17 October 2016 Military News

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OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 17 Oct 2016 [PDF]

Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 17 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 17 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Iraq, Syria Make Significant Strides Countering ISIL, Press Secretary Says AFPS 17 Oct 2016 -- In Syria and Iraq, local ground forces backed by the U.S.-led coalition have made significant progress over the past two days in the fight to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters today.

Afghan Security Forces Seek Government Support to Prevail Over Terrorists Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Waging a long and exhausting campaign against terrorist groups that threaten Afghanistan, the local security forces urgently require the support of their own government.

US provides initial critical aid in Haiti AFNS 17 Oct 2016 -- Since arriving Oct. 5, U.S. service members assigned to Joint Task Force Matthew have been operating around the clock, providing aid to citizens of western Haiti.
Expeditionary Strike Group 2 Takes Command of Joint Task Force Matthew NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- Rear Adm. Cedric Pringle transferred command of Joint Task Force-Matthew (JTF-Matthew) to Rear Adm. Roy Kitchener, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2, Oct. 16.
USS Mesa Verde Completes Haiti Disaster Relief Mission NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- Amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) left the coast of Haiti Oct. 13 after providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support for the island as part of Joint Task Force (JTF) Matthew.

Defense Policy / Programs

Detainee Transfer Announced DoD 17 Oct 2016 -- The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of Mohamedou Ould Slahi from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the Government of Mauritania.

Dunford Hosts Chiefs of Defense to Discuss Counter-Extremism Strategy AFPS 17 Oct 2016 -- The chiefs of defense from 43 nations and the commanders of the U.S. combatant commands joined Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford here today for a discussion on the global strategy to defeat violent extremism.
USS Germantown Arrives in Cambodia NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) arrived in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, for a scheduled port visit, Oct. 16.
USS Mount Whitney Arrives in Constanta, Romania NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in Constanta, Romania, for a scheduled port visit Oct. 17.
Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group Conducts Port Visits Throughout Southeast Asia NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20, and amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LDS 42), with embarked Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived for respective port visits, Oct. 15-16.
Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group Conducts Drills in South China Sea NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- The Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (BHR ESG) conducted a second iteration of drills with two guided-missile destroyers from the Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG) in international waters, Oct. 13-15.
USS Chancellorsville Arrives in Busan NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK) for a scheduled port visit, Oct. 16.
USS Barry Enjoys Port Visit in Busan NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) arrived Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK) for a scheduled port visit, Oct. 16.
USS Curtis Wilbur Arrives in Sasebo NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) arrived in Sasebo, Japan for a regularly scheduled port visit, Oct. 16.
USS McCampbell Visits Donghae After Exercise NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- The forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) pulled into Donghae, Korea, for a scheduled port visit, Oct. 15.
USS Coronado Arrives in Singapore, Continues Historic Deployment NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- Littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) arrived in Singapore Oct. 16 to begin a rotational deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Deploy NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- Nearly 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (MKIARG) and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed Naval Station San Diego for a scheduled deployment, Oct. 14.
Forward-Deployed Destroyers Demonstrate Skill as Premier Ships in C7F NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- In the midst of a demanding U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 is maintaining a high level of excellence by participating in joint exercises and projecting power across multiple warfare areas, while operating with Korean and other U.S. forces.
US MCM Units Join ROK Navy, Regional Partners for Clear Horizon NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- U.S. mine countermeasures units commenced training with Republic of Korea (ROK) navy and regional partner counterparts for the first multilateral iteration of the mine countermeasure (MCM) exercise Clear Horizon 2016, Oct. 16.
Carrier Strike Group 5 Arrives in Busan NNS 17 Oct 2016 -- Units from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea for a port visit, Oct. 16.
DARPA to Transfer Advanced Space Debris Telescope to Air Force AFPS 17 Oct 2016 -- The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has worked with the Air Force to develop an advanced telescope that already is revolutionizing space situational awareness and helping prevent potential collisions with satellites or planet Earth.

Moscow, Cairo launch joint counterterrorism drills Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- Military forces of Russia and Egypt are taking part in joint military drills on Egyptian soil, the first such maneuvers in the African continent.

Vilnius' Protest Citing Alleged Baltic Sea Incident Pre-Election Move Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Lithuania has expressed concern over an incident in the Baltic Sea, Russian Ambassador to Lithuania Alexander Udaltsov said on Monday.

Chinese naval fleet visits Cambodia to boost naval ties People's Daily 17 Oct 2016 -- A Chinese naval fleet has visited Cambodia to promote bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries.

Indian Navy to Induct Seven Multirole Next Generation Corvettes From 2023 Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- The Indian Navy begins its preparation to build seven 'Next Generation Corvettes' at Indian shipyards that would be capable of offensive surface to surface missile attacks, and anti-submarine warfare operations.

Iran naval forces repel pirates attacks in Gulf of Aden IRNA 17 Oct 2016 -- Iranian Navy announced that the naval forces have repulsed pirates attacks in Gulf of Aden early on Monday.
Iran Navy foils pirate attacks on vessels in Gulf of Aden Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- Iranian naval forces have successfully thwarted major pirate attacks on two merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden.
Iran Air Force begins large-scale drills Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- Iran's Air Force has started large-scale three-day military drills in the central province of Isfahan, demonstrating the aviation branch of the Army's prowess in defending the country's airspace.

Institute denies Taiwan is supplier of PAC-3 technology CNA 17 Oct 2016 -- The Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) on Monday denied a news report that said a key technology used in the U.S.-made Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) anti-missile system originated from Taiwan.

17 October 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 17 Oct 2016
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 10/17/2016 The White House 17 Oct 2016

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for October 17, 2016

Other Conflicts

October 17, 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Oct 2016

Yemen: UN envoy announces restoration of nationwide cessation of hostilities UN News 17 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, announced today a plan for the resumption of a comprehensive cessation of hostilities in the war-torn Gulf nation.
UN: 72-Hour Truce to Begin in Yemen Wednesday VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen announced a 72-hour cease-fire to begin Wednesday night, after he received commitments from all of the country's warring factions.
Yemeni retaliatory attack leaves 5 Saudi soldiers dead Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- Yemeni army soldiers, backed by fighters from allied Popular Committees, have reportedly launched a missile attack against Saudi military forces in the kingdom's southwestern border region of Jizan, leaving five of them dead.
Yemen urges UN to put end to Saudi war Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- Yemen's top governing body has called on the United Nations (UN) and the Security Council to intervene in order to put an end to Saudi Arabia's atrocious war.

Russia, Syria halt airstrikes on Aleppo ahead of schedule Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has announced that Russian and Syrian airstrikes against the militant-held city of Aleppo have been halted.
'Aleppo will not be there' in two months if diplomatic stalemate continues, warns UN envoy UN News 17 Oct 2016 -- Between now and December, "if we cannot find a solution, Aleppo will not be there anymore," warned United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, speaking to reporters after a meeting today with Foreign Ministers of the European Union in Luxembourg.
EU Push To Boost Pressure On Russia, Syria Over Aleppo Bombing RFE/RL 17 Oct 2016 -- European Union foreign ministers have strongly condemned Syrian and Russian air strikes on civilian targets in rebel-held eastern Aleppo, saying they "may amount to war crimes."
Interview: U.K.-Based Monitor Contrasts Russian, U.S. Air Campaigns In Syria RFE/RL 17 Oct 2016 -- The unrelenting bombing of rebel-held Aleppo by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian ally, Vladimir Putin, has drawn international condemnation and even calls from Washington and Paris for a war crimes investigation.
Daesh Militants Arrive in Syrian Raqqa After Start of Mosul Offensive Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Vehicles with Daesh militants that arrived from Iraq are concentrating in northern Raqqa, according to local sources.
UN Ready to Send Humanitarian Convoy to Aleppo Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations prepared convoy to start evacuate wounded and give supplies to Aleppo, but there are many details which must be settled in advance as trans-border operations are complicated, according to Senior Adviser to UN Special Envoy for Syria Jan Egeland.
New Aleppo Attack in Syria Kills at Least 23 VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- A new aerial bombardment Monday in Syria flattened residential buildings in a rebel-controlled village in the northern province of Aleppo, killing at least 23 people.
EU Considering Syria Sanctions, But Not Against Russia VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini says the EU is not considering sanctioning Russia over its actions in Syria.
US Defense Secretary Welcomes Liberating Syrian Dabiq From Daesh Terrorists Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter welcomed liberation of the northern Syrian town of Dabiq from the Daesh terror group.

Iraqi forces making gains in battle for Mosul Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces have made major advances in their battle to liberate the city of Mosul from Daesh. The operations are advancing from three directions, namely the south, the east, and the northeast of the city. Here is a series of the latest updates on the military push:
Shiite Militias Insist on Joining Liberation of Mosul VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has promised only regular Iraqi forces will enter Sunni-dominated Mosul in the battle to oust jihadists who have controlled the city for two years. However, in the runup to the assault, leaders of Shiite militias say they will be part of the liberation of the Islamic State terror group's last major Iraqi stronghold.
UN Readies for Humanitarian Impact of Mosul Operation VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations is bracing for what could be its biggest humanitarian challenge. As Iraqi and Kurdish forces move to liberate Iraq's second-largest city from Islamic State fighters, the U.N. said Monday as many as 1 million civilians could try to flee the fighting.
Kurdish Soldiers Report Initial Success in Battle to Re-take Mosul VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- Kurdish leaders reported some initial success as Iraqi forces launched a long-anticipated ground offensive Monday to retake the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State militants.
Ankara-Baghdad Tensions Escalate as Mosul Operation Begins VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- With Iraqi-led forces starting their operation to recapture the city of Mosul from Islamic State militants, diplomatic tensions have erupted again between Baghdad and Ankara over the operation.
UN calls for protection of civilians as Iraq begins military operations to retake Mosul UN News 17 Oct 2016 -- As a large-scale military offensive gets under way to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) fighters, senior United Nations officials today are stressing the need to ensure that civilians in the city are protected and able to access to humanitarian assistance.
Iraqi Forces Begin Battle for Mosul AFPS 17 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces launched their counterattack yesterday to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, according to a statement released by Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials.
Mosul liberation operation launched IRNA 17 Oct 2016 -- Battle for liberation of the city of Mosul in the northern Iraq province of Nineveh from the terrorist Daesh group started on Monday.
Iran vows support for Iraq terror fight amid Mosul offensive Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman says the Islamic Republic supports the Iraqi government in its fight against terrorism amid an offensive to drive out Daesh terrorists from Iraq's northern city of Mosul.
Bomb blast kills 10 south of Baghdad Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- A bomb planted in a car has exploded in an area to the south of the Iraqi capital, killing at least ten people and injuring 25 others.
Iraq Launches Operation To Retake Mosul From Islamic State RFE/RL 17 Oct 2016 -- A long-awaited military operation to retake the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from the Islamic State (IS) group has started.
More Aid Needed for Mosul as 200,000 Residents May Flee Iraqi City Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) media coordinator Becky Bakr Abdulla, currently working in Iraq, said that the umanitarian community on the ground, including the NRC, is ready to receive 60,000 people from Mosul.
Iraqi Politician Tells Sputnik Daesh's First Line of Defense in Mosul Crumbles Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Daesh militants are taking heavy casualties as the Iraqi military and its allies continue their implacable advance on the city of Mosul.
Daesh Suppresses Uprising of Own 'Islamic Police' in Mosul Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- The Daesh announced through their information channels that the Islamic police uprising against its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had been suppressed, according to local media.
Peshmerga Commander to Sputnik: Daesh Already Experiences Heavy Losses in Mosul Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Commenting on the ongoing offensive of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army on Iraq's second-largest city of Mosul, Peshmerga unit commander Hüseyin Yezdanpana told Sputnik Turkiye that Daesh is already experienceing heavy losses.
Over 80,000 Troops Involved in Liberation of Iraqi Mosul From Daesh Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Over 80,000 troops are involved, including engineers and logistical support, in the operation to liberate the city of Mosul in Iraq from the Daesh terrorists, according to media reports.
DDN Turkey Determined to Take Part in Mosul Operation – President Erdogan Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Turkey is determined to participate in the operation to free Iraq's city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS) militants, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Monday.
Kurdish Militia and Iraqi Army Start Large-Scale Operation on Mosul Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- The Kurdish Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army launched an offensive on the northern Iraqi city of Mosul controlled by the Daesh terror group on Monday at about 03:00 GMT, the General Command of Peshmerga said.
Iraqi Prime Minister Announces Launch of Operation to Retake Mosul from Daesh Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on Iraqi television early Monday that the long-awaited offensive to retake the Daesh stronghold in Iraq has begun.

Rival Governments Vie for Control of Libya VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- Tensions reached a boiling point in the Libyan capital Monday, as rival militia groups waged a low-level turf war in a political battle between the U.N.-backed "national unity" government of Fayez al-Sarraj and the unrecognized, Islamist-supported government of Khalifa Ghweil.

Pro-Russia commander killed in bombing in eastern Ukraine Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- A top commander of pro-Russia forces has been killed in a bombing in eastern Ukraine, local authorities say, accusing the Kiev government over his death.
Separatists Vow Revenge After Top Commander Killed In Eastern Ukraine RFE/RL 17 Oct 2016 -- An unruly commander of Russia-backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine who once boasted about having killed captive soldiers has died in Donetsk in an apparent assassination, the latest in a spate of killings that the separatists blame on Kyiv but that others suspect have been carried out by Russia.
Murder of Donetsk Militia Commander Threatens to Reignite Ukraine's Civil War Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- On Sunday night, Donetsk People's Republic militia commander Arseny Pavlov, aka Motorola, was killed in an explosion of an elevator in a Donetsk high-rise. DPR leader Alexander Zakharchenko called the attack a declaration of war by Kiev. Analysts warn that the brazen attack could lead to a resumption of hostilities.

Egyptian forces killed as army begins anti-terror offensive in Sinai Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- At least eight Egyptian security forces have been killed and nearly a dozen others injured in the country's restive Sinai Peninsula as the army begins a major operation to root out terrorists.

Central African Republic: UN Mission condemns 'cowardly' attacks on peacekeepers UN News 17 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA) today strongly condemned repeated assaults against its peacekeepers, in the wake of two attacks over the past five days.

South Sudan Army: More Than 50 Rebels Killed in Weekend Clashes VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- The South Sudan army says it killed more than 50 rebels and members of militia groups and wounded several others during clashes Sunday west of the town of Malakal.
South Sudan army says 56 rebels killed in weekend fighting Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- South Sudan's army says heavy clashes between government forces and rebels have left dozens of people dead over the weekend around the town of Malakal.

News Reports

Shenzhou-11 launch heralds grand prospects for future space travel People's Daily 17 Oct 2016 -- Haris Qamar, 26, of Burke, Virginia, pleaded guilty today to attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
China launches manned spacecraft People's Daily 17 Oct 2016 -- China launched the Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft on Monday morning to transport two astronauts to the Tiangong II space laboratory.

RT Television Says Bank Accounts In Britain Shut RFE/RL 17 Oct 2016 -- Russian state broadcaster RT says all its bank accounts in Britain have been closed down.
RT to Continue Work in UK Despite Blocking of Accounts - Editor-in-Chief Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- The blocking of the accounts of the RT broadcaster in the United Kingdom will not lead to the company halting its operations in the country, RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan said Monday.
All of RT's Accounts in the UK Blocked, Says Editor-in-Chief Simonyan Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan said that all the company's accounts in the UK have been blocked.
Kremlin-funded RT Claims Britain Blocked All its Bank Accounts VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- The editor-in-chief of Kremlin-funded television network RT claimed Monday that all channel's bank accounts in Britain have been closed.
Russia Set To Unveil Cultural, Orthodox Jewel On The Seine RFE/RL 17 Oct 2016 -- A massive Russian "spiritual and cultural center," crowned by a golden-domed Orthodox cathedral, opens its gates in downtown Paris this week, thrusting Russian religious and political outreach to the fore in one of Europe's most prestigious and influential capitals.

Assange's internet link cut off intentionally: WikiLeaks Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange's internet connection has been "intentionally" cut off, the anti-secrecy website says, reassuring his followers that "appropriate" contingency plans are in place.
WikiLeaks: Julian Assange's Internet Connection 'Severed by State Party' Sputnik 17 Oct 2016 -- The Internet connection of WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange has been "intentionally severed by a state party," the organization has claimed. The incident comes as WikiLeaks continues to release leaked documents relating to US Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton's campaign.

Retired US General Pleads Guilty in Classified Leak Case VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- A retired U.S. Marine general who at one time was the nation's second highest-ranking military officer, pleaded guilty Monday to charges that he lied to investigators about leaking classified information.

Security Council strongly condemns failed ballistic missile launch by DPR Korea UN News 17 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations Security Council today strongly condemned the latest failed ballistic missile launch conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which took place on 14 October.
UN Security Council Condemns North Korean Attempted Missile Launch VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- The U.N. Security Council has strongly condemned North Korea's recent failed missile launch, threatening additional measures against the communist country.
North Korean Missile Tests Reduce Prospects for Compromise VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- Following North Korea's failed missile test over the weekend, South Korea has ruled out seeking compromise with the Kim Jong Un government.

US dodging obligations under Iran nuclear deal: Commentator Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- The United States' approach towards the implementation of the nuclear deal reached between Iran and six world powers nearly one year ago, has driven a number of political observers into concluding that Washington is seeking ways to shirk its obligations under the deal.

Maryland Man Indicted With Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL US Dept. of Justice 17 Oct 2016 -- A federal grand jury charged Nelash Mohamed Das, 24, a citizen of Bangladesh residing in Landover Hills, Maryland, with attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL US Dept. of Justice 17 Oct 2016 -- Haris Qamar, 26, of Burke, Virginia, pleaded guilty today to attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Thailand king's death not to affect 2017 elections: media Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- Thailand's military government says the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej will not affect its plans to hold a general election next year, media in the country say.

DRC 'Dialogue' Aims to Set Elections for April 2018 VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- In the Democratic Republic of Congo, participants in an African Union-mediated dialogue are expected to unveil a controversial deal to hold elections in April 2018. The country's main opposition coalition has boycotted the talks and called for a general strike Wednesday.

After Threat of Rift, Philippines Looks to Reset Ties With China VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- A visit by the Philippine's recently elected, and feisty, President Rodrigo Duterte to China this week is being watched closely for signs of a shift in ties between the two countries, which have been battered for years over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Equatorial Guinea Seeks to Stop Paris Corruption Trial VOA 17 Oct 2016 -- The International Court of Justice is holding hearings on demands by Equatorial Guinea that France halt a corruption case against Teodorin Obiang, the vice president of the West African country and son of its longtime president.

Bangladesh accelerates trials of militants Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- Bangladesh plans to expedite the trials of suspected extremist militants, sparking concerns among human rights groups, which suggest that the move could be politically-motivated.

Ethiopia limits diplomats' movements, media access Press TV 17 Oct 2016 -- Just over a week after declaring a state of emergency, Ethiopia's government has introduced a new set of restrictions.

UN anti-crime chief urges better use of Convention against Transnational Organized Crime UN News 17 Oct 2016 -- Citing indisputable negative impacts of transnational organized crime on people's lives and societies, the United Nations top anti-crime official today stressed the need to make better use of the existing global convention and its protocols to tackle this illicit act.

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