04 October 2018 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

US to Stay in Syria Until US President Decides to Withdraw - State Department Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- The United States will remain in Syria as long as the former's president deems it necessary, Robert Wood, the US permanent representative to the Conference on Disarmament, said at a briefing in Geneva.
Centcom Commander Discusses Regional Hotspots AFPS 04 Oct 2018 -- Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Iran are just a few of the hotspots the commander of U.S. Central Command spoke about this morning as he discussed the range of operations in the area during a Pentagon news conference.

By living on Afghan base, Army advisors aim to better enable partners Army News 04 Oct 2018 -- As dust swirled endlessly in the hot air and stuck to every piece of gear, a small group of U.S. Army advisors began to resettle into a no-frills compound at the heart of an Afghan National Army base.
Kabul Denounces Proposal to Outsource Afghan War VOA 04 Oct 2018 -- Afghanistan's government has formally rejected and outlawed a plan, advocated by an American businessman, to privatize the 17-year-old war in the country, effectively ending a heated debate on the issue.

Defense Policy / Programs

Department Of Defense Press Briefing By General Joseph Votel via teleconference from Tampa, Florida, on Operations in the Central Command Area of Responsibility DoD 04 Oct 2018 -- Presenter: General Joseph L. Votel, commander, U.S. Central Command; Commander Sean Robertson, Pentagon spokesman
Air Force designates GO1 hypersonic flight research vehicle as X-60A AFNS 04 Oct 2018 -- The Air Force has designated the GOLauncher1 hypersonic flight research vehicle as X-60A. The vehicle is being developed by Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc. under contract to the Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate, High Speed Systems Division.
US to Confront Russia, China on Militarization of Outer Space VOA 04 Oct 2018 -- At an upcoming U.N. disarmament conference, the United States vows to push back against Russian and Chinese threats against the peaceful use of outer space. The U.N. General Assembly First Committee on Disarmament and International Security opens Monday in New York and is scheduled to run five weeks.
US, Montenegro conduct groundbreaking cyber defense cooperation AFNS 04 Oct 2018 -- U.S. service members worked alongside cyber defenders within the Government of Montenegro over the past few weeks to build cyber defense capabilities.
US not on the road to war with Iran: General Joseph Votel Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- The general overseeing the US military's involvement in the Middle East has said the United States is not "on the road to war with Iran," despite the fact that some Trump administration officials have stepped up rhetoric against Tehran.
Russia Says US Boosting Number of Labs Close to It, Pentagon Denies Accusation Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- The Pentagon has reacted to the statement by the Russian Defense Ministry made earlier in the day about the biological threats coming from the US, saying that the latter has at least 30 laboratories under its control all over the world.
First Hawaii deployment proves B-2 strategic flexibility to ensure free, open Indo-Pacific AFNS 04 Oct 2018 -- Three B-2 Spirits and approximately 200 Airmen completed their first deployment to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, in support of the U.S. Strategic Command's Bomber Task Force deployment, Aug. 15 through Sept. 27, 2018.
Air advisors begin new partnership with Paraguayan air force AFNS 04 Oct 2018 -- The 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron completed a mobile training team mission with the Paraguayan air force, or FAP, in Asuncion, Paraguay from Sept. 17 to 28.
Navy to Christen Guided-Missile Destroyer Frank E. Petersen Jr. NNS 04 Oct 2018 -- The Navy will christen the newest guided-missile destroyer, the future USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) Saturday, Oct. 6, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Bonhomme Richard Sailors and Marines Train with San Francisco Fire Department NNS 04 Oct 2018 -- Sailors and Marines, assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), participated in a training event at the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) Treasure Island Training Facility, Oct. 2, as part of the annual Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) exercise during San Francisco Fleet Week 2018.
Innovative Navy Contract Delivers Defense Department-wide Benefits Faster NNS 04 Oct 2018 -- The Navy's Command and Control Systems Program Office (PMW 150) began work through its first Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract in late September, finding a way to save time and money while gaining necessary capability for an effort that has worldwide ramifications.
Much More Than a Show: Surface Fleet's Top Tacticians join Blue Angels for a Behind the Scenes Look to Increase Warfighting Readiness NNS 04 Oct 2018 -- A few of the Surface Fleet's top tacticians from Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) met with the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron – the Blue Angels - before, during, and after the team's pre-show practice here, Sept. 28.
Russia Says US Boosting Number of Labs Close to It, Pentagon Denies Accusation Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- The Pentagon has reacted to the statement by the Russian Defense Ministry made earlier in the day about the biological threats coming from the US, saying that the latter has at least 30 laboratories under its control all over the world.

Polish-US Experts Group Begins Work on Potential US Base in Poland - MoD Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- A Polish-US working group has begun studying the possibility of setting up a US military base in Poland, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said Thursday.

News Conference by Secretary Mattis at NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium DoD 04 Oct 2018 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis
NATO Secretary General's press conference following Defence Ministers' meeting NATO 04 Oct 2018 -- NATO Defence Ministers concluded two days of talks in Brussels on Thursday (4 October 2018), focused on further adapting and strengthening the Alliance in response to an increasingly assertive Russia and continued instability in the South.
Four Allies sign agreement to create a Multinational Special Aviation Program with a training facility in Zadar, Croatia NATO 04 Oct 2018 -- On Thursday (4 October 2018), Defence Ministers from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a Multinational Special Aviation Program.
Greece to Host NATO Aviation Training Center in Peloponnese - Defense Minister Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- NATO aviation training center will be set up in city of Kalamata, located in the Peloponnese region of Greece, Panos Kammenos, the Greek defense minister, said at a meeting of the alliance's defense ministers on Thursday.

U.S. Defense Chief Calls Alleged Russian Violation Of Missile Treaty 'Untenable' RFE/RL 04 Oct 2018 -- The U.S. defense secretary has again accused Russia of violating a key Cold War arms control treaty, calling the unresolved and increasingly tense dispute with Moscow "untenable."
Pentagon Chief: Russia's Violation of Arms Control Pact 'Untenable' VOA 04 Oct 2018 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Thursday Russia's violation of a global arms control treaty is "untenable" and warned the U.S. would be forced to match Moscow's military capabilities if it continues to violate the pact.
Russian Voronezh-DM Over-The-Horizon Radars Put on Combat Duty - Military Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- The Russian military put the next generation early warning Voronezh-DM radars on combat duty in the country's Orenburg Region and the Altay and Krasnoyarsk territories, bringing the radars to a total of seven Russian regions, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

F-16 Sniper Pods Part of $330 Million US-Taiwan Arms Package Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- Taiwan is buying 18 advanced targeting pods for its F-16 aircraft as part of its deal with the US to buy some $330 million worth of defense materiel.

China says Washington canceled military talks, not Beijing Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- China has rejected an allegation by the United States that Beijing has canceled security talks with Washington planned for this month, saying that US officials have "distorted the facts."

India Completes Developmental Trial of BVR Air-to-Air Missile Astra Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- Astra will be integrated with the Indian Air Force's Su-30MKI and Mirage 2000 since both aircraft have powerful airborne radars to leverage its beyond visual range capability.
Indian Government Puts Final Stamp on Purchase of $2 Billion Russian Frigates Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- The approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is considered the final nod for any defense procurement ahead of the signing of the final commercial contract. The CCS approval that comes just a day before the annual bilateral summit indicates that the final contract is in the offing.
India Risks US Sanctions Over $5Bln S-400 Delivery Deal – Reports Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- India is seeking a US waiver for its planned purchase of S-400 air defense missile systems from Russia.
India, Russia Expected to Seal Arms Deal During Putin Visit VOA 04 Oct 2018 -- As Russian President Vladimir Putin visits India, the most high profile item on the agenda will be a deal for New Delhi to buy a multi-billion-dollar air defense system and other weaponry. If concluded, the deal will be in violation of American sanctions against Russia.

Iran to give harshest response to enemy's slightest mistake: IRGC Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- The spokesman for Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps says IRGC forces will give the harshest response to the slightest mistakes of the Islamic Republic's enemies.

Iraq - Armed Bell 407GX Helicopters DSCA 04 Oct 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq of five (5) Armed Bell 407GX helicopters configured with M240 7.62mm Machine Guns for an estimated cost of $82.5 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 3, 2018.

Pakistan Urges U.S. To Renew Military Aid, Cooperation On Afghanistan RFE/RL 04 Oct 2018 -- Pakistan's foreign minister called on the the United States to restore good relations and military aid and stop blaming Islamabad for militant attacks on Afghanistan, even as he pledged to support negotiations with the Taliban to end the Afghan war.
Pakistan: Ties With US Depend on Improved Afghan Situation VOA 03 Oct 2018 -- Pakistan's top diplomat said Wednesday that his talks with senior Trump administration officials were "useful" and helped "halt the slide" in the crisis-hit bilateral relations.

Saudi Arabia seeks wide-ranging deals with South African arms firms amid Yemen war Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- Saudi Arabia is currently in talks with major arms manufacturers of South Africa for wide-ranging deals, a state military firm says, as a Riyadh-led military coalition continues to pound the impoverished Yemeni nation in a war imposed on the Arabian Peninsula country more than three and a half years ago.

Moscow Says New Steps Will Follow Delivery of S-300s to Syria Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- Russia has completed the first delivery of S-300 systems to Syria, including 49 units of equipment-related components such as radar, basic target acquisition systems, command posts and four launchers, according to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Israeli Minister: S-300 Systems 'Cannot Detect Our Stealth Fighters' Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- On Tuesday, Russia announced the delivery of batteries of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Syria.

Canada - King Air 350ER ISR Aircraft (Manned Airborne, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (MAISR) Platform) DSCA 04 Oct 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Canada of three (3) King Air 350ER (extended range) aircraft with customer unique post-modifications for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations for an estimated cost of $300 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 3, 2018.

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for October 04, 2018
BAE Systems Unveils Enhanced 'Night-Fighting' Battle Tank for UK Army Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- Defense contractor BAE Systems launched a new battle tank with enhanced night-vision features that will boost the British army's ability to conduct military operations in the dark, the company said in a press release on Wednesday.

Other Conflicts

4 October 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 04 Oct 2018
'Endless volley of assaults' aimed at refugees: protection chief calls for 'humane dialogue' UN News 04 Oct 2018 -- "Noise, chatter, shrillness, lack of civility, and harsh language," surround the public debate over refugees, who face a "seemingly endless volley of assaults," said the UN refugee agency's (UNHCR) Assistant High Commissioner for Protection on Thursday.

US Navy planning global show of force against China Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- The United States Navy is reported to be planning a global show of force to show China that the US is ready to engage it militarily.

UAE-backed separatists urge 'uprising' in Hadi-controlled areas Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- Separatists in southern Yemen, backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have called for an uprising in the restive port city of Aden and other southern provinces, controlled by officials of the country's former Saudi-allied government.

Turkey parliament renews mandate for troop deployment in Syria, Iraq Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- Turkey's parliament has approved a motion to extend for another year the state's authority to launch cross-border operations in neighboring Iraq and Syria.

Russia: Iran fighting terrorism in Syria lawfully IRNA 04 Oct 2018 -- Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that Iranian military forces are fighting international terrorism lawfully and on the invitation of the Syrian government.
Syrian army foils terrorist infiltration attempt in Hama IRNA 04 Oct 2018 -- A unit of the Syrian Arab Army has foiled a terrorist attack on military points in Hama northern countryside.
Putin: Presence of US forces in Syria illegitimate IRNA 04 Oct 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that the presence of the US troops in Syria is illegitimate and violates the UN's Charter.
Syria Has Reached a 'Major Understanding' With Hostile Arab States - Assad Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- Most Gulf nations have actively sought to oust President Assad's government over the course of the multi-year conflict, providing opposition Islamist forces with arms and political support.
Syrian Army Thwarts Militant Attack at Hama-Idlib Border - Reports Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- The Syrian army has foiled an infiltration attempt by affiliates of the Kataeb Al-Ezza militant group in the north of Hama province, which borders the embattled Idlib province, the SANA news agency reported on Thursday.
Syria: UN Humanitarian Coordinator calls for unimpeded access from within the country UN News 04 Oct 2018 -- Highlighting the "complexities of the situation in Syria" with close to 13 million people in need of life-saving assistance, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in the country called on warring parties to allow access to all areas from within the country, so aid can reach those in need "fast and efficiently".

High-profile Kurdish PKK terrorist 'neutralized' in southeastern Turkey Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- Turkish security forces have "neutralized" a high-ranking member of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group during a counter-terrorism operation in the country's southeastern province of Mardin.
PKK bomb attack hits SE Turkey, kills 7 soldiers Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- At least seven Turkish soldiers have lost their lives in a bombing by Kurdish militants that targeted a military convoy in the country's southeastern Batman Province.

Israel deploys snipers, tanks, missiles to counter Gaza protests Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- The Israeli military says it is reinforcing forces around the Gaza Strip in order to quell weekly protests along a fence separating occupied territories from the besieged Palestinian enclave.

News Reports

Statement from the President The White House 04 Oct 2018
President Donald J. Trump Is Protecting the United States from Terrorism The White House 04 Oct 2018
President Trump's National Strategy for Counterterrorism US Dept. of State 04 Oct 2018
Attorney General Sessions Issues Statement in Support of the Administration's National Counterterrorism Strategy US Dept. of Justice 04 Oct 2018 -- WASHINGTON -- Attorney General Jeff Sessions today issued the following statement in support of the Administration's release of a National Counterterrorism Strategy:
Statement by Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin on New U.S. National Strategy for Counterterrorism US Treasury 04 Oct 2018
White House Approves Broad New Counterterrorism Strategy - Bolton Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- White House National Security Adviser John Bolton told reporters Thursday that US President Donald Trump has approved a new US counterterrorism strategy much broader than any previously established.

US Vice President: China 'Meddling in America's Democracy' VOA 04 Oct 2018 -- The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is accusing China of trying to undermine it by targeting the American political system.
Pence Accuses China of Seeking to Change US President, Tech Theft Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- Pence's speech at a conservative Washington-based think tank has reiterated a sharpened US approach towards the second biggest economy.
Remarks by Vice President Pence on the Administration's Policy Toward China The White House 04 Oct 2018

NATO Supports UK, Dutch Cyberattack Accusations Against Russia - Stoltenberg Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- NATO stands in solidarity with London and Amsterdam in their accusations against Russia of conducting cyberattacks and urges Moscow to change its behavior, the alliance's secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, stated.
U.S. Charges Russian GRU Officers with International Hacking and Related Influence and Disinformation Operations US Dept. of Justice 04 Oct 2018 -- Conspirators Included a Russian Intelligence "Close Access" Hacking Team that Traveled Abroad to Compromise Computer Networks Used by Anti-Doping and Sporting Officials and Organizations Investigating Russia's Use of Chemical Weapons
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers Delivers Remarks on the Unsealing of an Indictment Against Russian GRU Officers for Various Malicious Cyber Activities US Dept. of Justice 04 Oct 2018
Russian Hackers Indicted FBI 04 Oct 2018 -- Seven Russian government operatives have been charged with hacking into the computer networks of organizations working to investigate and stop Russian athletic doping, just after Russia was banned from the Olympics due to state-sponsored doping revelations. The hackers also allegedly targeted other international entities seen as thwarting Russia's strategic interests.
Statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Russian cyber attacks NATO 04 Oct 2018 -- The Netherlands briefed NATO Defence Ministers today on the targeting of the offices of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague by a hostile cyber operation. The operation was carried out by the GRU, the Russian military intelligence service, but was disrupted by Dutch intelligence services in partnership with the UK. Moreover, the UK has identified the GRU as being behind a number of other cyber-attacks around the world. These have affected citizens in many countries, including Russia, and caused enormous economic costs.
UK accuses Russia of fostering instability throughout the world Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt has accused Russia of fostering instability around the world after allegations emerged showing that Russians were behind a hacking scheme that could affect the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Russia accuses West of cyber mania over claims of hacking attack on OPCW Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- Russia has accused the West of "spy mania," after Dutch security services alleged they had foiled a purported cyber attack by four Russian nationals on the Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
UK blames Russian military intel for cyber attacks Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- The United Kingdom is pointing the finger at the Russian military intelligence for a number of "reckless" cyber attacks in recent years.
Dutch, U.S. Authorities Target Russian Military Intelligence, Alleging Wide Hacking Campaign RFE/RL 04 Oct 2018 -- Dutch and U.S. authorities have accused Russia's military intelligence agency of involvement in a multifaceted, multinational hacking campaign that targeted global anti-doping agencies, the international chemical weapons watchdog, and other entities.
Britain Accuses Russia's GRU Of 'Reckless' Cyberattacks On Western Targets RFE/RL 04 Oct 2018 -- Britain is accusing Russian military intelligence of being behind a host of recent cyberattacks seeking to undermine critical Western institutions from sports and transportation authorities to election processes.
Moscow Responds to Washington's New Hacking Accusations: 'Dangerous Path' Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- The United States is "poisoning" the atmosphere of Russia-US relations with new unfounded accusations against Russia, taking a dangerous path to fuel tensions between the two nuclear powers, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Thursday.
US Charges 7 Alleged Russian Military Intel Officers Over Hacking OPCW, WADA Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- Earlier in the day, the Netherlands stated that the United States was going to announce charges against some "Russian intelligence agents." Moscow has yet to comment on the US charges.
Dutch authorities brief world chemical weapons watchdog on alleged Russian cyber attack UN News 04 Oct 2018 -- The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on Thursday, over allegations that a cyber attack was being plotted in April, against the headquarters of the OPCW, orchestrated by Russia.
US Says Russians Hacked Doping Agencies, Other Organizations VOA 04 Oct 2018 -- The U.S. Justice Department said Thursday that it had charged seven Russian intelligence officers with hacking the computer networks of international anti-doping agencies, as well as organizations investigating Russia's use of chemical agents.

Chinese Spy Chips Discovered in Apple, Amazon Data Centers, Report Claims Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- Bloomberg Businessweek, which published an exclusive report Thursday based on a lengthy investigation, said that Chinese hacking was "the most significant known supply chain attack ever against US companies." Meanwhile, Apple, Amazon Web Services and Super Micro Computer dispute the report.

Finnish Intel to Get Access to Citizens' Private Communications Soon - Ministry Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- The access of Finnish intelligence services to citizens' private communications will be eased after October 15 in cases related to national security threats, the country's Justice Ministry said on Thursday.

UK Intelligence May Have Given Agents Legal Immunity to Commit Torture - Reports Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- UK domestic intelligence agency MI5 may have given its agents legal immunity to commit torture and other criminal acts, The Guardian newspaper reported.

UK Envoy Claims Russia Tried to Compromise Foreign Office After Salisbury Attack Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- UK Ambassador to the Netherlands Peter Wilson claimed on Thursday that the Main Directorate of the General Staff of Russia's Armed Forces (formerly known as the GRU) had allegedly tried to compromise the computer systems of the UK Foreign Office and the country's Defense Science and Technology Laboratory after the Salisbury case.
UK Government Accuses Russian Intelligence of Cyberattacks Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- UK has accused Russian military intelligence of directing cyberattacks basing on work by UK National Cyber Security Centre.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, October 4, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Oct 2018
Thousands Rally In Russia's Ingushetia Against 'Unfair' Border Deal With Chechnya RFE/RL 04 Oct 2018 -- Thousands of people have demonstrated in Russia's North Caucasus region of Ingushetia to protest against a controversial deal establishing the administrative boundary with Chechnya.
Russia Predicts Rising Gas Exports To Europe Despite U.S. Concerns RFE/RL 04 Oct 2018 -- Russia expects to export a record amount of natural gas this year, despite U.S. efforts - including through sanctions threats - to convince European states to cut their reliance on Russian gas.

South Korea unveils plan to break deadlock in US-N Korea talks Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- South Korea has proposed that the US declare an end to the Korean War, a key demand of Pyongyang, in exchange for a verified closure of a major North Korean nuclear facility as the next step in stalled negotiations.
US's Pompeo retracts remark on N Korea denuclearization Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reportedly retracted his earlier remark that North Korea has agreed to a goal of giving up its nuclear weapons by the end of US President Donald Trump's current term in January 2021.
Treasury Designates Company in Turkey for Attempting To Trade Arms and Luxury Goods with North Korea US Treasury 04 Oct 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today announced North Korea-related designations, continuing the implementation of existing UN and U.S. sanctions. Today's action against one entity and three individuals designates a company in Turkey for its attempts to circumvent sanctions on goods that have long been prohibited by UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. This action reinforces the United States' ongoing commitment to implement decisions of the UNSC.

Dangerous US policies, not Iran, should worry NATO: Tehran Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- Iran has rejected "unwarranted" concerns voiced by NATO over the Islamic Republic's regional activities, saying the Western military alliance should rather be worried about the US's "unilateral and dangerous" policies and its breach of international commitments.
Iran will slap US in face by defeating sanctions: Ayatollah Khamenei Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says American sanctions are "more fragile than" Iran's economy, emphasizing that the Iranian nation will "slap the US in the face" by defeating those bans, once again.
White House Adviser: Iran Is 'Central Banker' For Terrorism RFE/RL 04 Oct 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser has called Iran "the central banker of international terrorism" as he laid out a wider strategy for countering Tehran in the Middle East.
Iran's Khamenei Promises To 'Slap' U.S., Defeat Sanctions RFE/RL 04 Oct 2018 -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said Iran will "slap" the United States by defeating U.S. sanctions targeting the country's economy.
Iran Will Deliver a Slap and Defeat US by Defying Sanctions - Supreme Leader Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has delivered an address to tens of thousands of military brass at a Tehran stadium, touching upon the issues of economic obstacles in the country and problems with Washington.

China's Netizens Push Back on 'Xi Thought' VOA 04 Oct 2018 -- The Chinese Communist Party is increasingly engaged in efforts to extend its propaganda reach, looking far beyond newsrooms and now spreading into an entertainment game show.

Iraq officially rejects US claim of Iran role in Basra violence Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- Iraq's Foreign Ministry has dismissed accusations by the United States that Iran is to blame for recent violence – including through alleged militant groups – in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, where Washington recently closed its consulate.

Danish Bank Says It Faces U.S. Probe Linked To Money Laundering Scandal RFE/RL 04 Oct 2018 -- Denmark's largest bank said it was under criminal investigation by U.S. law enforcement over a massive scandal involving its Estonian branch, which may have helped launder millions of dollars from Russia and elsewhere.

Treasury Continues to Expose and Disrupt Hizballah's Financial Support Networks US Treasury 04 Oct 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action today to disrupt Hizballah's financial support networks by designating Muhammad 'Abdallah al-Amin (al-Amin) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224.

Marking World Space Week, UN stresses power of space to 'unite the world' UN News 04 Oct 2018 -- Highlighting the importance of space and its applications for humankind, the United Nations is celebrating World Space Week 2018 with a focus on the role the cosmos plays in bringing people together, back on earth.

U.S. will not use Taiwan as bargaining chip: Foreign Minister Wu CNA 04 Oct 2018 -- Many of the senior officials in the administration of United States President Donald Trump are highly supportive of Taiwan, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said Thursday, dismissing concerns Taiwan could become a bargaining chip in negotiations between Washington and Beijing.
China's 'little tricks' won't hamper Taiwan in APEC: foreign minister CNA 04 Oct 2018 -- China has been deploying a number of "little tricks" over the past few months to inhibit Taiwan's participation in this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting but to scant effect, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said Thursday.

U.S. Senate Passes Resolution On Ukraine Famine, A Move Hailed by Kyiv RFE/RL 04 Oct 2018 -- The U.S. Senate has backed a resolution on the 1930s-era Ukrainian famine known as the Holodomor, a move hailed by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

Russia, Saudi Arabia 'Quietly' Agree To Lift Oil Production RFE/RL 04 Oct 2018 -- Russia and Saudi Arabia have struck a deal to raise oil output from September through December to cool rising prices, the Reuters news agency reports.

Kyrgyz Supreme Court Rules Ex-Presidents' Immunity Unconstitutional RFE/RL 04 Oct 2018 -- Kyrgyzstan's Supreme Court has ruled that the immunity enjoyed by the country's former presidents is unconstitutional.

Tunisia 'at a turning point' stresses UN rights expert UN News 04 Oct 2018 -- An independent UN human rights expert welcomed on Thursday the progress made towards democratic reform in Tunisia, since the 2011 revolution, and emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

Cameroon's Ruling Party Campaigns in Separatist Regions Under Tight Security VOA 04 Oct 2018 -- Cameroon's ruling party officials have held several campaign rallies for the October 7 presidential poll in the country's restive English-speaking regions, despite threats from separatists.

KACST Succeeds in Developing and Manufacturing Two Reconnaissance Satellites SPA 04 Oct 2018 -- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has concluded developing and manufacturing "Saudi Sat 5A" and "Saudi Sat 5B", two reconnaissance satellites to join the second generation of high-accuracy Saudi remote-sensing satellites to be launched this year.

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