Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Afghans Claim to Have Captured Top IS Commanders VOA 11 May 2020 -- Afghanistan's intelligence agency claimed Monday it has captured three senior Islamic State commanders who were directing the terror group's operations in parts of Asia.
• Taliban Attack Kills 6 Afghan Army Men VOA 11 May 2020 -- At least six members of Afghan National Army were killed, and five others wounded in a Taliban attack in Laghman province in eastern Afghanistan Sunday night, according to Afghan ministry of defense.
• Afghanistan Not to Release More Taliban Prisoners Until Reciprocated by Armed Group Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- The Afghanistan government and the Taliban signed a US-mediated peace pact in February. As part of the agreement both sides agreed to release prisoners – the government would release 5,000 Taliban and the armed group would release 1,000 pro-government captives.
• Taliban Attack On Afghan Army Checkpoint Kills Six As Violence Threatens Peace Deal RFE/RL 11 May 2020 -- Afghanistan's Defense Ministry says six soldiers were killed and five wounded in a Taliban attack on an army checkpoint in the eastern province of Laghman as a wave of violence threatens an accord aimed at ending fighting in the war-torn country.
• Afghan Forces Capture Key Figures From Islamic State's South Asia Branch RFE/RL 11 May 2020 -- Afghan security forces say they have captured three senior members of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group's South Asia branch -- including the group's regional leader for South Asia, Abu Omar Khorasani.
• Afghanistan arrests 3 senior members of South Asian branch of Daesh Press TV 11 May 2020 -- Afghan security forces have detained at least three senior members of the South Asian branch of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.
• NY National Guard continues missions with 3,500 troops on duty Army News 11 May 2020 -- Since mobilizing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 6, the New York National Guard has assisted in conducting 225,825 COVID-19 tests, made 634,030 COVID-19 test kits and delivered 7.3 million meals to New York residents.
• Kansas National Guard helps extend the life of N95 masks Army News 11 May 2020 -- The Kansas National Guard is helping state and local health officials address the shortage of N95 medical masks by assisting in decontaminating masks so they can be used again.
• NY National Guard preparing for Lake Ontario flooding Army News 11 May 2020 -- With water levels in Lake Ontario 4 feet higher than average, the New York National Guard put 46 members on state active duty to help control flooding.
• Texas National Guard to sanitize nursing homes Army News 11 May 2020 -- Texas Military Department service members trained so they can support the Texas Division of Emergency Management and disinfect long-term care facilities where occupants have tested positive for COVID-19.
• Ohio National Guard assists with mass food distribution Army News 11 May 2020 -- Hundreds of cars snaked through the parking lot outside Wright State University's Nutter Center, spilling onto the main road for as far as the eye could see. People shouted, "Thank you for your service," from their cars as Ohio National Guard Soldiers loaded people's trunks with a month's worth of watermelon, cabbage, onions, eggs, rice and other food.
• Delaware National Guard supports coronavirus testing Army News 11 May 2020 -- Members of the Delaware National Guard are fighting the spread of coronavirus, joining hundreds of frontline workers at community-based testing sites throughout Sussex County, the state's southernmost region, and a recently declared hot spot for COVID-19.
• Virginia Guard strike teams boost COVID-19 testing capacity Army News 11 May 2020 -- Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are helping increase Virginia's COVID-19 testing capacity at long-term care facilities with point prevalence sampling teams.

Defense Policy / Programs

• 25th Anniversary of the Extension of the Non-Proliferation Treaty US Dept. of State 11 May 2020
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 11 May 2020
• Mitigation measures enable successful recon ops for Paratroopers Army News 11 May 2020 -- Focused on reconnaissance security fundamentals, Paratroopers from the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade completed their dismounted reconnaissance Table XI training exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, April 24 – 30, 2020. This training is essentially a live fire exercise in conjunction with reconnaissance operations at the platoon level.
• Pacific Fleet Submarines: Lethal, Agile, Underway NNS 11 May 2020 -- The U.S. Pacific Fleet submarine force currently has every one of its forward-deployed submarines conducting contingency response operations at sea in the Western Pacific, in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region amidst the pandemic caused by the Coronavirus.
• Coronavirus response: Italian NATO Rapid Deployable Corps supports local communities and authorities in Lombardy NATO 11 May 2020 -- In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy - based in Solbiate Olona north of Milan (Italy) - has been conducting and coordinating a range of activities to support the local communities and authorities of the Italian northern region of Lombardy. Lombardy is amongst the areas of Italy hit the hardest by the pandemic.
• Germany's support for nuclear sharing is vital to protect peace and freedom NATO 11 May 2020 -- This op-ed article was originally published by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on 11 May 2020.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh calls for India to become a net exporter of technology as DRDO celebrates National Technology Day India PIB 11 May 2020 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh stressed the need for India to become self-reliant and "net exporter of technology". He addressed the scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on the occasion of National Technology Day (NTD) in here today through video conference.
• Nepal Summons Indian Envoy after New Delhi Builds Road near Chinese Border Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 8 May inaugurated the strategic Link Road from Dharchula to Lipulekh near India's border with China, along what's famously known as the Kailash-Mansarovar Pilgrimage Route. A day later, the Nepalese government issued a statement condemning India's move.
• President condoles martyrdom of Iranian Navy forces IRNA 11 May 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani in a message on Monday expressed condolences over martyrdom of a number of Iranian Navy forces on a vessel and wished the wounded sift recovery.
• 19 Navy personnel killed, 15 others injured in accident to Navy frigate (UPDATED) IRNA 11 May 2020 -- Some 19 Navy personnel have been martyred with some 15 others injured in an accident happened to an Iranian vessel in the course of drills in southern Iran, the Navy said in a statement on Monday.
• 12 injured personnel of an Iranian Navy frigate hospitalized following incident IRNA 11 May 2020 -- Some 12 personnel of an Iranian Navy frigate which had an accident in southern Iranian waters on Sunday were hospitalized, according to head of Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences and Health Services.
• Iranian Navy reports accident during military drill IRNA 11 May 2020 -- The Iranian Navy has reported an accident during a military drill in the country's southern waters.
• Several killed, injured in naval accident for Konarak vessel off port of Jaask ISNA 11 May 2020 -- At least a navy sailor has been killed and several injured in a naval accident on a light Iranian vessel in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday, public relations of 1st zone of Naval Force of the Iranian Army announced in a statement.
• 19 martyred, 15 injured in naval incident in southern Iran Press TV 11 May 2020 -- As many as 19 people have been martyred and 15 others injured in an incident involving the Iranian Navy's Konarak logistical vessel in the country's southern waters.
• Iran Missile Strikes Own Vessel Killing 19 And Wounding 15 Radio Farda 11 May 2020 -- An Iranian naval vessel was accidentally hit by a missile fired during naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman, killing nineteen sailors and wounding 15 others, state television said May 11.
• Friendly Fire Incident Kills 19 In Iranian Navy Drill RFE/RL 11 May 2020 -- The Iranian Navy says one of its own missiles has struck a support ship in a friendly fire incident during a training exercise in the Sea of Oman, killing 19 and injuring another 15.
• At Least 19 Iranian Sailors Die in Oman Sea Accident - Iran's Navy Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- Naval News earlier reported, citing local sources, that the Iranian Moudge-class frigate 'Jamaran' had accidentally fired at the friendly general-purpose ship 'Konarak' during live-fire exercises near Jask in the Gulf of Oman.
• Japan Takes Delivery of Accident-Prone V-22B Osprey Tiltrotor Aircraft Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- Japan's first two V-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft were delivered to the US Marine Corps (USMC) station at Iwakuni last week. However, Tokyo's adoption of the unique aircraft has not been without hesitancy and protest, both inside the government and out, due to the Osprey's history of deadly accidents. The May 8 delivery was no exception.
• India, Japan Postpone Fighter Jet Exercise Despite Rising Activities of China in Indo-Pacific Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- Despite pandemic, China has been carrying out several maritime activities in South China Sea and Indian Ocean in past few weeks. Besides, China and India also engaged in massive border clashes across the Line of Actual Control for past two weeks.

Defense Industry

• Contracts for May 11, 2020
• Raytheon Missiles & Defense, TNO unveil new ramjet-powered artillery round Raytheon 11 May 2020 -- Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a business of Raytheon Technologies, has begun the first phase of developing the XM1155 Extended-Range Artillery Projectile under a $7.9 million U.S. Army other transaction agreement (OTA) through the Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J. The new, cannon-launched, ramjet-powered artillery round will double the U.S. military's range to greater than 100 kilometers, delivering precision strikes in all terrain and weather conditions.

Other Conflicts

• 11 May 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 May 2020
• Beijing Issues Protest to Tokyo Over Incident Near Disputed Islands Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- Beijing has issued an official protest to Tokyo over an incident involving Chinese patrol ships and a Japanese fishing vessel near the disputed Diaoyudao Islands, known in Japan as Senkaku Islands, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesman, Zhao Lijian, said at a briefing on Monday.
• China Expected to Ignore Philippine Protest over Upgrade of a Disputed Islet VOA 11 May 2020 -- China is expected to ignore a Philippine protest against creation of an "administrative center" on a disputed islet because Manila has few means to follow up, but the outcry could throttle Beijing's eventual pursuit of more legal control over Asia's most hotly disputed sea.
• Joint Incidents Assessment Team issues a statement regarding allegations against Coalition Forces SPA 11 May 2020 -- Joint Incidents Assessment Team has issued a statement regarding allegations that Coalition Forces targeted Souq Al-Raqou in the Directorate of Munabih in Saada Governorate, two fishing boats near the island of Zaqar off the Yemeni coast, in Sohar Directorate in Saada, and bombed a house in the area of Mahdaidiya in the Directorate of Baqim. Following is the text:
• Yemeni government welcomes UN Calls for Cease-fire SPA 11 May 2020 -- Yemeni government renewed its welcome of the UN calls for a comprehensive cease-fire and unifying efforts to confront Coronavirus and to limit its spread in the country.
• Amnesty International: Attacks By Damascus, Russian Forces In Syria 'Amount To War Crimes' RFE/RL 11 May 2020 -- Amnesty International says it has documented 18 attacks in northwest Syria carried out by Syrian government and Russian forces over the past year that amounted to war crimes.
• Iraq Targets Iran-Aligned Militia Over Shooting Death Of Protester RFE/RL 11 May 2020 -- Iraqi security forces have raided the office of an Iran-aligned party in the southern province of Basra and arrested militiamen who fired on demonstrators, killing one protester and injuring several others outside the party building.
• Libya rebels intensify campaign to overtake Tripoli Press TV 11 May 2020 -- Libyan rebels loyal to military strongman Khalifa Haftar have heavily bombarded the capital city, Tripoli, in a new push to gain positions in its southern suburbs after losing ground elsewhere in the country.
• End Threats against Rohingya, Rights Groups Tell Malaysian Government Radio Free Asia 11 May 2020 -- Scores of NGOs and rights groups together urged Malaysia's government on Monday to speak out in support of Rohingya Muslims and stem a surge in hate speech on social media platforms targeting the stateless refugee community from Myanmar.
• Video Shows Myanmar Forces Beating Five Civilians on Navy Vessel in Rakhine State Radio Free Asia 11 May 2020 -- Men dressed in plainclothes believed to be government soldiers punched and kicked five blindfolded Rakhine men detained on a Myanmar Navy vessel in war-ravaged northern Rakhine state, according to a video of the assaults obtained by RFA and relatives who identified the victims.
• Five Injured in a Blast in Peshawar, Pakistan Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- Pakistan's government had released a threat alert on 9 May, citing the targeting of public places by anti-state elements. In March, at least nine people were injured in a blast in the city of Chaman, in Balochistan province. Seven people were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Quetta, Balochistan in February.
• Palestinian PM urges intl. recognition for Palestine in case of Israel annexation Press TV 11 May 2020 -- Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shatyyeh has called on the international community to recognize an independent Palestinian state if Israel goes on with its plan to annex larger parts of the occupied West Bank.
• Israel's demolition policy sign of failure to stop resistance: Hamas Press TV 11 May 2020 -- The resistance movement Hamas says Israel's persistence in demolishing Palestinian homes is manifestation of its failure to crush the Palestinian cause.
• UN officials call for release of detained Palestinian children amid pandemic UN News 11 May 2020 -- Three senior United Nations officials in the Middle East are calling for the release of Palestinian children from Israeli-run prisons and detentions centres, saying they are at particular risk of COVID-19 infection.
• India, China troops scuffle along disputed border: Indian army Press TV 11 May 2020 -- Indian and Chinese soldiers have reportedly engaged in verbal and physical clashes along the disputed border between the two countries, as a result of which several troops have been injured on both sides.
• UN peacekeepers killed in improvised explosive attack in Mali UN News 11 May 2020 -- Three UN peacekeepers from Chad were killed in northern Mali on Sunday when their convoy hit a roadside bomb near Aguelhok, in the restive Kidal region. The improvised device also seriously injured four others who are now receiving medical care, the UN Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) said in a statement.

News Reports

• US Security Agencies Reportedly to Warn of Chinese Hackers Seeking to Obtain COVID-19 Vaccine Data Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- Previously, the UK and the US issued a joint warning that hackers from a number of foreign states were reportedly seeking to access COVID-19-related data, including on vaccine research, amid closed borders and lockdowns set in place to thwart the spread of the pandemic.
• Guaido's Aides Resign After Facing Charges of Botched Invasion of Venezuela - Reports Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido has accepted the resignation of two of his aides who are currently wanted by Caracas on charges of a botched armed incursion into the country to topple President Nicolas Maduro, Spain's EFE news agency reported on Monday, citing Guaido's office.
• Media Out Russian In Alleged Plot To Poison Czech Officials With Ricin RFE/RL 11 May 2020 -- Czech media have identified the man they say is the undercover Russian diplomat who entered the country nearly two months ago with a suitcase containing ricin as part of an alleged plot to poison as many as three Prague officials who had taken actions that angered the Kremlin.
• University of Arkansas Professor Arrested for Wire Fraud US Dept. of Justice 11 May 2020 -- Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, David Clay Fowlkes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Diane Upchurch of the FBI Little Rock Field Office announced today that Simon Saw-Teong Ang, 63, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, was arrested on Friday, May 8, 2020, on charges related to Wire Fraud.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on May 11, 2020 PRC MofA 11 May 2020
• Police Arrest Hundreds During Renewed Hong Kong Protests, Clashes Radio Free Asia 11 May 2020 -- Hong Kong police arrested at least 230 people during protests at the weekend, as pro-Beijing politicians blamed the city's liberal education system for a 'lack of respect' among young people.
• China's Top Universities Cancel Entrance Exams For Overseas Students Radio Free Asia 11 May 2020 -- Universities in China have begun canceling entrance examinations for overseas students, citing coronavirus concerns, as the central city of Wuhan reported a new cluster of cases for the first time since its lockdown was lifted.
• US Plans to Accuse China of Hacking COVID-19 Vaccine Research VOA 11 May 2020 -- For months, U.S. officials have been warning about a spike in cyberattacks during the coronavirus pandemic, but they've stopped short of pointing fingers at any one country.
• US Security Agencies Reportedly to Warn of Chinese Hackers Seeking to Obtain COVID-19 Vaccine Data Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- Previously, the UK and the US issued a joint warning that hackers from a number of foreign states were reportedly seeking to access COVID-19-related data, including on vaccine research, amid closed borders and lockdowns set in place to thwart the spread of the pandemic.
• China opposes US escalating political oppression of Chinese media: FM spokesperson Global Times 11 May 2020 -- China on Monday expressed strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the U.S. decision to shorten visas for Chinese journalists to a 90-day period.
• Amid media war, China slams Washington's 'ideological bias' Press TV 11 May 2020 -- China says it is 'strongly dissatisfied' with a series of strict restrictions and new visa terms recently imposed by Washington on Chinese journalists in the United States, pledging to take countermeasures.
• 'Why So Afraid of Chinese Media?' Beijing Blasts US Over Tightening of Visa Regime for Journalists Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) tightened visa guidelines for Chinese journalists on Saturday, stating that the move was a 'response' to China's recent treatment of American media.
• More Than 200 Pro-Democracy Protesters Arrested in Hong Kong VOA 11 May 2020 -- More than 200 pro-democracy protesters were arrested in Hong Kong Sunday night after staging a sit-in at a shopping mall in the city's Mong Kok district.
• New wave of unrest risks further sinking HK Global Times 11 May 2020 -- Illegal public gatherings are staging a comeback in Hong Kong, while experts warned that a resurgence of unrest would further damage the city's economy and social order, which had been showing signs of recovery after the double blow of month of riots followed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• HKSAR gov't officials urge society, particularly youngsters, to deter violence People's Daily 11 May 2020 -- Chief Secretary for Administration of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government (HKSAR) Matthew Cheung on Sunday appealed to all members of the public to deter violence, and urged youngsters to stay away from violence and cherish their future.
• WHO-China MOU a hurdle to Taiwan's WHA participation: FM CNA 11 May 2020 -- Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) on Monday cited a secret memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between China and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2005 as directly impacting the country's participation at the annual World Health Assembly (WHA) and in related WHO events.
• WHO Lawyer Rules Out Inviting Taiwan to World Health Assembly Amid Divide Among Members Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) chief has no mandate to invite Taiwan to join this month's key summit, the World Health Assembly, given a divide over the matter among member states, who have the last word on who attends meetings as observers, the agency's principal legal officer said on Monday.
• Japan voices support for Taiwan's attendance as WHA observer CNA 11 May 2020 -- Japan on Monday voiced support for Taiwan's inclusion in the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA), the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO).
• China urges New Zealand to discard illusions and stop wrong commentary on Taiwan island-related issues Global Times 11 May 2020 -- China urged New Zealand to strictly abide by the one-China principle, and immediately stop wrong commentary and misdeeds on Taiwan island-related issues, so as not to damage China-New Zealand relations, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday.
• Anger, Fear as North Korea Bans Use of Foreign Currency in Local Transactions Radio Free Asia 11 May 2020 -- North Korea has banned the use of foreign currency in local markets to force people to use the untrusted domestic won in an attempt to acquire much needed U.S. dollars and Chinese yuan from the people, sources in the country told RFA.
• 'He is Free': Zarif Says Scientist Detained by US on Trumped Up Charges Will Return to Iran Soon Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- Sirous Asgari, an Iranian-American scientist and academician, was arrested by the FBI in 2017 and accused of stealing trade secrets. The US government fought and lost its case against him in court, but continued to detain him indefinitely in the years that followed.
• Zarif: Iran-US prisoner swap needs no talk IRNA 11 May 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said prisoner swap between Iran and the US has no problem and "we do not need holding negotiations", adding that prisoner swap will be made with coordination of US' Interests Section in Tehran.
• Iranian scientist will return home soon if tested negative for COVID-19: FM Zarif Press TV 11 May 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says an Iranian scientist, who was detained in the US on groundless charges, has been freed and will return to the country if tested negative for coronavirus.
• US Official Tells Zarif 'Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is' Regarding Prisoners Radio Farda 11 May 2020 -- Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security has responded to Iran's foreign minister on the issue of prisoner's by telling him to act to take back Iranian citizens he wants repatriated.
• Iran's Zarif Again Raises The Issue Of Prisoner Exchange With US Radio Farda 11 May 2020 -- Iran's foreign minister has said the United States has not yet responded to the Islamic Republic's two-year-old offer to exchange prisoners.
• JCPOA withdrawal to be remembered as everlasting US disgrace: Iran FM spox Press TV 10 May 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson has slammed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's remarks praising Washington's withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, saying that the event will be remembered as "an everlasting disgrace" for the US.
• Iran's ambassador urges EU to take practical measures in support of JCPOA IRNA 11 May 2020 -- Iran's Ambassador to Croatia Parviz Esmaeili in a videoconference on Monday with the non-European ambassadors residing in the country reiterated that EU's single voice in support of multilateralism and JCPOA should be turned into a single resolve and practice.
• JCPOA masterpiece of diplomacy: Russia ISNA 11 May 2020 -- Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov stressed that Iran nuclear deal was a masterpiece of diplomacy, saying, "In the IAEA Board of Governors US is practically in total isolation on this topic".
• Will A New Parliament Change Iran For Better? Insiders Are Pessimistic Radio Farda 11 May 2020 -- Amir Mohebbian, a prominent analyst in Iran, says the young conservatives who have won the parliament are more likely to serve the interests of the country's rulers than trying to meet the demands of the people.
• Iran's Hardliner Watchdog Rejects Lawmaker's Accusation Of Manipulating Elections Radio Farda 11 May 2020 -- In a statement on Monday, Iran's constitution and election watchdog refuted the allegations made against the clerical body and its secretary by an outspoken lawmaker.
• Iran's Currency Rial Loses More Value Against US Dollar Radio Farda 11 May 2020 -- The Iranian currency on Monday losy more value against the U.S. dollar and other major currencies in Tehran foreign exchange market, trading 166,000 rials at midday against one greenback.
• Iran, Afghanistan Discuss 'Forced' Drowning Of Migrants In Border River Radio Farda 11 May 2020 -- The Foreign Ministry of Afghanistan on Sunday said the foreign ministers of Iran and Afghanistan held a phone coversation about "reports of torture and martyrdom of Afghan travelers" allegedly drowned by Iranian border guards.
• Iraq's independence, political stability of high importance to Iran: President Rouhani Press TV 11 May 2020 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic attaches great importance to independence and political stability of Iraq, adding that Tehran will continue to stand by Baghdad in line with both countries' interests.
• India Steps Up Assistance in Indo-Pacific amid China's Health Silk Road Initiative Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- While India and China have skirmished on several occasions since 25 April, leaving many injured, India is now lending a helping hand in the Indian Ocean Region, where China continues to expand its presence.
• Saudi Arabia to impose austerity measures amid coronavirus crisis, oil collapse Press TV 11 May 2020 -- Saudi Arabia is set to suspend a cost-of-living allowance for state employees and increase value added tax (VAT), amid a slump in oil prices and the coronavirus crisis.
• Saudi Arabia Reportedly Plans to Cut Oil Production in June by Extra 1 Mln Barrels per Day Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- According to the April deal, OPEC+ nations will cut production by 9.7 million barrels per day from May-June. Output will be reduced by 7.7 million barrels from July until the end of 2020, and by 5.8 million barrels per day from January 2021 to April 2022.
• Saudi Arabia Suspends Handouts to Citizens and Triples VAT Payments Amid Oil Price Slump Sputnik 11 May 2020 -- More than half of Saudi Arabia's pubic revenues depend on income from oil-related activities. However, the price of the precious recourse has dropped significantly since the start of the year as global demand for oil has plummeted by 30% amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, prompting petro-dependent states to undertake austerity measures.
• Saudi Arabia Imposes Austerity Measures VOA 11 May 2020 -- Saudi Arabia says it is tripling its VAT (value added tax) and suspending cost-of-living allowances.
• U.S. Law Firm Paid Millions To Former Ukrainian Prime Minister To Avoid Lawsuit, Says Report RFE/RL 11 May 2020 -- An international law firm based in New York paid at least $11 million to avoid being sued by Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine's former prime minister, according to The New York Times in a story published on May 10.
• Four Tajik Nationals Detained For Alleged Militant Recruitment In Poland RFE/RL 11 May 2020 -- Polish authorities have detained four Tajik nationals on charges of attempting to recruit Muslim converts to carry out militant attacks.