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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 04 Nov 2016 [PDF]
• Military Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 04 Nov 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook Confirming Death of Al-Qaeda Leader DoD 04 Nov 2016
• Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on U.S. Casualties in Jordan DoD 04 Nov 2016
• Official confirms three US troops killed in Jordan shooting Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- Three US troops have been killed in a shooting at the gate of a military base in southern Lebanon, says a US official.
• Mortar fire kills 12 in wedding ceremony in northern Afghanistan Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- At least 12 people have lost their lives and 30 others sustained injuries after a mortar shell landed in a wedding ceremony in Afghanistan's northern province of Faryab, officials say.

Defense Policy / Programs

• 5th Signal Command inactivates, 2nd Strategic Signal Brigade restructures US Army 04 Nov 2016 -- As a result of directed funding and force structure cuts made throughout the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Europe will inactivate the 5th Signal Command and restructure the 2nd Strategic Signal Brigade, both located at Clay Kaserne, here.
• Report released for 2015 MQ-1B crash AFNS 04 Nov 2016 -- An MQ-1B Predator was destroyed in a Oct. 17, 2015, crash after experiencing electronic systems failure and loss of control due to a lightning strike, according to an Air Combat Command Abbreviated Accident Investigation Board report released Nov. 2.
• Edwards AFB squadron tests missile for European ally's F-35 AFNS 04 Nov 2016 -- From Norway to Australia, members from a number of allied and partner nations have come to Edwards Air Force Base to team with base units to test systems, enhance international cooperation and advance their own air force's capabilities.
• U.S. Marines, Honduran engineers work together during construction projects USMC News 04 Nov 2016 -- U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Southern Command and Honduran engineers spent the last several months working together on several construction projects in Leimus and at Mocoron Air Base, Honduras.
• USS Sampson Departs Hawaii for Royal New Zealand Navy's International Fleet Review NNS 04 Nov 2016 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) departed Hawaii Nov. 3 to participate in the Royal New Zealand navy International Naval Review in Auckland, New Zealand.
• US, Royal Cambodian Navy Conclude CARAT Exercise in Sihanoukville NNS 04 Nov 2016 -- U.S. and Royal Cambodian navy (RCN) service members completed the 7th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise in Cambodia with a closing ceremony at Ream Navy Base, Nov. 4.
• Renewable Energy Projects Take Center Stage at Military Installations on Guam for Energy Action Month NNS 04 Nov 2016 -- Energy Action Month concluded at Naval Base Guam (NBG) and Andersen Air Force Base (AAFB) Guam with outreach events that promoted energy conservation and raised awareness of renewable energy projects.
• Group of 6 NATO Warships Arriving in Lithuanian Klaipeda - Defense Ministry Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- A group of six minesweeping warships of NATO member states is arriving in the western Lithuanian port city of Klaipeda, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
• Over 500 IFV Crews Will Join Russian Eastern Military District Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- Russia will send more than 500 trained crews of infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) to the units of the country's Eastern Military District later in November, the district's spokesman said on Friday.
• UK Paying $125Mln to Bring New Air Defense Weapon to Navy in 2017 - Ministry Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- A $125-million contract to deliver a new air defense system that will protect the UK Navy's ships and submarines has been awarded to several local firms, the UK Defense Ministry said Friday.
• Defence Secretary confirms summer start for Type 26 frigates UK MOD 04 Nov 2016-- The Defence Secretary has announced the steel cut for new Type 26 frigates will be in summer 2017, subject to final contract negotiations.
• Foreign media outlets respond to Malaysia's purchase of patrol vessel from China People's Daily 04 Nov 2016 -- Malaysia admitted to buying four coastal patrolling vessels from China, marking the first significant defense business deal between the two countries.
• After J-20: How China Plans to Become Aviation Superpower Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- The state-of-the-art J-20 fifth-generation jet fighter is a key part of the Chinese air force. But Beijing has big plans for its aviation industry, including new commercial jets and a new engine-production company.
• China Rules Out Selling its J-20 Fifth Generation Jet on Global Market Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- China is not considering putting its newest J-20 fifth-generation jet fighter on the international market, Air Force Commander General Ma Xiaotian told local television.
• Kim Jong Un Inspects KPA Special Operation Battalion KCNA 04 Nov 2016 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army (KPA), inspected a special operation battalion under KPA Unit 525.
• India Prepares to Detect Airborne Threat in Difficult Himalayan Terrain Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- India plans to create a web of passive air surveillance systems to guard its borders from spying amid simmering tensions China.
• China urges halt of U.S. THAAD deployment in ROK People's Daily 04 Nov 2016 -- China on Friday urged the United States to stop deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in the Republic of Korea (ROK).
• US to deploy THAAD missiles to South Korea in 10 months Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- The US military says it will deploy its Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to South Korea within eight to 10 months.
• China to Take Steps to Protect Security Amid THAAD Deployment in Korea Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- Beijing is expected to undertake all necessary steps aimed at protection of country's security interests in case of the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Friday.
• Turkey Blocking German Construction Projects at Incirlik Air Base Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- Turkish authorities have so far refused to permit construction of German infrastructure at Turkey's southern Incirlik Air Base, German media reported Friday.
• Briefing on Venezuela US Dept. of State 04 Nov 2016 -- Special Briefing by Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., US Under Secretary for Political Affairs
• November 4, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 04 Nov 2016
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Josh Earnest en route Fayetteville, NC, 11/4/2016 The White House 04 Nov 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 04, 2016
• MUOS-5 Secure Communications Satellite Reaches Orbit, Begins Pre-Operational Testing Lockheed Martin 04 Nov 2016 -- The fifth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) for the U.S. Navy has reached orbit, successfully deployed its solar arrays and antennas, and is beginning pre-operational, on-orbit testing.

Other Conflicts

• Saudi soldiers killed in Yemen retaliatory attack on Najran Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- Yemen's army and Popular Committees have killed several Saudi troops in the kingdom's southern province of Najran, in retaliation for Riyadh's aggression against its impoverished neighboring country.
• Russo-Syrian humanitarian pause starts in Aleppo Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- Russia and Syria have started observing a unilateral humanitarian pause in Aleppo to give civilians and militants another chance to leave the city.
• Syrian Army Kills Senior Military Commander of Jaish Al-Fatah Coalition Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- The Syrian army killed one of the military commanders of the Jaish al-Fatah militant coalition, which also includes fighters from al-Nusra Front, media reported Friday.
• Syrian Army Repels al-Nusra Front Attack Near Damascus Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- Syrian government forces repelled an attack of by Jabhat Fatah al Sham terrorist group, previously known as al-Nusra Front, near Damascus, Al Mayadeen reported on Friday.
• 10-Hour Russian 'Cease-fire' in Aleppo Amid Ultimatum for Rebel Fighters to Leave VOA 04 Nov 2016 -- A 10-hour Russian-declared "cease-fire" in Syria's largest city of Aleppo is due to come to an end at dusk Friday, coinciding with an ultimatum given to "rebel" militia fighters to evacuate the city through several "safe" corridors. The apparent political posturing comes as elements of the Russian fleet begin arriving off the Syrian coast.
• Mosul residents storm Daesh-run jail, free dozens of inmates Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- Residents of the Daesh-held Iraqi city of Mosul have managed to storm the city's main prison and free dozens of inmates amid a major military operation by the Iraqi forces who are tightening the noose around the terror group holed up in the northern city.
• Iraqi troops push deeper into Mosul urban areas Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- Iraqi special forces have begun an assault into more urban neighborhoods of Mosul from its easternmost district in their latest push to drive Daesh terrorists from the city.
• Iraqi Army Regains Control Over Six Districts in Daesh-Held Mosul Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- The Iraqi army has liberated six districts in the eastern part of the city of Mosul, occupied by Daesh terrorist group, the commander of the operation said on Friday.
• ISIL moving 'trucks full of abducted civilians' to Mosul as shields against airstrikes - UN warns UN News 04 Nov 2016 -- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) today warned that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) fighters have taken some 1,600 civilians to Mosul city in an attempt to shield themselves from airstrikes, and that nearly 400 women from Kurdish, Yezidi or Shi'a Muslim communities in Tal Afar are now being held captive.
• IS Militants Ramp Up Killings, Abductions in Battle for Mosul VOA 04 Nov 2016 -- The U.N. human rights office said Islamic State militants are increasing mass killings and abductions of civilians to use as human shields as the battle for Mosul in Iraq intensifies.
• Turkey Targets Kurds More Than It Does Daesh in Syria - Kurdish Politician Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- In an interview with Sputnik Turkey, Ahmed Şeho, the co-chairman of the Movement for a Democratic Society of Kobani (TEVDEM), spoke about the situation in Kurdish-populated Rojava, the proposed federative makeup of northern Syria, the operation in Raqqa and TEVDEM's diplomatic ties with the international community.
• China, India agree to jointly safeguard border peace, tranquility People's Daily 04 Nov 2016 -- Senior officials of China and India agreed on Friday to push forward their talks on boundary issues so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in their border areas.
• Al-Shabab represents most immediate threat to Somalia: UN report Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- A UN report has warned that the Somalia-based al-Shabab Takfiri militant group is still capable of conducting large-scale attacks despite the "prevailing" rhetoric of successful counter-terrorism efforts.
• India Says Ceasefire With Pakistan Violated 500 Times This Year Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- In 2016 a total of 500 ceasefire violations have been registered along India's border with Pakistan, a large number of them following the September strikes, local media report.
• China Criticizes UN Report on Peacekeepers' Activities Amid S Sudan Attack Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry subjected a UN report on peacekeepers to criticism on Friday.
• Some 3,500 people fleeing South Sudan each day due to ongoing conflict - UN refugee agency UN News 04 Nov 2016 -- The ongoing conflict in South Sudan has led to immense suffering and displacement, with an average of 3,500 people fleeing the country each day to neighbouring countries, prompting the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), national authorities, and other humanitarian actors to race to create safe and humane conditions for arrivals – 90 per cent of whom are women and children.
• S. Sudan Humanitarian Crisis Worsening as Famine Looms VOA 04 Nov 2016 -- U.N. aid agencies warn the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, already one of the biggest in the world, is getting worse as famine looms and growing numbers of refugees flee to neighboring countries.

News Reports

• IMF says politics hurting Turkish economy Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that Turkey's growth will fall to as low as 2.9 percent this year in what it says is a result of the current political uncertainty in the country, a drop in tourism as well as high levels of corporate debt among other factors.
• EU criticism of Kurdish MP detentions unacceptable: Turkey FM Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has dismissed as "unacceptable" the European Union's criticism of the arrests of pro-Kurdish opposition lawmakers, saying the bloc is strongly supporting the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group.
• Germany summons Turkish envoy to protest arrest of pro-Kurdish MPs Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- Germany has summoned Turkey's envoy in Berlin to protest the arrest of about a dozen pro-Kurdish lawmakers, amid domestic and international pressure against Ankara over its harsh crackdown.
• PKK Leader Promises to Respond to Detention of Pro-Kurdish Politicians in Turkey Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- Leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Murat Karayilan on Friday promised to respond to recent detention of politicians from the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) by Turkish authorities.
• US Concerned Over Turkey Detaining Opposition, Imposing Internet Restrictions Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- According to the US Department of State spokesperson, the US is concerned over Turkey's arrests of the country's opposition members and restrictions on the use of the Internet, however, the US is not reconsidering Turkey's membership in NATO.
• Turkey Arrests 8 Lawmakers From Pro-Kurdish HDP Party Over Alleged PKK Ties Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- A court in Turkey ordered on Friday to arrest eight lawmakers from the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) over alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), outlawed by Ankara, local media reported.
• Detention of Pro-Kurdish MPs 'Calls Into Question' Turkey-EU Ties – EU Parl't Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- The detention of members of parliament from Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) "calls into question" the future of relations between Brussels and Ankara, European Parliament President Martin Schulz said Friday.
• Turkey's Pro-Kurdish Party Deputies Arrested VOA 04 Nov 2016 -- In Turkey, 12 HDP pro-Kurdish parliamentary deputies have been detained, including its co-leaders. The deputies are held as part of anti-terror probes into the Kurdish rebel group the PKK. The arrests have provoked national and international condemnation.
• Eight killed, 100 wounded as blast hits Kurdish-majority city in Turkey Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- At least eight people have been killed after a blast hit the center of Turkey's southeastern city of Diyarbakir, which has witnessed tensions between Ankara's forces and Kurdish militants.
• Blast Near Police Headquarters in Turkey Leaves 20 Wounded VOA 04 Nov 2016 -- Local Turkish media report at least 20 people were wounded after a large blast rocked Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast region Friday.
• US Warns of Possible al-Qaida Attacks in Virginia, Texas, New York VOA 04 Nov 2016 -- U.S. and state officials are looking into a possible plot by the al-Qaida terror group to launch an attack on or before the U.S. presidential election.
• Britain Invests Billions in Cybersecurity in Face of Russian Threat VOA 04 Nov 2016 -- Britain says it will spend more than $2 billion on cybersecurity and recruit 1,000 more intelligence officers as the country's intelligence services warn of increasingly aggressive espionage tactics by Moscow, a charge the Kremlin denies.
• Watch Out, Duterte: Why Philippines Now Under Threat of Revolt or Military Coup Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- Philippine President Duterte may face public discontent and backlash from the country's business and military establishment if he continues to drift away from Washington, Jon Emont of The Atlantic noted. Still, the Philippine leader has good reasons for turning its back on the US, Malaysian academic Mathew Maavak told Sputnik.
• S. Korean president says to accept investigation over scandal if necessary People's Daily 04 Nov 2016 -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye said on Friday that she will accept an investigation into herself, if necessary, by prosecutors over a scandal surrounding Choi Soon-sil, the president's longtime confidante suspected of intervening into state affairs.
• Scandal is all my fault: South Korea president Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye says she is solely to blame for an ongoing crisis involving an old friend of hers who allegedly meddled in state affairs despite having no formal position.
• South Korean President Says Ready to Testify in Shadow Adviser Case if Necessary Sputnik 04 Nov 2016 -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye has announced that she is ready to give testimony with regard to the scandal involving her friend and "shadow adviser" Choi Soon-sil, if necessary.
• South Korean President Denies Friend's Cultlike Influence VOA 04 Nov 2016 -- Embattled South Korean President Park Geun-hye apologized for the second time in a national address Friday, trying to quell the growing calls for her resignation over a corruption scandal crippling her administration.
• US blocks North Korea access to its financial system Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- The US Treasury Department has issued new rules, banning American financial institutions from opening or maintaining accounts created on behalf of North Korean banks.
• 'Worst of Saudi economic slump yet to come' Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- Experts say the outlook for Saudi economic recovery will remain murky for many months to come with some even warning that the worst of the economic slump for the kingdom is yet to come.
• New heavy-lift carrier rocket boosts China's space dream People's Daily 04 Nov 2016 -- China on Thursday launched its new heavy-lift carrier rocket Long March-5.
• China's FAST telescope reportedly to join search for E.T. People's Daily 04 Nov 2016 -- China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) has been operating in Guizhou province since September. As the world's most sensitive telescope, FAST's services are in high demand among scientists from a wide range of fields. The newest scientific "client" in line is none other than SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Life, based in Berkeley, California.
• Taiwan opposition leader urges 'breakthroughs' in China ties Press TV 03 Nov 2016 -- Taiwan's opposition leader has emphasized the need for "breakthroughs" in relations with China as she concluded a five-day visit to Beijing.
• UK government vows to challenge Article 50 court ruling Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- The government of UK Prime Minister Theresa May says it will challenge a High Court ruling that has stipulated that the country cannot leave the European Union without the permission of the British Parliament.
• Bahrainis once again express solidarity with Sheikh Qassim Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- Bahraini demonstrators have once again expressed solidarity with senior Shia cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim, who has been stripped of his citizenship by the Manama.
• Nasrallah welcomes election of Michel Aoun as Lebanon president Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- Secretary General of Hezbollah resistance movement Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has welcomed the election of the new president of Lebanon, Michel Aoun, arguing that the movement had been unjustly accused of obstructing the election over the past two and a half years.
• Briefing on Venezuela US Dept. of State 04 Nov 2016 -- Special Briefing by Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., Under Secretary for Political Affairs
• Venezuela pres. rejects opposition 'ultimatums' Press TV 04 Nov 2016 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has rejected a deadline set by the opposition to possibly quit talks and return to street protests if its conditions are not met.
• Li makes six-pronged proposal, charting course for SCO's future development People's Daily 04 Nov 2016 -- The 15th prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) concluded here Thursday with a six-pronged proposal by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and a joint communique calling on its members to enhance practical cooperation in a wide range of fields including security, economic development and production capacity.
• One month after Hurricane Matthew, needs in Haiti remain 'vast,' UN reports UN News 04 Nov 2016 -- As Haiti struggles to recover from the massive destruction wrought by Hurricane Matthew, which pummelled the tiny island one month ago today, the United Nations warned that while its seems as if "the world has moved on," Haiti's needs are vast, exemplified by the nearly 600,000 children being stalked by disease, hunger and malnutrition and in need of assistance.
• Hard-line Muslim Protest Against Christian Jakarta Governor Ends in Violence VOA 04 Nov 2016 -- A massive demonstration in Jakarta against the governor turned violent Friday night when protesters burned police cars and officers responded with tear gas and water cannons. Police say at least one person was killed and seven wounded in the violence.