Taiwan to upgrade Taipei's defensive capabilities, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said Monday.
Taiwan thanks U.S. for approving sale of military spare parts CNA 25 Sep 2018 -- Taiwan on Tuesday thanked the United States for approving the sale of a new arms package that will replenish the supply of spare parts for a number of Taiwan's military aircraft, including its F-16s, to beef up its defense capabilities.
China warns US against planned arms sales to Taiwan Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- China has strongly objected to the United States for approving proposed arms sales to Taiwan, warning that providing the self-ruled island with arms would breach Chinese sovereignty and do "severe damage" to bilateral relations with Washington.
Beijing Slams US Plans to Sell Aircraft Spare Parts to Taiwan Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- China has issued a note of protest to the United States over its plans to sell aircraft spare parts to Taiwan, Geng Shuang, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesman, stated.

Quantum radar tech to counter stealth People's Daily 25 Sep 2018 -- A major State-owned defense contractor has designed and built a cutting-edge quantum radar, which military observers say will eventually be able to detect stealth aircraft from great distances.

Japan Eyes Supersonic Glide Bombs to Protect Disputed Islands from China Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- Preparing for the worst with one of its neighbors, Japan has ordered researchers to develop new glide bombs in case Beijing decides to make a move on the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.

Azerbaijan Warns Armenians Over Karabakh Military Drills RFE/RL 25 Sep 2018 -- Azerbaijan has called planned military exercises by Armenian-backed forces in its breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh this week a "provocation" aimed at increasing tensions.

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for September 25, 2018
Boeing's Takeover of Satellite Firm Further Consolidates Space Defense Industry Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- Aerospace manufacturer Boeing has completed its takeover of satellite firm Millennium Space Systems, further consolidating space-related defense industrial firms as US President Donald Trump pushes forward with the new Space Force branch of the US military.

Other Conflicts

Nations Rally Around Action to Improve UN Peacekeeping VOA 25 Sep 2018 -- Facing a changing and challenging environment for the United Nations' 100,000 peacekeepers, 145 nations endorsed an action plan Tuesday to make these operations stronger and more adaptable.
Peacekeeping expectations 'far outstrip resources': UN chief UN News 25 Sep 2018 -- "Expectations for peacekeeping have so far outstripped its resources," UN Secretary-General António Guterres told Heads of State and Government on Tuesday, as he opened a High-Level meeting marking the 70th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping operations, at UN Headquarters in New York.

Beijing Slams UK for S China Sea 'Provocation', Urges London Not to 'Take Sides' Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- The Chinese government is keeping the pressure on Britain after a Royal Navy amphibious transport dock carrying landing craft and helicopters passed through the disputed Paracel Islands on its way to Vietnam earlier this month.
China wants Britain's impartiality in South China Sea dispute Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- China has called on the United Kingdom to live up to its promises to remain impartial in a dispute between Beijing and several other countries about the South China Sea region.

Saudi-led airstrikes kill 3 people, including child, in Yemen's Hudaydah, Sa'ada Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- At least three people, including a child, have been killed after Saudi-led warplanes hit localities in Yemen's Hudaydah and Sa'ada provinces, three and a half years after the so-called military coalition began a full-scale war against the impoverished nation.

Israeli Cabinet Orders Continuation of Ops in Syria, in Coordination With Russia Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, commenting on the move, explained that the Israeli military presence in Syria is aimed against the entrenchment of Iran.
Israel will continue conducting military operations in Syria: PM Netanyahu Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Tel Aviv will continue to carry out military operations in Syria, two days after Russia held the occupying regime fully responsible for downing one of its reconnaissance aircraft off a Syrian coast last week.

Israeli fighter jets used doomed Russian plane as cover: Moscow Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- The Russian defense ministry says the Israeli jet fighters are to blame for the Syrian air defense's downing of a Russian aircraft as new data shows they had hidden themselves behind the doomed plane in order to avoid the Syrian missiles.

Syrian army advances in depth of Sweida Badyia IRNA 25 Sep 2018 -- Units of Syrian Arab Army restored control over large strategic areas in the rocky cliffs of al-Safa hills area in the depth of Sweida Badyia (desert).
Moscow: Chemical components delivered to Idleb from Europe IRNA 25 Sep 2018 -- Russian Foreign Ministry said that components of chemical weapons were delivered to Idleb province in Syria from several European countries.
50,000 Syrians return home from Lebanon this year IRNA 25 Sep 2018 -- Fifty thousand Syrians have returned home from Lebanon so far in 2018 and the number could reach 200,000 in a year's time if it continues at this rate, a top Lebanese official said on Tuesday.
Syrian government forces will liberate Idlib from terrorists: Deputy FM Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- A high-ranking Syrian official says government forces will eventually defeat foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants operating in the country's northwestern province of Idlib, and will retake the territory either through military operations or peaceful means.
'With War or With Peace': Damascus Vows to Regain Control of Whole Syria Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- Syrian government forces will regain control over the whole of the country's territory, including the Idlib de-escalation zone, through peaceful means or war, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said on Tuesday.

Turkish military vehicles enter Syria's Idlib after militant snub Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- Turkish military vehicles have entered Idlib after militants snubbed an agreement between Turkey and Russia for the creation of a buffer zone in the northwestern Syrian province, the last major militant stronghold in the Arab country.

Increasing hostilities in Libya taking heavy toll on civilians, warns UN relief official UN News 25 Sep 2018 -- The top United Nations relief official in Libya has voiced deep alarm at the humanitarian impact of increasing hostilities in Tripoli, which has led over two days to the deaths of 11 people, most of them civilians, and the wounding of 18 others.

After long silence, US calls Myanmar crimes against Rohingya 'extreme' Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- The United States, long mum on Myanmar's crimes committed against the minority Rohingya Muslims, has released a report blaming only the Southeast Asian country's military for the "well-planned and coordinated" atrocities.

South Sudan: amid security challenges, aid workers delivering 'against the odds' UN News 25 Sep 2018 -- Mayen is South Sudanese. He was forced to flee his home when the conflict started in 2013. Five years later, his voice is resonating in one of the conference rooms of United Nations Headquarters in New York, on the margins of the 73rd General Assembly.

News Reports

Remarks by President Trump to the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly | New York, NY The White House 25 Sep 2018
US President Trump rejects globalism in speech to UN General Assembly's annual debate UN News 25 Sep 2018 -- Taking the podium of the United Nations General Assembly, the world Organization that embodies greater global cooperation, United States President Donald Trump told scores of Heads of State and Government on Tuesday that his country rejects the ideology of globalism, both generally and in relation to international justice and the migration crisis.
In his UN address, Trump urges world to isolate Iran Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has used his second address to the United Nations General Assembly to attack Iran, promising hard-hitting sanctions and urging the world to isolate the Islamic Republic.
Trump Urges 'All Nations To Isolate' Iran, Tehran Accuses U.S. Of 'Economic Terrorism' RFE/RL 25 Sep 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has called at the United Nations General Assembly for "all nations to isolate" the Iranian government for as long as its leadership continues policies of "aggression" in the Middle East and beyond.
Trump Threatens Syria, Slams Iran in UN General Assembly Address Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has wrapped up his address before the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Trump Calls on World Leaders to 'Isolate' Iran VOA 25 Sep 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has called on world leaders gathered at the U.N. General Assembly to "isolate Iran's regime as long as its aggression continues," accusing Iranian leaders of sowing "chaos, death and destruction."

UN chief warns of 'increasingly chaotic' world order Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning of growing chaos and confusion as the rules-based global order comes under a threat of breaking down.
'Our future rests in solidarity,' commitment to rules-based order, UN chief tells world leaders UN News 25 Sep 2018 -- Facing a world where trust – trust in national institutions, trust among States and trust in the rules-based global order – is at a breaking point, Secretary-General António Guterres set the stage for the 73rd general debate of the United Nations with a call to rebuild solidarity, repair broken trust and reinvigorate the spirit of multilateralism.
'Multilateralism is the only answer to the challenges we face,' UN Assembly President tells world leaders UN News 25 Sep 2018 -- With a call to multilateralism and shared work towards sustainable development and equality for all, María Fernanda Espinosa formally inaugurated the seventy-third general debate of the of the United Nations General Assembly.
Pursue comprehensive, just solutions instead of managing crises, Qatari Amir tells world leaders at UN Assembly UN News 25 Sep 2018 -- The international community needs to go beyond "managing crises" and instead pursue comprehensive and just solutions, guided by international law and norms, if it is to achieve global security and stability, the leader of Qatar said at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
'Old forms of intolerance are being rekindled,' unilateralism re-emerging, Brazil warns at UN Assembly UN News 25 Sep 2018 -- The first Head of State to address the seventy-third general debate of the United Nations General Assembly, Michel Temer, President of Brazil, denounced the rising tide of isolationism, intolerance and unilateralism that was challenging international order.

In Veiled Swipe at US, Erdogan Blasts 'Countries Trying to Create Chaos' Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- Turkish-US relations have reached a new low in recent weeks amid back and forth sanctions against officials, a tariff war sparked by US restrictions on Turkish steel and aluminum and a drop in the value of the lira, which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pinned on a "series of negative statements" by Washington.

Statement by Attorney General Sessions Supporting Proposed Legislation to Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems US Dept. of Justice 25 Sep 2018 -- Attorney General Sessions today issued the following statement of support for legislation to counter threats from unmanned aircraft systems:

Raids On Russia-Linked Island Properties Set Finland Abuzz RFE/RL 25 Sep 2018 -- In Finland, as in many countries, investigations of financial crimes tend to be heavy on forensic accounting, bookkeeping evidence, and paper trails, and light on heavy paramilitary weaponry.

Pundits Say Russian Vote Results Signal Protest, Not Real Change RFE/RL 25 Sep 2018 -- As exit polls from the Khaborovsk region's gubernatorial runoff pointed to a landslide victory for Sergei Furgal, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) candidate was asked what swayed the September 23 vote.

Chinese National Arrested for Allegedly Acting Within the United States as an Illegal Agent of the People's Republic of China US Dept. of Justice 25 Sep 2018 -- Ji Chaoqun, 27, a Chinese citizen residing in Chicago, was arrested in Chicago today for allegedly acting within the United States as an illegal agent of the People's Republic of China.

Former NSA Employee Sentenced to Prison for Willful Retention of Classified National Defense Information US Dept. of Justice 25 Sep 2018 -- Nghia Hoang Pho, 68, of Ellicott City, Maryland, and a naturalized U.S. citizen originally of Vietnam, was sentenced today to 66 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for willful retention of classified national defense information. According to court documents, Pho removed massive troves of highly classified national defense information without authorization and kept it at his home.

Outstanding Political Ability of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un KCNA 25 Sep 2018 -- The world is admiring at the outstanding political ability of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un who ushered in a heyday of peace and reunification on the Korean peninsula through the historic 5th north-south summit.
Trump says to announce meeting with DPRK's Kim 'pretty soon,' likely in different location People's Daily 25 Sep 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that his second summit with the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong Un, will be announced "pretty soon." The summit is likely to take place in a different place.

Briefing on Iran US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2018 -- Special Briefing by Brian Hook, Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State and Special Representative for Iran
Pompeo Slams EU Plan to Help Companies Skirt US Sanctions on Iran VOA 25 Sep 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday criticized a European Union plan to help European companies do business with Iran as they face the prospect of U.S. sanctions that could punish them for such trade.
EU Sets Up Payment System with Iran to Maintain Trade VOA 25 Sep 2018 -- The five remaining parties to the Iran nuclear deal have agreed to establish a special payment system to allow companies to continue doing business with the regime, bypassing new sanctions imposed by the United States.
E3+2 vows to establish 'special purpose vehicle' to facilitate trade with Iran Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- Remaining parties to the Iran nuclear deal have promised to establish a 'special purpose vehicle' to facilitate payments related to Iran's exports as part of efforts to salvage the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action after the US' withdrawal.
EU, Iran Vow To Keep Trying To Find Ways To Get Around U.S. Sanctions RFE/RL 25 Sep 2018 -- The European Union is vowing to keep trying to set up a new payment system that will allow its businesses to keep trading with Iran despite the U.S. move to reimpose sanctions on Tehran this year.
Macron says oil prices would fall if Iran could sell oil IRNA 25 Sep 2018 -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday responded to US President Donald Trump's criticism of high oil prices, saying that if had not reimposed sanctions on Tehran, prices would not have risen as much, Reuters reported.
President Rouhani urges US to quit unilateralism, save JCPOA IRNA 25 Sep 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani strongly criticized the US for withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, but meantime invited that country to the negotiating table within the JCPOA framework.
JCPOA members reaffirm commitment to its full implementation IRNA 25 Sep 2018 -- The participants of a ministerial meeting of the E3/EU+2 (China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom and Iran held in New York on September 24 issued a joint statement at the end of the meeting.
Iranian president denies requesting meeting with Trump IRNA 25 Sep 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani flatly denied Tuesday that he has asked for a meeting with President Donald Trump.
US quitting JCPOA great loss in history of bilateral ties IRNA 25 Sep 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a meeting with the elite and US foreign policy experts, said the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA ) is a great loss in the history of relations between the two countries.
Iran, P4+1 meeting indicates US isolation IRNA 25 Sep 2018 -- The meeting between Iran and P4+1 which happened before US efforts to use UNSC as a tool, indicated US isolation, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said.
Moscow vows to cooperate with Tehran to keep Iran Deal IRNA 25 Sep 2018 -- Following the meeting of foreign ministers of Iran and G4+1 in New York on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia issued a statement and announced that Moscow will keep cooperating with Iran and guarding the Iran Deal.
Iran, G4+1 statement strong message to US unilateralism IRNA 25 Sep 2018 -- The joint statement issued by G4+1 and Iran foreign ministers, saying they are to help to neutralize US sanctions on Iran with a special financial mechanism, conveyed a strong message to the US unilateralism on the verge of President Donald Trump's hype in the UN Security Council.
Iran, P4+1 hold ministerial meeting in New York IRNA 25 Sep 2018 -- The ministerial meeting of Iran and P4+1 countries (Russia, China, Britain, France, Germany) was held in the United Nations to discuss the problems faced with implementation of Iran nuclear deal following US unilateral withdrawal of it.
Iran's Zarif, EU's Mogherini hold talks in New York ISNA 25 Sep 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini have discussed issues of mutual interest in a meeting in New York.
President in a meeting with senior American media executives: Trump must rethink his very incorrect actions against Iranian nation ISNA 25 Sep 2018 -- Iranian President met with a number of senior media executives of the United States and emphasised the important, valuable role of public media in transferring the truth to the society.
US 'unilateral, illegitimate' sanctions amount to economic terrorism: Rouhani Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says "unilateral and illegitimate" sanctions imposed by the United States against the Islamic Republic are tantamount to "economic terrorism" and are in violation of world nations' right to progress.
France's Macron urges 'dialogue and multilateralism' on Iran Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has called for "dialogue and multilateralism" on Iran, shortly after his American counterpart promised hard-hitting sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
Trump's dream of meeting senior Iranian officials will never come true: Leader's aide Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- A senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has rejected a US offer for possible meeting and negotiations with high-ranking Iranian officials.
Rouhani presses IMF's Lagarde to back Iran against US Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde says she met President Hassan Rouhani in New York Monday and discussed economic challenges facing Iran.
World community should stand up to US violations of intl. law: Iran president Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has called on the global community to stand up to Washington's violations of international agreements and regulations, saying it is especially in the interest of independent nations to unite against US bullying and interventionist policies.
Iranian President Accuses US of Pressuring Other States to Violate Nuclear Deal Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani stated that "the United States' understanding of international relations is authoritarian," adding that Tehran cannot enter into an agreement with Washington after the violation of the previous deal.

Iran arrests 22 terrorists related to Ahvaz terror attack ISNA 25 Sep 2018 -- Iran's Ministry of Intelligence announced that it has identified a five-member terror group affiliated to Takfiri separatist groups, detected their hideout and arrested 22 people who have participated in Ahvaz terror attack.
Rouhani in a meeting with Cuban President: Today, terrorist groups are backed by countries claiming to fight terrorism ISNA 25 Sep 2018 -- Referring to the importance of trying to develop and strengthen relations and cooperation between Iran and Cuba, the Iranian president said, "We should use the potentials available in both countries for more prosperity and development of relations between Tehran and Havana".
Pentagon Denies 'Ludicrous' Accusations That U.S. Was Behind Deadly Attack In Iran RFE/RL 25 Sep 2018 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has dismissed Iran's accusations that the United States was behind a deadly weekend attack on a military parade in southwestern Iran, calling the allegations "ludicrous."

Cooperation is the only right choice for dealing with China-US trade friction People's Daily 25 Sep 2018 -- Economic and trade relations have always been the ballast stone and propeller of China-US relations. However, in recent days, the US government has provoked and continued to escalate Sino-US economic and trade frictions, which has greatly damaged the bilateral economic and trade relations that the two governments and people of both countries have worked hard for many years, and has also seriously threatened the multilateral trading system and the principle of free trade.
'With knife to our throat?' China rejects trade talks with US Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- A senior Chinese official has ruled out more trade talks with the United States under pressure, a day after American tariffs imposed by the Washington on Chinese goods took effect.

Venezuela's Maduro: Chile, Colombia, Mexico aided assassins Press TV 25 Sep 2018 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the governments of Chile, Colombia, and Mexico of having been involved in a reported assassination attempt against him in the capital, Caracas, last month.
US Slaps New Sanctions on Top Venezuelan Officials, Maduro's Wife - Treasury Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- The United States has issued a new set of sanctions against Venezuela adding President Nicolas Maduro's spouse and key cabinet officials to the list of sanctioned individuals, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said in a press release.
The United States Imposes Sanctions on Venezuelan Individuals and Entities US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2018 -- Today, the United States imposed sanctions on four current or former officials of the Government of Venezuela: First Lady and Former Attorney General Cilia Adela Flores de Maduro, Executive Vice President Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez, Minister of Communication and Information Jorge Jesus Rodriguez Gomez, and Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino Lopez.
United States Continues To Assist Venezuelans in Need US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2018 -- Vice President Mike Pence announced today at the 73rd regular session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, NY, more than $48 million in additional humanitarian U.S. assistance for Venezuelans affected by the man-made crisis in Venezuela.
Treasury Targets Venezuelan President Maduro's Inner Circle and Proceeds of Corruption in the United States US Treasury 25 Sep 2018 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four members of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's inner circle, including First Lady and former Attorney General and President of the National Assembly Cilia Adela Flores de Maduro. OFAC also targeted a network supporting a key front man for designated President of Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly (ANC) Diosdado Cabello Rondon, and identified as blocked property a $20 million U.S.-based private jet as belonging to Cabello's front man.

UK Charity Asks Intel Agencies to Explain Reasons for Unlawful Spying on Staff Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- UK-based NGO Privacy International said Tuesday it had sent a letter to UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid asking him to instruct UK intelligence agencies to explain reasons for unlawful spying on the organization.

Ebola-hit DRC faces 'perfect storm' as uptick in violence halts WHO operation UN News 25 Sep 2018 -- A "perfect storm" of active conflict and traumatized communities in Ebola-affected areas of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could enable the deadly disease to spread, but there are "no plans" to pull UN workers out of the country despite concerns for their security, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.
WHO Warns Ebola Spreading in Eastern DR Congo VOA 25 Sep 2018 -- The World Health Organization warns the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading to new parts of conflict-ridden North Kivu province, including areas that border Uganda and Rwanda.

Nicaragua reaffirms relations with Taiwan CNA 25 Sep 2018 -- Nicaragua reaffirmed on Monday its commitment to maintaining formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan at a time when other countries in the region have shifted their allegiance to China under strong pressure from Beijing.

Zambia's Sovereignty Concerns Put China in Crosshairs VOA 25 Sep 2018 -- In early September, James Lukuku staged a one-person protest in Zambia's capital, Lusaka, against his country's relationship with China.

Zimbabwean president dismisses alleged debt trap by China People's Daily 25 Sep 2018 -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Sunday dismissed claims that his country may fall into a debt trap by China, saying a large portion of Harare's debt to Beijing was for projects which generate revenue to service the loans.

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