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• Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Activation in Vicenza, Italy Army News 04 Oct 2023 -- On Oct. 11, Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment will activate at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy.
• General Says Middle East is a Theater for Strategic Competition DoD News 04 Oct 2023 -- Although deterring Iran and defeating extremist groups in the Middle East are priorities for U.S. Central Command, the region is also "fertile ground for strategic competition with China and Russia," said Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the commander of Air Forces Central, and Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command.
  
• High Threat IEDD Exercise, Northern Challenge 23: A First for the 26MEU and the U.S. Marine Corps USMC News 04 Oct 2023 -- U.S. Marine Corps explosive ordnance disposal operators from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in Exercise Northern Challenge 2023 alongside various NATO Allies and partners, Sept. 21 to Oct. 5.
• Koa Moana 23 Concludes in Oceania USMC News 04 Oct 2023 -- U.S. Marines and Sailors with I Marine Expeditionary Force concluded Task Force Koa Moana 23 in the Indo-Pacific region on Sept. 30, 2023. The task force was task-organized into multiple detachments with expertise in providing engineering, medical, maritime law enforcement, and explosive ordnance disposal capabilities.
• NPS Team Makes Key Breakthrough on Path to Electric Aircraft Propulsion US Navy 04 Oct 2023 -- As an institution renowned for innovation efforts grounded in education and research, the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) has often been called upon to tackle some of the most difficult technological challenges facing the Navy and the nation.
• Readout of U.S. 6th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Thomas Ishee Meeting with Royal Navy Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Andrew Burns US Navy Press Release 04 Oct 2023
• Biden to Argue for Continued Funding for Ukraine VOA 04 Oct 2023 -- With U.S. funding for Ukraine at risk because of congressional turmoil, President Joe Biden says he will be delivering a "major speech" to persuade the American people to continue supporting Ukrainians in their defense against Russia's invasion.
• Seized and Forfeited Lethal Aid Materiels CENTCOM 04 Oct 2023 -- On Oct. 2, 2023, the U.S. government transferred approximately 1.1 million 7.62mm rounds to the Ukrainian armed forces. The government obtained ownership of these munitions on July 20, 2023, through the Department of Justice's civil forfeiture claims against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These munitions were originally seized by U.S. Central Command naval forces from the transiting stateless dhow MARWAN 1, Dec. 9, 2022. The munitions were being transferred from the IRGC to the Houthis in Yemen in violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216.
• Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on Transfer of Forfeited Munitions to Ukraine US Dept. of Justice 04 Oct 2023 -- The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the transfer of approximately 1.1 million 7.62mm rounds to the Ukrainian armed forces.
• US running out of money to fund Ukrainian troops' salaries, officials say Press TV 04 Oct 2023 -- The US funding system for Ukrainian salaries and Kiev government expenditures is expected to run out in the next month, Ukrainian and American officials have warned, amid criticisms of the West's supply of funds and arms to Kiev.
• NATO Warns of Ammunition Shortage Due to War in Ukraine VOA 04 Oct 2023 -- NATO's most senior military official has warned that European ammunition stocks are running short as the West continues to send large amounts of military aid to Ukraine to fend off invading Russian forces.
• NATO-Ukraine Council meets to take forward Vilnius Summit decisions NATO 04 Oct 2023 -- The NATO-Ukraine Council (NUC) met on Wednesday (4 October 2023) to reaffirm NATO's long-term support to Ukraine and take forward the decisions from the Vilnius Summit. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană, with the participation of Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna.
• Statement of Spokesman for DPRK Ministry of National Defence KCNA 04 Oct 2023 -- A spokesman for the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK issued the following statement on October 4:
• Building sky-high relationships Australia DOD 04 Oct 2023 -- RAAF aircrew have built confidence sharing knowledge and developing tactics with their Indonesian counterparts.
• TRI-SERVICES COMMANDERS' CONFERENCE 2023 (WESTERN GROUPING) India PIB 04 Oct 2023 -- Tri-Services Commanders' Conference (TSCC)-2023 (Western Grouping) was held at Subroto park, New Delhi on 03 & 04 October 2023 under the aegis of Western Air Command
• Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt hands over Twin seater LCA Tejas to the Indian Air Force India PIB 04 Oct 2023 -- Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt said that the LCA Tejas symbolizes India's journey towards self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing
• Iran, Azerbaijan to hold joint naval drill in Caspian Sea IRNA 04 Oct 2023 -- The Defense Ministry of the Republic of Azerbaijan has announced that the naval forces of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran have reached an initial agreement to hold a joint military exercise in the Caspian Sea.
• Iran to take part in "Khazri-2023" exercises as observer ISNA 04 Oct 2023 -- The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran arrived in Baku to take part as an observer in the "Khazri-2023" Joint Tactical Exercises held in Azerbaijan with the participation of warships and servicemen of the Azerbaijani and Kazakh Naval Forces.
• Iran conducts first drone on drone combat operation during drill Press TV 04 Oct 2023 -- The commander of the Iranian Army's Air Defense Force says a home-made drone has successfully carried out the first aerial combat mission involving the targeting of another drone with missiles.
• Iran, Azerbaijan reach agreement on joint naval exercise in Caspian Sea Press TV 04 Oct 2023 -- The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry says military officials from the South Caucasus country and neighboring Iran have reached an agreement on holding a joint naval exercise in the Caspian Sea.
• IRGC chief: Iran's AI-powered drones can hit enemy vessels sailing thousands of miles away Press TV 04 Oct 2023 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the country's homegrown unmanned aerial vehicles, which are equipped with artificial intelligence, can intercept and destroy hostile naval targets sailing thousands of miles away.
• Iran's kamikaze, combat drones destroy all targets during drill Press TV 04 Oct 2023 -- The spokesman of the Iranian Army's joint exercise says homegrown kamikaze and combat drones have successfully hit all their targets during the maneuver.
• US: Iran's Naval Forces, Proxies Deterred for Now VOA 04 Oct 2023 -- A U.S. show of force appears to have been enough to get Iran to back down, after Tehran's naval forces repeatedly targeted ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman earlier this year.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru to the Pentagon DoD 04 Oct 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru DoD 04 Oct 2023
• Austin Says U.S. Committed to Defending Japan, Including Senkaku Islands DoD News 04 Oct 2023 -- Article V of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty states the United States' "ironclad" commitment to defend all of Japan, including the Senkaku Islands and other territories, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.
• Indonesian arms makers deny selling weapons to Burmese military Radio Free Asia 04 Oct 2023 -- Indonesia's state-owned defense holdings company on Wednesday denied allegations by human rights activists that its units had sold weapons to Myanmar's military in violation of bans on arms supplies to the junta-ruled country.
• Spain - PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units DSCA 04 Oct 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Spain of PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.8 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• A look at the Defence news 25 September - 1 October Netherlands Ministry of Defence 04 Oct 2023
• Patriot missile plan stirs debate in Palau Radio Free Asia 04 Oct 2023 -- Stationing a U.S. missile system in Palau would be for security not aggression as the Pacific island country's close relationship with the United States means it is already a target of possible attack, President Surangel Whipps has said amidst local criticism of the proposal.
• MOD updates Cabinet on convenient procurement of M4A1 assault rifles through U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 04 Oct 2023 -- The MOD updated the Cabinet on the intention to procure M4A1 assault rifles with accessories through the U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme. The Cabinet took note of the informative document on the planned procurement of 5,000 U.S.-made Colt M4A1 Carbines chambered in 5.56 x 45 NATO.
• MOD to enter into negotiations with Poland and Israel on very short-range and medium-range air defence systems Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 04 Oct 2023 -- Following the government's approval today, the Slovak Defence Ministry can enter into negotiations to secure the first stage acquisition of air defence (AD) systems. In doing so, the MOD is acting on the recommendations of MOD subject matter experts (SMEs) for the very short-range and medium-range air defence (VSHORAD & MRAD) systems.
• Lithuania's readiness to host German brigade discussed with State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Defence Lithuania MND 04 Oct 2023 -- October 4, Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas welcomed State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany Nils Hilmer on a visit in Lithuania to discuss deployment of the German brigade.
• Norway to Increase Defense Budget by 20% in 2024 - Finance Minister Sputnik 04 Oct 2023 -- Norway will increase defense budget by approximately 20% in 2024 compared to the current year's budget, Norwegian Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum said in an interview, published on Wednesday.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken During a Conversation at The University of Texas at Austin Moderated by Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison US Dept. of State 04 Oct 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre The White House 04 Oct 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 4, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 4 October 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 04 Oct 2023
• Afghanistan: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell in the EP Plenary on the human rights situation European External Action Service (EEAS) 04 Oct 2023
• Taliban, Rights Groups Decry Pakistan's Decision to Evict Afghan Immigrants VOA 04 Oct 2023 -- Afghanistan's Taliban Wednesday urged Pakistan to review its plans to expel Afghan immigrants, rejecting charges the displaced community is involved in the security problems facing the neighboring country.
• Asian Development bank supports families in Afghanistan at times of dire need, when 15 million people go hungry WFP 04 Oct 2023 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan welcomes a contribution by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) of US$100 million. The funding will allow WFP to provide critical food assistance to more than 1.3 million acutely food insecure people across the country for up to one year. A special focus will be on widow- and women-headed households and other highly vulnerable groups like people with disabilities or families surviving solely on begging. For many of these families, WFP has become their last lifeline.
• 3 Filipino fishermen dead after ship strikes boat: coast guard Radio Free Asia 04 Oct 2023 -- The Philippines said Wednesday it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three Filipino fishermen after a foreign ship struck and sank their boat in the country's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.
• All PKK-affiliated groups in Iraq, Syria 'legitimate targets, says Turkish foreign minister Press TV 04 Oct 2023 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says all groups and facilities in Iraq and Syria that are affiliated to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group are "legitimate targets," following a recent bomb attack on a government building in the capital Ankara.
• Azerbaijan Leader to Skip EU-led Talks with Armenia VOA 04 Oct 2023 -- Azerbaijan's president, Ilham Aliyev, will not participate in talks this week with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Spain.
• Ukrainian, Azerbaijani Leaders Affirm 'Territorial Integrity' In Talks RFE/RL 04 Oct 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on October 4 said he and Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev both "affirmed our commitment to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity" during a telephone conservation.
• Armenia Protests Arrests Of Former Nagorno-Karabakh Leaders RFE/RL 04 Oct 2023 -- The Armenian Foreign Ministry has protested the arrests of several former separatist leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan after Baku reclaimed control of the ethnic Armenian-populated breakaway region in a lightning military operation last month.
• Armenian PM To Attend EU-Sponsored Talks In Spain Despite Reports Baku Won't Show RFE/RL 04 Oct 2023 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has said he plans to attend European Union talks scheduled for October 5 in Granada, Spain, despite reports that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has decided not to take part in the meeting where discussions over a peace deal were expected.
• Raeisi says Iran opposed to any geopolitical changes in Caucasus region Press TV 04 Oct 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi has doubled down on Iran's opposition to the opening of the Zangezur Corridor in the Caucasus region, saying Tehran is against any geopolitical changes in the region.
• Top general: Iran ready to send observers to Armenia-Azerbaijan border regions Press TV 04 Oct 2023 -- Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says the country is ready to contribute to lowering tensions in the Caucasus region and send observers to the border regions between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
• Russian peacekeeping contingent continues missions in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh Russia MoD 04 Oct 2023 -- The Russian peacekeeping force is monitoring the situation around the clock, as well as patrolling along routes in the settlements of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Meeting with President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania President of Russia 04 Oct 2023 -- Vladimir Putin met with President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania, who is in Russia on a working visit.
• Switzerland provides further funding to support people in Sudan and neighbouring countries Federal Council - Swiss Government 04 Oct 2023 -- The humanitarian situation in Sudan has deteriorated significantly amid the ongoing fighting. More than 5.3 million people have fled their homes, with a million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. As a result, Switzerland is providing a further 5 million francs to support Sudan, South Sudan and Chad.
• Human Rights Council Holds General Debate on the Human Rights Situation in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories OHCHR 04 Oct 2023 -- The Human Rights Council today held a general debate on its agenda item seven on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.
• Israel plans to authorize police to fire live ammo against Palestinians Press TV 04 Oct 2023 -- Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir plans to approve measures to authorize police to fire with live ammunition against Palestinian protesters.
• Belgrade Court Orders Release Of Politician Accused Of Organizing Monastery Attack RFE/RL 04 Oct 2023 -- A Belgrade court on October 4 ordered the release of Milan Radoicic, the top official of the main ethnic Serb political party in Kosovo, who had been detained in Serbia a day earlier for his involvement in a deadly confrontation with Kosovar police late last month.
• Haiti: Children facing triple threat of insecurity, malnutrition, disease UN News 04 Oct 2023 -- The spread of violence from Port-au-Prince to Artibonite, Haiti's main rice-growing region, is exacerbating an already critical humanitarian emergency, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Wednesday.
• War Crimes Witnesses In Bosnia Are Being Threatened And Say They're Not Being Protected RFE/RL 04 Oct 2023 -- A slashed, deflated basketball lay on the doorstep of the family home of Nedim Salaharevic in Vlasenica, a village in Republika Srpska, the Serb-majority entity of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
• Somalia Claims Killing Hundreds of Militants Amid Recent Setbacks VOA 04 Oct 2023 -- The Somali government on Wednesday said government troops have killed hundreds of militants during military operations in the last two months.

News Reports

• US may not have right tools to combat foreign harassment: report Radio Free Asia 04 Oct 2023 -- The authors of a new report say the nation's laws could be strengthened in order to fight the Chinese government's efforts, as well as those of other foreign governments, to harass and intimidate their critics in the United States.
• Notorious Criminal Kingpin Killed In Special Operation In Bishkek RFE/RL 04 Oct 2023 -- Kyrgyz security officers have killed notorious organized-crime figure Kamchy Kolbaev (aka Kamchybek Asanbek), who was added by Washington to a list of major global drug-trafficking suspects in 2011.
• US Officials in Mexico to Discuss Fentanyl, Human Migration VOA 04 Oct 2023 -- Senior U.S. officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken were in Mexico on Wednesday for talks with Mexican officials on the drug trade and a humanitarian crisis at the U.S. southern border.
• Meeting with finalists of the International Financial Security Olympiad President of Russia 04 Oct 2023 -- Vladimir Putin spoke at the Conversation Head-to-Head plenary session held as part of the 3rd International Olympiad on Financial Security, and talked to the finalists.
• Briefing with Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, October 4, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Oct 2023
• Creation of Multipolar World Inevitable, Necessary - Putin Sputnik 04 Oct 2023 -- The creation of a multipolar world, more honest and fair for the majority of people, is inevitable and historically necessary, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated, addressing the Third International Olympiad on Financial Security in the Sirius federal territory near Sochi on Wednesday, October 4.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova answers a media question about the Norwegian Foreign Minister's anti-Russia remarks Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Oct 2023
• Russia: Statement By High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell in the EP Plenary European External Action Service (EEAS) 04 Oct 2023 -- Speech delivered by Commissioner in charge of Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell
• Russia to Decide in November on Deepening Oil Output Cut or Expanding Production - Novak Sputnik 04 Oct 2023 -- Russia will analyze the market in November to decide whether to deepen its oil output cut or increase production, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday.
• Russia Shipping More Oil to Chinese Ports Via Arctic Route VOA 04 Oct 2023 -- The United States is closely watching a recent surge of Russian crude oil shipments to Chinese ports through the Northern Sea Route (NSR), a sign of increased cooperation between Beijing and Moscow in the Arctic region as Russia faces crippling Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on US Congressional Delegation's Visit to China Led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer PRC MofA 04 Oct 2023
• China expresses strong dissatisfaction with EU probe into Chinese EVs, vows to protect interests of Chinese companies Global Times 04 Oct 2023 -- The EU's anti-subsidy probe into Chinese new energy vehicles (NEV) is based on subjective assumptions, lacks sufficient evidence and goes against WTO rules, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Wednesday, responding to an EU decision to conduct the probe.
• Hong Kong university chief denies allegations of 'money-laundering' Radio Free Asia 04 Oct 2023 -- University of Hong Kong president and U.S. citizen Zhang Xiang has denied allegations of 'mismanagement' linked to a donation of 10 million yuan from a U.S.-sanctioned company, saying the claims are part of an 'organized' smear campaign against him.
• Hong Kong Authorities Move Swiftly to Snuff Out Peaceful Protests VOA 04 Oct 2023 -- In a push to prevent public demonstrations in Hong Kong, police and university authorities have stopped students from staging a vigil to commemorate the Umbrella Movement and even arrested a man for holding white flowers in public over the past week.
• China launches new remote sensing satellite People's Daily 05 Oct 2023 -- China on Thursday successfully launched a new remote sensing satellite into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
• Chinese-Born Pair Named in UN Influence Peddling Scam VOA 04 Oct 2023 -- An investigation published Tuesday by a global journalism network alleges that two Chinese-born individuals, previously convicted in a U.S. court for bribery, paid more than $1 million to U.N. diplomats to gain access to the world body's New York headquarters.
• Taiwan firms say business with Huawei-linked China chipmakers not illegal CNA 04 Oct 2023 -- Two Taiwanese companies identified in a Bloomberg report as doing business with Huawei-linked chipmakers in China said Wednesday their dealings in the country did not violate U.S. sanctions and were in line with national security laws.
• More Taiwanese questioned in China in wake of revised law: NSB CNA 04 Oct 2023 -- Taiwan's top intelligence chief has warned that Taiwanese nationals who travel to China are facing greater risks as more Taiwanese have been questioned by Chinese immigration since a revised Chinese Counter-Espionage Law took effect in July.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Oct. 4, 2023 ROC MND 04 Oct 2023
• UK Nour 3 satellite stance 'interventionist', sign of anger at Iran scientific progress: FM spox IRNA 04 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has condemned a statement by the British Foreign Office that criticized the Islamic Republic for its recent launch of the Nour 3 satellite into space, calling it "interventionist".
• Tehran slams UK's 'interventionist' statement on Iran's satellite launch Press TV 04 Oct 2023 -- Iran has robustly denounced an "interventionist" statement by the British government on the Islamic Republic's latest satellite launch.
• Construction of advanced homegrown Pars 2 imaging satellite underway: Official Press TV 06 Oct 2023 -- Head of the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) Hossein Salariyeh says the construction of the country's highly accurate remote sensing Pars 2 satellite is underway, while a bio-capsule will be launched into space by the end of the Iranian calendar year in March 2024.
• Iran Working on Sending Own Astronaut Into Space Within 5 Years Sputnik 04 Oct 2023 -- Iran is working on sending a man to space in the next five years, Iranian Communications Minister Eisa Zarepour stated on Wednesday.
• IAEA inspectors expelled over hostile political behavior: Iran nuclear chief IRNA 04 Oct 2023 -- Iran's nuclear chief says the recently expelled International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors were from the three European countries that repeatedly took hostile political positions against Tehran.
• Dismissed IAEA inspectors were nationals of countries keeping harsh political stance: Iran's nuclear agency chief Press TV 04 Oct 2023 -- Iran's nuclear chief says the country's decision last month to dismiss a number of inspectors working for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was a response to the "harsh political" positions adopted by three European countries.
• Iran discovers four new oil, gas fields: Oil minister IRNA 04 Oct 2023 -- Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji has announced the discovery of four new oil and gas fields through exploration operations across the country.
• Iranian Girl's Hospitalization After Subway Incident Draws Parallels With Mahsa Amini's Case RFE/RL 04 Oct 2023 -- When Armita Garavand and two of her friends tried to enter a Tehran subway station, they were confronted by police officers for not wearing the mandatory hijab.
• Iraqi president says Baghdad won't allow 'robust' relations with Iran to be damaged Press TV 04 Oct 2023 -- Iraq's President Abdul-Latif Rashid says his country regards its relationship with Iran as "very important," stressing that Baghdad will not allow any harm to its "robust relations" with Tehran.
• Van Hollen, Murphy, Durbin, Welch Lead 16 Senators in Letter to President Biden on U.S. Role in Potential Normalization Agreement Between Saudi Arabia and Israel Senator Van Hollen 04 Oct 2023 -- U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) on Wednesday led 16 of their Senate colleagues in a letter to President Biden, expressing their support for the prospect of normalization and sharing their views on the parameters of the United States' involvement in a potential normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The senators raised concerns with requests the Saudi government has reportedly made to the Biden Administration, including a potential security guarantee and support for a civilian nuclear program.
• Myanmar No. 2 in world for violations of internet freedom: report Radio Free Asia 04 Oct 2023 -- Byu Har went too far with his online criticism of Myanmar's ruling military junta in May and paid a heavy price.
• Myanmar company director and regional officials 'arrested in China' Radio Free Asia 04 Oct 2023 -- Eleven businessmen from Myanmar's Shan state were reportedly arrested while visiting China's Yunnan province over the weekend, according to traders based on the border.
• Armenia: Statement by the High Representative Josep Borrell on the ratification of the Rome Statute of the ICC European External Action Service (EEAS) 04 Oct 2023 -- The European Union welcomes ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) by the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia on Tuesday. After the signature by the Armenian President, the decision will enter into force.
• Moldova Takes Further Steps To Ban Members Of Pro-Russian Party From Local Polls RFE/RL 04 Oct 2023 -- Moldovan authorities on October 4 reinforced a ban on members of an outlawed Russia-backed party taking part in upcoming local elections, in effect reversing the Constitutional Court's decision a day earlier that had scrapped the interdiction.
• Estonia supports Council of Europe's action plans for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, and the platform for the protection of journalists Estonia MFA 04 Oct 2023 -- Yesterday 3 October, Estonian Ambassador to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg Rasmus Lumi and the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Bjørn Berge signed an agreement, confirming Estonia's support for various projects of the Council of Europe.
• After message from Hun Sen, Cambodia's new leader halts tax changes Radio Free Asia 04 Oct 2023 -- After a public uproar - and apparent input from his father - new Prime Minister Hun Manet this week reversed a government plan to introduce new taxes and raise existing taxes.
• How The Tajik President's Daughter Built A Pharma Empire (With A Little Help From Dad) RFE/RL 04 Oct 2023 -- The secretive daughter of Tajikistan's president has quietly built a health-care empire that benefits from government largesse, state promotion, and lobbying from her husband, an ambassador for the Central Asian nation, an investigation by RFE/RL's Tajik Service has found.
• Grannies And Parents Detained In Tajikistan After Activists Egg Rahmon's Car In Germany RFE/RL 04 Oct 2023 -- However close the eggs thrown by Tajik opposition activists in Berlin came to President Emomali Rahmon's car -- and some may well have been on target - the authorities' reaction has been swift.
• Attacks On Free Expression Online 'Grew More Common' Around The World RFE/RL 04 Oct 2023 -- Rights watchdog Freedom House said global Internet freedom declined for the 13th consecutive year in 2023 as attacks on freedom of expression grew more common.
• Nigerien Military Leadership's PM Accuses France of Plotting Assassinations of Officials Sputnik 04 Oct 2023 -- Niger's military-appointed Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine on Tuesday accused France of plotting to assassinate ministers and other public figures in the country.
• UN rights office concerned over pre-election violence in Liberia UN News 04 Oct 2023 -- A senior UN human rights official on Wednesday called on authorities in Liberia to take all necessary measures to ensure that the upcoming elections can take place in a fully inclusive manner.
• World News in Brief: Water 'being taken for granted', global teacher crisis, Nipah in India update UN News 04 Oct 2023 -- While some 2.4 billion people live in countries where the supply of water is limited, global water demand for agriculture is expected to increase by 35 per cent up to 2050, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Wednesday.
• Chad President Promises Transition to Civilian Rule as Opposition Voices Doubt VOA 04 Oct 2023 -- Chad President Mahamat Idriss Deby is touring the nation, touting his efforts to maintain peace and restore civilian rule, in accordance with resolutions set forth in October 2022 at the Inclusive and Sovereign National Dialogue. But Chad's political opposition says the central African state remains plagued by hunger, poverty and armed conflict since the military leader took power in April 2021.
• Experts Say Tackling Corruption Key to Stopping Nigerian Crude Theft VOA 04 Oct 2023 -- Nigerian authorities are investigating the deaths of at least 15 people in the explosion of an illegally tapped oil pipeline on Sunday, an often-deadly practice that has been going on for decades.
• EU Moves Toward Normalizing Relations with Ethiopia, Pledges $680 Million VOA 04 Oct 2023 -- A European Union Commissioner has met with Ethiopian government officials and pledged millions of dollars in a step toward normalizing relations between the two.
• Facing Climate Change, ASEAN Starts Cooperating on Regional Power-Sharing Grid VOA 04 Oct 2023 -- The increasingly urgent threat posed by climate change is pushing ASEAN nations to start cooperating on a 20-year-old plan to develop a regional power-sharing grid.