01 February 2017 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
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OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 01 Feb 2017[PDF]

Department of Defense Press Briefing by Col. Dorrian via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 01 Feb 2017 -- Presenter: Colonel John Dorrian, Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman
Coalition Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 01 Feb 2017 -- 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.
Iraqi Forces Liberate 60 Percent of Mosul From ISIL Fighters AFPS 01 Feb 2017 -- The U.S.-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has liberated about 60 percent of ISIL-held territory in Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman told Pentagon reporters today.

Afghanistan Rejects US Watchdog Report Claiming Continuing Loss of Territory VOA 01 Feb 2017 -- An American watchdog says Afghan national security forces lost about 7,000 personnel in the first 11 months of 2016 and the U.S.-backed government controls less than 60 percent of the country.
Report: Militant Groups in Afghanistan Get Rich Off Mineral Smuggling VOA 01 Feb 2017 -- The smuggling of Afghan minerals supplies millions of dollars to armed groups, insurgents and strongmen in the country, an Afghan anti-corruption watchdog reported Wednesday.
Experts Divided Over Trump Administration Plans for US in Afghanistan VOA 01 Feb 2017 -- President Donald Trump has said nothing publicly about his plans for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, but last week the Taliban reached out to him.

Defense Policy / Programs

US Defense Secretary Embarks on Damage Control Mission to East Asia VOA 01 Feb 2017 -- On his first official trip to South Korea and Japan this week, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis is expected to reassure allies made nervous by President Donald Trump's criticisms of "free rider" nations that do not pay their fair share of mutual defense costs.
Media Availability with Secretary Jim Mattis en route to Seoul, South Korea DoD 01 Feb 2017 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis
Department of Defense Press Briefing on the Blended Retirement System by Performing the Duties of Under Secretary Kurta in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 01 Feb 2017 -- Presenter: Anthony Kurta, performing the duties of under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness; Wayne Boswell, director of financial readiness at the Department of Defense; Jeri Busch, director of military compensation policy at the Department of Defense
AFCENT Force Protection, defenders safeguard service members, mission AFNS 01 Feb 2017 -- In the constantly changing landscape of the U.S. Air Forces Central Command battlespace, one thing remains constant – U.S. Air Force security forces Airmen stand vigilant at installations across Southwest Asia day and night.
A-10 pilots, Army brigade combat teams train at Green Flag AFNS 01 Feb 2017 -- Pilots from the 74th Fighter Squadron prepared for future deployments while participating in Green Flag-West 17-03 from Jan. 13-27 at Nellis Air Force Base.
Mattis Issues Budget Guidance, Says 2017 Submission Will Rise AFPS 01 Feb 2017 -- Defense Secretary Jim Mattis issued budget directives yesterday aimed at addressing shortfalls in the department and building a more lethal joint force.
Future warfighting calls for semi-independent units, empowered leaders Army News 01 Feb 2017 -- In future warfare, subordinate units isolated from the theater's top brass may have to go against their original orders and rely on a mix of capabilities to defeat an evolving enemy, Army planners say.
Exercise Cutlass Express 2017 Begins NNS 01 Feb 2017 -- Maritime forces from East Africa, West Indian Ocean nations, Europe, and the United States, as well as several international organizations began the sixth iteration of the annual multinational maritime exercise Cutlass Express, Jan. 31.
Exercise Unified Trident Brings Four Nations Together to Maintain Readiness NNS 01 Feb 2017 -- Naval forces from four allied nations engaged in Exercise Unified Trident, starting Jan. 31.
Naval War College Launches Institute for Future Warfare Studies NNS 01 Feb 2017 -- U.S. Naval War College (NWC) President Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harley opened the Institute for Future Warfare Studies (IFWS), Feb. 1, as a new research and study department of the school aimed at understanding how armed conflict may evolve in the future and how the United States can better prepare for it.

U.S. Soldiers Prepare for Training With NATO Partners in Estonia AFPS 01 Feb 2017 -- In a little less than a day and a half the soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division's Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, completed a logistical feat; they loaded a company's worth of fighting vehicles onto railcars in Poland to be shipped to Estonia.
German Army departs Grafenwoehr to support NATO in Lithuania Army News 01 Feb 2017 -- The German Army's 122 Panzergrenadier Battalion wrapped up its pre-deployment training here for their NATO mission by loading nearly 40 wheeled and tracked vehicles on trains at the U.S. Army's Grafenwoehr Training Area railhead.
Secretary General: NATO stands ready to support Libya NATO 01 Feb 2017 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj on Wednesday (1 February 2017) for talks on the security situation in Libya.

Croatia, Serbia Buying Advanced Weapons Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- Serbia has announced that it will acquire two BUK surface-to-air missile systems and eight Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter aircraft from Belarus, following Croatia's plans to obtain new military trucks, transport helicopters, fighter jets, self-propelled howitzers, and patrol vessels this year.

UK and Egypt continue to tackle joint threats UK MOD 01 Feb 2017 -- The Defence Secretary and Chief of the Defence Staff have reaffirmed the UK's commitment to tackle regional security threats alongside Egypt.

Republic of Korea - AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Missiles DSCA 01 Feb 2017 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea for AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Missiles and related support. The estimated cost is $70 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on January 31, 2017.
Republic of Korea - AGM-65G-2 Maverick Missiles DSCA 01 Feb 2017 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea for AGM-65G-2 Maverick Missiles and related support. The estimated cost is $70 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on January 31, 2017.
S Korea Asks US for Military Assets Deployment to Counter N. Korea's Threat Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Gen. Lee Sun-jin called Wednesday on his US counterpart Gen. Joseph Dunford to deploy US strategic weapons on the territory of the Asian country, local media reported.

Chinese Aircraft Carrier Program to Make New Advances in 2017 Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- The progress of China's aircraft carrier program continues to move forward into the new year after achieving a number of milestones in 2016.

India Announces Marginal Increase in Defense Budget for Next Fiscal Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- Inadequate defense budget for next one year has raised serious questions over Narendra Modi's ambition to modernize military to counter assertive neighbors like Pakistan and China.

U.S. Puts Iran 'On Notice' Over Ballistic-Missile Test RFE/RL 01 Feb 2017 -- The U.S. government has said it is "officially putting Iran on notice" over Tehran's recent test of a medium-range ballistic missile.
Iran Confirms Ballistic-Missile Test That U.S. Calls 'Unacceptable' RFE/RL 01 Feb 2017 -- Military officials in Iran have confirmed the country tested a medium-range ballistic missile on January 29, but continued to deny that the test violated a UN Security Council resolution forbidding the testing of nuclear-capable weapons systems.
Iran Defense Minister Says Nothing but S-300 Systems Bought From Russia Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- Tehran purchased S-300 missile systems from Moscow, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said Wednesday.
Iranian Defense Minister Confirms Latest Missile Test - Reports Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan confirmed Tehran had tested a new missile, Tasnim news reported Wednesday.
US: Iranian Missile Launch 'Absolutely Unacceptable' VOA 01 Feb 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser denounced Iran's ballistic missile launch Wednesday and said Tehran is putting at risk the nuclear agreement it reached in 2015 with the United States and other major powers.
Min.: Iran missile test not in contradiction with JCPOA IRNA 01 Feb 2017 -- Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, General Hossein Dehqan, said on Wednesday that Iran's recent missile test is not in contradiction with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Iran free to develop conventional defensive power IRNA 01 Feb 2017 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran is not going to wait for other countries' permission to go ahead with developing its conventional defensive power, says Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).
Spokesman: Missile tests indisputable right of Iran IRNA 01 Feb 2017 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi has said that missile tests are inherent and indisputable right of Iran to defend its security and national interests.
Iran's defense capability so powerful to repel threats IRNA 01 Feb 2017 -- Deputy Defense Minister, Brigadier General Amir Hatami, said on Wednesday that Iran's defense capabilities have been designed in a way to powerfully cope with probable threats.
Majlis commission says country's defense posture should be strengthened IRNA 01 Feb 2017 -- Majlis (Parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission in an extraordinary session on Wednesday stressed the importance of providing all-out support to strengthen the country's defense vigor and might.
Trump's advisor puts Iran 'on notice' over missile tests Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- A top adviser to US President Donald Trump says the country has put Tehran "on notice" over Iran's missile program.
Iranian MPs underline need for boosting national deterrence power Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- Iranian lawmakers have thrown their weight behind the country's missile program, underlining the need for boosting deterrence power to guarantee national security.
Iran confirms missile test, spurns foreign intervention Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- Iran confirms it recently carried out a missile test within the framework of its defense program, saying the Islamic Republic does not allow any foreign intervention in affairs concerning its defensive prowess.
White House Issues Unprecedented Warning to Iran Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- US President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, has put Tehran on notice in response to recent ballistic missile testing.
Iran to defend itself needs no one's permission: FM's spokesman ISNA 01 Feb 2017 -- Commenting on Iran's national and defensive issues is far beyond any foreign countries or international institutions' jurisdiction, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman emphasized.

China Steps up Opposition to US Missile Defense System VOA 01 Feb 2017 -- China is stepping up its efforts to stop South Korea from deploying a U.S. missile defense system on its soil, turning up the pressure on the economic front, while warning of the impact on diplomatic relations if the system is put in place this year.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sean Spicer, 2/1/2017, #6 The White House 01 Feb 2017

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for February 01, 2017
Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems Statement on the T-X Trainer Program Northrop Grumman 01 Feb 2017 -- Northrop Grumman and its principal teammate BAE Systems have carefully examined the U.S. Air Force's T-X Trainer requirements and acquisition strategy as stated in the final request for proposals issued on Dec. 30, 2016.

Other Conflicts

Pentagon: Houthi Attack on Saudi Ship Intended for US Seacraft Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- A recent maritime suicide bombing off the coast of the Yemen may have been a "dress rehearsal" for a comparable attack on US destroyers patrolling waterways in the Middle East.
UN 'extremely' concerned for civilian safety in embattled Mokha Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- The UN aid official for Yemen has voiced "extreme concern" about the severity of the situation facing civilians in the southwestern port city of Mokha, which has been under attack by Saudi mercenaries backed by Riyadh's air raids.

US Supplies First Armored Vehicles to Syrian Fighters VOA 01 Feb 2017 -- The United States has provided Syrian fighters battling the Islamic State group with armored vehicles for the first time, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command told VOA.
Hundreds of militants hand over weapons to Syrian government forces Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- Hundreds of foreign-backed militants have handed over their weapons to Syrian government forces in a strategic area northwest of Damascus.
Syrian Armed Opposition to Attend Peace Talks on Condition of Power Transfer Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- The Syrian armed opposition announced on Wednesday it would not accept an invitation for intra-Syrian peace talks unless they would result in a full transfer of power to a transitional governing body in the war-torn country.
US Armored Vehicles Delivery to Syrian Arab Coalition Approved by Obama Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- The United States has supplied the Syrian Arab Coalition with up-armored vehicles under an authorization from the administration of President Barack Obama, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman John Dorrian said in a briefing on Wednesday.
SDF Commander: Coalition Forces Supply Weapons, Fight With Us Against Daesh Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- The US has transferred weapons to Kurdish fighters as part of aid in an operation to liberate Raqqa, Syria from Daesh, according to some media reports.
Kurdish YPG Militia Refutes Reports of Receiving Arms From US-Led Coalition Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- The Syrian Kurdish Popular Defense Units (YPG) militia denies reports that the US-led coalition had supplied them with weapons to help in the anti-Daesh offensive, the group's spokesman, Redur Khalil, said in a statement obtained by Sputnik on Wednesday.
Think of those fleeing Syria and elsewhere not with fear but with open arms and open heart - UN agency chief UN News 01 Feb 2017 -- Expressing shock at the scale of the devastation in war-ravaged city of Aleppo, the top United Nations refugee official today made an impassioned plea for the world to stand in solidarity with those suffering from the effects of conflict there in Syria, as well as in other places such as Iraq, Somalia and Yemen.
Syria: UN, Security Council welcome Astana talks and look forward to intra-Syrian negotiations UN News 01 Feb 2017 -- The United Nations and the Security Council have welcomed the international talks on Syria held in the Kazakh capital of Astana, and, in separate accounts to the press, said they look forward to the resumption of the intra-Syrian negotiations.

Death toll from upsurge in clashes in eastern Ukraine rises to 19 Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- The death toll from the latest upsurge in fighting between government troops and pro-Russia forces in volatile eastern Ukraine has reached 19, as the United Nations has called on the warring sides to halt the clashes and NATO urges Moscow to help stop the spike in the deadly violence.
Ukraine Contact Group Urges Immediate Cease-Fire Amid Surging Violence RFE/RL 01 Feb 2017 -- The Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), which is attempting to regulate the conflict in eastern Ukraine, has urged both sides to adhere scrupulously to the agreed cease-fire and to withdraw heavy weaponry away from the contact line as previously agreed.
Ukraine Says Russia Fired On Military Transport Plane Over Black Sea RFE/RL 01 Feb 2017 -- Ukrainian military authorities say that an unarmed military transport plane was hit by antiaircraft fire from a Russian naval vessel over a disputed area of the Black Sea.
War Returns With A Fury To Embattled Ukrainian City RFE/RL 01 Feb 2017 -- AVDIYIVKA, Ukraine – Nadia Volkova collapses to her knees atop the blood-stained snow and examines the body of her 60-year-old mother, Katya.
Russian Official Confirms Heavy Shelling of Yasinovataya by Kiev Forces Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- A Russian representative at the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) confirmed the shelling on Wednesday of Yasinovataya in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine, where SMM Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug was at the time.
Parties to Donbass Conflict Agree to Withdraw Heavy Weaponry by Feb. 5 - OSCE Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- The parties to the conflict in Donbass have agreed to withdraw heavy weaponry by February 5, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group Martin Sajdik said Wednesday.
Russian Military Denies Shooting at Ukrainian Transport Plane in Black Sea Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- The Russian Black Sea Fleet categorically denied claims by Kiev that a Ukrainian military transport plane came under fire from Russian drilling platforms in the Black Sea on Wednesday.
Ukrainian Military Continued Shelling of Ysynuvata At Night - Local Authorities Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- Ukrainian military continued artillery shelling of neighborhoods of eastern town of Ysynuvata throughout the night and into Wednesday, a spokesperson for local administration said.

Israel's new settler units make so-called two-state solution impossible: EU Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- The European Union (EU)'s high representative for security and foreign policy, Federica Mogherini, has warned that the new wave of Israeli illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian West Bank territories mark a "very worrying trend" that will jeopardize the so-called two-state solution to the decades-long conflict in the region.

Colombia's FARC ex-rebels start turning weapons over Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- Former rebels with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have been gathering in demobilization centers in the Latin American country to start a disarmament process, ending their 52-year armed conflict with the central government.

UN envoy strongly condemns attack on UN team near Nigeria-Cameroon border UN News 01 Feb 2017 -- Strongly condemning an attack against a United Nations monitoring team near the Nigeria-Cameroon border that resulted in the death of five persons, the UN envoy for West Africa and the Sahel region, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, called on both countries to take swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Fighting Forces IOM to Suspend S. Sudan Upper Nile Aid Operation VOA 01 Feb 2017 -- Clashes between government and rebel forces in South Sudan's Upper Nile town of Wau Shilluk over the weekend have forced the International Organization for Migration to suspend its humanitarian operations for thousands of internally displaced people and host communities.

Central Africans Use Radio Network to Stay Safe from LRA VOA 01 Feb 2017 -- Two decades after the Lord's Resistance Army began terrorizing civilians in northern Uganda, the LRA boasts just a fraction of its former strength, about 100 to 150 fighters active in parts of central Africa.

Turkey Not to Tolerate Greece Taking Any Steps to Escalate Tensions - Ankara Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- Turkey is not going to escalate tensions with Greece, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said Wednesday.

Quietly, AU Encourages Withdrawal From International Criminal Court VOA 01 Feb 2017 -- The African Union is moving forward on what it calls a "withdrawal strategy" from the International Criminal Court, a move that could alter peace, security and justice on the continent.

News Reports

Former ExxonMobil Chief Tillerson Sworn In As U.S. Secretary Of State RFE/RL 01 Feb 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump swore in his new secretary of state, former ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson, saying it is "time to bring a clear-eyed focus to foreign affairs."

Congressional Democrats Call For Probe Of Flynn's Ties To RT RFE/RL 01 Feb 2017 -- A group of senior Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives have asked the Defense Department to investigate whether President Donald Trump's national security adviser violated the constitution by accepting money from Russia's state-funded RT television network.

Russian cybersecurity experts arrested in 'US-linked' treason case Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- Two senior Russian cyber security officials along with a top anti-hacking expert have been arrested in a US-linked treason case.
Russian Lawyer Says FSB Officers, Kaspersky Manager Charged With Treason RFE/RL 01 Feb 2017 -- А Russian lawyer has confirmed the arrests of two Federal Security Service (FSB) officers and a manager at a Russian cybersecurity company on treason charges, and that they are suspected of passing classified information to U.S. intelligence.

UN chief calls on Trump to lift controversial travel ban Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the administration of US President Donald Trump to entirely lift a controversial ban it has imposed on the entry of nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries.
Iraq's President Masum criticizes Trump over travel ban Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- In Iraq, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is not the only senior official to have censured US President Donald Trump's travel ban targeting seven Muslim-majority countries; President Fuad Masum has also said Washington's move was "a shock."
US travel ban a 'significant setback' for those needing international protection - UN rights experts UN News 01 Feb 2017 -- Expressing concern that a new Executive Order by the United States President Donald Trump is in breach of the country's human rights commitments, a group of United Nations rights experts have called on the US to live up to its human rights obligations and provide protection for those fleeing persecution and conflicts.
US should lift measure suspending refugee resettlement, says UN chief Guterres UN News 01 Feb 2017 -- Reacting to the recent suspension by the United States of its longstanding refugee programme, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today said resettlement is often "the only possible solution" for people fleeing conflict and persecution, and that the US policy, which bars entry of Syrians into the country, "should be removed sooner rather than later."

Rouhani: Nuclear talks mirrored Iran's political might IRNA 01 Feb 2017 -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that successful nuclear talks between Iran and the G5+1 displayed Iran's political might.
US visa ban on Iranian nationals reviewed in Majlis commission IRNA 01 Feb 2017 -- National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Majlis (Parliament) held an extraordinary session on Wednesday morning to review the visa ban imposed by the US on the Iranian nationals.
Boeing's Iran deal in limbo after Trump ban Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- The fate of a landmark deal for Boeing to sell 80 passenger aircraft to Iran has been thrown into doubt following President Donald Trump's executive order barring travel by Iranians to the US.
It's Time To Talk About The Iran Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 01 Feb 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has long portrayed himself as a consummate deal maker, an image he made central to his presidential campaign. That reputation could face a stern test if he pursues one of his proposals: renegotiating the Iran nuclear deal.

Congolese Opposition Leader Etienne Tshisekedi Dead at 84 VOA 01 Feb 2017 -- Congolese opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi has died while in Brussels for a medical checkup; he was 84.

Ex-UN chief vows not to run for presidency in S.Korea People's Daily 01 Feb 2017 -- Former UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday vowed not to run for presidency in South Korea, his home country, during an unscheduled press briefing in the parliament.
Ban abruptly ends presidential bid for South Korea Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- Former United Nations (UN) secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has ended his unofficial bid to run for the top office of his country of origin, South Korea.

French far-right leader won't repay $321k in misused funds to European Parliament Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- France's leading ultra-right politician and presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen has refused to return some 298,000 euros (321,300 dollars) in misused funds to the European Parliament, ignoring her repayment deadline.

Putin Heads To Budapest Amid Concerns Over EU Unity RFE/RL 01 Feb 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is heading to Hungary for his second visit in two years, a development that has many in the European Union looking on with concern.

Iran unveils Interorbital System IRNA 01 Feb 2017 -- The Interorbital System named 'Saman 1' was unveiled in a ceremony marking the ninth national space technology day in the presence of President Hassan Rouhani here on Wednesday.
Iran unveils new telecommunication satellite IRNA 01 Feb 2017 -- A new telecommunication satellite named 'Nahid 1' (Venus 1)' was unveiled in a ceremony marking the ninth national space technology day in the presence of President Hassan Rouhani here on Wednesday.
Iran unveils new satellites on Space Technology Day Press TV 01 Feb 2017 -- Iran has put on display its latest achievements in the area of space technology during a ceremony attended by President Hassan Rouhani and other senior officials.

N Ireland Special Status Irrelevant Amid Brexit - UK Secretary of State Sputnik 01 Feb 2017 -- Granting Northern Ireland a special status within the EU after Brexit would be the wrong approach to UK unity, Britain's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire told the House of Commons on Wednesday.
Britain's Parliament Votes to Trigger Brexit VOA 01 Feb 2017 -- Britain moved one step closer to a final separation from the European Union late Wednesday as members of parliament voted overwhelmingly to begin the process.

Mystery Cargo: Suspicions Of Smuggling Swirl Around Airline Tragedy In Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 01 Feb 2017 -- Strewn among the aircraft wreckage and obliterated homes outside Kyrgyzstan's capital lie the charred remnants of iPhones, luxury cigarette lighters, and other electronic gadgets disgorged when a Turkish cargo plane slammed into a village near Manas International Airport.

EU Warns Romania Against Backtracking On Antigraft Reforms RFE/RL 01 Feb 2017 -- The European Union's executive arm has warned Romania against backtracking on the fight against corruption.

UN Chief Hails Improved Cooperation With AU VOA 01 Feb 2017 -- New U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that the organization is working to "avoid the worst" for South Sudan. He also praised the international and regional cooperation that prevented large-scale violence in Gambia during its recent post-election crisis.

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