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News Reports

Current Operations

• Helicopter Raid in Northern Syria Targets ISIS Official CENTCOM 25 Sep 2023 -- U.S. Central Command forces successfully conducted a helicopter raid in northern Syria, Sept. 23, 2023. Abu Halil al-Fad'ani, an ISIS Syria Operational and Facilitation official, was captured during the raid. Al-Fad'ani was assessed to have relationships throughout the ISIS network in the region.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, Holds an Off-Camera, On-the-Record, Press Briefing DoD 25 Sep 2023
• Department of Defense Approves $30 Million in Grants Under Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program DoD 25 Sep 2023 -- Today, the Department of Defense awarded six Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program grants totaling approximately $30 million from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. The DMCSP makes long-term investments in critical skills, facilities, workforce development, research and development, and small business support to strengthen the national security innovation base.
• With Government Shutdown, Troops Still Protect Nation, But Possibly Without Pay DoD News 25 Sep 2023 -- With a possible government shutdown less than a week away, defense leaders say the nation will remain protected. But service members may end up doing that defense work without being paid. Elsewhere, training operations could be curtailed, which will affect long-term readiness. Efforts to support Ukraine may also be hampered.
• 26th MEU(SOC) Concludes Baltic Sea Exercise - Northern Coast 2023 USMC News 25 Sep 2023 -- Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked on the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde, concluded exercise Northern Coasts 2023, a multinational naval exercise series in the Baltic Sea region, Sept. 4-22, 2023.
• Air Force to field new body armor carrier systems for aircrew US Air Force 25 Sep 2023 -- U.S. Air Force aircrew operating across 20 different rotor, tilt-wing, and fixed-wing aircraft - including but not limited to CV-22 Ospreys, HH-60G Pave Hawks, C-130 Hercules, and C-17 Globemaster IIIs - will receive new body armor carrier systems as part of an effort to update and replace older models.
• $210.2M Contract Awarded for Weapons Generation Facility at Barksdale AFB US Navy 25 Sep 2023 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $210.2 million firm-fixed-price construction contract, September 12, to B.L. Harbert International, LLC, of Birmingham, Alabama. The project will encompass the construction of a weapons generation facility aboard Barksdale Air Force Base (AFB), Bossier Parish, Louisiana.This
• U.S. Forces Conduct Joint Aviation Integration Exercise in the Gulf of Oman US Navy 25 Sep 2023 -- U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) conducted a joint Air Operation in Maritime Surface Warfare (AOMSW) exercise in the Gulf of Oman, Sept. 23-24.
• U.S. Naval Forces Advances Interoperability Search and Rescue Exercise with the Royal Bahrain Navy US Navy 25 Sep 2023 -- The Sentinel-class fast response cutter, USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) and the Royal Bahrain Navy's patrol craft Al Farooq (PC 43) conducted a search and rescue (SAR) exercise in the Arabian Gulf, Sept. 21.
• Readout of the DON STB Fall Meeting US Navy Press Release 25 Sep 2023 -- On Sept. 22, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro hosted Department of the Navy Science and Technology Board (DON STB) Chair former Secretary of the Navy Dr. Richard Danzig and members for their first meeting at the Pentagon.
• Readout of Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Sasha Baker's Meeting With Canadian Deputy Minister of National Defence Bill Matthews DoD 25 Sep 2023
• Orient Shield 23 exercise enhances U.S.-Japan readiness, deterrence Army News 25 Sep 2023 -- About 3,500 U.S. Soldiers and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members recently participated in the Orient Shield 23 exercise to forge stronger bonds and increase interoperability.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meetings with President of Kenya William Ruto and Cabinet Secretary of Defence Aden Duale DoD 25 Sep 2023
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Gives Remarks in Nairobi, Kenya (As Prepared) DoD 25 Sep 2023
• US, Kenya Sign Defense Agreement Ahead of Haiti Security Mission VOA 25 Sep 2023 -- The United States and Kenya signed a defense agreement Monday aimed at strengthening counterterrorism efforts in East Africa and supporting Kenya's efforts to take the lead in a security mission to Haiti.
• Austin Praises Kenya's Commitment to Regional Peace DoD News 25 Sep 2023 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underscored today the U.S. and Kenya's shared commitment to regional peace and security during a meeting with Kenyan Defense Minister Aden Bare Duale in Kenya's capital city, Nairobi.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General discusses NATO's adaptation on visit to Hamburg NATO 25 Sep 2023 -- On Monday (25 September 2023), NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană addressed 250 staff officers and faculty members at the German Command and Staff College in Hamburg.
• Satellite Imagery Points To Uptick In Activity At Russian Arctic Nuclear Testing Site RFE/RL 25 Sep 2023 -- Russia has significantly increased construction at a remote Arctic island location where Soviet nuclear tests were conducted, new satellite imagery shows, suggesting Moscow may be intending to resume tests.
• Russia's Northern Fleet conducts drills in East Siberian Sea: Report Press TV 25 Sep 2023 -- Russia's Northern Fleet, which operates in the Arctic, has conducted naval military exercises in the East Siberian Sea.
• Finval 2023 exercise completed in North-Eastern Russia Russia MoD 25 Sep 2023 -- The Finval 2023 tactical exercise involving forces of the Pacific Fleet supervised by Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov was completed in North-Eastern Russia.
• Northern Fleet trains countering maritime unmanned vehicles Russia MoD 25 Sep 2023 -- The Arctic expeditionary surface detachment of the Northern Fleet, which operates in the Arctic Ocean under the flag of Vice-Admiral Oleg Golubev, Deputy Commander of the Northern Fleet, has conducted an exercise in the Arctic to fight against unmanned boats.
• British Army trains Ukrainian soldiers in mine disposal skills UK MOD 25 Sep 2023 -- The Royal Engineers are delivering world-leading training to Ukraine's combat engineers in Poland, with 1,500 mine detectors having been provided to Ukraine by the UK.
• Taiwan's 1st domestically manufactured submarine ready for testing CNA 25 Sep 2023 -- Taiwan's first domestically built submarine prototype will begin underwater testing after it is launched in a ceremony presided over by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Thursday, according to the leader of Taiwan's Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program.
• 'Daydreaming' for Taiwan island to block PLA from Pacific with local sub deployment Global Times 25 Sep 2023 -- The island of Taiwan's submarine deployment plan to block the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) from entering the Pacific Ocean is daydreaming, experts said on Monday, ahead of the scheduled launch of the island's first "indigenous" submarine later this week.
• After Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine, Bulgaria Is Rapidly Trying To Modernize Its Armed Forces RFE/RL 25 Sep 2023 -- For years, Bulgaria has delayed again and again the modernization of its armed forces. Even though a member of NATO since 2004, Bulgaria's army still relies on old Soviet arms. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, however, appears to have served as a wake-up call, and a batch of major Western arms purchases could be clinched by the end of this year.
• Joint Statement on the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Bulgaria US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2023 -- The following is the text of a joint statement by the Governments of the United States of America and Bulgaria.
• U.S. and Bulgaria to Collaborate on Combatting Disinformation US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2023 -- The United States and Bulgaria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today that increases cooperation to counter foreign information manipulation.
• Green ghost is shipshape Australia DOD 25 Sep 2023 -- HMAS Hobart, affectionately known as 'the green ghost', recently received a much-needed refresh inside and out.
• Minsk hosts coordination meeting on IFF operating under the Council of Ministers of Defence of the CIS States Russia MoD 25 Sep 2023 -- On 19 September in Minsk, the Central House of Officers of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus hosted a coordinating conference on the organisation of the use of the united system for radar-based friend-or-foe identification operating under the Council of Ministers of Defence of the States members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
• LONG RANGE TRAINING DEPLOYMENT OF FIRST TRAINING SQUADRON TO SOUTH EAST ASIA India PIB 25 Sep 2023 -- The ships of First Training Squadron (1TS) - INS Tir, INS Sujata, Sail Training Ship Sudarshini and CGS Sarathi are presently on a long Range training deployment to South East Asia
• Headquarters Integrated Defence of Staff Joint Doctrine Review Conference - 2023 India PIB 25 Sep 2023 -- The maiden 'Joint Doctrine Review Conference - 2023' (JDRC-2023) was conducted at the Manekshaw Centre on 22 September, 2023
• Iran cmdr. warns foreign nuclear-powered subs could cause potential environmental threats in Persian Gulf Press TV 25 Sep 2023 -- The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has censured the presence of extra-regional forces and their nuclear-powered submarines in the Persian Gulf, saying such types of warships should not be deployed in the strategic waterway due to their potential environmental threats.
• Iranian Armed Forces have finger on trigger to foil enemy plots: Top General Press TV 25 Sep 2023 -- Iran's highest-ranking military commander has warned that his forces are ready to act in the face of the enemies by keeping their hands on the trigger and eyes on radars.
• IRGC Navy develops water landing drone capable of carrying bombs, missiles Press TV 25 Sep 2023 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy experts have developed unmanned aerial vehicles capable of landing on water and carrying missiles and bombs, according to the commander.
• US, South Korea to Boost Deterrence Against North Korean Threats VOA 25 Sep 2023 -- The United States and South Korea are pledging to enhance joint deterrence against growing threats from North Korea, as Washington and Seoul celebrate their seven-decadelong alliance.
• First offset agreement for APACHE attack helicopters signed Republic of Poland 25 Sep 2023 -- On Monday, September 25, the head of the Ministry of Defense approved one of the offset contracts for Apache helicopters at Boeing's headquarters in Mesa, USA.
• New U.S.-Poland Foreign Military Financing Direct Loan Agreement Showcases Strong Security Partnership US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2023 -- Today, the United States is proud to announce the signing of a milestone $2 billion Foreign Military Financing (FMF) direct loan agreement to support Poland's defense modernization.
• Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on September 18-24, 2023 Lithuania MND 25 Sep 2023 -- On September 18-24 fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states were scrambled once to identify and escort aircraft of the Russian Federation flying in violation of flight rules in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
• Potential further strengthening of Lithuanian-Swedish cooperation discussed Lithuania MND 25 Sep 2023 -- September 25, Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas met with Ambassador of Sweden HE Lars Wahlund. They discussed the potential enhancement of Lithuania's cooperation with Sweden when it becomes a new member of NATO.
• Vietnam Reportedly Seeking Military Aid From Both Moscow and Washington VOA 25 Sep 2023 -- Military analysts say Vietnam is desperate for a new generation of powerful fighter jets and other arms, and recent news reports indicate the country could be seeking them from both the United States and Russia, although no details can be confirmed.
• European Peace Facility: Council adopts an assistance measure in support of Beninese Armed Forces EC/CEU 25 Sep 2023 -- The Council today adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility worth €11.75 million to support the Beninese Armed Forces.
• Biden Pledges Climate, Infrastructure Assistance to Pacific Island Nations VOA 25 Sep 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden launched his summit of Pacific Island nations on Monday with an apology and an acknowledgment. First, he gave his regrets for canceling a visit to Papua New Guinea earlier this year amid domestic political drama. And then he hailed U.S. diplomatic recognition of the Cook Islands and the tiny island nation of Niue.
• Biden proposes $40M for Pacific Islands infrastructure Radio Free Asia 25 Sep 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday called on congress to approve $40 million in infrastructure spending for the Pacific Islands, the latest in the administration's push to stem Chinese influence in the region.
• On the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the United States and the Cook Islands US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2023 -- Today Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mark Brown signed a joint statement commemorating the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Cook Islands.
• Statement by President Biden on the Recognition of the Cook Islands and the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations The White House 25 Sep 2023
• Statement by President Biden on the Recognition of Niue and the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations The White House 25 Sep 2023
• On the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the United States and Niue US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2023 -- Today Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Premier of Niue Dalton Tagelagi signed a joint statement commemorating the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Niue.
• Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands Before Meeting with Pacific Islands Forum Leaders The White House 25 Sep 2023
• U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Statement on Reaffirming U.S.-Pacific Partnership The White House 25 Sep 2023
• Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials to Preview the U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit The White House 25 Sep 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Dinner for the Second U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Signing Ceremony with Millennium Challenge Corporation CEO Alice Albright and iKiribati President Taneti Maamau US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Joint Statement Signing Ceremony with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Joint Statement Signing Ceremony with Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken At the 8th Annual CSIS Republic of Korea-United States Strategic Forum US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack The White House 25 Sep 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Sept. 25, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 25 September 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 25 Sep 2023
• Philippine Coast Guard removes 'floating barrier' at disputed reef Radio Free Asia 25 Sep 2023 -- Manila removed a floating barrier Beijing had installed last week at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea to prevent Filipinos from fishing in the area, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Monday.
• China refutes Philippine's accusation of 'floating barrier' near Huangyan Island Global Times 25 Sep 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday refuted the latest accusation made by the Philippines claiming the Chinese coast guard installing a "floating barrier" that "prevented Filipinos from entering and fishing in the area." Chinese Foreign Ministry said that a Philippine official vessel tried to enter China's territorial waters near Huangyan Island, and the actions of the Chinese coast guard were professional and restrained.
• Press release on Russia's efforts to stabilise the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25 Sep 2023
• Russia Calls Pashinian's Criticism Of Moscow Over Situation In Nagorno-Karabakh 'Unacceptable' RFE/RL 25 Sep 2023 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry on September 25 slammed remarks by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian that were critical of Moscow, saying they "include unacceptable outbursts addressed against Russia and can spark nothing but rejection" and calling them a "big mistake."
• Roads Clogged As Ethnic Armenians Flee Nagorno-Karabakh; Mass Casualties Reported In Fuel Depot Blast RFE/RL 25 Sep 2023 -- Thousands of ethnic Armenians continue to clog roads leading to Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh, where new reports say a powerful explosion at a fuel depot has led to more than 200 casualties, with local health officials struggling to deal with the disaster.
• Iran envoy to Pashinyan: Armenia territorial integrity must be preserved IRNA 25 Sep 2023 -- Iran's ambassador to Armenia has met with the country's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, reiterating the Islamic Republic's stance that Armenian territorial integrity should be preserved.
• Turkey's Erdogan hails Azerbaijan's achievement in Karabakh Press TV 25 Sep 2023 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived in Azerbaijan, days after Baku managed to reclaim full control of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Foreign Ministry statement regarding an address by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, and the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25 Sep 2023
• Russian peacekeepers continue to fulfill its tasks on territory of Nagorno-Karabakh Russia MoD 25 Sep 2023 -- The Russian peacekeeping force continues its mission in Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Junta troops kill 28 militia members in Myanmar's Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 25 Sep 2023 -- Junta troops ambushed and killed 28 People's Defense Force members in Sagaing region's Myinmu township, witnesses told Radio Free Asia on Monday.
• Finnish peacekeepers conclude UN mission in Mali Finnish MoD 25 Sep 2023 -- Finland's military participation in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has ended and the remaining Finnish soldiers serving in the peacekeeping mission have returned home.
• Kosovo's President Declares Day Of Mourning After Deadly Attack RFE/RL 25 Sep 2023 -- Authorities in Kosovo say the situation around a Serbian Orthodox monastery complex in the mostly Serb-populated north of the country was calm on September 25, which President Vjosa Osmani has declared a day of mourning, after a tense standoff following an assault over the weekend by a "heavily armed" group that led to the death of one police officer and three suspected assailants.
• Condemnation of Violent Attacks on Kosovo Police US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2023 -- The United States strongly condemns the coordinated violent attacks on the Kosovo Police near the Banjska Monastery on September 24, and expresses deep condolences to the family of the Kosovo Police sergeant killed in the line of duty.
• Palestine: Rights experts call for stronger torture prevention measures UN News 25 Sep 2023 -- Palestinian authorities must strengthen fundamental legal safeguards against torture and ill-treatment, especially from the first moments of detention, a group of UN human rights experts said on Monday.
• Nigerian President Orders Rescue of Kidnapped Female Students VOA 25 Sep 2023 -- Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has ordered security forces to rescue an unspecified number of female students being held by armed kidnappers following an attack Friday at the Federal University Gusau in northwest Zamfara state.

News Reports

• UNGA 78: Philippines Calls for Just, Equitable and Rules-based Order, Solidarity for SDGs Philippines DFA 25 Sep 2023 -- The Philippines today called for renewed trust and solidarity towards a rules-based order guided by international law that guarantees the flourishing in peace of free and equal nations during the high-level General Debate of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78).
• MS-13 Gang Member Sentenced to Life in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy, Including Murder US Dept. of Justice 25 Sep 2023 -- A Maryland man was sentenced today to life in prison for racketeering and murder in aid of racketeering conspiracies, for committing murder in aid of racketeering, and for conspiracy to destroy and conceal evidence in connection with his participation in La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a transnational criminal enterprise.
• United States Joins in Commitment to Strengthen Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2023 -- Last week at the United Nations, the United States joined with other countries in pledging to improve Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response. Recognizing the need to do more to prepare for future health threats, the United States reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to this endeavor.
• Despite China's 'batwoman' warning of another coronavirus outbreak, Chinese virologists refute the claim Global Times 25 Sep 2023 -- After virologist Shi Zhengli warned another coronavirus outbreak "highly likely", other Chinese virologists shot down the possibility of outbreak the world experienced in the past three years would reappear, claiming that the immunity most population gained during this period could help fend off possible outbreaks. However, those virologists also warned sporadic outbreaks of coronavirus in the future.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the opening ceremony for an exhibition dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Egypt, Moscow, September 25, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25 Sep 2023
• First Anniversary of Moscow Mechanism Report on Russia: Joint Statement to the OSCE UK FCDO 25 Sep 2023 -- UK and 38 other participating States mark the first anniversary of the 2022 Moscow Mechanism Report on the Russian Federation.
• Meeting with Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov President of Russia 25 Sep 2023 -- The President held a working meeting with the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation. Igor Krasnov informed Vladimir Putin about the supervisory authority's priority areas of focus this year.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on September 25, 2023 PRC MofA 25 Sep 2023
• China, EU hold 'productive' trade dialogue; bloc urged to take concrete steps to stop protectionism Global Times 25 Sep 2023 -- Chinese and EU officials on Monday held a high-level economic and trade dialogue in person in Beijing for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that they had held "in-depth, candid and productive" talks and reached a series of new win-win results and consensus in various areas, including setting up a communication mechanism for export controls.
• FM condemns US' political manipulation of pervasive cyber theft, spreading fake information Global Times 25 Sep 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that China condemns the US government's pervasive cyber espionage against China, adding that the US' action is not for so-called national security purposes but to obstruct the development of Chinese enterprises through illegal and unfair means, after China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) disclosed US infiltration of Huawei dating back to 2009.
• Exclusive: Nepal to maintain non-aligned policy in friendly relations with neighbors, hopes China's strengths will help bolster economy: Nepalese PM Global Times 25 Sep 2023 -- Nepal to maintain non-aligned policy in friendly relations with neighbors, hopes China's strengths will help bolster economy: Nepalese PM
• Chinese national security agency exposes cases of espionage through telecom fraud Global Times 25 Sep 2023 -- The Chinese national security agency exposed several cases of espionage through telecommunications fraud on Monday, reminding netizens to be wary of not only telecommunications fraud from northern Myanmar, but also low-interest loans, dating apps, high-paying part-time jobs and other spy networks.
• China gets veto over ethnic Kazakhs' nationality applications Radio Free Asia 25 Sep 2023 -- Kazakhstan has signed an agreement with Beijing to set immigration curbs on ethnic Kazakh nationals of China, including the sharing of information on each others' citizens and the potential repatriation of asylum-seekers who cross their common border, Radio Free Asia has learned.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Sep. 25, 2023 ROC MND 25 Sep 2023
• 6 Australian parliamentarians begin 4-day Taiwan trip CNA 25 Sep 2023 -- A cross-party delegation of six Australian parliamentarians landed at Taoyuan International Airport Monday for a four-day visit to Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said.
• Hysterical Remarks of Political and Diplomatic Idiot Criticized KCNA 25 Sep 2023 -- Puppet traitor Yoon Suk Yeol, even at the 78th UN General Assembly, malignantly slandered the relations between the DPRK and Russia.
• Iran nuclear chief, head of IAEA hold 'important' meeting IRNA 25 Sep 2023 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami has met with the UN nuclear watchdog's director general Rafael Grossi in Vienna, with the later describing the meeting as "important".
• Iran reserves right to respond to Israeli threats: Nuclear chief IRNA 25 Sep 2023 -- The Islamic Republic reserves the right to respond to the Israeli regime's aggressive threats against the country's nuclear program, Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), has said.
• Deal on JCPOA within reach if other sides show determination: Iran FM IRNA 25 Sep 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian says an agreement to revive the 2015 nuclear deal is within reach if the other parties to the deal, also known as the JCPOA, have the necessary will to do so.
• Iran entitled to respond to Israel's arrogant behavior: Nuclear chief Press TV 25 Sep 2023 -- Iran's nuclear chief says the Islamic Republic is entitled to respond to Israel's arrogant behavior, days after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran "must face a credible nuclear threat."
• Amirabdollahian wraps up 7-day intensive talks in New York IRNA 25 Sep 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian left the US for Iran after intensive diplomatic consultations on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
• Saudi Arabia says it will build first nuclear power plant Press TV 25 Sep 2023 -- Saudi Arabia has unveiled a plan to expand the use of nuclear technology that would also include the construction of a first nuclear power plant in the kingdom.
• India plans to extend fence along Myanmar border Radio Free Asia 25 Sep 2023 -- India plans to begin installing an additional 70 kilometers (44 miles) of border fencing over concerns about illegal immigrants entering Manipur state from neighboring Myanmar and an increase in arms and drugs smuggling.
• Canada urges India to cooperate in Sikh leader's death investigation People's Daily 25 Sep 2023 -- Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair on Sunday called for the Indian government to cooperate on the probe into the assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
• U.S. helps Canada confirm India's involvement in Sikh leader's killing People's Daily 25 Sep 2023 -- Recent leaks indicate that the United States has contributed to Canada's allegation that India is responsible for the assassination of a Canadian citizen, playing a crucial role in the simmering diplomatic tiff between New Delhi and Ottawa.
• President Erdoğan in Nakhchivan Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 25 Sep 2023
• "Nakhchivan holds a special place in our relations with Azerbaijan" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 25 Sep 2023 -- Addressing a joint press conference with Azerbaijani President Aliyev, President Erdoğan said: "Nakhchivan, with the strategic importance it has had throughout history, holds a special place in our relations with Azerbaijan."
• Wider Europe Briefing: What To Watch For In Key Slovak Elections RFE/RL 25 Sep 2023
• Bulgaria's GERB Nominates Journalist Anton Hekimyan As Sofia Mayor Candidate RFE/RL 25 Sep 2023 -- Bulgaria's center-right GERB party on September 25 nominated journalist and political novice Anton Hekimyan as its candidate for a mayoral election in the capital, Sofia, next month that pits two factions in the country's governing coalition against each other.
• UN HRC54: UK Statement on Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela UK FCDO 25 Sep 2023 -- Statement for Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela. Delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French.
• Venezuela continues crackdown on dissenters, UN rights experts warn UN News 25 Sep 2023 -- Attacks on civic and democratic space in Venezuela are increasing through policies aimed at silencing opposition and criticism of the Government, the head of a UN-appointed human rights body said on Monday.
• World News in Brief: Ukraine nuclear plant update, Sudan health crisis, reproductive rights UN News 25 Sep 2023 -- "We are not going anywhere" is the message coming from UN nuclear safety watchdog IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, about the agency's commitment to continued monitoring of Ukraine's nuclear power plants during Russia's ongoing invasion.
• Kenyan MP Proposes Extending Presidential Term to Seven Years VOA 25 Sep 2023 -- A Kenyan lawmaker from the ruling United Democratic Alliance, or UDA, has suggested extending the presidential term limit from five to seven years.