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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Uncertainty Surrounds US Pullout From Afghanistan VOA 16 Apr 2021 -- Days after U.S. President Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw from Afghanistan and end the United States' longest-running war, military planners, despite having had months to deliberate, are still working on how to make that happen.
• Unconditional U.S. Withdrawal From Afghanistan A Major Victory For Taliban, Analysts Say RFE/RL Gandhara 16 Apr 2021 -- The Taliban failed to end its cooperation with Al-Qaeda, the terrorist network behind the deadly September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States that triggered the invasion of Afghanistan later that year.
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Washington's charges that Russia is complicit in the death of US soldiers in Afghanistan Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16 Apr 2021 -- "We noted the charges brought yet again against Russia during a briefing by the White House Press Secretary alleging that Russia had paid remuneration to the Taliban for killing American soldiers in Afghanistan. These charges are based on information that they say has a low to moderate degree of credibility."
• Afghan War Has Claimed 241,000 Lives, Report Finds VOA 16 Apr 2021 -- A study released Friday estimates the two-decade-long war in Afghanistan has killed 241,000 people, including Americans, and cost the United States $2.26 trillion to date.
• Any Terrorist Attack on U.S. Military Drawdown in Afghanistan Will Be Met Forcefully, Kirby Says DoD News 16 Apr 2021 -- The United States is well aware of Taliban threats to the U.S. military drawdown, which are scheduled to begin May 1 and be completed by Sept. 11, 2021, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby told the media today at the Pentagon.
• Pentagon Does Not Rule Out Possibility of Deploying More Capabilities for Afghan Pullout Sputnik 16 Apr 2021 -- The Defense Department does not rule out the possibility of deploying additional capabilities to Afghanistan for the US drawdown, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said on Friday.
• In Brief Visit To Kabul, Blinken Says No Afghan Stakeholders Have Interest In Civil War RFE/RL Gandhara 16 Apr 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the people of Afghanistan, neighboring countries, and the Taliban have no interest in the country descending into civil war after the withdrawal of U.S. troops later this year.
• HRW Urges U.S. To Boost Afghanistan Aid After Troop Pullout RFE/RL Gandhara 16 Apr 2021 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) is urging the United States to commit to expanded support for human rights in Afghanistan amid what it calls "fears of increased insecurity" fueled by its announced plan to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan later this year.
• U.S. troop withdrawal to throw Afghanistan into chaos People's Daily 16 Apr 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that all U.S. troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan before Sept. 11, a decision to end the longest war in American history.
• Iran FM: Taliban can't revive Afghan 'emirate,' must join inclusive peace talks Press TV 16 Apr 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the Taliban's plan for the revival of an "emirate" in Afghanistan is not viable, stressing the need for the militant group to engage instead in an all-inclusive diplomatic process aimed at achieving "broad-based" peace in the war-ravaged country.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 16 Apr 2021
• USS Oakland Commissioning Ceremony DoD 16 Apr 2021 -- The Navy's newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, the future USS Oakland (LCS 24), will be commissioned at 10:00 a.m. PST on Saturday, April 17, 2021 in Oakland, California.
• Destroyer Squadron 60 Embarks USS Roosevelt US Navy 16 Apr 2021 -- Capt. Joseph Gagliano, Commodore, Destroyer Squadron 60 (DESRON 60) and Commander, Task Force 65 (CTF 65), embarked the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), April 14, 2021.
• Strategic Deterrent Unit Highlights Current Efforts to Department of Navy Official US Navy 16 Apr 2021 -- The Honorable James Geurts, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy, visited the Naval Ordnance Test Unit in Cape Canaveral, Florida March 26.
• U.S. Navy, Japan Conduct Staff Talks aboard USS Ronald Reagan US Navy 16 Apr 2021 -- Leadership from U.S. 7th Fleet met with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) for staff talks April 15.
• Fort Bragg signal unit receives APS vehicles, equipment for DEFENDER-Europe 21 Army News 16 Apr 2021 -- Landing in Germany with his platoon for DEFENDER-Europe 21, everything he's focused on – from his arrival to the unit five months ago until now – has been this mission. But what's interesting – he and his platoon deployed here with no vehicles and no way to communicate.
• US deploys F-16 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia despite criticizing Saudi war on Yemen Press TV 16 Apr 2021 -- The Pentagon has deployed about 300 US airmen and F-16 fighter jets to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, for an "expeditionary force deployment".
• Pentagon Will Attempt Hypersonic Missile Shootdown Using US Navy's SM-6 Missile Sputnik 16 Apr 2021 -- Russia and China both have multiple hypersonic weapon systems in use or advanced development, while the US has none. The seemingly unstoppable weapons travel faster than Mach 5, or roughly 3,800 miles per hour.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Remote Signing With Norwegian Minister of Defence Frank Bakke-Jensen DoD 16 Apr 2021
• Washington, Oslo Sign Revised Deal to Allow Expansion of US Military in Norway Sputnik 16 Apr 2021 -- Before coming into effect, the agreement will have to be ratified by Norway's parliament. In February, US B-1 strategic bombers arrived in Norway to conduct training missions, making this the first time American planes have operated in the Scandinavian country.
• U.S.-Norway Supplementary Defense Cooperation Agreement US Dept. of State 16 Apr 2021 -- Today in Oslo, the United States of America and the Kingdom of Norway concluded the Supplementary Defense Cooperation Agreement (SDCA), which will allow our countries to deepen bilateral security cooperation, strengthen NATO operations, and increase Transatlantic security.
• NATO, EU Condemn Russia's Plans To Close Parts Of Black Sea For Six Months RFE/RL 16 Apr 2021 -- Russia's reported plans to restrict maritime traffic in parts of the Black Sea for six months as it holds military maneuvers would be "unjustified" and "destabilizing," NATO said on April 16, demanding Moscow allow Ukraine freedom of navigation.
• US, NATO Slam Russian Plan to Block Parts of Black Sea VOA 16 Apr 2021 -- The United States and NATO accused Russia of again ramping up tensions, criticizing Moscow's plans to limit access to the Black Sea and the Kerch Strait for most of the next six months due to military exercises.
• NATO Urges Russia to Allow Access to Ukrainian Ports on Sea of Azov Sputnik 16 Apr 2021 -- NATO is concerned about Russia's plans to restrict access to a number of areas of the Black Sea, calls for free access to Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov, as well as freedom of navigation, NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said on Friday.
• Russian jet fighter intercepts another US spy plane over Pacific Ocean Press TV 16 Apr 2021 -- Russia says a MIG-31 jet fighter has intercepted a US RC-135 strategic reconnaissance plane over the Pacific Ocean while approaching Russia's territorial waters, forcing the spy aircraft to veer off course.
• Army, IRGC guarantee security, tranquility in Iran: Top Commander IRNA 16 Apr 2021 -- Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri congratulated Islamic Republic of Iran Army Day, emphasizing that Army and the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) are guarantors of sustainable security and tranquility of the Islamic country.
• Taiwan holds military drill to test joint operations capabilities CNA 16 Apr 2021 -- An intensive military exercise was conducted in southern Taiwan earlier this week to assess the joint operational capabilities of the country's armed forces, according to the Military News Agency (MNA).
• British spy jet deployed to Black Sea amid tensions with Russia Press TV 16 Apr 2021 -- A British spy aircraft has been dispatched to the Black Sea region to monitor Russian forces on the Ukrainian border, amid simmering tensions between Western countries and Russia over the Ukrainian conflict.
• Estonian Army Learns to Fly US-Made Surveillance Drones Sputnik 16 Apr 2021 -- Troops of Estonia's Second Infantry Brigade are learning to fly the US-manufactured unmanned reconnaissance drone RQ-20 Puma, the Estonian Defense Forces reported on Friday.
• U.S.- Japan Joint Leaders' Statement: "U.S. – JAPAN GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR A NEW ERA" The White House 16 Apr 2021
• Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Suga of Japan at Press Conference The White House 16 Apr 2021
• Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Suga of Japan Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 16 Apr 2021
• Remarks by Vice President Harris and Prime Minister Suga of Japan Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 16 Apr 2021
• Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official on the Official Working Visit of Japan The White House 15 Apr 2021
• Biden, Japan's Suga Commit to Work Together to Meet China Challenge VOA 16 Apr 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden says he and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga are committed to working together to counter challenges from China and North Korea, following Biden's first White House summit since taking office.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, April 16, 2021 The White House 16 Apr 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 16, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 16 April 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Apr 2021
• How a Vietnam-Malaysia Fishing MOU Could Ease the Wider South China Sea Dispute VOA 16 Apr 2021 -- Malaysia and Vietnam intend to sign a memorandum of understanding that experts say could eventually help ease a decades-old, six-party dispute over sovereignty in the resource-rich South China Sea.
• UN humanitarian chief asks for more funding for Yemen response People's Daily 16 Apr 2021 -- UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock on Thursday asked for more funding for Yemen, the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
• FM Mekdad: US, allies have turned OPCW into a tool to pursue anti-Syria objectives Press TV 16 Apr 2021 -- Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faisal Mekdad has categorically dismissed the new report by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), stating that the United States and its allies have turned the international watchdog into a tool to pursue their political goals against Damascus.
• Joint Statement on the Attacks in Iraqi Kurdistan Region US Dept. of State 16 Apr 2021 -- The text of the following statement was released by the governments of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States of America following the April 14 attack in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region:
• Iraq Investigates Irbil Drone Attack, Gets Support from US, Europe VOA 16 Apr 2021 -- France, Germany, Italy, Britain and the U.S. vowed Friday to support the Iraqi government's investigation into a drone attack at Irbil airport Wednesday.
• Libya: Security Council backs ceasefire mechanism, calls for withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries UN News 16 Apr 2021 -- The UN Security Council has unanimously passed a resolution which calls for all foreign forces and mercenaries to leave Libya and gives the green light for a UN team to monitor last October's historic ceasefire agreement.
• UN Urges Bangladesh to Move Rohingya to Bay of Bengal Island Gradually Radio Free Asia 16 Apr 2021 -- The United Nations refugee agency is urging Bangladesh to slow down its relocation of Rohingya to a low-lying island because measures to protect residents from storms and flooding are not fully in place, UNHCR in Dhaka told BenarNews on Friday.
• Russia urges leaders of France, Germany to help ease Ukraine tensions Press TV 16 Apr 2021 -- Russia has urged the leaders of France and Germany to help stop Ukraine's "provocative" actions in the restive east of the country and to encourage Kiev to observe ceasefire agreements in its long-running conflict with ethnic Russians there.
• Ukraine To Consult With France, Germany On Russian Military Buildup RFE/RL 16 Apr 2021 -- French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on April 16 in a show of support for Kyiv amid concerns about a buildup of Russian troops along the border with Ukraine and in occupied Crimea.
• WFP: Millions in West, Central Africa Facing Hunger Emergency VOA 16 Apr 2021 -- The United Nations World Food Program warns that millions of people in West and Central Africa are facing catastrophic levels of hunger driven by conflict and soaring food prices.
• Somali Forces Are Planning to Take Lead for Country's Security VOA 16 Apr 2021 -- Somali government forces are set to take the lead in maintaining the country's security by the end of this year, according to Somali and African Union officials who met in Mogadishu this week.
• UN Suspends Aid in Nigeria's Borno State as Thousands Flee Armed Attacks VOA 16 Apr 2021 -- The United Nations says it has suspended aid operations in Damasak in the Nigerian state of Borno after armed groups attacked aid workers and humanitarian agencies.
• Northeast Nigeria violence forces 65,000 to flee, humanitarians targeted by armed groups UN News 16 Apr 2021 -- A spate of clashes involving Government security forces and insurgent groups in northeast Nigeria has caused mass displacement and threatened humanitarian assistance, as armed groups go "house-to-house" hunting for aid workers, the UN said on Friday.
• Greek, Turkish Foreign Ministers Clash at News Conference VOA 16 Apr 2021 -- Tensions between Greece and Turkey reached a new high this week when the two countries' foreign ministers traded accusations during a live, televised news conference. The two NATO allies have been trying to rebuild relations after a dispute over a Turkish drilling ship pushed them to the brink of war last year.
• Turkey says issues with Greece can be resolved via dialogue People's Daily 16 Apr 2021 -- Turkey believes that its issues with Greece can be resolved through constructive dialogue between the two neighbors and allies, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday.
• Penpa Tsering Projected Winner in Race for Sikyong, Tibetan Exile Leader Radio Free Asia 16 Apr 2021 -- Penpa Tsering, former speaker of Tibet's exile parliament, looks set to win the vote for political leader, or Sikyong, of Tibet's Dharamsala, India-based exile government the Central Tibetan Administration, final counting shows.

News Reports

• Lifetime Founding Member of the Oath Keepers Pleads Guilty to Breaching Capitol on Jan. 6 to Obstruct Congressional Proceeding US Dept. of Justice 16 Apr 2021 -- Jon Schaffer, 53, of Columbus, Indiana, today admitted that he breached the Capitol on January 6, 2021, wearing a tactical vest and armed with bear repellent, and pleaded guilty to unlawfully entering the U.S. Capitol to obstruct Congress' certification of the U.S. presidential election results.
• High-Level Organizer of Notorious Hacking Group Sentenced to Prison for Scheme that Compromised Tens of Millions of Debit and Credit Cards US Dept. of Justice 16 Apr 2021 -- Overall Damage to Banks, Merchants, Card Companies, and Consumers Estimated at more than $1 Billion
• As Artemis Moves Forward, NASA Picks SpaceX to Land Next Americans on Moon NASA 16 Apr 2021 -- NASA is getting ready to send astronauts to explore more of the Moon as part of the Artemis program, and the agency has selected SpaceX to continue development of the first commercial human lander that will safely carry the next two American astronauts to the lunar surface. At least one of those astronauts will make history as the first woman on the Moon. Another goal of the Artemis program includes landing the first person of color on the lunar surface.
• Press release on a ban on entry of certain US citizens into the Russian Federation Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16 Apr 2021 -- In response to the sanctions against Russian officials imposed by the US administration on March 2 of this year, the following incumbent and former US high-ranking officials and figures complicit in pursuing the anti-Russia policy, are denied entry to the Russian Federation:
• U.S. Sanctions On Russian Debt Still 'More Bark Than Bite,' Analysts Say RFE/RL 16 Apr 2021 -- Campaigning last year, U.S. President Joe Biden promised to be tougher on Russia than his predecessor, and so far he has been taking steps to live up to his words: Since he took office on January 20, the United States has hit the Kremlin with two rounds of sanctions over "harmful" acts carried out by Moscow during Donald Trump's presidential term.
• Foreign Ministry statement on measures in response to hostile US actions Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16 Apr 2021 -- "The latest attack by the Biden administration against our country cannot go unanswered. It seems Washington is unwilling to accept that there is no room for unilateral dictates in the new geopolitical reality. Meanwhile, the bankrupt scenarios for deterring Moscow that the US myopically continues to pursue only promise to further degrade Russian-US relations."
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selakovic, Moscow, April 16, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16 Apr 2021
• Hunger-Striking Navalny Says Prison Staff Threatened To Force-Feed Him RFE/RL 16 Apr 2021 -- Jailed Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny said on April 16 that prison authorities have threatened to put him in a straitjacket to force-feed him unless he halts his hunger strike.
• Russian Prosecutors Ask Court To Designate Navalny's Anti-Corruption Network As 'Extremist' RFE/RL 16 Apr 2021 -- Russian prosecutors have asked a Moscow court to label jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny's anti-corruption organization and its regional offices as "extremist" organizations.
• Prosecutor In Moscow Seeks 11 Years In Prison For Former FSB Officer RFE/RL 16 Apr 2021 -- Prosecutors have asked a Moscow military court to sentence a former senior officer of Russia's Federal Security Service to 11 years in prison after he and two others were caught with millions of dollars worth of cash in 2019.
• Russia says U.S. has to pay for new sanctions People's Daily 16 Apr 2021 -- Washington must realize that it will "pay a price" for the degradation of U.S.-Russian relations, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Thursday in response to new anti-Russian sanctions and the expulsion of diplomats.
• Kremlin says Putin agrees with Biden on need for dialog Press TV 16 Apr 2021 -- The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees with US President Joe Biden on the importance of dialog, following a proposal by Biden to hold a meeting with his Russian counterpart and as tensions between the United States and Russia ratchet up over a range of issues.
• Russia Expels 5 Polish Diplomats in Response to Warsaw's Steps Sputnik 16 Apr 2021 -- In response to Warsaw's actions, Russia will expel five Polish diplomats from the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
• Matching US Sanctions, Russia Expels 10 American Diplomats VOA 16 Apr 2021 -- Russia announced late Friday it will expel 10 U.S. diplomats from Moscow in a tit-for-tat response to Washington's decision to send 10 Russian diplomats packing under a wide-ranging U.S. sanctions package levied against Moscow earlier this week.
• Russia To Expel 10 U.S. Diplomats In Tit-For-Tat Response RFE/RL 16 Apr 2021 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on April 16 that Moscow will ask 10 U.S. diplomats to leave the country in retaliation for Washington's expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats over alleged election interference, cyberattacks, and other malign actions.
• Russia Announces Response Measures to New US Sanctions Sputnik 16 Apr 2021 -- Earlier, Washington slapped new sanctions on Russian individuals, companies, and sovereign bonds on the primary market in response to Moscow's alleged involvement in the SolarWinds hack and purported meddling in the 2020 election.
• Biden calls for de-escalation following sanctioning Russia People's Daily 16 Apr 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday called for de-escalating the tension with Moscow after authorizing multiple sanctions against Russia.
• U.S. sanctions Russia, expels diplomats over alleged election interference, cyber hack People's Daily 16 Apr 2021 -- The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions against Russia and expelled 10 diplomats in response to Moscow's alleged election interference and cyber activities.
• Russia hits back at UK over 'malign activity' accusation Press TV 16 Apr 2021 -- The UK is attempting to project itself as an "important" global actor in the wake of Brexit by accusing Russia of involvement in "malign activity," the Russian Embassy in London says.
• Navalny Exposé Reveals Putin's Hidden Luxuries Ahead Of Protests RFE/RL 16 Apr 2021 -- The team of imprisoned Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny has published details of what it alleges is a lavish residence belonging to President Vladimir Putin and kept from public view, the latest salvo in the opposition's push to boost expected turnout for planned protests and maintain pressure on the Kremlin ahead of parliamentary elections expected this fall.
• The Week In Russia: Just One Minute (Of Freedom) RFE/RL 16 Apr 2021 -- The team of imprisoned Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny has published details of what it alleges is a lavish residence belonging to President Vladimir Putin and kept from public view, the latest salvo in the opposition's push to boost expected turnout for planned protests and maintain pressure on the Kremlin ahead of parliamentary elections expected this fall.
• Jimmy Lai sentenced to 1 year in jail for illegal assembly in Hong Kong People's Daily 16 Apr 2021 -- Anti-China disruptor Jimmy Lai was sentenced by a Hong Kong court to one year in prison on Friday over illegal assembly in August 2019.
• Hong Kong Jails Prominent Democrats, Activists For 'Illegal Assembly' Radio Free Asia 16 Apr 2021 -- A court in Hong Kong on Friday handed down sentences to several prominent pro-democracy figures including media mogul Jimmy Lai, international barrister Margaret Ng, and Democratic Party founder Martin Lee, while prosecutors brought two additional charges under the national security law against Lai.
• Longtime Hong Kong Pro-democracy Activists Sentenced for 2019 March VOA 16 Apr 2021 -- Several longtime pro-democracy advocates on Friday learned their fate for organizing one of Hong Kong's largest-ever street protests during the height of anti-government demonstrations.
• China-Backed Hong Kong Paper Calls For 'Ban' on Pro-Democracy Apple Daily Radio Free Asia 16 Apr 2021 -- A Hong Kong newspaper backed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on Friday denounced the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper for "working for foreign powers" and "slandering the police force," suggesting official measures may be in the works to shut the paper down.
• China Airs TV 'Confession' of Belizean Accused of Funding Hong Kong Protests Radio Free Asia 16 Apr 2021 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has aired a televised "confession" of a Belizean national after detaining him in connection with his support for the Hong Kong protest movement in November 2019.
• Sentencing of Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Activists for Unlawful Assembly US Dept. of State 16 Apr 2021 -- The United States condemns the sentencing of seven pro-democracy leaders on politically-motivated charges. Beijing and Hong Kong authorities are targeting Hong Kongers for doing nothing more than exercising protected rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of speech.
• Sentencing of pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong: FCDO statement UK FCDO 16 Apr 2021 -- The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office comments on the sentencing of Jimmy Lai and other pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong.
• U.S. delegation wraps up three-day visit to Taiwan CNA 16 Apr 2021 -- An American delegation, tasked by United States President Joe Biden to reaffirm the U.S.' commitment to its partnership with Taiwan, wrapped up a three-day visit to Taipei shortly before noon Friday.
• Biden, Suga to issue joint statement touching on Taiwan: U.S. official CNA 16 Apr 2021 -- United States President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will release a joint statement, calling for peace and stability to be maintained in the Taiwan Strait, after their summit meeting on Friday, according to a senior U.S. official.
• North Korea Gives Extra Food to Veterans for Former Leader's Birthday Radio Free Asia 16 Apr 2021 -- North Korea commemorated a major national holiday Thursday by providing extra corn to select groups of veterans, but the people are complaining that the government is trying to force their loyalty through strict control of the food supply, sources in the country told RFA.
• Iran Says 60 Percent Enrichment 'Under Way' At Natanz Site RFE/RL 16 Apr 2021 -- Iranian officials say the country has begun enriching uranium up to 60 percent purity, higher than it has ever done before, despite ongoing talks between Tehran and world powers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.
• Iran begins 60 percent uranium enrichment: Salehi IRNA 16 Apr 2021 -- Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi said on Friday that Iran has begun enriching uranium at 60 percent at the Natanz nuclear facility.
• Iran achieves 60% uranium enrichment: Qalibaf IRNA 16 Apr 2021 -- Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said in a Twitter message on Friday that Iranian scientists achieved enriching uranium to 60% purity.
• Iran produces first batch of 60% enriched uranium Press TV 16 Apr 2021 -- Iran's scientists have managed to produce the country's first batch of 60-percent enriched uranium in Natanz days after a nuclear facility came under a terrorist attack, top officials say.
• 60% Uranium Enrichment Has Started at Natanz Facility, Iranian Nuclear Chief Salehi Says Sputnik 16 Apr 2021 -- Tehran announced earlier this month it would be boosting its uranium enrichment despite a blackout at the Natanz nuclear power plant that the Islamic Republic blamed on Israel.
• New EU sanctions to undermine nuclear talks: Iran's top negotiator IRNA 16 Apr 2021 -- Iran's top nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi has warned that the imposition of so-called human rights sanctions on Iran by the European Union will weaken endeavors for pushing forward nuclear negotiations.
• Parties to Iran nuclear deal should remove all disturbances, speed up talks: Chinese envoy People's Daily 16 Apr 2021 -- A Chinese envoy said Thursday that all parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), should remove all disturbances and speed up the negotiation process to hash out an arrangement for the U.S. and Iran to resume compliance with the deal.
• Sabotage, assassination of scientists cannot stop Iran's nuclear work: Official Press TV 16 Apr 2021 -- The Iranian president's chief of staff, Mahmoud Vaezi, says assassination of Iran's scientists and acts of sabotage will fail to stop the Islamic Republic's peaceful nuclear program.
• Israel Warns It Will Do 'Whatever It Takes' to Prevent Iran From Obtaining Nuclear Weapons Sputnik 16 Apr 2021 -- The speaker of the Iranian parliament announced earlier today that the country had reached its goal to produce uranium enriched to 60 percent. The objective was announced just days after an incident involving the electricity distribution network at the Natanz nuclear facility, which Tehran blamed on Israel.
• FM Zarif: Iran to seriously refrain from negotiations for sake of negotiations Press TV 16 Apr 2021 -- Iran's foreign minister has ruled out talks over the 2015 nuclear agreement for the sake of talks, saying the timing and duration of the negotiations are determined only by national interests.
• Iran dismisses Ukraine official's claims on 2020 passenger jet tragedy Press TV 16 Apr 2021 -- Iran has dismissed a claim by Ukraine's security chief that the January 2020 downing of a Ukrainian plane near Tehran — which happened amid heightened military tensions between Iran and the US — was "intentional."
• Parallel Myanmar Government Launched to Challenge Military Junta Radio Free Asia 16 Apr 2021 -- Myanmar civilian politicians and activists launched a "National Unity Government" on Friday, centered on ousted national leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other lawmakers elected last November, to marshal domestic and international support for ending the bloody rule of the military junta.
• INTERVIEW: Myanmar military increasing efforts to keep truth from getting out, UN expert says UN News 16 Apr 2021 -- The crackdown on journalists, cutting off the Internet and disrupting the flow of information across Myanmar, is "not working", and the world is not buying the military leadership's "propaganda" that it is exercising restraint against protesters, the UN independent human rights expert on the country has said, in an in-depth interview with UN News.
• Belarus Lawmakers Approve Second Reading Of Draconian Bills To Limit Freedoms RFE/RL 16 Apr 2021 -- Belarusian lawmakers have approved a second reading of several amendments to legislation severely restricting civil rights and the free flow of information amid a crackdown on the country's pro-democracy movement.
• Raul Castro Announces His Resignation as Head of Communist Party of Cuba Sputnik 16 Apr 2021 -- The Cuban politician previously signalled he was planning to resign from the post, which he assumed in 2011 after several decades of his brother Fidel's leadership. Castro is expected to hand over the reins to Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
• Pakistan Temporarily Blocks Social Media Apps After Violent Protests RFE/RL Gandhara 16 Apr 2021 -- Pakistani authorities have restored access to several social media and instant messaging platforms after blocking them for several hours following days of violent protests by followers of a radical Islamist party.
• Pakistan Blocks Social Media Amid Crackdown on Islamists VOA 16 Apr 2021 -- Pakistan temporarily blocked access to all social media platforms Friday amid a crackdown on a radical Islamist party leading recent nationwide violent demonstrations against France over the publication of anti-Islam cartoons in a French magazine.
• Scottish nationalists vow to hold referendum on independence from UK Press TV 16 Apr 2021 -- Prior to the Scottish elections early next month, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has published an incisive manifesto, pledging to hold an independence referendum by the end of 2023.
• Two Men Detained In Georgia For Attempt To Sell Radioactive Substance RFE/RL 16 Apr 2021 -- Two men have been apprehended in Georgia for attempting to sell a radioactive substance.
• U.S. Embassy Expresses 'Disappointment' Over Kyrgyz Powerbroker Release From Custody RFE/RL 16 Apr 2021 -- The U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan has expressed concern over the release from pretrial detention of Raimbek Matraimov, the controversial former deputy chief of the Kyrgyz Customs Service who was placed on the U.S. Magnitsky sanctions list for his involvement in the illegal funneling of hundreds of millions of dollars abroad.
• Imposing Visa Restrictions on Ugandans for Undermining the Democratic Process US Dept. of State 16 Apr 2021 -- "The Government of Uganda's actions during the recent electoral process undermined democracy and respect for human rights. Today I am announcing visa restrictions on those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda, including during the country's January 14 general elections and the campaign period that preceded it."