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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Explosion in Iraq targets US convoy Press TV 23 Sep 2020 -- A bomb explosion has targeted a logistics convoy belonging to the US-led coalition forces in Iraq's northern province of Salahuddin.
• Freed Taliban Fighters Returning To Battlefield, Top Afghan Negotiator Says RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- A number of Taliban prisoners who were released by the Afghan government as a condition for peace talks have returned to the battlefield, lead Kabul negotiator Abdullah Abdullah has said.
• Medical brigade supports COVID-19 drive-thru testing Army News 23 Sep 2020 -- The 1st Medical Brigade, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, has been crucial in supporting COVID-19 testing and mitigation efforts in Texas and across the United States since March. As they assist Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas, in the fight against COVID-19, they continue to solidify themselves as the premier medical brigade in the Army.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement on the Department's Use of Defense Production Act Title III DoD 23 Sep 2020 -- "As indicated by recent reporting, there appears to be a misunderstanding by some about what the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES" Act) did and did not do with respect to the Department of Defense. As Speaker Pelosi said on March 27, in support of the CARES Act passage, this bill was about "moving on to mitigating some of the economic and health damage caused by it [sic] this pandemic."
• Marine Corps fields first new service pistol in 35 years USMC News 23 Sep 2020 -- For the first time since former President Ronald Reagan's Administration, the Marine Corps is fielding a new service-wide pistol replacement.
• U.S. Africa Command leaders meet with Algeria's leadership AFRICOM 23 Sep 2020 -- U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, met with President Abdelmajid Tebboune in Algiers, Algeria Sept. 23, to discuss regional security issues and engagement opportunities. Tebboune, who simultaneously holds the position of minister of defense, was elected as president in December 2019.
• 379th AEW conducts first KC-135 hot refueling in USAF CENTCOM 23 Sep 2020 -- To advance the agility of Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Airmen from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing performed a validation and verification of the first hot refueling of a KC-135 Stratotanker in the U.S. Air Force on Sept. 21, 2020.
• First F-35B deployment aboard partner nation vessel USMC News 23 Sep 2020 -- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 embarked 10 F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters onboard Her Majesty's Ship Queen Elizabeth, September 22, as part of the squadron's multi-month deployment for training to the United Kingdom. "The Wake Island Avengers" are proud to represent the United States Marine Corps and United States of America while they serve as part of the UK's Carrier Strike Group.
• Coast Guard Cutter Arrives in Japan Following an Onboard Fire US Navy 23 Sep 2020 -- The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) arrived at Yokosuka, Japan today after combatting a shipboard engineering fire on Sept. 20, during a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet's area of operations.
• NATO Secretary General discusses situation in Eastern Mediterranean with President Erdogan NATO 23 Sep 2020 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke by telephone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday (23 September 2020) about the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
• NATO Secretary General meets with Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez at NATO Headquarters NATO 23 Sep 2020 -- The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Wednesday (23 September 2020) and commended the Spanish people for their resilience during the COVID 19 crisis. Highlighting that Spain "has not stood alone" during the COVID 19 crisis, he said that NATO's disaster relief centre coordinated assistance for Spain and that NATO Allies delivered medical supplies, helping to ease the burden on the Spanish healthcare system and save lives.
• On Lukashenko inauguration day Russian paratroopers parachute into Belarus for drills Press TV 23 Sep 2020 -- Russia's Ministry of Defense says its paratroopers have parachuted into Belarus as part of joint military exercises.
• Russian Fighters Su-27 Intercept 2 US Air Force Bombers Over Black Sea, Defence Ministry Says Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- Two Russian fighters Su-27 were scrambled to intercept two US Air Force bombers over the Black Sea, the Russian Defence Ministry's National Defense Control Centre (NDCC) said on Wednesday.
• ‘Eskimo Effect': Putin Explains Avangard Hypersonic Glide Vehicle's Operating Principle Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- In late 2019, Russian Strategic Missile Forces commander Col-Gen Sergei Karakaev confirmed that the first Avangard-equipped regiment had been stationed at the Yasnensky missile compound in the Orenburg region, about 1,200 km southeast of Moscow.
• Civilian Vessel and Russian Frigate Collide in Strait Between Denmark and Sweden, Danish Army Says Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- A strait between the Danish island of Zealand and Sweden, connecting the Kattegat with the Baltic has become a place of a ship collision incident.
• PLA Eastern Theater Command disciplines soldier for leaking classified intelligence Global Times 23 Sep 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command, responsible for the Taiwan Straits and one of the most exercise-intensive PLA commands this year, has disciplined a soldier for leaking classified intelligence by mobile phone, the command recently revealed.
• Photo: Taiwan Has Cruise Missiles Capable of Reaching China Stationed at Base in Straits Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- A recent news report from Taiwan's Makung Air Force Base in the Taiwan Strait revealed Taiwan's air force has stationed air-to-ground cruise missiles within striking distance of the Chinese mainland.
• Vehicle Likely Large Enough to Carry Interballistic Missile Spotted at North Korea Parade Site VOA 23 Sep 2020 -- A vehicle likely large enough to carry an intercontinental ballistic missile has been spotted at a North Korean parade training site, according to a U.S. research organization, the latest evidence Pyongyang may use an upcoming political anniversary to showcase missile technology.
• Laser Guided ATGM Successfully Test-fired India PIB 23 Sep 2020 -- Laser Guided Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) was successfully test fired from MBT Arjun Tank at KK Ranges, Armoured Corps Centre and School (ACC&S) Ahmednagar on 22nd Sep 2020. In these tests, the ATGM successfully defeated a target located at 3 km. Laser guided ATGMs lock and track the targets with the help of laser designation to ensure precision hit accuracy.
• India Plans $3Bln Drone Deal With US to Keep Eye on Border With China, Reports Say Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- India is planning to purchase 30 General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper drones from the United States for approximately $3 billion and use them in the border region with China as well as strategic waterways, India Today reported on Wednesday, citing sources.
• Iran's navy air-based power: IRGC commander IRNA 23 Sep 2020 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Major General Hossein Salami said on Wednesday that the IRGC is steadily increasing its power and that it is an air-based marine power, with a combination of drones, helicopters, and water-landing planes.
• 188 new drones, helicopters join IRGC Navy ISNA 23 Sep 2020 -- In a ceremony on Wednesday morning in Bandar Abbas, 188 new drones and helicopters joined the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Navy.
• Iranian-made combat drones, copters join IRGC naval fleet Press TV 23 Sep 2020 -- The naval fleet of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has received 188 combat drones and helicopters developed by Iranian aviation experts.
• Iran: Scores of Domestically-Made Combat Drones Enter Service With IRGC Naval Fleet Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- In July 2019, the Iran Army Ground Forces received its first batch of domestically-produced Mohajer-6 drones, which are expected to increase the ground forces' surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as provide the ability to conduct precision bomb strikes.
• IRGC's second-in-command warns US against any adventurism Press TV 23 Sep 2020 -- The second-in-command of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the US has failed and will once again face failure in its attempt to form an anti-Iran alliance, warning Washington against any act of folly against Tehran.
• Iran To Fund The Fortification Of Syrian Air Defense Radio Farda 23 Sep 2020 -- A senior spokesman for the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces says Iran plans to fortify Syria's air defense.
• Eleventh U.S.-Vietnam Political, Security and Defense Dialogue US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2020 -- Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu met virtually September 23, 2020, to discuss bilateral security cooperation at the eleventh U.S.-Vietnam Political, Security, and Defense Dialogue.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Sept. 23, 2020

Other Conflicts

• Why China, Once Coy, Suddenly Wants to Discuss a Code of Conduct for a Disputed Sea VOA 23 Sep 2020 -- China aims to push back against the United States by reopening talks with 10 Southeast Asian nations on a code of conduct that would help prevent mishaps in a crowded, disputed Asian sea, political scholars say.
• Libyan National Army Kills Daesh Ringleader in North Africa, Spokesman Says Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- A spokesperson for the Libyan National Army (LNA), Ahmad al-Mismari, said on Wednesday that the LNA has eliminated one of the ringleaders of the Daesh* terrorist group in North Africa.
• China, India hold sixth round of commander-level talks People's Daily 23 Sep 2020 -- A Chinese military spokesperson said the Chinese and Indian military officials held the sixth round of commander-level talks on Monday.
• China, India hold 6th commander-level talks PLA Daily 23 Sep 2020 -- China and India held the sixth commander-level talks at the border personnel meeting point in Moldo on September 21, and the two sides made a joint press release after consultation, said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense on Tuesday.
• India, China Agree Not to Add Troops on Disputed Himalayan Border VOA 23 Sep 2020 -- India and China have agreed to not send more troops to a disputed border region in the Himalayas, where their respective troops engaged in deadly hand-to-hand fighting in June.
• US Reiterates Mediation Offer as Pakistan, India Report Fresh Border Clashes VOA 23 Sep 2020 -- Pakistan and India have reported "intense" cross-border clashes in the disputed Kashmir territory a day after the United States reiterated its offer to facilitate peace talks between the South Asian rivals.
• At UN, No Signals From Saudi King on Peace With Israel VOA 23 Sep 2020 -- Saudi Arabia's king expressed support for peace in the Middle East at the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, but did not suggest that Riyadh was likely to soon follow the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in normalizing relations with Israel.
• Kosovo Veterans Report More 'Leaked' War Crime Files RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- Kosovar war veterans say that an unidentified man has again handed them files from a war crimes court in The Hague probing alleged crimes during and after the 1998-99 war, in what appears to be a security breach exposing protected witnesses.
• Macron Urges Turkey to Refrain From Unilateral Actions in Mediterranean Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan for more than an hour, discussing the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Libya and Syria, the Elysee Palace said in a statement.
• Concern as Captured Myanmar Forces Shown in New Arakan Army Video Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2020 -- The rebel Arakan Army has released a video showing three Myanmar security officers captured in the war in Rakhine state appealing for talks to win their freedom, a move that has divided experts over whether displaying the captives violates international laws on prisoners of war.

News Reports

• CIA's Haspel not allowing intel on Russia to get to White House: Sources Press TV 23 Sep 2020 -- The CIA is not relaying all the intelligence about Russia to the White House, probably over fears of displeasing President Donald Trump.
• US Adversaries, Cybercriminals Put 2020 Election Results in Their Crosshairs VOA 23 Sep 2020 -- U.S. election security officials are bracing the American public for a new type of worst-case scenario for the Nov. 3 presidential election — a flood of disinformation in the hours after the polls close, casting doubt on the results and on the process itself, as voters wait to learn who will lead the country for the next four years.
• United States – Estonia Joint Statement on Secure Telecommunications Infrastructure US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2020 -- The text of the following statement was released by United States Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Mr. Keith Krach and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Mr. Urmas Reinsalu on the importance of secure telecommunications infrastructure.
• Philippines: Facebook Removes China-based Fake Accounts Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2020 -- Social media giant Facebook said it has taken down more than 150 fake accounts that originated in China over interfering in Philippine politics, including those that promote Beijing's interests in the South China Sea and that back President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter as his successor in 2022.
• Tibetan Police Officer Arrested in New York as Chinese Spy Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2020 -- An ethnic Tibetan New York City police officer and U.S. Army reservist was unmasked this week as a spy working to inform China on the activities of Chinese citizens and the Tibetan community in the New York area, the U.S. Justice Department said in a press release on Monday.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, September 23, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Sep 2020
• Imposing Sanctions on Entities and Individuals Advancing Russia's Malign Influence US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2020 -- Today, the United States imposed sanctions on a network connected to Russian operative Yevgeniy Prigozhin by targeting entities and individuals working on his behalf to advance Russia's influence in the Central African Republic (CAR).
• Treasury Increases Pressure on Russian Financier US Treasury 23 Sep 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took further action against the network of Kremlin-connected Russian operative Yevgeniy Prigozhin (Prigozhin), by targeting entities and individuals working on behalf of Prigozhin to advance Russia's influence in the Central African Republic (CAR). Concurrently, OFAC is targeting those that have supported the Russian Federal Security Service directly, as well as those that assist persons helping designated Russian actors to evade U.S. sanctions.
• U.S. Widens Sanctions Net Against Kremlin-Connected Backer Of 'Troll Factory,' Mercenary Group RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- The U.S. Treasury has announced sanctions against people and entities with links to the Kremlin-connected organizer and financier of the so-called Russian troll factory behind suspected assaults on U.S. and other foreign elections.
• Russia Adds Names To 'Reciprocal' List Of Barred EU Officials RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- Russia said on September 23 that it is expanding a list of barred European officials in response to what it called "hostile steps" against it and its citizens.
• Russian opposition figure Navalny discharged from German hospital Press TV 23 Sep 2020 -- The German hospital that had admitted Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny with alleged poisoning says he has now been discharged.
• As Russia Stalls, Navalny's Aides Gather Evidence Of His Poisoning RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- On the morning of August 20, Georgy Alburov was having breakfast at the Xander hotel in Tomsk. An employee of Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), Alburov had stayed in the Siberian city with three colleagues after Navalny's departure for Moscow that morning, to gather material for the organization's latest investigation into official graft.
• Navalny Posts Photo In Park After Discharge, As Russia Denies Developing Novichok RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny has been discharged from the Berlin hospital where he was being treated for what Germany has said is a case of poisoning with a Soviet-style nerve agent.
• France Received Russia's Request on Navalny Situation, Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- France has received a request from Russia regarding Russian political opposition figure Alexei Navalny and it is currently under review, the French Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
• Bulgaria Expels Two Russian Diplomats For Alleged Military Spying RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- Bulgaria has expelled two Russian diplomats accused of military espionage and ordered them to leave the country within 72 hours, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said on September 23.
• Bulgarian Prosecutors Accuse 2 Russian Diplomats of Spying to Obtain Military Information Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- Bulgarian Chief Public Prosecutor Ivan Geshev has officially informed the country's Foreign Ministry about the results of the probe into actions of two Russian diplomats expelled from Bulgaria earlier in the year, noting that the two were engaged in espionage activities to obtain information on the army modernisation plans.
• China Rejects and Opposes Groundless Accusations by the United States Global Times 23 Sep 2020 -- China firmly rejects and opposes the groundless accusations made by the United States against China during the General Debate on 22 September. China will exercise the right of reply in accordance with the rules of the UN General Assembly to state its solemn position.
• China rejects "baseless accusation," opposes "political virus," says China's UN envoy Global Times 23 Sep 2020 -- China resolutely rejects the "baseless accusation" against it and opposes "political virus," said China's permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun on Tuesday following US President Donald Trump's criticism of China's handling of COVID-19 at the UN General Assembly.
• State Legislatures and the China Challenge US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2020 -- Speech by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State and Roger Roth, Wisconsin State Senator
• New Evidence Further Links Xinjiang Company Sanctioned by US to Forced Labor Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2020 -- New evidence further links a company in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) whose products were banned from entry to the U.S. earlier this month to forced labor supplied by detainees from a local internment camp, RFA has learned.
• US Congress Moves to Bar All Goods Made in Xinjiang VOA 23 Sep 2020 -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill aimed at banning goods made with forced labor in China's Xinjiang region, a move seen as increasing pressure on China over its Xinjiang policies.
• French Leader Urges UN-Backed Mission To China's Xinjiang Over Concerns At Uyghurs' Treatment RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- France's president has called for an international mission under UN supervision to travel to China's northwestern Xinjiang region to address global concerns at the treatment of the Uyghur minority there, highlighting what critics charge is among the most acute human rights crises in the world today.
• China lodges stern representation to US for proceeding ‘forced labor' bill on Xinjiang Global Times 23 Sep 2020 -- China has lodged a stern representation to the US and expressed strong opposition against US lawmakers from the House of Representatives for passing a bill accusing China of "using forced labor" and vowing to ban products from China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.
• China files stern representations over US House legislation on Xinjiang Press TV 23 Sep 2020 -- China says it has filed stern representations with the US House of Representatives over legislation that would restrict imports of goods produced in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang, where US officials claim companies use forced labor.
• Western report distorts Tibetan employment service as coercive Global Times 23 Sep 2020 -- Tibetan residents, officials and experts have pointed out the many flaws in accusations of a "mass labor program in Tibet" fabricated by the notorious Adrian Zenz, a self-proclaimed Tibet and Xinjiang researcher, and Western media. These include grafting Tibetan government official reports and transplanting them to other usages, and twisting the truth about vocation training schools for herdsmen.
• China exposes cases of syndicate-related corruption, protection rackets People's Daily 23 Sep 2020 -- China's discipline inspection and supervisory authorities have made public six cases on gang-related corruption and "protective umbrellas" that shelter gangs.
• China Jails Xi Jinping Critic Ren Zhiqiang For 18 Years Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2020 -- A court in Beijing has sentenced former property tycoon Ren Zhiqiang to 18 years' imprisonment, in a move analysts said was intended to send a strong message that ruling Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping will brook no challenges to his authority, even among his own "princeling" political faction.
• Ethnic Chinese Creative Workers Say Hollywood Has a China Problem Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2020 -- Creative workers overseas have hit out at Hollywood over what they say is the movie industry's long-running failure to stand up to China over human rights abuses, which include the mass incarceration and persecution of Uyghurs and other ethnic groups in the northwestern region of Xinjiang.
• China Stuns South Americans With Aggressive Galapagos Fishing Fleet Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2020 -- A Chinese fishing armada that has shown up off the northwestern coast of South America has stunned several governments there.
• Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen Among Time Magazine's 100 Influential People Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen of of Taiwan has been named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of 2020 for her insistence that the democratic island's 23 million people have no interest in being ruled by China.
• Taiwan island, US fabricate a ‘median line,' sign of weakness: experts Global Times 23 Sep 2020 -- Taiwan's psychological defenses have been breached after the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the so-called "median line" of the Taiwan Straits is non-existent, Chinese mainland observers said on Wednesday, warning that a military conflict is inevitable if Taiwan secessionists insist on that line.
• S. Korean president proposes public health initiative to involve DPRK People's Daily 23 Sep 2020 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday proposed a sub-regional public health initiative that would involve the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
• North Korea Arrests Two for Using Fake Money to Buy Food Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2020 -- Authorities in North Korea recently arrested two people who were caught using fake money in local markets, turning to crude counterfeiting to cope with worsening economic conditions amid the prolonged coronavirus pandemic, sources in the country told RFA.
• Iran FM's report on UNSC's opposition to the trigger mechanism ISNA 23 Sep 2020 -- At Wednesday's cabinet meeting chaired by Dr Hassan Rouhani, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Health and Medical Education presented reports.
• Iran sees 65pc increase in gas refining capacity in 7 years IRNA 23 Sep 2020 -- Iranian Gas refining capacity has reached 1.1 billion cubic meters a day compared to 670 million cubic meters a day seven years ago, it was announced on Wednesday.
• New platform installed in Persian Gulf oilfield Press TV 23 Sep 2020 -- Iranian technicians and engineers have successfully installed another offshore drilling rig in the Persian Gulf waters as the country keeps expanding crude production despite lower sales.
• U.S., Europeans Say Belarus Leader Illegitimate As New Crackdown Follows Surprise Swearing-In RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- Riot troops used truncheons and a water cannon and detained dozens of protesters as clashes escalated in Minsk and other cities on September 23 following Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's surprise swearing-in for a sixth term despite weeks of unprecedented public calls for his exit.
• After Belarus' Contested Election, a Secret Inauguration VOA 23 Sep 2020 -- Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko claimed the formal beginning of his 6th presidential term in office on Wednesday — holding a secret inauguration ceremony in defiance of mass demonstrations demanding an end to his 26-year rule in the wake of controversial elections last month.
• Lukashenko sworn in as Belarus president Press TV 23 Sep 2020 -- Aleksander Lukashenko has taken the oath of office as the president of Belarus in an official ceremony in the capital city, Minsk.
• Alexander Lukashenko Sworn In as Belarusian President Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- Lukashenko garnered the support of 80 percent of voters in the 9 August election, according to the official results, which were widely rejected by the opposition as falsified. The controversial outcome of the vote has caused nationwide protests.
• Trump imposes new sanctions on Cuba amid tough 2020 races in Florida Press TV 23 Sep 2020 -- The US has imposed new sanctions on the Cuban government as the Trump administration keeps raising tensions between the two countries.
• Treasury Amends Regulations to Restrict Revenue Sources to the Cuban Regime US Treasury 23 Sep 2020 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) to further implement the President's foreign policy to deny the Cuban regime sources of revenue.
• US Imposes More Sanctions on Cuba VOA 23 Sep 2020 -- The United States on Wednesday announced new sanctions against Cuba, aimed at further denying sources of revenue to the government in Havana.
• Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Chairs Cabinet's Virtual Session SPA 23 Sep 2020 -- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister, chaired today the Cabinet's virtual session.
• At UN Assembly, Lebanese leader appeals for help to rebuild after Beirut explosion UN News 23 Sep 2020 -- Lebanon will need support from the international community to rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating explosion in the port of its capital, Beirut, the country's President told world leaders, gathered virtually at the United Nations General Assembly.
• Put ‘people before politics' in Lebanon, urges Guterres, following Beirut disaster UN News 23 Sep 2020 -- It's time that leaders across Lebanon put "people before politics" following last month's explosions in Beirut port, said the UN chief on Wednesday, which must serve as a wake-up call following a year of upheaval and clamour for reform on all fronts.
• Myanmar Election Crowds Defy Coronavirus Restrictions at Campaign Events Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2020 -- Myanmar's election authorities are calling on political parties to rein in large crowds of supporters defying coronavirus prevention rules that limit public gatherings to 50 people, but parties say they are unable to stop turnout as the race for Nov. 8 elections heats up.
• Mali: Rights expert calls for ‘immediate release' of former officials detained during coup UN News 23 Sep 2020 -- An independent UN human rights expert has called on Mali's coup leaders to release former government officials, who have been detained for more than a month.
• Malaysia's Anwar claims to have parliamentary support to form new govt. Press TV 23 Sep 2020 -- Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim claims he has secured enough support from the parliament in order to replace current Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and form a new government.
• Montenegro's New Parliament Holds First Session After Election; Djukanovic Absent RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- Montenegro's parliament met on September 23 for the first time since last month's election, when President Milo Djukanovic's Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) lost power after three decades.
• Turkmenistan Steps Up Security Measures Ahead Of Independence Day RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- Turkmenistan has stepped up security measures on highways leading to the capital, Ashgabat, in recent days, with police stopping and controlling all vehicles coming from the provinces.
• EU Migration Proposal Draws Ire of Central European States VOA 23 Sep 2020 -- The European Union unveiled Wednesday a long-delayed proposal to overhaul the bloc's migration and asylum policy and to establish a compulsory system across the 27-member bloc to handle migration.
• Corruption on Epic Scale Robs Future of South Sudan's People, UN Report Finds VOA 23 Sep 2020 -- U.N. Investigators warn peace in South Sudan and the future of its people are being compromised by deeply entrenched government corruption. The U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has submitted its latest report to the U.N. Human Rights Council.
• Economists Urge New Economic System for South Sudan VOA 23 Sep 2020 -- While some South Sudanese experts recommend the government adopt a new economic system used by developing states to cut off black market currency exchange and stabilize skyrocketing prices, a new U.N. panel report says the real problem in South Sudan is deeply entrenched government corruption.
• UN Investigators Accuse Burundi of Enacting Strategy to Undermine Elections VOA 23 Sep 2020 -- The U.N.'s Commission of Inquiry on Burundi accuses the ruling party and Burundian authorities of implementing a strategy based on violence that skewers election results in their favor. The commission has just submitted its final report to the U.N. Human Rights Council.
• US Ambassador, Cambodian Defense Minister Hold Rare Meeting Following US Sanctions Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2020 -- U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy has held a rare meeting with Cambodia's Minister of Defense General Tea Banh in the wake of sanctions Washington leveled against a Chinese developer operating in the Southeast Asian nation.
• Two paths before Latin America: democracy or dictatorship, Bolivian President declares UN News 23 Sep 2020 -- The Latin American region is at a crossroads, with a choice not between the political left or the right; between socialism or capitalism, it is in fact between democracy and dictatorship, between freedom and oppression, the President of Bolivia told world leaders, gathered virtually for the United Nations General Assembly.
• Maduro: Trump administration approved CIA terrorist ops in Venezuela Press TV 23 Sep 2020 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says the US President Donald Trump administration has approved "covert and terrorist operations" by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the Latin American country.
• UN Mission Calls for Investigation of Venezuela Rights Violations VOA 23 Sep 2020 -- UN investigation into Venezuela's human rights record has uncovered gross violations and abuse ordered and committed at the highest level of the Government of President Nicolas Madura, accusations angrily dismissed by Venezuelan authorities. The report by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela has been submitted to the UN Human Rights Council.