26 September 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Jim Jeffrey and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Defense Policy, Emerging Threats, and Outreach Thomas DiNanno of the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance On U.S. Policy on Syria and D-ISIS US Dept. of State 26 Sep 2019

Ghani Rules Out Forming Another Unity Government, Rejects Threat Of Civil War RFE/RL 26 Sep 2019 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says his country needs "one president, not two," telling RFE/RL that if he wins a presidential election on September 28 he won't accept another national unity government.
Taliban Lifts Ban On WHO Vaccine Operations In Occupied Afghan Territories RFE/RL 26 Sep 2019 -- Taliban militants in Afghanistan have lifted a ban on World Health Organization (WHO) activities in areas they control, another apparent move by the extremist group to improve their image following the collapse of peace talks with the United States.
Ignoring UNAMA, Taliban Threaten Afghan Elections Again VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- As Afghanistan prepares for presidential elections on Saturday, the Taliban is again threatening to disrupt the polling, while the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has urged the insurgents to refrain from attacking civilians exercising their democratic right.

Defense Policy / Programs

DOD Statement on Deployment of U.S. Forces and Equipment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia DoD 26 Sep 2019 -- "In light of recent attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and at their invitation, Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper announced today that the U.S. would deploy the following equipment to the kingdom:"
US to Deploy Patriot Battery, 200 Troops to Saudi Arabia After Oil Attacks - Pentagon Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- The United States is deploying to Saudi Arabia a battery of Patriot missiles, four sentinel radar systems and about 200 support personnel, Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said in a press release on Thursday.
US Sending Troops, Weaponry to Saudis to Boost Kingdom's Air Defenses VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- The Pentagon is sending a Patriot missile battery, four radar systems and about 200 troops to Saudi Arabia to boost the kingdom's air defenses against further attacks.
U.S. To Send Air Defense Systems To Saudi Arabia RFE/RL 26 Sep 2019 -- The United States says it will deploy a battery of Patriot missiles, four Sentinel radar systems, and about 200 support personnel to Saudi Arabia in the wake of a recent attack on the kingdom's oil facilities that Washington has blamed on Iran.

Defense Department News Briefing on the Calendar Year 2018 Annual Suicide Report DoD 26 Sep 2019 -- Dr. Elizabeth Van Winkle, director, Office of Force Resiliency; Dr. Karin Orvis, director, Defense Suicide Prevention Office
DOD Releases Report on Suicide Among Troops, Military Family Members DoD News 26 Sep 2019 -- Defense Department officials have released a report focused on prevention and analysis of service member and family member suicides.
Esper Discusses Readiness Issues, Suicides DoD News 26 Sep 2019 -- Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper touched on suicides, the budget and maintenance and readiness issues during a broad-ranging news conference in Norfolk, Va., yesterday.
NC, Alabama Guard complete Fire Shield 2019 in Moldova Army News 26 Sep 2019 -- Soldiers from the North Carolina (NCNG) and Alabama National Guard (ALNG) completed Operation Fire Shield 2019, a training exercise hosted by Moldova as part of the State Partnership Program.
New Defense School to Certify Security Cooperation Workforce DoD News 26 Sep 2019 -- The newly stood-up Defense Security Cooperation University, aimed squarely at creating, training and certifying a professional community from the Defense Department's security cooperation workforce, will spend the next 24 months ensuring that some 20,000 personnel get the most basic level certification in their career field.
FRCE wraps fly-in maintenance on Harrier jets NNS 26 Sep 2019 -- Fleet Readiness Center East marked a maintenance milestone August 15 when a tug pulled a completely assembled AV-8B Harrier to Marine Attack Training Squadron 203. The departure marked the completion of the last U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B inducted at FRCE for Planned Maintenance Interval 1, which was the 121st AV-8B PMI-1 since the depot inducted its first in June 2003.
Comfort Arrives in Saint Lucia to Provide Medical Assistance NNS 26 Sep 2019 -- The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Castries, Saint Lucia, for its eighth medical mission stop in Central America, South America and the Caribbean, Sept. 23.
Comfort Strengthens Partnership With Grenada Following Successful Medical Mission NNS 26 Sep 2019 -- The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed Grenada following the completion of the ship's seventh medical mission in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, Sept. 21.
NAVAIR Delivers First Redesigned MH-60s Gunner Seats to Fleet NNS 26 Sep 2019 -- The Aircrew Systems Program Office delivered, installed and demonstrated the first two redesigned MH-60S Seahawk gunner seats on Sept. 24 and 25 to Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific (HSCWP) at Naval Air Station North Island.

Kremlin Confirms Putin Calling on Europe, Asia to Abstain From Deploying Intermediate-Range Missiles Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- Russia's Kommersant newspaper reported earlier that Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message to the leaders of a number of countries, including NATO members, with a proposal to introduce a moratorium on the deployment of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in Europe and other regions.

Little tricks will not affect China and Chinese military's development: MOD spokesperson Global Times 26 Sep 2019 -- China firmly opposes the US fleet's muscle flexing actions in the South China Sea and its attempts to militarize the region, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Ren Guoqiang said at a routine press conference on Thursday.

Indian Navy Set to Induct Superior Stealth Submarine Amid Power Battle in Indian Ocean Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- Amid an increased Chinese submarine presence near India's waters, Admiral Karambir Singh said that "the Indian Navy is watching their presence and we have to see how our navy can match China's 'intent', given its limited budget and resources".
India Set to Launch $2 Billion Global Bid to Purchase Six Multi-Role Tanker Transport Aircraft Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- European and US aviation giants Airbus and Boeing as well as Russia's Ilyushin Aviation are vying for a $2 billion contract which is expected in November or December. India's defence ministry has twice (in 2007 and 2010) solicited bids for the delivery of six refuelling aircraft. Both were later cancelled.

Review: Yemen's 8 indigenous drones that changed military equations Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- The Yemeni army and its Houthi allies have successfully changed the military equation in a brutal Saudi war by at least eight military drones which they have manufactured domestically.

Elimination of nuclear weapons 'only real way' to allay fear of a constant threat, Guterres insists UN News 26 Sep 2019 -- Progress made in reducing the danger posed by nuclear arsenals has not only come to a halt, "it is going in reverse", and any use of a nuclear weapon in the future would ignite "a humanitarian catastrophe."

Secretary Michael R. Pompeo At a Press Availability US Dept. of State 26 Sep 2019 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
Remarks by President Trump Upon Air Force One Arrival | Prince George's County, MD The White House 26 Sep 2019
Senior State Department Official On Indo-Pacific Issues at the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly US Dept. of State 26 Sep 2019
Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells At the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly US Dept. of State 26 Sep 2019

Defense Industry

Contracts For Sept. 26, 2019

Other Conflicts

26 September 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Sep 2019
African cooperation on peace 'increasingly strong', Security Council told UN News 26 Sep 2019 -- African countries are building increasingly strong partnerships for advancing peace and security, as well as inclusive sustainable development across the continent, the Security Council heard on Thursday, during a briefing by the UN Secretary-General's Chef de Cabinet, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti.
A holistic approach to supporting peace and security in Africa UK FCO 26 Sep 2019 -- Statement by Ambassador Jonathan Allen, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on Peace and Security in Africa

Yemeni forces hit gathering of Saudi-led mercenaries in Hajjah with missile Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- Yemeni forces have targeted a gathering of Saudi mercenaries in Yemen's northwestern province of Hajjah with a domestically-manufactured missile.
Yemen rejects decision to extend a new term for the team of experts mission in Yemen SPA 26 Sep 2019 -- The United Nations Human Rights Council today adopted by a marginal majority a resolution extending the Group of Experts Mission in Yemen for another year, while the Yemeni government announced rejection of the resolution and vowed not to cooperate with the Group of Experts delegated to Yemen.
KSA at Human Rights Council : Military operations of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen is committed to international law SPA 26 Sep 2019 -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today thanked the High Commissioner for Human Rights for her positive report on Yemen under item 10, stressing the importance of supporting national investigative mechanisms through the intensification of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to support the Yemeni National Commission of Inquiry, which subsequently issues reports on allegations raised regarding violations and any approach to dealing with Yemen must be accompanied by the consent of the state concerned, Yemen.

Syrian army forces find US-made missiles in former militant hideout in Hama Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- Syrian government forces have carried out a string of clean-up operations in the country's west-central province of Hama, discovering US-built missiles, munitions produced by NATO member states and communication devices from former strongholds of Takfiri terrorists.
Daesh Prepares Crusade to 'Free' Its Fighters From Prison Camps in Syria and Iraq – Reports Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- Daesh, a terrorist organisation which became infamous when it captured large swaths of Iraq in 2014, has since been mostly driven out of its previously-held territory by Kurdish forces and the military forces of Syria and Iraq, with thousands of its former fighters detained in prisons and displacements camps in the territory of the two countries.
US-Backed Forces in Syria Defy Trump on Islamic State Fighters VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- U.S. efforts to have European countries immediately take back men and women who left to fight with the Islamic State terror group in Syria are meeting with unexpected resistance from U.S.-backed forces on the ground.
Treasury Targets Sanctions Evasion Scheme Facilitating Jet Fuel Shipments to Russian Military Forces in Syria US Treasury 26 Sep 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated one entity, three individuals, and five vessels participating in a sanctions evasion scheme to facilitate the delivery of jet fuel to Russian forces operating in Syria.
U.S. Sanctions Firm For Allegedly Providing Jet Fuel To Russian Forces In Syria RFE/RL 26 Sep 2019 -- The United States has slapped sanctions on a Russian company, three individuals, and five shipping vessels for allegedly participating in a scheme to avoid sanctions while facilitating the transfer of supplies of jet fuel to Russian forces operating in Syria in support of the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
Moscow Slams New US Sanctions Against Russian Firm Over Alleged Jet Fuel Delivery to Syria Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- Earlier in the day, the US Treasury announced that it has imposed new sanctions on Russia for facilitating the delivery of jet fuel to Russian forces operating in the Arab Republic.
Russia's Hmeymim Airbase in Syria to Host More Aircraft After Reconstruction Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- Russia's Hmeymim airbase in Syria currently hosts about 30 warplanes and helicopters but will be able to accommodate more aircraft after the reconstruction, a base official said.

President Abbas urges intl. action against Israel arrogance towards Palestinians Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called on the international community to assume its responsibilities and take an appropriate action aimed at putting an end to the Israeli regime's continued acts of aggression against Palestinians.
Hamas fully accepts initiative to end inter-Palestinian division Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- The Palestinian Hamas resistance movement says it has "unconditionally and fully" endorsed a recently-proposed initiative by major Palestinian factions to heal the existing inter-Palestinian division and achieve national unity.
Israel grabs more Palestinian land in south of occupied West Bank Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- Israeli authorities have announced the seizure of hundreds of acres of private Palestinian land in the southern part of the occupied West Bank, as the Tel Aviv regime goes ahead with land expropriation and settlement construction policies in violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.
At UN Abbas rejects Israeli 'arrogance', vows to terminate all agreements if Palestinian territory is annexed UN News 26 Sep 2019 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday denounced what he called "arrogance and aggression" by the Israeli Government and called on the United Nations to push harder for the two-state solution to resolve the conflict.
Arab Leaders Reject Israel Pledge to Annex Palestinian Land VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- Arab leaders have reasserted their rejection of any attempt by Israel to annex Palestinian land in the aftermath of Israel's election. Jordan's King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and President Barham Saleh of Iraq meeting at the United Nations this week say they refuse possible Israel's annexation designs on the Jordan Valley and the area north of the Dead Sea. Saudi Arabia and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council likewise have condemned any such potential move by Israel.

Libya's PM says rebel general 'not a partner for peace' Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- Libya's Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj has ruled out any more peace talks with renegade general Khalifa Haftar, who is commanding an offensive on the capital, denouncing him as a "war criminal."
Libyan National Army Says Destroyed Turkish Drone at Tripoli's Airport Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- The Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar said on Thursday that it had destroyed a Turkish drone at Tripoli's Mitiga airport.

Rohingya Refugee Movement to Be Curbed in Bangladesh - Home Minister Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- Concerned about the spread of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh, the nation's government has placed barbed wire fences around Rohingya camps located in the southeastern fishing port of Cox's Bazar, the country's home minister announced on Thursday.

Zelensky Claims Trump Pledged to Help 'Return' Crimea to Ukraine Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- Talks between the US president and his Ukrainian counterpart have recently caused a scandal in Washington, with Democratic politicians launching an official impeachment inquiry into Trump.

Daesh kills 14 soldiers, aid worker in northeast Nigeria Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- The Takfiri Daesh terrorist group has killed more than a dozen Nigerian people, including military forces and an aid worker, in the country's volatile northeastern region.

Tibetans Forced to Show 'Loyalty' in Run-up to China's National Day Radio Free Asia 26 Sep 2019 -- Chinese authorities have tightened controls in Tibet ahead of Oct. 1 celebrations of China's National Day, hoisting Chinese flags on monastery roofs and forcing monks to sing songs praising the ruling Communist Party, a Tibetan advocacy group said in a report released on Thursday.

Trump Encourages Pakistan, India To 'Just Work It Out' RFE/RL 26 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says he encouraged the leaders of Pakistan and India in separate meetings in New York to work out their differences, including their decades-long dispute over the divided region of Kashmir.
India Issues All-Out Alert Along Western Border After Pakistan Violates Airspace Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- India issued an all-out alert along the entire Indo-Pakistan border and Line of Control on Thursday after Pakistani drones allegedly dropped arms and ammunition in the border state of Punjab recently.
Pakistani Prime Minister Says He's 'Disappointed' With International Community's Response on Kashmir Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- Soaring Tensions

Separatist Leaders Shun Cameroon's 'National Dialogue' VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- Next week, Cameroon's government will host what it calls a national dialogue on the separatist crisis in its Northwest and Southwest regions. However, U.S.- and Europe-based separatist leaders invited to the talks say they will not take part in any dialogue unless it is held outside Cameroon with non-Cameroonians as mediators. The government has stated it will not accept a foreign mediator.

As 'the last European divided country', Cyprus President tells Assembly UN is 'the only way forward' UN News 26 Sep 2019 -- The past 45 years of "unacceptable status quo" has prevented lasting peace and stability in Cyprus, President Nicos Anastasiades told the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday.

South Sudan 'heading towards lasting peace and stability', UN General Assembly told UN News 26 Sep 2019 -- Through the cooperation of the leaders of South Sudan, First Vice-President Taban Deng Gai on Thursday told the United Nations General Assembly that his country could become "a beacon of hope and peace".

At UN, Somalia's President spotlights country's progress, but cautions eradicating terrorism 'will not be easy' UN News 26 Sep 2019 -- Somalia is "the perfect example of the success of the multilateral system," President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed told the UN General Assembly on Thursday, while acknowledging that the Horn of Africa country still needed international and regional support and cooperation, particularly to deal with threats from Al-Shabab.

Demands for Sanctions as Global Links to South Sudan War Exposed VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- The international community must do more to tackle networks of global corruption that are fueling violence in South Sudan, according to campaigners.

News Reports

Trump Attacks Democrats Over Whistleblower Complaint Hearing VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- Still seething over the whistleblower complaint that triggered a House of Representatives impeachment query, President Donald Trump returned to Washington on Thursday lashing out at congressional Democrats and the news media and hinting at retribution for government officials who assisted the whistleblower in accusing the president of misusing his powers of office.
Highlights of Whistleblower's Complaint About Trump's Interactions With Ukraine VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- The House Intelligence Committee on Thursday released a copy of an intelligence community whistleblower's complaint that this week triggered a House of Representatives impeachment probe of President Donald Trump.
Trump calls impeachment inquiry a "disgraceful thing" after release of Ukraine phone call transcript People's Daily 26 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday House Democrats' decision to launch a formal impeachment inquiry into him was a "disgraceful thing," shortly after the White House released a memo of a phone conversation between the president and his Ukrainian counterpart.
U.S. Intelligence Chief Questioned By Lawmakers Over Trump-Zelenskiy Call RFE/RL 26 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's national intelligence chief has given testimony to an angry group of mostly Democratic lawmakers at a congressional hearing over a whistle-blower's complaint.
US Intel Chief Says He Acted Lawfully When He Blocked Trump Whistleblower Complaint VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- Acting U.S. Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire told lawmakers Thursday he has complied with his "responsibility to follow the law every step of the way'' as he faced questions about why he initially blocked the release of a whistleblower complaint now at the center of an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump's actions.
US National Intelligence Chief Testifies in Congress, Addressing Trump-Zelensky Phone Call - Video Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- An anonymous complaint which concerned Trump's negotiations with Zelensky filed back in August, caused uproar amid the American lawmakers, as the Democratic Party launched an impeachment against the US president, claiming he violated the law.
Whistleblower complaint on Trump released People's Daily 26 Sep 2019 -- A U.S. congressional panel on Thursday released a declassified version of a whistleblower complaint about President Donald Trump's interactions with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
US spy chief breaks with Trump over whistleblower complaint Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- The US intelligence chief has publicly broken with President Donald Trump and some Republican lawmakers, saying the whistleblower who filed a complaint against Trump over his phone call with Ukraine's president "did the right thing" and "followed the law every step of the way."
Six Takeaways From Trump And Zelenskiy's July 25 Phone Call RFE/RL 26 Sep 2019 -- About seven minutes into his July 25 telephone call with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy, U.S. President Donald Trump shifted the largely cordial and collegial conversation to a new topic.
Chief Of U.S. Intel To Testify On Whistle-Blower Report RFE/RL 26 Sep 2019 -- The acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, will appear before U.S. lawmakers on September 26 over the administration's handling of a whistle-blower complaint that has led to the launching of an impeachment inquiry into U.S. President Donald Trump.

Ukrainian President Likely To Get Off Easy Over Contentious Trump Conversation RFE/RL 26 Sep 2019 -- It remains to be seen if a telephone conversation with a foreign leader will be U.S. President Donald Trump's undoing.
White House Phone Call Memo Puts Kyiv on Damage Control in Brussels, Berlin VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- Ukrainian diplomats are scrambling to contain damage posed to their nation's relations with Europe following the unexpected public release of remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in his July 25 phone call with President Donald Trump.

Press Briefing by Acting Director of ICE Matthew Albence The White House 26 Sep 2019

All Venezuelan Problems Should Be Solved Without Foreign Meddling - Kremlin Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- Any Venezuelan problems should be solved without foreign meddling, and since President Nicolas Maduro shows flexibility, the opposition should do the same, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

War Crimes Victims Accuse French Bank of Complicity in Sudan Regime Abuses VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- Sudanese victims of war crimes Thursday filed a criminal complaint against French bank BNP Parisbas for alleged complicity in human rights abuses committed by Sudan's regime.

Iran's Rouhani says no talks with US unless sanctions lifted Global Times 26 Sep 2019 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday ruled out negotiations with the United States unless the latter lifts sanctions on his country first.
US sanctions strengthen unity between Iranian nation, government: Rouhani Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says Washington's "maximum pressure" campaign has failed to achieve its objectives and only strengthened unity between the government and people.
President Rouhani's decision not to meet Trump rational: Spox IRNA 26 Sep 2019 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said that President Rouhani's decision not to meet US counterpart Donald Trump is an expert and rational move.
Rouhani: US must give up 'maximum pressure' as precondition to make way for Iran talks Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says if the United States wants to pave the way for negotiations with Iran, it must first give up its policy of exerting "maximum pressure" on the Islamic Republic as a precondition for talks with Tehran.
Rouhani censures UN silence on US economic terrorism against Iran nation Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has slammed the United Nations for keeping mum on the crimes the US has been committing against the Iranian nation through an economic terrorism campaign, calling on the world body to break the silence and shoulder its responsibilities.
Pres. Rouhani: Constructive talks among regional states, only way ahead for Persian Gulf IRNA 26 Sep 2019 -- President Hassan Rouhani said in a news conference at the end of his trip to New York late on Thursday that the only way ahead for in the Persian Gulf is constructive negotiations among the regional states.
Zarif discusses JCPOA with top IAEA official IRNA 26 Sep 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met and held talks with acting director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), discussing the latest developments about the nuclear deal and Iran's nuclear program.
Zarif urges regional states to join Hormuz Peace Initiative IRNA 26 Sep 2019 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stressed the need for regional cooperation for Persian Gulf peace and stability, urging regional states to join Hormuz Peace Initiative floated by President Rouhani.
Europeans committed to US bans, should no longer be trusted: Ayatollah Khamenei Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei says Iran should no longer put its trust in the Europeans as they fulfilled none of their 11 commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran following Washington's withdrawal.
Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei Slams 'Untrustworthy' Europe, 'Satanic' US Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- On 20 September, Washington introduced new economic sanctions against Iran over the Islamic Republic's alleged attacks on Saudi Aramco oil facilities, accusations that Tehran has vehemently denied. Despite the incident having been claimed by the Yemen-based Houthis movement, European leaders have also held Iran responsible for the attacks.
Pres. Rouhani categorically rejects Iran's alleged involvement in Aramco blasts IRNA 26 Sep 2019 -- President Hassan Rouhani categorically rejected claims about Iran's alleged involvement in Saudi oil facilities blasts, saying that during the meetings with certain European officials, 'I told them if you have documents, you can send them to myself.'
Iran's Hormuz initiative guarantees regional security: Iran's Zarif Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has underlined the need for regional cooperation to ensure security in the Persian Gulf, calling on the countries in the region to join Tehran's HOPE initiative to that effect.
IAEA: Iran Expands Enrichment In New Breach Of Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 26 Sep 2019 -- Iran has started using advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium, the UN's nuclear watchdog says, in a further breach of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
China slams new US sanctions imposed over oil deals with Iran Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- China has lambasted the "bullying" United States for imposing new sanctions on Chinese entities and individuals over shipping oil from Iran.
Beijing Slams US Sanctions on Chinese Firms for Allegedly Shipping Iranian Oil as 'Gross Violation' Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- On 25 September, the US imposed restrictive measures against five Chinese nationals and six entities over their alleged role in helping Iran to circumvent US sanctions.
Pompeo: US Will Take Action on Any 'Sanctionable Iranian Oil Transaction' Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- Earlier in the day, the US Treasury Department said that Washington had designated five Chinese nationals and six entities over alleged roles in helping Iran to circumvent US sanctions.
Trump authorizes travel ban on top Iranian officials, their families Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has authorized his State Department to put a travel ban on top Iranian officials and their families over baseless "terrorism" charges.
Iranian Regime Elite and Families Can No Longer Travel to the United States US Dept. of State 26 Sep 2019 -- Today, the President announced a Presidential Proclamation restricting entry into the United States for senior Iranian government officials and members of their families.
US Leaves Unanswered Questions About Entry Ban on Iranian Officials, Family Members VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- The Trump administration has provided few additional details of a newly announced entry ban on Iran's senior officials and their family members, leaving unanswered questions about whom it will affect.
Trump Imposes Travel Ban On 'Senior Iranian Officials' And Family Members RFE/RL 26 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on Tehran, authorizing the State Department to bar senior Iranian officials and family members from entering the United States as immigrants or nonimmigrants.
Rouhani: JCPOA was least US could abide by IRNA 26 Sep 2019 -- President Hassan Rouhani wrote in twitter account on Wednesday that 'the JCPOA was the least both for you and us.' If you want more, you pay more.
President Rouhani blasts US as "supporter of terrorism" IRNA 26 Sep 2019 -- After President Donald Trump's sanctions in the wake of the bombing of Saudi Arabian oil fields, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani told Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, "Today, America, unfortunately, is the supporter of terrorism in our region. Wherever America has gone, terrorism has expanded there."

China condemns US congressional approval of Hong Kong bill Global Times 26 Sep 2019 -- The consecutive moves on Wednesday by US congressional committees to approve Hong Kong and Taiwan acts are blatant interference in China's domestic affairs and should be viewed against the backdrop of overall China-US confrontation, Chinese analysts warned on Thursday.
China condemns U.S. congressional committees' approval of bill on Hong Kong: spokesperson People's Daily 26 Sep 2019 -- A spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council on Thursday voiced strong condemnation over and firm opposition to the passing of the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 by U.S. congressional committees.
China vows to retaliate as Hong Kong bill advances in US Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- China has vowed to "hit back forcefully" at the United States, after the US Congress officially pushed forward legislation related to Hong Kong, a move that Beijing considers interference in its affairs.
Town Hall Speakers Castigate Hong Kong's Carrie Lam Over Police Violence Radio Free Asia 26 Sep 2019 -- Thousands of protesters gathered outside Hong Kong's Queen Elizabeth Stadium on Thursday calling on the city's leader Carrie Lam, who was meeting with randomly selected members of public inside, to meet the five demands of the pro-democracy movement.
Hong Kong protests and the Chinese-British Joint Declaration: Foreign Secretary's statement UK FCO 26 Sep 2019 -- Speaking in Parliament, Dominic Raab expressed the UK government's ongoing concern about the situation in Hong Kong and our support for the Joint Declaration.
Beijing takes cautious tone ahead of next round of high-level talks in Washington Global Times 26 Sep 2019 -- Chinese officials have been adopting a cautious tone toward upcoming trade negotiations with US officials, as Washington has ratcheted up its criticism of China's trade policies and appeared to be walking back from its earlier conciliatory stance toward the talks.
Police in China's Guangxi Order Local Residents to Report For DNA Sampling Radio Free Asia 26 Sep 2019 -- Authorities in the southwestern Chinese region of Guangxi have called on local residents to present themselves for DNA collection over a three-month period lasting until the end of this year, RFA has learned.

U.S. Senate Committee passes TAIPEI Act CNA 26 Sep 2019 -- The United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Wednesday passed the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act aimed at supporting Taiwan's international presence.
Allies voice support for Taiwan's inclusion in U.N. activities CNA 26 Sep 2019 -- Three countries with formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan voiced support Wednesday, the second day of the General Debate of the 74th general assembly of the United Nations, for Taiwan to be allowed to take part in U.N. activities.

British PM faces mounting pressure as parliament reconvenes People's Daily 26 Sep 2019 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced enormous pressure as the parliament re-opened Wednesday after the Supreme Court ruled his act to suspend the parliament for five weeks was unlawful.

France Mourns Former President Jacques Chirac VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- France is mourning former president Jacques Chirac, a veteran politician and champion of multilateralism, European unity and Africa, who died Thursday at age 86.
Former French President Jacques Chirac Dies at 86 Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- As a president was known for his economic policies, based on dirigisme, allowing for state-directed investment. Chirac also opposed the American-led invasion of Iraq and shortened the presidential term from seven to five years in a referendum in 2000.

Public Designation of Raul Castro, Due to Involvement in Gross Violations of Human Rights US Dept. of State 26 Sep 2019 -- The Department is publicly designating Raul Modesto Castro Ruz, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party and First Secretary of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, due to his involvement in gross violations of human rights.
US Imposes Travel Ban on Cuba's Castro, Family for Human Rights Violations VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- The U.S. State Department has designated Cuba's Communist Party leader, Raul Castro, and his immediate family for what Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says is "involvement in gross violations of human rights."

Iran cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons: Israeli Foreign Minister UN News 26 Sep 2019 -- The international community must join together to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, the Foreign Minister of Israel told the UN General Assembly on Thursday evening.
Israel's President Asks Netanyahu to Form Coalition After Failed Unity Talks VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began the task of forming a new coalition government Thursday after inconclusive elections Sept. 17. The move comes even though Netanyahu's Likud party obtained one seat less than challenger Benny Gantz's Blue and White party in the election. Likud won 32 seats to Blue and White's 33.

Saudi crown prince bars princes from foreign travels: Paper Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has banned dissident princes with questionable loyalties from travelling abroad and restricted their access to financial services, an Arabic media report says.
MBS speaks about Khashoggi, clumsily attempts to divert blame Press TV 26 Sep 2019 -- In his first public remarks on the matter, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has attempted to portray himself as not having been involved in the murder of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, who is unequivocally believed to have been killed on Mohammed's direct order.
Saudi Crown Prince to Open Up For First Time on Khashoggi Murder in New Documentary - Reports Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist of Saudi descent, was killed in what Riyadh called "a rogue operation" in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, having last been seen there on 2 October last year as he was obtaining the documents he needed to get married.
'Terrorist Iranian regime' must be checked; Saudi Foreign Minister urges financial pressure UN News 26 Sep 2019 -- The United Nations, and the world, have a moral responsibility "to apply utmost pressure with every tool available ... to end the terrorist and aggressive conduct of the Iranian regime," Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister told the General Assembly on Thursday evening.

Relations With US 'Reset,' Pakistan's Foreign Minister Says VOA 26 Sep 2019 -- Pakistan's foreign minister said Thursday that relations between Islamabad and Washington were improving and he was hopeful progress could be made on critical regional issues.

UN chief underscores cyber realm as anti-terrorism new frontier People's Daily 26 Sep 2019 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Wednesday that a "new frontier" of the fight against terrorism is the cyber realm and called for complementing security measures with prevention efforts that identify and address root causes.
International humanitarian law and counter-terrorism UK FCO 26 Sep 2019 -- Statement by Ambassador Karen Pierce at the Security Council debate on UN cooperation with regional/sub-regional organisations in maintaining peace and security

Cambodia Court Charges Sam Rainsy, Eight Other Opposition Officials, With Plotting 'Coup' Radio Free Asia 26 Sep 2019 -- A court in Cambodia on Thursday charged nine senior officials from the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), including acting president Sam Rainsy, with "attempting to stage a coup" in connection with the party chief's plan to return to the country from self-imposed exile in November.

Romanian, Hungarian Candidates For EU Executive Rejected Over Conflicts Of Interest RFE/RL 26 Sep 2019 -- A European parliamentary committee has rejected the candidates for the EU commission from Hungary and Romania after a grilling over potential conflicts of interest left lawmakers unsatisfied.

Turkmenistan To Merge Parliament With People's Council RFE/RL 26 Sep 2019 -- Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, who has pledged political reforms, says the country's single-chamber parliament, the Mejlis, will merge with the People's Council and become a two-chamber institution.

DR Congo President outlines vision for a 'more representative' UN Security Council UN News 26 Sep 2019 -- With Africa at the centre of many global challenges, it is time for the continent to have a seat in the UN Security Council, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) told world leaders on Thursday.

Patriotism must have global dimension, says EU's Donald Tusk UN News 26 Sep 2019 -- The suggestion by some earlier this week at the UN that there is an immanent conflict between patriotism and globalism "is false and dangerous, even if it has many followers and powerful propagators," European Council President said on Thursday.

North Macedonia President, credits dialogue and diplomacy for setting a decades-long 'name dispute' UN News 26 Sep 2019 -- As a United Nations Member State more than two deacades, Thursday was the first time the Republic of North Macedonia addressed the General Assembly under its settled-upon name after "a 27-year-old difference with Greece".

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