COVID-19 - Daily News

24 November 2020 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
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Current Operations

Former NATO Commander Expects Biden Administration to Keep Troops in Afghanistan VOA 24 Nov 2020 -- In an interview Monday with VOA, James Stavridis, retired U.S. Navy admiral and former military commander of NATO, said the U.S. and its allies should keep about 10,000 troops in Afghanistan to pressure the Taliban into a peace agreement with the Afghan government. Stavridis told Breshna Omarkhel of VOA's Afghan Service he was confident President-elect Joe Biden's administration will maintain a U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan for the foreseeable future.
UN Chief Calls for Ceasefire to Boost Peace Efforts in Afghanistan VOA 24 Nov 2020 -- U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres is calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Afghanistan to boost U.S. mediated Afghan-Taliban peace negotiations going on in Doha, Qatar. The UN Chief made his appeal at a ministerial pledging conference for Afghanistan.
Donors Tie Future Afghanistan Aid to Strict Conditions VOA 24 Nov 2020 -- Donor countries have tied Afghanistan's future civilian financial aid of $3 billion a year for four years to strict conditions, including maintaining human rights, improving governance and reducing corruption.
Twin Blasts In Afghan Province Of Bamiyan Kill 14, Wound 45 RFE/RL Gandhara 24 Nov 2020 -- Two explosions in the central Afghan province of Bamiyan have killed at least 14 people and wounded 45.
Ghani Warns Of Donor Fatigue Amid Pandemic As Afghanistan Aid Conference Continues RFE/RL Gandhara 24 Nov 2020 -- Amid concerns that countries are focused inward on the coronavirus outbreak, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has warned that any reduction in foreign aid to Afghanistan will lead to "major setbacks" in public services, economic activity, and living standards.
Donors Pledge $12 Billion For Afghanistan For 2021-24, But With Tougher Conditions RFE/RL Gandhara 24 Nov 2020 -- The international community pledged $3 billion in development support for Afghanistan in 2021, and a total of some $12 billion for four years, but conditioned the funds on upholding human rights in the war-torn country amid faltering peace talks with the Taliban.
NATO Secretary General addresses 2020 Afghanistan Conference NATO 24 Nov 2020 -- Today (24 November 2020), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke virtually at the 2020 Afghanistan Donors' Conference held in Geneva. "As part of the peace process, we have already significantly adjusted the NATO presence in Afghanistan, but the NATO mission will continue to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces," the Secretary General said, stressing that "at the same time, we are committed to help fund them through 2024, and NATO Allies have already made pledges for next year."
UN should facilitate intra-Afghan talks; Iran ready for cooperation: Zarif Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the United Nations must play a leading role in facilitating intra-Afghan talks, expressing the Islamic Republic's readiness for cooperation in this regard.
EU calls for Afghan truce, warns against Taliban regaining administrative power Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- The European Union (EU)'s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has called for an immediate truce in Afghanistan and vowed that any attempt by the Taliban militants to regain administrative power in the country would affect the bloc's support.
UK pledges £155 million aid to support peace and stability in Afghanistan UK FCDO 24 Nov 2020 -- The UK aid pledge for 2021 will help reduce child mortality rates and improve access to education and vital infrastructure.
Afghanistan conference draws donor pledges and calls for lasting ceasefire UN News 24 Nov 2020 -- International donors pledged financial and political support for Afghanistan's peace process at the 2020 Afghanistan Conference in Geneva on Tuesday, anticipating a sustainable ceasefire that will help the country rebuild and heal after decades of conflict.
Twin Blasts in Central Afghanistan Kill 14, Injure 45, Officials Say Sputnik 24 Nov 2020 -- Earlier this month, the US promised to bring the number of its troops down from the 4,500 currently stationed in Afghanistan to 2,500 by 15 January.

Defense Policy / Programs

China deeply regrets U.S. withdrawal from Open Skies Treaty People's Daily 24 Nov 2020 -- China deeply regrets the United States' insistence on withdrawing from the Treaty on Open Skies regardless of opposition from the international community, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
Kremlin regrets U.S. withdrawal from Open Skies arms control treaty People's Daily 24 Nov 2020 -- The U.S. pullout from the Treaty on Open Skies, a major international arms control agreement, is regretful, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.

Department of Defense Press Briefing on COVID-19 DoD 24 Nov 2020 -- Jonathan Rath Hoffman, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs; Kenneth R. Rapuano, Assistant Secretary of Defense For Homeland Defense and Global Security; Thomas M. Muir, Washington Headquarters Services Director; Air Force Major General Lee E. Payne, Assistant Director for Combat Support, Defense Health Agency
Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 24 Nov 2020
Army researchers look to reduce rotorcraft noise Army News 24 Nov 2020 -- Imagine a silent helicopter stealthily moving troops and supplies around a future battlefield. U.S. Army researchers look to helicopter noise reduction technology as a top priority in aircraft design.
Readout of Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller's Phone Call With New Zealand Minister for Defence Peeni Henare DoD 24 Nov 2020
Joint Artificial Intelligence Center Director Briefs Reporters on Efforts to Scale AI DoD 24 Nov 2020 -- U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Michael S. Groen, Director, Joint Artificial Intelligence Center
COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Dry Runs Taking Place Across U.S., General Says DoD News 24 Nov 2020 -- The chief operations officer for Operation Warp Speed discussed how the COVID-19 vaccines will be delivered and administered.
US B-52H trains with Colombian Air Force, Ecuadorian Navy US Air Force 24 Nov 2020 -- Two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft participated in "Brother's Shield," a Colombian Air Force led exercise, and in "UNITAS LXI," an Ecuadorian Navy led exercise, in the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility Nov. 8.
Uncase the colors: 1st Network Battalion is born USMC News 24 Nov 2020 -- Traditionally, military services hold ceremonies for units being activated, deactivated or changing commanders. The continuation of these ceremonies are passed on to future generations of service members to honor those who served the unit.
US Troops Stationed in Germany Train on New Anti-Air Variant of Stryker Armored Vehicle Sputnik 24 Nov 2020 -- The US has rushed development of several new short-range anti-air systems to address the rising threat posed by drones and close a key gap in US air defenses, which have long prioritized taking down ballistic missiles.
One-of-a-kind virtual training center keeps Robins AFB reality ready US Air Force 24 Nov 2020 -- A new and unique virtual training facility at Robins Air Force Base is keeping the 78th Security Forces Squadron ready and more lethal during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Air and Space Force's acquisition chief appoints Rapid Capabilities Office as integrating PEO for ABMS, expanding from startup toward rapidly scaling delivery phases US Air Force 24 Nov 2020 -- Dr. Will Roper, Air Force and Space Force acquisition chief, signed a memorandum directive Nov. 24 assigning the Advanced Battle Management System delivery phases to the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office as the integrating Program Executive Office.
US F-35 drops nuclear bombs at supersonic speed over Nevada: Video Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- The US military has released a footage, for the first time, showing a F-35 fighter jet dropping mock nuclear bombs from an internal weapons bay, while flying at supersonic speed over Nevada desert.

Taiwan begins construction of first indigenous submarine CNA 24 Nov 2020 -- Taiwan's state-run shipbuilder on Tuesday marked the start of construction of the country's first indigenous submarine at a ceremony in Kaohsiung presided over by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).
Taiwan's new submarines 'can't make waves in Straits' Global Times 24 Nov 2020 -- Chinese mainland analysts said Tuesday the Taiwan island does not have what it takes to build advanced submarines, and even with US help, the underwater vehicles could not make waves in the Taiwan Straits, and may suffer from technical difficulties that hinder combat capabilities.
MOFA declines to comment on reports of U.S. intelligence official visit CNA 24 Nov 2020 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Tuesday again declined to comment on reports about a visit to Taiwan by a senior U.S. military intelligence official, who apparently wrapped up a three-day visit to the country on Tuesday night.

ARMY CHIEF REVIEWS SECURITY SITUATION IN NORTH EAST REGION India PIB 24 Nov 2020 -- Dimapur, 24 November 2020. Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane arrived at Dimpaur, Nagaland on Monday, 23 November 2020 on a three days visit to review the security situation in North East Region.
India Successfully Test-Launches Enhanced BrahMos Missile - Reports Sputnik 24 Nov 2020 -- The India-Russia strategic partnership relies heavily on defence cooperation. In January 1994, the two countries signed the bilateral Military-Technical Cooperation Agreement, which helped India modernise its missile defence system.

Aegis Destroyers to Cost Japan More Than Scrapped Land-Based Systems, Reports Say Sputnik 24 Nov 2020 -- The option to build destroyers for the US-made Aegis missile systems will cost Japan over 500 billion yen ($4.8 billion), which is even more than the previous plan to deploy land-based Aegis Ashore interceptors, scrapped by the Japanese government over cost concerns, the Kyodo news agency reported on Tuesday.

Chinese Embassy in Manila Criticizes US National Security Chief for 'Inciting' Trouble Radio Free Asia 24 Nov 2020 -- Beijing's embassy to the Philippines criticized the U.S. national security chief Tuesday for "wantonly" trying to provoke the rival Asian superpower through remarks he made about the South China Sea during a visit to Manila the day before.

Secretary Pompeo's Meeting with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmad US Dept. of State 24 Nov 2020
Secretary Michael R. Pompeo And Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah US Dept. of State 24 Nov 2020
Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Keith Krach And Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources Francis R. Fannon Briefing on Recent Travel to Central and South America US Dept. of State 24 Nov 2020

Defense Industry

Contracts For Nov. 24, 2020

Other Conflicts

24 November 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Nov 2020

USS John S. McCain conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation US Navy 24 Nov 2020 -- On Nov. 24 (local time) USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the vicinity of Peter the Great Bay in the Sea of Japan. This freedom of navigation operation ("FONOP") upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging Russia's excessive maritime claims.
US Makes Rare Maritime Challenge Near Peter The Great Bay VOA 24 Nov 2020 -- The U.S. Navy says one of its warships conducted a freedom of navigation operation Tuesday in the Sea of Japan, making a rare challenge to a controversial maritime claim by Russia.
Russian Destroyer Issues Warning to American Ship USS John McCain for Violating Border Sputnik 24 Nov 2020 -- The incident occurred in the Peter the Great Gulf in the Sea of Japan, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence. The American side has not addressed the situation so far.
Russia intercepts US warship violating territory in Sea of Japan Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- A Russian warship has intercepted a US Navy destroyer that breached its territorial waters in the Sea of Japan.
Moscow Says U.S. Destroyer Forced Out Of Russian Waters RFE/RL 24 Nov 2020 -- Russia's Defense Ministry says a U.S. Navy destroyer has left Russian waters in the Far East after being warned it might be rammed.

Saudi Aramco acknowledges major damage from Yemeni attack Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- Saudi Arabia's state oil company Saudi Aramco says a Yemeni missile attack that targeted its distribution facility in the city of Jeddah on Monday caused major damage.
World has moral responsibility to end Yemen tragedy, hold invaders to account: Zarif Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- Iran's foreign minister has stressed the need for an end to Saudi-led attacks against Yemen and a political process to resolve the conflict there, saying the world community has a "moral responsibility" to help bring an end to the tragedy unfolding in the war-torn country and hold the aggressors accountable.
United Nations: Looming Famine in Yemen Comparable to 1980s Africa VOA 24 Nov 2020 -- In 1984 and 1985, about a million people died in Ethiopia in a famine that was widely broadcast on international television.

US wants Iraq to tap Kurdish gas to cut Iran reliance Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- A US government official says Iraq must take advantage of gas production in its semi-autonomous Kurdistan region to stop energy imports from Iran, sounding out Washington's latest pressure on Baghdad to part ways with Tehran.
Securing stability and prosperity for the people of Iraq UK FCDO 24 Nov 2020 -- Statement by Ambassador James Roscoe, Acting UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on Iraq
Iraq: Continued international support vital amid 'multiple storms' UN News 24 Nov 2020 -- As authorities in Iraq continue to operate "in the eye of multiple storms", international support remains essential for resolving ongoing political, security, economic and social crises, as well as the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Security Council heard on Tuesday.

Turkey summons EU, Germany, Italy envoys to protest search of Libya-bound vessel Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- The Turkish Foreign Ministry has summoned the ambassadors of Germany, Italy and the European Union (EU) to protest the interception of a Turkish-flagged commercial ship bound for Libya in the Eastern Mediterranean by an EU-led mission.

Israel's Netanyahu will soon visit Manama at invitation of Bahraini crown prince Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will visit Bahrain "soon" at the invitation of the Persian Gulf kingdom's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah, weeks after the two sides signed a controversial normalization deal.
Israeli Delegation Visit to Sudan Aims to Improve Relations VOA 24 Nov 2020 -- A delegation from Israel visited Sudan Monday for talks aimed at advancing a U.S.-brokered deal to establish formal relations. Sudan is the third Arab government looking to improve relations with Israel with Washington's support.
Pakistan: No Plans to Recognize Israel VOA 24 Nov 2020 -- Pakistan reiterated Tuesday it will not establish relations with Israel until there is "a viable, independent and contiguous" Palestinian state acceptable to the Palestinians.

Israel claims it's ready for talks with Hamas to 'improve conditions in Gaza' Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- Israel's minister of military affairs claims the Zionist regime is prepared for talks with the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.

UN Security Council to discuss conflict in Ethiopia's north Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- The United Nations Security Council is set to convene to discuss the conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region for the first time, diplomatic sources say.
Tigray Forces Claim to Have 'Completely Destroyed' an Ethiopian Army Division Sputnik 24 Nov 2020 -- An armed conflict between Ethiopia's government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) started earlier in November after the government accused Tigray forces of conducting an attack on a military base in the region.
Protect civilians uphold human rights, UN tells warring parties in Ethiopia UN News 24 Nov 2020 -- The UN's top human rights official has called on the parties to the conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region to give "clear and unambiguous orders" to their forces not to target civilians, and protect them from assault.

Armenians See Russia As 'Savior' Not 'Scapegoat' In Nagorno-Karabakh War RFE/RL 24 Nov 2020 -- As war raged this autumn over Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, some Armenians expressed a sense of betrayal that long-standing ally Russia wasn't providing more support to ethnic Armenian fighters in the conflict.
Armenian Economy Minister Resigns As Government Faces Pressure Over Nagorno-Karabakh Truce RFE/RL 24 Nov 2020 -- Armenia's economy minister, Tigran Khachatrian, has tendered his resignation amid sharp opposition criticism of the government over a recent Russia-brokered cease-fire that ended six weeks of fighting between Azerbaijani and ethnic Armenian forces over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Putin Discusses Nagorno-Karabakh With Armenian, Azerbaijani Leaders RFE/RL 24 Nov 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the implementation of a Russian-brokered agreement that stopped the war in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region in separate phone calls with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, the Kremlin said on November 24.
Azerbaijani Defense Ministry Says Army Entered Kalbajar District Left by Armenian Troops Sputnik 24 Nov 2020 -- The Azerbaijani army entered the Kalbajar District left by the Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said in a statement on its website.
Putin, Erdogan Discuss Progress of Implementation of Agreements on Karabakh Sputnik 24 Nov 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, discussed the implementation of the agreements on Nagorno-Karabakh by phone, the Kremlin said in a statement on Tuesday.
Karabakh Conflict: Azerbaijani President Aliyev Opens Up About Planned Military Operation in Agdam Sputnik 24 Nov 2020 -- The transfer of the Agdam district to Baku was one of the conditions of a ceasefire deal on Nagorno-Karabakh concluded after the heads of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan adopted a joint statement on the cessation of hostilities in the area earlier this month.

DR Congo: War crimes conviction 'an important victory' for justice – UN envoy UN News 24 Nov 2020 -- Two senior UN officials welcomed on Tuesday the war crimes conviction and life sentencing of an armed combatant in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Indian Negotiator: We Need 'Joint Check Posts' With Bhutan to Stop Chinese Construction at Doklam Sputnik 24 Nov 2020 -- The reported construction of the new Chinese village of Pangda and a nearby road was first highlighted by a Chinese state media journalist in a tweet last week that was later deleted. Satellite data experts now say that the new road runs very close to the tri-junction of Bhutan, India, and China.

Sudan Humanitarian Groups: Refugees Could Reach 200,000 VOA 24 Nov 2020 -- Humanitarian organizations are ramping up efforts to assist refugees who continue streaming into Sudan to escape fighting in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region.

News Reports

DOD Transition Outreach to Biden-Harris Team Begins DoD News 24 Nov 2020 -- The Defense Department is working to ensure the transition to the administration of President-elect Joe Biden is a smooth one, Pentagon officials said today.
President-Elect Biden Reveals Key Foreign-Policy, National-Security Picks RFE/RL 24 Nov 2020 -- President-elect Joe Biden has provided the first glimpse of his incoming administration, introducing a diverse team that he said would help "heal and unite America" and which was "ready to lead the world, not retreat from it."
White House Reportedly Gives Biden Access to President's Daily Intelligence Briefings Sputnik 24 Nov 2020 -- The Biden-Harris transition team earlier complained that they were not receiving daily intelligence reports, with transition aide Jen Psaki saying they want access so that they can "prepare to govern".

Russian Influence Peddlers Carving Out New Audiences on Fringes VOA 24 Nov 2020 -- After four years of warnings and preparations, the 2020 presidential election did not see a repeat of 2016, when intelligence officials concluded Russia meddled using a combination of cyberattacks and influence operations.

Russia pessimistic about improvement of ties with US even under Biden Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- Russia's deputy foreign minister has expressed pessimism about the improvement of ties between Moscow and Washington even after the assumption of power by President-elect Joe Biden.
New Russian Bill Would Expand Internet Censorship, HRW Warns RFE/RL 24 Nov 2020 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling on the Russian parliament to dismiss a new bill giving authorities the power to block websites that have censored Russian state media content, saying it would increase censorship in Russia.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on November 24, 2020 PRC MofA 24 Nov 2020
As US ushers in Biden era, China advised to contact president-elect's team to restore talks Global Times 24 Nov 2020 -- The US is entering the Joe Biden era as the formal transition process began after being authorized by the General Service Administration, and after Biden nominating top foreign policy and national security officials.
Australia turns softer on China, not wanting to lose economic interests after RCEP Global Times 24 Nov 2020 -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, US President Donald Trump's "man of titanium" when it comes to anti-China moves, offered an olive branch to China amid the White House power transition, which pundits regard as opportunistic behavior under domestic economic pressure and adjustment of the nation's China policy.
FM urges Australia to make 'objective and rational choices' on China ties Global Times 24 Nov 2020 -- China urged Australia to independently make an objective and rational choice on its relations with China, after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison praised China's efforts in poverty alleviation and stressed that Australia should not have to pick a side between its alliance with the US and "mutually beneficial relationship" with China.
Xi Focus: Xi calls on working class to make new, historic endeavors for China's modernization PLA Daily 24 Nov 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday urged the country's working class and working people to strive for new and historic achievements in fully building a modern socialist country.
HK sees further integration with mainland, slams foreign interference ahead of policy address Global Times 24 Nov 2020 -- A day ahead of the city's annual policy address, hinting at the further integration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) into China's greater development plan, the HKSAR government fought back in a decisive manner against the blatant interference of the British government into China's internal affairs by releasing a so-called six-monthly report on Hong Kong.
UPDATE: UK's six-monthly report on HK shows fullest double standard: Carrie Lam Global Times 24 Nov 2020 -- The UK government's latest six-monthly report on Hong Kong shows its extreme irresponsibility and "fullest double standard," Hong Kong government and Chief Executive Carrie Lam said, condemning the report and vowing to stick to principles and maintain governance by law.
HKSAR gov't establishes Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office Global Times 24 Nov 2020 -- The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (CMAB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government announced Monday the establishment of a special office to strengthen the promotion and coordination work on the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Joshua Wong pleads guilty to besieging Hong Kong police headquarters People's Daily 24 Nov 2020 -- Joshua Wong Chi-fung, an instigator of the Hong Kong riots, and two other people pleaded guilty in court on Monday to besieging the Hong Kong police headquarters last June.
Hong Kong Police Arrest Radio Host, Charge Delivery Driver For 'Secession' Radio Free Asia 24 Nov 2020 -- Police in Hong Kong have made further arrests and charges under a national security law imposed on the city by Beijing, of an online radio show host for funding "secession" and of a takeaway delivery driver for shouting pro-independence slogans.
China Detains Five Prominent Democracy Activists in Guangzhou Crackdown Radio Free Asia 24 Nov 2020 -- Five prominent democracy activists are being held by state security police in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong on subversion charges, rights activists and lawyers told RFA.
Saudi Arabia Must Explain Detention of Two Uyghur Chinese Nationals: Rights Group Radio Free Asia 24 Nov 2020 -- Authorities in Saudi Arabia should disclose the status of two Uyghur Chinese nationals and explain the reason for their detention, according to a global rights watchdog, which urged the Saudi government to refrain from deporting the pair back to China where they face arbitrary detention and torture.
China launches Chang'e-5 to collect, return moon samples PLA Daily 24 Nov 2020 -- China Tuesday launched a spacecraft to collect and return samples from the moon, the country's first attempt to retrieve samples from an extraterrestrial body.
China launches 1st lunar sample return mission, aims for multiple breakthroughs in aerospace history Global Times 24 Nov 2020 -- The Long March-5 Y5, China's state-of-the-art carrier rocket and strongest member of the Long March launch vehicle family, blasted off early Tuesday morning from the Wenchang Space Launch Center located in South China's Hainan Province, successfully sending the Chang'e-5 lunar probe into planned orbit.

Taiwan-U.S. ties to continue to deepen: MOFA CNA 24 Nov 2020 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Tuesday gave its assurance that Taiwan's communication channels with the United States remain smooth and that both sides are expected to continue to deepen their bilateral relations.
Taiwan should engage in 'dual circulation' with the Chinese mainland: experts Global Times 24 Nov 2020 -- It is the best choice for China's Taiwan island to engage in the "dual circulation" of the Chinese mainland instead of developing its own "dual circulation" plan due to Taiwan's relative small economic scale and incomplete industry categories.

More Achievements Made in Various Industrial Sectors of DPRK KCNA 24 Nov 2020 -- Officials and workers in various sectors of the national economy all out in the 80-day campaign have made a series of achievements in attaining their major goals.

Majlis to Oblige Government to Enrich Uranium up to 20% Radio Farda 24 Nov 2020 -- The spokesman for the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Abolfazl Amouei, says a new parliamentary bill, the "Strategic Action to Lift Sanctions," recommends that the Iranian government begin working towards increasing the nation's enrichment and storage of uranium "by 20 percent."
Supreme Leader: Iran able to nullify sanctions IRNA 24 Nov 2020 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Tuesday stated that Iran is able to nullify the imposed sanctions.
Iran's Supreme Leader: we tried negotiations to no result; we can nullify sanctions ISNA 24 Nov 2020 -- The Supreme Council of Economic Coordination held a meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in attendance.
Ayatollah Khamenei: Sanctions crime of US, European partners against Iran Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has described the illegal sanctions the United States has imposed on Iran with the support of its European partners as a "bitter reality" and a "crime" against the nation.
Iran: Unilateral sanctions hamper fight against coronavirus in developing states Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- Iran's permanent representative to Vienna-based international organizations has expressed concern about the effects of unilateral sanctions on developing countries' fight against the coronavirus outbreak, underlining the need for a coordinated global response to the pandemic.
Iran's nuclear countermeasure motion advanced at top parliamentary committee Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- A top Iranian parliamentary committee advances a motion outlining the Islamic Republic's nuclear countermeasures against the United States' sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic.
Iran's Atomic Agency to Design New Heavy Water Reactor - Parliament Spokesman Sputnik 24 Nov 2020 -- Iran committed to reducing the scope of its nuclear activities under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed in 2015. After President Trump withdrew the US from the deal in 2018, Iran scaled back on its commitments under the JCPOA by increasing its uranium enrichment levels and stockpiles.

Minor Scuffles With Police As Elderly March In Support Of Belarus's Democracy Movement RFE/RL 24 Nov 2020 -- Several thousand pensioners in Belarus marched for an eighth-straight week in Minsk on November 23 to protest state violence against the country's pro-democracy movement.

The Cuban Regime's Cruel Crackdown on Peaceful Protesters US Dept. of State 24 Nov 2020 -- The U.S. government strongly condemns the Cuban regime's harassment of activists peacefully protesting the imprisonment of human rights defender Denis Solís González. We urge the Cuban government to dismiss this unjust sentence and release him without condition.

Reelected Myanmar Leader Faces Calls For Constitutional Change, Peace Drive Radio Free Asia 24 Nov 2020 -- Myanmar's ethnic political parties and armies have called on Aung San Suu Kyi to use her fresh election mandate to work toward her stated goal of federalism by amending the constitution to increase states' rights and ramping up peace talks to end the multiethnic country's long-running armed conflicts.

Turkish court adds new Saudi suspects in Khashoggi case Press TV 24 Nov 2020 -- A court in Turkey has named new suspects in the case against Saudi officials charged with the state-sponsored murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018, saying the measure is needed to help reveal the full truth behind the killing.

Opioid Manufacturer Purdue Pharma Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Kickback Conspiracies US Dept. of Justice 24 Nov 2020 -- Opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma LP (Purdue) pleaded guilty today in federal court in Newark, New Jersey, to conspiracies to defraud the United States and violate the anti-kickback statute.

South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 24 Nov 2020 -- In San Antonio today, 34-year-old Kristopher Sean Matthews (aka Ali Jibreel) admitted to conspiring to provide material support to the designated foreign terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham/Syria (aka ISIS), announced Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer for the Western District of Texas, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.

New President Wants To End Moldova's Isolation, But The Obstacles Remain Daunting RFE/RL 24 Nov 2020 -- Monica Macovei, a former European Parliament member and Romanian justice minister, sees the election of Maia Sandu as Moldova's next president in stark terms: For one of Europe's poorest countries, it's an opportunity for a "a new beginning" that must not be missed.

Kyrgyz Presidential Hopeful Japarov Defends Draft Constitutional Reforms RFE/RL 24 Nov 2020 -- Sadyr Japarov, who has suspended his duties as Kyrgyzstan's acting president and prime minister in order to be eligible to take part in the country's upcoming presidential election, has defended proposed changes to the constitution that would give more powers to the president.

Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate The White House 24 Nov 2020
Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Situation in Nicaragua The White House 24 Nov 2020

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