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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 14 Oct 2010 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary for October 10 AFNS 14 Oct 2010
• Airpower Summary for October 09 AFNS 14 Oct 2010
• US Army aviation brigade strengthens Iraqi army Army News 14 Oct 2010 -- An Army aviation brigade from Fort Riley, Kan., deployed to Iraq this March to provide mobility and security for ground forces here, but one of the unit's unofficial missions is possibly its most important: maintaining a healthy, visible relationship with Iraqi army aviators.
• Base transfer largest, last for 1st AAB Army News 14 Oct 2010 -- Forward Operating Base Falcon was transferred from U.S. control to the government of Iraq during a ceremony on site, Oct. 10. The last scheduled transfer for 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, the ceremony marked another milestone in the increased independence of the Iraqi Security Forces.
• 164th TAOG deploys to Middle East Army News 14 Oct 2010 -- Saying goodbye to Family and friends isn't easy for the Soldiers of the 164th Theater Operations Airfield Group, even when it's for a shorter time than usual.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill, Detain Insurgents AFPS 14 Oct 2010 -- Afghan and International Security Assistance Force troops yesterday killed several insurgents and detained numerous others during an operation in Nahr-E Saraj district, Helmand province, military officials reported.
• Clinton, Gates Voice Support for Afghan Reconciliation AFPS 14 Oct 2010 -- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today expressed support for the Afghanistan government’s efforts to reconcile with high- and mid-level Taliban members and to reintegrate insurgent fighters into Afghan society.
• Clinton, Gates Cautious on Afghan-Taliban Peace Contacts VOA 14 Oct 2010 -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday that contacts between the Afghan government and the Taliban are just beginning, and it's unclear if they will bear fruit. Clinton and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates discussed the Afghan conflict in closed-door talks in Brussels with NATO colleagues.
• Afghan Taliban Ready to Negotiate War's End VOA 14 Oct 2010 -- A senior leader in Afghanistan says he believes Taliban insurgents are willing to negotiate an end to the country's nine-year war. Former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani addressed his first news conference in Kabul Thursday since becoming head of the "High Council for Peace," designed to discuss efforts to persuade the Taliban and other Afghan insurgent groups to stop fighting.
• AFGHANISTAN: Little relief for growing number of conflict IDPs IRIN 14 Oct 2010 -- Over 100,000 people have been forced out of their homes by clashes in different parts of Afghanistan over the past 12 months but by no means all of them have received aid, according to aid agencies and affected people.
• Polish soldier killed in mortar fire attack in eastern Afghanistan IRNA 14 Oct 2010 -- A Polish soldier was killed and another was injured in Afghanistan Thursday following a mortar fire attack on their patrol, the Defense Ministry said in Warsaw.
• US commando blamed for death of UK hostage in Afghanistan IRNA 14 Oct 2010 -- A US commando is expected to face disciplinary action after being blamed for the death of British aid worker Linda Norgrove during last week’s rescue operation in Afghanistan, it was reported Thursday.
• Two academies transfer to Afghan forces Army News 14 Oct 2010 -- A formation of U.S. Soldiers stood next to a formation of Afghan soldiers during a ceremony transferring authority of two academies from U.S. forces to Afghan forces at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, Oct. 9.
• Afghanistan's First New Railroad On Track RFE/RL 14 Oct 2010 -- From the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif to the Uzbek border, the land runs flat with barely a hillock to block the way. It is perfect terrain for building a railway. So, since Afghanistan inaugurated construction of its northern rail line in May, progress has been fast.
• EU Special Envoy Welcomes Afghan-Led Reconciliation Process RFE/RL 14 Oct 2010 -- Vygaudas Usackas has been EU Special Representative in Afghanistan for only a few months, but has already made many friends in Kabul. Despite the falling public support for the war in Afghanistan, the former Lithuanian foreign minister remains optimistic about the future of Afghanistan. In an interview with RFE/RL correspondent Abubakar Siddique, Usackas says his main challenge is to convince Afghanistan's neighbors to emulate the European model in ending the numerous conflicts in the region.
• Niger Uneasy About French Troops Tracking Abductions VOA 14 Oct 2010 -- French troops are in Niger to help search for hostages abducted by terrorists affiliated with al-Qaida.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Joint Media Availability with Secretary Gates and Secretary Clinton from Brussels, Belgium DoD 14 Oct 2010 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
• Department Abides by ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Injunction AFPS 14 Oct 2010 -- Pending an appeal, the military services have halted discharges under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law, DOD officials said today.
• C2 conference addresses future structure, training AFNS 14 Oct 2010 -- The 505th Command and Control Wing hosted its semi-annual Commander's Conference here Oct. 12 through 14.
• Blowing up ordnance in paradise Army News 14 Oct 2010 -- Not all explosive ordnance disposal units are created equal, nor are their demolition and training ranges.
• Europe District sees major construction projects, unique challenges in new countries Army News 14 Oct 2010 -- At 6 a.m. local time, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District closed the books on fiscal year 2010 - only to pave the way for an anticipated record-breaking fiscal year with $922 million predicted for FY2011.
• 'Charging Boar 2010' evolves with threat Army News 14 Oct 2010 -- A bomb shattered the relative calm at the Rose Barracks' food court the morning of Sept. 25, tearing through tables and personnel, leaving a trail of carnage in its wake.
• CECOM Commander and logistics staff discuss requirements with units Army News 14 Oct 2010 -- Maj. Gen. Randolph P. Strong, commander of the Army Communications-Electronics Command, joined key leaders and staff of the CECOM Logistics and Readiness Center in equipment Reset discussions with unit commanders Sept. 24 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., at the sixth Combined Equipping Conference of 2010.
• Fort Sam Houston Network Enterprise Center transfers to 106th Signal Brigade Army News 14 Oct 2010 -- An Oct. 11 ceremony transferred authority of the Fort Sam Houston Network Enterprise Center from the 502nd Mission Support Group to the 106th Signal Brigade.
• Military construction program carries strong momentum into new fiscal year Army News 14 Oct 2010 -- Construction on Fort Sam Houston reached another milestone Sept. 30.
• Army and industry synchronize workforce development as APG grows Army News 14 Oct 2010 -- The science and technology hub the Army planned when it placed these capabilities here through the Base Realignment and Closure Act of 2005 is now coming together as Army and industry open new facilities on the installation and put the hub structure in place.
• Southern Regional Medical Command stands up, merges two inactivated commands Army News 14 Oct 2010 -- In a move designed to better serve the Army of the 21st century, the Southern Regional Medical Command was activated during a ceremony at the MacArthur Parade Field Oct. 8. At the same time, the Southeast Regional Medical Command and Great Plains Regional Medical Command were inactivated and their colors retired.
• Strykers arrive in Latvia for Saber Strike 11 Army News 14 Oct 2010 -- Deployment and Distribution Support Teams from SDDC's 950th Transportation Company in Bremerhaven, Germany, played a vital role in orchestrating the receipt and discharge of Stryker vehicles at the Vecmilgravis Terminal in Riga, Latvia.
• Ceremony marks beginning of PHIBLEX USMC News 14 Oct 2010 -- U.S. and Republic of the Philippines Marines, Army and Air Force held the opening ceremony for the Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011 commencing PHIBLEX.
• US, Filipinos welcome bilateral partnership USMC News 14 Oct 2010 -- The opening ceremony for Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011 here today marks the 27th year of a combined effort between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps team.
• Flying Tigers Always Ready USMC News 14 Oct 2010 -- As the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit continues its annual training exercises and begins Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-262 (Reinforced) remains ready to support in any climb and place.
• Pearl Harbor Shipyard Begins USS Hopper Availability Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2010 -- Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) began a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) on USS Hopper (DDG 70) Sept. 27.
• Sailors Hone ASW Skills During Joint Warrior Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2010 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55) is conducting anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training while participating in exercise Joint Warrior 10-2.
• Lassen Arrives in Korea for Proliferation Security Initiative Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2010 -- USS Lassen (DDG 82) arrived in Busan Oct. 11 where the crew will commence International Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Eastern Endeavor 2010 hosted by the Republic of Korea.
• End Of An Era For Electronic Attack Squadron 135 Marks New Beginning Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2010 -- The "Black Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135 scored a trio of "last" accomplishments Oct. 7 when their commanding officer's EA-6B Prowler touched down aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, where it will be retired from service at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE).
• Afloat Training, Management Planning Significantly Upgraded Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2010 -- USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) was the latest ship to receive the new Navy Information/Application Product Suite (NIAPS) shipboard server upgrade 2.3 Oct. 1. NIAPS makes afloat manpower, personnel and training information available during low-or-no bandwidth conditions.
• NAVSEA Increases Wasp-Class Fuel Efficiency Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2010 -- The U.S. Navy began installing combustion trim loop systems this month on amphibious ships to improve fuel efficiency and save up to 2,400 barrels of fuel per ship annually.
• SECNAV, CNO Speak at 2010 Navy Energy Forum Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2010 -- Participants in the 2010 Navy Energy Forum at the International Trade Center in Washington Oct. 12-13 focused on achieving energy security and reviewed the progress toward the energy targets set previously by the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV).
• Top Leaders Participate in Pentagon Energy Security Event Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2010 -- The Navy participated in DoD's first Pentagon Energy Security Event, Oct. 13. The U.S military's top leaders came together to discuss fuel and energy reform and jointly conveyed that environmental conservation is key component to the future of national security.
• Naval Base Coronado Re-Opens Small Arms Range Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2010 -- Naval Base Coronado celebrated the U.S. Navy's 235th birthday by re-opening the small arms range aboard Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) Oct. 13.
• Shoup Sailors Lend a Hand in Malaysia Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2010 -- USS Shoup (DDG 86) Sailors volunteered their time at two orphanages near Kuala Lumpur during a port call visit in Port Klang, Malaysia Oct. 8-12.
• Lassen Sailors Build Friendships in Busan Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2010 -- USS Lassen (DDG 82) Sailors spent the second day of their Busan port visit building friendships with local residents during a community relations (COMREL) project and two sporting events Oct. 12.
• Evaluations, Fitness Reports Rejected for Improper PFA Codes Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2010 -- Navy Personnel Command (NPC) is reporting a jump in rejected evaluations and fitness reports since the Aug. 1 implementation of documentation changes outlined in NAVADMIN 193/10.
• Navy's Incentivized Energy Conservation Program Realizes Dividends Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2010 -- Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) announced Oct. 7, that Navy ships realized 549,000 barrels of fuel avoidance during the first three quarters of fiscal year 2010 as part of the Incentivized Energy Conservation (i-ENCON) initiative.
• NSWC Indian Head Engineers Deliver New Lightweight Modular Container Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2010 -- Navy weapons packaging engineers at the Earle, N.J. detachment of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head, delivered the first lightweight Joint Modular Intermodal Container (JMIC) prototype to the U.S. Marine Corps Sept. 29.
• US, Bulgarian airmen partner to control the sky AFNS 14 Oct 2010 -- High above the busy work of crew chiefs, security forces members and ground equipment maintainers stands a familiar piece of landscape for Airmen all over the world -- the tower.
• Test center fuses old, new technology for light attack AFNS 14 Oct 2010 -- Test pilots and engineers here are learning what happens when high-tech systems are combined with low-tech airframes for a new, cost effective, light-attack aircraft.
• Don't 'bank' on COLA AFNS 14 Oct 2010 -- A cost-of-living allowance is designed to help offset expenses incurred from living in a local economy.
• Officials publish cyberspace operations doctrine AFNS 14 Oct 2010 -- The LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education approved and published the newly developed Air Force Doctrine Document 3-12, Cyberspace Operations.
• Basic trainees begin cyber training AFNS 14 Oct 2010 -- The importance of defending cyberspace was taken to a new level when cyber training became a permanent fixture of the Air Force basic military training curriculum.
• CJCS: Air Force has 'led the way' in energy security AFNS 14 Oct 2010 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff lauded the Air Force for its commitment to energy security during the Pentagon Energy Security Event here Oct. 13.
• Australia Takes Command of Combined Task Force AFPS 14 Oct 2010 -- Pakistan navy Rear Adm. Zafar Mahmood Abbasi today turned over command of Combined Task Force 150 to Commodore Gregory Sammut of the Royal Australian navy during a change of command ceremony here.
• II MEF Marines rappel out of Osprey for training USMC News 14 Oct 2010 -- A combination of hand signals and radio chatter aided communication over the noise of MV-22 Osprey engines as four Marines prepared to slide down a rope connected to the tail of the helicopter.
• Next Kyrgyzstan Government Expected to Keep US Base VOA 14 Oct 2010 -- After Sunday's parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan, five political parties now are deep in talks about forming a coalition government. During the campaign, several parties said the new government should close an American run base that supports NATO in Afghanistan.
• Gates: Resources Must Match Words in NATO Strategic Concept AFPS 14 Oct 2010 -- Deeds and resources must match words as NATO formulates its strategy agreement for the future, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in Brussels today.
• NATO Must Adapt to Shifting Security Challenges, Clinton Says AFPS 14 Oct 2010 -- To remain relevant and effective, NATO must be able to anticipate and protect against a variety of shifting security challenges, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said here today.
• NATO Ministers Finalizing Fresh 'Strategic Concept' Ahead Of Summit RFE/RL 14 Oct 2010 -- NATO ministers have met in Brussels to finalize the agenda of the alliance's upcoming summit in Lisbon, with diplomats saying differences are narrowing over the content of the alliance's new "strategic concept," which will be NATO's blueprint for the next decade.
• NATO Chief Urges New Response to Modern-Day Threats VOA 14 Oct 2010 -- A month before a key summit, NATO's secretary-general has called on the alliance to adopt new responses to modern-day threats.
• NATO Chief Calls For Missile Defense Despite Austerity RFE/RL 14 Oct 2010 -- NATO's secretary-general has urged member states to endorse a proposed antimissile system that would link alliance members into a common network despite financial constraints due to the global economic crisis.
• Next Bulava missile test postponed until later this year RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2010 -- Russia will not carry out the next test launch of its troubled Bulava ballistic missile in late October, as was previously planned, the chief of Russia's Armed Forces General Staff said on Thursday.
• Russia to deploy Iskander missiles in all military districts RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2010 -- The Russian military plans to deploy Iskander-M tactical missiles in all four of its future military districts, the chief of Russia's Armed Forces General Staff said on Thursday.
• Russia could buy helicopter carriers by yearend - military chief RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2010 -- Russia could sign a contract on the purchase of multipurpose helicopter carriers by the end of 2010, the chief of Russia's Armed Forces General Staff said on Thursday.
• France not using Lafayette case to deny Taiwan visa waiver: MOFA CNA 14 Oct 2010 -- France has not attempted to use the Lafayette frigate dispute to interfere with Taiwan's efforts to be included in the European Union's (EU's) list of countries whose citizens can enter the EU visa free, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Timothy C.T. Yang said Thursday.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 10/14/2010 The White House 14 Oct 2010
• October 14, 2010 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 14 Oct 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 14, 2010
• UAW & IAM Union Members Rally at GE Aviation Headquarters for JSF Engine GE Aviation 14 Oct 2010 -- More than 2,000 members of the United Aerospace Workers (UAW) and International Association of Machinists (IAM) joined Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and other political leaders at the GE Aviation headquarters here to rally for the F136 competitive engine for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) F-35 aircraft.
• L-3 Awarded Life-Cycle Contractor Support (LCCS) Contract for Army Fixed-Wing Aircraft L-3 Communications 14 Oct 2010 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that its Systems Field Support (SFS) division was awarded a competitively-bid contract from the U.S. Army to provide life-cycle contractor support (LCCS) for C-12, RC-12 and UC-35 aircraft. The five-year contract, with options, will exceed $440 million and is managed by the Army's Fixed Wing Product Management Office from PEO-Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama
• Israel Ministry of Defense Signs Agreement for Purchase of F-35 Aircraft Pratt & Whitney 14 Oct 2010 -- The Israeli Minister of Defense Director General (Maj. Gen. Ret.) Udi Shani, has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the procurement of F-35 Lightning II aircraft, produced by Lockheed Martin. Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine will power the initial purchase of the Israel Air Force’s F-35 aircraft. The F135 is the only engine currently powering the F-35 aircraft and is in production today. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
• Rafael marks sale of the 1000th Litening Pod Rafael 14 Oct 2010 -- At a special event attended by senior members of Israel's defense establishment, Company and Business Partners executives, customers, and representatives of foreign militaries and airforces, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. marked today the sale of the 1000th Litening Pod.
• Pratt & Whitney Awarded F100 Engine Contract To Power Hellenic Air Force F-16s Pratt & Whitney 14 Oct 2010 -- Pratt & Whitney was awarded a $33.9 million contract for additional F100 spare engines in support of the Hellenic Air Force’s fleet of F-16 aircraft. The contract includes four F100-PW-229 Engine Enhancement Package (EEP) engines and 16 engine modules. The first F100-PW-229 EEP engine delivery is scheduled for December 2010. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
• Boeing Team Demonstrates Fully Immersive Training Environment for US Army Ground Forces Boeing 14 Oct 2010 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] was part of a team that demonstrated a fully immersive and integrated environment for ground forces training Sept. 29-30 at Fort Leonard Wood. The environment replicated an urban setting in Afghanistan, including costumed actors fluent in the local languages, realistic audio effects and typical architecture.
• General Dynamics to Upgrade USMC LAVs with Improved Fuel Tanks General Dynamics 14 Oct 2010 -- The U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Command recently awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a $8 million contract to provide U.S. Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicles (LAV) with new fuel tanks to enhance Marine safety and survivability.
• Lockheed Martin Awarded $24M Contract to Continue Maritime Surveillance Systems for Anti Submarine Warfare Lockheed Martin 14 Oct 2010 -- Advanced acoustic processing and tracking capabilities provided by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] will enhance underwater surveillance and help increase situational awareness for the U.S. Navy fleet. Lockheed Martin has been awarded a follow-on contract from the Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command to provide technology updates and new concepts to detect and track submarines. This contract extension is valued at $24 million.
• SAIC Awarded Two Task Orders Totaling $233 Million From U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAIC 14 Oct 2010 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) announced today it was awarded two task orders by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to support the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Office of Information Technology (OIT). The task orders were awarded under the DHS EAGLE contract and have a total value of $233 million if all options are exercised. Work will be performed primarily in Washington, D.C.

Other Conflicts

• 14 October 2010 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 Oct 2010
• North Sudanese Officials Seek Delay on Oil District Referendum VOA 14 Oct 2010 -- Northern Sudanese officials have called for the postponement of a referendum on the future of Sudan's oil-producing Abyei region, but southern leaders have swiftly rejected the idea.
• Security Council underscores need for timely, credible Sudanese referenda UN News Centre 14 Oct 2010 -- The two referenda on self-determination slated for January in Sudan must be held on time, in a credible manner and in line with the 2005 peace pact that ended the long-running north-south civil war, members of the Security Council, who are just back from a visit to the country, said today.
• SUDAN: What next for IDPs as Darfur camp faces closure? IRIN 14 Oct 2010 -- The impending closure of a major camp near the South Darfur town of Nyala has led to discussions between humanitarian agencies and the Sudanese government about the future of the tens of thousands of internally displaced people (IDPs) living there.
• Security Council extends mandate of experts monitoring Darfur sanctions UN News Centre 14 Oct 2010 -- The Security Council today extended the mandate of the panel of experts monitoring sanctions imposed over the strife-torn Sudanese region of Darfur for another year, with China abstaining on the vote over concerns about the panel’s work.
• Ivory Coast Presidential Campaigns About to Get Underway VOA 14 Oct 2010 -- As candidates in Ivory Coast prepare to launch their official campaigns Friday, election observers say a lot remains to be done to get the country ready to hold its long-delayed presidential poll on October 31.
• On eve of electoral campaign in Côte d’Ivoire, UN envoy appeals for calm UN News Centre 14 Oct 2010 -- On the eve of the start of the electoral campaign in Côte d’Ivoire, the top United Nations official there today called on all sides to avoid any violent disruption of the long-delayed process to end the division of the West African country caused by civil war in 2002.
• UN political chief urges swift moves to meet Nepal’s peace process deadline UN News Centre 14 Oct 2010 -- Swift action to overcome Nepal’s political impasse is required if the Asian nation is to meet the January 2011 deadline to wrap up its stalled peace process, the top United Nations political official cautioned today.
• Security Council votes to keep UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti for another year UN News Centre 14 Oct 2010 -- The Security Council today voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti until 15 October 2011, while underlining the significance of next month’s presidential and legislative polls in laying the foundation for a stable political environment in the impoverished Caribbean nation.
• Clinton to Push for Wider Kosovo Recognition VOA 14 Oct 2010 -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged to work for broader international recognition of Kosovo on Wednesday during a visit to Pristina, the first by a U.S. chief diplomat since Kosovo's independence in 2008. Clinton also stressed U.S. backing for the rights of Kosovo's Serb minority.
• India sees shift in China's policy on Kashmir IRNA 14 Oct 2010 -- India is watching with concern the recent attempt by China to treat Kashmir as a tripartite issue, marking a change in its long-stated position of viewing it as a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan.
• Russia, Georgia Resume Security Talks, Clash Over Visas RFE/RL 14 Oct 2010 -- Russia and Georgia have resumed internationally mediated talks in Geneva aimed at preventing another flare-up of violence following their brief war in August 2008.
• New crossing point opens in UN-backed efforts to reunify Cyprus UN News Centre 14 Oct 2010 -- A new road crossing between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities was opened today, a step a senior United Nations official said proved the pessimists wrong and raised hopes that the Mediterranean island can be reunited.
• Moldova becomes latest State party to International Criminal Court UN News Centre 14 Oct 2010 -- Moldova has become the latest country to ratify the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is tasked with trying people accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

News Reports

• China reiterates call for resumption of N. Korea nuclear talks RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2010 -- China urged again on Thursday the resumption of six-party talks on dismantling North Korea's nuclear program to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
• Leading Iranian Reformist Party Member Arrested RFE/RL 14 Oct 2010 -- the Islamic Iran Participation Front and Mujahedin of the Islamic Revolution -- have been banned by a court and can no longer continue their political activities.
• Press Conference BY Department of Management on United Nations Assessed Contributions United Nations 14 Oct 2010
• Ban phones African regional leader to ensure Guinea’s poll takes place on time UN News Centre 14 Oct 2010 -- Seeking to ensure that the much-delayed second round of Guinea’s presidential poll is held on 24 October as scheduled, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today phoned Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan in his role as head of a regional body that has been assisting the process.
• Iranian Money Amplifies Influence in Lebanon VOA 14 Oct 2010 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's rousing welcome to Lebanon underscores how larges sums of Iranian money have boosted Tehran's influence in the Lebanese political arena.
• Nigerian Bombing Suspect in South African Court VOA 14 Oct 2010 -- South African prosecutors say a former Nigerian militant leader was in contact with the planners of a deadly bomb attack the in Nigerian capital, Abuja.
• In Ethnically Diverse Russia, 2010 Census Presents Logistical, Political Headaches RFE/RL 14 Oct 2010 -- As Russia kicks off its first nationwide census in eight years, a quick conversation with Shamkhaldibir Isayev is all it takes to demonstrate the logistical challenges ahead.
• International Auditors Say Former Ukrainian Government Misused Funds RFE/RL 14 Oct 2010 -- An international audit alleges that the government of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko misappropriated more than $400 million.
• Press Conference by Director of Office for Outer Space Affairs United Nations 14 Oct 2010
• Taiwan won't negotiate international space with China: MAC CNA 14 Oct 2010 -- Taiwan's quest for international space and President Ma Ying-jeou's call for "mutual non-denial" will not be on the agenda of any cross-Taiwan Strait negotiations, a senior official responsible for China policy said Thursday.
• Ahmadinejad Visits Border Area With Israel On Alert RFE/RL 14 Oct 2010 -- Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has appeared for the most sensitive part of his two-day tour of Lebanon with a visit to the tense border region with Israel.
• Ahmadinejad Calls for Israel's Destruction in Speech to Hezbollah VOA 14 Oct 2010 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke at a Beirut rally, on Wednesday, that drew tens of thousands of cheering fans. He joined Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in calling for a strong Lebanese-Iranian alliance and the destruction of Israel.