Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Stoltenberg Rules Out Rushed NATO Exit From Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Oct 2020 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said the military alliance will not leave Afghanistan until security conditions allow, as rising violence threatens to derail ongoing intra-Afghan peace talks in Qatar.
• Dozens Of Afghan Security Forces Killed In Taliban Ambush RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Oct 2020 -- Dozens of security-force personnel have been killed in an ambush in the northern Afghan province of Takhar that officials blamed on the Taliban.
• Afghan National Army prepares to take over key officer-training facility; celebrates links with NATO trainers NATO 21 Oct 2020 -- Kabul - Senior Afghan and NATO representatives attended a ceremony on Sunday 11th October marking the upcoming handover to the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) of a key officer-training facility, another crucial milestone in their development towards full self-sufficiency and long-term institutional viability.
• Taliban kill at least 25 Afghan security forces in ambush Press TV 21 Oct 2020 -- At least 25 Afghan security personnel have been killed in an ambush blamed on Taliban militants in the northeastern province of Takhar.
• Afghan Security Sources Say 47 Killed After Taliban Attack in Takhar Province, Reports Suggest Sputnik 21 Oct 2020 -- A Taliban ambush in the northeastern province of Takhar has left at least 47 security forces personnel dead, the Afghan broadcaster 1TV News reports on Wednesday, citing security sources.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Releases 2020 Military Intelligence Program Budget DoD 21 Oct 2020 -- The Department of Defense released today the Military Intelligence Program (MIP) appropriated top line budget for FY 2020. The total MIP budget, which included both the base budget and Overseas Contingency Operations appropriations, was $23.1 billion and is aligned to support the National Defense Strategy.
• 1AD drone operators test new Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System Army News 21 Oct 2020 -- Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (TUAS) operators from the 1st Armored Division (1AD) are wrapping up operational testing of the new RQ–7B Shadow Block III system here while exploiting their operational skills.
• 'Swat Team of Nerds' Tackles Tough Tech Challenges DoD News 21 Oct 2020 -- The Defense Digital Service is a team of 82 engineers, data scientists and computer scientists, working on some of the hardest problems in the Defense Department.
• DOD Must Rethink, Prioritize Strategic Deterrence DoD News 21 Oct 2020 -- The nation has not seriously considered the possibility of engaging in competition through a crisis or possible direct armed conflict with a nuclear-capable armed adversary in more than 25 years, Navy Adm. Charles "Chas" A. Richard, the commander of the U.S. Strategic Command said today.
• PHCE passes 60K mark of processed COVID-19 samples Army News 21 Oct 2020 -- As much of Europe is in the midst of a second wave of COVID-19, asymptomatic testing of individuals plays a key role in reducing the spread of the virus.
• Esper, Fellow NATO Ministers Assess Alliance Progress DoD News 21 Oct 2020 -- NATO defense ministers are meeting virtually to chart the course of the alliance. Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper will attend the meeting from his office in the Pentagon.
• US to Deploy Hypersonic Weapons on Attack Submarines, Destroyers, National Security Advisor Says Sputnik 21 Oct 2020 -- The US Navy will deploy hypersonic missiles on its Virginia class nuclear-powered attack submarines fleets, its three Zumwalt-class ships and its more than 60 Arleigh Burke-class DDG51 destroyers, National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien said in prepared remarks on Wednesday.
• C-sUAS symposium highlights threats, base defense US Air Force 21 Oct 2020 -- At this year's Counter-small Unmanned Aerial Systems symposium, military and industry leaders came together virtually Oct. 8, to discuss recent developments and challenges in the field of anti-drone technology.
• Helo Squadron Joins West Virginia Natl. Guard for River Rescue, Survival Training in Mountains US Navy 21 Oct 2020 -- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 is training with the West Virginia National Guard in multi-day water survival and rescue in the Appalachian Mountains through Oct. 30. The squadron, known as the "World Famous Nightdippers," is based in Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.
• 'Golden Swordsmen' Holding Strong in U.S. 4th Fleet US Navy 21 Oct 2020 -- As of April 2020, the "Golden Swordsmen" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 conducted counter-narcotics operations in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations (AOO).
• USS Roosevelt Completes First Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Europe Patrol US Navy 21 Oct 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) returned to Naval Station Rota, Spain, following the completion of its first Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet (C6F) area of operations, Oct. 21.
• USS Hershel "Woody" Williams Arrives in Rota, Spain US Navy 21 Oct 2020 -- The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) arrived at Naval Station Rota, Spain, Oct. 21, marking the end of a 43-day underway operating alongside partners and Allies off the coast of Africa.
• A New Army Task Force in Oceania Army News 21 Oct 2020 -- Task Force Oceania (TF Oceania) consists of Soldiers from all components of the U.S. Army; active-duty, Army Reserve and National Guard, with the purpose of engaging and cultivating meaningful and lasting relationships in Oceania.
• SECNAV: Strengthening Partners, Allies Key to Stability in Indo-Pacific US Navy 21 Oct 2020 -- Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite traveled to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility Oct. 13-20 reinforcing existing bilateral and multilateral security relationships between the U.S. Navy, and partner and allied countries in the region.
• NATO Set To Approve German Space Center Amid Concern Over Russian, Chinese Moves RFE/RL 21 Oct 2020 -- NATO defense ministers are expected to agree this week on setting up a space center in southwestern Germany amid concerns about what the Western military alliance sees as increasingly aggressive behavior by Russia and China.
• NATO Secretary-General Confirms Germany's Ramstein Base Will Host New Allied Space Centre Sputnik 21 Oct 2020 -- A new space centre that will give NATO member states the chance to observe outer space and satellites, as well as collect data on possible threats, and monitor how space debris moves is planned to be built in Germany, according to NATO's Secretary-General.
• President of Armenia visits the NATO Headquarters NATO 21 Oct 2020 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed President Armen Sarkissian of Armenia at NATO Headquarters on Tuesday 21 October 2020. Mr. Stoltenberg said that Armenia is a valued partner for NATO and thanked President Sarkissian for the contributions that Armenia has made to NATO missions and operations over the years, including in Afghanistan.
• NATO Defence Ministers meet to address security challenges NATO 21 Oct 2020 -- NATO Defence Ministers will meet via secure video conference on Thursday and Friday (22-23 October 2020) to discuss issues affecting Alliance security. They include progress on fairer burden-sharing, strengthening deterrence and defence, boosting the resilience of our societies, and NATO's missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
• Online pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers NATO 21 Oct 2020
• NATO Military Budgets Rise, But Germany Lags Behind Alliance Defense Spending Goal Sputnik 21 Oct 2020 -- A new report by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) shows that more member nations are increasing their defense budgets to reach the alliance's spending goals, but Germany, which has attracted US President Donald Trump's ire, has yet to do so.
• World's most powerful nuclear icebreaker joins Russia's fleet Press TV 21 Oct 2020 -- The world's largest and most powerful nuclear-powered icebreaker, the Russian-made Arktika, will join the country's Arctic fleet in coming months, according to Russian media reports.
• Russia ready to freeze nuclear warheads along with U.S. to extend arms treaty People's Daily 21 Oct 2020 -- The time gained from the extension of the treaty can be used to conduct comprehensive bilateral negotiations.
• Russian Fighters Intercept Two US Strategic Bombers Over Bering Sea Sputnik 21 Oct 2020 -- Russian fighters intercepted two strategic bombers of the US Air Force over the Bering Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
• Su-34 Has Accident in Russia's Khabarovsk Region, Pilots Self-Eject Sputnik 21 Oct 2020 -- A Su-34 aircraft had an accident in the Khabarovsk region in Russia's Far East, the pilots managed to self-eject, the press service of the Eastern Military District said Wednesday.
• Tibetan militia transport unit sends supplies to PLA troops near border using mules, horses Global Times 21 Oct 2020 -- Besides using advanced technologies like drones, Chinese troops, including Tibetan militia transport units, also use mules and horses as a practical approach to deliver supplies to troops stationed at high-altitude bases with harsh environments near the border.
• Prison term, fine for defense firm executive 'deterrent to corruption' Global Times 21 Oct 2020 -- A former senior executive of an aviation institute responsible for the development of China's key large warplanes - including bombers, transport aircraft and special mission aircraft - was recently sentenced to jail and fined for corruption and bribery, a case that will serve as a deterrent for others in the defense sector at a time when the country is facing increasing external military pressure and boosting national defense expenditure, analysts said on Wednesday.
• Chinese Defense Minister holds phone talks with S. Korean counterpart PLA Daily 21 Oct 2020 -- Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe on Wednesday held phone talks with Suh Wook, defense minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK).
• Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) - HIMARS, Support, and Equipment DSCA 21 Oct 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) of eleven (11) High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) M142 Launchers and related equipment for an estimated cost of $436.1 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) - AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) Missiles DSCA 21 Oct 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) of one hundred thirty-five (135) AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.008 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) - MS-110 Recce Pod System DSCA 21 Oct 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) of six (6) MS-110 Recce Pods and related equipment for an estimated cost of $367.2 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• US State Department Approves Costly Missile Arms Sales to Taiwan Sputnik 21 Oct 2020 -- The US State Department approved on Wednesday the sale of roughly $1 billion in long-range cruise missiles and $436 million in rocket artillery vehicles to Taiwan, just the latest incident of Washington supplying advanced weaponry to a government China considers to be a province in rebellion.
• Taiwan's indigenous UAV conducts rare long-range tests in Taitung CNA 21 Oct 2020 -- A long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that was developed in Taiwan was launched on a rare test flight over the ocean off the east coast of the country Tuesday.
• Indigenously built ASW Corvette 'Kavaratti' to be Commissioned at Visakhapatnam India PIB 21 Oct 2020 -- The last of four indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvettes "INS Kavaratti" under Project 28 (Kamorta class) is scheduled to be commissioned into the Indian Navy by General Manoj Mukund Naravane, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC, Chief of the Army Staff at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on Thursday, 22 October 20.
• Iran air defense maneuvers: Forces perform massive electronic warfare drills Press TV 21 Oct 2020 -- Iran's Armed Forces have launched large-scale aerial drills involving electronic warfare units and featuring the country's domestically-built air defense systems and equipment.
• Made in Britain: UK Defence Ministry on Mission to Bring Warship Production Home Sputnik 21 Oct 2020 -- UK Defence Minister, who sees shipbuilding as historically a "British success story", has pledged to have British-led teams produce vital warship supplies and technical support to the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers.
• UK shipbuilding boosted by warship procurement UK MOD 21 Oct 2020 -- Vital warships providing supplies and technical support to the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers will made by British-led teams, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced.
• Royal Navy seizes over 450kg in the largest methamphetamine drug bust in the Middle East UK MOD 21 Oct 2020 -- Sailors and Royal Marines from HMS Montrose intercepted over 450 kilograms of methamphetamine, with a wholesale value of £18 million, during a counter-narcotics operation in the Arabian Sea.
• Caught in America's Election Battle, Ukraine Hopes for More US Military Support VOA 21 Oct 2020 -- Ukrainians are watching with added interest as Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden enter the final days of the U.S. presidential race. Ukraine has taken on huge strategic importance for the United States and its NATO allies since Ukraine's ongoing 2014 war with Russia, while allegations of corruption linked to Ukraine continue to cloud the election campaign.
• Pompeo Heads to South Asia as US-China Tensions Escalate VOA 21 Oct 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo embarks on a week-long trip to South Asia on Sunday, as the United States looks to confront Chinese geopolitical and economic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo at a Press Availability US Dept. of State 21 Oct 2020
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 21 Oct 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 21, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 21 October 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Oct 2020
• Japan to Help ASEAN States Secure Coasts Amid South China Sea Tensions Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2020 -- Tokyo has agreed to supply Southeast Asian governments with patrol boats – Indonesia and Vietnam in particular – so they can secure their coasts amid tensions in the South China Sea, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said in Jakarta on Wednesday.
• Iraq Discovers Remains of More Than 50 IS Victims in Mass Grave VOA 21 Oct 2020 -- Iraqi officials say they have found a new mass grave that contains the remains of several dozen people who appear to have been executed on the spot by Islamic State in the disputed northern province of Kirkuk.
• UN envoy expresses high hopes for Libya ceasefire Press TV 21 Oct 2020 -- The United Nations (UN)'s acting Libya envoy has expressed optimism that ongoing peace negotiations between the Libyan warring sides would end in a lasting ceasefire, after they announced the reopening of land and air routes..
• UN Mediator 'Very Optimistic' About Latest Steps in Libya Peace Talks VOA 21 Oct 2020 -- A United Nations mediator reports positive developments after two days of face-to-face peace talks involving military leaders from Libya's warring parties. A fourth round of the Libyan Joint Military Commission aimed at achieving a permanent cease-fire is taking place in Geneva this week.
• Karabakh conflict: Diplomatic efforts underway as 2nd truce falls apart Press TV 21 Oct 2020 -- The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan have arrived in Russia to discuss their countries' dispute over the South Caucasus region of Nagorno-Karabakh, days before heading to Washington for separate meetings with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as heavy fighting over the region is in its fourth week.
• Armenian, Azerbaijani Leaders Talk War As World Powers Press For Nagorno-Karabakh Truce RFE/RL 21 Oct 2020 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has told the nation that he sees no possibility of a diplomatic solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, dampening international efforts to forge a sustainable truce between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the breakaway territory.
• Greece Puts Navy on Alert as Turkey Tensions Flare Again VOA 21 Oct 2020 -- Greece's navy has issued a code orange alert, advising battleships to surround a cluster of tiny islands in the southeast Aegean Sea and prepare for potential hostile action from Turkey. The dangerous standoff is further complicating efforts by the United States and the European Union to get the two sides to negotiate a maritime settlement.
• Ministerial conference raises 1.7 bln USD for humanitarian aid in central Sahel People's Daily 21 Oct 2020 -- Donors on Tuesday pledged over 1.7 billion U.S. dollars at a ministerial conference to scale up life-saving humanitarian aid in the central Sahel, which covers Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the co-hosts of the conference announced.
• India releases Chinese soldier detained at tense border Press TV 21 Oct 2020 -- China says India has released a Chinese soldier who had been detained along their disputed Himalayan border, where the two sides have been locked in a tense standoff in recent months.
• Indian Army Hands Over Chinese Soldier Who Got Lost Looking for Yaks in Ladakh Sputnik 21 Oct 2020 -- India and China have been engaged in their most recent border stand-off since April of this year. In 15 June violence, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the Galwan valley of the Ladakh region and Beijing's People's Liberation Army reportedly captured at least 10 Indian soldiers in the clash.
• Kosovar Special Prosecutor Warns President's Proposed Legal Changes 'Undercut' War Crimes Tribunal RFE/RL 21 Oct 2020 -- The Special Prosecutor's Office (SPO) says Kosovar President Hashim Thaci is trying to "undercut" a Hague-based court's mandate as it investigates alleged war crimes committed during the country's violent separation from Serbia.
• Iran stresses sovereignty over trio of Persian Gulf islands at UNSC Press TV 21 Oct 2020 -- The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations has reiterated the country's sovereignty over three Persian Gulf islands, saying those territories have always been and will always remain Iranian.

News Reports

• President Donald J. Trump Is Taking Action to Promote Good Governance and Accountability Within the Federal Workforce The White House 21 Oct 2020
• FBI Director Christopher Wray's Remarks at Press Conference on Election Security FBI 21 Oct 2020 -- FBI Director Christopher Wray delivered the following remarks during a press conference on election security at FBI Headquarters with Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe. (Remarks as delivered)
• US Began Removing Sudan From Sponsors of Terror List, Pompeo Says Sputnik 21 Oct 2020 -- The US administration has begun the process of removing Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and expects bipartisan support for it, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters on Wednesday.
• Russia decries US sanctions on Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project Press TV 21 Oct 2020 -- The Kremlin has decried Washington's sanctions against the Russia-led Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project as 'unfriendly and destructive.'
• Kremlin slams Western accusations of cyber attacks Global Times 21 Oct 2020 -- Western attempts to blame the Russian special services for cyber attacks are rooted in "frenzied Russophobia," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.
• NSA alleging China involved cyber theft is an irony in the extreme: FM spokesperson Global Times 21 Oct 2020 -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday that it is indeed ironic that the US National Security Agency (NSA), as the main implementer of the PRISM program and the world's largest cyber espionage agency, publicly accuses other countries of cyber espionage.
• Designation of Additional PRC Propaganda Outlets as Foreign Missions US Dept. of State 21 Oct 2020 -- Over the past decade, and particularly under General Secretary Xi Jinping's tenure, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has asserted greater control over China's state-backed propaganda outlets while trying to disguise them as independent news agencies.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on October 21, 2020 PRC MofA 21 Oct 2020
• 'People Are Increasingly Likely to Take Action': Benny Tai Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2020 -- Former Hong Kong University law professor Benny Tai, who was among the instigators of the 2014 Occupy Central pro-democracy movement, has warned that the ruling Chinese Communist Party has ushered in a new era of semi-authoritarian rule with the imposition of a draconian national security law on the city from July 1.
• US-Sanctioned Hong Kong Shipping Lines Linked to Single Shanghai Resident Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2020 -- Four Hong Kong shipping companies sanctioned this week by the U.S. Department of State for doing business with an Iranian state shipping line have been traced to a single name, purportedly belonging to a person based in Shanghai, an RFA investigation has revealed.
• Finland Suspends Extraditions to Hong Kong, Triggering Rebuff From Beijing Sputnik 21 Oct 2020 -- In the words of Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, further extradition could "entail closed trials or, in the worst-case scenario, the threat of the death penalty" in mainland China. In response, Beijing urged Finland to stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs.
• Canada's Parliament Labels China's Abuses in Xinjiang 'Genocide,' Urges Government Action Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2020 -- Canada's parliament on Wednesday labeled China's actions targeting Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) "genocide," calling on Ottawa to adopt the designation and sanction Chinese government officials responsible for rights violations in the western region.
• Interview: Under Xi, 'Confrontation Will Only Worsen And Intensify'-Scholar Cai (Part IV) Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2020 -- Cai Xia, a retired professor of the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party, was expelled from the party and had her pension stripped on August 17 for "serious violations of political discipline of the Party" following her criticism of the increasingly authoritarian policies of Xi Jinping, party chief and state president. The dissident in-house scholar called the CCP a political zombie and likened Xi to a "gang boss".
• Pompeo Vows No Change on US Policy in Taiwan Strait VOA 21 Oct 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that the State Department is not changing its Taiwan policy amid calls to depart from a long-standing strategic ambiguity in the Taiwan Strait.
• U.S. Congress introduces two bills concerning Taiwan CNA 21 Oct 2020 -- Members of the United States Congress introduced two bills concerning Taiwan on Tuesday, one of which was a bundle of acts targeting China, the other a new act titled the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act.
• Retired military officer detained for passing intel to China (update) CNA 21 Oct 2020 -- The Taipei District Court on Wednesday afternoon granted a prosecutors' motion to detain a retired colonel from the Military Intelligence Bureau (MIB) as part of an ongoing investigation into espionage allegations targeting at least three former MIB officials.
• North Korea Tells Citizens to Report on Illegal Contact with Foreigners Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2020 -- Authorities in North Korea are urging citizens living near the border with China to report on neighbors who have had contact with people outside the country, in what sources said is an effort to blame South Korean spies for long-term border closures that have crippled the local economy and ruined livelihoods.
• S Korean Ministry Reportedly Observes Sharp Year-on-Year Drop in N Korean Defectors Sputnik 21 Oct 2020 -- A sharp year-on-year fall in the number of North Korean defectors arriving in South Korea has been registered in the third quarter of 2020, the South Korean Ministry of Unification said on Wednesday, according to domestic media reports.
• Rouhani: Iran acted in a calculated manner in reducing its nuclear commitments IRNA 21 Oct 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani said Iran's reduction of its commitments under the nuclear deal was calculated so it had such bright outcomes that no one could make any objections.
• Iran: US attempts to impose unilateral sanctions doomed to failure Press TV 21 Oct 2020 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry says any attempts by the "sanctions-addicted" US to impose unilateral restrictions on Iran will fail as the move is in violation of international law.
• Rouhani: End of Iran arms ban triumph of logic over US bullying Press TV 21 Oct 2020 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has hailed the lifting of the UN arms embargo on the Islamic Republic as the victory of the logic of law and truth over bullying, saying the US failed in its plots to deprive the Iranians of their right to free trade in defensive equipment.
• Next round of Iran-Ukraine talks on plane crash due in Kiev in November IRNA 21 Oct 2020 -- Iranian Ambassador to Ukraine Manouchahr Moradi said on Wednesday that the third round of Iran-Ukraine talks on January 8 crash of a Ukrainian passenger plane will be held in November in Ukrainian capital, Kiev.
• We Seek the Truth, Says the Head of Ukrainian Delegation in Tehran Radio Farda 21 Oct 2020 -- Under no circumstances will Ukraine accept money in exchange for covering up the truth, the head of the Ukrainian delegation in Tehran, Yevhenii Yenin, told Radio Farda.
• 'There Is No Insulin': Desperate Iranians Tweet Calls For Life-Saving Drug RFE/RL 21 Oct 2020 -- Tens of thousands of diabetics in Iran are said to be facing shortages of insulin, with many such patients and their loved ones complaining that the problem could have life-threatening consequences.
• Kazakhstan Sets January 10 Date For Parliamentary Elections RFE/RL 21 Oct 2020 -- Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has set the date of elections for the lower house of parliament, or Majlis, for January 10, 2021.
• Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Chairs Cabinet's Virtual Session SPA 21 Oct 2020 -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister, chaired today the Cabinet's virtual session.
• UK changes tone on progress of EU post-Brexit trade talks Press TV 21 Oct 2020 -- In the latest twist to UK-European Union (EU) post-Brexit trade talks, the British government now says it is "ready to welcome the EU team" to continue protracted negotiations.
• Kyrgyzstan to rerun parliamentary elections on Dec. 20 People's Daily 21 Oct 2020 -- New parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan will be held on Dec. 20, the press service of the country's Central Election Commission(CEC) said on Wednesday.
• Kyrgyz Acting President Announces 'Economic Amnesty' After Powerful Oligarch's House Arrest RFE/RL 21 Oct 2020 -- Kyrgyzstan's acting president, Sadyr Japarov, has announced an "economic amnesty" for former officials who illegally enriched themselves through corruption, just a day after the former deputy chief of the Customs Service, Raimbek Matraimov, was detained and placed under house arrest on suspicion of graft.
• Date Announced For New Kyrgyz Parliamentary Elections RFE/RL 21 Oct 2020 -- Kyrgyzstan's Central Election Commission (BShK) has set December 20 as the date for new parliamentary elections after an October 4 vote was annulled following public protests that ousted the government and the parliament speaker and led to the resignation of President Sooronbai Jeenbekov.
• UN urges 'maximum restraint, peaceful demos' in Nigeria Press TV 21 Oct 2020 -- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged an end to Nigerian police 'brutality' against the backdrop of 'multiple deaths' reported during protests in the main city of Lagos.
• UN chief calls for end to reported police brutality in Nigeria UN News 21 Oct 2020 -- The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday said he was closely following recent developments across Nigeria, in the wake of reports that protesters had been shot dead and wounded, and called for "an end to reported police brutality and abuses."
• Rights Groups Condemn Shooting of 'End SARS' Protesters in Lagos VOA 21 Oct 2020 -- Protesters in Lagos, Nigeria, have accused the military of opening fire on them Tuesday as they defied a curfew to demand an end to police brutality. Nigeria's military has denied that the uniformed men, seen in social media videos firing on the unarmed protesters, were their troops.
• Nigerians in Ghana Protest in Support of End SARS Movement VOA 21 Oct 2020 -- Nigerians in Ghana are joining growing diaspora protests against police brutality in the West African nation, spurred on by events on Tuesday night in Lagos where soldiers allegedly opened fire on protesters.
• Protests Rage On in Lagos Despite All-Day Curfew VOA 21 Oct 2020 -- Demonstrators in Lagos defied a daylong curfew Wednesday to hold new protests against police brutality, a day after an incident in which soldiers allegedly opened fire on a protest at a toll gate.
• Nigeria Investigates Reports Soldiers Opened Fire on Lagos Protesters VOA 21 Oct 2020 -- Authorities in Nigeria are investigating reports that soldiers opened fire on demonstrators protesting against police brutality Tuesday night.
• United States Seizes More Domain Names Used by Foreign Terrorist Organization US Dept. of Justice 21 Oct 2020 -- The United States has seized "Aletejahtv.com" and "kataibhezbollah.com," two websites that were unlawfully utilized by Kata'ib Hizballah, a Specially Designated National and a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
• France Will Not Renounce Caricatures, Will Defend Freedom After Teacher Murder, Macron Says Sputnik 21 Oct 2020 -- France will never renounce caricatures and will further defend freedom, President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday during a commemoration ceremony for the French history teacher, Samuel Paty, murdered after showing caricatures depicting Islamic Prophet Muhammad to his students.
• France Pays Homage to Slain Teacher Even as Some Question Secular Creed VOA 21 Oct 2020 -- French President Emmanuel Macron paid a soaring tribute to slain history teacher Samuel Paty during a national commemoration Wednesday at Paris' Sorbonne University, describing him as incarnating values of tolerance and learning, and describing in bleak terms the threat of radical Islam.
• Guinea scene of unrest as opposition cries foul after presidential vote Press TV 21 Oct 2020 -- Guinea's President Alpha Conde is ahead of his rivals in the country's presidential poll, according to preliminary results, which also show that the main opposition candidate came in second despite his earlier claim of victory.
• Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos Take Stock of Destruction as Region Braces For New Tropical Storm Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2020 -- At least 111 people have now been killed in flooding and landslides in central provinces of Vietnam following heavy rains from Oct. 6 to 19, and further deaths are feared as waters continue to rise in rivers in Quang Binh province ahead of a coming tropical storm, sources in the country say.
• Kosovo: Show solidarity in face of COVID, UN Mission chief urges UN News 21 Oct 2020 -- The top UN official in Kosovo, briefing the Security Council on Wednesday, called for solidarity as its new Government grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic and a host of other challenges.
• Norwegian Asylum Case Points To Polish, Hungarian 'Deviation' On Western Values RFE/RL 21 Oct 2020 -- Article 2 of the European Union's main treaty proclaims that the EU "is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights."
• 'Distancing' Grounds Russian Learning In Turkmen Schools, Despite Parental Pushback RFE/RL 21 Oct 2020 -- Just days left before the end of this year's enrollment season in Turkmenistan, a handful of schools in the capital and other cities sharply curbed their offerings in Russian.
• Thailand Protesters Demand PM Resign Within 3 Days VOA 21 Oct 2020 -- Thailand's prime minister said Wednesday he may lift a state of emergency aimed at quelling pro-Democracy demonstrations, but protesters have given the leader a three-day deadline to resign.
• Mixed Reaction to South Sudan Currency Rule VOA 21 Oct 2020 -- Business leaders in South Sudan's capital, Juba, say the government's new rule ordering all transactions be conducted in South Sudanese pounds rather than U.S. dollars puts their businesses at risk of going under — while others say it's a good idea.