COVID-19 - Daily News

11 May 2021 Military News

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U.S. military experts withdraw from air base in Iraq: sources People's Daily 11 May 2021 -- U.S. experts and advisers for F-16 fighter jets withdrew from Balad Air Base after a series of rocket attacks targeted the air base in Iraq's Salahudin province, Iraqi sources said on Monday.
Roadside bomb hits US logistics convoy in western Iraq Press TV 11 May 2021 -- A roadside bomb attack has struck a convoy carrying logistical equipment belonging to the US military in Iraq's western province of al-Anbar.
US military contractor announces exit from Iraq amid growing attacks Press TV 11 May 2021 -- The US security and aerospace firm Lockheed Martin has withdrawn its staff from a military base in Iraq where it had been maintaining the Iraqi F-16 fighter jets, citing security concerns.

Update on withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan May 11, 2021 CENTCOM 11 May 2021 -- U.S. Central Command provides the following update on the orderly and responsible withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, as of 10 a.m. on May 10, 2021.
Retrograde From Afghanistan Continues as U.S. Officials Protect Troop Numbers DoD News 11 May 2021 -- The retrograde from Afghanistan is going well, but U.S. officials are being careful as the effort is still in its early stages, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said today.
Pentagon Says Afghan Withdrawal Proceeding Steadily RFE/RL Gandhara 11 May 2021 -- The Pentagon says the withdrawal of remaining U.S. military forces in Afghanistan is proceeding steadily to meeting a September 11 deadline set by U.S. President Joe Biden.
US Military Coy About Numbers of Troops Leaving Afghanistan VOA 11 May 2021 -- The United States' military footprint in Afghanistan is shrinking at a steady pace, according to U.S. military planners, though they are refusing to say how many troops are still in the country.

Defense Policy / Programs

Rejecting Pentagon claim, IRGC urges US to stop 'unprofessional behavior' in Persian Gulf, Hormuz Strait Press TV 11 May 2021 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has rejected the Pentagon's claims that speedboats belonging to the elite Iranian force sparked an encounter with the US vessels, warning the Americans not to endanger shipping security in the Persian Gulf through "provocative" and "unprofessional" behavior.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Blame U.S. Ship For Gulf Incident RFE/RL 11 May 2021 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) is accusing a U.S. Coast Guard vessel of "provocation" after Washington said the ship fired warning shots against approaching Iranian military boats in the Persian Gulf.
IRGC navy warns US forces ISNA 11 May 2021 -- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy warned that it is better for the Americans to avoid unprofessional behavior and not to endanger the security of the Persian Gulf by obeying the rules and regulations of the sea.
U.S. ship fires warning shots in encounter with Iranian vessels in Strait of Hormuz People's Daily 11 May 2021 -- The Pentagon said on Monday that a U.S. Coast Guard ship fired warning shots during a close encounter with Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) fast boats in the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the day.

Readout of Secretary of Defense Austin's Phone Call With Australian Minister for Defence Dutton DoD 11 May 2021
Flank Speed – Navy's Transition to Improved Microsoft 365 Cloud Collaboration US Navy Press Release 11 May 2021 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Beginning June 1, the Navy workforce will gain access to a single Microsoft Office 365 (M365) collaboration and productivity environment known as Flank Speed that will improve security and, over time, deliver additional tools to support a more productive Navy workforce.
Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 11 May 2021
ROCKI 21-02: 19th AW experiments with lead wing concept US Air Force 11 May 2021 -- The 19th Airlift Wing's ROCKI 21-02 exercise at Volk Field Air National Guard Base came to a close May 6, as the wing assessed its ability to deploy into theater as a lead Air Expeditionary Wing–becoming Air Mobility Command's first to experiment with the lead wing construct in a dynamic exercise environment.
USS New Orleans Participates in ARC 21 US Navy 11 May 2021 -- San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans (LPD 18) joins the Royal Australian Navy, French Armed Forces, Japan Self-Defense Forces and other U.S. Forces for exercise Jeanne D'Arc (ARC) 21, May 11.

Ukraine's Kuleba Says Some NATO Members Worried About Provoking Russia RFE/RL 11 May 2021 -- Kyiv says it does not expect that next month's NATO summit will produce a Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Ukraine because some members of the military alliance worry that such a move would provoke Russia.

Russia says arms control, security should be discussed at a Putin-Biden meeting Press TV 11 May 2021 -- Russia has proposed that arms control and security issues be high on the agenda of a possible meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart, Joe Biden.
Russia Intercepts Fourth Foreign Plane in One Day Close to Its Borders Sputnik 11 May 2021 -- Russia's MiG-31 fighter intercepted on Tuesday an Orion patrol aircraft of the Norwegian air force over the Barents Sea, which was moving towards the Russian border, the Northern Fleet said.
Russian Su-30 Intercepts Three French Military Aircraft Over Black Sea Sputnik 11 May 2021 -- A Russian Su-30 fighter on Tuesday intercepted two Dassault Mirage-2000 fighters and an aerial refuelling tanker of the French Air Force that were approaching the Russian border, Russia's Southern Military District said.
Arms Control, Security Seen Leading Agenda Of Proposed Putin-Biden Summit RFE/RL 11 May 2021 -- The U.S. ambassador for disarmament says preparations for a possible meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden are under way.
US Envoy Says Putin, Biden Agree to Discuss Strategic Stability Issues, Arms Control Sputnik 11 May 2021 -- US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to maintain dialogue on strategic stability issues, such as arms control and emerging security issues, Ambassador Robert A. Wood, the US permanent representative to the Conference on Disarmament, said on Tuesday.

Civilian ship suspected of spying on China for the US military Global Times 11 May 2021 -- The US military apparently hired a mysterious Norwegian civilian ship for close reconnaissance in China, near the island of Taiwan, and in the South China Sea, analysts warned on Monday.
PLA holds mock battle between carrier-borne, land-based aircraft over Yellow Sea Global Times 11 May 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently held a mock battle between a group of aircraft carrier-borne fighter jets and a land-based joint warplane formation, as the two sides became the whetstone for each other and honed the forces' capabilities in both countering and using aircraft carriers, experts said on Tuesday.

Pakistan: No More Military Bases for US Afghan Mission VOA 11 May 2021 -- Pakistan ruled out Tuesday the possibility of again providing its military bases to the United States for future counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan after U.S. troops leave the conflict-torn neighbor by September 11.

Readout of Vice President Kamala Harris Call with President Kais Saied of Tunisia The White House 11 May 2021
Secretary Blinken's Call with Israeli Foreign Minister Ashkenazi US Dept. of State 11 May 2021
Department Press Briefing – May 11, 2021 US Dept. of State 11 May 2021
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with National Security Advisor Meir Ben Shabbat of Israel The White House 11 May 2021

Defense Industry

Contracts for May 11, 2021

Other Conflicts

11 May 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 May 2021

A Letter on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Yemen The White House 11 May 2021
Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Yemen The White House 11 May 2021

Islamic State Increases Attacks on Iraqi and Kurdish Forces VOA 11 May 2021 -- The Islamic State terror group has increased its attacks on Iraqi and Kurdish security forces, killing nearly two dozen people in the last month, according to Iraqi officials.
A pivotal year for Iraq and potential for a step towards increased stability UK FCDO 11 May 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Jonathan Allen at the Security Council briefing on UNAMI
IS committed genocide against Yazidis in Iraq -- UN investigative team People's Daily 11 May 2021 -- Karim Khan, head of a UN team investigating Islamic State (IS) crimes in Iraq, said Monday that there is "clear and convincing evidence" that the terrorist group committed genocide against the Yazidi people.
UN says Daesh committed genocide against Iraq's Shias, Izadis Press TV 11 May 2021 -- A UN team investigating Daesh atrocities in Iraq says it has established evidence that the crimes committed by the terrorist group against Izadis and Shia Muslims amounted to "genocide".

UN chief 'gravely concerned' as violence escalates in Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel UN News 11 May 2021 -- The UN Secretary-General said he was "gravely concerned" at escalating violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory on Tuesday, while the UN rights office, OHCHR, appealed for "a redoubling of efforts to restore calm", after airstrikes and days of clashes between protesters and Israeli police.
Israel, Hamas Trade Deadly Rocket Strikes as Tensions Mount Over Jerusalem VOA 11 May 2021 -- Israel launched more airstrikes on Gaza early Tuesday, hitting the high-rise home of a Hamas field commander. Militants fired more than 250 missiles at Israel, killing two women, the first Israeli casualties in the current violence.
7 rockets fired from Gaza at Jerusalem area: Israeli military People's Daily 11 May 2021 -- Militants in the Gaza Strip fired seven rockets at the Jerusalem area on Monday, as violence between Israelis and Palestinians was spiralling up.
Israel strikes Gaza targets in response to rocket fire: sources People's Daily 11 May 2021 -- Israel carried out airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 20 people, as rocket fire from the Palestinian enclave continued through Monday night, according to Israeli and Palestinian sources.
Hamas pounds Tel Aviv with 130 rockets in response to Israeli aggression on Gaza Press TV 11 May 2021 -- The Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, has fired scores of rockets toward Israel, hitting Tel Aviv and the surrounding areas in retaliation for the regime's aggression against the besieged Gaza Strip.
Hamas targets Israel settlements in massive rocket attack; raids to grow in scale Press TV 11 May 2021 -- The armed wing of Palestine's Hamas resistance movement has staged a massive rocket launch against the occupied territories, with attacks expected to still grow in scale and extent.
Palestinian resistance launches Operation al-Quds Sword as Israeli airstrikes kill 25 in Gaza Press TV 11 May 2021 -- Palestinian resistance factions say they have launched 'Operation al-Quds Sword' in retaliation for the Israeli regime's acts of aggression against Palestinians in Jerusalem al-Quds, saying their goal is to liberate the holy city from Israeli occupation.
150 rockets fly towards occupied territories as Israel persists violence Press TV 11 May 2021 -- Palestinian resistance groups fire as many as 150 rockets from the Gaza Strip towards the occupied territories as the Israeli regime persists its crackdown and deadly brutality against Palestinians.
US Senator Calls on Israel, Palestinian Leaders to Discourage Violence in East Jerusalem Sputnik 11 May 2021 -- US Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Menendez in a statement called on Israeli and Palestinian military and political leaders to discourage agitators from sparking further violence in East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu Warns Hamas Will Pay 'Heavy Price' for Deadly Escalations in Gaza Strip Sputnik 11 May 2021 -- The borders of the Gaza Strip saw the largest escalation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in recent years earlier this week. Air raid sirens have been heard in Ashkelon and other Israeli cities surrounding the Palestinian enclave since Monday night.

UN denounces attack on peacekeepers in DR Congo UN News 11 May 2021 -- The United Nations Security Council strongly condemned Monday's attack on the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in which one Malawian blue helmet was killed.
UN Security Council condemns attack on UN peacekeeping mission in DRC People's Daily 11 May 2021 -- The Security Council strongly condemned Monday's attack on the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which killed one Malawian blue helmet.

Cameroon Military Says Rebels Turning to IEDs as Numbers Fall VOA 11 May 2021 -- Cameroon authorities say anglophone separatists have been increasing their use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which killed 24 people in the past two weeks. Cameroon's military held an emergency meeting on the issue Monday.

News Reports

The United States Impedes Hizballah Financing by Sanctioning Seven Individuals US Dept. of State 11 May 2021 -- The threat that Hizballah poses to the United States, our allies, and interests in the Middle East and globally, calls for countries around the world to take steps to restrict its activities and disrupt its facilitation networks.
Treasury Targets Hizballah Finance Official and Shadow Bankers in Lebanon US Treasury 11 May 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated seven individuals in connection with Hizballah and its financial firm, Al-Qard al-Hassan (AQAH). AQAH, which was designated by OFAC in 2007, is used by Hizballah as a cover to manage the terrorist group's financial activities and gain access to the international financial system.
US Sanctions Seven Lebanese Linked to Hezbollah VOA 11 May 2021 -- The United States has sanctioned seven Lebanese nationals it says are linked to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, and its financial arm, Al-Qard al-Hassan (AQAH).

Biden administration prepared to take additional steps after pipeline cyber attack People's Daily 11 May 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said on Monday that his administration is prepared to take additional steps to respond to the cybersecurity attack on the Colonial Pipeline, which is the largest refined-products pipeline in the United States.
Kremlin Denies All Claims About Russian Involvement in Hacker Attacks in US Sputnik 11 May 2021 -- Russia has nothing to do with hacker attacks in the US and such accusations are unacceptable, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.
Russia denies any link to cyberattack on US fuel pipeline Press TV 11 May 2021 -- Russia has denied involvement in a cyberattack that led to the shutdown of the biggest US fuel pipeline operated by the Colonial Pipeline Company.
U.S. main fuel pipeline operator aims to restore operation this week after cyber attack People's Daily 11 May 2021 -- The operator of a main U.S. fuel pipeline declared on Monday its goal of restoring operational service by the end of the week after all pipeline operations temporarily halted due to a cybersecurity attack.

France, Britain Fearful of Resurgent Jihadist Threat After Lockdown VOA 11 May 2021 -- Nearly 200 jihadists imprisoned in France are due to be released over the next two years and French security officials are pressing French lawmakers to approve fresh antiterrorist measures to impose enhanced restrictions on those freed and to give police new legal powers to fight terrorism.

Russia Expels Romanian Diplomat In Tit-For-Tat Move RFE/RL 11 May 2021 -- Russia has announced the expulsion of the Romanian Embassy's deputy military attache in response to Bucharest's decision to expel a Russian diplomat.
Russia Expels Romanian Diplomat in Response to Bucharest's Actions Sputnik 11 May 2021 -- Russia has declared the Romanian Embassy's assistant defence attache in Moscow persona non grata. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that this is in response to Romania's decision to expel a Russian diplomat from Romania, adding that the diplomat must leave the country within 72 hours.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to questions at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, Baku, May 11, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 11 May 2021
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during a meeting with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev Baku, May 10, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 10 May 2021

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on May 11, 2021 PRC MofA 11 May 2021
China deserves a voice, must speak up against US discourse hegemony: FM Global Times 11 May 2021 -- China deserves to have a voice on the global stage, and it must speak up against the US discourse hegemony that often serves to throw dirt on China, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday in response to a New York Times story that claimed that China is "using its money and power to create an alternative to a global news media dominated by outlets like the BBC and CNN."
Chinese FM slams Copenhagen 'democracy summit' as political farce Global Times 11 May 2021 -- The so-called "democracy conference" held in Copenhagen, hosted by an organization known for spreading rumors and lies about China, is "a downright political farce" filled with ideological prejudices, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Tuesday.
Beijing slams US hypocrisy in advocating rights of Muslims in China, killing them elsewhere Press TV 11 May 2021 -- China has blasted the United States' hypocrisy in advocating the rights of the Muslim minority in the western Chinese Xinjiang region even though it has killed more Muslims in wars and operations than any other country in the world.
Bangladesh: Chinese Envoy's Warning Against Joining Quad 'Very Unfortunate' Radio Free Asia 11 May 2021 -- Bangladesh expressed anger on Tuesday over "very unfortunate" and "presumptuous" comments made by China's envoy a day earlier, when he warned Dhaka against participating in the United States-led Quadrilateral Security Dialogue on the Indo-Pacific region.
China Deepens Its Balkans Ties Using Serbian Universities RFE/RL 11 May 2021 -- With a Chinese university project in Hungary drawing controversy over a lack of transparency and concerns about academic freedom, Beijing's influence in higher education in neighboring Serbia continues to grow.
HKSAR to sign agreement with Shenzhen, allowing public servants to take temporary positions in mainland: Lam Global Times 11 May 2021 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is planning to sign an agreement with the city of Shenzhen and South China's Guangdong Province that will allow civil servants in Hong Kong to take temporary positions in mainland administrative institutions, HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Monday night.
No foreign interference able to undermine rule of law in Hong Kong People's Daily 11 May 2021 -- The rule of law is never to be played with, and those who go against the laws shall never escape punishment. The District Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) recently sentenced Joshua Wong Chi-fung, an instigator of the Hong Kong riots, as well as other three persons, four to ten months in jail for participating in an unauthorized assembly.
China Pushes Back Over Scrutiny of Uyghur Rights at UN Event VOA 11 May 2021 -- China is urging U.N. member states not to attend a Wednesday meeting on the human rights of ethnic Uyghur Muslims that several Western countries and rights groups are hosting, calling it politically motivated and denying there is any problem in Xinjiang.
China Population Growth Falls to Lowest Rate in Decades VOA 11 May 2021 -- China says its population grew to 1.41 billion in the decade ending in 2020, its lowest rate of growth since imposing a strict one child per family policy in the 1980s.
China's demographic dividend persists to underpin economy despite shrinking workforce Global Times 11 May 2021 -- While Western media has been hyping how China's growing gray population will bring a looming economic crisis to the Communist Party of China, the fact that China's population dividend will pick up and sustain its rosy economic expansion may disappoint them.
Family planning policy urged to lift as China's population grows slower with low birth rate Global Times 11 May 2021 -- China's once-a-decade census results were released Tuesday, signaling a critical turning point as the country's population ages rapidly while the overall growth rate slows, bucking a five-decade trend. The data will serve as an important reference for adjustments to China's population and economic policy planning, which could see the lifting of the national family planning policy, Chinese demographers said on Tuesday.
China's fertility rate may become 'world's lowest' without strong intervention policy, India may overtake China by 2023: demographers Global Times 11 May 2021 -- China recorded 12 million births in 2020, marking a drop for the fourth consecutive year, while some Chinese demographers warned that China's number of newborns is likely to drop to below 10 million in a few years, and if no forceful intervention policy is introduced, China's fertility rate may become the lowest in the world.
China has maintained population growth over past decade; labor force remains abundant People's Daily 11 May 2021 -- China's population continued to grow steadily over the last decade, and its labor force remains abundant, data from the latest official census shows.
China's aging population a challenge, also an opportunity: official People's Daily 11 May 2021 -- China's increasing elderly population is both a challenge and an opportunity, said Ning Jizhe, head of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), on Tuesday.
China's Census Reveals Slowest Population Growth in Decades and Hints at Potential Crises Sputnik 11 May 2021 -- According to data released by the Chinese government, the once-in-a-decade census took place in late 2020, with seven million workers going from door-to-door to gather information on households.
China Tries Online Activists Who Saved Censored Coronavirus Posts on Github Radio Free Asia 11 May 2021 -- Two Chinese activists who kept an online repository of banned articles on the coronavirus pandemic stood trial in Beijing on Tuesday, while a journalist was attacked by unidentified thugs in Hong Kong.

Taiwan not invited to WHA for fifth consecutive year CNA 11 May 2021 -- Taiwan has not been invited to participate in the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA) later this month, the foreign ministry said Tuesday, noting that this is the fifth straight year the country has been excluded.

North Korea Orders Farmers to Collect Urine for Fertilizer Amid Shortage Radio Free Asia 11 May 2021 -- North Korea regularly demands a lot from its citizens, from free labor at building sites to food donations for troops. But the latest order to farmers has them wetting themselves with scornful laughter: Each farmer must donate two liters of their urine daily to make fertilizer, sources in the country told RFA.

EU's top diplomat voices optimism on talks to revitalize Iran nuclear deal People's Daily 11 May 2021 -- The negotiations in Vienna to revitalize the Iran nuclear deal are progressing, the top diplomat of the European Union (EU) said on Monday, as he expressed cautious optimism for an agreement to be reached.
US Responds Cautiously to Efforts by Iran, Saudi Arabia to End Tensions VOA 11 May 2021 -- The United States has cautiously responded to confirmation that its Middle East rival, Iran, has been holding rare talks with U.S. ally Saudi Arabia on reviving strained relations between the two neighboring regional powers.
Leader: Passionate turnout in election to bolster Iran's security, deterrent might Press TV 11 May 2021 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says a passionate popular turnout in the June 18 presidential election will boost the capabilities of the administration-elect and strengthen the country's security status and deterrent power.
Iran Opens Candidate Registration For Next Month's Presidential Vote RFE/RL 11 May 2021 -- Iran has opened registration for potential candidates in next month's presidential election amid continued high tensions with the West and uncertainty over Tehran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers.
Clash Reported Near Iran's Border With Turkey RFE/RL 11 May 2021 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) forces on May 11 killed seven militants and dismantled their cell in the country's northwest near the border with Turkey, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported.
RSF Blasts 'Ridiculous' Iranian Bill Banning U.S., British Journalists And Media RFE/RL 11 May 2021 -- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is urging the Iranian parliament to reject a bill that it says would "help further erode Iran's increasingly vulnerable press freedom" ahead of next month's presidential election.

Protests, Armed Clashes Highlight Tensions on 100th Day Since Myanmar Coup Radio Free Asia 11 May 2021 -- Hundreds of protesters hit the streets of Myanmar's largest city on Tuesday, the 100th day after the military seized power, flashing the three-finger salute of anti-junta defiance, while some analysts said the Southeast Asia nation was at risk of civil war or becoming a failed state.
Myanmar coup: 'No sign' of end to brutal crackdown on all fronts UN News 11 May 2021 -- One hundred days since the Myanmar military seized power, the "brutal" repression of protesters has continued, despite all international efforts to end the violence, the UN rights office (OHCHR) said on Tuesday.

Credible elections can help propel Iraq towards 'safe and prosperous future' UN News 11 May 2021 -- A trusted electoral process with "free and wide-ranging participation" can steer Iraq towards a "safe and prosperous future", the country's UN envoy told the Security Council on Tuesday.

Turkey Steps Up Efforts to Win Back Mideast Partners VOA 11 May 2021 -- Turkey's foreign minister is visiting Saudi Arabia in a bid to repair deeply strained relations. The visit is part of broader regional efforts by Ankara to stem its growing isolation in the region.

Ukrainian Secret Services Search House Of Kremlin-Friendly Politician Medvedchuk RFE/RL 11 May 2021 -- KYIV -- Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has searched the Kyiv home of Kremlin-friendly tycoon and politician Viktor Medvedchuk, who along with another pro-Russian lawmaker is under suspicion of treason.

Nepali PM loses vote of confidence in parliament, president calls for forming new gov't in 3 days People's Daily 11 May 2021 -- Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli lost the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives on Monday after more than three years in power, opening door for formation of a new government in the country.

Bulgarian President Appoints Caretaker PM Ahead Of Snap Polls RFE/RL 11 May 2021 -- Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has called snap parliamentary elections for July 11 after a vote last month resulted in a fragmented parliament that failed to produce a government.

Venezuela's PDVSA Reportedly Needs $77.6 Billion to Rebuild Decaying Oil & Gas Industry Sputnik 11 May 2021 -- It is unclear, however, how the state oil company plans to raise such a vast sum of money from investors while remaining under sanctions from the US which affect both funding and oil sales.

Ethiopia Must Set Right Environment for Election, US Says VOA 11 May 2021 -- By The United States said it "strongly supports democratization in Ethiopia" as it nears a national election June 5, while noting a "free, fair, and credible election" can happen only with a conducive electoral environment.

South Sudan President Dissolves Assembly, Reconstitutes Parliament Per Peace Deal VOA 11 May 2021 -- South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Monday reconstituted the National Legislative Assembly, one day after he dissolved the 400-member parliament in accordance with the revitalized peace agreement.

Ugandan Security Forces Deployed Ahead of Museveni Inauguration VOA 11 May 2021 -- Ugandan security operations have ramped up around the capital ahead of Wednesday's inauguration of President Yoweri Museveni. That includes tight security around the home of opposition leader Bobi Wine, who accused the government of fraud in January's election. The security measures seem to be a warning to the opposition from authorities.

Drought, Torrential Rains Devastate Somalia VOA 11 May 2021 -- The United Nations warns Somalia faces a perilous future as drought followed by torrential rains have destroyed this year's planting season.

Kenya Suspends All Flights To and From Somalia VOA 11 May 2021 -- Kenya has suspended flights to and from Somalia, just days after the countries restored diplomatic ties after a five-month break.

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