05 November 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Chief Executive Abdullah Slams Afghan President's 'Wish List' Peace Plan RFE/RL 05 Nov 2019 -- Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah has criticized a new peace plan put forward by President Ashraf Ghani as an unrealistic "wish list."
Afghan chief executive rips into president's peace plan Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah has harshly criticized a peace proposal by his election rival and incumbent President Ashraf Ghani as a "wishlist," amid efforts to revive stalled talks between the US and the Taliban militant group.

Head of US Africa Command Visits Somalia VOA 05 Nov 2019 -- The top general for U.S. military operations in Africa visited Somalia Tuesday to meet with leaders and discuss the fight against extremists in the Horn of Africa nation.

Defense Policy / Programs

Statement on Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper's Video Teleconference With the People's Republic of China's Minister of National Defense General Wei Fenghe DoD 05 Nov 2019
Without Effective AI, Military Risks Losing Next War, General Says DoD News 05 Nov 2019 -- A next war against a near-peer competitor will be fast, chaotic and shockingly bloody, the director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center said .
U.S. Needs WWII-Like Momentum to Advance AI, Esper Says DoD News 05 Nov 2019 -- To get where it needs to be with artificial intelligence, the United States is going to need government, academia and industry to pull together like it did during World War II so that the technology can advance as quickly as what's needed, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said.
USNS Grasp Arrives in Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia NNS 05 Nov 2019 -- Military Sealift Safeguard-class auxiliary rescue and salvage ship USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51) arrived in Kosrae for a scheduled port visit, Nov 5.
NATO Conducts Electro Magnetic Operations Trials NNS 05 Nov 2019 -- Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) began conducting Electro Magnetic Operations (NEMO) trials off the coast of the United Kingdom Nov. 1.
USS Momsen Returns from Deployment NNS 05 Nov 2019 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) returned to its homeport of Everett Oct. 28, following an independent deployment to the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations with a detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35, "The Magicians."
Submarine Squadron 11 and Peruvian Submarine Participate in DESI Program NNS 05 Nov 2019 -- Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 (CSS-11) and the Peruvian Submarine BAP Angamos (SS-31), a German-built Type 209 submarine (SSK), partnered to enhance and conduct training at Naval Base Point Loma as part of the Diesel-Electric Submarine Initiative (DESI) program, since Oct. 19.
USMC Inks $120 Million Deal for Over Two Dozen Amphibious Combat Vehicles Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- The US Marine Corps (USMC) has awarded BAE Systems a $120 million contract that seeks to acquire 30 new Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACV) - marking the service's third bulk order of the vehicle ahead of upcoming operational tests.
Uncommon Enlistment: US Navy Asked Cruise Line for Advice on Carrier Repairs Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- As every East Coast aircraft carrier remains docked and maintenance deadlines pass by, the US Navy recently confirmed they have been exhausting all options and even called upon Carnival Cruise Line for repair advice and tips.

Kremlin Says US Silent on Future of Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- Russia has not received any indication from the United States that it is ready to discuss the future of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

£2.8bn armoured vehicle contract secured for British Army UK MOD 05 Nov 2019 -- A contract worth £2.8 billion has been signed to provide state-of-the-art armoured fighting vehicles to the British Army.

Chinese fighter jet gets long-range radar: reports Global Times 05 Nov 2019 -- China reportedly developed a new variant of the J-11B fighter jet with new radar that can see farther and enable long-range missile use, a move that will significantly boost the Chinese Air Force's capability, military experts said on Tuesday.
China Sees No Reason for Trilateral Disarmament Talks With US, Russia - Foreign Ministry Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- Beijing sees no reason to engage in trilateral disarmament negotiations with the United States and Russia, especially since conditions for such an arrangement do not exist, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Tuesday.

Amid Border Tension, Pakistan, India Now Take to Missile Hegemony Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- The Pakistani Navy successfully launched a land-to-sea anti-ship missile from a fast attack craft in the North Arabian Sea on Tuesday, Pakistan military's media wing said.

Kyiv Plans To Boost Defense Spending To $9 Billion As Peace Talks Remain Elusive RFE/RL 05 Nov 2019 -- Ukraine plans to increase annual spending on defense and security next year by 16 percent to more than $9 billion even as Kyiv gradually moves forward to securing talks to end the Donbas conflict in the eastern part of the country.

Following Taiwan, Indonesia Now Seeking F-16V Viper Jets From US Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- Jakarta is exploring the possibility of buying two squadrons of advanced F-16V Viper fighter jets from Washington, the Indonesian Air Force's chief of staff said recently. News of the potential deal follows neighbor Taiwan's purchase of dozens of the jets.

UAE Creates Company for Developing Cutting-Edge Military Technology - Reports Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- The United Arab Emirates has announced the creation of a new company for military technology development, Gulf News newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Defense Industry

Contracts For Nov. 5, 2019

Other Conflicts

5 November 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Nov 2019

Yemeni forces, allies shoot down Saudi-led surveillance drone in Najran Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- Yemeni army forces, supported by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have intercepted and targeted an unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to the Saudi-led military coalition in the skies over the kingdom's southern border region of Najran, in retaliation for the alliance's military aggression against their conflict-stricken country.
An official source at Foreign Ministry welcomes Riyadh agreement between Yemeni government and Southern Transitional Council SPA 05 Nov 2019 -- An official source at the Foreign Ministry welcomed the Riyadh Agreement, which was signed today under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, between the legitimate Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council, in the capital Riyadh.
HRH Crown Prince Patronizes Signing Ceremony of Riyadh Agreement between Yemeni Legitimate Government and Southern Transitional Council SPA 05 Nov 2019 -- Under the wise directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, patronized here today the signing ceremony of Riyadh Agreement between Yemeni Legitimate Government and Southern Transitional Council.
UN Welcomes New Accord Between Yemeni Gov't, Southern Transitional Council Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths on Tuesday welcomed the signing of a power-sharing agreement between the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council, saying the accord marks a vital step toward achieving peace in the country.
UK government welcomes new Yemen peace agreement UK FCO 05 Nov 2019 -- The Government of Yemen and the Southern Transitional Council have signed an agreement in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Yemen agreement to end southern power struggle 'important step' towards peace: UN Special Envoy UN News 05 Nov 2019 -- The top UN official in Yemen has welcomed an agreement to end infighting between the Government and separatist allies in the south of the country, known as the Southern Transitional Council, signed on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia.
Yemen Government, Separatists Sign Power-Sharing Deal VOA 05 Nov 2019 -- Yemen's internationally recognized government signed a Saudi-brokered power-sharing deal with Southern separatists Monday, aiming to quell a new front in the country's civil war.

YPG terrorists still not fully cleared from Syria safe zone, Erdogan says Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says militants from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) have not fully withdrawn from border areas of the so-called safe zone in northern Syria as specified in the agreements with Russia and the United States, and that US forces are still carrying out joint patrols with the militants.
Daesh Militants Flee Syria to Uncontrolled Mountainous Areas in Northern Iraq - Reports Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- Daesh* militants are fleeing Syria and moving to ungoverned areas in northern Iraq, media reported, citing US military and commanders of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the region, who also hinted at the threat of the re-emergence of the self-proclaimed "caliphate."
Russia Ready to Assist Kurds-Damascus Talks on SDF Joining Government Army - Deputy FM Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- In late-October, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the complete withdrawal of troops from the Syrian-Turkish border.
Syrian army soldiers enter Rumailan oilfield in Hasakah after years: Reports Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- Syrian government forces have reportedly entered an oilfield in the country's northeastern province of Hasakah, as they continue to deploy in areas close to the border with Turkey in the face of a cross-border incursion by Turkish army troops and their allied militants against militants from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).
US' Bid to Hold Oil Fields in Northern Syria is Illegitimate - Moscow Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- President Donald Trump stressed last month that the American military will retain control of Syria's oil, adding that some US troops will be withdrawn, as US allies will secure the Syrian border.

Erdogan Accuses US of Failure to Ensure Kurdish Troops Withdrawal From Northern Syria Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that the United States was conducting joint patrols with Kurdish militants in the security zone in northern Syria, which contradicts the US-Turkish arrangements on Kurdish forces' withdrawal.
Turkey says it captured sister of slain Daesh leader in Syria Press TV 04 Nov 2019 -- A senior Turkish official says his country has captured the elder sister of the slain leader of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in what he calls an intelligence "gold mine" in northwestern Syria.
Turkey Says It Captured Sister Of Dead IS Leader Baghdadi In Northern Syria RFE/RL 05 Nov 2019 -- Turkey has captured the older sister of slain Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in northwestern Syria, Turkish officials say.
Key Islamic State Affiliate Appears to Back New Leader VOA 05 Nov 2019 -- The reign of new Islamic State leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi is getting a boost, thanks to the apparent endorsement of one of the terror group's more influential affiliates.

Lithuanian FM: Russia 'Biggest Obstacle' To Ukraine Peace RFE/RL 05 Nov 2019 -- Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius says Russia represents the biggest obstacle to the peace process in Ukraine, as it misleadingly represents itself as a "neutral party" in the conflict.
Amid Shelling, School Evacuated Near Ukrainian Town Where Troops Withdrew Ahead Of Peace Talks RFE/RL 05 Nov 2019 -- A primary school has been evacuated amid an artillery barrage 13 kilometers from Zolote, a town in the easternmost Luhansk region where Ukraine and Moscow-backed separatists have withdrawn their forces ahead of a pending summit to find peace in the Donbas conflict.

Armenia's Pashinian Brings Karabakh Issue To CSTO Meeting RFE/RL 05 Nov 2019 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has called on fellow member states of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to "consider the interests of all participating nations" when it comes to issues such as foreign policy and military-technical cooperation.

Al-Shabab Chief Partially Seen on Video for First Time VOA 05 Nov 2019 -- Somalia's al-Shabab militants have released a video that for the first time gives a partial view of the group's leader, Abu Ubaidah.

West Bank settlements: Foreign Office statement UK FCO 05 Nov 2019 -- Statement on Israel's plans to advance over 2,300 housing units in West Bank settlements.

International community urged to deliver on promise for better future for Bosnia and Herzegovina UN News 05 Nov 2019 -- Current trends and public pronouncements by some political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina indicate an effort to roll back reforms implemented since the end of the Balkan wars two decades ago, the UN Security Council heard on Tuesday.

Nearly two million Cameroonians face humanitarian emergency: UNICEF UN News 05 Nov 2019 -- Ongoing violence in Cameroon's northwest and southwest has created a fast-growing humanitarian emergency now affecting some 1.9 million people, a "15-fold increase since 2017", UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.

News Reports

Trump's top ally, Sondland, admits quid pro quo with updated Ukraine testimony Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- US President Donald Trump's envoy to the EU, Gordon Sondland, has admitted that he told Ukraine it would likely not receive aid unless it announced investigations into Trump's rivals.
US Envoy: Ukraine Aid Would Not Be Released Without Investigations to Help Trump VOA 05 Nov 2019 -- A key U.S. diplomat told impeachment investigators targeting President Donald Trump that he came to believe that nearly $400 million in U.S. military aid to Ukraine would not be released unless Kyiv publicly stated it would launch investigations to help Trump politically.
House Impeachment Panels Ask Key Trump Aide Mulvaney to Testify VOA 05 Nov 2019 -- U.S. House of Representatives committees leading the impeachment inquiry targeting President Donald Trump said Tuesday they want to question acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney about his knowledge of Trump's efforts to press Ukraine to open investigations to help him politically.
Indicted Giuliani Associate Parnas Will Comply With Impeachment Probe RFE/RL 05 Nov 2019 -- Lev Parnas, an indicted Ukrainian-American businessman who has emerged as a key figure in the impeachment inquiry into U.S. Donald Trump, has apparently changed his mind and is ready to cooperate with a congressional investigators, his lawyer told AP and Reuters.
Indicted Giuliani Fixer Lev Parnas Willing to Work With Trump Impeachment Inquiry - Report Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- US federal prosecutors last month unsealed an indictment against Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, as well as two others - David Correia and Andrey Kukushkin - for funneling $1 million in illegal donations from foreign nationals to as-yet-unspecified political campaigns.

Joint Statement from DOJ, DOD, DHS, DNI, FBI, NSA, and CISA on Ensuring Security of 2020 Elections DoD 05 Nov 2019 -- Attorney General William Barr, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan, Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, FBI Director Christopher Wray, U.S. Cyber Command Commander and NSA Director Gen. Paul Nakasone, and CISA Director Christopher Krebs today released the following joint statement:

Guatemala's incoming president to cut ties with Venezuela Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- Guatemalan President-elect Alejandro Giammattei says he plans to sever all diplomatic ties with Venezuela after his inauguration in January 2020.
The United States Takes Action Against Former Maduro Regime Officials and Strengthens International Efforts US Dept. of State 05 Nov 2019 -- On November 5, the United States identified five members of the former Maduro regime and took action against them under the authority of Executive Order (E.O.) 13884.
Treasury Takes Steps to Harmonize International Sanctions Efforts Against Venezuelan Officials US Treasury 05 Nov 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) identified five current officials of the Government of Venezuela pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13884, which blocks the property and interests in property of the Government of Venezuela and those who have acted or purported to have acted on its behalf.
Risk of US Sanctions Looms as Venezuela Roils Spanish Election VOA 05 Nov 2019 -- The Spanish government's ambiguous relationship with Venezuela – and the possibility of U.S. economic sanctions stemming from that relationship – has emerged as an issue in the run-up to legislative elections this weekend.

Russian Doping To Loom Large At WADA Summit RFE/RL 05 Nov 2019 -- The World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) three-day conference on drugs in sport has opened in Poland, with the long-running Russian doping scandal overshadowing the proceedings.

Bulgarian Charged As Russian Spy Returns From Moscow With Award From Putin RFE/RL 05 Nov 2019 -- A former Bulgarian lawmaker who is charged with spying for Russia has returned to Sofia from Moscow where he received an award from President Vladimir Putin for his "friendship and cooperation."
X-Files! Russia Plans to Resurrect Law on Classified Military Information Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- Currently, some military information is protected by the law on state secrets. However, security experts point out that this legislation doesn't address all the loopholes.

Timing Of British PM's Release Of Russian Meddling Report Causes Stir RFE/RL 05 Nov 2019 -- The office of Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson has indicated that a parliamentary report on alleged Russian interference in British politics would not be published before the next month's general elections, raising concerns of a cover up.

DPRK says hopes of dialogue with U.S. "narrowing" People's Daily 05 Nov 2019 -- Prospects for dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States are increasingly narrowing, DPRK's Foreign Ministry warned on Tuesday.
N Korea raps US' terrorism accusations, warns it makes talks difficult Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- North Korea has hit back at a US State Department report released last week, saying the report's description of Pyongyang as a sponsor of terrorism is an example of a "hostile policy" that may prevent denuclearization talks from progressing.
As Winter Food Shortage Looms, North Korean Firms Focus on Lucrative Snacks Radio Free Asia 05 Nov 2019 -- In the face of predictions of the worst food shortage in a decade, North Korean authorities are placing priority on importing milk, butter and sugar to produce confections for a substantial profit over staple grains to feed the masses , sources within the country say.
N Korea Slams Its Designation as Sponsor of Terrorism by US as Provocation Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- The US State Department's designation of North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism in its annual report is a serious provocation, the country's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Heading into 2020, Trump Defends Faltering North Korea Talks as a Win VOA 05 Nov 2019 -- North Korea may have stormed away from nuclear talks with the United States, set an end-of-year ultimatum, and fired missiles at a record pace in the second half of this year. But that is not stopping U.S. President Donald Trump from portraying his outreach to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a major foreign policy achievement as the 2020 U.S. presidential election campaign gains momentum.
Spokesperson for DPRK Foreign Ministry Brands Country Reports on Terrorism as Grave Politically-Motivated Provocation KCNA 05 Nov 2019 -- A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA on November 5 with regard to the fact that shortly ago, the U.S. Department of State found fault with the DPRK in the "country reports on terrorism for 2018":

FM Zarif advises E3 to abide by JCPOA obligations IRNA 05 Nov 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message advised Europeans to abide by regulations, saying then Iran will reverse.
Iran notifies IAEA on scaling down its commitments IRNA 05 Nov 2019 -- Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Iran in Vienna Kazem Gharibabadi said on Tuesday that Iran has sent a letter to the IAEA to notify them on Tehran's decision to further scale back nuclear deal commitments by injecting gas into Fordwo facility.
Iran to reduce commitments if EU fails to abide by JCPOA IRNA 05 Nov 2019 -- Advisor to the Leader on International Affairs Ali Akbar Velayati told Arabic France 24 that Iran will definitely take the fourth step of reducing commitments to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action unless Europe and the US fulfill their commitments.
Rouhani: Iran will go back to past situation if sanctions lifted IRNA 05 Nov 2019 -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that Iran will go back to the past situation only if the other parties come to terms with the joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and lift the sanctions.
Rouhani: Iran to take 4th step of JCPOA commitments reduction Nov 6 IRNA 05 Nov 2019 -- Iran will take the fourth step of reducing commitments to the July 2015 nuclear deal as of November 6, President Hassan Rouhani announced here on Tuesday.
Iran's response to US economic terrorism opposite of Trump's belief: FM Zarif Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran gives a response to the United States' policy of pursuing "economic terrorism" and "blackmail" in a way quite opposite of what US President Donald Trump was led to believe.
EU, signatories react to Iran's new step away from JCPOA Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- The European Union and signatories to a 2015 deal on the Iranian nuclear program have reacted to Tehran's decision to take a fourth step in scaling back its commitments under the agreement in reciprocation for Washington's withdrawal.
Iran nuclear commitment cuts: Gas injection to start at Fordow Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- President Hassan Rouhani says Iran will start injecting uranium gas into centrifuges at the Fordow enrichment facility on Wednesday, in the latest step the country is taking away from a 2015 multinational nuclear deal in response to the United States' withdrawal.
New sanctions show US desperation vis-à-vis Iran: Spokesman Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has condemned a fresh round of US sanctions against the Islamic Republic, saying the "futile" and "empty" bans only reveal the desperation of Washington vis-à-vis Iran.
Tehran Will Start Using Centrifuges at Fordow Plant, Banned by Nuclear Deal, on 6 November - Rouhani Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- The statement comes just one day after the head of Iran's nuclear programme, Ali Akbar Salehi, announced that the country is now operating 60 IR-6 advanced centrifuges, a violation of the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
US Wants to Buy Heavy Water From Iran, Even Despite Formal Refusal - Iran's Vice President Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- The United States wants to buy Iran's heavy water used in the nuclear industry, which they had previously abandoned, Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and the country's vice president, said Monday.
Iran Announces Further Step Away From Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 05 Nov 2019 -- Iran says it will take a new step in reducing its commitment to a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers this week by injecting uranium gas into centrifuges at the Fordow facility.
Iran nuclear deal: Foreign Secretary statement UK FCO 05 Nov 2019 -- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab responds to Iran's announcement on the JCPoA.
Iranian President Announces Further Steps Away From Nuclear Deal VOA 05 Nov 2019 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced Tuesday that Iran would begin injecting gas into centrifuges at its Fordo facility, the latest in steps that go against what it agreed to in a 2015 agreement on its nuclear program.
US Calls on Iran to Discuss Any Prisoner Swap Via Official Channels VOA 05 Nov 2019 -- A senior U.S. official has called on Iran to use an official channel to discuss its proposal to exchange several Americans held in Iranian prisons for a number of Iranians detained in the United States.

China's president backs Hong Kong's leader amid unrest Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has formally expressed support for Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam, saying he has a "high degree of trust" in her to handle anti-government unrest in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.
One Month After Ban, Masked Protesters Turn Out on Guy Fawkes Night in Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 05 Nov 2019 -- Hundreds of anti-government protesters wearing Guy Fawkes masks inspired by the movie V for Vendetta took to the streets of Hong Kong on Tuesday to protest the use of emergency legislation to ban masks in public one month ago.
China's President Xi Supports Hong Kong's Leader–For Now: Analysts Radio Free Asia 05 Nov 2019 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday threw the weight of his public support behind visiting Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam and her administration, as official state media denounced former protest leader Joshua Wong as a "separatist."
US Condemns Reports of China Harassing Relatives of Interned Uyghurs Who Speak Out Radio Free Asia 05 Nov 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Tuesday urged Beijing to end harassment of Uyghurs living outside of China, saying Washington was troubled by reports that the government has "harassed, imprisoned, or arbitrarily detained" family members of Uyghur activists and survivors of Xinjiang internment camps.
Harassment of the Family Members of Uighur Activists and Survivors in Xinjiang, China US Dept. of State 05 Nov 2019 -- "The United States remains deeply troubled by multiple reports that the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) has harassed, imprisoned, or arbitrarily detained family members of Uighur Muslim activists and survivors of Xinjiang internment camps who have made their stories public. "
Pompeo: US Remains 'Deeply Troubled' by China's Mistreatment of Uighur and Other Muslim Minorities VOA 05 Nov 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday that the United States remains concerned about reports of China's harsh treatment of relatives of Uighur Muslim activists and survivors of Chinese internment camps.
China Named Worst Abuser of Internet Freedom in Freedom House Report Radio Free Asia 05 Nov 2019 -- China has been the world's worst abuser of internet freedom for the fourth consecutive year, while Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia were not far behind, according to a Freedom House report published Tuesday.
China to take concrete steps to further open up Global Times 05 Nov 2019 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday opened a major import fair that has been described as an epitome of China's continuing reform and opening-up efforts in Shanghai, where he underscored the country's steadfast commitment to economic globalization and vowed to further open the vast Chinese market to foreign businesses.

Premier denounces China's '26 measures'; KMT welcomes them CNA 05 Nov 2019 -- China's newly unveiled "26 measures," which claim to give Taiwanese the same treatment as their Chinese counterparts, have sparked contrary responses from Taiwan's two major political parties.

China launches new BeiDou satellite People's Daily 05 Nov 2019 -- China sent a new satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province at 1:43 a.m. Tuesday.

After Three Presidential Rejections, Indian State Passes Controversial Anti-Terror Law Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- Two key features of the anti-terror law -- intercepted telephone conversations and admissibility of confession made before a police officer investigating a case -– will now be considered as evidence.
South Korean Firm Claims North Korean Hackers Behind Cyber Attack on Indian Nuclear Plant Sputnik 05 Nov 2019 -- With the recent controversy over an alleged Israeli spyware-attack via WhatsApp on several Indian political leaders, social activists and journalists still in the news, speculation about a malware attack on an Indian nuclear plant has come to the forefront, raising questions about cybersecurity in India.

France's New Caledonia to hold independence vote in 2020 Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- People in France's Pacific island territory of New Caledonia will go to the polls for yet another vote of independence from the European country on September 6 next year.

Iraqi army bans gatherings outside Baghdad's Tahrir square as anti-govt. protests continue Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- The Iraqi army has warned that its forces will move in to break up any gathering outside Baghdad's Tahrir Square, emphasizing its determination to put an end to chaos in the streets, which have been the scene of anti-government protests for several weeks.

Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Plotting July 4th Attack in Cleveland as Part of Plot to Provide Support to Al Qaeda US Dept. of Justice 05 Nov 2019 -- A Maple Heights man pleaded guilty to crimes related to his plot to launch a terrorist attack in Cleveland on Independence Day. The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General of National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman for the Northern District of Ohio, and Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith for the FBI Cleveland Field Office.

Trump Wants Mexican Drug Cartels 'Wiped Off the Face of the Earth' VOA 05 Nov 2019 -- President Donald Trump says Mexican drug cartels must be "wiped off the face of the Earth," after suspected gang members massacred nine U.S. women and children in northern Mexico.

Cambodia Must End 'Arbitrary Arrests, Prosecution' of Opposition Members: Amnesty International Radio Free Asia 05 Nov 2019 -- Cambodia must end its campaign of "arbitrarily arresting and prosecuting" former members of the country's banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and release all prisoners held for peacefully exercising their rights, London-based rights group Amnesty International said Tuesday.

In Uzbekistan, Birthday Of The President's Daughter Is Top News RFE/RL 05 Nov 2019 -- Uzbekistan's state-run news agency made the birthday of President Shavkat Mirziyoev's daughter its top news story all day on November 4.

Qatar has overcome Saudi-led embargo, emir says Press TV 05 Nov 2019 -- Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani says his country has overcome the Saudi-led economic blockade and achieved high economic goals.

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