12 November 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Senior State Department Official Previewing the Upcoming D-ISIS Ministerial and Syria Small Group Meetings US Dept. of State 12 Nov 2019 -- Special Briefing

Officials: US Airstrike Mistakenly Kills 4 Afghan Soldiers VOA 12 Nov 2019 -- An airstrike carried out by American forces in eastern Afghanistan has mistakenly killed at least four Afghan soldiers and injured six others.
Western Hostages to Be Exchanged for Haqqani Leader VOA 12 Nov 2019 -- The Taliban will release two Western hostages they have held for three years in return for the Afghan government releasing three senior Taliban leaders, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced Tuesday morning.
Afghan government, Taliban to exchange captives Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- The Afghan government and the Taliban militant group have reached a deal to exchange captives, in a move that could pave the way for direct talks between the two sides.
Afghan Government, Taliban Agree on Prisoner Exchange Deal - President Ghani Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- Earlier, the Afghan Air Force launched an airstrike against militants and eliminated a senior commander of the Taliban who had killed several judges in Logar province.

Defense Policy / Programs

Indiana Guard sharpens urban warfare skills during Slovak Shield 2019 Army News 12 Nov 2019 -- Communicate. Move. Shoot. Communicate again.
Secretary Discusses F-35s, Budget, Reform on New York Trip DoD News 12 Nov 2019 -- Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said that Turkey cannot have Russia's surface-to-air missile system and continue purchasing F-35 fighters from the U.S.
Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction The White House 12 Nov 2019
'Dangerously Hot Days': Climate Crisis Likely to Disrupt US Military Readiness - Study Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- US military bases in Florida and Arizona could experience heat indexes greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit for four months each year in coming decades if carbon emissions are not reduced, a November 11 study by the advocacy nonprofit Union of Concerned Scientists warns.
Esper Indo-Pacific Trip Highlights U.S. Emphasis on Alliances DoD News 12 Nov 2019 -- America's network of alliances is its greatest combat advantage, and nowhere is that more important than in the Indo-Pacific region, which Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper has called America's ''priority theater.''
U.S. Navy and Japanese Maritime Forces Start Annual Exercise NNS 12 Nov 2019 -- The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the U.S. Navy have begun their bilateral Annual Exercise '19, in the waters surrounding Japan.
U.S. Naval War College Conference on Artificial Intelligence Looks to Move 'Beyond the Hype' NNS 12 Nov 2019 -- Scholars reached "beyond the hype" to discuss artificial intelligence as a tool for the American military during a U.S. Naval War College conference Oct. 24-25.
Truman Repaired, Prepares to Return to Sea NNS 12 Nov 2019 -- Repairs to USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) are complete, and all efforts are being made to return the carrier and air wing to sea to conduct operations.
US Air Force to Link F-22, F-35 Stealth Fighters During Invitational 'Connect-a-Thons' Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- Starting next month, the US Air Force will begin a series of live communication experiments that hope to fix known data transfer issues between fleets by tapping tech experts both within and outside of the US Department of Defense.
US Nuclear Tomb in Pacific Reportedly Threatens to Unleash Radioactive Horror Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- A US Energy Department Contractor warned that the massive concrete dome full of radioactive waste, located on a Marshallese atoll, may be "vulnerable to leakage and the sustained impacts of storm surge and sea level rise."

Six Executives Detained For Falsely Selling Prohibited Chinese Tech To US Military Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- Since 2006, the federal government has accused Aventura of purchasing Chinese-made cameras, metal detectors, and other products, and selling them in the US under a false "Made in America" stamp to customers, including US government agencies.

NATO Secretary General begins official visit to the United States NATO 12 Nov 2019 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg began an official visit to the United States on Tuesday (12 November 2019). During his visit, he will meet with President Donald Trump and other top US officials, participate in a meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and deliver a keynote speech at the NATO Industry Forum.

Russia Plans to Launch About 30 Next-Generation Navigation Satellites Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- The Russian satellite grouping has 23 operational satellites, with two in maintenance, one spare and one in a flight test phase. The satellites circle the Earth at an altitude of about 11,000 miles and ensure complete coverage of the surface and global signal availability.

Israeli Media Claims IDF Spotted Russian Sub Off Tel Aviv's Coast Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- The outlet did not clarify what the Russian vessel was doing in the area, or why the Israel Defence Forces failed to detect its alleged entry into the country's territorial waters.

China to create world-class air force People's Daily 12 Nov 2019 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force will gradually get more J-20 stealth fighters and Y-20 large transport aircraft, as well as the H-20 bomber in the near future to meet the goal of becoming a world-class force, experts predicted, as the service celebrated its 70th founding anniversary on Monday.
Supersonic Arsenal May Expand Chinese H-6N Bomber's Range to 6,000 Kilometers Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- Upgrades on the recently unveiled Xian H-6N will allow the strategic bomber to drastically surpass its predecessor's maximum strike range through the use of both supersonic drones and cruise missiles, according to sources close to the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

Iran's missile power only for defense purposes IRNA 12 Nov 2019 -- Chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major-General Mohammad Bagheri said on Tuesday that Iran is the first missile power in the region.
Iran's Top Commander Reveals How Country Was Able to Become Region's 'Number One Missile Power' Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- In recent years, amid a decades-long arms embargo by Western countries, Iran has created a broad range of domestically-designed ballistic and cruise missile systems, with officials repeatedly warning that these weapons would be extensively deployed in the event of any aggression by Tehran's adversaries.

EU Member States Agree to Create Own Early Missile Warning System Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- The European Union member states adopted on Tuesday a joint defence project, aimed at strengthening their capacity of early missile threat warning and countering it.

Taiwan to receive first two F-16Vs by 2023: defense chief CNA 12 Nov 2019 -- The first two of 66 F-16V fighter jets that Taiwan has purchased from the United States are expected to arrive in 2023, Defense Minister Yen De-fa (嚴德發) said Tuesday during a legislative hearing.

Czech Defence Ministry to Sign $635Mln Deal With US to Purchase 12 Helicopters Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- The Czech Defence Ministry has decided to purchase eight UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters and four AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from the United States worth a total of 14.6 billion Czech crowns ($635 million), Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar said on Tuesday.

Defense Industry

Contracts For Nov. 12, 2019

Other Conflicts

12 November 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 Nov 2019

Yemen's Ansarullah warns Israel against any 'foolish act' Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- Yemen's popular Houthi Ansarullah movement delivers a strong warning to Israel against committing any "foolish act" against the nation after controversial remarks by the regime's prime minister featuring the Arab Peninsula country.

UN: Daesh militants' home states must take them back Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says the home countries of Daesh terrorists captured in Iraq and Syria must take back their militant nationals.
US Wants to Create Illegal Quasi-State in Eastern Syria - Lavrov Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- Damascus, Moscow, Ankara and others have repeatedly criticised US efforts to continue to hold onto oil-rich areas of Syria, saying such actions are in blatant violation of international law.

Turkey Faces Growing Regional Tensions Over Syria VOA 12 Nov 2019 -- Turkey's October military intervention into Syria is increasingly straining relations with its regional allies and neighbors, but the country is pushing back against mounting criticism of its Syrian incursion.
Turkish forces shoot at protesting civilians near Syria's Kobani, kill two Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- At least two civilians have lost their lives when Turkish military forces fired live rounds at a group of people, who were taking part in a protest against their presence in northern Syria following a cross-border incursion by Turkish army troops and their allied militants against members of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).
Erdogan: US, Russia not honoring Syria agreements Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized the United States and Russia for failing to fulfill their parts of agreements struck last month on the withdrawal of Washington's allied Kurdish militants from Syria's northern border regions, saying he would raise the issue with his American and Russian counterparts.

American IS Fighter Stuck Between Greek, Turkish Borders VOA 12 Nov 2019 -- An American citizen accused of being a fighter for Islamic State is stranded in the no-man's land between the borders of Turkey and Greece after Ankara deported him.

Israeli attack in Damascus hits Palestinian resistance commander's home, kills his son: SANA Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- In a failed assassination attempt, the Israeli military has launched a strike against the home of a senior member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in the Syrian capital, Damascus, around the same time the regime killed a senior commander of the resistance group in the Gaza Strip.
Israel kills Islamic Jihad cmdr., prompts retaliatory rocket fire from Gaza Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- Israel has killed a senior commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip, sparking a barrage of retaliatory rocket fire from the besieged enclave into the occupied territories.
Rockets Fired into Israel after Israel Assassinated Islamic Jihad Leader VOA 12 Nov 2019 -- Militant group Islamic Jihad fired more than 150 rockets into Israel after Israel assassinated a senior Islamic Jihad official. Palestinian hospital officials said at least five people died in several Israeli strikes. Israeli officials say they are braced for several days of fighting.
EU Court: Goods From Israeli Settlements Must Be Labeled VOA 12 Nov 2019 -- Israeli products made or produced in occupied territories must be labeled as such when sold in European Union countries, the EU's top court ruled Tuesday.

Jordan Ends Land Lease with Israel VOA 12 Nov 2019 -- Jordan's King Abdullah visits one of two small parcels of land which, until recently, was leased to Israel as part of the neighbors' 1994 peace agreement. Jordan's decision not to renew the lease was made at a time of brewing tensions between the peace partners. Jordanians blame Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for antagonizing the relationship, with action against Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque and the detention of Jordanian citizens, among others.
Jordan says recalled ambassador to return to Israel People's Daily 12 Nov 2019 -- The Jordanian foreign minister said on Monday that the country's ambassador to Israel will return to Tel Aviv after having been recalled over the Israeli continued detention of two Jordanians.

Six Crimeans Get Lengthy Prison Terms On Extremism Charges RFE/RL 12 Nov 2019 -- A Russian court has handed lengthy prison terms to six men from Ukraine's Crimea region, five of whom are Crimean Tatars, for being members of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir Islamic group.
Kremlin Lukewarm On Zelenskiy Meeting Proposal By Former Kazakh President RFE/RL 12 Nov 2019 -- Former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev has proposed face-to-face talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to ease tensions between the two countries as a conflict pitting Kyiv against pro-Russia separatists rages in eastern Ukraine.

UNHCR: Eastern DRC's Forcibly Displaced Victims of Human Rights Violations VOA 12 Nov 2019 -- The U.N. refugee agency reports hundreds of thousands of displaced people in the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu and Ituri provinces are living in abject poverty and subject to mass human rights violations.

UN chief welcomes decision to delay formation of South Sudan unity government UN News 12 Nov 2019 -- The UN Secretary-General has welcomed the decision to push back the deadline for the formation of a unity Government in South Sudan.

News Reports

Republicans Planning Vigorous Defense Against Trump Impeachment VOA 12 Nov 2019 -- Republican supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump are planning a vigorous defense of him as public congressional impeachment hearings start Wednesday that target his presidency.
Trump Says Will Release Transcript Of First Call With Ukraine's President This Week RFE/RL 12 Nov 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will by the end of the week release the transcript of his first phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, which took place on April 21, after the former comedian and political novice was elected.

Russian FM Lavrov Hints on US 2020 Presidential Election: 'We Will Resolve Problem' Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said jokingly, commenting on the next year's presidential election in the United States, that Russia will "resolve the problem."

Hillary Clinton says the UK's decision is 'inexplicable and shameful' Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- The British government's refusal to publish a report into alleged covert Russian activity in Britain continues to provoke intense controversy.
Hillary Clinton Criticizes British Government For Delaying Release Of Russia Report RFE/RL 12 Nov 2019 -- Hillary Clinton has called the British government's decision not to publish a parliamentary report on Russian influence in the country's politics "inexplicable and shameful."

Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Theft of $1Bln in Trade Secrets - US Justice Department Sputnik 13 Nov 2019 -- A Chinese national has pleaded guilty to stealing $1 billion worth of trade secrets from a US petroleum company that employed him, the Justice Department said in a release.
Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Committing Theft of Trade Secrets US Dept. of Justice 12 Nov 2019 -- Hongjin Tan, a 35 year old Chinese national and U.S. legal permanent resident, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to committing theft of trade secrets from his employer, a U.S. petroleum company.

Evo Morales Arrives in Mexico, as US Applauds His Resignation as Bolivian President VOA 12 Nov 2019 -- Former Bolivian President Evo Morales arrived Tuesday in Mexico, where he has been granted asylum.
Bolivia's Morales arrives in Mexico, vows to continue fight Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- Bolivian President Evo Morales has arrived in Mexico after being granted asylum following his abrupt resignation under pressure from the military and political opponents.
Bolivia enmeshed in chaos as Morales heads to Mexico Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- Chaos has struck Bolivia following the resignation and departure of President Evo Morales for Mexico under pressure from the military and political opponents.
Plane Carrying Morales Lands in Paraguay After Getting Refusal From Peru - Reports Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- An aircraft of the Mexican Air Force carrying resigned Bolivian President Evo Morales has landed in Paraguay after a request for landing in Peru has been rejected, Paraguayan media reported on Tuesday.
Bolivian Defence Minister Javier Zavaleta López Resigns Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- Bolivia's former president Evo Morales stepped down on Sunday, amid massive demonstrations against his victory in the October elections. The country's armed forces and the police jointed the calls for the president's resignation.
Bolivia's Evo Morales Says Leaving for Mexico, But Will Return 'With More Strength' Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- Bolivia's former President Evo Morales has announced that he is leaving for Mexico, which has granted him political asylum, but will return soon.
Mexico Grants Bolivia's Evo Morales Political Asylum - Foreign Minister Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard revealed on Monday that Mexico has granted former Bolivian President Evo Morales political asylum following his recent resignation on Sunday.
Audios Containing Details of Alleged Coup Plan & US Involvement Emerge Amid Bolivian Crisis - Report Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- Bolivian President Evo Morales announced his resignation on 10 November after the heads of Bolivia's armed forces and police urged him to step down amid ongoing violent protest in the country which erupted in the wake of the recent presidential election.
Economic Boom, Social Spending, Coca and Constant Protests: Highlights of Evo Morales Presidency Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- Evo Morales, who led Bolivia for 13 years, announced his resignation 10 November, Sunday, faced with calls to resign from the country's military and police. Here are some of the key points about a lengthy career that brought significant changes to his country.

Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Iran The White House 12 Nov 2019
Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Iran The White House 12 Nov 2019
Iran's fourth phase of reducing JCPOA commitments focuses on Fordow site IRNA 12 Nov 2019 -- Iran's fourth phase of reduction of its commitments has taken the country towards Fordow nuclear site where uranium enrichment has begun.
Zarif rebukes JCPOA partners for inaction, saying Iran invokes para 36 remedies IRNA 12 Nov 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday bitterly rebuked his European counterparts for procrastination and failure to abide by their commitments to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, saying that Iran is invoking para 36 remedies in the context of the JCPOA.
Iran expects IAEA not to aggrandize routine Safeguards examination IRNA 12 Nov 2019 -- Iranian ambassador to the International Atomic Agency (IAEA) called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) not to exaggerate routine Safeguards examination.
Zarif stresses on Iran's condition to return to JCPOA commitments ISNA 12 Nov 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reiterated that Iran is ready to fully implement its nuclear commitments within the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), if it benefits from the deal's economic interests.
Iran has not abandoned option of negotiation: President Rouhani ISNA 12 Nov 2019 -- Iran's President said that the inflation trend has been downward and economic growth upward since April, adding, "The path that the government and the state are on is right; at the same time, you are right about having hardships, but these conditions are made by the enemies and we did not start this".
Iran has not abandoned option of negotiation: President aIAEA should avoid exaggerating Safeguards topics: IranRouhani ISNA 12 Nov 2019 -- Iranian ambassador to the International Atomic Agency (IAEA), Kazem Gharib Abadi stressed that IAEA's recent report shows that the agency continues to have full access in Iran.
Zarif criticizes EU/E3 for failing to upheld JCPOA commitments ISNA 12 Nov 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday criticized his European counterparts for failing to fulfill their obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Iran fully prepared; US never dares to attack: Deputy FM Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- A senior Iranian diplomat says the United States does not dare to attack Iran as it knows well that the Islamic Republic stands fully prepared to defend itself against any aggression.
Iran FM challenges European claim of upholding nuclear deal commitments Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has challenged a claim by the European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal that they are upholding their end of the bargain, saying the trio have, in fact, fulfilled none of their contractual commitments.
Uranium Particles Discovered by IAEA in Iran Not Related to JCPOA - Russian Senior Official Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- According to Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov, the undeclared uranium particles found by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Iran has nothing to do with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA
Iran's Zarif Asks EU to 'Just Show One' Nuclear Deal Commitment They've Upheld in the Last Year Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- Earlier, officials from the European Union, France, the UK and Germany issued a joint statement accusing Iran of "breaching" the 2015 nuclear deal and suggesting that they had upheld their commitments to the agreement.

Violent Protests at Chinese University of Hong Kong Continued Tuesday Night VOA 12 Nov 2019 -- Clashes between protesters and riot police continued well into Tuesday night at a prominent Hong Kong university, extending one of the more violent stretches in the five months of demonstrations.
Hong Kong Morning Commute Snarled by Barricades on Roads, Subway Lines VOA 12 Nov 2019 -- Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam says protesters who threw Tuesday's rush hour commute into chaos by erecting barricades on roads and subway tracks were "extremely selfish."
HK enters another day of chaos as rioters block roads Global Times 12 Nov 2019 -- Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Tuesday morning that the rioters aiming to paralyze Hong Kong are very selfish, while radical protesters continued their citywide strike on early Tuesday which seriously disrupted morning traffic.
Hong Kong financial center paralyzed by protesters Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- Thousands of protesters have converged on Hong Kong's central business district, facing off with police and bringing the city to a standstill.
Hong Kong Police Tear Gas University Chief in Campus Siege Radio Free Asia 12 Nov 2019 -- Hong Kong police on Tuesday besieged a major university, tear gassing its president and pursuing fleeing students onto a sports field while unleashing a hail of rubber bullets and tear gas canisters.
Taiwan's President Hits Out at Hong Kong Police Shooting of Protesters Radio Free Asia 12 Nov 2019 -- Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen on Tuesday hit out at the live-fire shooting of protesters by police in Hong Kong, amid growing public support on the democratic island for her support for anti-government protests in the former British colony.
China slams US slander against Huawei's Africa business People's Daily 12 Nov 2019 -- China has slammed comments by US Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Michael Kratsios, saying he has slandered Huawei and his hyping of fake news is malicious and ill-intended.
Expert Estimates China Has More Than 1,000 Internment Camps For Xinjiang Uyghurs Radio Free Asia 12 Nov 2019 -- China has built more than 1,000 internment camps for ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslims in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), one of the world's foremost experts on mass incarcerations in the region told RFA.

Ethnic Kazakh From Xinjiang Pleads With Court To Stay In Kazakhstan RFE/RL 12 Nov 2019 -- An ethnic Kazakh woman from China's northwestern region of Xinjiang who is on trial for illegally crossing the border has pleaded with a court in Kazakhstan to allow her to stay in the country to avoid persecution at home.

Turkish courts give life sentences to over 2,300 defendants over 2016 botched putsch Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- Courts in Turkey have handed down life sentences to a total of 2,327 defendants, including senior military officers, on charges of involvement in the failed July 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Amnesty: Turkey Arrests Hundreds Over Criticism of Syria Offensive VOA 12 Nov 2019 -- Turkish authorities have detained hundreds of people for posting comments on social media that questioned or criticized the country's military offensive in Syria, according to Amnesty International.

President Salih: Reforms in Iraq natl. decision, won't be influenced by foreign diktats Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- Iraqi President Barham Salih says reforms that the government of embattled Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has pledged to implement in the wake of anti-government protests are a domestic Iraqi issue par excellence and will not be influenced by foreign diktats.
Muqtada al-Sadr slams US for interfering in Iraq internal affairs Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- Influential Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has lashed out at the United States for its interference in Iraq's internal affairs, threatening to take millions of demonstrators to streets if Washington keeps meddling in the Arab country.

New Details Link Businessman, Ex-Soldier To Alleged IS Terrorist Attack In Tajikistan RFE/RL 12 Nov 2019 -- One of the suspected attackers who raided a Tajik border crossing in a reported Islamic State (IS) attack last week had previously served as a soldier where the deadly assault took place, sources close to the investigation say.

EU Approval of First Ebola Vaccine is Game Changer VOA 12 Nov 2019 -- This week the European Commission gave approval to a Ebola vaccine – an act that the World Health Organization calls landmark moment for global health and a likely game-changer in the battle against this deadly disease.

In Austria, Lukashenka Expresses Hope For Better Ties With EU RFE/RL 12 Nov 2019 -- On a visit to Austria, President Alyaksandr Lukashenka defended Belarus's human rights record, as he called for closer relations with the European Union.

UK Labour Party Has Reportedly Experienced 'Sophisticated and Large Scale Cyber Attack' Sputnik 11 Nov 2019 -- The UK Labour party said that it has experienced a "sophisticated and large scale cyber attack" on its digital platforms, according to the Evening Standard.

High-Ranking Ukrainian Defense Official Arrested In Faulty-Bulletproof-Vest Case RFE/RL 12 Nov 2019 -- A Kyiv court during a custody hearing on November 11 ordered a major general at the Ukrainian Defense Ministry to six months in pretrial detention or be released on bail set at $3.1 million in a public-procurement embezzlement case involving substandard bulletproof vests.
Ukraine Ex-Central Bank Official Among Seven Detained Over Loan To Troubled Bank RFE/RL 12 Nov 2019 -- The former first deputy chairman of the central bank is among seven people who have been detained on suspicion of embezzling $49 million that was part of a loan the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) gave to stabilize a struggling bank owned by one of the country's biggest agricultural producers.

Anti-government rally held in Lebanon Press TV 12 Nov 2019 -- Thousands of people have held yet another ant-government rally in Lebanon against alleged corruption.

Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy Says EU Pressure Over Trade Status Will Further His Goals Radio Free Asia 12 Nov 2019 -- The European Union on Tuesday completed a preliminary report on the temporary suspension of trade privileges with Cambodia in response to democratic rollbacks by Prime Minister Hun Sen, drawing support from opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who said the bloc's position could further his goals for the country.

Kosovo's Thaci Insists On Resuming Dialogue With Serbia 'Without Conditions' RFE/RL 12 Nov 2019 -- Following talks with his Serbian counterpart in Paris, Kosovar President Hashim Thaci said dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade on normalizing ties should continue, but "without any conditionality."

Bosnian Serb Parliament Moves To Reject Powers Of High Representative RFE/RL 12 Nov 2019 -- The parliament of Bosnia's ethnic Serb entity, Republika Srpska, has approved nonbinding resolutions rejecting the so-called "Bonn Powers" of the international community's top civilian official in Bosnia-Herzegovina and calling for a referendum on Bosnia's NATO accession.

Moldovan Government Collapses; EU Calls Development 'Worrying' RFE/RL 12 Nov 2019 -- Moldovan Prime Minister Maia Sandu's pro-Western government has collapsed after losing a no-confidence vote in parliament.

Kyrgyz Consul-General In Istanbul Sacked Following Businessman Killing RFE/RL 12 Nov 2019 -- Kyrgyzstan's consul-general in Istanbul, Erkin Sopokov, has been sacked two days after a businessman from China's Xinjiang Province was shot dead in Turkey's largest city.

Rising Coastal Sea Levels Pose Threat to Cities in Vietnam and Thailand Radio Free Asia 12 Nov 2019 -- A recent study referred to by some as a "Doomsday Report" suggests that rising sea levels could flood three times more land than previously predicted.

Catalan Parliament Adopts Draft Resolution on Right to Self-Determination Sputnik 12 Nov 2019 -- The parliament of Catalonia on Tuesday adopted the project of a resolution stipulating the right of the autonomous region to self-determination, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

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