* Mosul: Iraq and Kurdish troops make gains in battle Iraqi pro-government forces have made gains at the start of a large-scale operation to retake Mosul, the last major stronghold of the so-called Islamic State (IS) in the country.
* Mosul assault - a military Tower of Babel Sunday night, Oct. 16, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, supported by a bevy of generals, announced that the military operation to recapture Mosul from its two-year occupation by the Islamic State had begun.
* "We've had Muslims in America since George Washington." Really? "We've had Muslims in America since George Washington." So claimed Hillary Clinton during the second presidential debate.
* Syrian rebels seize 'doomsday' village where Islamic State promised final battle ISIS has stated that Dabiq will be the site of an apocalypse-heralding battle between Islamic and Western forces; the village was a stronghold of the terrorist organization, and a subject of much of its propaganda.
* World News Russia readies population for WW3 as CIA publicly Prepping Cyber Strike on Moscow US aggressiveness is growing, and threats to carry out cyberattacks against Russia are unprecedented, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said, adding that Russia will take "precautionary measures."
* Mosul offensive: The battle for the soul and future of Iraq Mosul is the last major stronghold of ISIS in Iraq and its headquarters in the country.
* Iran holds air force drills to display defense capabilities The air force, comprised largely of US-made jets obtained before the 1979 revolution, is particularly weak compared to Iran's Gulf Arab rivals.
* UNESCO's Jerusalem resolution ignores Christian roots, too With increased archeological findings of a Byzantine presence prior to the Muslim conquest, the historical holy site is clearly linked to Judaism, Islam, and Christianity - and not necessarily in that order.
* Congress Pushes Back Against U.N. Move to Nix Judaism From Jerusalem Congress is pushing back against a United Nations body that moved this week to designate Judaism's holiest site in Jerusalem as only having connections to Islam, according to new communication by Congress to the U.N.'s secretary general-elect.
* EU-Africa talks pose questions on aid and security Later this week in Brussels, EU leaders will be discussing forthcoming deals with a handful of African states.