09 September 2019 Military News

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Peace Talks with Taliban Are 'Dead' VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is denying he overruled Vice President Mike Pence and other administration officials about hosting the Taliban at Camp David for peace talks.
Cancelled Camp David Taliban Talks Were Bad Idea to Start With, Say US Politicians VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- The revelation of planned peace talks with the Taliban leaders and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at Camp David and the cancellation of the meetings are the latest of U.S. President Donald Trump's unconventional foreign policy moves.
Why Did Trump Call Off The Taliban Talks: A Negotiating Tactic, Washington Worries About The Deal, Or Showmanship? RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's bombshell decision to cancel a secret meeting at Camp David with Taliban and Afghan leaders and halt peace negotiations with the militant group has upended nearly a year of painstaking diplomacy to end an 18-year war.
Trump Says Afghan Peace Talks With Taliban 'Are Dead' RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump, asked about the state of U.S.-Taliban peace talks, has said: "They're dead. As far as I'm concerned, they're dead."
No peace talk would work with continued Taliban violence: Afghan gov't People's Daily 09 Sep 2019 -- No peace talks in Afghanistan would yield desired result in the absence of government delegation, said a statement of presidential palace on Sunday.
Pompeo says hopes talks with Taliban resume in future People's Daily 09 Sep 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday he hopes the United States and the Taliban can resume talks in the future.
Pompeo Says US Forces Won't Leave Afghanistan Without Peace Deal Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- The Trump administration declined on Sunday to rule out a withdrawal of American troops without a peace accord, which was scrapped after a terror attack resulting in the death of an American soldier in Kabul.

Defense Policy / Programs

USS Boxer ARG, 11th MEU Complete Exercise Eager Lion 2019 USMC News 09 Sep 2019 -- Marines and Sailors from the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in multilateral Exercise Eager Lion in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Aug. 25-Sept. 5.
Smart sensor network helps redirect missile Army News 09 Sep 2019 -- The Army successfully tested its ability to redirect munitions in flight Aug. 28 in an experiment over the Mohave Desert involving an unmanned aircraft, smart sensors and artificial intelligence.
Senior leaders: Army fast-tracked for modernization success Army News 09 Sep 2019 -- Even amidst the shuffle of senior leadership within the Army, the service has seen the positive results of revamping its once sluggish acquisition process, said acting Army Secretary Ryan D. McCarthy.
Helicopter modernization vital to increase lethality, survivability Army News 09 Sep 2019 -- Although the Army anticipates fielding its first Future Vertical Lift aircraft by 2030, modernizing and maintaining current helicopters is vitally important, a top Army aviator said Thursday.
Department of Defense Off-Camera Press Briefing by Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Hoffman DoD 09 Sep 2019 -- Jonathan R. Hoffman, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
USS Gridley Joins NATO Allies in Visit to Halifax Before Joint Exercise NNS 09 Sep 2019 -- U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) joined allies from Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) in a scheduled port visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sept. 5-6, before exercise Cutlass Fury 2019, hosted by the Royal Canadian Navy.
CNO Meets with French Counterpart NNS 09 Sep 2019 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday met with his French counterpart, Chief of Staff of the French Navy Adm. Christophe Prazuck, during an office call, Sept. 6.
USS Olympia Completes Around-the-World Deployment NNS 09 Sep 2019 -- Friends and families of the crew gathered on the submarine pier at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Sept. 8 to welcome Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Olympia (SSN 717) home from a seven-month, around-the-world deployment, conducting operations to support national security.
Corrosion Control: Topside Drone Keeps Vessels Ship-Shape NNS 09 Sep 2019 -- The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launches straight up from the deck of the USS Midway, its operator carefully maneuvering the UAV in front of the ship's air traffic control tower. Along the UAV's predetermined flight path, the camera mounted beneath the UAV captures ship imagery for a few minutes, and then zooms back down to its landing pad.
Comfort Begins Medical Services in Trinidad and Tobago Following Opening Ceremony NNS 09 Sep 2019 -- Senior leadership from the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) alongside partner and host nation representatives attended an opening ceremony to mark the beginning of the ship's sixth medical mission stop in Trinidad and Tobago, Sept. 5.
John P. Murtha Completes MDVR in Doha, Qatar NNS 09 Sep 2019 -- The amphibious transport ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) completed its mid-deployment voyage repair (MDVR) pier side in Doha, Qatar Aug. 10, 2019 during a scheduled port visit.
Ike Departs for Hurricane Dorian, Begins TSTA/FEP NNS 09 Sep 2019 -- The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) departed its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 4 as part of the Navy's preparations for Hurricane Dorian, and took advantage of the underway to begin Tailored Ship's Training Availability/Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP) almost immediately after departure.
NMCB-3 Conducts CPX-2 NNS 09 Sep 2019 -- Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 conducted Command Post Exercise (CPX) 2 on Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, Aug. 26-30, as part of the battalion's Fleet Response Training Plan.
AMC's largest exercise, Mobility Guardian 2019 begins US Air Force 09 Sep 2019 -- Mobility Guardian 2019, Air Mobility Command's premier exercise, will be hosted by the 92nd and 141st Air Refueling Wings located at Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, Washington, from Sept. 8-28.
U.S. Airmen, international partners look to build capabilities with Mobility Guardian US Air Force 09 Sep 2019 -- Exercise Mobility Guardian, Air Mobility Command's premier, large-scale mobility exercise, is scheduled for Sept. 8-28 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington.
Hurricane Hunters finish flying Dorian US Air Force 09 Sep 2019 -- The Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, aka Hurricane Hunters, have flown 25 missions, from Aug. 25 to their last, Sept. 6, in support of Hurricane Dorian.
Recruiting Cyber Workforce Easier Than Retaining Them DoD News 09 Sep 2019 -- The military is doing a great job recruiting cyber talent into military and civilian service, but retention is more difficult, said the deputy assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy said at the Billington Cybersecurity Summit in Washington.
US Officials Fear Disjointed Battle Against the 'Global Cyber Pandemic' VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- Security officials these days are anything but shy when they describe the dangers facing the United States in cyberspace.
Dunford: Spacecom Allows U.S. to Retain 'High Ground' DoD News 09 Sep 2019 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff presided over the presentation of the colors of U.S. Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.

NATO Nuclear Policy in a Post-INF World - Speech by NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller at the University of Oslo NATO 09 Sep 2019 -- Rose Gottemoeller [NATO Deputy Secretary General]: This is a beautiful room, I was just told the Ph.D candidates have to defend in this room, and it would be a bit . . . a bit overwhelming, I think, and it's certainly a beautiful space, and it's an honour and pleasure to be here this afternoon to speak to the Oslo Nuclear Forum, and in fact be the inaugural speaker. It's an enormous pleasure and honour, so thank you very much for the invitation, and look forward to our conversation today. I will follow, if you've had a chance to glance at this, I'll follow the list of questions that were laid out there, but I'll repeat them, so in case you don't have them in front of you, you will remember.

Russia's United Engine Corporation Working to Replace French Ardiden 3G - Head Designer Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- Russia's United Engine Corporation is working on a replacement for a French engine Ardiden 3G that is used on Ka-62 helicopters, the company's chief designer, Yury Shmotin, said.
Russian Defence Minister Calls for 'Symmetrical Steps' in Order to Prevent Missile Arms Race in Europe Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- Lavrov Says US Prepared Missile Test Long Before Its Exit From INF Treaty

North Korea Fires Projectiles Hours After Calling for Talks VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- North Korea fired two unknown projectiles Tuesday, hours after Pyongyang said it is willing to reopen denuclearization talks with the United States.
DPRK Fires Two Unidentified Missiles Sputnik 10 Sep 2019 -- North Korea has launched two unidentified projectiles from its western region toward the East Sea on Tuesday, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing the South Korean military.

Nuclear testing has 'disastrous consequences' for people and planet, General Assembly told UN News 09 Sep 2019 -- Events commemorating the recent International Day against Nuclear Tests serve as an "important and stark reminder…of the disastrous consequences of nuclear testing on human health and the environment", a top UN official told the General Assembly on Monday.

Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 09 Sep 2019
Remarks by President Trump in Briefing on Hurricane Dorian | Havelock, NC The White House 09 Sep 2019

Defense Industry

Contracts For Sept. 9, 2019

Other Conflicts

9 September 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Sep 2019
Political solutions 'prerequisite to sustainable peace', Lacroix tells Security Council UN News 09 Sep 2019 -- While peacekeeping is an "essential tool" for preventing conflict and reducing the risk of relapse, "political solutions are a prerequisite to sustainable peace", the United Nations peacekeeping chief told the Security Council on Monday.

Activists: Strikes Hit Iran-Backed Fighters In Eastern Syria, Killing 18 RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- Air strikes have hit positions of Iran-backed forces and allied militias in eastern Syria, killing 18 fighters, according to a group monitoring the war.

Israel claims drone attack near Syria's border with Iraq Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- Israel has claimed a drone attack on Iraqi forces and members of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah near Syria's border with Iraq.
IDF Says Rockets Were Fired From Syrian Territory Near Damascus, But Failed to Hit Israel Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- Israel has carried out scores of air attacks against Syria in recent years, saying that the strikes were aimed at countering alleged Iranian presence in the Arab country.

Haftar Forces Suffer Losses as GNA Troops Advance South of Tripoli, GNA Spokesman Says Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- The troops of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) have made advances south of the city of Tripoli, making the Libyan National Army (LNA) loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar suffer losses, GNA military spokesman, Muhammad Kanunu said on Monday.

Northern Alliance of Ethnic Armies Declares One-Month Cease-fire With Myanmar Forces Radio Free Asia 09 Sep 2019 -- Three ethnic armies from the Northern Alliance declared a conditional one-month ceasefire in northern Shan and Rakhine states on Monday, saying they want to try to build trust with Myanmar forces amid hostilities that have displaced thousands of civilians and disrupted trade with China.

Kremlin hails prisoner swap with Ukraine as positive step Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- The Kremlin has hailed the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine as a positive step and a reason for cautious optimism on improving bilateral ties.
Inside Ukraine's Secret Mission To Capture The MH17 'Suspect' Traded With Russia RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- Their mission was top secret: Slip into enemy territory undetected, capture their target, and return with him to Kyiv. They knew it would be dangerous but their superior said it was worth the risk, and the order came from the top. If successful, it could lead to a major breakthrough -- of what kind, specifically, they were not told.
Macron, Putin Discuss Ukraine Conflict Before Their Defense, Foreign Ministers Meet RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron about the armed conflict in eastern Ukrainian and Iranian nuclear deal on September 8, according to the Kremlin's website.
Kremlin Sees Detainee Exchange With Ukraine As Positive Step - Spokesman Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- The Kremlin sees the exchange of detainees between Russia and Ukraine as a positive step and a reason for cautious optimism on improvement in the relationship, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.

Indian Army Says it Foiled Infiltration Attempt by Pakistani 'Border Action Team' Along Border Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- The Indian Army released a video on Monday of what it says was an infiltration attempt by the Pakistan Army's Border Action Team (BAT) along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara in the Kashmir valley during the first week of August.
UN rights chief 'deeply concerned' about India actions in Kashmir Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- "I am deeply concerned about the impact of recent actions by the government of India on the human rights of Kashmiris."

Israeli Army Source Confirms Loss of Drone in Lebanon, Says No Danger of Data Leakage Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- An Israeli military drone fell on Lebanese territory the night before, a source in the Israeli Defence Forces said on Monday.
Hezbollah says shot down Israeli drone over Lebanon Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has shot down an Israeli military drone outside the southern town of Ramyah.

Nigerians in Cameroon Call for Help After Separatist Attacks VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- Nigerians living in Cameroon are asking both their government and their host country for help after at least 20 Nigerians were killed in separatist violence.

29 Killed in Two Attacks in Burkina Faso VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- Officials in northern Burkina Faso say at least 29 people were killed in two separate incidents Sunday.

News Reports

U.S. House Committees Launch Investigation Into Possible Trump Pressure On Ukraine RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have launched an investigation into whether President Donald Trump is pressuring Ukraine to produce dirt on a potential presidential contender, including by withholding $250 million in military aid.
US House Committees Launch Probe into Alleged Trump-Ukraine Election Scheme Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- Three US House committees on Monday launched a "wide-range investigation" into President Donald's Trump reported attempts to pressure the government of Ukraine into assisting his re-election campaign.

Press Briefing by CBP Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan The White House 09 Sep 2019

Venezuelan Exodus Continues as Economy, Human Rights Worsen VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- The U.N. high commissioner for human rights is calling on the Venezuelan government and opposition to resolve their differences, which are causing the socio-economic conditions and human rights abuse in the country to worsen. High commissioner Michelle Bachelet has presented an update on the situation in Venezuela at the U.N. Human Rights Council.

Saudi Arabia plans to enrich uranium for nuclear power: Minister Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- Saudi Arabia has announced plans to produce and enrich uranium in the future for its nuclear power program set to enter into an operational phase with two atomic reactors.
Saudi Arabia Wants Uranium Production, Enrichment Capability for Nuclear Power Programme - Minister Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- Earlier this year, after discovering that the Department of Energy had greenlit six authorisations to allow US companies to assist Saudi Arabia with its nuclear programme, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the US Senate attempted to put together a bill to block Washington from providing funding for the transfer of US nuclear technology to Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia, world's top arms importer, launches own military industry Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- Saudi Arabia, one of the world's top arms importers, says it has launched a program to license firms seeking to participate in its own military industrial sector.
Saudi Arabia Planning Aramco IPO as Soon as Possible - Energy Minister Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- Last week, former Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih was replaced by Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman ahead of a long-awaited launch of an initial public offering (IPO) of the country's Aramco oil company.

Amid Widespread Fraud Claims, Russian Officials Praise 'Genuinely Competitive Elections' RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- On September 7, a group of journalists and election observers boarded a bus in Krasnoyarsk, a region of Siberia, and made their way south to Kyzyl, the capital of the neighboring Tyva Republic not far from Russia's border with Mongolia.
Weird Scenes Inside The Polling Place: Strange Delays As High-Profile United Russia Candidate Stumbled Toward Defeat RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- Among the pro-Kremlin candidates to fall in Moscow's city council elections over the weekend, Andrei Metelsky was arguably the most prominent scalp collected by the opposition.
A New Hope? Five Takeaways From The Elections In Moscow And Elsewhere RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- The opposition is up. The ruling party is down. Incumbent governors are in. The Kremlin is worried. Aleksei Navalny's Smart Voting strategy is…smart?
Russia Accuses Facebook, Google Of Meddling In Elections RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- Russia's communications regulator has accused U.S. tech giants Google and Facebook of violating legislation prohibiting political advertising during elections.
United Russia, Putin Suffer Stinging Setback In Moscow Poll RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- Russia's ruling United Russia party, which backs President Vladimir Putin, has suffered a stinging setback in Moscow's city council elections, final preliminary results showed, suggesting a voting strategy advocated by opposition politician Aleksei Navalny may have been successful.
After Summer of Turmoil, Russians Hand Kremlin Election Setback VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- Russian voters handed setbacks to Kremlin-affiliated candidates in Moscow and other local elections nationwide – losses that came despite a near total ban on opposition candidates that sparked a summer of street protests and mass arrests in the capital.
French Ministers In Moscow In Bid To Rebuild Ties RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- The French foreign and defense ministers have held "frank" talks with their Russian counterparts in Moscow as Paris pushes for a detente with Russia.

CIA in Damage Control Mode Over Report It Extracted Top Spy From Russia Fearing Exposure Aided by Trump Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- The CIA allegedly carried out the extraction mission amid fears that its asset was in imminent danger of being uncovered.

DPRK First Vice Foreign Minister Issues Statement KCNA 09 Sep 2019 -- Choe Son Hui, first vice foreign minister of the DPRK, issued the following statement on Monday:
If US toys with old scenario, talks will fail: North Korea Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- There will not be any deal between North Korea and the United States if Washington "toys with an old scenario" with regard to bilateral negotiations, says a senior North Korean official.
Pyongyang Calls on US to 'Quit Current Calculation Method', Meet for Talks This Month Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- New talks between the US and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) may soon be scheduled, as both sides issued statements showing their willingness to resume denuclearization negotiations cut off in February.
North Korea: Willing to Restart Nuclear Talks with US VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- North Korea said Monday it is willing to reopen denuclearization talks with the United States in late September, but warned that Washington needs to come up with fresh ideas or risks jeopardizing the negotiations.
Xi congratulates Kim on DPRK's founding anniversary People's Daily 09 Sep 2019 -- President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message on Monday to Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on the country's 71st founding anniversary.

Israel Reveals Alleged Iranian Nuclear Site as It Seeks More Pressure on Tehran VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- Israel has revealed what it says is a secret Iranian nuclear weapons development site as part of an ongoing campaign to boost international pressure on Iran to end its nuclear and regional ambitions.
Zarif calls Israel real nuke possessor 'crying wolf' on Iran Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responds derogatorily to Benjamin Netanyahu's apparently trying to blow the whistle on what the Israeli prime minister has branded as off-limits Iranian nuclear experimentation.
Iran's FM Zarif rejects Netanyahu's nuke claim, says he 'crying wolf' IRNA 09 Sep 2019 -- Iran on Monday rejected a claim by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Tehran had been developing nuclear weapons at a secret site, and said he was seeking a pretext for war.
'Possessor of Real Nukes Cries Wolf': Zarif Reacts to Netanyahu's Claim of New Iranian Secret 'Nuclear Weapons Site' Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- Previously, in April and September of 2018, the Israeli prime minister reported 'Mossad intelligence information' which he said exposed an alleged clandestine Iranian nuclear programme operating in contravention of Tehran's commitments to the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran has dismissed all the claims.
Israeli Foreign Minister Urges JCPOA Parties to Annul Deal, Join US Sanctions Against Iran Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Monday called on the signatories of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known commonly as the Iran nuclear deal, to annul the pact and join the US sanctions against Tehran in a bid to stop what he called Iran's "terrorist ambitions."
UN Confirms Iran Installing New Centrifuges VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency said Monday its inspectors confirmed Iran is installing more advanced centrifuges that can be used to refine uranium.
IAEA confirms Iran's installation of advanced centrifuges Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that Iran is installing advanced centrifuges after warning signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal that the clock is ticking for them to salvage the accord.
IAEA report shows installation of new centrifuges in Natanz IRNA 09 Sep 2019 -- Iranian envoy said after President Rouhani's announcement as regard lifting all commitments on nuclear development under the JCPOA, Acting Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Cornel Feruta has told IAEA that Iran is to install new advanced centrifuges in Natanz nuclear power plant and to test it with natural uranium.
IAEA Confirms Iran Installing More Advanced Uranium Centrifuges RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- The UN's nuclear watchdog has confirmed that Iran has begun installing more advanced centrifuges used for enriching uranium -- Tehran's latest step in reducing its commitment to the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
Iran's Restart of Centrifugal Research, Development Works Poses No Threat - Moscow Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- Iran's restart of is its centrifugal research and development works does not pose any threat, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
IAEA Chief Says Was Pleased by 'Substantial Discussions' with Iran's Zarif, Salehi Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Acting Director-General Cornel Feruta on Monday said he had productive discussions with senior Iranian officials and was pleased by the tone and input received in the negotiations.
IAEA Confirms Iran Has Begun Installing More Advanced Centrifuges to Produce Enriched Uranium Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- Earlier, an Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation spokesman said Iran would be decreasing its commitments to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal, in retaliation to the breach of the deal by Washington. Tehran maintains that it could still 'reverse' its action if the other parties to the deal fulfil their promises.
Official says IAEA still committed to JCPOA IRNA 09 Sep 2019 -- Acting Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Cornel Feruta said that the IAEA is still committed to the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Moscow sees no alternative to JCPOA: Russian FM IRNA 09 Sep 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia believes that there is no alternative to Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
France, Russia call for preserving JCPOA IRNA 09 Sep 2019 -- French President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation called for preserving Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Iran's envoy to UN: Washington is in breach of NPT Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- Iran calls the US in breach of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), citing Washington's refusal to come under a comprehensive nuclear arms control regime and its harboring an intention to resume testing of nuclear weapons.
Adrian Darya oil tanker unloads Iran's cargo at Mediterranean shores IRNA 09 Sep 2019 -- The super tanker Adrian Darya has unloaded its cargo from Iran in the Mediterranean Sea, said Iran's Foreign Ministry on Sunday.
Iran says to release seized British oil tanker "soon" People's Daily 09 Sep 2019 -- Iran said Sunday that the seized British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero would be released in the coming days, official IRNA news agency reported.
US concerned about China's continued purchase of oil from Iran Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- A senior US official has expressed deep regret about China's refusal to obey Washington's sanctions on Iran, saying his country is "very concerned" about Beijing's purchases of the Iranian oil.
US must end sanctions, maximum pressure on Iran: China Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- China says the US strategy of exerting "maximum pressure" on Iran is the root cause of the ongoing tensions over Tehran's nuclear program, urging Washington to end its wrong practices.

HK must also tackle social issues Global Times 09 Sep 2019 -- As the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government takes concrete measures to end months of political unrest in the city, it must also tackle an array of deep-seated social problems to ensure long-term stability, some local residents and community and business leaders said.
Fresh anti-govt. protests, clashes cause disruption in Hong Kong Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- Unrest shows no signs of abating in Hong Kong, with more anti-government protests and clashes causing disruption in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
Hong Kong Journalists Protest Over Being Pepper-Sprayed by Police Radio Free Asia 09 Sep 2019 -- A Hong Kong journalists' association on Monday hit out at the city's police force after special-force officers sprayed a number of reporters with pepper spray, injuring several, during a protest in Kowloon's Mong Kok district at the weekend.
China Keeps Mum on Hong Kong Withdrawal Pledge, Questions Supporters Radio Free Asia 09 Sep 2019 -- Authorities in the central Chinese province of Hunan have questioned more than 20 people after they took selfies with one hand covering their right eye as a gesture of support for the Hong Kong anti-extradition movement.
Chinese State Media Accuse US of Meddling in Hong Kong Affairs VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- A Chinese state-run newspaper Monday said the United States will be meddling in Hong Kong internal affairs if the U.S. Congress moves forward with a bipartisan bill in support of the city's democratic development and human rights.
China condemns US 'lies' about treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- China has lashed out at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for his remarks about Beijing's treatment of its ethnic Muslim Uighur community, saying Washington's "lies" about the western region of Xinjiang would not deceive anyone.

Solomon Islands' officials tight-lipped on diplomatic ties with Taiwan CNA 09 Sep 2019 -- Visiting high-level foreign affairs officials from the Solomon Islands were tight-lipped on Monday regarding speculations the Pacific island country will soon switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.
President receives Solomon Islands FM amid rumors of shaky ties CNA 09 Sep 2019 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) received Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele at the Presidential Office Monday.

Indian Moon Lander Makes Hard Landing on Moon's Surface Without Breaking Apart - Reports Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- The Vikram lunar lander of the Chandrayaan-2 mission has not crashed during a hard landing on the Moon's surface and is very close to the planned landing site, local media reported on Monday, citing a source from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Erdogan Fights Back as Challenges Loom From Former Allies VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is tightening his grip on his ruling party, expelling rivals amid weakening public support and challenges from former allies.

British Parliament Again Rejects New Elections VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- Britain's parliament has for the second time rejected Prime Minister Boris Johnson's plan to hold early elections in an attempt to break the Brexit deadlock.
Will Trump-Like Behavior Backfire on Britain's Boris Johnson? VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- After Boris Johnson won the Conservative party contest in July to succeed Theresa May as Britain's prime minister, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed his victory, praising him as "Britain Trump."
Queen Elizabeth Approves Measure to Block Johnson's No-deal Brexit VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- Britain's Queen Elizabeth gave her approval Monday to legislation seeking to block Prime Minister Boris Johnson from carrying out a no-deal Brexit, his plan to take the country out of the European Union on October 31 without spelling out the terms of the split.

Bahraini regime steps up clampdown on Shia clergymen ahead of Ashura Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- Bahraini regime forces have summoned more Shia Muslim clerics for interrogation as the ruling Al Khalifah regime presses ahead with its heavy-handed crackdown ahead of Ashura, which marks the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the third Shia Imam and the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

UN Human Rights Chief Hits Cambodia Crackdown on Opposition Activists Radio Free Asia 09 Sep 2019 -- U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet hit out on Monday at Cambodian authorities' harassment of members of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party, pointing to the questioning by police of over 100 party activists, and detention of over 20, since the beginning of the year.

Yerevan Court Hears Arguments On Petition To Release Ex-President RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- Armenia's Prosecutor-General's Office has argued that there are no grounds to drop criminal proceedings against former President Robert Kocharian, or to release him from custody, as demanded by his defense team.

Some Zimbabweans Mourn Their Former Leader, Mugabe VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- Ahead of a state funeral for Robert Mugabe, some Zimbabweans are mourning their former leader, who died last week in Singapore. A hero to some, Mugabe was also a controversial figure.

Bachelet: Climate Change a Global Threat to Human Rights VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet has issued a stark warning that climate change poses a rapidly growing global threat to human rights as dwindling resources due to global warming lead to increased hunger, migration and conflict. Bachelet spoke at the opening of the 42nd session of the U.N. Human Rights Council.

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