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Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Another US Airstrike in Libya Targets IS Fighters VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- A U.S. airstrike in Libya has killed seven Islamic State fighters, according to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
• Ghani, Abdullah Claim Victory in Afghan Presidential Election VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his main rival Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah are both claiming victory in Afghanistan's presidential election, ahead of the release of any official results.
• Millions of Afghans have 'voted not just for a president, but also for democracy', UN Assembly told UN News 30 Sep 2019 -- Just two days ago, some three million Afghans faced the threat of terrorism and headed to the polls, to "vote not just for a president, but also for democracy," Hamdulla Mohib, Afghanistan's National Security Adviser told the UN General Assembly on Monday, adding that no matter the outcome of the elections, "peace is and will remain the Government's priority."
• In Repeat Of 2014, Both Rivals Claim Win In Afghan Presidential Election RFE/RL 30 Sep 2019 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the country's chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, have both claimed victory in a weekend presidential election, a scene reminiscent of the last vote in 2014.
• Afghanistan's Abdullah claims wins first round of election Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- Afghanistan's chief executive Abdullah Abdullah, President Ashraf Ghani's top rival, has claimed that he has won the weekend's first round of presidential election.
• Ghani's Major Rival Abdullah Claims Victory in Afghan Election - Reports Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Afghanistan held presidential elections on 28 September. At least 32 people were reportedly killed and dozens more injured in a series of attacks which took place across the country on election day.

Defense Policy / Programs

• New Top US Military Officer Takes Helm Amid Iran Tensions, Afghan Violence VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- The incoming top U.S. military officer has warned America's adversaries to "never underestimate our skill, our capability and our combat power."
• Milley Takes Office as 20th Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff DoD News 30 Sep 2019 -- Army Gen. Mark A. Milley was sworn in today as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in a rain-soaked ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia.
• Azerbaijan, U.S. Soldiers Work Together as the Opposing Force at Saber Junction Army News 30 Sep 2019 -- As the last of the tanks and military vehicles streamed into the quiet town of Kittensee, a trove of heavily armed soldiers quickly set up defensive positions on rooftops, homes and roads triggering the beginning of a forceful occupation. This was the simulated scenario that took place at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany.
• Rapid Trident 19 demonstrates multinational proficiency in Ukraine Army News 30 Sep 2019 -- From the raising of the U.S. and Ukraine flags on Sept. 13, 2019, to the lowering of the flags on Sept. 28, 2019, hard work and intense multinational training with over 3,700 Soldiers from 14 different nations, Rapid Trident 2019 came to a close in Yavoriv, Ukraine.
• VFA 131 "Wildcats" Ready to Fight Tonight NNS 30 Sep 2019 -- The "Wildcats" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131, assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, are integrating with the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) for Tailored Ship's Training Availability/Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP) as Carrier Strike Group 10 prepares for the battle ahead.
• Rotary Wing Showdown: "Dusty Dawgs" vs. "Swamp Foxes" NNS 30 Sep 2019 -- Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 consists of many different aircrafts and platforms that all work together with multiple surface and sub-surface ships to form Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10.
• CS-7: Ready for Combat NNS 30 Sep 2019 -- Combat System's Anti-Ship Missile Defense (CS-7) division is ready for sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) after completing a successful Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launch, Sept. 11.
• Ike's Damage Control Tested NNS 30 Sep 2019 -- As the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) conducts Tailored Ship's Training Availability and Final Evaluation Problems (TSTA/FEP), the crew must undergo a variety of tests in order to qualify for full integration into a carrier strike group.
• CSG 10 ships conduct Live Fire with a Purpose NNS 30 Sep 2019 -- Ships assigned to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 launched a Standard Missile (SM) 2 or Rolling-Airframe Missile (RAM)at an aerial target during a Live Fire With A Purpose (LFWAP) event, Sept. 11-12.
• IKE Completes Final Pre-Deployment Test NNS 30 Sep 2019 -- The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) took another step toward becoming a deployment-ready naval vessel, after returning to Norfolk upon completion of Tailored Ship's Training Availability/Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP) Sept. 29.
• Repairs Coming for Naval Ordnance Test Unit Wharf at Port Canaveral NNS 30 Sep 2019 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $34.6 million firm-fixed-price contract Sept. 27, to Triton Marine Construction Corporation from Bremerton, Washington, for repairs to the Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU) Poseidon Wharf located at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
• Ike: Restocked and Loaded NNS 30 Sep 2019 -- Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) line the edges of the flight deck and peer out from the hangar bay as the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195) pulls alongside Ike, Sept. 23.
• Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group Visits CSG-10 and Mighty Ike NNS 30 Sep 2019 -- Commodore Mike Utley, Order of the British Empire Royal Navy, Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group, and Capt. Steve Moorhouse, Order of the British Empire Royal Navy, Her Majesty's Ship (HMS) Queen Elizabeth, visited Carrier Strike Group Ten and the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Sept. 27.
• F-35 Still Lacks Key Testing Accreditation, Despite Being in Full Production Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Even though several militaries are flying the F-35 Lightning II in combat or potential combat situations, the stealth aircraft still hasn't completed part of its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E), typically a necessary step for US jets to enter full production.
• Mobility Guardian enhances US partnerships, interoperability with international allies US Air Force 30 Sep 2019 -- Air Mobility Command's premier, large-scale exercise designed to validate readiness would not be nearly as robust without participation of partners from the international community.
• 31st Fighter Wing executes Rapid Buzzard exercise US Air Force 30 Sep 2019 -- U.S. Air Force Airmen and F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing executed a rapid deployment to Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, to conduct "hot-pit" refueling and participate in the bilateral training exercise, Rapid Buzzard, with the Bulgarian Air Force, Sept. 24-27.
• Russian Army Gets First New T-90M Tanks Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- The Russian army has begun to receive modernised T-90M tanks, Oleg Salyukov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces, said in an interview with Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper.
• UK Defence Chief Carter Claims Country 'at War on Daily Basis' Against Alleged Russian Cyber Attacks Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Russia has repeatedly rejected accusations of its involvement in global cyber attacks, with presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov slamming such allegations as "absolutely unfounded" and "absurd".
• China's research vessel returns to Qingdao after completing Arctic expedition Global Times 30 Sep 2019 -- China's oceanographic research vessel, Xiangyanghong 01, has returned to Qingdao, a coastal city in the eastern province of Shandong, after completing the country's 10th Arctic research expedition, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.
• China's military strength guarantees world peace, stability Global Times 30 Sep 2019 -- The New York Times published an article on Saturday titled "Tanks, Missiles and No Pigeons: China to Celebrate 70th Birthday of the People's Republic." The article, written by Steven Lee Myers, said Chinese authorities have banned homing pigeons before the upcoming National Day parade on Tuesday.
• China expected to unveil nuclear missile capable of reaching US in 30 minutes: Media Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- China is reportedly expected to unveil a nuclear-armed missile that could reach the United States in just 30 minutes during a parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of Communist rule in the country, amid heightened political, military and economic tensions with Washington.
• India Successfully Test Fires Indigenously Built BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- India's state funded Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired land attack version of locally manufactured BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on Monday.
• India's Top Commander Visits China Border Amid Rising Tensions Over Ladakh Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Indian Army's top commander has visited the disputed region of Ladakh several times in past few weeks. The visits came amid limited faceoff between India and China following New Delhi's decision to scrap Jammu and Kashmir's special status and split Ladakh into a separate administrative territory.
• Erdogan vows to develop Turkey's own fighter jets after S-400/F-35 dispute with US Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey will develop its own fighter jets after the United States removed Ankara from the F-35 program over its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense system.
• Zelenskiy Dismisses Senior Ukrainian Security Official RFE/RL 30 Sep 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has dismissed the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council from his post, according to a decree published on the president's official website.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Sept. 30, 2019

Other Conflicts

• 30 September 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 30 Sep 2019
• Beijing Preps 10-Story Oil Drilling Platform for South China Sea despite Wary Vietnam VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- China has developed a giant new offshore oil exploration platform for possible use in disputed tracts of sea, a move that would anger Vietnam and extend years of energy-related disputes between the two Asian neighbors.
• Yemen's Houthis to free 350 captives, including three Saudis, in good will gesture Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- The head of Yemen's National Committee for Prisoners Affairs (NCPA) says the Houthi movement will release 350 prisoners, including three Saudi nationals, in its latest goodwill gesture.
• Houthi militia media reports about "Kataf" is misleading, doesn't deserve a response from the coalition, Spokesman for the Coalition Forces reports SPA 30 Sep 2019 -- Colonel Turki al-Maliki, the Spokesman for the Coalition Forces for the Support of Legitimacy in Yemen, confirmed that the allegations made by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militia have nothing to do with the truth, and regretted the fact that some international channels are taking the media as a source for them.
• Yemen's Houthis Release 290 Captives - International Committee of the Red Cross Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- On Friday, Yemen's Houthi movement said in a statement that it had conducted an attack near the border with the southern Saudi region of Najran and captured several "army officers", "thousands" of enemy troops and "hundreds of vehicles".
• Iran Sees Houthis' Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities as Defensive Steps by Yemen's Government Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Earlier, Riyadh claimed that the projectiles that struck two key Saudi Aramco oil production facilities, in Abqaiq and Khurais, earlier in September were produced in Iran and were fired from the direction of Iranian territory.
• Red Cross: Houthis Release 290 Detainees VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- The International Red Cross said Monday it helped facilitate the release of 290 detainees who had been held by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
• Iran backs Yemen ceasefire proposal IRNA 30 Sep 2019 -- Iran supported on Sunday the Yemeni government's ceasefire proposal, saying it serves regional stability and security.
• UN Envoy: Syria Constitutional Committee 'Sign of Hope' VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- The U.N. envoy for Syria said Monday that the launching of an inclusive committee to establish a new constitution should be "a sign of hope" for the war-torn country.
• Syria rejects foreign interference in constitutional committee' work: FM Muallem Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem says the Damascus government does not accept any foreign interference in the work of a constitutional committee on Syria, which will include members of President Bashar al-Assad's government and foreign-sponsored opposition representatives.
• Syria, Iraq Officially Reopen Albukamel Border Crossing Closed Since 2014 VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- Syrian and Iraqi officials gathered Monday along the northern Albukamel border crossing to officially reopen it to traffic after being closed since 2014. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mehdi agreed to reopen the Iraqi side of the once-Islamic State-controlled border crossing last week.
• Iraq-Syria major border crossing re-opens after Daesh defeat Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- Syrian and Iraqi authorities have re-opened a major border crossing between the two countries, which was seized by the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in 2014.
• Syria, Iraq Open Border Crossing Along Euphrates River After Daesh Defeat Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Syria and Iraq on Monday held the ceremony to reopen the border checkpoint between the towns of Al Bukamal and Qaim, a major crossing point that has been closed for years following the defeat of Daesh*.
• Syria's Constitutional Committee's launch and work must be accompanied by concrete actions UK FCO 30 Sep 2019 -- Statement by Ambassador James Roscoe at the UN Security Council briefing on the situation in Syria.
• Constitutional Committee breakthrough offers 'sign of hope' for long-suffering Syrians UN News 30 Sep 2019 -- There is a "sign of hope for the long-suffering Syrian people" as a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned, credible and inclusive Constitutional Committee is set to start deliberations next month, the United Nations Special Envoy for the country told the Security Council on Monday.
• Israel responsible for attacks on Popular Mobilization Units: Iraqi PM Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi has held Israel responsible for a string of attacks on the positions of the pro-government Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), following investigations into recent assaults on the voluntary forces.
• Iraq Blames Israel for Attacks on Popular Mobilization Forces' Military Bases Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- An investigation indicates Israel's involvement in attacks on the military sites of the Iraq-based Shia militia of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), known as Hashd Shaabi, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Monday.
• U.N. Calls for Myanmar to End Internet Blackout in Rakhine State Radio Free Asia 30 Sep 2019 -- A United Nations (U.N.) office in Yangon, Myanmar Monday urged the country to end an internet shutdown in the northern part of Rakhine state that has left more than 600,000 residents without internet access for more than three months.
• Bangladeshi Officials Await PM's Approval for Barbed Wire Fencing at Rohingya Camps Radio Free Asia 30 Sep 2019 -- Bangladesh's army chief said Monday he expected that his branch would be tasked with erecting barbed-wire fencing around 34 Rohingya refugee camps in and around southeastern Cox's Bazar district, pending approval from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
• Pakistan summons Indian diplomat over shelling in Kashmir Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- Pakistan has summoned India's deputy high commissioner in the wake of a recent ceasefire violation by Indian forces in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.
• Two Dead In Border Clashes In Kashmir, Pakistan Says RFE/RL 30 Sep 2019 -- At least two people were killed in renewed gunfire exchanges between Pakistani and Indian border forces late on September 29 in the disputed region of Kashmir, Pakistani police said.
• Indian Army Chief Warns of Cross-Border Raids to Destroy Terror Camps Inside Pakistan Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat has sent out a stern warning to Pakistan on the issue of terrorism and said that India's armed forces will not give a second thought to crossing the border, if needed, to destroy terror infrastructure inside Pakistan.
• Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan Declares Holy War Over Kashmir Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- After his campaign on behalf of Kashmiris at the United Nations National Assembly and with world leaders, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan returned to Islamabad on Sunday (29 September) to a rousing welcome by his cabinet and party colleagues, as well as a large number of party workers.
• Al-Shabab Attacks Airbase Used by US Military VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- Al-Shabab militants launched an attack on an airbase used by the U.S. military supporting Somali forces, security sources said.
• Al-Shabab launches attacks against US airbase, EU convoy in Somalia Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- The al-Shabab terrorist group has launched two separate attacks on a US military base and a European Union military convoy in Somalia.
• US Military Says 10 Militants Killed After Somalia Attack Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- On Monday, twin attacks targeted a European military convoy in the Somali capital of Mogadishu and a base for US and Somali forces in Baledogle.
• Twin Attacks Target European Military Convoy in Somali Capital and US Base in Baledogle - Reports Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Earlier this year, two explosions occurred near the parliamentary building and a busy intersection on the road to the international airport in Mogadishu, leaving at least nine dead and 25 injured.
• Official Events Marking China's National Day Severely Restrict Daily Lives of Tibetans in Lhasa Radio Free Asia 30 Sep 2019 -- Official celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Tibet's regional capital Lhasa kicked off over the weekend under heavy security, leading to severe restrictions on residents' daily lives, according to sources in the region.
• Putin Pledges Continued Support For Separatist Government Of Georgia's Breakaway Abkhazia RFE/RL 30 Sep 2019 -- President Vladimir Putin has pledged Russia's continued support for the separatist government of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia.
• Timor-Leste Foreign Minister highlights value of UN in resolving conflicts UN News 30 Sep 2019 -- Timor-Leste continues to be a reflection of "the best the UN has to offer," Foreign Minister Dionisio da Costa Babo Soares declared on Monday before the UN General Assembly.
• Cameroon Opens Dialogue on Separatist Violence in English-Speaking Regions VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- Weeklong talks on the separatist crisis facing Cameroon's English-speaking regions opened Monday in the capital, Yaounde. President Paul Biya called for the national dialogue to resolve the crisis that has left at least 2,000 people dead in the past two years.
• Report: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ukraine See Funding Shortfalls For Humanitarian Crises RFE/RL 30 Sep 2019 -- Global humanitarian assistance continues to rise albeit at a slower pace to reach over 200 million people deemed in need of humanitarian aid.

News Reports

• Office of the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community’s Statement on Processing of Whistleblower Complaints ICIG 30 Sep 2019 -- The Office of the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community (ICIG) processes complaints or information with respect to alleged urgent concerns in accordance with the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act (ICWPA) and the ICIG’s authorizing statute.
• Lawyers Express Safety Concerns For Trump Whistleblower VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- Lawyers representing a whistleblower whose complaint has sparked an impeachment inquiry of U.S. President Donald Trump are stressing the need to protect the person's identity, while the president says he deserves to "meet my accuser."
• House Democrats Subpoena Trump Lawyer for Documents in Impeachment Inquiry VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have subpoenaed U.S. President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani for documents related to Ukraine as they continue their impeachment inquiry against the president.
• US House to intensify Trump's impeachment inquiry Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- The US House of Representatives in Congress plans to intensify this week the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump over his request that a foreign power investigate a domestic political rival with testimony due from witnesses concerning allegations made by a whistleblower within the US intelligence community.
• Trump demands to meet whistleblower, warns of 'Big Consequences' Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- US President Donald Trump says he wants to meet with a whistleblower who filed a complaint against him over his phone call with Ukraine's president.
• Trump Remains Defiant As More Subpoenas Issued In Impeachment Probe RFE/RL 30 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has ramped up his bellicose rhetoric as the Democratic-led House of Representatives moved ahead with its impeachment inquiry.
• Trump Wants To Meet His 'Accuser' As Congress Moves Swiftly On Impeachment Probe RFE/RL 30 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump wants to face his "accuser" in a rebuke of a whistle-blower's account that he pressured Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy to investigate a political rival, which prompted a congressional impeachment inquiry that is scheduled to start hearings and depositions this week.
• Rudy Giuliani Subpoenaed Over Ukraine Documents Amid House Dems' Impeachment Probe Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Rudy Giuliani, US President Donald Trump's lawyer, has been issued a subpoena by the House Intelligence Committee in connection with Trump's talks with the Ukrainian government.
• U.S. Targets Russian Actors Involved in Efforts to Influence U.S. Elections US Dept. of State 30 Sep 2019 -- Today, the United States continues to take action in response to Russian attempts to influence U.S. democratic processes by imposing sanctions on four entities and seven individuals associated with the Internet Research Agency and its financier, Yevgeniy Prigozhin.
• Treasury Targets Assets of Russian Financier who Attempted to Influence 2018 U.S. Elections US Treasury 30 Sep 2019 -- "Today, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against Russian actors that attempted to influence the 2018 U.S. midterm elections, though there was no indication that foreign actors were able to compromise election infrastructure that would have prevented voting, changed vote counts, or disrupted the tallying of votes."
• US targets two Russians over alleged attempts to sway 2018 midterm elections Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on two Russian nationals over accusations of attempting to interfere in the 2018 US midterm elections.
• U.S. Imposes New Sanctions Targeting Russian 'Troll Farm,' Owner Prigozhin RFE/RL 30 Sep 2019 -- Washington has imposed sanctions on several entities and people associated with the Internet Research Agency and its financier, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in connection with Russian interference in U.S. elections.
• US Sanctions Two Russians, Three Firms 'Tied' To Internet Research Agency Over Vote Meddling Claims Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Russia has been repeatedly accused of meddling in the US elections by Western powers. However, subsequent probes failed to find evidence pointing to any Russian interference in the US election. Moscow has strongly denied the accusations from the very beginning.
• Ex-Adviser Bolton Repeats Call for War With North Korea, Despite Firing by Trump Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Even though US President Donald Trump showed him the door earlier this month, former national security adviser John Bolton hasn't backed away from his differences with the president, telling academics and policy wonks Monday that North Korea won't give up nuclear weapons and regime change may be the only option.
• North Korea Hopes to Hold Working-Level Talks with US 'Soon' - Deputy Envoy Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Pyongyang hopes that the United States and North Korea will hold working-level talks in the near future, North Korean Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Kim In Ryong said on Monday.
• DPRK reports 'little progress' since historic June 2018 summit with US UN News 30 Sep 2019 -- Lack of progress in achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula is "entirely attributable" to the United States, a senior official from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) told the UN General Assembly on Monday.
• North Korea Blames US for Stalled Denuclearization Talks VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- North Korea said Monday that tensions remain high with the United States and little has been achieved diplomatically, a year after the historic summit between the adversaries.
• Experts: Another Trump-Kim Summit Hinges on Denuclearization Agreement VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- Another summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would hinge on Washington and Pyongyang agreeing on a denuclearization process through working-level talks, experts say.
• Report: North Korea Using Companies Registered in Britain to Bypass Nuclear Sanctions VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- North Korean efforts to evade international sanctions have been aided by companies registered in Britain, according to an investigation by the London-based Royal United Services Institute.
• North Korean Traders Smuggle Chinese Pig Feed Despite Swine Fever Scare Radio Free Asia 30 Sep 2019 -- Amid a region-wide African swine fever (ASF) epidemic in Asia, North Korean trading companies have been smuggling large-scale quantities of Chinese pig feed, possibly exacerbating the spread of the disease into the Korean peninsula, sources say.
• Iran oil minister slams Saudi hyperbole over attacks on Aramco Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh says Saudi Arabia deliberately exaggerated about attacks on its oil facilities to advance certain political objectives.
• Saudi crown prince: War with Iran will lead to 'total collapse of global economy' Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MbS) has warned that a war with Iran would entail a "total collapse of the global economy," calling for a "peaceful" settlement with Tehran in an apparent break with his trademark bellicose rhetoric.
• Saudi Crown Prince Warns Of Skyrocketing Oil Prices If Iran Tensions Don't Ease RFE/RL 30 Sep 2019 -- Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman has warned that world oil prices could soar to "unimaginably high levels" if the international community doesn't take a "strong and firm" stance against Iran, otherwise tensions will escalate.
• EU has no right to opt for JCPOA snap-back: Spox IRNA 30 Sep 2019 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Monday that the EU partners have no right to opt for snap-back about their commitments to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action endorsed by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231.
• Iran: EU plan to leave JCPOA 'illegal', snap-back mechanism 'dead' Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- Iran has dismissed its nuclear case being sent back to the UN Security Council should the country go ahead with its pledge to take new steps away from the 2015 deal in response to European failures.
• Zangeneh: Petrochemicals to bring $35b in seven years IRNA 30 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Petroleum Minister Bijan Zangeneh said on Monday that with taking the third step of development of the petrochemical industry, the sector will bring $35b in the next seven years.
• Iran invites eight states to join Initiative of Hormuz Peace Endeavor IRNA 30 Sep 2019 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Monday in his weekly press conference that the Islamic Republic of Iran invites eight neighboring states to join the Initiative of Hormuz Peace Endeavor.
• Iran ready to deal with enemy plots for aggression against country: Top cmdr. Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says the Islamic Republic has mustered sustainable and strong deterrence power to ward off plots by enemies who think about any form of aggression against the country.
• Iran awards contracts to push ahead with major oil pipeline project Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- Iran has awarded contracts to three domestic engineering firms for manufacturing giant pumping devices needed for a major pipeline project that would transfer Iran's oil from export terminals southwest of the country to the coast of the Sea of Oman, in the southeast.
• Eight More Countries Decide to Join INSTEX Mechanism for Trade with Iran – Mogherini Aide Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- The INSTEX trade mechanism was set up by France, Germany and the UK in January to continue trade with Iran, bypassing US sanctions. It became operational and available to all EU member states in June.
• Saudi leaders sent messages to Iran's president: Spokesman Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- The spokesman for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's administration has confirmed that Saudi leaders have been sending messages to Iran's president through a head of state, though refraining to give any details on the nature of those messages.
• Iran Says Saudi Arabia Contacting It Through Third Parties RFE/RL 30 Sep 2019 -- Iran says it has received messages from Saudi Arabia through third countries at a time of strained relations between the two Persian Gulf states.
• Iran Reports Receiving Messages From Saudi Arabia After Inviting Riyadh to Gulf Security Coalition Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Last week, Tehran appeared to make the first step toward cooling tensions in the Persian Gulf region, proposing the creation of a broad regional coalition including Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to ensure regional security.
• US now pursuing 'maximum begging' IRNA 30 Sep 2019 -- Iran says the US so-called maximum pressure campaign has now turned into "maximum begging" by Washington to negotiate with Iran once again.
• Keeping original aspiration, CPC creates glorious achievements People's Daily 30 Sep 2019 -- "The original aspiration and the mission of Chinese Communists is to seek happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. This original aspiration, this mission, is what inspires Chinese Communists to advance."
• China's President Xi Honors Late Chairman on Eve of Military Parade Radio Free Asia 30 Sep 2019 -- Chinese president Xi Jinping paid his respects at the tomb of late supreme leader Mao Zedong on Monday, on the eve of massive celebrations of the ruling Chinese Communist Party's 70th anniversary in power and amid tight controls on movement and expression.
• China Inflates Shale Gas Forecast as Risks Mount Radio Free Asia 30 Sep 2019 -- China's government appears to be counting on inflated forecasts of domestic natural gas production as concerns about the country's import dependence grow.
• Five Years After Occupy Central, Street Battles Rage in Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 30 Sep 2019 -- Five years after the Chinese Communist Party's decree ruling out democracy sparked the Occupy Central movement, black-clad protesters took on riot police in a series of pitched battles on the streets of Hong Kong.
• China Doubles Hong Kong Troop Presence Under Guise of Garrison Rotation – Envoys Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Envoys from Asian and Western countries are accusing China of using the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) annual Hong Kong garrison rotation as a covert tactic to transport some 6,000 reinforcements to the semi-autonomous city amid continued protests.
• Hong Kong Government Condemns Violence During Protests on Sunday Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- The Hong Kong government has condemned the illegal acts committed by protesters during Sunday demonstration.
• Hungarian, Romanian Candidates For EU Executive Jobs Rejected Again RFE/RL 30 Sep 2019 -- A European Parliament committee has rejected the candidates for the new European Commission put forward by Hungary and Romania for a second time, declaring the two unfit to take office due to conflicts of interest.
• UN General Assembly President upholds value of multilateralism in speech closing annual debate UN News 30 Sep 2019 -- The only way to guarantee peace, security and sustainable development is for countries to work together, the UN General Assembly president said in his speech on Monday concluding the annual high-level debate in the Hall.
• Stage set for successful 2020 Burundi elections, Foreign Minister tells General Assembly UN News 30 Sep 2019 -- With organizational and financial preparations for Burundi's 2020 elections well underway, Ezechiel Nibigira, Minister of Foreign Affairs, told the UN General Assembly on Monday the Government is wary of, and will not tolerate, any outside interference in the polls.
• Haiti Faces New Wave of Protests as Calls for President's Resignation Grow VOA 30 Sep 2019 -- Hundreds of demonstrators protested across Haiti Monday, responding to calls by the opposition and anti-corruption militants to take to the streets and build roadblocks to force President Jovenel Moise to resign.