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News Reports

Current Operations

• US military helicopter destroyed after 'hard landing' in Afghanistan Press TV 25 May 2019 -- A US military helicopter has been destroyed after a "hard landing" in Afghanistan that left all passengers and crew onboard injured.

Defense Policy / Programs

• NATO Adopts New Strategy to Counter "Russia's Nuclear Threat" – Report Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- Moscow has repeatedly denied plans to attack any NATO member state and insists that the alliance has continued to allege that Russia poses a threat in order to increase its military presence along Russia's borders.
• Russia launches advanced nuclear-powered icebreaker to navigate in Arctic Press TV 25 May 2019 -- Russia has launched a nuclear-powered icebreaker at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg in an apparent attempt to boost its ability to tap the Arctic's commercial potential.
• Moscow agrees to send military specialists to Republic of Congo to service weapons Press TV 25 May 2019 -- Moscow is deploying its military specialists to Congo to provide service for Russian-made military hardware and equipment in the sub-Saharan African country.
• Russia Upgrading Soviet-Era Grad Multiple Launch Rocket Systems - Manufacturer Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- Pakistan has every right to develop its own missile program provided that it complies with relevant international obligations, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, commenting on Islamabad's latest launch.
• Russian troops helping Venezuela amid US threats: Envoy Press TV 25 May 2019 -- Russia says its troops and military experts in Venezuela are helping the Latin American state prepare itself and maintain its combat readiness in the face of the US' "threat of the use of force".
• Moscow Sees No Obstacles for Pakistan to Develop Own Missile Program - Ministry Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- Pakistan has every right to develop its own missile program provided that it complies with relevant international obligations, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, commenting on Islamabad's latest launch.
• Pompeo Confirms $8.1 Bln in Arms Transfers to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- US State Secretary Mike Pompeo has confirmed approval of $8.1 billion in arms transfers to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates in a bid to "deter Iranian aggression," AFP reported.
• France Admits Polynesia Was Forced to Undergo Dangerous Nuclear Tests Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- From 1966 to 1996, some 193 nuclear tests were carried out by France around the islands of French Polynesia, including Bora Bora and Tahiti.
• Iran Can Sink US Warships With 'Secret Weapon' - Military Official Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- The statement comes after US President Donald Trump did not rule out earlier that the Pentagon may send 1,500 more troops to the Middle East, following the deployment of a carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the region. The goal is to contain what Washington describes as an alleged Iranian threat.
• Annual air raid drills to start Monday in northern Taiwan CNA 25 May 2019 -- The annual air-raid drills will begin Monday, with the first one scheduled for Monday 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in northern Taiwan, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Saturday.
• Mexican military helicopter crashes, killing five crew Press TV 25 May 2019 -- A Mexican military helicopter engaged in fire-fighting operations has crashed in central Mexico, killing five members of the Navy crew.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Yemeni Gov't Forces Take Key Houthi Positions in South-West - Reports Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- The Yemeni government forces took control of key Houthi rebel positions in the southwestern province of Taizz and killed at least 13 Houthi fighters, pro-government Saba news agency reported on Saturday, citing a military source.
• Latakia chemical attack claim won't affect Syria's anti-terror fight: Damascus Press TV 25 May 2019 -- Syria has dismissed "fabricated" claims about the use of chemical weapons by government troops in its western coastal province of Latakia.
• Syrian Army Repels Attack of Some 200 Militants, Armored Vehicles in Hama - MoD Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- Syrian forces repelled on Friday evening the attack of Hayyat Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group (formerly al-Nusra) in the Syrian province of Hama, the Russian centre for Syrian Reconciliation reported Saturday.
• Syrian Army Destroys Terrorists' Rocket Launchers in North of Hama - Source Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- The Syrian government forces responded with fire to constant shelling from the north of Hama province and destroyed terrorists' missile launchers in the region on Saturday, a source familiar with the situation on the ground told Sputnik.
• Chemical Attack Claims Aimed at Curbing Syrian Anti-Terrorism Efforts - Damascus Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that "fabricated" claims about the alleged use of chemical weapons by the country's military were aimed at impeding the progress of its ongoing anti-terrorist operations.
• UN Condemns Rampant Abuse in Syria's Daraa Governorate VOA 25 May 2019 -- The U.N. human rights office condemns rampant human rights violations in Daraa Governorate in southwest Syria by both government and so-called non-state actors. The agency accuses both parties of flaunting the reconciliation agreement implemented 10 months ago.
• Haftar-Led Libyan Army Advancing South, East of Tripoli – General Command Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- The Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar has advanced to the south and east of Tripoli, the LNA General Command press service director Khalifa Obeidi said.
• UN Maritime Tribunal Rules Russia Must 'Immediately' Release Ukrainian Sailors, Ships RFE/RL 25 May 2019 -- A UN maritime tribunal has ruled that Russia must "immediately" release 24 Ukrainian sailors and three Ukrainian naval vessels captured by Russia in November.
• Russia Ordered to Release Ukrainian Sailors and Ships VOA 25 May 2019 -- A United Nations tribunal has ordered Russia to immediately release three Ukrainian naval ships and two dozen sailors, who were captured in a November confrontation off the Crimean Peninsula.
• Hamas condemns normalization of ties with Israel, US-led Bahrain conference Press TV 25 May 2019 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned attempts by certain Arab countries to normalize ties with Israel as well as a forthcoming conference in Bahrain in support of a controversial proposal by the United States.
• Solutions acceptable to Palestinians required for Palestine peace: Qatar Press TV 25 May 2019 -- Qatar has refuted US President Donald Trump's controversial proposal for peace between Palestinians and the Israeli regime, saying the demands of the Palestinian people need to be considered in any such plans.
• Colombian Government Establishes Independent Commission US Dept. of State 25 May 2019e

News Reports

• US intel chief warns Barr not to imperil national security by releasing classified documents Press TV 25 May 2019 -- The United States intelligence chief has warned Attorney General William Barr not to release "highly-sensitive classified information" amid the Trump administration's efforts to get to the origins of the so-called Russia probe.
• Attorney General Barr May Expose Top Secret CIA Source Close to Putin – Report Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- US intelligence community officials set off alarms saying Attorney General William Barr's complete exposure of the intelligence that led to the Mueller probe into Trump-Russia collusion will compromise CIA sources, including those foreign assets at the very top.
• US Intel Community to Cooperate in Probe of Trump Aide Spy Case - Statement Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- The US intelligence community will provide the Department of Justice with all appropriate information when re-examining the FBI investigation of Trump campaign ties to Russia, Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats said in a statement.
• US judge orders Trump to stop building border wall Press TV 25 May 2019 -- A US federal judge has ruled that the administration of President Donald Trump must temporarily halt the use of some funds from the Defense Department for a wall on the US-Mexico border.
• US Judge Rules Trump Can't Use Emergency Declaration Money For Wall - Reports Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- A federal judge in California has blocked President Donald Trump from building sections of his long sought after border wall with money secured under his declaration of a national emergency, AP reported.
• Continued U.S. Support for Democracy in Venezuela US Dept. of State 25 May 2019
• Russians' Trust In Putin Sinks To New Low RFE/RL 25 May 2019 -- Public trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin has fallen to its lowest level in 13 years, according to a Russian state pollster.
• Report: U.S. Naval Seaman Admits Wanting To Pass Classified Info To Russia RFE/RL 25 May 2019 -- A U.S. naval seaman has been sentenced to three years in a military prison after admitting he sought to share classified information about U.S. nuclear-powered warships with Russia.
• Russian Government Donates Wheat to DPRK KCNA 25 May 2019 -- Wheat donated by the Russian government to the DPRK through the WFP arrived here on Saturday. -0-
• Bolton says US open to talking to North Korea, won't change position Press TV 25 May 2019 -- US security adviser John Bolton has called on North Korea to return to talks but ruled out a change of position, after Pyongyang said it will suspend the negotiations unless Washinton changes its "arbitrary and dishonest" stance.
• Trump in Tokyo Downplays Concern About North Korea VOA 25 May 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and his national security adviser are publicly at odds about the seriousness of the threat currently posed by North Korea.
• Iran envoy elaborates on roadblocks of Iran-US talks IRNA 25 May 2019 -- Iranian permanent representative to the UN in an article elaborated on the impediment for Iran-US negotiations, saying the US administration is determined to hurt Iranians.
• Recent US anti-Iran claims extremely dangerous: Zarif IRNA 25 May 2019 -- Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned that recent US claims against the Islamic Republic of Iran are extremely dangerous for the world peace.
• Zarif says why should I answer Pompeo's phone call with insulting language? ISNA 25 May 2019 -- Iran's Minister of Foreign Affair, Mohammad Javad Zarif said that it's impossible to go for a diplomatic dialogue to resolve recent tensions with the United States and criticized US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's insulting language.
• Iran envoy to UN says under current circumstances, how could any rational nation trust U.S. offer of dialogue? ISNA 25 May 2019 -- Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Majid Takht Ravanchi in an article to Washington Post said that the U.S. policy of maximum pressure against Iran has failed.
• Putting end to political considerations necessary for protection of civilians in armed conflict: Iran envoy to UN ISNA 25 May 2019 -- The Security Council can show its seriousness in protecting civilians by putting an end to a policy based on political considerations, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations emphasized.
• Iraq, Iran stress security cooperation to prevent war in region Press TV 25 May 2019 -- Iraq and Iran have stressed on cooperation between the two neighboring countries to prevent a war that could jeopardize stability in the Middle East region.
• Iran slams as politically-motivated France's extradition of Iranian engineer to US Press TV 25 May 2019 -- Iran has denounced as politically-motivated a French court's verdict to extradite an Iranian engineer to the United States over accusations of importing American technology for military purposes.
• Iran FM: Increased US military presence 'very dangerous' Press TV 25 May 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the US decision to deploy additional troops to the Middle East is "extremely dangerous" and threatens international peace and security.
• Iran to 'stand firmly against any act of aggression': Envoy to UN Press TV 25 May 2019 -- With the US building up its military presence in the Persian Gulf, Iran's ambassador to the UN says the country "will stand firmly against any act of aggression" even though it does not seek war.
• Iranian FM Arrives In Baghdad For Talks Amid Tensions With U.S. RFE/RL 25 May 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has arrived in Baghdad for talks with his Iraqi counterpart and other officials amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States.
• Ex-US Military Chiefs, Ambassadors Sign Letter Warning Trump Against War With Iran Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- Despite US president Trump's statement that he has no intention of waging war with Iran, the US continues to expand its military presence in the Middle East. In the most recent development, Trump recognized that the Pentagon would send 1,500 more troops to the region, following the deployment of a carrier strike group and a bomber task force.
• Bolton Claims US Has 'Deep, Serious' Intel on 'Iran Regime Threat' - Reports Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- US National Security Adviser John Bolton said at a press roundtable in Tokyo ahead of a four-day state visit to Japan by US President Donald Trump that recent attacks on oil tankers and pumping stations were a "manifestation of concerns" about Iran, Reuters reported Saturday.
• 'Exclusive Intel' Claims Iran Cuts Funding to Allies Amid Economic War - Report Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- While US media reported financial hardships in Iran-allied Shia movements in the Middle East earlier in March, Fox News now claims it has exclusive intelligence to prove it.
• Xi meets Brazilian VP amid China's push for greater presence in US 'backyard' Press TV 25 May 2019 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with visiting Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao, as Beijing seeks to widen its presence in Latin America amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States.
• Tibetan Re-Education Camp Journal Tells of China's Tactics Now Used on Uighurs VOA 25 May 2019 -- At the Sog County "reform through re-education center" in Nagchu Prefecture of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, "Those who the officials didn't like would be captured and tortured with electronic devices. When they become unconscious, [the torturers] would splash water on their faces until their victims regained their consciousness. After doing that for a long time, they would use a black rubber tube as well as electronic baton to torture people. The bruised bodies of the prisoners turned blue and black, and people become half-dead. For some [strange] reason, their bones were not broken."
• U.S. senators reintroduce draft bill on Taiwan's global recognition CNA 25 May 2019 -- Four United States senators reintroduced a draft bill on Thursday to ensure Taiwan's international recognition, amid China increased efforts to limit Taipei's international participation and poach its diplomatic allies.
• Britain set for new PM after May quits, as Brexit impasse remains Global Times 25 May 2019 -- The search to find a new prime minister started in Britain on Friday just hours after Theresa May announced she was resigning.
• Theresa May's Resignation Raises Chances of British General Election VOA 25 May 2019 -- The resignation announcement Friday by the country's Conservative prime minister Theresa May has increased the likelihood of Britain having to hold a general election this year, say analysts and lawmakers.
• UN Strengthens Measures to Combat Ebola Epidemic in DR Congo VOA 25 May 2019 -- The United Nations has drawn up new measures to strengthen its response to the Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and put an end to the spread of this deadly virus, which already has claimed more than 1200 lives.
• In Ukraine, Poroshenko's Bloc Rebrands Itself Ahead Of Parliamentary Elections RFE/RL 25 May 2019 -- The political party of former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has changed its name in a bid to rebrand itself ahead of key parliamentary elections.
• Italy's EU Parliament Vote Could Change Country's Balance of Power VOA 25 May 2019 -- Italians cast ballots Sunday for European Parliament in what is seen as a test for Italy's two parties and the leaders of the country's ruling coalition government. The vote's outcome is expected to have an impact on domestic politics and on Italy's future role in the European Union.
• Court Injunction Delays Malawi Presidential Results VOA 25 May 2019 -- Malawi's High Court has ordered the electoral commission not to announce presidential results until ballots from a third of the voting districts have been recounted, after complaints of vote rigging.
• South Africa's Ramaphosa Sworn Into Office VOA 25 May 2019 -- Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn into office Saturday as South Africa's president before regional leaders and some 30,000 spectators in Pretoria, the capital.