Good Monday Morning April 5.
I hope you all had a great weekend
Regards,
Skip.
This Day In Naval History – April 5
1944
PB4Y aircraft (VB 109) sink Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 46 off Wake Island.
1946
USS Missouri (BB 63) transports the body of the late Turkish Ambassador to the United States, Mehmet Munir Ertegun, home for burial, on a mission that was also made to influence Soviet Middle East policy.
1951
During the Korean War, Hospital Corpsman Richard De Wert is killed in action while administering first aid to an injured comrade. He is posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
1961
A fire-fighting party from USS Prichett (DD 561) boards the burning Chinese tanker Kwang Lung at Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan, and extinguishes the fire before it spreads to a million gallons of gasoline.
2009
USS Warrior (MCM 10) and USS Chief (MCM 14), along with the Mexican Navy, rescue two fisherman 36 miles off Mexico.
Thanks to CHINFO
Executive Summary:
• NY Times reports that China is strengthening its occupation of the South China Sea with the help of fleets of civilian vessels that are purportedly sheltering from bad weather.
• CNN reports that Russia is building up its military presence in the Arctic.
• Multiple outlets reported on the U.S. refocusing on the Iran nuclear deal ahead of indirect negotiations with intermediaries scheduled to begin in Vienna on Tuesday.
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This Day in History
April 5
1242 |
| Russian troops repel an invasion by Teutonic knights. |
1614 |
| Pocahontas marries English colonist John Rolfe. |
1792 |
| George Washington casts the first presidential veto. |
1843 |
| Queen Victoria proclaims Hong Kong a British crown colony. |
1861 |
| Gideon Welles, the Secretary of the Navy issues official orders for the USS Powhatan to sail to Fort Sumter. |
1865 |
| As the Confederate army approaches Appomattox, it skirmishes with Union forces at Amelia Springs and Paine's Cross Road. |
1908 |
| The Japanese Army reaches Yalu River as Russians retreat. |
1919 |
| Eamon de Valera becomes president of Ireland. |
1930 |
| Mahatma Gandhi defies British law by making salt in India instead of buying it from the British. |
1941 |
| German commandos secure docks along the Danube River in preparation for Germany's invasion of the Balkans. |
1943 |
| The British 8th Army attacks the next blocking position of the retreating Axis forces at Wadi Akarit. |
1951 |
| Americans Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are sentenced to death for espionage. |
1955 |
| Winston Churchill resigns as British prime minister. |
1986 |
| A bomb explodes in a West Berlin disco packed with American soldiers. |
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On this day in history (April 5):
1614: American Indian Pocahontas married English colonist John Rolfe in Virginia.
1951: During the Korean War, Hospital Corpsman Richard De Wert is killed in action while administering first aid to an injured comrade. He is posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
1987: FOX Broadcasting Company launched "Married....With Children" and "The Tracey Ullman Show". The two shows were the beginning of the FOX lineup.
And today is:
National Caramel Popcorn Day
1972 North Vietnamese launch second front of Nguyen Hue Offensive »
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Thanks to Dave …
Reminds me of the "Turbo Encabulator" that you've undoubtedly seen. But just in case not: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac7G7xOG2Ag
Here's the back story from the "Director", which makes the performance even more impressive:
This is the first time Turbo Encabulator was recorded with picture. I shot this in the late 70's at Regan Studios in Detroit on 16mm film. The narrator and writer is Bud Haggert. He was the top voice-over talent on technical films. He wrote the script because he rarely understood the technical copy he was asked to read and felt he shouldn't be alone. We had just finished a production for GMC Trucks and Bud asked since this was the perfect setting could we film his Turbo Encabulator script. He was using an audio prompter referred to as "the ear". He was actually the pioneer of the ear. He was to deliver a live speech without a prompter. After struggling in his hotel room trying to commit to memory he went to plan B. He recorded it to a large Wollensak reel to reel recorder and placed it in the bottom of the podium. With a wired earplug he used it for the speech and the "ear" was invented. Today every on-camera spokesperson uses a variation of Bud's innovation. Dave Rondot (me) was the director and John Choate was the DP on this production. The first laugh at the end is mine. My hat's off to Bud a true talent.
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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear
Monday, 5 April 2021... Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
ROLLING THUNDER JOURNAL post of 5 April 1966...
From the archives of http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com...
"The Massaging of the RT50 Target List"
http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/rolling-thunder-remembered-5-april-1966/
Vietnam Air Losses
Access Chris Hobson and Dave Lovelady's work at: https://www.VietnamAirLosses.com.
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This Day in U S Military History…….April 5
1869 – Daniel Bakeman, the last surviving soldier of the U.S. Revolutionary War, died at the age of 109.
1944 – The Ploesti oil installations and rail sidings are attacked by B-17 and B-24 bombers of the US 15th Air Force, with a strong fighter escort. A total of 12 planes are lost. Determined German, Romanian and Bulgarian fighter opposition is encountered as well as heavy flak over the target. A reported 262 civilians are killed and 361 are injured.
1947 – Five Marine guards were killed and eight wounded when attacked by Communist Chinese raiders near the Hsin Ho ammunition depot in Northern China. This last major clash between Marines of the 1st Marine Division and Communist forces occurred shortly after withdrawal and redeployment plans from China were issued for the 1st Division and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing on 1 April.
1968 – In Vietnam the siege of Khe Sahn ended after 76 days.1971 – US Lt. William Calley was sentenced to life for the My Lai Massacre.
1972 – US planes destroyed Benhai bride on the DMZ, the only road link between North and South Vietnam.
1974 – The World Trade Center, the tallest building in the world at 110 stories, opened.
2003 – In the 18th day of Operation Iraqi Freedom US 3rd Infantry troops entered Baghdad for the first time. Coalition troops took several objectives surrounding the capital in the north and northwest. US warplanes hit Iraqi positions near the commercial center of Mosul. Up to 3,000 Iraqi fighters were killed as American armored vehicles moved into Baghdad.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
PRENDERGAST, THOMAS FRANCIS
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 2 April 1871, Waterford, Ireland. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 55 19 July 1901. Citation: For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle while with the Eighth Army Corps, 25, 27, 29 March, and 5 April 1899.
KELLY, THOMAS J.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Medical Detachment, 48th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division. Place and date: Alemert, Germany, 5 April 1945. Entered service at: Brooklyn, N.Y. Birth: Brooklyn, N.Y. G.O. No.: 97, 1 November 1945. Citation: He was an aid man with the 1st Platoon of Company C during an attack on the town of Alemert, Germany. The platoon, committed in a flanking maneuver, had advanced down a small, open valley overlooked by wooded slopes hiding enemy machineguns and tanks, when the attack was stopped by murderous fire that inflicted heavy casualties in the American ranks. Ordered to withdraw, Cpl. Kelly reached safety with uninjured remnants of the unit, but, on realizing the extent of casualties suffered by the platoon, voluntarily retraced his steps and began evacuating his comrades under direct machinegun fire. He was forced to crawl, dragging the injured behind him for most of the 300 yards separating the exposed area from a place of comparative safety. Two other volunteers who attempted to negotiate the hazardous route with him were mortally wounded, but he kept on with his herculean task after dressing their wounds and carrying them to friendly hands. In all, he made 10 separate trips through the brutal fire, each time bringing out a man from the death trap. Seven more casualties who were able to crawl by themselves he guided and encouraged in escaping from the hail of fire. After he had completed his heroic, self-imposed task and was near collapse from fatigue, he refused to leave his platoon until the attack had been resumed and the objective taken. Cpl. Kelly's gallantry and intrepidity in the face of seemingly certain death saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers and was an example of bravery under fire.
*MUNEMORI, SADAO S.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A,
100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Combat Team. Place and date: Near Seravezza, Italy, 5 April 1945. Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif Birth: Los Angeles, Calif. G.O. No.. 24, 7 March 1946. Citation: He fought with great gallantry and intrepidity near Seravezza, Italy. When his unit was pinned down by grazing fire from the enemy's strong mountain defense and command of the squad devolved on him with the wounding of its regular leader, he made frontal, l-man attacks through direct fire and knocked out 2 machineguns with grenades Withdrawing under murderous fire and showers of grenades from other enemy emplacements, he had nearly reached a shell crater occupied by 2 of his men when an unexploded grenade bounced on his helmet and rolled toward his helpless comrades. He arose into the withering fire, dived for the missile and smothered its blast with his body. By his swift, supremely heroic action Pfc. Munemori saved 2 of his men at the cost of his own life and did much to clear the path for his company's victorious advance.
*DEWERT, RICHARD DAVID
Rank and organization: Hospital Corpsman, U.S. Navy. Hospital Corpsman attached to Marine infantry company, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Korea, 5 April 1951. Entered service at: Taunton, Mass. Birth: Taunton, Mass. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a HC, in action against enemy aggressor forces. When a fire team from the point platoon of his company was pinned down by a deadly barrage of hostile automatic weapons fired and suffered many casualties, HC Dewert rushed to the assistance of 1 of the more seriously wounded and, despite a painful leg wound sustained while dragging the stricken marine to safety, steadfastly refused medical treatment for himself and immediately dashed back through the fireswept area to carry a second wounded man out of the line of fire. Undaunted by the mounting hail of devastating enemy fire, he bravely moved forward a third time and received another serious wound in the shoulder after discovering that a wounded marine had already died. Still persistent in his refusal to submit to first aid, he resolutely answered the call of a fourth stricken comrade and, while rendering medical assistance, was himself mortally wounded by a burst of enemy fire. His courageous initiative, great personal valor, and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds reflect the highest credit upon HC Dewert and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
*BUKER, BRIAN L.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Detachment B-55, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces. Place and date: Chau Doc Province, Republic of Vietnam, 5 April 1970. Entered service at: Bangor, Maine. Born: 3 November 1949, Benton, Maine. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Buker, Detachment B-55, distinguished himself while serving as a platoon adviser of a Vietnamese mobile strike force company during an offensive mission. Sgt. Buker personally led the platoon, cleared a strategically located well-guarded pass, and established the first foothold at the top of what had been an impenetrable mountain fortress. When the platoon came under the intense fire from a determined enemy located in 2 heavily fortified bunkers, and realizing that withdrawal would result in heavy casualties, Sgt. Buker unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, charged through the hail of enemy fire and destroyed the first bunker with hand grenades. While reorganizing his men for the attack on the second bunker, Sgt. Buker was seriously wounded. Despite his wounds and the deadly enemy fire, he crawled forward and destroyed the second bunker. Sgt. Buker refused medical attention and was reorganizing his men to continue the attack when he was mortally wounded. As a direct result of his heroic actions, many casualties were averted, and the assault of the enemy position was successful. Sgt. Buker's extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
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This Day in Aviation History" brought to you by the Daedalians Airpower Blog Update. To subscribe to this weekly email, go to https://daedalians.org/airpower-blog/.
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Thanks to Tom
View the Latest Edition of "This Week @NASA" (Published March 26, 2021)
Folks –
I'm VERY late getting this out due to Easter week – higher calling if you will….my apologies!
Ingenuity will test fly on Mars somewhere around 4-8-21….very soon! Ought to be interesting to see a helicopter raise dust on Mars! 30 day mission is planned…not sure if that is all the drone has for power or what…we'll have to stay tuned!
The X-59 is supposed to be a "quiet" sonic boom, not a window rattling disturbance on the ground. That is one of the things that killed the SST back in the 6-'s – you couldn't fly it over populated areas, thus limiting the utility in connecting cities. Again, like the X-29, it has 1 or 2 airframes and a crash ends it all. (side note: this forward swept wing was yet another invention the Germans had developed during WW II)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GEB-7Gw-_0
LANDSAT satellites replaced the 50's U-2 and 60's SR-71 spy planes by utilizing orbiting camera platforms to see what the "other side" is doing. While peaceful in its intent, NO data is ever totally "peaceful"….enemies are enemies and they must be guarded against at all times. That delicate chemistry of civilian work and military spin-ins is what made NASA 4.5% of the budget in the early 60's and less than ½ of 1% today…..this is not a well understood phenomenon. A good reason to be VERY careful who you elect to represent you!
Enjoy!
Tom
AGENCYWIDE MESSAGE TO ALL NASA EMPLOYEES
Points of Contact: Jim Wilson, jim.wilson@nasa.gov and Andre Valentine, andre.valentine-1@nasa.gov,
Office of Communications, NASA Headquarters
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View the Latest Edition of "This Week @NASA" (Published March 26, 2021)
View the latest "This Week @NASA" produced by NASA Television for features on agency news and activities. Stories in this program include:
· Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Preparing for First Flight
· Water Tests Begin with Orion Test Article
· Next Station Crew Conducts Prelaunch Activities
· X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Aircraft Coming Together
· Landsat Satellite Data Warns of Harmful Algal Blooms
To watch this edition of "This Week @NASA" dated March 26, 2021, click on the image below:
Watch the Video
To access this edition of "This Week @NASA," you may also visit:
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This notice is being sent agencywide to all employees by NASA INC in the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters.
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Thanks to Dutch
ejection seat testing
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for April 5, 2021 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
5 April
1911: The Army organized its first provisional aero company at Fort Sam Houston.
1916: Philip A. Carroll organized the Governors Island Training Corps to teach civilians to fly. This corps became the nucleus of the 1st Aero Reserve Squadron, and then the 26th Aero Squadron. (24)
1930: Through 6 April, Capt Frank Hawks flew a Waco Biplane, with a glider in tow, from San Diego to New York and covered the 2,860 miles in 36 hours 47 minutes. (24)
1943: Operation FLAX. Northwest African Air Forces started a concentrated attack on the Axis air transport service between Italy via Sicily to Tunisia. The operation claimed 201 enemy aircraft destroyed. (24) Eighth Air Force sent 82 B-17s and B-24s to attack industrial targets, including the Erla aircraft factory in Antwerp, Belgium. (4)
1949: Fairchild completed the first two production models of the C-119 troop-carrying transport. (24)
1958: An USAF Atlas ICBM flew from Cape Canaveral to an impact area some 600 miles away. (16)
1966: The Air Force Avionics Laboratory conducted the first successful voice communication test with airplane, satellite, and ground equipment. (16) (26) SECDEF Robert S. McNamara approved the separation of Naval and USAF airlift. Under this decision, the Navy phased out three airlift and one maintenance squadron from MAC; however, MAC retained 48 C-130Es. That action ended an Air Force-Navy airlift partnership that began in 1948 when Air Transport Command and Naval Air Transport Service units merged. (18)
1978: An Air Force interim program management directive initiated the cruise missile carrier aircraft program to analyze the suitability of wide-body aircraft as missile carriers. (6)
1983: Through 10 April, after 20 inches of rain fell on southeastern Louisiana in five days, MAC used four C-141s to airlift 83 tons of tents, cots, field kitchens, and other relief cargo to the area. Over 40,000 homes were under water. (16) (26)
1985: MAC sent two C-141s and one C-130 with 10.9 tons of fire-fighting equipment, 21,000 gallons of fire retardant, and 190 fire fighters to fight a blaze covering 700 acres in the western North Carolina mountains. (16) (26)
1986: Through 6 April, four C-141 Starlifters and one H-3 Jolly Green Giant helicopter from the 63 MAW flew in fire suppressant foam and airlifted out burn victims from Osan AB after a 700,000-gallon tank of jet fuel exploded and burned. The helicopter flew the burn victims to Seoul for medical treatment. (16) 1988: Through 8 April, 8 C-5s and 22 C-141s airlifted 1,300 security specialists from the US to Panama, where political instability threatened the safety of thousands of Americans. The deployment included 45 missions. (18)
1990: Gordon Fullerton flew the NB-52 to 43,000 feet some 60 miles southwest of Monterey, Calif., and launched the Pegasus air-launched winged space booster for the first time. After falling for a few seconds, the first stage booster carried the rocket to 250,000 feet. Afterwards, the second and third stage pushed the 422-pound payload into a 320-mile polar orbit. The three-function payload, Pegsat, included a Navy communications satellite, a NASA atmospheric experiment, and instruments to measure inflight stresses. (8: Apr 90)
1991: Operation PROVIDE COMFORT. To 15 July, MAC units flew more than 7,000 tons of supplies to Northern Iraq, Southeastern Turkey, and Western Iran to help more than 1,000,000 Kurdish rebels, who fled from Iraq after being defeated by Iraqi forces. (16)
1996: Through 9 April, tests to help determine C-17A Globemaster III's suitability for Air Force's aeromedical evacuation role took place at Pope AFB. Twelve active-duty and Reserve aeromedical evacuation personnel "put the C-17 through its paces" to test and critique its the built-in aeromedical evacuation hardware and equipment. The airplane completed five simulated and actual flying missions, including a landing at a short dirt strip. (AFNEWS Article 296, 3 Apr 95)
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World News for 5 April thanks to Military Periscope
USA—Army Awards Contracts For 2nd Phase Of FLRAA Risk-Reduction Competition Dept. Of Defense | 04/05/2021 The Army has awarded contracts to Bell and a Sikorsky-Boeing team for the next phase of its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition, reports the Dept. of Defense. Bell received $292.6 million, and Sikorsky-Boeing $284.3 million for the second phase of the competitive development and risk-reduction (CDRR) project, said a Pentagon release on March 30. Both firms previously received similar awards for the first phase of CDRR work last year. The project is designed to advance technologies from the Joint Multirole Technology Demonstration (JMR-TD) to the FLRAA weapons design stage, noted Defense News. Bell says it has flown its V-280 tiltrotor for more than 200 flight hours over 160 individual flight tests, while Sikorsky-Boeing's Defiant coaxial demonstrator has accumulated 26 flight hours through 31 flights. Defiant flight operations were delayed by issues with the manufacture of its rotor blades. Under the latest contract, each will conduct a preliminary analysis of requirements for Special Operations Command (SOCOM), including for medical evacuation and features that will enable export. The Army is scheduled to pick a winner to build prototypes for the program of record in 2022. The extensive CDRR work is expected to enable the victor to complete preliminary design reviews for the aircraft and weapons in less than a year after contract award, the Army said.
USA—Iran Agrees To Initial Indirect Talks On Nuclear Deal Wall Street Journal | 04/05/2021 U.S. and Iranian officials have agreed to initial indirect talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, reports the Wall Street Journal. On Friday, U.S. officials announced that that they would attend talks involving all the signatories of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- China, France, Germany, Iran, Russia, the U.K., European Union and U.S. -- scheduled for Tuesday in Vienna. U.S. and Iranian officials are not expected to meet face-to-face but other signatories will act as intermediaries, reported CNN. The goal of the talks is to reach two separate accords -- one with the U.S. and one with Iran -- on the steps each will take to return to compliance with the JCPOA and a related timetable. Experts will then work out the details. A senior E.U. official expressed hope that discussions could conclude by late May. Officials in the U.S. and Europe have expressed a desire to reach an agreement before elections in Iran in June.
USA—Sullivan Discusses N. Korea Issues With Japanese, S. Korean Counterparts Yonhap | 04/05/2021 Top security officials in the U.S., Japan and South Korea have agreed to continue to work together resolve the nuclear challenge posed by North Korea, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). On Friday, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan hosted his Japanese and South Korean counterparts, Shigeru Kitamura and Suh Hoon, at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. The talks enabled the U.S. to explain the interim results of its ongoing North Korea policy review and give Seoul and Tokyo the opportunity to provide input. The officials also discussed issues related to the preparation and implementation of measures for negotiations with Pyongyang, said Suh. The three sides agreed on " the urgency of the North Korean nuclear issue and need for a diplomatic solution," said the South Korean national security adviser. The trilateral talks also covered the novel coronavirus pandemic, climate change and developments in Burma, reported the Hill (Washington, D.C.). Suh also held bilateral talks with Kitamura.
USA—Infrastructure Plan Includes Funding For Emerging Military Technologies C4ISRNet | 04/05/2021 A new infrastructure plan proposed by the White House contains about $180 billion for research and development spending, including for future military technology, reports C4ISRNet. Unveiled on March 31, the $2 trillion American Jobs Plan proposes targeted investment in several fields expected to be at the forefront of future technologies that will drive military innovation, such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence and microelectronics. The plan puts forward $50 billion in investment for the National Science Foundation, focused on semiconductors, advanced computing, advanced energy technologies and biotechnologies. Another $40 billion would be spent to upgrade research facilities across the U.S., both virtual and physical. Some $50 billion would be allocated to the Commerce Dept. to better secure the semiconductor supply chain. Finally, the proposal includes $35 billion in funding for climate science and related technologies. Analysts have long expressed concern about declining investment in basic research and development, warning that it could leave the U.S. unable to take advantage of technological breakthroughs and cede the position of top innovator to China.
United Kingdom—Defense Procurement Minister Says Additional F-35 Purchases Planned Defense One | 04/05/2021 A top British defense official says that the U.K. plans to procure additional F-35B fighter jets from the U.S., reports Defense One. Minister of State for Defense Procurement Jeremy Quin told the website that the U.K. would "absolutely" buy more of the jets by 2025. He declined to indicate whether the military's goal of 138 total F-35s for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force remained in place. The U.K. has one of the largest projected F-35 fleets but has not so far committed to buying aircraft beyond the 48 already ordered. Meanwhile, attention has focused on the Tempest future combat air system program, with a recent defense strategy document calling for increasing funding for that program by US$3 billion.
United Kingdom—New Sanctions Imposed On Burmese Military-Linked Company U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office | 04/05/2021 The British government has imposed additional sanctions on a Burmese company linked to the military, which has been violently cracking down on civilians opposed to its seizure of power. On April 1, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced measures against the Myanmar Economic Corp. (MEC) conglomerate for its involvement in human-rights violations through funding made available to the Burmese military and association with senior military figures, reported the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The measures under the Global Human Rights sanctions regime enter effect immediately and prohibit any funding or economic resources for any subsidiaries owned or controlled by the MEC. Together with the Myanmar Economic Holdings (MEHL), MEC controls large swathes of the Burmese economy, including the alcohol, cigarette and consumer goods markets, reported Agence France-Presse. An estimated 133 Burmese firms are controlled in whole or in part by generals in the Burmese military, according to Justice For Myanmar. More than 500 protesters have been killed by security forces since the Feb. 1 coup.
Ukraine—E.U. Pledges Support Amid Russian Military Moves Agence France-Presse | 04/05/2021 The European Union has pledged support for Ukrainian sovereignty amid a buildup of Russian forces near the border, reports Agence France-Presse. On Sunday, E.U. foreign policy chief Josep Borrell spoke to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and pledged the bloc's support for "Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity." Further talks with Kuleba and E.U. foreign ministers are planned later this month, he said. On Saturday, Germany and France issued a joint statement condemning rising cease-fire violations and the movement of Russian troops in the region, reported Deutsche Welle. On Friday, British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab said that the U.K. was gravely concerned about growing Russian military activity, reported Reuters. The Ukrainian general staff later said that troops would participate in U.K.-led NATO military drills this summer. President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, pledging "unwavering" American support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, reported Deutsche Presse-Agentur. Kyiv has accused Russia of amassing thousands of troops along the border of northern and eastern Ukraine and on the Crimean peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.
China—Agreement Inked With Arab League On Digital Security Xinhua | 04/05/2021 China has signed a data security cooperation agreement with the Arab League, reports Xinhua, China's state news agency. The accord was signed during a video conference between Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League States Hossam Zaki. The Initiative on China-Arab Data Security Cooperation covers security of data and production chains, reported the official China News Service. Zhaoxu said that the accord is designed to provide an "open, fair, non-discriminative" digital environment, reported the South China Morning Post. Details of the agreement were not immediately made public.
China—Troops Headed To Russia For Winter Mountain Training South China Morning Post | 04/05/2021 China is sending a small unit to take part in winter mountain training in Russia, reports the South China Morning Post. The Chinese Defense Ministry said that 11 soldiers from the 78th Group Army in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, would take part in a military competition from April 14-17. The exercise starts with a 31-mile (50-km) ruck through the Western Sayan mountain range that will include avalanche rescue, fixed-rope descent, shooting and grenade training. The drill is the first of 34 within this year's International Army Games. This is the first time that China has competed in this preliminary stage of the games. The Sayan March competition is an opportunity for Chinese soldiers to learn more about Russian practices in extreme conditions, analysts said.
South Korea—Annual Mine-Clearance Effort Kicks Off Yonhap | 04/05/2021 The South Korean military has begun an annual land-mine-clearance operation, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). On April 1, 1,700 troops from 34 engineering units began the eight-month effort to clear anti-personnel land mines near civilian areas, said the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. This year's program covers a total area of 6.8 million-square-foot (630,000-sq-m) area in 42 regions near the border with North Korea and in the south, where the government hopes to develop hiking trails. The government estimates that 60,000 land mines have been cleared since the effort began in 1998.
India—22 Paramilitaries Die In Maoist Ambush Hindustan Times | 04/05/2021 At least 22 Indian security personnel have been killed in a militant attack in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, reports the Hindustan Times. On Saturday, members of the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and the District Reserve Guard (DRG), clashed with suspected Maoists in a forest near Jonaguda, said security sources. The paramilitaries were conducting a search operation for Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-M) leader Madvi Hidma in the forests of South Bastar. At least 400 CPI-M militants, also known as Naxalites, reportedly lured the security forces into a U-shaped ambush and then opened fire with light machine guns, reported the Tribune (Chandigarh). Low-intensity improvised explosive devices were also employed, sources said. One suspected militant was confirmed killed in the encounter, with about a dozen fatalities estimated in total. The Maoists removed their dead with tractor trolleys. Following an hours-long gun battle, the militants withdrew with at least two dozen government firearms, reported the Asia News International. As many as 800 to 1,000 Naxalites are believed to be active in the area, sources told the Print (New Delhi).
Afghanistan—Ghani Working On Proposal For Peace Deal With Taliban TOLONews | 04/05/2021 Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has been shopping his own plan for peace with the Taliban to international allies and partners, reports the Tolo News (Kabul). Sources close to Ghani said that details of the proposal have been provided to NATO, E.U. and U.S. officials, regional and Muslim nations in recent days. The plan has three phases. The first calls for peace talks with the Taliban. The second proposes "building peace," with language that suggests the establishment of a transitional government. The final step is focused on maintaining peace in a post-unity government scenario. Separately, the U.S. has been pushing for a meeting in Turkey between the Taliban and Afghanistan ahead of the May 1 deadline for the withdrawal of American forces, reported Reuters.
Jordan—Police Arrest 20 In Suspected Coup Plot Washington Post | 04/05/2021 Jordanian police have arrested at least 20 people involved in an alleged plot to unseat King Abdullah II, reports the Washington Post. On Saturday, authorities made the arrests citing a complex plot involving at least one royal, tribal leaders and members of the political and security establishment. The military confirmed the arrests and said that Prince Hamzeh bin Hussein, the half-brother of King Abdullah II, had been asked to remain at his Amman palace and refrain from posting on social media. In a statement, Prince Hamzeh, who was a crown prince until 2004, said he had been placed under house arrest, barred from taking meetings or communicating via social media, reported BBC News. Hamzeh denied involvement in any plot and said that the move against him was due to his criticism of government corruption. The former crown prince is a popular figure in many sectors of Jordanian society, including tribal areas, an analyst told NPR News. Among those arrested were former head of the royal court Basem Awadallah and a member of the royal family, Hassan bin Zaid, reported Jordanian state media cited by CNN. A foreign intelligence source told the Post that more arrests were anticipated.
Egypt—Top Officials Meet With Ethiopian, Sudanese Counterparts To Discuss Nile Dam Reuters | 04/05/2021 Senior Egyptian officials say that talks with Ethiopia and Sudan over Addis Ababa's dam on the Blue Nile River may be the last chance to reach an agreement before additional filling takes place, reports Reuters. The meeting in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, scheduled to conclude on Monday, could be the last before the beginning of the rainy season, when Ethiopia has said it will fill the reservoir behind the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) for the second year in a row. Prior to the meeting, Egyptian officials said they hoped to reach an agreement before such filling could begin. Last week, President Abdel Fattah el Sisi said that a move to unilaterally fill the reservoir could bring "inconceivable instability in the region." Cairo has expressed concern that filling the reservoir too quickly could affect Egypt's supplies of freshwater from the Nile. Sudan, which is also downstream from the project, is concerned that the dam could affect its dams and water stations.
Ethiopia—Eritrean Forces Leave Tigray, Government Says Reuters | 04/05/2021 The Ethiopian government says that Eritrean forces have begun withdrawing from the northern Tigray region, reports Reuters. "The Eritrean troops who had crossed the border when provoked by the TPLF [Tigray People's Liberation Front] have now started to evacuate and the Ethiopian National Defense Force has taken over guarding the national border," said an Ethiopian Foreign Ministry release. On Friday, the G7 called for the swift, unilateral withdrawal of Eritrean soldiers, as well as a political solution to the conflict between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF. On March 23, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed acknowledged that troops from Eritrea had entered the northern region of Tigray. However, he maintained that those troops had only guarded the border, contradicting reports by human-rights watchdogs that the Eritrean forces had engaged in abuses deep within the region.
Central African Republic—Observers Concerned Over Links Between Russian Mercenaries, Peacekeepers U.N. News Center | 04/05/2021 U.N. human-rights experts have raised concerns over Russian mercenaries in the Central African Republic (CAR), reports the U.N. News. The reported close links between Russian private military contractors (PMCs) and U.N. peacekeepers blurs "the lines between civil, military and peacekeeping operations" and "creates confusion about the legitimate targets and increases the risks for widespread human-rights and humanitarian law abuses," the U.N. Working Group on Mercenaries said on March 31. The warning focused on three Russian organizations operating in the CAR: Sewa Security Services, Lobaye Invest SARLU and the Wagner Group. U.N. experts said that these organizations, particularly the PMCs, had a close working relationship with MINUSCA peacekeepers, who apparently permitted the Russians on U.N. bases and were involved in evacuating wounded mercenaries. Contact is maintained despite numerous allegations against the Russian PMCs, including summary executions, kidnappings, torture and attacks on non-combatants. The first Russian mercenaries deployed to CAR in 2018 but their presence increased following a push by former President Francois Bozize ahead of elections in December.
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