COVID-19 - Daily News

13 May 2021 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
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Current Operations

At Least 11 Afghan Civilians Killed In Attacks On First Of Three-Day Cease-Fire RFE/RL Gandhara 13 May 2021 -- Four separate bomb attacks have killed at least 11 civilians and wounded 13 others just hours after a three-day cease-fire took effect as Afghanistan celebrates the Eid al-Fitr festival marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Multiple blasts kill about dozen Afghan civilians despite temporary truce Press TV 13 May 2021 -- About a dozen civilians have been killed and several others wounded in four separate bombings across various parts of Afghanistan, despite the announcement of a three-day ceasefire for the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
Temporary Afghan ceasefire to begin after intense violence Press TV 13 May 2021 -- A three-day ceasefire is set to come into effect in Afghanistan in observance of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, following weeks of intensified violence across the war-ravaged country.
Spain's Last Remaining Troops Return From Afghanistan After Nearly 20 Years of Service Sputnik 13 May 2021 -- The last remaining Spanish servicemen in Afghanistan on Thursday returned to their homeland, the event was broadcast by the 24 Horas channel.

Defense Policy / Programs

Pentagon Press Secretary Conducts Press Conference DoD 13 May 2021
Joint Press Statement for the 19th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue DoD 13 May 2021 -- The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Republic of Korea Ministry of National Defense (MND) held the 19th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) May 12-13, 2021 in Washington, D.C.
Nuclear Deterrence Remains Department's Highest Priority Mission DoD News 13 May 2021 -- While the Defense Department is conducting a series of strategic reviews that will include U.S. nuclear policy and posture, the department still considers nuclear deterrence its highest priority mission, defense leaders said.
Newest KC-46A Pegasus candidate bases announced US Air Force 13 May 2021 -- The Department of the Air Force selected the candidate locations to host the next Reserve and active duty main operating bases for KC-46A Pegasus aircraft, May 13.
ACC establishes task force to prepare for high-end fight US Air Force 13 May 2021 -- Air Combat Command leadership has created a task force to tackle the challenge of preparing combat air forces for strategic competition with a near peer, as outlined in the 2018 National Defense Strategy.
U.S. Coast Guard conducts at-sea exercises with Romanian and Bulgarian Navies US Navy 13 May 2021 -- The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) conducted at sea engagements with Romanian Navy Frigate Mărășești (F111) and Bulgarian corvette Bodri (BGS-14) in the Black Sea, May 13, 2021.
U.S. Coast Guard conducts at-sea exercises with Romanian and Bulgarian Navies US Navy 13 May 2021 -- U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted a long-range strike from the North Atlantic into Lithuania's Cudgel Range, May 13, 2021.
U.S. Naval Forces-Africa continues exercises to test movement of troops across Africa US Navy 13 May 2021 -- U.S. Sailors and Marines assigned to Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team, Europe (FASTEUR), Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8 part of Navy Expeditionary Combat Force EuropeAfrica/Task Force (CTF) 68, stationed in Rota, Spain, traveled to Air Base 201 in Agadez, Niger, last week to refine interoperability between U.S. component forces in Africa.
Norfolk Naval Shipyard completes USS Harry S Truman's Extended Carrier Incremental Availability US Navy 13 May 2021 -- USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) departed Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) for sea trials May 12 following completion of its Extended Carrier Incremental Availability (ECIA).
Navy, Marine Corps Integrate with Joint Forces During Northern Edge 21 US Navy 13 May 2021 -- The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps strengthen joint ties with the Army and Air Force during Northern Edge 21 (NE21).
USS John C. Stennis departed Norfolk for Newport News to begin RCOH US Navy 13 May 2021 -- The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) departed Naval Station Norfolk and transited to Newport News Shipyard May 6, to begin its nearly 4-year Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) maintenance period.
U.S. Marine Corps Jets Participate in Royal Navy Training US Navy 13 May 2021 -- U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in training with the United Kingdom's Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), off the coast of Scotland on May 10, 2021.
U.S. Naval Forces-Africa continues exercises to test movement of troops across Africa AFRICOM 13 May 2021 -- U.S. Sailors and Marines assigned to Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team, Europe (FASTEUR), Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8 part of Navy Expeditionary Combat Force Europe/Africa Task Force (CTF) 68, stationed in Rota, Spain, traveled to Air Base 201 in Agadez, Niger, last week to refine interoperability between U.S. component forces in Africa.
Department of Defense Releases Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military DoD 13 May 2021 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DOD) released the Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military. This recurring annual report, published by DOD's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.
Deputy Defense Secretary Travels to Texas With Focus on Innovation, Modernization DoD News 13 May 2021 -- The secretary of defense has been clear that modernizing the military is a key component of how the Defense Department defends the nation, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks said this week after spending a day at Army Futures Command in Austin, Texas.
Pentagon, NATO Demonstrate Transparency Officials Want Russia to Emulate DoD News 13 May 2021 -- The contrast in the transparency demonstrated by the United States and its European allies and that displayed by Russia is obvious — perhaps shown best in the way each side handles exercises.
Speed, Integration Needed to Deter China, Russia, Vice Chairman Says DoD News 13 May 2021 -- Peer competitors China and Russia are modernizing their militaries at an astonishingly rapid rate, much faster than the Defense Department, the vice chairman of the joint chiefs of staff said during a virtual address at the McAleese FY2022 Defense Programs conference.
US deploys F-18 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia as tensions escalate in Middle East Press TV 13 May 2021 -- The United States has deployed F-18 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
US Deploys F-18 Fighters to Saudi Arabia Amid Escalating Violence in Mideast Sputnik 13 May 2021 -- The United States Air Forces Central Command (USAFCENT) announced on Thursday that F-18 fighter jets were deployed to Saudi Arabia to promote security and stability amid the escalating violence in the Middle East.

NATO Deputy Secretary General urges Allies to work closely together NATO 13 May 2021 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană on Thursday (13 May 2021) said that NATO's unity and ability to adapt is essential amid a more unpredictable and rapidly changing world.

Uraltransmash began supplying Akatsia howitzers for the Russian Ministry of Defense Rostec 13 May 2021 -- As part of the state defense order Uraltransmash of the Uralvagonzavod concern, Rostec State Corporation delivered the first batch of 2S3M Akatsia self-propelled howitzers after major overhaul.
Moscow Decries Arctic Militarisation, Concerned About Recent US Submarine Activity Near Russia Sputnik 13 May 2021 -- On Monday, a US submarine was allowed entry to the Norwegian port city of Tromso for the first time. The manoeuvre was met with protests by locals fearing that the city could become a target in case of a war.

PLA's J-10C fighter makes training debut with domestically made engine: reports Global Times 13 May 2021 -- A J-10C fighter jet equipped with a domestically developed WS-10 Taihang engine reportedly made its first public appearance in a live-fire training session after entering service with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force.

Readout of Under Secretary of Defense Dr. Colin H. Kahl Meeting With Israeli Ministry of Defense Director of Policy Zohar Palti DoD 13 May 2021

Taiwan signs NT$291 million missile maintenance deal with U.S. CNA 13 May 2021 -- Taiwan's Air Force recently signed a deal worth NT$291 million with the U.S. in order to continue the maintenance of armaments relating to its F-16 fighter jets, an Air Force official said Wednesday.

£1.4-billion modernised Chinook fleet UK MOD 13 May 2021 -- A £1.4-billion contract to modernise the Chinook fleet over the next 10 years has been agreed. The deal will see British forces benefit from 14 of the latest iconic heavy-lift helicopters.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, May 13, 2021 The White House 13 May 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Australian Foreign Minister and Minister for Women Marise Payne At a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 13 May 2021

Defense Industry

Contracts For May 13, 2021

Other Conflicts

Yemeni army launches retaliatory missile, drone strike on 'sensitive targets' in Saudi Arabia's Najran Press TV 13 May 2021 -- Yemeni Armed Forces have fired a dozen ballistic missiles and drones at "sensitive targets" in Saudi Arabia's southwestern city of Najran in retaliation for the Riyadh regime's devastating military campaign and crippling blockade against its impoverished neighbor.
Houthis Claim Shelling Saudi Border City of Najran, Aramco Oil Facility Sputnik 13 May 2021 -- The Houthi movement shelled the southwestern Saudi border city of Najran and a Saudi Aramco facility, using drones and missiles, spokesman Yahya Saree said.

UK sanctions Libyan al-Kaniyat militia and its leaders: Minister's statement UK FCDO 13 May 2021 -- Following new sanctions on the Libyan al-Kaniyat militia and its leaders, the UK's Minister for the Middle East and North Africa has issued a statement.

Israeli Ground Troops Join Attack on Gaza VOA 13 May 2021 -- Israeli ground troops joined its air force in the attack on the Gaza Strip early Friday, the military said in a statement.
Escalating Violence Between Israel, Hamas Raises Regional Concerns VOA 13 May 2021 -- The fiercest cross-border fighting between Israelis and Palestinians since 2014 has seen a mounting death and injury toll, prompting the United Nations to warn that the conflict could escalate into a "full-scale war." Relentless rocket fire traded between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza was triggered by weekend unrest at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, sacred to both Muslims and Jews. Observers saw hopes fade for a truce brokered for the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday starting Thursday.
UN envoy sees most serious escalation between Israel, Palestinian militants in years People's Daily 13 May 2021 -- UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, said Wednesday that the situation on the ground continues deteriorating into "the most serious escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in years," according to a UN spokesman.
Israeli ground forces roll into Gaza after Hamas warning of 'heavy response' Press TV 13 May 2021 -- Israeli regime ground forces roll into the Gaza Strip after the Hamas resistance movement strongly warned Tel Aviv against resorting to the offensive.
Hamas missiles target Israel's Ramon Airport in retaliation for aggression against Palestinians Press TV 13 May 2021 -- The Palestinian Islamic Resistance movement, Hamas, has targeted Israel's Ramon Airport near the Red Sea resort city of Eilat in the southern part of the Israeli occupied territories, suspending operations there.
Hamas rockets hit heart of Tel Aviv, fly far beyond to Haifa, Nazareth Press TV 13 May 2021 -- Hamas continues its resolute response to the Israeli regime's unbridled and deadly aggression against the Gaza Strip, where the Palestinian resistance movement is located, with rockets reportedly striking the heart of Tel Aviv and flying well beyond.
Russia, UN, EU Discuss Holding of MidEast Quartet Meeting on Palestine Issue Sputnik 13 May 2021 -- Special representatives of the Middle East Quartet of international mediators — Russia, the United States, the EU and UN — discussed holding a meeting on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict settlement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
Total of About 1,750 Rockets Launched From Gaza Strip Toward Israel, Israeli Military Says Sputnik 13 May 2021 -- About 1,750 rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel since the conflict escalation, the Israeli military said on Thursday, adding that 300 of them exploded in the Palestinian enclave.
Abbas Tells Blinken About Need to End Israel's Aggression Against Palestinians - Report Sputnik 13 May 2021 -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, in a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, stressed the need to end Israel's aggression against the Palestinian people, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
US Retains Its Support for Israel, but Fissures Emerge VOA 13 May 2021 -- For decades, a bedrock principle of United States foreign policy has been unwavering American political support for Israel.

Armenian PM Accuses Azerbaijan Of Fresh 'Infiltration,' Calls For Regional Help RFE/RL 13 May 2021 -- Armenia's caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has accused Azerbaijani troops of crossing the southern border and trying to stake claim to territory.
Azerbaijani Military Tried to Move Their Posts Deeper Inside Armenian Territory, Yerevan Says Sputnik 13 May 2021 -- The Azerbaijani military on Thursday made an attempt to move their posts deeper inside the Armenian territory near the cities of Syunik and Vardenis, the Armenian Defense Ministry said, adding that Yerevan demanded Azerbaijani troops to move back to their previous placed of deployment.

EU Warns Russia Is Trying To Integrate Parts Of Eastern Ukraine RFE/RL 13 May 2021 -- European Union officials are calling for a stronger response by the bloc to Russian aggression toward Ukraine, warning that Moscow's ultimate aim is to absorb parts of eastern Ukraine where a war has raged for seven years.

UN condemns killing of aid worker in South Sudan UN News 13 May 2021 -- The top UN humanitarian official in South Sudan has called for law enforcement along roads following the first killing of an aid worker in the country this year during an ambush in Budi, East Equatoria, on Wednesday.

News Reports

New US Homeland Security Unit to Focus on Domestic Violent Extremism1 VOA 13 May 2021 -- U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced on Wednesday that his department has created a dedicated intelligence unit to focus on domestic violent extremism.

CISA Launches a Space Systems Critical Infrastructure Working Group CISA 13 May 2021 -- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) today announced the formation of a Space Systems Critical Infrastructure Working Group, a mix of government and industry members that will identify and develop strategies to minimize risks to space systems that support the nation's critical infrastructure.
Statement from CISA Acting Director Wales on Executive Order to Improve the Nation's Cybersecurity and Protect Federal Networks CISA 13 May 2021 -- Yesterday, President Biden signed an executive order to improve the nation's cybersecurity and protect federal government networks.
Biden signs executive order to bolster US cybersecurity after critical pipeline hacking Press TV 13 May 2021 -- US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to improve cybersecurity in the wake of a major pipeline cyberattck, which has caused severe gas shortage and panic buying on the US East Coast.

Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Restart of Colonial Pipeline and Continued Federal Government Efforts to Mitigate Impacts The White House 13 May 2021
Remarks by President Biden on the Colonial Pipeline Incident The White House 13 May 2021
Remarks by President Biden on the COVID-19 Response and the Vaccination Program The White House 13 May 2021
Colonial Pipeline Reportedly Paid $5Mln Ransom to Hackers Within Hours of Cyber Attack Sputnik 13 May 2021 -- The US' largest gasoline pipeline, supplying nearly half of the fuel for the nation's East Coast, was targeted by a ransomware attack by DarkSide hackers. Although the media rushed to accuse Russia of the attack, US President Joe Biden pointed to a lack of evidence to support the allegation.
U.S. main fuel pipeline restarts operations after six-day shutdown People's Daily 13 May 2021 -- The operator of a main U.S. fuel pipeline that was forced to shut down for six days due to a cybersecurity attack said it initiated the restart of pipeline Wednesday afternoon.

Homeland Security Chief Cites Progress at US-Mexico Border VOA 13 May 2021 -- The Biden administration is promising a comprehensive response to youth migration now that the immediate crisis of unaccompanied minors overwhelming U.S. Customs and Border Protection stations appears to be under control.

UK poses real global cyber threat with offensive capabilities, smears on China 'irresponsible': FM Global Times 13 May 2021 -- China firmly opposed the UK's irresponsible and groundless smear that the Chinese government is "sponsoring" hackers to carry out cyberattacks, a spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday, after the UK's foreign minister hyped up China's threat in global cyberspace in a speech on Wednesday.

U.S. Names Russia, Iran Among Worst Abusers Of Religious Rights, Slams 'Genocide' Against Uyghurs In China RFE/RL 13 May 2021 -- The U.S. State Department has accused China of committing "genocide" against Muslim Uyghurs and other religious minorities in an annual report that also labeled Iran and Russia among the world's worst offenders of religious freedom.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, May 13, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 May 2021
Russian Court Cuts Jail Term Of Former Russian Lawmaker, Navalny Supporter To One Day RFE/RL 13 May 2021 -- A Russian court has cut the jail term of opposition politician and former Yekaterinburg Mayor Yevgeny Roizman from nine days to one day after he appealed the ruling against him for his online posts about a January 31 rally to support jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.

China's Information Warfare and Media Influence Sow Division in Thailand Radio Free Asia 13 May 2021 -- By the time video scenes of a brutal prison riot in Ecuador earlier this year reached Asia, the video's caption had been changed and read, "American Blacks and Whites in California Killing Chinese," and the clip went viral.
Beijing Ramps up Fake Social Media Operation Peddling Pro-China Propaganda Overseas Radio Free Asia 13 May 2021 -- China has been using social media networks like Twitter to spread positive propaganda about the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) since the start of the pandemic, according to a report published by an international press group.
How China Used Foreign Media to Reset Image During Pandemic VOA 13 May 2021 -- In the early days of the coronavirus outbreak, China sought to block news of the rapidly spreading virus, detaining those who tried to speak out. But in the months that followed, as the pandemic ravaged families and economies worldwide, Beijing sought to reset its public image through foreign media, research published Wednesday by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) shows.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on May 13, 2021 PRC MofA 13 May 2021
Hungarian Plans for First Chinese University in Europe Prompt Security, Propaganda Fears VOA 13 May 2021 -- Hungary has announced plans to open a branch of a Chinese University in Budapest. Critics fear the development — the first of its kind in Europe — will be used by Beijing to spread Chinese Communist Party propaganda and could pose a threat to national security.
Hong Kong Civil Servants Resign in Record Numbers Amid Crackdown Radio Free Asia 13 May 2021 -- Civil servants in Hong Kong have been resigning at record rates since the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) imposed a national security law on the city, and the city government required them to pledge an oath of loyalty.
Event on Xinjiang organized by U.S. and others is a political farce: Chinese UN mission People's Daily 13 May 2021 -- A spokesperson of the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations on Wednesday expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to a side event on the so-called human rights situation in Xinjiang organized by the United States, Britain and Germany as well as several other countries and nongovernmental organizations.
Is China's birth rate low enough to cause population crisis? Global Times 13 May 2021 -- Now that the 30-page seventh national population census communiqué which contains thousands of figures has been released, what is behind the data and what does it reveal about the true picture of China's demographic changes? How strong should China's population policy adjustment be to cope with the trend? How low is Chinese couple's willingness to have more children, could it be low enough to result in a population crisis a few years from now? And should China reward couples with 1 million yuan ($155,400) for every child they have, as advised by some demographers?
Chinese foreign ministry refutes U.S., European media hyping up population crisis People's Daily 13 May 2021 -- Chinese foreign ministry on Wednesday refuted U.S. and European media outlets claiming that China is facing a population crisis.
China's private space company aims to launch a foreign satellite in 2022 Global Times 13 May 2021 -- China's leading private space enterprise is planning to complete an international satellite launch in 2022, which will be the first international space launch done by a Chinese private space company.

North Korea Orders Border City to Keep the Lights on at Night to Hide Economic Difficulties Radio Free Asia 13 May 2021 -- North Korea has ordered residents of a city that lies across the border from China to keep their lights on until 10 p.m. every night to hide the fact that the country is suffering from energy shortages, sources in the city told RFA.

China, Russia back Iran's demand for effective removal of US sanctions Press TV 13 May 2021 -- Russian and China — both parties to the 2015 nuclear deal — have once again backed Tehran's call for an effective removal of the sanctions imposed by the United States on the Iranian nation in the aftermath of Washington's withdrawal from the landmark accord.

Displaced Women, Children Face 'Humanitarian Crisis' Following Myanmar Coup Radio Free Asia 13 May 2021 -- More than 100 days after Myanmar's military took power from the country's democratically elected government, fighting between troops and ethnic insurgents has left tens of thousands of displaced women and children facing a humanitarian crisis, groups monitoring the situation said Thursday.
Humanitarian Groups in Myanmar Forced to Go Underground Amid Military Crackdown on Charity Radio Free Asia 13 May 2021 -- Humanitarian groups operating in Myanmar have been forced to go underground in the face of restrictions by the military junta that took power on Feb. 1, members of the groups told RFA.
Youths Bear Brunt of Junta Attacks on Myanmar Resistance Strongholds Radio Free Asia 13 May 2021 -- A technical college student and a 17-year-old were killed and other youths were arrested when army troops attacked pockets of resistance to military junta across central and western Myanmar, local residents and media said Thursday.

Jailed Belarusian Opposition Figure Kalesnikava Handed Final Accusation Papers RFE/RL 13 May 2021 -- Belarusian opposition figure Maryya Kalesnikava has been charged eight months after her arrest last year for urging people to protest against a disputed presidential election that left Alyaksandr Lukashenka in power.

Kazakh President Signs Into Law Long-Debated Bill Banning Land Ownership By Foreigners RFE/RL 13 May 2021 -- Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has signed into law a long-debated and sensitive bill that bans selling and leasing agricultural land to foreigners in the oil-rich Central Asian state.

Ukraine Court Orders House Arrest For Kremlin-Friendly Tycoon RFE/RL 13 May 2021 -- A Kyiv court on May 13 placed under house arrest Kremlin-friendly tycoon and politician Viktor Medvedchuk, who along with another pro-Russian lawmaker is under suspicion of treason.

Turkmen Authorities Slammed For 'Threatening' Relatives Of Exiled Dissidents RFE/RL 13 May 2021 -- Four leading human rights groups have criticized the authoritarian leadership of Turkmenistan for "threatening" the relatives of dissidents living abroad.

Corruption Alleged in Malawi Committee Vote on Anti-Graft Chief VOA 13 May 2021 -- Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera said Wednesday that efforts to fight corruption would be delayed because a parliamentary panel rejected his choice to head the country's Anti-Corruption Bureau.

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