26 October 2016 Military News

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OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 26 Oct 2016 [PDF]

Department of Defense Press Briefing by Lt. Gen. Townsend Via Teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 26 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve
Coalition Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Iraq, Syria AFPS 26 Oct 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
OIR Commander Cites Momentum in Mosul Push; Raqqa Isolation to Begin 'Soon' AFPS 26 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces continue to make steady progress in the effort to retake Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said today.
Int'l coalition military chiefs vow to intensify fight against IS People's Daily 26 Oct 2016 -- Defense chiefs of international coalition against the Islamic State (IS) during a meeting here on Tuesday vowed to intensify the fight by putting on track a military offensive to retake Reqqa, IS bastion in Syria.
Carter: US laying groundwork for Raqqah offensive Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter says the Pentagon is planning a ground offensive to oust the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group from the Syrian city of Raqqah, the terror group's stronghold in the country.
US Military on Ground in Syria Training Opposition for Raqqa Operation Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- The US is training Syrian opposition for the operation to retake Raqqa from Daesh terrorists.

US secretly using Tunisia airbase for drones spying on Libya: Sources Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- The US military forces have secretly been using an airbase in Tunisia for drone operations to gather intelligence from inside oil-rich Libya, officials say.

U.S. Strike in Yemen Kills 5 Terrorists, Centcom Officials Say AFPS 26 Oct 2016 -- An Oct. 21 U.S. strike in Yemen killed five members of the al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula terrorist organization, U.S. Central Command officials announced today.

Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Strikes against Al-Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan DoD 26 Oct 2016 -- On October 23rd, U.S. forces conducted precision strikes in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, targeting Faruq al-Qatani and Bilal al-Utabi, two of al-Qaeda's most senior leaders in Afghanistan.
Daesh terrorists kill 30 Afghan civilians: Local officials Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- Members of the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group have killed around 30 civilians, including children, in the central Afghan province of Ghor, Afghan officials say.
Gunmen Kill Dozens Of Civilians In Afghanistan, Prompting Protests RFE/RL 26 Oct 2016 -- Gunmen have rounded up and shot dead dozens of civilians in central Afghanistan, prompting protests by locals about government failure to protect them.
UN mission 'outraged' at killing of hostages in central Afghanistan UN News 26 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has strongly condemned the killing of 26 civilians who were earlier taken hostage by a group of armed men in country's central Ghor province.
Afghan Officials: IS Abducts, Massacres 30 Civilians VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- Authorities in Afghanistan said Wednesday that extremists linked to Islamic State have abducted and massacred at least 30 civilians in a remote central region.

Defense Policy / Programs

First Women Graduate US Army Infantry Officer Course VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- U.S. Army women hit a milestone Wednesday, as the first women graduated from the military branch's Infantry Basic Officer Leader's Course.
Pentagon Official Announces Lower Cost Growth in Latest Acquisition Report AFPS 26 Oct 2016 -- As he concludes five years in the position, the undersecretary for acquisition,technology and logistics, announced the release of the 2016 Performance of the Defense Acquisition System Annual Report during a media conference call, Oct. 21.
Statement from Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on California National Guard Bonus Payments DoD 26 Oct 2016
Carter Tasks DoD Team With Streamlining Review Process for 13,000 California Guardsmen AFPS 26 Oct 2016 -- Defense Department officials say they want fair treatment for California National Guard soldiers who may have improperly received incentive bonuses and tuition assistance.
James focused on diversity, emerging threats, space AFNS 26 Oct 2016 -- Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James joined the secretaries of the Army and Navy for a "conversation with the service secretaries" panel hosted by the Center for a New American Security here Oct. 24.
QF-4 mission nearly complete AFNS 26 Oct 2016 -- The QF-4 Aerial Target mission is winding down and two of the aircraft visited Hill Air Force Base Oct. 25, so supporters of the F-4 Phantom IIs could see them one last time.
Readout of Secretary Carter's Trilateral Meeting with Turkish Minister of National Defense Fikri Işık and French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian DoD 26 Oct 2016
Readout of Deputy Secretary Bob Work's Meeting with Japanese Administrative Vice Minister of Defense Tetsuro Kuroe DoD 26 Oct 2016
Exercise Lava Viper: Direct fire training USMC News 26 Oct 2016 -- Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment's "Black Sheep," conducted a direct fire training exercise on Oct. 16, during their annual training exercise, Lava Viper, a staple in the battalion's pre-deployment training, at Range 13 aboard Pohakuloa Training Area.
USS Carney Arrives in Constanta, Romania NNS 26 Oct 2016 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) arrived in Constanta, Romania, for a scheduled port visit Oct. 25.
Nimitz Completes At-Sea Ammunition Onload NNS 26 Oct 2016 -- Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) conducted its first at-sea ammunition onload in more than two years, Oct. 23-24 during an underway replenishment (UNREP) with the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8).
Navy's Most Advanced Warship USS Zumwalt Visits Mayport NNS 26 Oct 2016 -- The Navy's most technologically advanced warship, guided-missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), arrived in Mayport, Florida, for a port visit Oct. 25 after a period of operations in the Atlantic Ocean.
SECNAV Visits Naval Station Great Lakes NNS 26 Oct 2016 -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus visited the Navy's largest training installation, Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL), Oct. 25, to speak with Sailors and Marines about current issues facing today's Navy and Marine Corps forces during an all-hands call inside Ross Theater.
Taking the fight to the cyberspace frontier AFNS 26 Oct 2016 -- In a highly secure, underground facility in Colorado Springs, crews of operators in a room full of computers keep an ever vigilant eye, protecting worldwide U.S. assets around the clock.
DoD Official Discusses U.S. Military, Commercial Space Industry AFPS 26 Oct 2016 -- The United States must make sure space services are always available to its warfighters, Douglas L. Loverro, deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy said Oct. 24 at the Center for Strategic and International Studies here.

White House: No Formal Talks With Philippines on Threat to Cut Military Ties VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- The White House said on Wednesday the United States has not formally communicated with the Philippines government about threats to sever military ties between the two countries.
Philippine president wants foreign troops out in 2 years People's Daily 26 Oct 2016 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that he wanted foreign military troops out of his country "probably in the next two years."
Philippine President Duterte wants US troops out in two years Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he wants US troops out of his country in the next two years, amid rising tensions between Manila and Washington.
US Expects Philippines to Honor Alliance Commitments Despite Harsh Rhetoric Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- US Department of State spokeswoman Julia Mason said that Washington is fully confident that bilateral relations with Philippines remain strong, including in trade, investment and remittances.
Duterte's Confrontational Rhetoric Threatens US Asia Pivot Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- President Rodrigo Duterte has called for all US troops to leave the Philippines within "the next two years."

Carter Announces Deterrence, Defense Buildup in Europe AFPS 26 Oct 2016 -- As NATO faces new challenges from the east, south, north and from within, the United States will continue to strengthen deterrence by sending troops to Europe, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told reporters in Brussels today.
Media Availability with Secretary Carter at NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium DoD 26 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
Defence Ministers mark progress in strengthening NATO's defence and deterrence NATO 26 Oct 2016 -- NATO Defence Ministers are meeting in Brussels over the next two days (26-27 October 2016) to take forward decisions made at the Warsaw Summit in July. Today, ministers will mark progress in plans for a strengthened NATO presence in the eastern part of the Alliance, and in the Black Sea region. They will also discuss Russia's recent military activity along NATO's borders.
Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of NATO Defence Ministers NATO 26 Oct 2016 -- (as delivered)
NATO pushes military buildup plans near Russia Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is pushing for its biggest military buildup near Russian borders, as the Western military alliance continues to harbor perceptions of a Russian "threat" since the days of the Cold War.
Over Dozen States to Contribute to Four NATO Battalions in Baltics, Poland Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- A total of 13 NATO member states are going to contribute to Canadian, German, the United Kingdom and the United States-led battalions in the Baltic States and Poland scheduled for the deployment for early 2017, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday.

UK announces new troop deployment near Russia's borders Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- British Defense Minister Michael Fallon says the UK is set to deploy hundreds of troops to the Baltic region in Europe to support its NATO allies in the face of a "more assertive Russia."
UK to Deploy Tanks, Drones to Eastern Europe to 'Boost NATO Presence' Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- Michael Fallon said that UK Defense Ministry mulls sending tactical drones and Challenger 2 tanks to Eastern Europe as part of its commitment to NATO to deploy a battalion to Estonia.
UK steps up measures to reassure European allies UK MOD 26 Oct 2016 -- The UK is stepping up its package of measures to support its allies in Europe, in the face of a more assertive Russia, the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced today.

Russia calls off warships refueling stopover at Spanish port Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- Russia says it has cancelled plans for a fleet of its warships to refuel at a Spanish port on their way to Syria.
Russia Rescinds Request To Resupply Flotilla At Spanish Port RFE/RL 26 Oct 2016 -- Russia has withdrawn its request to resupply a naval flotilla at a Spanish-controlled port in the Mediterranean.
Russian MoD Denies Reports of Aircraft Carrier's Call to Refuel in Spain Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- The Russian Defense Ministry said it had not asked Spain for refueling the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier currently en route to the Mediterranean.
Russian Warships to Reroute From Ceuta Port in Spain Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- A group of Russian warships heading to the Mediterranean will not enter the Spanish port of Ceuta because of changing its route.
Russian 'Flying Laboratory' Aircraft Conducts First Flight – Developer Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- According to Vega Radio Engineering Corporation director, Russia-made A100LL early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft has completed its first flight.

Russia, India Make Progress in S-400 Systems, BrahMos Missiles, Ka-226 Choppers Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- The Russian and Indian defense ministries have been tasked with developing cooperation in the military-technical field, and have already made progress in talks on joint projects, including on S-400 air defense systems, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.

US Spy Chief: Asking North Korea To Stop Nuke Program a 'Lost Cause' Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- On Tuesday, National Intelligence Director James Clapper said that the US must focus on limiting North Korea's nuclear capabilities, because convincing the isolated country to halt nuclear development is a "lost cause."

Islamic Revolution Guard Corps ten times more powerful today: Commander IRNA 26 Oct 2016 -- Today military power of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps is ten times as much the power yielded by the force during the last year of the Iran-Iraq war, says the IRGC commander.
Iran unveils long-range, radar-evading drone Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- Iran has unveiled a new light-weight, long-range stealth unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of flying at a maximum altitude of 10, 000 feet.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 10/26/2016 The White House 26 Oct 2016
October 26, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 26 Oct 2016

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for October 26, 2016

Other Conflicts

26 October 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Oct 2016

Yemeni forces, allies seize military base in SW Saudi Arabia Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- Yemeni army soldiers, supported by fighters from Popular Committees, have established control over a military base in Saudi Arabia's southwestern border region of Najran as they continue their retaliatory raids against Riyadh's military.

Daesh 'Creatively' Flies Drones for Surveillance, Attacks Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- The commander of the US-led coalition fighting Daesh said the jihadists "make extensive use of drones" for surveillance and attacks.
Rights Group Warns of Mine Threats in Former IS Territory VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- Human Rights Watch warned Wednesday of the dangers civilians face from landmines placed by Islamic State fighters as battles continue to recapture control of areas in Syria and Iraq.

Turkey Ready to Drive Kurds Out of Northern Syrian Town of Manbij - President Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey is ready to start operation to push the self-defense forces of Syrian Kurds out of the northern Syrian town of Manbij in the near future.
Ankara Will Not Abandon Its 'Brothers Turkmens' in Iraq if They Are in Danger Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- Ankara will not abandon its "brothers Turkmens in Tal Afar" in Iraq if their well-being is jeopardized, the Turkish foreign minister said.
Turkey to Continue Operation in Syria Despite Damascus Forces' Attacks on FSA Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- Turkey will continue its military Euphrates Shield operation in northern Syria despite Syrian government forces' attacks on Ankara-backed Free Syrian Army's (FSA) positions, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Wednesday.

Syria rejects West accusations over chemical attacks Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- Syria has dismissed as baseless recent allegations brought against the Damascus government by Western countries in connection with chemical attacks in the war-torn Arab country.
Islamic State Forcing Coalition to Speed Up Plans for Raqqa VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- Fears that the Islamic State is beginning to mass in its self-proclaimed Syrian capital of Raqqa and the possibility that the terror group may launch attacks from there are prompting the United States and its Western allies to put Raqqa in their crosshairs in the coming weeks.
Raqqa Fight Starting 'Soon,' Isolation Operation to Include YPG VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- A Syrian rebel group that includes a significant number of Kurdish YPG fighters will move to isolate Raqqa "soon," a move in the fight against Islamic State that could infuriate U.S. ally Turkey.
UN Aid Chief: Aleppo Is 'a Kill Zone' VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations humanitarian chief said Wednesday that Syria's eastern Aleppo has essentially become a "kill zone" with more than 400 people slain and nearly 2,000 wounded in the past month.

More areas retaken from Daesh near Iraq's Mosul Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi government soldiers have liberated more areas around the northern city of Mosul from Daesh terrorists in a massive offensive aimed at retaking the entire city from the extremists.
Some 60 Iraqi Soldiers Killed in Mosul Offensive, 250 Wounded - CENTCOM Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi forces lost some 60 soldiers in the operation to liberate Mosul from the Daesh, while about 250 others have been wounded, US Central Command commander Gen. Joseph Votel said on Wednesday.
Hope Amid Chaos: Yazidis Waiting to Reunite With Hostages After Mosul Liberation Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- Hundreds of Yazidi hostages are being held captive by Daesh in Mosul, and the Yazidis hope the impending operation there will liberate them, Yezidi representative of the Regional Government of Iraqi Kurdistan Xeyri Bozan told Sputnik Turkiye.
UN Refugee Agency Airlifting Over 7,000 Tents to Assist Displaced in Mosul Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)'s goal is to secure 50,000 tents and 50,000 emergency shelter kits for Iraqi families to provide necessary assistance to the Iraqis displaced due to Mosul operation, according to a press release.
UN aid agencies stepping up assistance for those fleeing Mosul fighting UN News 26 Oct 2016 -- As newly-displaced Iraqis are starting to arrive at camps set up by the United Nations for people fleeing the ongoing military offensive to wrest Mosul from terrorists, the Organization's health and refugee agencies have ramped up their own operations to provide assistance and to respond to what has thus far been a 'moderate' influx.
More Than 10,000 Iraqis Have Fled Mosul Area VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- The International Organization for Migration says more than 10,000 Iraqis have been displaced since the start of an operation to retake the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State militants.
As Some Iraqis Flee Fighting, Others Long for Home VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- Fleeing fighting, abandoning their villages, and returning to formerly IS controlled areas, Iraqis are on the move.

Kremlin Brushes Off E-Mail Leak Allegedly Showing Russian Hand In Ukraine Conflict RFE/RL 26 Oct 2016 -- The Kremlin has challenged the authenticity of leaked e-mails purportedly from the inbox of presidential aide Vladislav Surkov that appear to show the Russian government's coordination with separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Putin: Crimean Integration Into Russian Legal Framework Goes Forward Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- The integration of Crimea into the Russian legal and administrative systems is a complex process, but the majority of the key issues have already been addressed, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.
Armed OSCE Mission Could Be Deployed Along Donbass Contact Line - Russian Envoy Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- The Russian envoy to the Ukraine contact group said that an OSCE mission with armed members could be deployed along the line of disengagement on Donbass.

IS Militants Seize Town in Somalia's Puntland VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- Pro-Islamic State militants have seized their first big town in the Puntland region of Somalia, officials and residents told VOA.

Secret talks between Mozambique opposition, EU mediators canceled Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- Secret peace negotiations between Mozambique's opposition leader Afonso Dhlakama and EU mediators were annulled at the weekend after fighting erupted between the country's army and former rebel fighters, local media say.

Pakistan army says Indian troops killed two civilians in Kashmir Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- Pakistan's army says Indian troops have killed two civilians in the disputed region of Kashmir.

Ban condemns outbreak of violence and attacks on UN mission in Central African Republic UN News 26 Oct 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the outbreak of violence, on 24 October, in the Central African Republic's (CAR) capital, Bangui, that killed at least four civilians and injured nine others.

South Sudan: UN human rights chief warns of 'alarming rise' in ethnic hate speech UN News 26 Oct 2016 -- An alarming rise in hate speech and incitement to violence against certain ethnic groups in South Sudan has prompted the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, to issue a warning that if the community and political leaders at the highest levels do not rein it in, mass atrocities in the country could erupt.
S. Sudan President Wants to Increase Number of States - Again VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- A spokesman for South Sudan's president has said a committee is looking at whether the war-torn country should add three or four more states to its current total of 28.

'Nigeria faces worst humanitarian crisis on the African continent," warns senior UN relief official UN News 26 Oct 2016 -- With nearly 400,000 children facing starvation in Nigeria, and citizens suffering with little to no protection, security, food or access to clean water, "Nigeria is facing the worst humanitarian crisis on the African continent," Peter Lundberg, the acting United Nations Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, warned today.

Gambia announces intention to withdraw from International Criminal Court Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- Gambia has followed in the footsteps of Burundi and South Africa by declaring its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
China Respects Decision of South Africa, Gambia to Leave ICC - Foreign Ministry Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- China respects the decision of several African nations to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC) and calls to respect the principle of national sovereignty, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Wednesday.
Amnesty International Blasts Gambia ICC Withdrawal VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- Rights group Amnesty International is denouncing Gambia's withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, calling it "a blow to millions of victims around the world."
Gambia Latest African Country to Withdraw From International Criminal Court VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- Gambia accused the International Criminal Court of ignoring "war crimes" Tuesday as it withdrew from the institution Tuesday, following in the footsteps of South Africa and Burundi, which withdrew from the court earlier this month.

News Reports

Montenegrin PM Resigns, Suggests Russia Behind Alleged Coup Plot RFE/RL 26 Oct 2016 -- Montenegro's Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic has resigned, hours after suggesting that Russia was involved in an alleged coup attempt on the country's election day and accusing the opposition of collaborating with the Kremlin.
Montenegro's pro-West PM to step down Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- Montenegro's long-time, pro-West leader, Milo Djukanovic, will not continue as prime minster in the next government, his ruling Democratic Socialist party has said.

Venezuela Opposition Holds Mass Protests Against Unpopular Leader VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- Venezuela's political standoff deepened as thousands of protesters took to the streets in several cities.
Venezuela's Maduro calls impeachment vote 'coup bid' Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the opposition of attempting a "parliamentary coup" by voting to launch an impeachment process against him amid a tense political and economic crisis.
Venezuela Begins Printing Large-Denomination Bills Due to Inflation Sputnik 26 Oct 2016 -- Inflation forced the Venezuelan Central Bank to begin issuing large-denomination banknotes and coins, local media reported on Wednesday.

Trump: Clinton's Syria Policy Would Bring World War 3 VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says Democrat Hillary Clinton's Syria policies would lead to another world war.
Potential For U.S.-Russia Conflict Seen With Clinton's Syria Plan RFE/RL 26 Oct 2016 -- U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and a top U.S. intelligence official agreed on the potential for conflict with Russia if the United States adopts Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's plan on Syria.

Protests Flare in Turkey After Kurdish Co-mayors Arrested on Terror Charges VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- Hundreds of Turkey's Kurds staged nationwide protests after Turkish authorities detained the co-mayors of the predominantly Kurdish southeastern city of Diyarbakir in an alleged terror probe.
61 Turkish police chiefs reassigned to new positions amid crackdown Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- The Turkish government has replaced the police chiefs of more than 60 provinces, including Izmir, Adana and Konya, as Ankara maintains its crackdown on individuals suspected of involvement in the abortive coup of mid-July, a report says.
Interview: U.S. Judge Says Turkey's Judiciary 'Taken Over' By Erdogan RFE/RL 26 Oct 2016 -- Mark L. Wolf is a senior U.S. federal judge who went to Turkey in 2012 to help train the country's prosecutors and judges to be more independent and more impartial.

EU seeks closer ties with Iran after JCPOA: President Rouhani Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- President Hassan Rouhani says the European Union is willing to expand its relations with Iran, especially in the light of the circumstances that has ensued Tehran's nuclear agreement with world powers.

US Abstains from UN Vote on Cuba Embargo VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- For the first time, the United States has abstained from a U.N. resolution urging the lifting of Washington's nearly 60-year old economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba.

China stresses support for UN 45 years after restoration of lawful seat People's Daily 26 Oct 2016 -- China made a fresh pledge Tuesday to support the United Nations in playing a central role in international affairs 45 years after the restoration of its lawful seat in the UN.
China's image soars among Africans People's Daily 26 Oct 2016 -- The image of China as a development model has soared among Africans, said a report issued here based on the latest survey findings of Afrobarometer, a pan-African, non-partisan research network.
Detained Lawyers' Families Send Open Letter to China's Xi Jinping VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- As China hosts high-level political meetings in Beijing, the families of five jailed human rights lawyers have written President Xi Jinping an open letter, urging the top leader to stop a controversial nationwide crackdown of lawyers.

DPRK Rejects Anti-DPRK "Open Statement" of International Financial Supervisory Body KCNA 26 Oct 2016 -- A spokesman for the National Coordinating Committee of the DPRK for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism gave the following answer to a question raised by KCNA Wednesday in connection with the fact that the U.S. and its vassal forces are inciting the atmosphere of putting financial sanctions on the DPRK even by setting in motion the international financial supervision organization:
U.S. Arms Buildup in Asia-Pacific Region Denounced KCNA 26 Oct 2016 -- The U.S. arms buildup in the Asia-Pacific region is obviously aimed at containing big powers in the region with military edge and building an order whereby everything is settled under its baton, Rodong Sinmun Wednesday says in an article.
Rodong Sinmun Flays S. Korean Puppet Forces' Multi-national Mine Warfare Drill KCNA 26 Oct 2016 -- The south Korean puppet forces together with the U.S. staged multi-national mine warfare drill in the South Sea of Korea from Oct. 15 to 22 with the involvement of forces of UK and other satellite countries which took part in the past Korean war, The provocative maneuver was staged under the simulated conditions of "securing sea lanes in contingency" with mine laying and sweeping ships, helicopters and huge forces involved.

Kremlin-Financed Group Targets 'Destructive, Antistate Ideas' At Russian Universities RFE/RL 26 Oct 2016 -- A group that has received financing from the Kremlin is under fire over a report that it has been secretly assessing the "protest potential" of students and staff at Russian universities and making its findings available to the authorities.

U.S. congressmen back observer status for Taiwan in Interpol CNA 26 Oct 2016 -- Two U.S. congressmen voiced their support on Tuesday for Taiwan to participate as an observer in the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), which will hold its 85th general assembly in Bali, Indonesia next month.

US judge convicts two women of support for al-Shabab Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- A federal judge in the US state of Virginia has convicted two women of providing financial support for the Somalia-based al-Shabab Takfiri militant group.

Kyrgyz government resigns after parliamentary coalition breakup Press TV 26 Oct 2016 -- The government of President Almazbek Atambayev in Kyrgyzstan has resigned shortly after his party broke up with the ruling majority coalition in the parliament.

Ethiopia Rules Out Early Elections to Address Unrest VOA 26 Oct 2016 -- Ethiopia's government has ruled out holding new nationwide elections to address the grievances behind nearly a year of deadly protests. But the opposition says the changes the government is undertaking are not good enough.

Back In Russia, Savchenko Supports Jailed Ukrainians At Supreme Court RFE/RL 26 Oct 2016 -- Ukrainian lawmaker Nadia Savchenko traveled to Moscow to support two jailed compatriots appealing their convictions at Russia's Supreme Court, a surprise trip that was widely believed to be her first visit to Russia since the former captive returned home in a swap deal.

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