COVID-19 - Daily News

01 September 2020 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
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Current Operations

As Afghan Violence Continues, US Calls For Peace Talks 'Without Delay' VOA 01 Sep 2020 -- Taliban insurgents have staged a suicide car bombing and armed assault against a police base in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least three security officers and injuring several others.
Afghan Government Releases 100 'Dangerous' Taliban Prisoners RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- Afghan officials say they have released about another 100 Taliban prisoners as part of a prisoner swap meant to clear the way for the start of peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban.

Defense Policy / Programs

Agency Awards Contracts to Enable Data Transfer From Space DoD News 01 Sep 2020 -- The Space Development Agency announced yesterday the award of two contracts for what's known as the first generation of the transport layer, the acting deputy undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, and director of defense research and engineering for modernization said.
Shipyard Undocks USS George H.W. Bush On Time Aug. 29 US Navy 01 Sep 2020 -- Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) undocked USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) on time Aug. 29, a key milestone in the carrier's Drydocking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA).
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Reliance Arrives Onboard NAS Pensacola US Navy 01 Sep 2020 -- The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Reliance arrived at their new homeport onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, on August 31, after a nearly month-long patrol of the Windward Pass between Cuba, the Bahamas and Haiti.
Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2020 Concludes US Navy 01 Sep 2020 -- The international maritime exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020 concluded August 31 following two weeks of at-sea-only training events conducted around the Hawaiian Islands.
USS Hershel "Woody" Williams returns to Souda Bay US Navy 01 Sep 2020 -- The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4), on a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility, returned in port Souda Bay, Greece, for a routine logistics stop, Sep. 1, 2020.

Russia says US war games in Estonia 'provocative, extremely dangerous' Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- Russia says live-fire exercises by the United States in Estonia, near Russia's western borders, are "provocative" and "extremely dangerous" as they would escalate tensions in Europe.

China Pursues Own Nuclear Triad, Doubling of Nuclear Capability DoD News 01 Sep 2020 -- Over the next 10 years, it's expected China will double the number of nuclear warheads it possesses, while embarking on an effort to expand the ways it can deploy its nuclear capability, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China Chad L. Sbragia said at the American Enterprise Institute.
DOD Releases 2020 Report on Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China DoD 01 Sep 2020 -- The Department of Defense announces the release of its annual report on "Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China." The congressionally mandated report serves as an authoritative assessment on military and security developments involving the PRC.
Pentagon: China Expected to Double Nukes in Next Decade VOA 01 Sep 2020 -- A new Pentagon report predicts that China will "at least double" the size of its nuclear warhead stockpile over the next decade as it pursues its own nuclear triad to conduct nuclear strikes by land, sea and air.
Pentagon claims China aims to double its nuclear arsenal Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- The US Defense Department claims that China aims to double its nuclear arsenal "over the next decade."
China's first homemade carrier Shandong sets out for exercises Global Times 01 Sep 2020 -- The Shandong, China's first domestically developed aircraft carrier - the country's second overall - set out from shipyard on Tuesday for military exercises, which will reportedly be held in the Bohai Sea in the next 22 days. Experts expect the carrier to integrate with J-15 fighter jets that were newly produced for it, as it continues to establish actual combat capability, and it will hopefully become combat-ready by the end of 2020.
China's first carrier-based, fixed-wing early warning aircraft makes maiden flight: reports Global Times 01 Sep 2020 -- China's first aircraft carrier-based, fixed-wing early warning aircraft, reportedly called the KJ-600, successfully made its maiden flight in late August, foreign and Chinese media reported. This type of plane will become far-reaching eyes and significantly boost the comprehensive combat capability of Chinese aircraft carriers, which currently only have helicopters for early warning purposes, Chinese experts said on Tuesday.
China's first-generation guided-missile destroyers all retire from service PLA Daily 01 Sep 2020 -- A naval flotilla under the PLA Southern Theater Command last Friday held a decommissioning ceremony for two destroyers, the Zhanjiang (Hull 165) and the Zhuhai (Hull 166), both of which had served in the PLA Navy (PLAN) for nearly 30 years. The ceremony marked the final retirement of all the Type-051destroyers, as China's first-generation guided-missile destroyers independently developed and built by China, from active service.

Industry Advisory on North Korea Ballistic Missile Procurement US Dept. of State 01 Sep 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, and the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security are issuing an advisory on North Korea's ballistic missile procurement activities.

Saudi Border Guards takes over Mixed Duty Force (152) command SPA 01 Sep 2020 -- The Saudi Saudi Border Guards took over the command of the Mixed Duty Force (CTF 152) for the first time from the Royal Jordanian Navy.
Saudi king sacks top military officials in new 'graft' cases amid royal power struggle Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- The Saudi king has sacked several military officials, including two senior royals, over what is claimed to be graft charges, sparking speculation of a stepped-up push to consolidate Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's hold on power.

Malawi President Reinstates Fired Army Commander VOA 01 Sep 2020 -- Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera has fired the army chief and replaced him with the commander who was dismissed in March by Chakwera's predecessor, former president Peter Mutharika.

Briefing With Acting Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Michael G. Kozak On U.S. Economic and Trade Agenda in the Hemisphere US Dept. of State 01 Sep 2020
Secretary Michael R. Pompeo and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita at the Signing of Enhanced Immunities Agreement With Morocco US Dept. of State 01 Sep 2020
Remarks by President Trump Before Air Force One Departure | Joint Base Andrews, MD The White House 01 Sep 2020

Defense Industry

Contracts For Sept. 1, 2020

Other Conflicts

1 September 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 01 Sep 2020

Vietnam Issues Decree Against Illegal Oil and Gas Operations in its Waters Radio Free Asia 01 Sep 2020 -- Vietnam has issued a new decree against illegal energy exploration in its territory on land and sea, threatening violators with a fines and potentially seizing their property, state media reported Monday.

Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward the Kingdom SPA 01 Sep 2020 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki

Seven Iran-Backed Paramilitary Members Killed In Monday Israeli Strikes On Syria Radio Farda 01 Sep 2020 -- The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Tuesday that seven Iran-backed paramilitary fighters were killed in the Monday Israeli strikes on Syria, which also killed one civilian and three Syrian regime members.

Tibetan Soldier in Indian Army Killed in Weekend Incident at Contested Border with China Radio Free Asia 01 Sep 2020 -- The commander of an all-Tibetan company in India's Special Frontier Force was killed and another soldier was wounded by a land mine while patrolling the border with China in Ladakh in disputed eastern Kashmir over the weekend, sources in the region told RFA Tuesday.
Channels of dialogue open, China will not be first to escalate China-India border dispute: Wang Yi Global Times 01 Sep 2020 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that China has always been committed to maintaining stability along the China-India border and will not be the first to complicate or escalate the situation.
China, India hold talks after border flare-up Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- Indian and Chinese military commanders have held talks for a second day to ease tensions that flared up recently along their contested border in the Ladakh region.

Leader: UAE betraying Islam, Arabs, region IRNA 01 Sep 2020 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has betrayed the Islamic world, Arab states, the regional countries, and Palestine, with letting the Zionist regime into the region.
UAE betrays Islamic world: Ayatollah Khamenei ISNA 01 Sep 2020 -- The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei met with the directors and heads of the Department of Education on Tuesday September 1, 2020, via a videoconference in the 34th Conference on Education.
Ayatollah Khamenei: UAE betrayed Muslim world, but it won't last long Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the United Arab Emirates has betrayed the entire Muslim world by normalizing ties with the Israeli regime, but that the betrayal will not last long.
Iran's Khamenei Says U.A.E. 'Betrayed' Islamic World With Israel Normalization Deal RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called the United Arab Emirates' (U.A.E.) historic deal with Israel to normalize relations a "betrayal" that "won't last for long."

Hamas, Israel agree to end weeks-long escalation of violence along Gaza fence Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- The Palestinian Hamas resistance movement says it has agreed to a Qatar-brokered ceasefire, which will put an end to nearly a month of Israeli aerial and ground attacks against the blockaded Gaza Strip.

Turkey-Greece Maritime Squabble Risks 'Unfortunate War' VOA 01 Sep 2020 -- It was the Greeks' first military clash with their onetime colonial overlords, the Turks, since they had secured their independence from the Ottoman Empire half a century earlier.
Turkey extends energy exploration operations in Mediterranean, irking Greece Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- Turkey has extended operations by a seismic research vessel in disputed waters in the eastern Mediterranean, drawing an angry reaction from Greece.

In South Sudan, Mixed Reaction to Peace Deal with Rebel Coalition VOA 01 Sep 2020 -- Some Sudanese citizens are welcoming the signing Monday in Juba of a peace deal mediated by South Sudanese leaders. Some say the agreement will allow them to move freely, engage in agriculture and carry out other developmental projects without fear.

News Reports

The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Announce Critical Reforms to Enhance Compliance, Oversight, and Accountability at the FBI US Dept. of Justice 01 Sep 2020 -- These Reforms Will Improve the FBI's Internal Compliance Program, Ensure the Accuracy of FISA Applications, and Require Proper Oversight of FISA Applications Targeting Elected Officials and Campaigns

Facebook Says It Removed Networks Of Fake Accounts In Russia, Pakistan RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- Facebook says it has removed three networks of fake accounts last month located in Russia, Pakistan, and the United States as it seeks to combat "influence operations" on its platform.

Remarks by President Trump During a Wisconsin Community Safety Roundtable | Kenosha, WI The White House 01 Sep 2020
Remarks by President Trump During Emergency Operations Center Tour | Kenosha, WI The White House 01 Sep 2020
Remarks by President Trump During Survey of Property Damage | Kenosha, WI The White House 01 Sep 2020

Putin Calls Supporters Of Western Historians' Approach To WWII 'Collaborators' RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced those citizens who do not share the Kremlin's interpretation of the history of World War II, calling them "collaborators."

Bulgaria Suspends Probe Into Poisoning Linked To Russians RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- Prosecutors in Sofia confirm they've "suspended" an investigation into the 2015 poisoning of a Bulgarian arms dealer that had been focusing on three suspected Russian agents.

HK has no 'separation of powers': HK Chief Executive Carrie Lam Global Times 01 Sep 2020 -- Hong Kong has no "separation of powers," and a high degree of autonomy does not equate to full autonomy, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said, after Hong Kong's liberal studies textbooks removed the phrase "separation of powers."
'No Separation of Powers' in Hong Kong: Leader Carrie Lam Radio Free Asia 01 Sep 2020 -- Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Tuesday said the once semi-autonomous city no longer has any separation of powers -- a mechanism found in liberal democracies to ensure that lawmakers and judicial systems remain free of executive control.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on September 1, 2020 PRC MofA 01 Sep 2020
US is world's top telecom spy while bluffing with 'China threat': FM Global Times 01 Sep 2020 -- While the US was bluffing the world with its "China threat" policy, and warning that Beijing could steal their data, Washington has been the world's top source of telecom espionage all the time, Hua Chunying, spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry, told the Global Times at a press conference on Tuesday, urging some US politicians to stop smearing China immediately.
Ejection of Chinese scholars latest 'example of US sabotaging cultural exchanges': Chinese FM Global Times 01 Sep 2020 -- It's "another example of the US deliberately sabotaging China-US cultural exchanges" that the University of North Texas abruptly ejected Chinese scholars, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Tuesday.
Philippines says will not comply with US sanctions on China Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- The Philippines says it will not comply with the United States' sanctions against China over regional disputes in the South China Sea, even though Manila itself is involved in one such dispute with Beijing.
Philippines: Won't Stop Doing Business with Chinese Firms Blacklisted by US Radio Free Asia 01 Sep 2020 -- The Philippines is not a "vassal state of any foreign power" and won't cut business ties with Chinese firms that Washington has blacklisted for their roles in Beijing's militarization of the South China Sea, a spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday.
660 Lawyers in Hunan Have Law Licenses Revoked in China Attorney Purge Radio Free Asia 01 Sep 2020 -- A sexual assault case in April involving a licensed lawyer who was also a senior executive of a Shandong province oil enterprise prompted China's Ministry of Justice to launch a mass purge of lawyers that has toppled more than 660 lawyers in Hunan province, legal sources said.
Ethnic Mongolians in China Face Crackdown as Protests Intensify Radio Free Asia 01 Sep 2020 -- Chinese authorities in the northern region of Inner Mongolia have imposed a curfew in Lubei city in the region's Zaruud Banner, according to a video clip posted online by a New York-based rights group.
China, Russia Deepen Their Ties Amid Pandemic, Conflicts With The West RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- Russia has begun work on one of the world's largest polymer plants, an $11 billion project that has its sights set on the Chinese market as economic ties between Beijing and Moscow grow.

U.S. to launch new annual economic dialogue with Taiwan CNA 01 Sep 2020 -- The United States announced Monday that it will hold a new annual senior-level economic dialogue with Taiwan to strengthen bilateral economic ties, after Taiwan pledged last week it would open its market to previously banned categories of American pork and beef.
US can 'assure Taiwan nothing' Global Times 01 Sep 2020 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry has warned the US not to go any further on a "wrong and dangerous path" on Tuesday, after the US declassified its detailed documents showing illegal assurances that were made by Washington to the island of Taiwan in 1982 and posted them on the American Institute in Taiwan's (AIT) website on Monday.
US steps up support for Taiwan in defiance of China Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- The United States has stepped up its support for Taiwan in defiance of China, which views the self-ruled island as part of its territory.
Springer Nature Journal Rejects Article by Taiwan Doctor Over Country Name Radio Free Asia 01 Sep 2020 -- Top academic publisher Springer Nature has once more sparked concerns over its censorship of topics regarded as politically sensitive by Beijing.
US Adjusts Taiwan Policy, Declassifies Cables VOA 01 Sep 2020 -- The United States is adjusting its Taiwan policy and declassifying cables on Taiwan arms sales as China ramps up pressures on Taipei.
Czech Senate president invokes Kennedy, says he's 'a Taiwanese' CNA 01 Sep 2020 -- Visiting Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil praised Taiwan's democracy and freedom in a speech at the Legislature on Tuesday and invoked John F. Kennedy's "I am a Berliner" speech by calling himself "a Taiwanese."
Czech Republic Pushes Back on China Over Senate Visit to Taiwan VOA 01 Sep 2020 -- Czech Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček Monday pushed back on his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi's assault over the Czech Senate delegation's visit to Taipei – signs, observers say, that suggest the tide is turning against China in Europe.
Czech Senate Leader Declares 'I Am a Taiwanese' in Speech to Self-Ruled Island's Parliament VOA 01 Sep 2020 -- The head of the Czech Republic's Senate has openly offered support for an independent and democratic Taiwan during a visit to the self-ruled island, triggering an angry backlash from China, which was already furious about his visit.

Urgent Measures Taken in DPRK to Minimize Typhoon Damage KCNA 01 Sep 2020 -- Urgent measures are being taken for minimizing the damage in the situation that heavy rain and strong wind are expected to hit various areas of the DPRK, due to the effect of Typhoon No. 9.
Efforts Concentrated on Minimizing Damage to Crops KCNA 01 Sep 2020 -- A work is going on in the DPRK to minimize the damage to crops by Typhoon No. 8.
Vice-Chairmen of WPK Central Committee Inspect Recovery from Damage in Various Farms of South Hwanghae Province KCNA 01 Sep 2020 -- Kim Jae Ryong, Ri Il Hwan, Choe Hwi, Pak Thae Dok, Kim Yong Chol and Kim Hyong Jun, vice-chairmen of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), made field survey of the sites for the recovery from heavy damage by typhoon in various farms of Jangyon and Thaetan counties, South Hwanghae Province.
Pak Pong Ju Guides Work for Eradicating Aftermath of Typhoon in Jangyon County KCNA 01 Sep 2020 -- Pak Pong Ju, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, vice-chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the WPK, guided the work for eradicating the aftermath of typhoon on different farms in Jangyon County of South Hwanghae Province.
Ri Pyong Chol Guides Recovery from Typhoon Damage in Jangyon County KCNA 01 Sep 2020 -- Ri Pyong Chol, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the WPK and vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK, guided the work for eradicating the aftermath of typhoon in Nulsan, Changpha and Hakrim co-op farms in Jangyon County, South Hwanghae Province.
Recovery from Flood Damage Brisk in DPRK KCNA 01 Sep 2020 -- The city management sector of the DPRK is pushing ahead with the rehabilitation from flood damage.

Araghchi: JCPOA members not recognizing US as part of deal anymore IRNA 01 Sep 2020 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araghchi stressed that the member-states of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) do not recognize the US as a party to the internationlly-recognized deal.
Iran urges JCPOA participants to stand up to US unilateralism IRNA 01 Sep 2020 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday that the participants of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action should stand up to the US unilateralism.
Iran's envoy: US not entitled to use trigger mechanism IRNA 01 Sep 2020 -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent representative to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi said that the legal reasonings by the majority of UN Security Council member-states and the sum-up by its president is rigid and clear on the basis of which the US is notg authorized to use snapback mechanism of the past sanctions.
US attempts to re-impose sanctions on Iran doomed to failure: Russia's Lavrov Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has once again taken a jab at the United States' attempts to re-instate sanctions on Iran in violation of a multilateral 2015 nuclear deal, saying such unlawful bids are doomed to failure.
JCPOA Joint Commission meeting convenes as US pushes to kill Iran deal Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- The remaining signatories to a 2015 Iran nuclear deal have kicked off a meeting in Vienna to discuss ways to keep the accord alive amid the United States' efforts to restore international sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
Iran's UN envoy: US has no right to trigger snapback mechanism Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- Iran's permanent ambassador to the UN says the United States is not eligible to use the Iran nuclear deal's snapback mechanism to restore sanctions against the country since Washington has formally withdrawn from the multilateral accord.
Parties To Iran Nuclear Deal Meet In Vienna Amid U.S. Pressure Radio Farda 01 Sep 2020 -- The remaining parties in the faltering nuclear deal between Iran and world powers met in Vienna on Tuesday to discuss ways to rescue the agreement amid pressure from the United States to restore U.N. sanctions on Iran with Iran's arms embargo scheduled to be lifted this month.
Iran to launch first phase of Jask oil terminal by March: Contractor Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- Iran would launch a first phase of its key oil terminal in Jask region on the Sea of Oman by March 2021, says a project contractor, as the country presses ahead with plans to allow crude exports outside the Strain of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf.
Newspaper Close To Khamenei Office Criticizes Officials Who Do Not Retire After 80 Radio Farda 01 Sep 2020 -- A hardliner Iranian newspaper linked to the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is criticizing Iranian politicians of advanced age who insist on holding official positions past the age of 80.
Online Calls To Protest More Than Doubled In One Year, Iran Security Official Says Radio Farda 01 Sep 2020 -- Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Hossein Zolfaqari, the Security Deputy of Iran's Interior Ministry, said that "social tensions" in the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year have increased by 227 percent compared to the same period last year.
Still No Schengen Visa For Iranians Radio Farda 01 Sep 2020 -- The Secretary of the Association of Iranian Airlines, Maqsoud Ass'adi Samani, said that despite direct flights continuing to depart between Iran, France, the Netherlands, and Austria, Iranians cannot still visit Europe as tourists.

Belarus says sanctions by Baltic states 'hasty steps,' vows to reciprocate Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- Belarus has denounced three Baltic states for taking the "hasty steps" of imposing sanctions on Minsk, vowing to respond with reciprocal measures.
Detentions Made As University Students Protest In Minsk RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- Thousands of university students have gathered in the Belarusian capital for a march after the country's opposition called for a nationwide strike to coincide with the first day of the school year.
Jailed Belarusian Opposition Politician Charged With Taking Part In Mass Disorder RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- Belarusian opposition member Paval Sevyarynets, who has been in custody since early June, has been charged with taking part in mass disorder.
Belarus Blocks Catholic Church Head From Entering Country After He Criticizes Government RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- Belarusian authorities have barred Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz from entering the country, a day after the head of the Catholic Church in Belarus warned the nation's political crisis could lead to civil war.
Belarus must stop torturing protesters and prevent enforced disappearances UN News 01 Sep 2020 -- Independent UN human rights experts on Tuesday called on Belarus to stop torturing detainees and bring to justice police officers who have reportedly humiliated and beaten protestors in their custody, as mass demonstrations over the disputed 9 August presidential election continue for a fourth week.
Belarus Opposition Leader Rejects Western Help VOA 01 Sep 2020 -- Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has told VOA the country's political crisis is "absolutely an internal affair" as she appeared to reject any idea of imminent Western intervention or help.
Belarusian Police Detain Demonstrators VOA 01 Sep 2020 -- Belarusian authorities detained scores of demonstrators Tuesday as university students protested in Minsk to demand the resignation of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Macron to Lebanon's Leaders: Make Changes in 3 Months or Face Sanctions VOA 01 Sep 2020 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has given Lebanese politicians three months to take concrete steps to rebuild the country, or face sanctions and lose out on crucial aid.
Protesters clash with police in Lebanon as Macron pays second visit since blast Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- Protesters in Lebanon have clashed with police and attempted to storm the country's parliament in Beirut amid a second visit by French President Emanuel Macron since a massive explosion at the capital's port last month.
Beirut facing acute environmental crisis, warns UN energy specialist UN News 01 Sep 2020 -- Contamination from hazardous chemicals, landfill sites at capacity, and water pollution, are among the most urgent challenges faced by the Lebanese authorities and UN teams tackling the huge task of clearing up Beirut, following the massive explosion in the city's port on 4 August.

Venezuela President Pardons Over 100 Opposition Lawmakers VOA 01 Sep 2020 -- Roberto Marrero, the chief of staff to Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido, has been released from prison in Caracas hours after the government announced President Nicolas Maduro pardoned more than 100 opposition politicians.
Venezuela's Maduro pardons 110 opposition politicians Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has pardoned 110 opposition politicians and lawmakers amid efforts to promote national reconciliation, the government has announced.

U.S. Ambassador Again Warns Georgians That Moscow Likely To Meddle In Elections RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has warned for the second time since early July that Russia will likely try to interfere in the upcoming parliamentary elections in the South Caucasus country.

Another Lao Arrested For Criticism of Government on Social Media Radio Free Asia 01 Sep 2020 -- A Lao man who had complained about corruption in the communist-run country on social media was arrested at his home in southern Laos last week and is being questioned in jail about links to "an anti-government group of overseas Laotians," police sources told RFA Tuesday.

UN agencies support flood response in Sudan but warn aid stocks 'rapidly' depleting UN News 01 Sep 2020 -- The UN and its partners are supporting the Sudanese Government as it responds to recent severe flooding, which has killed 90 people and affected 380,000 others, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said on Tuesday.

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