06 December 2018 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
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Current Operations

Canada–U.S. Joint Statement DoD 06 Dec 2018 -- Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis and Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan co-hosted a meeting of the top 13 nations contributing military support to the Global Coalition to Defeat-ISIS on Dec. 6, in Ottawa.

Pakistan Urges US to Leave Afghanistan 'As Friend of the Region' VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- Pakistan's military says it is taking "every step" required to help the United States successfully achieve a political reconciliation in Afghanistan and exit the war-shattered country "as friend of the region, not as a failure."
Dispute Between Afghan Election Bodies Over Kabul Results VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- A dispute has erupted between two of Afghanistan's top election bodies over the results of October's parliamentary polls in the capital, Kabul, and its suburbs.
Afghan body invalidates all Kabul votes in October parliamentary election Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- Afghanistan's Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) has declared that all votes cast in Kabul Province during the country's October parliamentary election are invalid.
Pakistan army wants US to leave Afghanistan Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- Pakistan's military says it wants the US to pull out its troops from the neighboring Afghanistan in order to end a 17-year-old war there.
Afghan Commission Invalidates All Kabul Votes In October Parliamentary Election RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- Afghanistan's Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) has declared that all votes cast in Kabul Province during the country's October parliamentary election are invalid.
Acceptance Is First Challenge For Afghanistan's First Female In A Senior Security Post RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- Hosna Jalil is well aware of the complexities of improving security and the rule of law in Afghanistan, a country that has been engulfed by nearly four decades of war.

Defense Policy / Programs

Dunford Discusses Near-Peer Competition, Keeping U.S. Military Edge AFPS 06 Dec 2018 -- Near-peer competition and the United States retaining its military competitive edge were among the issues the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff discussed today in an interview with Washington Post associate editor David Ignatius.
Army updates future operating concept Army News 06 Dec 2018 -- Army leaders have released the latest version of the service's future fighting concept, which focuses on, among other things, possible solutions to counter and defeat layers of stand-off created by adversaries.
Northern Strike planners ensure readiness of Guard, joint forces, and multinational partners Army News 06 Dec 2018 -- With 6,400 participants from 10 countries and 22 states, Northern Strike 18 was the Department of Defense's largest joint, reserve-component exercise of 2018. Hosted annually by the Michigan National Guard at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center and Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, it's no surprise that planning for Northern Strike's massive, joint fires environment is a year-round process.
Media Availability With Secretary Mattis While En Route to Ottawa, Dec. 5, 2018 DoD 06 Dec 2018 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis
Ronald Reagan Strike Group Conducts Cooperative Deployment alongside JMSDF in Philippine Sea NNS 06 Dec 2018 -- The Ronald Reagan Strike Group and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181) conducted a cooperative deployment while operating in the Philippine Sea, Nov. 28-Dec. 5.
Navy Accepts Final Component for LCS Anti-Submarine Warfare Mission Package NNS 06 Dec 2018 -- The Navy took delivery of the final component of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Mission Package, Nov. 30, following successful completion of a rigorous acceptance test regime at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.
Iwo Jima Returns to Homeport NNS 06 Dec 2018 -- Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), flagship of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), returned to her homeport of Mayport, Florida, Dec. 4, after operating for nine weeks in the northern Atlantic Ocean.
2 U.S. Marine aircraft crash off western coast of Japan, 6 missing People's Daily 06 Dec 2018 -- An F/A-18 fighter jet and a KC-130 tanker plane belonging to the U.S. Marines collided and crashed off Cape Muroto of Japan's western coast early on Thursday, with six of the seven crew members still missing, the U.S. Marines and Japanese Defense Ministry said.
2 US military aircraft crash off Japan; 6 Marines missing Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- Six US military personnel are missing after two American military aircraft crashed in mid-air during a refueling operation off the coast of Japan, according to US and Japanese officials.
2 US warplanes crash off Japan coast, rescue underway SPA 06 Dec 2018 -- Two American warplanes crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Japan's southwestern coast after a midair collision early Thursday, and rescuers found one of the seven crew members in stable condition while searching for the others, officials said.
2 US Military Planes Collide Off Japan, Killing 1 US Marine VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- The U.S. military said Thursday that one Marine was killed and five others were missing after two military aircraft collided in midair off the Japanese coast and crashed into the Pacific Ocean.
US Marines Launch Search and Rescue Effort After Two Planes Crash Near Japan Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- The US Marine Corps initiated a search and rescue operation near Japan early Thursday morning local time following an accident involving an F/A-18 that was conducting an aerial refuel from a KC-130. Both aircraft crashed into the sea, according to reports. ABC News reports that one crew member has been rescued alive by Japanese forces.
N.Y. National Guard Civil Support Team trains local fire departments Army News 06 Dec 2018 -- The scene was set up like something out of a zombie apocalypse movie.

U.S. in preparation to send warship into Black Sea People's Daily 06 Dec 2018 -- The U.S. military has started the preparations to dispatch a warship into the Black Sea amid the tension between Russia and Ukraine over the Kerch Strait incident, reported U.S. media on Wednesday.
DOD Statement on Open Skies Flight Over Ukraine DoD 06 Dec 2018 -- "Today, the United States and Allies conducted an extraordinary flight under the Open Skies Treaty. The timing of this flight is intended to reaffirm U.S. commitment to Ukraine and other partner nations.?"
US conducts 'extraordinary' flight over Ukraine: Pentagon Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- The US military has announced that it conducted an "extraordinary" observation flight "to reaffirm US commitment to Ukraine" amid Russia-Ukraine tensions.
U.S. Conducts 'Extraordinary' Observation Flight Over Ukraine RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- The United States says it has carried out an "extraordinary" flight over Ukraine under an international military surveillance treaty, amid what it called a pattern of "increasingly provocative and threatening activity" by Russia.

Statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following conversations with President Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia, and Mr.Ramush Haradinaj of Kosovo NATO 06 Dec 2018 -- Today, I called both President Vučić and Mr Haradinaj to brief them on the outcome of Wednesday's meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers on the Western Balkans. I underlined that both Belgrade and Pristina should show calm and restraint, and avoid any provocative statements or actions.
U.S. Backs Kosovo's Plan To Create Army, Says Process Will Take 'Many Years.' RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- The United States has backed Kosovo's moves toward establishing a regular army, but it tried to reassure those opposed to the action by insisting the process will take "many years."
Kosovo Will Send Soldiers to Serve in Afghanistan, Iraq - Reports Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- The prime minister of the self-proclaimed republic of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, said on Wednesday that the future Kosovar army would serve in Afghanistan and Iraq and would not threaten the North Kosovo Serbs.

Russian Defense Ministry Unveils New Laser Weapon RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- Russia's Defense Ministry has unveiled a new laser weapons system, the latest in a series of advanced offensive systems that the Kremlin has pledged to pursue.
US Official: 60 Days Given to Russia on INF Treaty 'Not Ultimatum' Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- When commenting on the ultimatum to Moscow voiced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Washington hasn't provided any evidence that Russia allegedly violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
US Attempt to 'Bury' INF Treaty Creates New Risks for Europe - Lavrov Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry's response comes after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that Washington would suspend its participation in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 60 days "unless Russia returned to full compliance with the agreement".

UK Defense Ministry to Allocate Extra $511Mln for Nuclear Subs Modernization Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- UK Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson on Thursday announced extra 400 million pounds ($511 million) funding for its Dreadnought program that will build four nuclear-powered submarines.
Defence Secretary announces £400m investment for nuclear-armed submarines UK MOD 06 Dec 2018 -- Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has today announced a £400 million funding boost for the Dreadnought programme, as he opened a new training academy and revealed the name of the second Dreadnought submarine.
Defence Minister reaffirms ties with Mexico UK MOD 06 Dec 2018 -- The UK's future relationship with Mexico looks bright under the country's new administration, a Defence Minister has declared.

US Intelligence Not Shocked North Korea Upgrading Missile Bases VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- North Korean efforts to upgrade and expand a long-range missile base come as no surprise to U.S. intelligence officials, who have long been wary of promises by Pyongyang to denuclearize.

Asia Reassurance Initiative Act clears U.S. Senate CNA 06 Dec 2018 -- The United States Senate on Tuesday passed the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018, which includes a section reaffirming U.S. commitment to Taiwan, particularly arms sales.

Cypriot Authorities Not Aiming for Country's Military Build-Up Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told Sputnik on Thursday that his next meeting with his Armenian counterpart Zohrab Mnatsakanyan on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will likely be held in January.

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for December 06, 2018

Other Conflicts

6 December 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Dec 2018

US sends destroyer to Sea of Japan, near Russia's Far East Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- The United States has sent a guided-missile destroyer near the contested waters of the Sea of Japan, off the Russian coast.
Russian Military Tracks US Destroyer in Sea of Japan - MoD Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- The USS McCampbell guided missile destroyer did not come closer than 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Russian territorial waters, Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov stated.
Destroyer McCampbell 'Challenges' Russia's Claims in Sea of Japan - US Navy Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- The United States' guided missile destroyer McCampbell entered the Sea of Japan to challenge Russia's maritime claims in the area, US Navy spokesperson Rachel McMarr said in a statement.

Yemen Rebels to Decide Friday If Peace Talks Are Serious VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- Yemen's Houthi rebels say they will decide Friday whether the government is serious about peace talks.
New UN-Backed Yemen Peace Talks Begin in Sweden VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- Yemen's warring factions are in Sweden to participate in a new round of peace talks aimed at ending the four-year-old war that has pushed the small Arabian Peninsula country on the brink of famine.
Few Yemenis Express Optimism About Peace Talks VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- Opposing sides in the Yemen conflict are gearing up for talks in Sweden, but few Yemenis appear to be very optimistic that any lasting solution to the nearly 4-year-old war will be reached.
Six Yemeni missiles hit gatherings of Saudi-led forces in Jizan Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- Yemeni army forces, backed by allied fighters from the Houthi Ansarullah movement, have hit gatherings of Saudi soldiers and Saudi-led mercenaries in the kingdom's southwestern Jizan region with six domestically-manufactured missiles in retaliation for the kingdom's campaign of military aggression against the impoverished nation.
Yemen war: UN chief urges 'good faith' as 'milestone' talks get underway in Sweden UN News 06 Dec 2018 -- Yemeni Government and the Houthi opposition have gathered at a United Nations-sponsored political talks, close to the Swedish capital, Stockholm, aimed at ending nearly four years of brutal war in the country.
Yemen war: UN-backed talks to silence the guns begin in Sweden UN News 06 Dec 2018 -- Highly anticipated UN-brokered consultations about substantive talks which could lead to an end to more than three years of brutal conflict across Yemen, have begun in Sweden. Brutal fighting has left the Middle East nation divided between Government and rebel forces, with millions on the brink of famine, and the economy and society in ruins.
Yemeni Gov't, Houthis Sign Agreement on Exchange of Detainees - UN Envoy Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- The delegations of the Yemeni government and the Houthi militants have signed an agreement on the exchange of detainees and prisoners of war during peace talks in Stockholm, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths has stated.
Number of Yemenis in food crisis or emergency could hit 20mn, warns WFP Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- The UN food agency says more than 15 million people in Yemen are in food "crisis" or "emergency," warning that the number could increase to 20 million without sustained food aid, as the brutal war imposed by Saudi Arabia on the impoverished nation nears its fourth anniversary.
UN-backed peace talks on Yemen kick off in Sweden Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- A round of talks between delegations from Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement and the country's former Saudi-backed government open in Sweden under the auspices of the UN in an effort to find a political solution to the Yemen conflict and end a devastating Riyadh-led war on the country.
Saudi friendly fire kills, injures several mercenaries in Yemen Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- Warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition waging a war on Yemen have mistakenly targeted allied mercenaries in the country's central Bayda Province, leaving several dead or wounded.

Syrian PM: Terrorist war against Syria failed IRNA 06 Dec 2018 -- Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis received on Wednesday a Slovak delegation headed by Slovak former Prime Minister Jan Carnogursky.
Syrian Civilians Face Enormous Challenges amid War's Toll VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross warns it will take Syria and its people decades to recover from more than seven years of warfare.

China asks for early deployment of UN team for IS crimes in Iraq People's Daily 06 Dec 2018 -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday asked for the early deployment of a UN investigative team to promote accountability for crimes committed by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in Iraq.

US, Allies Conduct Extraordinary Flight Over Ukraine Amid Kerch Row - Pentagon Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin, while commenting on the naval incident that led to the detention of Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait, noted the attempt to breach the maritime border was a provocation prepared in advance as a pretext to introduce martial law in Ukraine.
In Show of Support, US Conducts Ukraine Fly-Over VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- The U.S. and its allies flew a military aircraft over Ukraine Thursday as a show of support after Russia attacked Ukrainian naval vessels in the Black Sea last month.
Ukraine Reinforcing Troops on Russian Border - President Poroshenko Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- In November, the Ukrainian president signed a decree to impose martial law in regions bordering Russia, as well as the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, following a clash in the Kerch Strait.
Ukraine's Parliament Approves Bill To Terminate Friendship Treaty With Russia RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has approved a move by President Petro Poroshenko to terminate the country's Treaty of Friendship with Russia.
At OSCE Meeting, Ukraine Pleads For Ramped-Up Russia Sanctions RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- Ukraine has used a gathering of foreign ministers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to call for increased sanctions against Russia, accusing Moscow of stepping up "aggression" against Kyiv and sowing "instability and insecurity" in the OSCE region.

Bangladesh summons Myanmar's envoy over minister's remarks about Rohingya Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- Bangladesh has summoned Myanmar's ambassador over controversial comments made by the Myanmarese religion minister about Dhaka and Rohingya Muslim refugees, and called for legal action against him.

UN Mission Confirms Israeli Report of Tunnels at Lebanon Border Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday downplayed the risk of the military operation to destroy Hezbollah tunnels sliding into a broader conflict.
Netanyahu overstated anti-tunnel operation on Lebanese border, says Israeli opposition chief Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni has criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for overdramatizing a recent operation by the Israeli military to block what it claims are tunnels the Hezbollah resistance movement has dug from Lebanon into the occupied territories "for political gain."
US Fails to Win UN Condemnation of Hamas VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- The United States failed Thursday to win condemnation of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in a vote at the U.N. General Assembly.

South Sudan Army Accused of 'Brutal' Sexual Violence VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- A group of human rights lawyers has filed a lawsuit against the government of South Sudan for sexual violence on behalf of 30 women and girls who were allegedly raped by members of the army and the presidential guard.

Western Sahara: a 'peaceful solution' to conflict is possible, says UN envoy UN News 06 Dec 2018 -- The first UN-led talks in six years over the disputed Western Sahara-region concluded on a positive note on Thursday in Geneva, where the Organization's representative Horst Köhler said that further discussions are planned "in the first quarter of 2019".

Next Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement Talks to Be Held in January - Azerbaijani FM Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told Sputnik on Thursday that his next meeting with his Armenian counterpart Zohrab Mnatsakanyan on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will likely be held in January.

Blast Kills 2 Senior Military Commanders in Somalia VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- Two senior Somali military commanders and several soldiers were killed Thursday when a roadside bomb blast hit their vehicle south of Mogadishu.

News Reports

Mueller Memo Adds to Russia Probe Mystery VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- Feverish media speculation had raged ahead of Robert Mueller's sentencing recommendations for former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, fueled by hopes the court filing would provide fresh insight into the special counsel's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Saudi, Russia leave world guessing after OPEC meeting Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- OPEC has tentatively agreed an oil output reduction but is reportedly waiting for Russia to declare its commitment before deciding the exact volumes for a cut aimed at propping up crude prices.

Venezuela's Maduro Announces Billions Of Dollars In Russian Investment RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has announced more than $6 billion in Russian oil and gold mining investments in the crisis-wracked South American country.

Russian Constitutional Court Says Controversial Chechen-Ingush Border Deal Legal RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- Russia's Constitutional Court has upheld the legality of a law designed to support a controversial border agreement between the Russian republics of Ingushetia and Chechnya.

S.Korea, DPRK agree to verify withdrawal of guard posts in border area People's Daily 06 Dec 2018 -- South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have agreed to verify the pilot withdrawal of guard posts in the inter-Korean border area, South Korea's Defense Ministry said Thursday.

Chabahar suicide attack martyred 2, injured 43 IRNA 06 Dec 2018 -- Two were martyred and as many as 43 people were injured in the Thursday terrorist suicide attack on a police headquarters in southeastern Chabahar port in Sistan-Balouchestan Province.
Commander: Full security restored to Chabahar IRNA 06 Dec 2018 -- Commander of Ground Force of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour underlined Chabahar city is in full security and complete safety on Thursday.
Zarif on Chabahar attack: Iran will punish terrorists, their masters Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has condemned a fatal terror attack that targeted Iran's strategic port city of Chabahar, vowing that the Islamic Republic will bring the perpetrators and "their masters" to justice.
Deadly car bomb attack hits Iran's SE port city of Chabahar Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- A terrorist car bomb explosion has hit near a police post in Iran's southeastern port city of Chabahar, leaving two police officers dead and dozens of other people wounded.
At Least Two Police Officers Killed By Suicide Car Bomb In Southeast Iran RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- Iranian officials and state media are reporting that two security guards have been killed in a suicide attack outside police headquarters in the southeastern port city of Chabahar.
EU plans to do all oil transactions with other states in euros: Iran Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- The European Union is going to ditch the US dollar and use its own currency in oil contracts worth 300 billion euros, an Iranian official said, quoting a European commissioner.
Iran expects OPEC exemption from new oil output deal Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- Iran says it should be exempted from any oil production cut deal as long as it remains under "illegal" US sanctions.

China confident about trade talks with US People's Daily 06 Dec 2018 -- The Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday that the latest meeting between the presidents of China and the United States on economic and trade issues was successful, and the country has confidence in implementing the leaders' consensus.
China demands immediate release of Huawei CFO: FM People's Daily 06 Dec 2018 -- Both the Chinese government and people on Thursday called for the immediate release of Meng Wanzhou, CFO of China's Huawei Technologies, after it was reported that she was arrested in Canada at the request of the United States.
Canada's arrest of Huawei CFO sparks China's protest Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- Canada on Wednesday arrested the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of global telecom giant Huawei, sparking the protest of the Chinese government which urged her immediate release.
New Zealand China Scholar 'Targeted' by Beijing VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- An academic who has been exposing the back-door methods of the Chinese seeking to influence New Zealand politics as well as the country's media and universities says she is being targeted and harassed by Beijing.
China Demands Release of Telecom Executive Arrested in Canada VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- China is demanding Canada immediately free a top executive of a giant telecom firm arrested last Saturday on a U.S. warrant.
After Huawei Arrest, White House Sticks With Hard Line on Trade Talks VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- Top White House officials are continuing to take a hard line on U.S.-China trade talks, even after the arrest of a prominent Chinese tech executive that some fear could derail a trade truce between Washington and Beijing.

US Senate resolution holds MbS responsible for Khashoggi murder, Yemen war Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- A bipartisan group of US senators in Congress have introduced a resolution that formally holds responsible Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as well as his role in Saudi atrocities committed during the war in Yemen.
US Senators Submit Draft to Hold SA Crown Prince Responsible in Khashoggi Case Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- Six US Senators have introduced a bipartisan resolution seeking to hold Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accountable for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Senator Christopher Coons said in a press release on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia's Critics Push for Swift US Senate Action VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- U.S. lawmakers eager to castigate Saudi Arabia for killing a journalist and its conduct of a military campaign in Yemen hope the Senate soon will pass one or more measures reflecting Washington's growing anger. But they acknowledged the effort is likely to continue when a new Congress begins work in January.

France abandons fuel tax hike amid fear of more unrest Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- The French prime minister says the country's government has entirely abandoned a fuel tax hike that was previously suspended for six months amid fear of more protests.
France to Deploy 89,000 Police to Prevent Violence During Protests VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said Thursday that more than 89,000 police would be deployed to prevent another outbreak of violence during upcoming protests.

Australia's Controversial Anti-Encryption Law Passes Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- The Australian Parliament passed a new anti-encryption bill compelling tech companies to grant the government access to encrypted information. Analysts say the bill has worldwide implications for digital privacy.

Ecuadorian President Pressures Assange to Leave Country's Embassy in London Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- The Ecuadorian president has earlier urged the WikiLeaks founder to give up his asylum at the UK embassy, but noted that it should happen only after British authorities give guarantees that Assange won't be extradited to the US.
Ecuador: Road Clear for Assange to Leave London Embassy VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno said "the road is clear" for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to leave Ecuador's London embassy, where he has lived for six years to avoid being arrested by British police and possibly extradited.

Lebanese Businessman Tied by Treasury Department to Hezbollah Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy in Furtherance of Violations of U.S. Sanctions US Dept. of Justice 06 Dec 2018 -- Kassim Tajideen, the operator of a network of businesses in Lebanon and Africa whom the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated as an important financial supporter to the Hezbollah terror organization, pleaded guilty today to charges associated with evading U.S. sanctions imposed on him.

Ohio Man Convicted of Terrorism Offenses After Trying to Join ISIS US Dept. of Justice 06 Dec 2018 -- Laith Waleed Alebbini, 28, of Dayton, Ohio, was convicted today for attempting and conspiring to join the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

It's my deal, no deal or no Brexit, UK PM warns MPs Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- UK Prime Minister Theresa May has warned British lawmakers that they should make a choice between her Brexit deal, a "no deal" exit from the European Union (EU) or no exit from the bloc at all.

Romania Blocks Critical EU Text About Moldova RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- Romania has blocked European Union foreign ministers from adopting recent conclusions by the EU's Foreign Affairs Council that are critical of Moldova, several EU diplomats have told RFE/RL.

Rwandan High Court Clears Opposition Leader of Charges VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- Rwanda's high court has acquitted opposition leader Diane Rwigara of charges that included forgery and inciting insurrection.

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