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06 May 2021 Military News

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Taliban Victory in Afghanistan 'Not a Foregone Conclusion' VOA 06 May 2021 -- Top U.S. defense and military officials are holding out hope the Afghan government will be able to withstand the latest Taliban military offensive, launched days ago as U.S. and coalition troops began leaving the country.
Threats to Afghan Media by Warring Sides Spark Outrage VOA 06 May 2021 -- Media advocates and international partners of Afghanistan have denounced the Taliban insurgency for threatening local journalists for allegedly not being impartial in their reporting of the country's long war.
US Drawdown in Afghanistan Going 'According to Plan', Defence Secretary Austin Says Sputnik 06 May 2021 -- The US pullout of troops from Afghanistan is proceeding according to plan, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a press conference on Thursday.
Austin, Milley Discuss Progress of Retrograde From Afghanistan DoD News 06 May 2021 -- American service members will move out with professionalism and dedication to fulfill the newest mission in Afghanistan, ending the U.S. presence in the country by September, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today.
Taliban Capture Key Afghan Dam, Army Bases As U.S. Forces Exit RFE/RL Gandhara 06 May 2021 -- Taliban fighters have captured Afghanistan's second-biggest dam and two Afghan Army bases, militants and officials said, as fighting escalates amid the ongoing pullout of U.S. and international forces from the war-wracked country.
HRW Warns Against Further 'Life-Threatening' Cuts In Afghan Health System RFE/RL Gandhara 06 May 2021 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned that falling international donor support to Afghanistan has reduced women's access to essential health care, and that it expects further cuts in the coming months as foreign forces prepare to withdraw from the country.
Taliban capture key dam in Kandahar as fighting rages across Afghanistan Press TV 06 May 2021 -- The Taliban have captured Afghanistan's second-biggest dam after fierce fighting in their former bastion of Kandahar as militants step up raids around the war-torn country following a missed US troop withdrawal deadline for May 1.

COVID milestone: Guard vaccinates 10 million people Army News 06 May 2021 -- Ten million moms, dads, grandparents, friends, co-workers and neighbors are now vaccinated thanks to the ongoing efforts of National Guard members who are administering shots "in the communities where they live and serve."

Defense Policy / Programs

Secretary of Defense Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Milley Press Briefing DoD 06 May 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley; Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby
MQ-9 Reaper gets enhanced capabilities US Air Force 06 May 2021 -- The 174th Attack Wing has partnered with multiple Department of Defense contractors and academia to lead the effort in establishing new and additional capabilities for the MQ-9 Reaper.
Skyborg autonomy core system has successful first flight US Air Force 06 May 2021 -- The Skyborg leadership team conducted a 2 hour and 10 minute flight test of the Skyborg autonomy core system, or ACS, aboard a Kratos UTAP-22 tactical unmanned vehicle at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, April 29.
4th Fleet Commander Conducts Maritime Staff Talks with Brazil Navy US Navy 06 May 2021 -- Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, hosted delegates from the Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil) for the 15th annual Maritime Staff Talks (MST) May 5.
4th Fleet Commander Conducts Maritime Staff Talks with Armada de Chile US Navy 06 May 2021 -- Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, hosted delegates from the Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile) for the 25th annual Maritime Staff Talks (MST) April 1.
Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group Gets Vaccinated US Navy 06 May 2021 -- U.S. Sailors from the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group began receiving Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine while underway, April 29.
Quickly Moving Forces Across Borders Is Vital to Europe's Defense, Official Says DoD News 06 May 2021 -- The National Security Strategy emphasizes the importance of working with allies and partners such as NATO. Part of that commitment is being able to move formations quickly across Europe, a Defense Department official said today.
Army senior leaders seek sustained, consistent funding in new budget Army News 06 May 2021 -- The Army requires consistent, predictable and sustained funding for readiness and modernization efforts to ensure overmatch against a near-peer competitor, the acting Army secretary said during a budget hearing Wednesday.
Fort Hood housing overhaul: $420 million project underway Army News 06 May 2021 -- Army senior leaders joined with representatives of Lendlease Inc., the parent company of Fort Hood Family Housing, to begin the process of replacing nearly 600 homes in Chaffee and McNair Villages during a ceremony here April 29.
II MEF Wraps up Dynamic Cape 21.1 USMC News 06 May 2021 -- II Marine Expeditionary Force executed Exercise Dynamic Cape 21.1, a live maritime prepositioning exercise that included an Operational Logistics Exercise with a subsequent final exercise event, from April 7-28.
US Air Force's Skyborg 'Loyal Wingman' AI Pilots Kratos Mako Drone for First Time Sputnik 06 May 2021 -- Artificial intelligence is seen as a key component of the next generation of aircraft, both manned and unmanned, and networking them to operate as a cohesive unit over the battlefield is a major focus of projects funded by the Pentagon, as well as other nation's militaries.
There Must Be Rules for How We Use Space, Defense Leaders Say DoD News 06 May 2021 -- With more nations using space for both commercial and defense purposes, there must be rules that allow everybody to operate safely — and to be able to identify what's going to be considered a threat, say defense leaders.

NATO Secretary General discusses military mobility, Russia, Afghanistan with EU Defence Ministers NATO 06 May 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday (6 May 2021) that NATO continues to closely monitor Russia's significant military build-up in and around Ukraine.
Exercise Steadfast Defender 2021 to test NATO readiness and military mobility NATO 06 May 2021 -- NATO exercise Steadfast Defender 2021 kicks off this month, bringing together more than 20 NATO Allies and partners from North America and Europe.
NATO Deputy Secretary General: unity and adaptation are key in today's uncertain world NATO 06 May 2021 -- Speaking at the annual Riga Conference on Thursday (6 May 2021), NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană stressed the importance of strategic communications to help build resilience among Allied societies faced with increased hybrid activities, including disinformation.
Deputy Secretary General discusses NATO-EU cooperation at military mobility symposium NATO 06 May 2021 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană, speaking at the Military Mobility Symposium co-organized by the European Defence Agency and the Portuguese Presidency of the European Council on Thursday (6 May 2021), stressed the importance of strong NATO-EU cooperation on military mobility in order to maintain preparedness and preserve collective security.

EU to Allow US, Canada, Norway to Join Military Project VOA 06 May 2021 -- The European Union (EU) announced Thursday plans to allow the United States, Canada and Norway to join its "military mobility" project, the first time the bloc will allow nations outside its membership to join a military operation.
With An Eye On Russia, EU Opens 'Military Mobility' Project To NATO Allies RFE/RL 06 May 2021 -- The European Union has approved the participation of NATO members the United States, Canada, and Norway in a project aimed at speeding up the movement of troops and military equipment around Europe.
Germany Calls US, Canada, Norway Joining EU Military Mobility Project a 'Quantum Leap' Sputnik 06 May 2021 -- The United States, Canada and Norway are set to join one of EU's military projects aimed at increasing the speed of troop and equipment deployment in Europe.

Russian gov't approves bill on quitting Open Skies Treaty People's Daily 06 May 2021 -- The Russian government said Wednesday it has approved a bill on the country's withdrawal from the arms-control Treaty on Open Skies and will submit the document to President Vladimir Putin.
Russian jet wards off US spy plane over Chukchi Sea Press TV 06 May 2021 -- Russia says it dispatched a warplane to intercept a US spy aircraft as it was heading toward Russian airspace over the Chukchi Sea.
Russian MiG-31 Fighter Jet Scrambled to Intercept US Reconnaissance Aircraft Over Sea of Chukotsk Sputnik 06 May 2021 -- Over the past few months, Russia had to scramble jets to intercept numerous American aircraft flying over the Black Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk.

China's newly commissioned amphibious landing ship joins exercises, 'to form powerful partnership with amphibious assault ship' Global Times 06 May 2021 -- China's eighth Type 071 amphibious landing ship recently made its first publicly known maritime exercise appearance, and it has gained operational capabilities in troops delivery, air defense, anti-ship and land attack after entering service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy late last year, reports said.
Chinese naval aircraft carrier battle group conducts maritime training PLA Daily 06 May 2021 -- Recently an aircraft carrier battle group headed by the Chinese naval aircraft carrier Shandong conducted training in relevant waters of the South China Sea, according to the Chinese PLA Navy Spokesperson Senior Captain Gao Xiucheng on May 2.

France Sends 3 More Rafale Fighter Jets to India Sputnik 06 May 2021 -- Three French-made Rafale fighter jets have taken off to India to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) squadron, the Indian Embassy in France said.

Government of Canada announces Polar Icebreakers to enhance Canada's Arctic presence and provide critical services to Canadians Canadian Coast Guard 06 May 2021 -- Canada has three oceans and the longest coastline in the world. Our nation's blue economy depends on a strong Coast Guard fleet to keep mariners safe, protect our coasts and waterways, and deliver commercial goods and other vital services to Canadians.

Blinken: US Stands with Ukraine Against 'Reckless' Russia Actions VOA 06 May 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that while Russia has withdrawn some forces from the Ukrainian border region, "significant forces" and equipment remain there and the United States wants Russia to "cease reckless and aggressive actions."
US asks Russia to cease 'reckless and aggressive actions' against Ukraine Press TV 06 May 2021 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Russia to cease "reckless and aggressive actions" against Ukraine, ratcheting up rhetoric against the former Cold War adversary.
US's Blinken visits Ukraine in show of support against Russia Press TV 06 May 2021 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has traveled to Ukraine in a show of support for the Ukrainian government against Russia.
U.S. Considering 'Additional' Military Assistance To Ukraine, Blinken Tells RFE/RL RFE/RL 06 May 2021 -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States is considering Ukraine's request for "additional" military assistance to help deter Kremlin aggression following a massive buildup of Russian forces near their shared border.
In Kyiv, Blinken Calls On Russia To Cease 'Reckless And Aggressive' Actions Against Ukraine RFE/RL 06 May 2021 -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on the first visit to Kyiv by a senior U.S. official from the administration of President Joe Biden, has called on Russia to cease its "reckless and aggressive actions" against Ukraine.
Blinken Says US Will Continue to Provide Defence Support to Ukraine Sputnik 06 May 2021 -- The United States will continue providing Ukraine with support aimed at strengthening its security and defence, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday.
Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba US Dept. of State 06 May 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 06 May 2021
Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal US Dept. of State 06 May 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 06 May 2021
Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Members of the Ukrainian Rada US Dept. of State 06 May 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 06 May 2021

Briefing with Senior State Department Officials With Traveling Press US Dept. of State 06 May 2021
Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Aboard Air Force One En Route Lake Charles, LA The White House 06 May 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Virtual Roundtable on Reform and Anticorruption US Dept. of State 06 May 2021

Defense Industry

Contracts For May 6, 2021

Other Conflicts

6 May 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 May 2021

Saudi-led coalition plans to hand over southern Yemeni sea crossing to al-Qaeda terrorists, official warns Press TV 06 May 2021 -- A senior Yemeni official has warned that the Saudi-led coalition waging a devastating military campaign against the Arab country plans to hand over a strategic sea crossing in Yemen's southern province of Abyan to members of the al-Qaeda terrorist group.

Addressing the 'extant threat' to peace and security posed by unresolved chemical weapons issues in Syria UK FCDO 06 May 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council briefing on Syria chemical weapons
Moscow: US has no right to criticize Russia's legitimate presence in Syria Press TV 06 May 2021 -- Russia has sharply dismissed America's criticism of Moscow's role in Syria, saying the United States, which maintains an illegal presence in the Arab country, is in no position to comment on the Russian presence there, which comes at the request of the legitimate government in Damascus.
Russia Reminds US Its Presence in Syria is Illegal After Washington Charges Moscow With 'Violations' Sputnik 06 May 2021 -- Damascus and its allies have repeatedly blasted the US over their illegal occupation of Syrian territory in the country's south and northeast, and have demanded that all foreign military forces not explicitly invited into the country by the Syrian government vacate the Middle Eastern nation immediately, in accordance with international law.
Israel stages 2nd round of airstrikes against Syria in 24 hours Press TV 06 May 2021 -- An Israeli helicopter has reportedly attacked some locations in Quneitra Province in Syria's extreme southwest, the second round of airstrikes by the regime to target the Arab country in a little over 24 hours.
Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Actions of the Government of Syria The White House 06 May 2021
Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Actions of the Government of Syria The White House 06 May 2021

IS blows up 2 oil wells, kills 2 security members in northern Iraq People's Daily 06 May 2021 -- The militants of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group on Wednesday attacked an oil field in Iraq's Kirkuk Province, killing two security members and blowing up two oil wells, a government statement and provincial security source said.
A Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Stabilization of Iraq The White House 06 May 2021
Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Stabilization of Iraq The White House 06 May 2021

Germany's Maas Urges Sides in 'Fragile' Libyan Peace Process to Stick to Their Commitments Sputnik 06 May 2021 -- German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Thursday urged the participants of the Libyan peace process to stay within the 2020 Berlin summit framework and fulfill their commitments, noting that the situation in the country remains precarious.

Former LRA leader, ex-child soldier, sentenced to 25 years in prison UN News 06 May 2021 -- A former leader of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda, who himself had been abducted by the rebel group as a child, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday.
ICC Sentences Former Lord's Resistance Army Commander to 25 Years in Jail VOA 06 May 2021 -- The International Criminal Court in The Hague has sentenced former Lord's Resistance Army child soldier-turned rebel commander Dominic Ongwen to 25 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The sentence was more than what prosecutors recommended. But it fell well short of the life sentence that victims' lawyers demanded, because of Ongwen's tortured background.
Ugandan Victims of Former Rebel Leader React to His 25-Year Jail Sentence VOA 06 May 2021 -- Ugandan victims of former Lord's Resistance Army Commander Dominic Ongwen are not happy about the 25-year prison sentence given to him by the International Criminal Court. One victim has called the sentence a joke.

Latvia Recognizes Armenian Genocide RFE/RL 06 May 2021 -- Latvia has recognized the massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I as genocide, drawing an angry response from Turkey.

In First Official Count, Tajikistan Says 19 Killed In Kyrgyz Border Clashes RFE/RL 06 May 2021 -- Tajik authorities say 19 people were killed and 87 injured in clashes along a disputed segment of the border with Kyrgyzstan last week, in their first official data on the violence.

Statement by France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom on Israeli Settlements UK FCDO 06 May 2021 -- The governments of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK have issued a statement on Israeli Settlements

UN Gives $65 Million in Aid to Ethiopia, Tigray VOA 06 May 2021 -- The United Nations is disbursing $65 million for humanitarian needs in Ethiopia, $40 million of which will go to the aid operation in the northern Tigray region.

A Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Central African Republic The White House 06 May 2021
Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Central African Republic The White House 06 May 2021

News Reports

In U.S. Trial Of Alleged Hacker, Indications Of Larger Russian Cybercrimes RFE/RL 06 May 2021 -- It was one of the most sophisticated digital fraud operations in the history of the Internet, by some accounts scamming between $10 million and $30 million over the roughly four years it existed.

MS-13 Member Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Murder and Attempted Murder US Dept. of Justice 06 May 2021 -- A Maryland man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise by murdering a suspected rival gang member and attempting to murder two other victims, in connection with his MS-13 gang activities.

A Decade After Bin Laden's Killing, Terrorism Still Haunts Pakistan RFE/RL Gandhara 06 May 2021 -- It was only two decades ago that Pakistan's rulers took pride in making their country a frontline ally in the U.S.-led war on terrorism following the attacks of September 11.

Russian 'Foreign Agent' Turns Tables On Officials With Transfer Of Funds RFE/RL 06 May 2021 -- A Russian journalist labeled as a "foreign agent" has turned the tables on several local lawmakers in the northwestern region of Pskov, sending them money to make them associates.

'Western hype': Pentagon tracking 'out-of-control' Chinese rocket Press TV 06 May 2021 -- The Pentagon says it is tracking a large Chinese rocket that is "out of control" and expected to plunge back through the atmosphere this weekend.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on May 6, 2021 PRC MofA 06 May 2021
G7 statement shows US ambition shortfall in dominating China ties: experts Global Times 06 May 2021 -- Following the "China threat" hype in the G7 meeting, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday at a virtual United Nations Security Council meeting.
China's suspension of economic dialogue with Australia is legitimate response: FM Global Times 06 May 2021 -- China's suspension of all activities under the China-Australia Strategic Economic Dialogue is a necessary and legitimate response to Australia's restriction and crackdown on a raft of bilateral cooperation projects, and Canberra should take full responsibility for the move, China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
China's suspension of economic dialogue with Australia 'a necessary step' to defend national interests: analysts Global Times 06 May 2021 -- China's top economic planner announced on Thursday that it is suspending indefinitely all activities under the China-Australia Strategic Economic Dialogue, marking the first time that a diplomatic mechanism between the two countries was frozen on the heels of downward spiraling bilateral relations.
China suspends economic dialogue with Australia as relations curdle Press TV 06 May 2021 -- China's government has announced it is "indefinitely" suspending all activities under a China-Australia Strategic Economic Dialogue.
Joshua Wong sentenced to 10 months in jail for another unauthorized assembly, 3 fellow secessionists imprisoned up to half a year Global Times 06 May 2021 -- Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung was sentenced to 10 months in jail for taking part in an unauthorized assembly on June 4, 2020. Three fellow secessionists were sentenced to between four and six months in the same case.
Hong Kong Court Jails Joshua Wong, District Councilors Over Tiananmen Vigil Radio Free Asia 06 May 2021 -- A court in Hong Kong on Thursday handed jail terms to jailed democracy activist Joshua Wong and three opposition members of the city's District Council for attending a vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen massacre.
Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Activist Sentenced to 10 More Months in Prison VOA 06 May 2021 -- Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has been sentenced to 10 additional months in prison for taking part in an unauthorized assembly last year to commemorate the 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.
Uyghur Advocate Calls For US to Cut Ties to Forced Labor, Protect Refugees at Congressional Hearing Radio Free Asia 06 May 2021 -- Lawmakers must act to cut U.S. ties to forced labor and expedite asylum for Uyghur refugees, and Washington should push the global community to end what it has designated a genocide in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), witnesses told a Congressional hearing Thursday.

G7's pro-Taiwan statement to undermine cross-Straits stability: experts Global Times 06 May 2021 -- In the face of G7 foreign ministers' accusations against China over its so-called "human rights violations" and supportive rhetoric for the island of Taiwan's participation in WHO forums and the World Health Assembly (WHA), Chinese experts said that the move by some Western countries will further undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits for their own political interests.
China strongly condemns G7 statement about Chinese Taipei, Xinjiang Press TV 06 May 2021 -- China has strongly condemned a joint statement by the foreign ministers of the so-called Group of Seven (G7) that voiced support for the secessionist government in Chinese Taipei and accused Beijing of alleged rights abuses in the western Xinjiang region.
Former National Security Bureau officer faces espionage charge CNA 06 May 2021 -- An arrest warrant for a former National Security Bureau (NSB) officer was issued on April 23 on charges of defection and espionage, more than two decades after the man fled overseas in the wake of media reports accusing him of embezzling government funds, the NSB said Thursday.

Briefing with Senior State Department Official On Ongoing U.S. Engagement in Vienna Regarding the JCPOA US Dept. of State 06 May 2021
Observers Urge US to Address Iran Nuclear Threat During Talks to Revive Deal VOA 06 May 2021 -- Negotiations continue on a U.S. return to the Iran nuclear deal and on how to ensure its full and effective implementation. Observers say the threat of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East cannot be ignored and must be tackled, even as Iran demands an end to crippling U.S. sanctions. Analysts also say that the wide-ranging activities of Iranian-backed Shiite militias and missiles in the region need to be addressed.
Vienna talks would've stopped by now, if US had insisted on maintaining crippling sanctions against Iran: Khatibzadeh ISNA 05 May 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh stressed that Vienna talks would have stopped by now, if the United States had insisted on maintaining crippling sanctions against Iran.
Iran's lead negotiator meets IAEA chief ahead of Iran's deadline for US sanctions removal Press TV 06 May 2021 -- Iran's top negotiator at the Vienna talks has met with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to discuss the latest developments on multilateral efforts to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA, as a key deadline set by Tehran for the removal of US sanctions approaches.
IRGC chief says Guards won't act for, against any presidential candidate Press TV 06 May 2021 -- A day after the Constitutional Council cleared the way for military men to run for president, the chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the elite force will not take sides with or act against any presidential candidate.
In Historic Decision, Iran Allows Senior Military Commanders to Run for President Sputnik 06 May 2021 -- Until now, military officials were only able to make a bid for the highest publicly elected office in the land after being vetted by the Constitutional Court on a case-by-case basis.

No Holds Barred: Myanmar Junta Grabs Family Members to Get at Wanted Protesters Radio Free Asia 06 May 2021 -- Facing unrelenting popular resistance to military rule three months after they ousted the elected government , Myanmar's junta has increasingly turned to hostage taking – grabbing family members to force wanted opponents to surrender, legal experts and rights activists said Thursday.
Interview: 'Forces Who Believe in Justice and Righteousness Are Now Shaping The Destiny of This Country' Radio Free Asia 06 May 2021 -- Myanmar's shadow government of ousted former lawmakers created a People's Defense Force (PDF) on Wednesday to prevent killings and other violent acts against the people by the military junta that seized power from the elected government on Feb. 1. The National Unity Government (NUG), as the parallel body is known, said the PDF is a precursor to a Federal Union Army that would comprise a majority ethnic Bamar militia and the country's ethnic armed groups to fight the powerful national military.

Belarus's Lukashenka Doubles Down On Fear (And Throws In Some Bleach) To Silence Pro-Democracy Opponents RFE/RL 06 May 2021 -- Dzyanis Urbanovich, a Belarusian opposition leader and no stranger to longtime leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka's security apparatus and jails, was snatched off the streets of Minsk on April 21 and locked up in a prison that has become synonymous with torture.
Belarusian Opposition Leader Calls For More U.S. Sanctions On Lukashenka's Regime RFE/RL 06 May 2021 -- Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has called on the United States to apply more sanctions to pressure authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who has led a brutal crackdown against prodemocracy protests triggered by last year's disputed presidential election.

Netanyahu misses deadline to form cabinet, putting his rule in doubt Press TV 06 May 2021 -- Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has tasked opposition leader Yair Lapid with forming a coalition cabinet, dumping Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who passed a deadline to secure enough allies to form his own cabinet.

Pressure mounts on Colombia govt. as protests enter second week Press TV 06 May 2021 -- Colombian demonstrators have taken to the streets in the capital, Bogota, and other cities for the eighth consecutive day to protest the policies of President Ivan Duque as well as violence by security forces.

Qatar Orders Arrest of Finance Minister Over Alleged Embezzlement, State Media Says Sputnik 06 May 2021 -- Qatari Prosecutor-General has ordered to put Finance Minister Ali Shareef Al Emadi in custody for questioning on a range of charges, including embezzlement and abuse of power, the Qatari News Agency (QNA) reported on Thursday.

US Senators Express Support for Sudan's Transitional Government VOA 06 May 2021 -- A delegation of U.S. senators who visited Sudan this week expressed support for Khartoum's transitional government in moving toward democracy and debt relief.

Somalia and Kenya Restore Diplomatic Ties VOA 06 May 2021 -- Somalia announced Thursday it has restored its diplomatic relations with Kenya, following talks between leaders of the neighboring countries, mediated by Qatar.

Nigerian Military Backs Buhari as Calls for His Resignation Mount VOA 06 May 2021 -- Military spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu said the military will uphold the country's democracy and warned against plots to overthrow the government.

Ortega's Electoral Legislation, Biased Council Undermine Credibility of Nicaraguan Elections US Dept. of State 06 May 2021 -- The United States is deeply concerned that the Nicaraguan Government under Daniel Ortega has rebuffed calls by its own citizens and the international community — including the Organization of American States, the European Union, and the United Nations — to build confidence in the electoral process by passing meaningful reforms to enable a free and fair election in November.

Zimbabwe Opposition Accuses Government of Trying to Undermine Judiciary VOA 06 May 2021 -- Critics are accusing Zimbabwe's ruling party of seeking to undermine the judiciary after lawmakers late Tuesday approved constitutional amendments so the president can hand pick top judges.

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