23 October 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

US Defense Secretary in Iraq to Discuss Troop Reassignment VOA 23 Oct 2019 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived in Baghdad Wednesday for talks with Iraqi officials about the arrival of U.S. troops recently withdrawn from northern Syria.
US Defence Secretary Esper Makes Unannounced Visit to Iraqi Capital of Baghdad Amid Syria Pullout - Reports Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Pentagon Chief Mark Esper has been paying unofficial visits to Middle Eastern countries since 18 October. He will reportedly get updates on the current operations in the region and then will head to the NATO ministry in Brussels where he will meet with his Turkish counterparts and discuss the campaign to defeat the Daesh* terrorist group.
Pentagon chief visits Baghdad as US troops leave Syria for Iraq Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- US Defense Secretary Mark Esper has paid an unannounced visit to Baghdad for high-level talks, days after Washington withdrew its military forces from Syria into Iraq.
Esper Visits Iraq As U.S. Troops Withdraw From Syria RFE/RL 23 Oct 2019 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has traveled to Baghdad for talks with Iraqi officials as the United States withdraws troops from northeastern Syria through Iraq.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper's Meeting With the Prime Minister of Iraq Adel Abd-al-Mahdi DoD 23 Oct 2019
Readout of Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper's Meeting With Iraqi Minister of Defense Najah al-Shammary DoD 23 Oct 2019
US forces leaving Syria not allowed to stay in Iraq: PM Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- Iraq's prime minister has made it clear that American forces redeploying from neighboring Syria into the Arab country don't have permission to stay.
Iraqi PM Announces International Legal Action After US Moves Forces to Its Territory From Syria Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Vast numbers of American troops left northern Syria earlier this month, after the launch of Operation Peace Spring by Ankara. According to various reports, up to 100 US military vehicles left Syria to avoid Turkey's offensive.

China plans to host intra-Afghan talks as US-Taliban talks stall: Report Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- China is reportedly planning to host negotiations among Afghanistan's rival factions aimed at finding a way out of years of war in the country, weeks after a diplomatic process involving the US and the Taliban militant group broke down.
Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Resigns RFE/RL 23 Oct 2019 -- Afghanistan's acting foreign minister, Salahuddin Rabbani, has resigned his post.
West Remains 'Committed To Achieving Peace' In Afghanistan As Taliban Says Talks To Be Held In China RFE/RL 23 Oct 2019 -- The United Nations and the European Union have joined the United Sates and five European countries in reiterating their commitment to reaching a "sustainable peace agreement" that ends the 18-year war in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan's acting foreign minister steps down Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- In a resignation letter to President Ghani on Wednesday, Rabbani said the Afghan Foreign Ministry had been sidelined and was being treated as a non-governmental organization over the past five years.

Defense Policy / Programs

Navy to Commission Littoral Combat Ship Indianapolis DoD 23 Oct 2019 -- The Navy will commission its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, USS Indianapolis (LCS 17), during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, Oct. 26, in Burns Harbor, Indiana.
DOD Announces Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for 5G Technology DoD 23 Oct 2019 -- The Department of Defense today announced that in November it will issue a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) focused on large-scale experimentation and prototyping of 5G technologies. The draft RFP will include a description of four U.S. military installations where initial 5G experimentation will take place and will give industry an opportunity to provide feedback before the final RFP is issued.
Fairchild AFB reactivates 97th Air Refueling Squadron US Air Force 23 Oct 2019 -- Fairchild Air Force Base reactivated the 97th Air Refueling Squadron that has been deactivated for 15 years, during an assumption of command ceremony Oct. 18.
Next-generation bomb suit lightens load for Marines USMC News 23 Oct 2019 -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Marines will soon receive a lighter and more capable bomb suit for protection against various threats.
NATO Allied Nations Complete Dynamic Mariner 2019 NNS 23 Oct 2019 -- Eighteen Allied nations participated in the NATO Maritime Command's exercise Dynamic Mariner 2019 off the coast of Spain Oct. 8-18.
NAVWAR Completes First Digital Model of Systems on USS Abraham Lincoln NNS 23 Oct 2019 -- Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) accomplished a significant milestone in the digital engineering transformation with completion of its first digital twin, a system-of-systems digital model, representing a set of information warfare capabilities that will be installed on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in fiscal year 2020.
U.S. Navy Completes Medical Training in Peru NNS 23 Oct 2019 -- The Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2019 Medical Engagement Team (MET) conducted their final mass casualty drill with Peruvian military medical personnel culminating a month-long series of subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) and field exercises, Oct. 21.
Ford Completes Crew Cert III NNS 23 Oct 2019 -- Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) completed Phase III Crew Certification October 15-16 2019.
US Air Force Withholds Funding on Boeing's Ballistic Missile Development Programme Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- The move comes as Boeing announced its withdrawal from the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent programme this summer, citing concern with the bidding process.

NATO Secretary General addresses arms control conference NATO 23 Oct 2019 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg delivered a keynote speech at the Public Diplomacy Arms Control Conference in Brussels on Wednesday (23 October 2019). He emphasised NATO's strong and long-standing commitment to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
NATO Defence Ministers to address key issues for the Alliance NATO 23 Oct 2019 -- NATO Defence Ministers will meet in Brussels this week (24-25 October 2019) to address key issues for the Alliance. Ahead of the two-day meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg outlined the topics for discussion, including NATO missions and operations, increasing the readiness of NATO forces, progress towards fairer burden-sharing, and the resilience of telecommunications systems.

US Senate Overwhelmingly Supports North Macedonia's Bid to Join to NATO Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- In February, the alliance signed a protocol on North Macedonia's accession to the military bloc which was ratified by 21 member states. US Envoy to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison said in June that the Balkan country could become an alliance member as early as December. However, the talks on the issue were postponed.
Welcoming U.S. Senate Approval of NATO Accession Protocol for North Macedonia US Dept. of State 23 Oct 2019

Russian Fighter Jet Escorted US B-52H Bomber That Approached Country's Border - Defence Ministry Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- This is not the first time the aircraft of this type have approached the Russian border. In March, a B-52H performed a simulated bombing of a Russian naval base in the Baltic Sea, while two other bombers flew over the Kaliningrad region. The incident forced the Russian military to dispatch its fighter jets into the sky.
Five Countries That May Seek to Procure Russia's State-of-the-Art Armata Tank Revealed Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Russia's advanced T-14 Armata tank, first unveiled to the public in 2015, is a next-generation combat vehicle that has an unmanned remote-controlled turret, while the crew is protected by an armoured capsule. Its weapons include a 125-mm smooth-bore cannon and a 7.62-mm remote-controlled machine gun.

Moscow in talks with Ankara to clinch new S-400 deal, Russia says Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- A high-ranking Russian military figure says Moscow has completed the deliveries of batteries of the advanced Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems to Ankara, and that a new deal is under discussion.
Report: Turkey, Russia In Talks About More S-400 Sales RFE/RL 23 Oct 2019 -- Turkey is discussing buying more S-400 missile-defense systems from Moscow, according to Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, despite Washington's repeated warnings against such a move.
Turkey Aims to Enter First Indigenously Designed Submarine Into Service by 2040 Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Earlier this month, Ankara announced the beginning of its Indigenous Submarine Project (MILDEN-Milli Denizalti), which aims to outfit the second-largest submarine force in NATO with homegrown subs for the first time by 2040.
Erdogan Invites EU Leaders to Istanbul or Syrian Border Towns to Discuss Future of NATO Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday invited the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom to meet on the Turkish side of the Syrian border or in Istanbul to discuss outlooks for NATO.
US Senate Lambasts State Department for 'Inaction' Over Turkey's S-400s Acquisition Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Russia and Turkey secured a $2.5 billion agreement on the delivery of S-400 air defence systems to Turkey in late 2017, with deliveries beginning in July. The decision prompted Washington to suspend Ankara's participation in the F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter programme.

India Cuts Defence Exports to Turkey Amid Growing Tensions With Ankara - Reports Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- India has cut down its defence exports to Turkey, including explosives and detonators, due to Ankara's growing military cooperation with Islamabad, with whom New Delhi has had a decades-long strained relationship, the Economic Times reported, citing sources.

Minister says Iran self-reliant in its defense power IRNA 23 Oct 2019 -- Tehran, Oct 23, IRNA -- Iran's Minister of Defense and Logistics of Armed Forces Brigadier-General Amir Hatami said that Iran is self-reliant in terms of defense power of which the enemies are aware.

Bahrain - Refurbishment of the Oliver Hazard Perry Class Ship, Ex ROBERT G. BRADLEY (FFG 49) DSCA 23 Oct 2019 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Bahrain to refurbish the Oliver Hazard Perry Class ship, ex ROBERT G. BRADLEY (FFG 49) with support for an estimated cost of $150 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 22, 2019.

Deliveries of 8 Russian SU-30K Fighter Jets to Angola Completed - Defence Cooperation Chief Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Russia has completed its delivery of SU-30K fighter jets to Angola, Dmitry Shugaev, the director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, said on Wednesday.

Russia, Nigeria Sign Deal for Delivery of 12 MI-35 Attack Helicopters Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Nigerian Ambassador to Russia Steve Davies Ugbah earlier said that Russia had already delivered six Mi-35M attack helicopters to Nigeria under the contract, while the ways of securing the delivery of the remaining six were being discussed.

Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 23 Oct 2019

Defense Industry

Contracts For Oct. 23, 2019

Other Conflicts

23 October 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Oct 2019

Taiwan expresses regret over film's disrespect of its sovereignty CNA 23 Oct 2019 -- The Ministry of Culture expressed regret Tuesday over a scene in an animated film that shows China's "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea, as well as a 10th dash drawn next to Taiwan, that the ministry said disrespects Taiwan's sovereignty.

Seven Saudi soldiers killed in clashes with Yemeni forces in border areas Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- Yemeni army soldiers and fighters from allied Popular Committees have killed at least seven Saudi soldiers during separate attacks in the kingdom's southwestern border regions as part of their retaliatory raids against the Riyadh regime's atrocious military campaign against their crisis-hit country.
Joint Incidents Assessment Team in Yemen Holds Press Conference SPA 23 Oct 2019 -- Legal Counselor Mansour Al-Mansour, Official spokesman of the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) in Yemen, reviewed the results of assessing the incidents which included allegations filed by international organizations and different media addressing errors allegedly committed by the Coalition Forces to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen during military operations inside Yemen.
Yemeni Army Makes Progress in Houthi Stronghold SPA 23 Oct 2019 -- The Yemeni National Army made today qualitative progress in Al-Naqaa district of Saada governorate, the main stronghold of Houthi militias in Sadaa.

Trump Says Will Remove Sanctions on Turkey Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- The restrictions were imposed by Washington last week after Ankara launched Operation Peace Spring in Syria, which aimed to clear the US-backed Kurdish militants from near its borders.
Treasury Removes Sanctions Imposed on Turkish Ministries and Senior Officials Following Pause of Turkish Operations in Northeast Syria US Treasury 23 Oct 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) removed sanctions imposed on the Government of Turkey's Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, as well as the Minister of National Defence, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Minister of the Interior, following Turkey's pause in military operations in Syria as agreed to with the United States on October 17, 2019 (the October Ceasefire).
Trump to Lift Turkey Sanctions VOA 23 Oct 2019 -- President Donald Trump says a U.S. brokered ceasefire in Turkey's assault on Kurds in northeastern Syria has become permanent and Washington is lifting sanctions imposed on Ankara.
Trump lifts Turkey sanctions as Syria truce turns permanent Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has officially removed economic sanctions imposed on Turkey, after Ankara informed Washington that a ceasefire in its ongoing military incursion into northern Syria will become "permanent."
Turkey Has Only Put Syria Operation on Hold, is Ready to 'Repel Terrorists' - Foreign Minister Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- A Turkish offensive launched on 9 October came to a halt last Thursday following an agreement by Washington and Ankara for a 120-hour armistice. The ceasefire officially terminated on Tuesday evening.
Turkish Defence Ministry: No Need to Carry Out New Operation in Syria 'At This Stage' Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Following a negotiated settlement in Sochi earlier on Tuesday, Turkey's Defence Ministry has announced that its Operation Peace Spring is complete.
Trump Hails 'Big Success' on Turkey-Syria Border VOA 23 Oct 2019 -- President Donald Trump says there is "big success" on the Turkey-Syria border following the withdrawal of Kurdish forces from northeast Syria and the end of a Turkish offensive against them.
Syrian Endgame Sparks Debate About Winners and Losers VOA 23 Oct 2019 -- Syria's conflict is entering its endgame, say analysts.
Remarks by President Trump on the Situation in Northern Syria The White House 23 Oct 2019
Trump hails Russia-Turkey safe zone in northern Syria Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has hailed the safe zone in northern Syria established by Russia and Turkey in the wake of US withdrawal from the Kurdish-controlled region.

Russia: US almost forcing Syria Kurds to confront Turkey Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- Russia says the United States appears to be encouraging Kurdish militants in Syria to stay close to Turkey's border in defiance of a new Moscow-Ankara deal and keep fighting with the Turkish military, warning the Kurds to either leave those areas or be mauled by the Turks.
Moscow Demands US Stop Occupation of Al-Tanf Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- The US established a military base 24 km west of the al-Tanf border crossing in the Syrian desert back in 2016 and used it to train local anti-government militants, who also fought against the Daesh terror group.
Moscow Accuses US of Abandoning Kurds in Syria, Forcing Them to Fight Turkey Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Days before Turkey launched its operation in Syria on 9 October, the United States announced its intention to pull out its military service members from the country. The move has been widely condemned as a "betrayal” of the US-allied Kurds.

UN Security Council to Decide on Germany's Offer to Create Safe Zone in Syria - Spokesman Sputnik 24 Oct 2019 -- The UN Security Council is the body to consider whether Germany's proposal to establish an international security zone in northern Syria under United Nations auspices is accpetable, spokesperson Farhan Haq said.

Russian Forces Arrive In Syria's Kobani After Moscow-Ankara Deal RFE/RL 23 Oct 2019 -- Russia says a convoy of its military police has crossed the Euphrates River and entered the Syrian border town of Kobani to start patrols under a new agreement with Turkey.
Russian Military Police Begin Patrolling Northeast of Syria's Manbij Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- The Russian military police deployed in the Syrian province of Aleppo have begun patrolling northeast of the town of Manbij, a police representative told reporters.

Israeli Drone Falls on Lebanese Territory - IDF Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier stated that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) need to maintain freedom of action against Iran and the Lebanon-based movement Hezbollah, which Israel considers to be its main foes in the region.

Decisive international action needed to end Israeli occupation: UN rights expert UN News 23 Oct 2019 -- The international community has a responsibility and legal obligation to compel Israel to end its 52 year-long "occu-annexation” of Palestinian territory and remove barriers preventing Palestinian self-determination, a UN independent human rights expert told the General Assembly on Wednesday.

Egypt 'Shocked' by Ethiopia's Readiness For War Over Dam Issue – Foreign Ministry Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Egypt's Foreign Ministry has expressed great concern over the remarks made by Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed regarding his country's readiness to use force, if the need arises, in order to resolve disputes over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Somalia advancing towards 'inclusive and peaceful future' for women, deputy UN chief UN News 23 Oct 2019 -- Somalia has made "enormous strides on its path to peace and stability”, and Somali women's participation in peace and security efforts has "helped advance society towards an inclusive and peaceful future”, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said on Wednesday.

News Reports

Democrats Demand State Department Disclose Ukraine Documents VOA 23 Oct 2019 -- Democrats pursuing their impeachment inquiry of U.S. President Donald Trump demanded Wednesday that the State Department release key documents they had subpoenaed about his efforts to pressure Ukraine to open investigations to help him politically.
Two Men Linked To Giuliani Plead Not Guilty In Manhattan Court RFE/RL 23 Oct 2019 -- Two businessmen from the former Soviet Union, who are linked to efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump's personal lawyer to investigate his political foes, have pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to hide illegal campaign contributions to politicians.

Text of a Letter to Certain Congressional Committees Regarding a Strategy to Counter Malign Foreign Influence Operations and Campaigns The White House 23 Oct 2019

UN and partners call for solidarity, as Venezuelans on the move reach 4.5 million UN News 23 Oct 2019 -- Since 2015, approximately 4.5 million Venezuelans have fled their country as the Latin American nation's political, humanitarian and economic crisis drags on, creating one of the "direst” displacement crises in the world, the UN and European Union said on Wednesday, ahead of a solidarity conference next week.

Putin Hosts Sochi Summit As Russia Races For Influence In Africa RFE/RL 23 Oct 2019 -- President Vladimir Putin says Russia will aim to at least double trade with Africa over the next five years as he hosted dozens of African leaders in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Russia Seeks Stronger, More Positive Ties to Africa at Sochi Summit VOA 23 Oct 2019 -- Dozens of African officials and business leaders will gather in Sochi, Russia, this week for a two-day summit designed to bolster relations between the Russian Federation and all 54 African nations.

Trump-Kim Relationship Remains 'Special,' North Korea Says VOA 23 Oct 2019 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump continue to have a "special" relationship despite stalled nuclear talks, North Korean state media said Thursday, blaming other U.S. officials for poor relations.
Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Inspects Mt Kumgang Tourist Area KCNA 23 Oct 2019 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and supreme commander of the armed forces of the DPRK, inspected Mt Kumgang tourist area.
North Korea's leader orders South-built resort demolished Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- In what might be viewed as the latest sign of the frosty inter-Korean relations, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered a tourist complex built by a Southern company on the North's Mount Kumgang to be razed and replaced with modern facilities.
Kim Jong Un Orders Removal of South Korean Buildings in Joint Tourist Zone Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2019 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the removal of several South Korean-made buildings, including hotels, at Mt. Kumgang, a special inter-Korean tourist zone in North Korea that was at one time jointly operated.
Kim Jong-un Calls to Get Rid of 'Unpleasant-Looking' S Korean Facilities in Kumgang Area – Reports Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Seoul and Pyongyang discussed at length the prospects of re-starting joint economic projects last year, until renewed political tensions in the area, exacerbated by the South's joint military exercises with the United States and the North's nuclear missile tests, brought about a new chill in mutual relations.
Chairman of DPRK SPA Meets Speaker of State Duma of Russian Federation KCNA 23 Oct 2019 -- Pak Thae Song, chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) who is leading the SPA delegation on a visit to Russia, met and had a talk with Byacheslav Wolodin, speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, at the building of the State Duma on Tuesday.
North Korean Workers in China Forced to Work Overtime Before Sanctions Deadline Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2019 -- North Korean authorities are forcing workers dispatched to China to work grueling overtime schedules in the few remaining months they have left as legal workers overseas, industry sources told RFA's Korean Service.
Sweden to Send Invitations to US, North Korea for New Denuclearisation Talks Soon - Envoy Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Sweden hopes for the resumption of working-level nuclear talks between the United States and North Korea, and plans to soon invite the sides to hold a meeting in Stockholm, Kent Harstedt, the Swedish special envoy for Korean Peninsula affairs, said on Wednesday.
Swedish Envoy: US, N. Korea Talks Went Longer Than Planned VOA 23 Oct 2019 -- The recent nuclear negotiations between the United States and North Korea were substantive and lasted longer than anticipated, according to a Swedish diplomat who helped arrange the talks.

Iran to unveil new centrifuge machines with higher SWU capacity soon: Official Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- A high-ranking official at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran says the AEOI plans to unveil new centrifuge machines that have a higher Separative Work Units (SWU) capacity in the near future.
President Rouhani says enemy thinks hurting nuclear deal destroys Islamic Establishment IRNA 23 Oct 2019 -- President Hassan Rouhani said in a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the enemies of the country think that by harming the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) they can destroy the Islamic Establishment.
Aim of HOPE initiative to promote dialogue, mutual respect, equality: Zarif ISNA 23 Oct 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif announced that the Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE) aims to promote dialogue, mutual respect and equal footing, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of international borders; peaceful settlement of all disputes; rejection of the threat or use of force; non-aggression and non-intervention in internal or external affairs of each other; and energy security and the free flow of resources.
Iran rejects as 'bluff' Trump's threat of war, vows crushing response to slightest mistake Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami says US President Donald Trump's recent threat of a military attack against Tehran is only a bluff to cover Washington's mortification for its failures.
Albanian Police Say Iranian 'Terrorist' Plot Foiled RFE/RL 23 Oct 2019 -- Albanian police thwarted an attack allegedly planned by a Tehran-backed "terrorist cell" against opponents of the Iranian regime in the Balkan country last year, police said on October 23.

Reports of HK chief's replacement 'political rumors': Chinese FM Global Times 23 Oct 2019 -- China's Foreign Ministry slammed reports on Wednesday that the central government was planning to replace Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, calling such reports "political rumors with ulterior motives."
FT report on replacing Hong Kong leader political rumor: China Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- China has dismissed a recent report that the government in Beijing is putting together a plan to tackle the situation in crisis-ridden Hong Kong by replacing the city's leader, describing it as nothing but a "political rumor” with ulterior motives.
Chinese FM denounces violence, foreign interference in Hong Kong Global Times 23 Oct 2019 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi here on Monday slammed the violence and foreign interference in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Legislators Formally Kill Controversial Extradition Bill VOA 23 Oct 2019 -- Hong Kong's legislature on Wednesday formally killed the extradition bill that sparked four months of anti-government protests – on the same day that the murder suspect at the center of this issue was released from jail in Hong Kong and said he plans to turn himself in to Taiwanese authorities.
Hong Kong Officials Formally Withdraw Hated Extradition Bill That Sparked Protests Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2019 -- The Hong Kong government on Wednesday formally removed its disastrous extradition bill from a list of proposed legislation after the plan sparked several months of mass protest and popular uprising on the city's streets.
Hong Kong, Taiwan signal openness to cooperation on Chan case CNA 23 Oct 2019 -- Following the release Wednesday of a suspect wanted for murder in Taiwan, the Hong Kong government opened the door to cooperation between the two sides, while defending its handling of the case.
Hong Kong to blame should murder suspect flee: Taiwan CNA 23 Oct 2019 -- In a case that has become a political football, Taiwan's government on Wednesday said Hong Kong would be responsible if a suspect wanted for murder charges in Taiwan escaped after he was released from prison earlier in the day.
HK suspect wanted for murder reiterates wish to surrender CNA 23 Oct 2019 -- A Hong Kong citizen wanted in Taiwan for murder reiterated on Wednesday his desire to surrender himself to Taiwan authorities after he was released from a Hong Kong prison earlier in the day after serving a sentence for a separate crime.
Hong Kong Suspect in Taiwan Murder Case Promises to Turn Himself In Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2019 -- Chan Tong-kai, who is wanted by Taiwan authorities on suspicion of murdering his Hong Kong girlfriend while the pair were on vacation in the democratic island, was released from a Hong Kong prison on Wednesday amid an ongoing row between Taipei and Hong Kong over his fate.
Nearly Half of Residents of Uyghur-Majority Village in Xinjiang Held in Internment Camps Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2019 -- Nearly half of the residents of a village in a Uyghur-majority area of northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) have been sent to internment camps amid a policy of mass incarceration targeting minorities in the area, according to an official source.

Peace cannot be earned by making concessions: President Tsai CNA 23 Oct 2019 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Wednesday that freedom is earned through a cohesive will to defend the nation not concessions, at an event held to commemorate a battle seven decades ago that played an important role in the survival of the Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan.
Tsai wants to capitalize on it for next year's election: expert Global Times 23 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan wants to maximize the political value of Chan Tong-kai's homicide case, as the island's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities held inconsistent and self-contradictory stances over how to proceed Chan's case, experts said.

NASA Finds No Traces of Indian Vikram Lunar Lander on Moon's Surface - Project Scientist Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- NASA has found no trace of the Indian lunar lander, dubbed Vikram, in the images captured during its Moon orbiter's latest flyby of the lunar region where the lander made a hard landing on 7 September, Project Scientist for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission Noah Petro said.

Russia to Launch New Angara Carrier Rocket in 2024 – Space Research Centre Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Russia's new Angara-A5M carrier rocket is expected to be launched from the Vostochny space centre in 2024, the chief designer at the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Centre said.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah thanks leadership on appointing him as Minister of Foreign Affairs SPA 23 Oct 2019 -- Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah thanked the leadership on his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Saudi Arabia Appoints Prince Faisal Bin Farhan as New Minister of Foreign Affairs Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Outgoing Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf, who served less than a year in the role, will remain a minister of state, a Reuters report says.

Gantz tasked with forming cabinet after Netanyahu fails Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- Israel's president has asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political rival, Benny Gantz, to form a coalition government following Netanyahu's failure to do so.

Britain Awaits EU Verdict on Brexit Delay as Deadline Looms VOA 23 Oct 2019 -- European Union leaders are deciding on another extension to Britain's exit from the bloc, after lawmakers in Britain frustrated Prime Minister Boris Johnson's plan to leave by Oct. 31. The EU's decision is likely to come toward the end of this week.

Ukraine's Zelenskiy Wants Polygraph Tests For Party Members Amid Bribery Allegations RFE/RL 23 Oct 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged members of parliament's Finance Committee to take a polygraph test in the wake of bribery allegations.

Death toll from Chile unrest rises to 18 Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- The death toll from the unrest that broke out in Chile has risen to 18 as a four-year-old child was killed during the latest protests against inequality, officials said, amid a general strike staged by unions.
Chilean President Pinera Offers New Social Measures Amid Protests Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- The President addressed the nation in the wake of the violent protests, and apologized for his failure to foresee the social crisis, as he announced a set of measures aimed to improve the economic and social situation.

Bolivia's Morales: Post-vote strike amounts to 'coup' Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- Bolivia's President Evo Morales says a general strike staged by the opposition amounts to a right-wing coup in the wake of the presidential election where the electoral commission has said he has the lead.
Bolivian President Declares State of Emergency in Country to 'Protect Democracy' Amid Protests Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Some 27 people were detained during Monday's protests in Bolivia, in the aftermath of the presidental election, the country's Public Prosecutor's Office announced.
OAS Accepts Bolivia's Invitation to Verify Election Results – Secretary General Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) Luis Almagro has accepted the Bolivian government's invitation to carry out an audit of the recent presidential election in the country, amid controversies over the results.

Lebanese protests continue for 7th consecutive day despite gov't emergency package Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- Protesters in Lebanon have taken to the streets for a seventh consecutive day to voice discontent with rising inflation and living costs, despite an economic emergency package recently unveiled by the government.

Kais Saied takes oath as Tunisia's new president Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- Tunisia has a new president. Kais Saied has been sworn in after winning a landslide victory in this month's election.

Polls Close in Botswana's General Election VOA 23 Oct 2019 -- Voters in Botswana continued to line up late Wednesday to cast their ballots even after the polling stations had closed.

Philippines Cozies Up to India, Both Wary of China VOA 23 Oct 2019 -- The Philippines has agreed to strengthen defense ties with India, an increasingly significant Western ally in Asia, as part of its accumulation of foreign support in case fragile ties with China suddenly break down.

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